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Author: Muraya Kamunde

  • New campaign launched to empower and support youth in Kenya

    New campaign launched to empower and support youth in Kenya

    BIC, in partnership with Azziad Nasenya have launched a campaign that aims to inspire the youth in the country to focus on personal care and self-confidence.

    The campaign dubbed ‘Wembesha Na BIC’ launched on Friday at the Mount Kenya University (MKU) in Thika and brought together prominent content creators including Nasenya, also an influencer, radio host, and brand ambassador for BIC Miss Soleil.

    Joining Azziad, were Dermatologist’s Officer, Rebecca Chacha, and BIC East Africa Marketing Manager, Salome Ngugi.

    The panel focused on self-confidence and empowerment, shedding light on Azziad’s success story with all its ups and downs, encouraging students to believe in themselves.

    The panel saw the attendance of university students, media and journalists in Kenya, BIC representatives, and strategic partners.

    Commenting on the occasion, Salome Ngugi, BIC East Africa Marketing Manager said: “In its second edition, Wembesha Na BIC, helps us reach thousands of students and bring the selfconfidence and empowerment conversation to the youth in Kenya. We are proud of the behavioural change triggers that we are instilling in tomorrow’s generation and are ecstatic about our long-term partnership with Azziad Nasenya who has a strong voice amongst the youth and helps us bring our purpose to life.”

    Expressing her delight as a BIC Miss Soleil Brand Ambassador, Azziad Nasenya, said: “I am a true believer in empowerment, for females and males, and my work predominately focuses on that. Collaborating with BIC over the past few years has complemented my work and allowed me to elevate the self-confidence and empowerment conversations and further engage with youth. As someone who has grown up with the popular BIC products, it’s refreshing to work with the people behind the brand and bring its purpose to life through topics I am personally passionate about.”

    Wembesha Na BIC was incepted in Kenya in 2022 and is in its second edition. BIC has also launched the ‘I Choose Smooth, I Choose Miss Soleil’ campaign in 2021 which aims to empower, motivate, and inspire young females to embrace their confidence and be the best version of themselves.

    Azziad Nasenya has been BIC Miss Soleil’s partner since 2021 and brand ambassador since 2022.

  • Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol impeached by MCAs

    Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol impeached by MCAs

    Siaya County Assembly has impeached Deputy Governor William Oduol.

    All 42 MCAs voted to send Oduol home on recommendations of a 14 member ad-hoc committee formed to probe the matter.

    The Ward representatives accuse Oduol of among others gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and misleading the public by giving false information.

    Oduol’s fate now lies in the hands of the Senate.

    Siaya County Assembly Speaker George Okode is expected to communicate the resolution to the Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi within two days.

    If his impeachment is upheld he will be the first Deputy Governor to be removed from office, since the inception of devolution.

  • Ugandan President tests positive for Covid-19

    Ugandan President tests positive for Covid-19

    BBC

    Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has said he has contracted Covid-19 after one of three tests conducted on him turned out positive.

    Mr Museveni, who gave a state of the nation address earlier on Wednesday, said he had developed a slight cold, prompting him to get tested.

    The Permanent Secretary at the Health Ministry, Diana Atwine, said the President had developed mild flu-like symptoms but was in good health and would continue his duties.

    She said the President would adhere to standard operating procedures for Covid cases while performing his role.

    Uganda had some of the strictest measures in Africa to limit the spread of the virus at the height of the pandemic, including long curfews and closure of schools and businesses.

    The country fully reopened in February 2022.

  • Gay rights backlash over Kenyan academic’s SA invite

    Gay rights backlash over Kenyan academic’s SA invite

    BBC

    South Africa’s opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is facing a backlash for its decision to invite a Kenyan academic to give a lecture in July at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

    Prof Patrick “PLO” Lumumba is alleged to hold homophobic views – and last month congratulated Uganda’s president for “defying Western countries and doing the right thing” by signing an anti-gay bill into law.

    The lecture he has been asked to deliver is part of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the EFF party founded by firebrand politician Julius Malema.

    It is scheduled to be held at UCT’s Sarah Baartman Hall.

    Some UCT staff and students have demanded that he not be allowed to give the address there as his presence would signal the institution’s acceptance of his “homophobic stance”, local media report.

    Other South Africans on social media have asked the EFF to withdraw the invitation.

    However, the party is standing by its decision, with Mr Malema saying that “allowing different views makes a discourse even more exciting”.

    The EFF had held demonstrations in April outside the Ugandan embassy in the capital, Pretoria, to express its opposition to the anti-homosexuality bill.

    Uganda now has among the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world. South Africa’s constitution was the first in the world to protect people from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.

    Prof Lumumba, 60, is a respected Kenyan lawyer, and was director of the Kenya School of Law for four years and before that had headed the now-defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission for a year.

  • DP Gachagua asks Azimio to stop misleading Kenyans on Finance Bill

    DP Gachagua asks Azimio to stop misleading Kenyans on Finance Bill

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Azimio La Umoja Kenya One Alliance leaders to stop misleading the public on the provisions of the Finance Bill 2023.

    Speaking in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, during the burial of Mary Muthoni, DP Gachagua said the Opposition is sharing wrong information on the Bill, more so on the Housing Fund.

    He said the proposed 3pc deduction to the housing Fund will only apply on employees

    He said the Azimio politicians are using the Bill to gain political mileage in their claims that the Fund for Affordable Housing is mandatory to all Kenyans.

    “The Housing Fund is for the employed; it is aimed at creating jobs for the youth,” said Gachagua.

    The Deputy President dismissed claims that the Finance Bill, 2023 will burden Kenyans and raises the cost of living. He said the Bill, which is before Parliament, has many good measures to ease the cost of living if Parliament adopts it.

    For instance, he said, Value Added Tax on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been slashed.

    “The prices of the cooking gas will fall and the income for coffee will increase. Opposition leaders are lying to the public,” said the Deputy President.

    President William Ruto’s Administration has asked MPs through the Finance Bill, 2023 to exempt cooking gas from the eight percent VAT.

    He said cheap gas will also reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.

    “All MPs in Kenya Kwanza are behind President William Ruto in the Finance Bill, 2023. Only one from the Central Kenya region is making noise; it is democracy,” he said.

    He spoke as debate for the Consideration of Financial Year 2023/24 Budget Estimates in the National Assembly.

    At the upcoming Coffee Summit scheduled to start tomorrow (Friday), the Deputy President said the forum will come up with lasting reforms to the sub-sector.

    “We have a three-day meeting with leaders from coffee growing counties to discuss coffee reforms. We won’t fail. We will remove brokers so that farmers can sell their produce directly and earn more money. This is the time to reform it,” said the Deputy President.

    The government intends to deal firmly with the multiple brokers and middlemen in the coffee production chain, so as to improve the situation of the farmers.

    The coffee stakeholders expected to attend the summit include the government officials (county and national), lawmakers, governors, coffee farmers, experts, marketers and roasters among others.

    President Ruto tasked his deputy to lead the coffee sector reforms spearheaded by the Coffee sub-sector Reforms Implementation Standing Committee.

    On the ongoing operation by the government against illicit brews in the Central Kenya region, the Deputy President said so far the exercise is bearing fruit.

    “Chiefs and administrators must work hard and eradicate illicit brews. Work on the project and ensure no drug in their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.

    The Deputy President added that development projects that stalled in Mathira during the last regime because of bad politics will be revived.

    He was accompanied by his spouse Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.

    Leaders present included Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga and MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), John Kiragu (Limuru) and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini).

    The leaders praised the government’s efforts to reform the coffee subsector and eradicate the illicit brews.

    They also told off their colleagues for opposing the Finance Bill, 2023 and demonizing the proposed tax measures.

    “It is totally insincere and hypocritical to fight the Finance Bill and at the same time ask for development projects,” said Senator Wamatinga.

  • Kirinyaga allocates Ksh 275M for development of Sagana Agro Industrial Park 

    Kirinyaga allocates Ksh 275M for development of Sagana Agro Industrial Park 

    Kirinyaga County has allocated Ksh 275 million in the proposed 2023/2024 budget for the development of Sagana Agro-Industrial Park.

    Out of this amount, Ksh 250 million is Kirinyaga County’s conditional matching allocation in a 50/50 arrangement with the National Government which will also contribute 250 million as grant.

    This allocation is applicable to all the counties for establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPS) whose kickoff condition is availability of a minimum of Ksh 500 million.

    The other Ksh 25 million is set aside for pre-feasibility studies, NEMA approvals, Sustainable Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) reports, feasibility, marketing, branding and development of basic infrastructure in the park.

    Governor Anne Waiguru says for the County to access the grants, they are further required to allocate at least 100 acres of land designated for the industrial parks.

    Counties are also required to identify at least five value chains products, provide proof of marketing of the value chain products and have necessary amenities like water, road network, security and electricity connection.

    The Governor said Sagana Industrial Park will be the first climate smart agro industrial city in central region, will promote agro processing and manufacturing and will be source of employment to many of the county residents.

    She noted that the county farmers will greatly benefit from value addition of their crops which will lead to better earnings for them.

    “The processing factories that will come up at the industrial park will target our local produce such as tomatoes, avocado, macadamia and fish,” said the Governor.

    She added that apart from the opportunities created inside, the industrial park will spur economic growth in the surrounding areas as well as improve the county’s economic status.

    In preparation for the upcoming industrial park, Waiguru said that her administration has been supporting farmers to increase agricultural production and organizing them to form groups and cooperatives through which they will aggregate their produce for uptake by processors at the park.

    The Governor pointed out that some of the cooperatives have already expressed intention to set up their own processing factories at the industrial park, a move that she termed as smart and strategic.

    The Sagana County Aggregation and Industrial Park and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) will be established on a 250-acre land that the county government repossessed from grabbers two years ago.

    The land is located in close proximity to the Sagana Railway Station, Sagana River, and the Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriage. Its strategic location and availability of natural resources is an additional attraction to investors.

  • We must have a male conversation, Pastor Dorcas says

    We must have a male conversation, Pastor Dorcas says

    Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has urged religious leaders to take up the role of guiding and counseling the boys who are in drug and substance abuse.

    Speaking when she met religious leaders from the Western region in Bungoma town, Pastor Dorcas further called on mothers to rise up to raising boys who will not feel left out of the society.

    “As mother we must rise up in bringing up our boy-children. Let them have emotions, let them cry if they must. Teach them how to speak the problems out, because right now we are losing too many. “She said.

    “We bring them up, we take them to universities. You sell everything to take them there expecting them to come and help you and the society but they are brought in a casket, because they are not able to handle the pressures of live,” she added.

    In her recent visit to Nairobi University Pastor Dorcas noted that at least 55 young men had committed suicide in the institution in the last one year, with many of such cases being attributed to mental illnesses and depression.

    “That is why we are saying we must not listen to foreign agenda and philosophies. We have our own culture as Africans and we must maintain it. From where would you get a child from a man sleeping with another man,” she said.

    Pastor Dorcas said she will not just pray but will traverse the country speaking about the boy child agenda until the lost boy child is rescued.

    She regretted that many parents have brought up their boys showing them a woman to be an object of dishonour.

    “How can it be that you expect a boy to respect women while when we bring them up you tell them not to go near their mother, you tell them not to go to the kitchen, you tell them not to cry like their sisters. When they cry you tell them they are crying like women. I think we are asking too much from them,” she said.

    Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka who accompanied pastor Dorcas pledged to support the agenda in his county. Governor Lusaka also called on Kenyans to give the government time to deliver in its promise.

    Others present were Bungoma First Lady Margaret Makelo, Deputy Governor Pst Jenepher Mbatiany, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and other local leaders.

  • Education CS set to respond to MPs questions Wednesday

    Education CS set to respond to MPs questions Wednesday

    Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu will return to the National Assembly for a second time to be questioned by Members of Parliament.

    The National Assembly reconvened Tuesday with a packed agenda, including the return of Members’ Question Time.

    Among questions raised by Lawmakers is the transition process for pupils moving from primary schools to Junior Secondary Schools and Form One in the upcoming 2023 academic year and the status of the Guidelines of Implementation of the Junior Secondary School policy specifically concerning provision of meals.

    In addition, concerns surrounding the delayed distribution of books for Junior Secondary School learners in public schools and the delay in the supply of course books for public secondary schools, to Samburu East Constituency.

    While, Bonchari MP Charles Onchoke sought updates on the construction of classrooms under the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) Phase II in ten secondary schools within his constituency.

    Further, Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor raised concerns regarding nepotism, mismanagement, and violations of the Ministry of Education guidelines related to the acquisition and disposal of school assets, as well as the recruitment of non-teaching and casual staff.

    On her part, Machakos MP Joyce Kamene inquired about the provision of sanitary pads to schoolgirls during each financial year from 2017/2018 to 2022/2023.

    Finally, Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe sought details on measures to ensure equal access to education for children with Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

  • National Prayer Breakfast underway at Safari Park Hotel

    National Prayer Breakfast underway at Safari Park Hotel

    The 20th National Prayer Breakfast is currently underway at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

    This year’s event is hosted by the Parliament of Kenya, and graced by President William Ruto, who has already arrived for the event.

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Speakers of Parliament Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi are also present.

    This year’s event, whose theme is dubbed ‘Reconciliation’, is expected to bring together political and religious leaders from across the nation, as well as members of the general public.

    The prayer breakfast is interdenominational and emphasizes the importance of national unity and leaders acknowledging their responsibilities and privileges before God.

    It serves as a reminder that regardless of political or religious differences, the well-being and progress of the nation should be a shared endeavor.

    The event holds great significance in Kenya’s calendar as it promotes national unity, reconciliation, and spiritual reflection among the country leaders.

    Expectations are high for another memorable and impactful gathering that will contribute to the continued development and harmony of the nation.

  • Former PS Mburu absolves herself of blame in KEMSA scandal

    Former PS Mburu absolves herself of blame in KEMSA scandal

    Former Public Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu has distanced herself from the Ksh 3.7 billion Kenya Medical Supplies Authority KEMSA scandal that earned her dismissal.

    Mburu who appeared before the Senate Health Committee said that executive orders had reduced her functions from 13 to 7 and she was not in any way tasked with procuring medical equipment under her docket.

    Amid confusion on who should be held accountable, Mburu absolved herself of any blame further and urged the Senate to expedite its investigations to unearth the real culprits.

    According to the former PS who claimed she did not interfere with the tendering process the role fell squarely in the docket of her former colleague in the Ministry Eng. Peter Tum who was recently moved to the Ministry of Sports in the recent reshuffle.

    The committee also grilled suspended KEMSA CEO Terry Ramadhani and chair Daniel Rono to ascertain if the irregularities in the procurement process were enough to cancel the tender and if the government lost monies in the process.

    In April, President William Ruto sacked the embattled PS and the entire KEMSA  board over the botched medical tender on anti-malaria nets