KBC Channel 1

Author: Margaret Kalekye

  • Africa urged to increase investment in natural gas production

    Africa urged to increase investment in natural gas production

    By Betty Kiptum/Margaret Kalekye

    African countries have been urged to increase investment in natural gas exploration since it is a cleaner source of energy.

    African Energy Chamber Chairperson N.J. Ayuk says the continent is in its development stage and should be allowed to harness its natural resources to benefit its people.

    Ayuk was speaking at a roundtable by Gazprom, which is part of events in the lead-up to the Russia-Africa Summit slated for next month in Russia.

    The participants drawn from nine African countries including Kenya discussed the role of natural gas in the sustainable development of Africa.

    It was noted that most countries on the African continent are still facing the problem of energy availability and their energy consumption remains below the world average.

    According to expert estimates, Africa will generate over 60 pc of the global population growth by 2050 hence the demand for the commodity will increase.

    “Taking into account the current urbanization trend, the region is expected to experience a significant economic growth, which will be accompanied by a two-fold increase in energy consumption. In particular, the demand for natural gas will increase by 2.5 times” it was noted during the meeting held in South Africa.

    It was further highlighted that the bulk of gas produced in Africa is exported abroad. For instance, every third person in Nigeria, the largest African LNG exporter, has no access to energy.

    “This is why it is the availability of energy for the industry and population that will be of primary importance for Africa’s dynamic development”.

    Food security

    With food insecurity still a major concern, the potential role of gas in solving the problem was also one of the areas explored.

    The experts observed that gas is a valuable raw material for the production of fertilizers which will increase crop yields.

    Taking part in the Roundtable were Ilya Rogachev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the SAR and concurrently to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dmitry Khandoga, Head of Department at Gazprom, NJ Ayuk, Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, as well as representatives of business communities, experts and journalists from nine African countries: Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.

    The presentations provided information about the activities of Gazprom and the extensive scope of the Company’s competencies along the entire value chain of the gas business.

    “Considering that the Government of the Republic of South Africa pursues the economy decarbonization policy, gas can become an effective solution to satisfy the demand for energy, as renewable energy sources cannot provide uninterrupted energy supplies. Therefore, I believe that Gazprom’s experience in natural gas liquefaction and gas pipeline construction projects can be of interest to our South African partners,” said Ilya Rogachev.

    “Wider use of natural gas will help Africa solve a number of problems, from economic to social and environmental ones. We are confident that it is essential for Africa to discover all the advantages brought about by this type of fuel. We see potential in cooperation with African countries and we can offer them our unique expertise and our experience in technology. Gazprom is open to discuss constructive and mutually beneficial proposals which could facilitate economic development and improve the lives of people in African countries,” said Dmitry Khandoga.

    “More than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have electricity. And 900 million people, most of them women, do not have access to clean cooking technologies – these technologies are either absent or there is a lack of them. Even if we look at this single problem alone, we see that it makes sense to use the rich gas resources of the continent. As Africa needs industrialization, the use of affordable and abundant natural gas will encourage the creation of a significant number of jobs, as well as possibilities for the strengthening of potential, economic diversification and growth,” said NJ Ayuk.

  • Drought: Kilifi leaders urge gov’t to fast-track dam project

    Drought: Kilifi leaders urge gov’t to fast-track dam project

    By Margaret Kalekye

    Kilifi leaders are appealing to the government to fast-track the construction of Rare dam in drought hit Ganze sub County.

    Speaking Monday during the flagging off of food supplies to schools that are yet to benefit from the government school meals program, Ganze MP Kenneth Kazingu and Kilifi woman rep Getrude Mbeyu said construction of the dam will alleviate the persistent water scarcity faced by the resident due to recurring drought.

    Kilifi county commissioner Josephat Biwott pledged to bring onboard leaders from the area and stakeholders to address gaps to ensure the mega project that requires Ksh6B is prioritised.

    ” We want to thank Child Welfare Society of Kenya for supporting our schools that bear the brunt of the drought situation. After this we want to sit with all development partners to address the gaps identified in regards to the food situation in our schools and also look at long term interventions including the construction of the dam that has delayed” said the commissioner.

    MP Kazungu regretted that Ganze sub County was still reeling from the effects of Drought with many learners keeping off schools.

    He said the rains that have been experienced in the area would salvage the crisis but warned that the much awaited harvest in August would be poor owing to invasions by elephants that have destroyed crops.

    “As we speak now, over 2000 elephants are roaming in farms and KWS has deployed helicopters to drive out the animals but they seem to be overwhelmed,” he said.

    He further called on the government to focus on investing in long term interventions that can improve livelihoods.

    Woman Representative Mbeyu who graced the distribution exercise, blamed the rising cases of drop out among school going girls and teenage pregnancies on lack of sanitary towels.

    From Left: Kilifi county commissioner Biwott, Ganze mp Kazungu and Woman rep Mbeyu.

    She urged the government to allow women representatives to manage the sanitary towels kitty.

    “The Ministry of Education is allocated 10 million for each county for free pads, the six coastal counties can come together to manage the fund. With Ksh 60million we can put up a sanitary towels factory. It’s cheaper, efficient and many girls in the coast will benefit as such improve enrolment and retention rates” she said.

    The county which was in the alert drought phase has improved to normal phase.

    According to Kilifi county drought coordinator Abdi Musa three sub counties namely Ganze, Magarini and Kaloleni sub counties remain vulnerable.

    Child Welfare Society of Kenya has come to the rescue of 40 primary and secondary schools identified by the Ministry of Education in Kwale and Kilifi Counties that are yet to benefit from the government school lunch meals programme.

    At least 21,444 learners are beneficiaries of the programme.

    CWSK is distributing food supplies, stationaries and sanitary towels to 40 schools in Kwale and Kilifi counties.
  • Quarantine notice issued in Kakamega to control Anthrax

    Quarantine notice issued in Kakamega to control Anthrax

    The Veterinary department in Kakamega has issued a quarantine notice in Likuyani to control the spread of Anthrax disease which has been reported in the sub county.

    Joseph Gathungu from the Directorate of Veterinary Services who is in charge of disease control said livestock movement will be restricted until the outbreak of the disease is contained.

    Speaking at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Kakamega Show, Gathungu said the Quarantine notice is one of the ways the department controls the spread of livestock diseases.

    He noted that apart from quarantine notices, the department carries out vaccinations, and issues movement permit books to monitor movement of cattle from one county to another.

     “We welcome other stakeholders to partner with us to control livestock disease. We thank the Food and Agriculture Organization and GIZ who have been of great support to us,” he noted.

    This comes as the county government intensifies vaccinations of cattle against Anthrax, Black Quarter and Lumpy skin disease.

    Available data from six Sub Counties of Shinyalu, Lurambi, Ikolomani, Khwisero, Butere and Matungu show that a total of 40,986 cattle, 1,895 goats and 1,416 sheep were vaccinated against the three disease during the 2022/2023 financial year.

    From the five sub counties, a total of 13,983 farmers had their cattle vaccinated.

    In April this year, The Kenya Veterinary Association marked World Veterinary Day in Kakamega by vaccinating 2,499 livestock.

    The Chief Officer for Livestock and Veterinary Services Barak George Otieno said the veterinary Services directorate has a strong team that conducts disease surveillance.

    “Through those surveillance programmes we have been able to detect outbreak of diseases and then through appropriate measures such as quarantine, we have been able to curb the spread of those diseases,” he noted.

    He said once an outbreak has been detected, measures are usually put in place to restrict animal movement.

    “The directorate is always very alert, any reports received are treated seriously and necessary measures taken,” he added.

    Reporting by KNA

  • Russia, Africa forge stronger ties ahead of July summit

    Russia, Africa forge stronger ties ahead of July summit

    By Margaret Kalekye

    The upcoming Russia-Africa summit to be held next month will promote efforts to strengthen comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African nations.

    The partnerships will cut across all areas of society including politics, security, economic relations, science and technology, and the cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    This was disclosed during a conference on bilateral business cooperation held in the capital of the Algerian People’s Democratic Republic on June 6.

    Similar forums have been planned to engage African countries ahead of a key summit that will bring together governmental and business officials representing 54 African nations.

    The Second Summit and the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum will be held in St. Petersburg from 26 to 29 July 2023 under the motto ‘Technology and Security for the Sake of Sovereign Development for the Benefit of Humanity’.

    Exhibitions

    The goal of the event is to promote efforts to strengthen comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African nations across all areas of society including politics, security, economic relations, science and technology, and the cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    According to the Trade Representative of Russia in Algeria, Ivan Nalich, the ongoing public discussions taking place as part of the event’s business programme will deal with the most pressing issues on the Russian-African agenda.

    The event will include a large-scale exhibition, which will become a key communication platform for demonstrating the achievements and capabilities of the participating countries in the field of economy, science, ecology and culture.

    The presentation of the Second Summit Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian forum took place during the business conference in Algeria themed; geopolitical transformation: challenges and Opportunities for Business.

    Ivan Nalich, noted during the presentation that the personal participation of Algerian companies’ representatives in the event will give them an opportunity to discuss specific areas of trade, economic and investment cooperation with Russian companies and will promote the growth of trade turnover.

    “Furthermore, it will strengthen the partnership between our countries”, he said.

    At the same time, Algeria and Russia agreed to deepen their relations to promote the growth of trade turnover.

     

  • Russia Africa forum to explore partnerships in development

    Russia Africa forum to explore partnerships in development

    By Margaret Kalekye

    The Russia-Africa forum to share experiences and explore areas of cooperation in urban and regional sustainable development will be held on June 27.

    Kenya will be taking part in the two-day event being organized by the UN Association of Russia (UNA-Russia) and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University).

    The forum themed, “Sustainable urban future: exchange of experience and Partnerships for common goals” is slated for June 27-28, 2023.

    It will be held with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the UN Information Center in Moscow and the International Forum Russia — Africa.

    The first day, June 27, will take place in the UN ECA (Conference room 3), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and online from 11.00 to 14.30 UTC+3 (with light lunch break from 12.30 to 13.00).

    The second day, June 28, is to be held in Nairobi, Kenya (online) from 11.00 to 13.00 UTC+3. The possibility of remote participation in the Forum is provided for both days.

    The Forum is aimed at summarizing the experience and discussing the practical component of cooperation in urban and regional sustainable development.

    On the first day of the Forum, presentations and discussions will be dedicated to the development of urban communities and cooperation between regions and cities of Russia and Africa.

    High-level representatives of the administrations of Moscow, Sysert, Kazan, Samara and Ministries of the Russian Federation, as well as their African colleagues from the African Union Commission, the Pan-African Youth Union and the UN representatives, are expected to take part as honored speakers and guests.

    The second day of the Forum is devoted to trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, prospects for partnership strengthening between Russia and Africa in the environmental, social, scientific, technical and cultural spheres.

    Russia-Africa Summit

    Distinguished guests are expected and welcomed from among ministers of the Russian regional governments and heads of their international departments, the Russian Export Center, representatives of Russian economic operators in Africa, the management of the African Development Bank, the Central Bank of West African States, as well as specialized UN institutions.

    The Forum is held on the eve of the II Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, scheduled for July 26-29 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

    The goal of this event is to promote efforts to strengthen comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African nations across all areas.

    Public discussions taking place as part of the event’s business programme will deal with the most pressing issues on the Russian-African agenda.

    The event will host a large-scale exhibition that will serve as a key communication platform for demonstrating the achievements and the capabilities of the participating countries in the fields of economy, science, ecology and culture.

     

     

  • Govt’ committed to make affordable housing a success story, CS Njeru says

    Govt’ committed to make affordable housing a success story, CS Njeru says

    No matter the political noise trying to overshadow the Affordable Housing Programme, Government is committed to make it successful for the betterment of the future generations.

    Speaking during the second session of United Nations Habitat Assembly adjourning later today at the UN Headquarters Gigiri in Nairobi, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru urged Kenyans not to listen to the political noise but instead support the Government to achieve the noble course.

    Njeru noted the time to act is now because Kenya’s rapid urbanization of 4.2 percent each year, has not been matched by a similar pace in the development of urban housing and infrastructure.

    “We cannot burry our heads in the sand, as the CS in charge of this programme, I am assuring Kenyans and the world that a few years from now, Kenya will be a success story in how to implement affordable housing schemes just like Singapore is at the moment,” said Njeru.

    Njeru called upon his counterparts from other African Countries to give urban areas the attention they deserves for their growth has escalated global warming through rapid consumption of fossil fuels.

    He noted that, the Urban poor have a low level of resilience in the face of climate stresses that has disrupted their livelihoods.

    The CS said that Kenya is implementing Building Climate Resilience for the Urban poor project as the number of vulnerable urban areas is rising in the country.

    Kenya has been urbanizing rapidly resulting in an alarming backlog of about 2 million houses which are unaffordable and unavailable as Kenya’s estimated annual urban housing demand is 250,000 units against an annual urban supply of 50,000 which mostly targets high end market.

    Njeru said the Government also plans to increase the number of Kenyans with mortgages to more than a million up from the current mark of less than 30,000.

    Over the week, Njeru also held a series of talks with his counterparts from South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, Tanzania, Malawi, Qatar, Venezuela,Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates.

    The Ministers committed to work together with Kenya towards housing and urbanization matters, slum upgrading as well as land digitization.

    Speaking Friday during the bilateral talks, Cameroon Minister for Housing and Urban Development Celestine Ketcha-Courtes echoed CS Njeru saying everyone has a responsibility to participate in what will be celebrated in future.

    “What we plant today is what our grand children will harvest. Let us collaborate and exchange ideas for the sake of tomorrow,” said Ketcha.

    The five days Assembly was opened by President William Ruto who reiterated the importance of financing in the agenda of economic transformation, climate change sustainable development.

    Other leaders who attended the Session include Executive Director of UN-Habitat Assembly Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Cabinet Secretaries Simon Chelugui and Peninnah Malonza among others.

    Njerus’ counterparts who attended the event include Angeline Mabula(Tanzania), Deus Gumba (Malawi), Catalina Velasco(Colombia), Fenta Dejen Wudu (Ethiopia) and Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi(South Africa).

    Others present during the talks were Ambassador of the State of Qatar Jabor Al Dosari represented the Qatar Minister and the General Secretary for United Cities and Local Governments(UCLG) Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi.

     

     

  • Russia widens opportunities for African students

    Russia widens opportunities for African students

    World’s largest country Russia has been on an offensive to seek closer ties with Africa. It is no secret that its presence on the continent is fast growing.

    Apart from expanding economic engagement with Africa, the superpower continues to align itself by offering educational and training opportunities that have benefitted thousands of Africans.

    With a rich history of cooperation in education, Russia currently ranks 6th in the number of foreign students, with 35,000 of them coming from African countries.

    Moscow is home to the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, which recently reclaimed the name of the great fighter for the independence of Africa Patrice Lumumba.

    The Ministry of Education and Science of Russia has further announced a doubling of the number of budget places in Russian universities for students from African countries as part of expanding humanitarian cooperation.

    Next year their number will be up to 4.7 thousand places. Other programmes that are currently developed include the opening of Russian educational centers in Africa and the training of national teachers to staff African secondary schools.

    Russia has also expanded its footprints to Kenya. From September Kiswahili will be taught in Russian schools.

    Kenya in May hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
    Kenya in May hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

    In May, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was hosted by President William Ruto. The two leaders pledged to deepen relations to increase trade volumes.

    Lavrov praised the 60 years of friendship between his country and Kenya, saying Russia’s relationship with the continent has a new momentum after the 2019 Russia-Africa Summit.

    Lavrov was in Nairobi on his way to a meeting of the BRICs Ministers of Foreign and International Relations in Cape Town, South Africa.

    The diplomatic strategy by Russia has been effective. In February African Union member states did not vote on a UN general assembly resolution that called for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.

    Russia-Africa summit

    Meanwhile, the Russia-Africa summit the second in a series will be held next month.

    Cultural exchange and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Africa will be one of the main themes of the forthcoming Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will be held from 26 to 29 July in St. Petersburg.

    The summit is the key and largest-scale event in Russian-African relations. It will identify new vectors for expanding cooperation between Russia and Africa in all spheres: politics, security, economy, science and technology, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    The event is aimed at bringing about a fundamentally new level of mutually beneficial partnership to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

    The Summit also coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity.

     

  • UN Russian Language Day marked as country spreads influence

    UN Russian Language Day marked as country spreads influence

    Every year on June 6, Russian Language Day is celebrated worldwide.

    This day aligns with the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, a renowned Russian poet known as the founder of modern Russian language.

    It was initiated by the UN in order to support and promote multilingualism and cultural diversity.

    One of the goals of this programme is to uphold the equality of all six official languages of the UN: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

    Most widespread language

    The Russian language is one of the world’s most widespread languages. It is currently spoken by 254 million people, 1.3 of which are in the Middle East and North Africa and 100 thousand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    This makes it substantial for international communication. The Russian diaspora in African countries is one of the most representative with two to fifteen thousand Russian speakers living in each state. Not surprisingly the cultural interaction between Russia and Africa has become stronger and deeper over the years.

    Educational opportunities for African students have been expanding for many years aligned with the Russian language earning more recognition.

    Russia ranks 6th in the number of foreign students, with 35,000 of them coming from African countries.

    Moscow is home to the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, which recently reclaimed the name of the great fighter for the independence of Africa Patrice Lumumba.

    This spring the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia announced a doubling of the number of budget places in Russian universities for students from African countries as part of expanding humanitarian cooperation.

    Next year their number will be up to 4.7 thousand places. Other programmes that are currently developed include the opening of Russian educational centers in Africa and the training of national teachers to staff African secondary schools.

    Russia-Africa Summit

    Cultural exchange and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Africa will be one of the main themes of the forthcoming Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum, which will be held from 26 to 29 July in St. Petersburg.

    The summit is the key and largest-scale event in Russian-African relations. It will identify new vectors for expanding cooperation between Russia and Africa in all spheres: politics, security, economy, science and technology, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

    The event is aimed at bringing about a fundamentally new level of mutually beneficial partnership to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

  • National Prayer Breakfast organisers meet Ruto ahead of event

    National Prayer Breakfast organisers meet Ruto ahead of event

    Members of the National Prayer Breakfast Organising Committee Monday met President William Ruto for a debriefing for the upcoming prayer breakfast, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 7th June 2023.

    The annual non-sectarian event is a collaborative effort between the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate.

    The two Speakers led the team in calling on the President who will together with his deputy Rigathi Gachagua attend the meeting, the first under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

    The 2023 annual prayer meeting was due to take place on May 31 but was postponed to June 7.

    Top government officials are part of the more than 2,500 invited guests.

    “The primary aim of this event is to bring together leaders from diverse sectors of society, fostering an inclusive environment where they can unite in prayer for the nation’s welfare,” said Wetangu’la.

    “Overseeing the successful execution of this significant gathering is the National Prayer Breakfast Organizing Committee, of which I am a part. Alongside a dedicated team of passionate volunteers, we are wholeheartedly devoted to making this event a reality” he added.

    The prayers take place amid heated debate on a raft of proposed tax measures that would raise the price of food and other basic items.

    The Housing Fund levy has also elicited mixed reactions among public servants who are grappling with the high cost of living, increasing taxes, and a shrinking pay slip.

    Church leaders who will gather for the event are also in the spotlight over unscrupulous churches preying on desperate Kenyans.

    This follows the exposure of a deadly cult by Kilifi ‘preacher’ Paul Makenzie that has claimed the lives of 243 followers with the death toll set to rise following the discovery of more mass graves on the vast 800-acre farm in Shakahola.

    A task force formed to review laws governing churches will start receiving views from Kenyans starting Tuesday next week.

  • Atwoli elected as VP of International Labour Conference

    Atwoli elected as VP of International Labour Conference

    Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has unanimously been elected as the Vice Chairperson of the worker’s group of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

    ILC is the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) highest decision-making body. It meets annually, bringing together the tripartite delegations from the Organization’s 187 Member States and a number of observers from other international actors to consider a series of topics related to the world of work, placed on its agenda by the Organization’s Governing Body.

    “I’m grateful for being elected by workers globally as the Vice Chairperson of the conference”,  said Atwoli on his Twitter handle.

    Atwoli at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland

    This year’s 111th session of the ILO is underway in Geneva under the theme “social justice for all”.

    The conference is focusing on three thematic areas, namely; just transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies, quality apprenticeships and labour protection.

    Atwoli, who is a titular member of the ILO Governing Body, is leading a delegation of Kenyan workers comprising 30 delegates drawn from Kenya trade unions.

    The Kenyan workers delegation will participate in the committee discussion of the ILC which will come up with recommendations and conclusions that will, ultimately, improve the rights and welfare of workers globally.

    Ms. Catelene Passchier, from the Netherlands, was elected as the Chairperson for the Workers Group of the International Labour Conference.

    She equally serves as the Vice Chairperson of the ILO Governing Body Workers.