Author: KBC Digital

Greece boat disaster leaves at least 79 dead and hundreds missing

At least 79 people have died and more than 100 have been rescued after their fishing vessel capsized off the coast of southern Greece.

But survivors and Greek officials say that hundreds more migrants were on board.

The government says this is one of Greece’s biggest migrant tragedies, and has declared three days of mourning.

The boat went down about 80 km (50 miles) south-west of Pylos after the coastguard said it had refused help.

The coastguard said the boat had been spotted in international waters late on Tuesday by an aircraft belonging to EU border agency Frontex. No-one on board was wearing life jackets, it added.

Quoting a timeline provided by the shipping ministry, Greek public broadcaster ERT said authorities had made contact with the boat via satellite phone on several occasions and offered help, but were repeatedly told: “We want nothing more than to go on to Italy.”

A few hours later, around 01:40 on Wednesday (23:40 GMT Tuesday), someone on the boat is said to have notified the Greek coastguard that the vessel’s engine had malfunctioned.

Shortly after, the boat capsized, taking only ten to fifteen minutes to sink completely. A search and rescue operation was triggered but complicated by strong winds.

Alarm Phone, an emergency helpline for migrants in trouble at sea, said the coastguard was “aware of the ship being in distress for hours before any help was sent”, adding that authorities “had been informed by different sources” that the boat was in trouble.

It added that people may have been scared to encounter Greek authorities because they were aware of the country’s “horrible and systematic pushback practices”.

The boat is thought to have been going from Libya to Italy, with most of those on board believed to be men in their 20s.

They had been travelling for days, according to local media reports, which added that the boat had been approached by a Maltese cargo ship on Tuesday afternoon that supplied food and water.

Survivors spoke of as many as 500 to 700 people on board and regional health director Yiannis Karvelis warned of an unprecedented tragedy: “The number of the people on board was much higher than the capacity that should be allowed for this boat.”

Coastguard Cpt Nikolaos Alexiou told public TV that his colleagues had seen people packed on to the deck and that the boat had sunk in one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean.

IMAGE SOURCE,MENELAOS MYRILLAS/VIA AFP
Image caption,

Survivors were taken to hospital or to a warehouse in Kalamata that was being used as a temporary shelter

The nationalities of the victims have not yet been announced.

Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata, and many were treated in hospital for hypothermia or minor injuries.

ERT said that three people suspected of being the traffickers had been taken to the central port authority in Kalamata and were being interrogated.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou visited some of those rescued and expressed her sorrow for those who had drowned.

Each year, hundreds of people die trying to cross the Mediterranean. In February, a boat carrying migrants capsized near Cutro, in the region of Calabria in southern Italy, killing at least 94 people – one of the deadliest incidents recorded.

Greek migration ministry official Yiorgos Michaelidis told the BBC’s World Tonight programme that Greece had repeatedly said the EU needed to come up with a “solid” migration policy “in order to accept people who are really in need and not just the people who have the money to pay the smugglers”.

“Right now, the smugglers are the ones who decide who comes to Europe,” he said.

“The case is for the EU to provide asylum, help and safety for those who are really in need. It’s not a problem of Greece, Italy or Cyprus… The EU is the one that must conclude on a solid migration policy.”

Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Last month the Greek government came under international criticism over video footage reportedly showing the forceful expulsion of migrants who were set adrift at sea.

More than 70,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe’s frontline countries this year, with the majority landing in Italy, according to UN data.

June 15, 2023
President Ruto: We must get universal healthcare right

President William Ruto has said the government is committed to the successful delivery of Universal Health Care.

The government, he added, will prioritize preventive healthcare, anchored on community health workers, NHIF reform, and provision of medical supplies and equipment to deliver UHC.

“There have been two failed attempts to implement universal healthcare. But this time round, we are determined to achieve it successfully. Preventive care will make it possible to deal with health issues early at the community level, which will ease crowding at hospitals,” the Head of State said.

Speaking when he met Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands at State House Nairobi, President Ruto said the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) must improve its service delivery

“KEMSA is an integral part of the equation. They must play their rightful role. The agency has had issues, but we are sorting it out.”

The President said the government will weed out corruption and predators at the NHIF to make it more efficient.

Sands said Kenya has “a fantastic relationship” with the Global Fund.

He commended President Ruto for the recent decisive action to clean up Kemsa.

He said Global Fund supports the government’s universal healthcare agenda and is ready to offer technical expertise.

June 14, 2023
China, Honduras chart course for relations in leaders’ historic meeting

CGTN

China and Honduras have delivered a speedy and robust start to their diplomatic relations since they were officially established just more than two months ago.

Following the inauguration of their embassies in each other’s capital over the past week, Beijing and Tegucigalpa welcomed a historic moment on Monday, as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with the visiting Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento.

Noting that Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China, Xi hailed her visit as one of special significance as it opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship.

“China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development,” he pledged.

Xi also expressed his readiness to work with the Honduran president from a strategic and long-term perspective to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development and turn the vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples.

The one-China principle

Hours after Honduras announced that it had severed the so-called “diplomatic relations” with China’s Taiwan region, the Central American country signed a joint communique with China on March 26, becoming the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle.

By doing so, Castro, the first female president of Honduras, who was elected in November 2021 and inaugurated in January 2022, has fulfilled one of her campaign promises.

During Monday’s talks, Xi commended the “historic” decision she has made and the “unwavering” political will she has shown in establishing diplomatic relations with China, saying the contribution will “go down in history.”

The one-China principle is the primary premise and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral relations between China and Honduras, he said.

Castro said the Honduran side firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, and supports the Chinese government’s efforts to achieve national reunification.

According to a joint statement released on Monday, China and Honduras agree to boost cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the Honduran side express support for the Global Development Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Security Initiative – the three initiatives China has proposed to address the challenges facing the world and the era.

‘Great promise’ in cooperation

After their talks, Xi and Castro jointly witnessed the signing of 17 bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as BRI construction, economy, trade, quality inspection, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education.

Both sides also agreed to start negotiations on a free trade agreement at an early date. Since March, China has greenlighted the imports of some signature Honduran products such as coffee, shrimps, melons and bananas.

In the first four months of 2023, China’s imports from and exports to Honduras reached about 3.89 billion yuan ($540 million), a year-on-year increase of 22.9 percent, and in particular, the imports grew by 229.5 percent, data from China’s customs showed.

“The bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise,” Xi told Castro during their meeting.

Castro said Honduras is confident about the future, given the rapid progress of cooperation between the two countries over the past two months.

At the inauguration ceremony of Honduras’ embassy in Beijing on Sunday, Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said the establishment of diplomatic relations with China opens a new era in Honduras’ relations with the world and offers a chance for Honduras to become a “great and prosperous” country.

“With China, we open new windows of opportunity for Honduran trade and commerce, and with these, for the Honduran economic growth,” Reina told CGTN in a recent interview.

Castro is on a six-day state visit to China that will run till Wednesday. She arrived in Shanghai on Friday. Honduras will participate in the China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai later this year and send young students to the city for study, she said in Shanghai.

June 14, 2023
President Ruto: Our decisions will be data-driven

President William Ruto has said the Government will use intelligence analysis to manage emerging global challenges.

He said the employment of data-guided information will help to manage fragile and complex issues facing the country.

The Head of State pointed out terror, insecurity, economic constraints and climate change as some of the challenges facing the world.

He appealed to relevant institutions to furnish decision-makers and legislators with credible information to enable them to execute their duties.

“The best decisions are made if you are armed with the best information,” he said.

President Ruto explained that all Government policies, legislations and other interventions will be based on veritable analysis and knowledge.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during the swearing-in of the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji at State House, Nairobi.

President Ruto exuded confidence in Mr Haji’s capacity and experience to lead the institution.

He committed to strengthening constitutional institutions to deliver services to Kenyans.

The President called on various arms of government and agencies to work together to advance the country’s development agenda.

Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla, Cabinet Secretaries Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Aden Duale (Defense), Attorney General Justin Muturi, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and forner NIS DG Philip Kameru among others.

June 14, 2023
Budget: A look at the Ksh 3.6T FY2023/24 expenditure

The Budget and Appropriation committee has proposed to increase the 2023/24 financial year budget by Ksh 80 billion.

If adopted by parliament, recurrent expenditure will go up by Ksh 56.4 billion while development expenditure will increase by Ksh 24.2 billion.

If approved by the House, the 2023/24 budget will jump to Ksh 3.6 trillion. The proposed amendments have been forwarded to Parliament for approval.

Thursday, all eyes will be on National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u as he delivers his first budget statement before parliament under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The Ksh 3.6 trillion 2023/24 fiscal budget is an increase of Ksh 251 billion from this financial year’s budget of Ksh 3.39 trillion.

The government plans to finance the deficit of Ksh 663 billion through borrowing. The National Treasury plans to spend Ksh 2.5 trillion on recurrent expenses and Ksh 769.3 billion on development.

The budget for the next financial year is expected to increase by Ksh 80 billion if the recommendations by the budget and appropriation committee are approved by the August house.

A report by the committee has recommended a net increase in recurrent expenditure of Ksh 56.4 billion and a net increase in development expenditure of Ksh 24.2 billion.

The Budget Committee led by its chair Ndindi Nyoro said it received substantial additional requests from departmental committees amounting to Ksh 88.8 billion to meet various expenditure shortfalls but due to prevailing resource constraints and the need to contain the fiscal deficit with a certain limit, the budget committee could not finance most of the requests.

The committee recommends to the house to approve the budget estimates for the national government, Ksh 23 billion for the judiciary, and Ksh 41 billion for parliament for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

With regard to revenue, the committee noted with concern that the revenue target of Ksh 2.5 trillion is quite ambitious taking into account the downward revision of GDP growth projection and that ordinary revenue grows at an average of 10pc.

The committee noted that the reduction of the fiscal deficit from 5.7pc to 4.7pc is premised on the ambitious projection in tax revenue collection adding that if the revenue collection target does not materialize it will necessitate a downward revision in expenditure through a supplementary budget.

June 14, 2023
Leveraging the Blue Economy for sustainable exploitation of water resources

By Judith Akolo

The Kenya Government is undertaking policy, legal and institutional reforms to create an enabling environment for the sustainable exploitation of blue economy resources in the country.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya said that the government is creating new institutions to support the fisheries sector adding that this follows the recognition of the importance of the Blue Economy to the national development of the country and a frontier for investment.

In a speech read for him by the Fisheries & Blue Economy Secretary Rodrick Kundu at the beginning of the Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, and the Indian Oceans states meeting on Blue Economy Knowledge and Experience Sharing Fair held in Mombasa County, the Cabinet Secretary said that “tapping the potential in the blue economy provides room for economic growth and development to enhance livelihoods for our people, create employment opportunities, and reduce poverty.”

While noting that the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector contributes significantly to food and nutrition security, and trade, Mvurya said that the government had established various departments to ensure that the potential in the Blue Economy sector contributes to the country’s gross domestic product.

He said such institutions as the Kenya Fisheries Service which is mandated to conserve, manage and develop Kenya’s fisheries resources; Kenya Fish Marketing Authority, mandated to market fish and fishery products from Kenya; Fish Levy Trust Fund, sustainable funding system; are institutions established as enablers to sustainable exploitation of resources in the Blue Economy sector.

“The Kenya Coast Guard Services which is in charge of the protection of marine resources; Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, mandated to undertake research in marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture, environmental and ecological studies for sustainable exploitation of fisheries and other aquatic resources; Kenya Fishing Industries Corporation, mandated with the exploitation of fishery resources in Kenya fishery waters and high seas by promoting the establishment, development and efficiency of business engaged in the fishing and fishing related activities,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

Speaking on the topic: Leveraging the Blue Economy through efficient small-scale fisheries management and aquatic biodiversity conservation to build the Africa We Want Blue Economy, the Cabinet Secretary said that a review of policies and programs will help to “enhance access to affordable food, and also address the adverse effects of climate change.”

Mvurya noted that the development and validation of a national Blue Economy Strategy will help to create synergy among the various sectors and also provide an avenue for exploration and exploitation of the opportunities in the blue economy “which is presenting great opportunity for job creation as well as sustainable livelihoods.”

The Cabinet Secretary reiterated that the government is encouraging the Beach Management Units to join the cooperative movement in order to make savings and benefit from lower loan interest-rates to help them grow their businesses. “The initiative is going to be a major boost to the growth of the small scale fishing and would improve the livelihood of the coastal counties directly and indirectly,” he said.

The Knowledge Fair organised by the ECOFISH Programme in partnership with the African Union InterAfrica Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) aims to harness the wealth of knowledge and innovations, policy guidance, experiential learnings and best practices in the field of the Blue Economy, Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Aquatic Biodiversity conservation to contribute to the political, socio-economic and ecological aspirations of Africa Agenda 2063.

ECOFISH is a cross-regional Initiative of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) promoted and administered by European Union Delegation (EUD) Mauritius and implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in partnership with the mandated regional economic and fisheries organisation. “It leverages effective cooperation to foster sustainable management of the inland and marine wild fisheries resources to contribute to the Blue Economy of Eastern Africa, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region,” says Dr. Soobaschan Sweenarain

The ECOFISH Program attempts to operationalise the fundamental principles of Sustainable Development, in the fisheries sector amid the unprecedented challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and inequalities.

“It empowers institutional stakeholders at various governance scales to unleash the development potential of sustainable fisheries as a resilient growth engine for shared prosperity across the local and national economies,” says Dr. Sweenarain.

He notes that documenting and sharing knowledge, lessons learned, experiential learning, and best practices is crucial to promoting continuous improvement in policy-making and management decisions to drive sustainable development programmes and projects.

June 14, 2023
Donald Trump pleads not guilty in arraignment over classified documents
Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to historic charges of mishandling sensitive files at a federal court in Miami, Florida.

Mr Trump is the first US president – current or former – to be hit with a federal criminal indictment.

Arms crossed, in a dark suit and red tie, he sat in stone-faced silence for his second court appearance this year.

The Republican later travelled to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he addressed supporters.

Against a backdrop of American flags, Mr Trump, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, told the assembled crowd he had “every right” to hold the classified documents, but “hadn’t had a chance to go through all the boxes”.

He said he followed the law and went on to list series of unsubstantiated claims as well as grievances against President Joe Biden and his former rival Hillary Clinton.

Earlier in the day before leaving Miami, Mr Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social, thanked the city for “such a warm welcome on such a sad day for our country”.

Just hours before, in a 13th floor room of a federal courthouse in downtown Miami, a sombre, subdued Mr Trump looked on while his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on 37 counts of illegally retaining classified documents and obstructing the government’s efforts to get them back.

“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” the attorney, Todd Blanche, told the judge.
Trump’s court drama turbo-charges his campaign

Trump in court on documents charges – in pictures
Mr Trump’s co-defendant, Walt Nauta – a close aide charged with six criminal counts in the case – was sitting at the same table as the former president.

On the opposite side of the room sat the entire prosecution team, including special counsel Jack Smith, who announced the indictment last week.

The former president, 76, was allowed to leave court without any restrictions to domestic or international travel. Prosecutors told Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman the defendant was not considered a flight risk.

But Mr Trump will not be allowed to discuss the case with Mr Nauta.

After the hearing, the Republican flashed supporters a thumbs up as his motorcade left the courthouse. As the drove away, an anti-Trump protester dressed in a prison jumpsuit ran into the street in front of the Trump motorcade before he was pushed away by security – perhaps the most unruly moment of a largely peaceful day.

Mr Trump and his security detail travelled directly to Versailles, a popular Cuban restaurant in Miami’s Little Havana, where he was greeted by a throng of supporters who lined up for photos with the former president.

He appeared to take part in a prayer with some patrons, and was treated to a chorus of Happy Birthday to You, ahead of his 77th on Wednesday.

Alina Habba, a lawyer attorney for the former president, repeated the former president’s claims that the charges were politically motivated as she addressed media outside court.

“We are at a turning point in our nation’s history, the targeting prosecution of a leading political opponent is the type of thing you see in dictatorships like Cuba and Venezuela,” she told reporters.

“What is being done to the President Trump should terrify all citizens of this country,” she added.

Before the hearing, court officials said Mr Trump would not have a mugshot taken but would be digitally fingerprinted and asked to submit a DNA sample by swab.

A trial date has not yet been set, though the case is still earmarked for Aileen Cannon, a federal district judge in South Florida who was appointed by Mr Trump.
June 14, 2023
Tabitha Karanja resigns as Keroche CEO, Potus Anaya takes over

Tabitha Karanja has stepped down from the role of Keroche Breweries chief executive to concentrate as the Senate of Nakuru County and as the Deputy Majority leader.

Senator Karanja who been at the helm of the brewer for twenty five years overseeing the company’s rise to the second largest brewery in the country handed over the reins to Potus Anaya who until his appointment was the Chief Finance Officer.

Karanja broke down as she narrated the wrong and painful journey the company had undergone from state agencies, unfair competition from their competitors to losing her daughter.

This came as she announced that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) had agreed to withdraw the protracted Ksh 1.1 billion tax case with a view of settling it out of court.

Speaking in Naivasha after handing over the seat, Karanja attributed the company woes to political war instigated by KRA and the competitors.

“All the tax wars were politically instigated and we are working on an alternative dispute resolution with KRA on this case that has dragged on in court for years,” she said.

She lauded the Kenya Kwanza government for the support given and allowing manufacturers a free hand to operate unlike the previous regime.

“We lost three years to Covid-19 and the closure by KRA but despite all this, we are fully back in production and in the market ready to recapture our share,” she said.

The Senator identified her arrest and incarceration two years ago as the lowest moment in her life adding that this had made her stronger.

“Becoming the second-largest brewery in Kenya and the largest owned by Kenyans is a testament to your skills and commitment,” she said.

She said that despite all her tribulations, the company had managed to produce 17 brands in their state-of-the-art 21st-century technology brewery.

“The majority of the challenges that once hindered us have now been overcome and we must acknowledge the harsh truth of time lost and opportunities missed,” she said.

The company chairman Joseph Karanja thanked his wife, the workers, distributors and their customers for standing with them despite attacks from various quarters.

“Many deserted us but we are grateful for those who believed in Keroche during the hard and thick times that saw us close down on several occasions,” he said.

The incoming CEO said that he was keen to take the company to the next level as they had the expertise, capacity and machinery to do that.

“We have undergone a lot of challenges which have made us stronger and we are keen on innovation and quality,” said Anaya.

The Naivasha-based brewer Production Manager Nicholas Kipchirchir said that they were now fully in production as he thanked their customers for standing with them.

June 13, 2023
Traditional Chinese culture attracting more attention in Africa

CGTN AFRICA

Chinese traditional culture has attracted a lot of attention in Africa as cultural exchanges deepen day by day between China and Africa.

Learning the Chinese language is seen to be a big challenge, however, some Africans are excited to learn the language and are understanding the importance of communicating in different languages. #Voxpop

June 13, 2023
National Gov’t to work with counties to improve healthcare provision

The national government will work with county governments to transform healthcare in the country.

President William Ruto said the national government will support the devolved units in equipping their health facilities.

He said the government, through Parliament, will establish a Facility Improvement Fund that will ensure resources allocated to medical care are not diverted to other programmes.

“The Fund will ensure our hospitals have sufficient drugs and are adequately equipped,” he said.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday during the opening of Kerugoya Level 5 County Referral Hospital Medical Complex in Kirinyaga County.

He said the national and county governments have agreed to form the Kenya Health Human Resources Advisory Council to address disputes between the government and health workers.

“We want to ensure that we have an avenue of resolving health workers’ issues,” he said.

The President said the government will also equip and standardise the training of community health promoters to ensure quality healthcare at the grassroots.

He insisted that the health function will remain a devolved function, explaining that it has been well managed by the counties.

Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Governors Ann Waiguru, Johnson Sakaja, and Muthomi Njuki, MPs Mary Maingi (Mwea), George Kariuki (Ndia), Joseph Gitari (Kirinyaga Central), among others.

June 13, 2023