KBC Channel 1

Author: Muraya Kamunde

  • 13,439 slots up for grabs in primary teacher training colleges

    13,439 slots up for grabs in primary teacher training colleges

    Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Saturday launched the application for placement to diploma teacher training courses, with 13,439 slots up for grabs.

    For the second year, the placement of trainees to the 32 public teacher training colleges will be handled by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), which has opened its online portal for the application.

    Applicants will be seeking to fill 13,439 slots in the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE) programmes, according to the Ministry of Education.

    The minimum requirement is a mean grade of C (plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

    There are no additional subject requirements, Mr. Machogu announced at Kangaru School in Embu, where he presided over an education and career guidance day.

    KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome, who spoke at the same forum, said the portal will remain open until July 28, 2023.

    “This opportunity is for qualified KCSE certificate holders including non-Kenyan citizens who sat the exam in 2022 or earlier until the year 2000,” said Dr. Wahome.

    The available places in the DPTE programme is 11,358 while there are 2,081 admission slots in the DECTE course.

  • CS Kindiki says Government will protect lives and property

    CS Kindiki says Government will protect lives and property

    Following threats by Azimio leader Raila Odinga to lead anti-government protests from Wednesday to Friday next week, Interior and Nation Administration CS Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning to the opposition leaders, saying it will not happen under the government’s watch.

    Prof Kindiki said the opposition might have succeeded last Wednesday on the destruction of property and interruption of transport along the highways, but this time round they will face it rough.

    The CS was speaking Saturday at Sondu, along Kericho/Kisumu border during a security meeting which was held at Sondu police station grounds to address the ethnic skirmishes which erupted in the area on Wednesday

    The CS urged the two communities to continue coexisting harmoniously saying that the government will work with the area communities’ elders and political leaders to find a lasting solution to the border dispute in the area.

    The CS urged area residents to shun leaders fanning hatred and disunity, saying that we all have one country that we should jealously protect at all costs.

    Kindiki called on the Sondu residents to cultivate peace and live as brothers and sisters saying that it is in unity of diversity that they will overcome the challenges facing them.

    Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan assured that the National Government Administration Officers NGAO will work with the local community leaders from Nyanza and Rift Valley to restore peace in the area.

    He called on the residents in the area to cultivate peace and observe law and order.

    Two people lost their lives while 15 others were injured in the two-day skirmishes that rocked the cosmopolitan Sondu town which borders Kericho and Kisumu Counties.

    Meanwhile, peace has been restored and normal business activities are taking shape in the busy town.

    Reporting by KNA

  • Correctional Department frees over 23,000 petty offenders to decongest prisons

    Correctional Department frees over 23,000 petty offenders to decongest prisons

    The State Department for Correctional services has released over 23,000 petty offenders in the ongoing reforms to decongest prisons.

    State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Salome Muhia said that the department plans to further review the sentences of an additional 5,000 inmates to attain its target of releasing over 35,000 prisoners by the end of 2023. Some 7,281 petty offenders had been released by March this year.

    Muhia who was on an official tour of duty to all prison facilities in Kisumu County on Friday, promised to work closely with the Judiciary and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system to exploit the community service orders, probation and other non-custodial options to decongest prison facilities countrywide.

    “I’m urging all other development partners to come on board to support the prisons decongestion program to ensure that prisoners live a dignified life in line with articles 28 and 43 of the constitution which demands that every person should live in dignity,” she stated at a press briefing at the Kodiaga Maximum Prison.

    The PS added that the government would also tap on the available 135 probation and Aftercare stations across the nation to push the judiciary to put offenders with petty offenses under community service.

    The problem of overcrowding with some penal institutions holding double the expected capacity has been regarded as a contributing factor to poor prison conditions in the country. The challenge has posed a management crisis making it difficult to sustain the inmates with basic needs like food, medical care and sanitation facilities.

    At the same time, Muhia disclosed that the renovation of the sewerage system at the Kodiaga Maximum Prison is 25pc underway and is expected to be accomplished by December 2023 to address the problem of environmental pollution in the area.

    “Apart from Kisumu, we have also begun construction of modern sewerage systems in Lodwar and Naivasha prisons with a target to roll out similar projects in all other stations across the country in line with our commitment to tackling climate change menace,” stated the PS.

    To further contribute to combating the adverse effects of climate change and increase forest cover, the Correctional Department intends to utilize 20pc of its land to plant a billion trees in line with President William Ruto’s directive to plant 15 billion tree seedlings by 2032.

    “Our target in the Correctional services sector comprising of the administration, Kenya Prison Service, Probation and Aftercare service is to plant at least 100 million trees in 2023 and progressively in the next 10 years plant another 900 million trees so that 20 pc of all our land under the correctional services is under tree coverage,” she said.

    Muhia hailed the skills development and training programs offered to inmates at various prison institutions aimed at empowering them for smooth reintegration into society.

    She added that the state is partnering with other stakeholders to refurbish the training curriculum and modernize the workshop equipment in all prisons to boost the standards of training and equip the prisoners with up-to-date skills that are needed in the market.

    The department in collaboration with other partners donated blankets, detergents, sanitary towels, and tissue papers to the inmates at the Kodiaga Maximum Prison and distributed children’s clothes to babies accompanying their mothers serving sentences at the Kisumu Women’s Prison.

    Also in attendance during the tour were Commissioner General of Prisons (Rtd) John Warioba, Secretary of Probation and After Care Services Mary Mbau, Nyanza Region Prison Commander Patrick Nyaachi among other senior department officials.

    Reporting by KNA

  • State committed to cancer prevention and control

    State committed to cancer prevention and control

    The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) 2023-2027, which will guide the country to put forward specific priority interventions towards cancer prevention and control based on existing disease burden, risk factor prevalence, global focal areas that are adapted to local context and available resources.

    Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha said that the research control program is very critical since it is the 3rd National Cancer Control Strategy in the country.

    “The NCCP demonstrates that the Government is committed to cancer control and prevention. The Constitution of Kenya with the bottom-up agenda will remain focused on delivering health care,” said Nakhumicha.

    In a speech read on her behalf by the State Department for Medical Services Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai during the event on Friday, Nakhumicha said that the document launched is well aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030.

    “There is a high cost of cancer treatment and low survival rates. NCCP will strengthen the health sector and create public awareness of cancer,” she voiced.

    According to the CS, the Ministry has been inspired by the milestones it has achieved towards cancer with many success stories about collaborations.

    World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative Abdourahmanne Diallo said that the WHO continues to support member states to promote national cancer control policies, plans, and programs that are harmonized with strategies for Non-Communicable Diseases and other related health concerns.

    As a technical agency, Diallo announced that WHO set norms and standards for cancer control including the development of evidence-based prevention, early diagnosis, screening, treatment, and palliative and survivorship care programs, as well as, to promote monitoring and evaluation through cancer registries and research that are tailored to the local disease burden and available resources.

    “Between 30–50% of all cancer cases are preventable and we all know that prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. WHO provides support to Member States towards strengthening national policies and programs to raise awareness and, reduce exposure to cancer risk factored to adopt healthy lifestyles,” he added.

    Diallo, in a speech read on his behalf by the Head of Communicable and Non-Communicable Cluster at WHO Kenya, Dr. Iheoma Onuekwusi, remarked that WHO works with governments to ensure quality cancer treatment is available and to promote the availability and affordability of quality, safe and effective medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics for cancer which is essential to achieving Sustainable Development Goals and reducing premature mortality from cancer and other non-communicable diseases by one third.

    “Together we can promote healthy lifestyles, prevent cancer, put measures in place for early detection, effectively treat and cure cancer, and provide quality life through palliative care,” Diallo reiterated.

    He maintained that the WHO will continue providing the necessary support for the prevention and control of cancer in the country.

    In his own remarks, the acting Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth said that NCCP has 5 pillars including awareness creation.

    He stressed that cancer investments require a lot of resources to change the cancer narrative and assured that the Ministry will prioritize measures that will fight against cancer.

  • Survey: 55pc of adolescents suffer mental health related issues

    Survey: 55pc of adolescents suffer mental health related issues

    55pc of adolescents in Kenya suffer from mental health-related conditions, according to the Kenya Adolescent Health Survey.

    Informed by these statistics the Ministry of Health through the Division of Adolescent and School Health launched a community handbook to equip parents with skills to better handle their adolescents.

    Adolescents in Kenya who constitute 24pc of the country’s population still suffer a myriad of challenges including Mental health disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, and sexual and verbal abuse.

    The first-ever Kenya Adolescent Health Survey indicates that there is still need for continuous stakeholder engagement to tackle the array of issues the youth face.

    In addition to launching the 1st Kenya adolescent health survey and community handbook, the Ministry of Health through the division of adolescent and school health also recommends a review of the adolescent health policy.

    Adolescents aged between 10-19 from 44 counties were surveyed.

    The community handbook will equip adolescents with among others skills to achieve life goals and knowledge to deal with peer pressure.

    Parents will have more insights on how to better handle adolescents.

    Reporting by Doreen Arange

  • NCIC calls for dialogue to promote peace and cohesion

    NCIC calls for dialogue to promote peace and cohesion

    The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged the government and the opposition to give dialogue a chance through bipartisan talks in order to promote peace and cohesion among citizens.

    The Commission cautioned Kenyans against descending into violence and anarchy stressing it is not the solution to the strenuous cost of living in the country. They instead advocated for good relations, harmony, and peaceful coexistence of different ethnic, racial, and religious groups.

    Addressing the media, NCIC Vice Chairperson Ms Wambui Nyutu noted with great concern, the loss of lives, and a trail of massive destruction of both public and private property in most parts of the country as a result of the demonstrations that took place on Wednesday,  July 12  and also condoled with the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate mayhem.

    “We condemn the killing of innocent Kenyans, tear-gassing of learning institutions, and the burning of the Kenyan flag. This is an impediment to all the political, economic, and social gains we have made as a country over the years,” expressed Nyutu.

    She further added that whereas the Constitution 2010 guarantees the rights to freedom of expression as well as freedom of peaceful assembly and human rights, this freedom is restricted when it leads to provocation of imminent violence as witnessed on Wednesday the previous week.

    The Vice Chairperson observed that the last few demonstrations had degenerated into ethnic-based conflict and violence and that as a commission, together with their key partners, they have invested huge amounts of resources that had since brought peaceful coexistence.

    “According to the National Crime Research Center Report 2017, there are 326 groups of criminal gangs hence, youth mobilization to engage in violent conflicts has provided fodder for criminal and armed militia gangs across the affected areas,” Nyutu disclosed.

    The Commission, she continued, has urged the mobilizers of these youth and militia to stop taking advantage of these vulnerable groups as she quoted the 31st American Herbert Hoover who said; ‘Older men declare war but it’s the youth that must fight and die.’

    Further, in the spirit of inclusivity, she announced that the Commission is calling on all demonstrators to exercise tolerance and picket peacefully since it’s quite disheartening to see young people provoking law enforcement officers as well as destroying property worth billions, bullying and harassing innocent Kenyans.

    Nyutu appealed to the police to implement their mandate within the confines of the law and avoid human rights abuses which include the use of live ammunition to disperse crowds as every life matters.

    “We discourage the rise in misinformation and disinformation bordering on hate speech and ethnic contempt across the social media platform and urge netizens to avoid forwarding unverified information that escalates tension amongst our communities. As a Commission, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring that we jealously protect Kenya’s peace and cohesion because we cannot afford to slide to the 2007/2008 post-election violence episode,” she maintained.

    Reporting by KNA

  • Ksh 380M Malaria research center launched in Thika

    Ksh 380M Malaria research center launched in Thika

    A Ksh 380 million research center for research on malaria that aims to eradicate the disease has been launched in Thika Kiambu County.

    Funded by the Japanese government the project will be implemented by Mount Kenya University (MKU) in collaboration with Osaka City University, and the Homa Bay County Government.

    The project involves the establishment of a cutting-edge molecular and immunology laboratory at MKU Thika campus in Kiambu County and a research station in Homa Bay.

    It is also being supported by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and is touted to achieve significant milestones in the fight against malaria.

    Speaking during the launch at the MKU main Thika campus, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Ken Okaniwa said it is regrettable that malaria still remains a top killer disease on the African continent and whose fight continues to drain huge resources.

    He added that one of the key accomplishments of the state-of-the-art facility is to provide advanced research and diagnostics for malaria.

    The University Pro-Chancellor Dr Vincent Gaitho the Center for Malaria Elimination provides an opportunity for investors to develop medicine and vaccines by working with the research scientists.

    According to Dr Njihia Gitaka the lead researcher said the center among others will be an incubation for innovative, cutting-edge research while also being a catalyst for collaboration, patents, interdisciplinary learning, and commercialization of human health-related services and products.

    MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi says by generating robust data on best practices in malaria control and elimination, the institution has actively participated in policy discussions with national and county ministries of health.

    He noted that beyond academic achievements, the project has played a pivotal role in policy development and evidence-based decision-making.

    The researchers noted that the laboratory at Thika campus will continue to be a vital resource for capacity building and cutting-edge research.

  • Petrol decreases by Ksh 0.85 as diesel unchanged in latest review

    Petrol decreases by Ksh 0.85 as diesel unchanged in latest review

    The prices of Super Petrol and Kerosene have been reduced by 0.85 shillings and 3.96 shillings per litre respectively in the latest review.

    The  Petroleum Regulatory Authority EPRA says the  will see , a litre of Super Petrol now retailing at Ksh 194.68 from Ksh 195.68  while that of kerosene will retail at Ksh 169.48 from the current Ksh 173.44 per litre.

    The prices of diesel will remain the same retailing at Ksh 179.67. The review by EPRA comes 14 days after an increase of Ksh 13 was effected on Petrol on June 29 following the 16 Per cent VAT on fuel products included in the Finance Act 2023.

    EPRA increased the prices of fuel despite a High Court ruling suspending the Act.

  • DCI to probe alleged scholarship fraud to Finland

    DCI to probe alleged scholarship fraud to Finland

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has commenced investigations into allegations of fraud involving a scholarship program to Finland, spearheaded by the Uasin Gishu County government.

    This follows numerous complaints by members of the public from Uasin Gishu County, who claimed to have been defrauded millions of shillings in a scholarship program to the Scandinavian country that failed to materialize.

    Sleuths from DCI Headquarters are expected in Uasin Gishu County between July 18-21, for a comprehensive probe.

    The DCI has requested aggrieved victims to present themselves at the DCI County Headquarters in Eldoret, on July 18 for statement recording and other investigative procedures in order to bring the suspects to book.

    The victims are requested to bring all the relevant documents in their possession, related to the matter.

  • Jackie Maribe, Joseph Irungu to know fate on October 6th

    Jackie Maribe, Joseph Irungu to know fate on October 6th

    Justice Grace Nzioka of the High Court has two and a half months to analyze critically and give a judgment on the death of business woman Monica Kimani who was brutally murdered in 2018.

    This is after the State Prosecutor and defense lawyers put their best feet forward to defend their clients during their final submissions before the court retires to bring a Judgment on 6th October 2023.

    In her final submissions, Prosecuting counsel Gichui Gikui urged the Court to find and hold that former Television broadcaster Jackie Maribe and her boyfriend Joseph Irungu were indeed involved in the murder of the businesswoman Monica Kimani.

    Gichui said that the gun that was used in the murder was produced before the court and even the DNA report showed that the blood stains obtained from Irungu indeed matched that of the deceased.

    However, Maribe’s lawyer Katwa Kigen told the judge that the prosecution did not adduce evidence linking her to Monica’s death.

    Elsewhere, four people who were found guilty of murdering a former Venezuelan ambassador to Kenya and convicted each of them to 20 years in jail.

    Dwight Sagaray, Ahmed Omido, Alex Sifuma and Moses Kiprotich will serve the sentence after the trial Judge Justice Roselyn Korir ruled that the offences that the four committed were serious.

    The four are said to have murdered Olga Fonseca Jimenez at her residence in Runda.

    The Judge said that the sentence will start running from 23rd January 2023.

    Finally, a human rights activist Julius Kamau and 10 minors who were arrested on Wednesday during the anti-government protests have been set free.

    According to the prosecution, the activist had chained himself and police were yet to establish his motive for it before preferring criminal charges against him.

    The prosecuting counsel told trial magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that they had no charges against the suspects and should therefore be set free.

    The court was also told that Kamau has been a victim of police brutally since the year 2007.

    Reporting by Ruth Wamboi