KBC Channel 1

Author: KNA NEWS

  • Judiciary launches new system for court fees and refunds

    Judiciary launches new system for court fees and refunds

    The Judiciary has introduced a new system to streamline all financial transactions, aiming to enhance efficiency in processing court fees, deposits, refunds, and other administrative tasks.

    In a press statement issued by the Chief Registrar, the Judiciary announced the successful transition to the new platform, which is fully integrated with the e-filing and case management systems.

    As a result, the refund process, which had been temporarily suspended, has now resumed.

    Under the new system, payment receipts will be accessible via SMS notifications, in addition to the e-filing and Case Tracking System (CTS) platforms.

    Furthermore, individuals seeking refunds will be required to update their bank details through a link sent to their mobile phones when a refund is being processed.

    “We are working diligently to ensure that all outstanding refunds, forfeitures, and related payments are completed as swiftly as possible,” the statement added.

    The Judiciary also issued an apology to stakeholders for any inconvenience caused and encouraged them to reach out for further inquiries via email at ictdirectorate@court.go.ke or automationdeputyregistrar@court.go.ke

  • Kenya, Tanzania strengthen cooperation to protect Mara basin

    Kenya, Tanzania strengthen cooperation to protect Mara basin

    The Mara River basin stakeholders have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the Mara ecosystem, recognizing it as a symbol of their shared natural heritage.

    During the 13th Mara Day celebrations held in Sekenani, Narok West Sub County, speakers highlighted the critical importance of the Mara River and its basin, which flows through both Kenya and Tanzania, as a lifeline for millions of people and wildlife.

    Principal Secretary for the State Department of East African Community, Abdi Dubat, representing Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul, emphasized that the Mara River basin is home to millions of wild animals, including the globally renowned wildebeest migration.

    He pointed out that the natural resource significantly contributes to tourism, provides vital ecosystem services, and enriches the cultures of the communities living within the basin.

    “The river originates from the Mau escarpment and flows 395 kilometres, passing through the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Serengeti before draining into Lake Victoria,” Dubat said.

    Despite its vital role, the PS expressed concern about the threats posed by climate change, human activities, and environmental degradation in the Mara basin.

    He stressed the need for continued cooperation between Kenya and Tanzania to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of this shared resource.

    “Our joint commitment to protecting the Mara River basin is not only a duty but a legacy we must preserve for future generations,” he added.

    Dubat also reiterated the Kenyan government’s pledge to plant 15 billion trees over the next decade as part of efforts to combat environmental degradation and strengthen the ecosystem’s resilience.

    He emphasized that rejuvenating forests and landscapes will secure a sustainable future for rivers, wildlife, and livelihoods, aligning with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

    The PS praised the cooperation among East African nations, reflecting the true spirit of regional unity through shared resources.

    He encouraged further joint initiatives, research collaborations, and shared policies to protect the Mara River and its ecosystem for posterity.

    East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament David Sankok echoed the call for unity in conserving the Mara River, stressing that working together will ensure the river continues to nurture life and inspire future generations.

    Lake Victoria Basin Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire called for continued collaboration between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on environmental conservation, highlighting the importance of transboundary efforts.

    Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, representing Governor Patrick Ntutu, emphasized the significance of the Mara basin as a tourism hub and urged stakeholders to preserve the ecosystem for future generations.

    He praised the ongoing cooperation to protect the iconic ecosystem, home to the world-famous wildebeest migration.

    Other notable attendees included Narok Governor’s wife Agnes Ntutu, Maasai Mara University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peninah Aloo, and delegates from Tanzania, Uganda, and several Kenyan counties, including Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, and Kisumu.

    This year’s Mara Day theme, ‘Flowing Forward Together: Conserving the Mara Basin for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience’, underscored the importance of joint conservation efforts.

    The Maasai Mara National Reserve, home to millions of species and a major tourism attraction earns Narok County over KSh 3.5 billion annually, highlighting its importance as both a natural and economic resource.

  • Mwea farmers sensitised on Aquaculture

    Mwea farmers sensitised on Aquaculture

    Fish farmers in Kirinyaga county have received training on the breeding of Catfish, Tilapia and ornamental fish in an initiative geared towards increasing fish production in the county as well as national food security.

    Kirinyaga, one of the agricultural counties, is known for producing rice from the expansive Mwea Irrigation Scheme which is the largest producer in the country.

    At the Ornamental Aquafarm in Kangu, Mwea East sub-county, the farmers’ training involved practical lessons of extracting eggs from the females, fertilisation and incubation of the fingerlings to ensure maximum production.

    Stanley Mworia, CEO the Aquaculture Association of Kenya, said that the farmers’ training is aimed at improving fish production using various technologies that include promoting production of catfish fingerlings, the monosex tilapia, as well as teaching them on how to formulate their own fish feeds and also focusing on value addition of the fish after they are harvested to fetch more money for the farmers.

    “We are doing trainings in collaboration with the programme called Technologies for African Agriculture Transformation which is aiming at improving fish production, we want to teach our farmers how to formulate their own fish feeds and also focusing on a value addition,” Mworia said.

    James Bundi, one of the trainers, noted that they are also training farmers on using the various new technologies such as aquaponics where farmers can use the same water for fish farming and also for other agricultural use.

    “We have established technologies that really try to address issues to do with climate change that relate to water sources quantity wise. What the world is doing is to establish systems that capitalize on low water quantity and these are systems like aquaponics systems,” Bundi said.

    Bundi added that in the wake of changing climatic conditions that have led to the dwindling of water resources, there is a need for the farmers to embrace new technologies in farming that will help them save water and maximise production.

    “You can actually measure and focus on technology and be able to produce fish and currently we have seen farmers here in Kenya and particularly here in Kirinyaga, they have adopted technology that focuses on maximization on nutrients from a water which is scarce and also the water reuse system where we maximize on production and the same system you can actually use that water to grow vegetable and it is taken back into the system,” he added.

    He noted that the training will go a long way in impacting knowledge to the farmers and especially the youths to take up farming as an economic activity.

    “We are excited because farmers have really adopted fish farming in Kirinyaga and we are glad that considering we have aquaculture association of Kenya that takes the leads in organising farmers in Kenya in collaboration with both the national government and the county governments, we are partners and we have really acted upon to once making sure that our farmers get trained so that even as they invest in fish farming all of them have the knowledge,” he said.

    Margaret Karimi, farmer and training beneficiary, said they have done training on catfish breeding, tilapia breeding and still continuing with the training on ornamental fish breeding.

    She noted in the past they have done other things wrongly, but from knowledge they receive it will improve the production. The fisheries graduate who is in the aquaculture industry, doing fish farming as a full -time job, urges other youths to embrace fish farming as a source of self-employment, employ others and provide food security.

     

     

  • Hundreds flee Kitui homes after deadly attacks by armed herders

    Hundreds flee Kitui homes after deadly attacks by armed herders

    A section of women leaders in Kitui County has condemned the recent murder of six farmers in Mandongoi and Ngomeni sub-locations in Mwingi North, allegedly carried out by camel herders from neighbouring counties of Tana River and Garissa.

    Hundreds of residents from the affected areas have fled their homes, fearing fresh attacks from the armed herders.

    Local women leaders, led by ODM-nominated Senator Beth Syengo and former Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza, lamented the displacement of residents who were forced to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere following last week’s violent attacks.

    Speaking during a forum for the Kitui County Union for Saving and Credit Cooperative Society Sacco (KICUSA) held at Kabati trading centre in Kitui West Constituency, the leaders called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to increase security in the affected areas and ensure the camel herders are driven back to their respective counties, allowing the displaced residents to return home.

    In the recent banditry incident, a Grade Seven pupil was shot and severely injured in his left hand while grazing cattle in Mandongoi village.

    Several homes were also torched during the attack by the heavily armed herders.

    The women leaders also expressed their sorrow over the tragic deaths of six schoolchildren in a road accident near Kyoani market in Ikutha, along the Kitui-Kibwezi road.

    The accident claimed the lives of two Form Three girls, one Form One girl, and three primary school pupils—a Grade Three boy and girl, and a Grade Six girl, all from Kyoani Primary School.

    According to a traffic police report from Mutomo Traffic Police, the children were on their way to school when a Toyota Probox from Kibwezi veered off the road and struck them.

    During the KICUSA event, former CS Malonza presided over the distribution of 230 water tanks to members of the county women’s Sacco, which she had helped form during her tenure as Kitui County Deputy Governor.

    KICUSA, an umbrella Sacco representing 72 women’s groups with a total membership of 15,000, raised KSh 5.8 million earlier this year through a fundraiser organized by Ms. Malonza.

    The funds enabled the Sacco to procure the water tanks being distributed to help alleviate the county’s long-standing water scarcity problem.

    Phase one of the water tank distribution drive will benefit approximately 700 women.

    Each woman is required to contribute KSh 10,000, with the Sacco covering the remaining cost to secure a 2,500-litre tank with a 17-year warranty.

    Speaking at the event, KICUSA Chairperson Gladys Julius said the initiative is crucial for women who have long struggled with unreliable water supply, significantly improving their quality of life.

    She also emphasized that KICUSA is open to all women in the county and encouraged other women’s groups to join and benefit from the Sacco.

    “More than 500,000 women across the county have yet to join this Sacco. We aim to recruit them so they too can benefit,” said Malonza, who is also a member of KICUSA.

  • Governor Barasa urges Treasury to expedite disbursement of funds to Counties

    Governor Barasa urges Treasury to expedite disbursement of funds to Counties

    Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has called on the National Treasury to accelerate the disbursement of funds to counties, highlighting that the delayed payments continue to hinder the implementation of crucial development projects.

    Speaking during the pass-out ceremony for newly recruited county marshals, Barasa who is also the Chair of the Finance Committee at the Council of Governors, emphasized the financial strain faced by counties due to the delayed release of funds from the central government.

    He urged the Treasury to act promptly in releasing the money to ensure the smooth execution of county projects aimed at improving livelihoods.

    During the ceremony, held at Kakamega Agricultural Show Ground, the Governor also addressed the role of the newly graduated county marshals, particularly in enforcing revenue collection.

    He disclosed that many of the marshals will be deployed to work in the revenue department to assist in improving the county’s revenue collection and help Kakamega meet its financial targets.

    The governor presided over the graduation of 200 marshals who have now officially joined the county workforce.

  • Fire razes dormitory at John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School

    Fire razes dormitory at John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School

    Property of unknown value was lost when a mysterious fire destroyed a dormitory at John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School in Homa Bay County.

    The fire broke out early Wednesday morning while students were attending their morning classes.

    Suba Deputy County Commissioner Sebastian Okiring confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway.

    The fire destroyed the roof of the dormitory, leaving at least 73 students without their belongings.

    Affected items include boxes, uniforms, books, and personal items. Of the students, 65 were in the dormitory at the time, while eight were not present.

    “No property was salvaged as the fire rapidly spread to the roof. A total of 73 student boxes were destroyed,” Okiring reported.

    The blaze was noticed by the school community only when it was already advanced, rendering efforts to extinguish it ineffective. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

    The school, which relies on solar power due to a lack of electricity, had solar batteries positioned at the building’s entrance.

    The fire started at the opposite side, which rules out the possibility that the fire was caused by a battery fault.

    “Our security agencies are on the ground to assess the situation and determine the cause of the fire,” Okiring said, confirming that no students were injured in the incident.

    “Fortunately, the fire occurred while students were in class, so no injuries were reported.”

    Okiring has appealed to well-wishers for assistance for the affected students and urged parents and students to remain calm as investigations continue.

    The affected students will be relocated to alternative accommodation to ensure that their learning can proceed without interruption.

  • NEMA cracks down on illegal sand harvesting in Kisumu

    NEMA cracks down on illegal sand harvesting in Kisumu

    The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has raised concerns over the increasing cases of illegal sand harvesting in Kisumu County.

    County Director of Environment, Leonard Ofula, revealed that the practice is prevalent along the major rivers, disrupting the natural flow of water and posing a serious threat to both the local communities and the environment.

    Ofula emphasized that illegal sand harvesting contributes significantly to the rapid degradation of the environment in the area. In response, NEMA has launched a campaign to enforce sand harvesting regulations aimed at curbing the uncontrolled extraction of sand.

    The campaign carried out in collaboration with the county government, seeks to enhance surveillance on all sand harvesting activities, ensuring that they are conducted sustainably and environmentally friendly.

    “The county government is stepping in to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement of sand harvesting practices to promote responsible resource management and environmental conservation,” Ofula stated.

    The county government has been tasked with setting strict standards for sand harvesters, transporters, and other stakeholders involved in the industry.

    It will also enforce licensing and compliance to ensure that all players in the sector adhere to the regulations that are laid out.

    Ofula noted that the collaboration between NEMA and the county government will help mitigate the environmental and social impacts associated with illegal sand harvesting, with the ultimate goal of eradicating the practice in the region.

    NEMA, he added, will not issue mining permits without first conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to ensure the protection of the environment.

    Ofula also warned those engaged in illegal sand harvesting, stating that they risk up to four years in jail, a fine of up to KSh. 4 million, or both.

    To raise awareness, NEMA is working with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to educate the community on the dangers of illegal sand harvesting.

    “We plan to organize community meetings and workshops in areas where this practice is rampant to educate locals on sustainable practices and the importance of preserving the environment,” he concluded.

  • Conservationists celebrate southern white rhino birth in Ruma National Park

    Conservationists celebrate southern white rhino birth in Ruma National Park

    Wildlife conservationists are celebrating a significant milestone after a southern white rhino gave birth in Ruma National Park, Homa Bay County.

    The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced the arrival of the rare calf, marking a boost in the population of one of the world’s endangered rhino species.

    “Ruma National Park is thrilled to welcome a beautiful new southern white rhino calf,” KWS revealed in a statement, highlighting the positive impact of the birth on conservation efforts.

    Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga welcomed the news, reaffirming her administration’s dedication to conservation.

    “Let’s cherish this precious moment and remain committed to protecting our remarkable wildlife,” she said.

    Ruma National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife, is a key revenue source for Homa Bay County.

    Last year, the county government launched the Roan Antelope Half Marathon, an annual event aimed at promoting the park.

    The marathon has successfully drawn attention to the park, doubling visitor numbers from over 4,000 since its inaugural race in April last year.

    Although the second edition of the race, scheduled for May this year, was postponed, Governor Wanga continues to encourage both local and international tourists to visit the park, particularly to see the newborn rhino calf.

    She assured the public of her administration’s continued efforts to protect and promote the park’s wildlife.

    “We are truly grateful for this addition to our remarkable wildlife and recommit ourselves to protecting our wildlife heritage,” Wanga said, adding that the southern white rhino is a rare gem deserving of sustained conservation efforts.

    Governor Wanga also called for continued support in protecting not only rhinos but all species within Kenya’s parks.

    “Let’s continue to support conservation efforts for all the precious species in our parks,” she reiterated.

  • Hyenas attack Narok family’s livestock, KWS promises compensation

    Hyenas attack Narok family’s livestock, KWS promises compensation

    A family in Olderkesi, Narok West Sub-county, is grappling with significant losses after hyenas attacked their homestead, killing dozens of sheep during the early hours of the night.

    The attack, which is not the first of its kind, has left the community in fear of increased poverty due to the growing threat from wild animals.

    Joel Kuyo, speaking on behalf of the affected family, expressed his frustration, noting that this is the second such attack within two weeks.

    “A fortnight ago, we lost 12 sheep to the same hyenas. Now they have returned, and 16 more of our sheep have been killed,” Kuyo said.

    He lamented that the repeated losses threaten the community’s livelihood, as they rely solely on livestock for their survival.

    “We depend fully on our livestock for our survival. We sell them to buy food, pay school fees, and cover other expenses. This trend of hyena attacks could push us deeper into poverty,” Kuyo added.

    The residents are now calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to intervene and protect them from the growing number of wild animals in the area.

    Edwin Silolo, the KWS official responsible for compensation in Narok West Sub-county, visited the homestead and confirmed that 16 sheep had been killed in the latest attack.

    He acknowledged the recurrence of the problem, reiterating that 12 sheep were killed in a similar attack two weeks ago.

    Silolo assured the affected family that the government has put a compensation program in place through the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

    “President William Ruto launched a program to ensure that victims of human-wildlife conflict are compensated within three months. I believe this farmer will receive compensation soon,” he said.

    He also urged residents to report any wildlife attacks by dialling *202*09# free of charge.

    “When you report an attack, KWS can act immediately, verify the losses, and process compensation. However, failure to report the incident could result in a loss of compensation rights,” Silolo emphasized.

    As the community awaits further action, they remain hopeful that the government will address the increasing presence of wild animals in the area to prevent further devastation to their livelihoods.

  • Farm Forestry Association protests gov’t ban on raw wood veneer exports

    Farm Forestry Association protests gov’t ban on raw wood veneer exports

    The recent government suspension of raw wood veneer exports has sparked a backlash from the Farm Forestry Smallholder Producers Association of Kenya (FF-SPAK), who have labelled the move as retrogressive.

    According to the association, the ban could alienate investors and negatively impact smallholder farmers who rely on commercial tree production across the country.

    Benjamin Karanja, Chairman of FF-SPAK, expressed concern over the suspension, urging for stability in the commercial forestry value chain through a more predictable policy environment.

    He emphasized the need to prioritize the rights of individual Kenyan growers over large manufacturing farms.

    Speaking in the Boiman area of Ol-Joro Orok Constituency, Nyandarua County, Karanja called for dialogue between stakeholders during the suspension period to find a mutually beneficial agreement that considers both socio-economic and ecological advantages for smallholder tree farmers.

    “The suspension will affect many farmers’ ability to meet basic needs,” Karanja said, adding that the government should create a conducive environment for legitimate investors in the tree industry by offering the right incentives to benefit smallholder commercial tree growers.

    The suspension, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, was confirmed by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in a press statement.

    Duale directed the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to cease issuing ‘No Objection Letters’ for veneer exports.

    This measure, he said, aligns with the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy, which aims to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded land by planting 15 billion trees.

    The government insists that halting veneer exports will allow trees to mature fully, contributing to the nation’s ambitious goal of achieving 30 per cent tree cover.

    CS Duale reaffirmed that the suspension was a necessary step in the country’s broader environmental sustainability efforts.

    While FF-SPAK supports the tree planting and growing initiative, recognizing the long-term benefits for farmers, they maintain that the ban should not impede the livelihoods of smallholder producers.

    The association continues to advocate for policies that balance environmental goals with economic opportunities for rural communities.