KBC Channel 1

Author: Muraya Kamunde

  • Joyful Women Organization to source international markets for local women entrepreneurs

    Joyful Women Organization to source international markets for local women entrepreneurs

    Diaspora Women Leaders Caucus and First Lady Rachel Ruto, Joyful Women Organization will work together in sourcing out international markets for local women entrepreneurs.

    The State Department for Diaspora Affairs will oversee the venture and work with relevant government agencies to facilitate sale of local made wares to the world markets.

    During a meeting at Statehouse, the Diaspora Caucus representatives from different countries said the support from the First Lady will be a major boost to the women.

    The First Lady said she had seen firsthand the extraordinary potential that exists in every woman throughout her 17-year journey of work with women across Kenya.

    “It is always good to see a group of diaspora. We are here to support you for betterment of people of Kenya, we are ready to work with you,” she said.

    She hailed the diaspora women for coming together for the sake of their roots despite them crossing the borders.

    “There is something extraordinary in this room, women who have crossed borders, but never abandoned their roots. Women who have turned challenge into opportunity, ambition into achievement, and distance into impact. Women who have built lives in cities far from home, yet still carry Kenya in their hearts,” she noted.

    Mrs. Ruto said the meeting matters because it brings together women who have not only travelled the world, but who continue to carry Kenya forward, through their work, their leadership, and their commitment to something larger than themselves.

    “In addition, there is increased emphasis on women’s economic empowerment through improved access to enterprise financing, market opportunities, and inclusion in national development value chains, alongside policies that continue to support women-led businesses and entrepreneurship growth,” she added.

    Through their table-banking model and community-led initiatives, Joyful Women has opened pathways for women to start businesses, support their families, and uplift their communities.

    Across the counties, many have invested in agriculture, handcrafts, beadworks, jewellery, curio’s, fabrics, pottery and ceramics.

    PS for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline Njogu said Diaspora department was created to make linkage between diaspora and the motherland after demands from Kenyans living abroad

    “We will create values chains and trade routes for this country out there, we are ready to stand with you to see this happen,” said Mrs Njogu.

    Ms. Njogu said there has been an upsurge in women going out of country for jobs in the diaspora which was equally positive for the country.

    The Chairperson Diaspora Women Caucus, Ms.Mercy Kamanja said there exist a huge potential out there if there is a organized system.

    She said the First Lady support will immensely boost the global image and attract more investments.

    Ms. Kamanja said they intended to reach out women groups from far fetched parts of Kenya and market their products globally.

    “Connecting grassroots women with the diaspora through Joyful women will open up doors and attract global partnerships,” she said.

    The CEO of Joyful Women, Ms. Elizabeth Koskei said her organisation has over 250,000 women spread across 44 counties.

    “We are here to listen and learn from our sister who left to different destinations but still believe in kenya,” she said.

    Feel at home because you are loved here in Kenya and our First Lady has the passion to uplift Kenya women.

    She further urged the diaspora to highlight the many developments from the government and boost the country image out there.

    “We need you to talk about what is happening in this country, please become the ambassadors of this great nation wherever you go,” she said.

    “We at Joyful believe empowering women ensures the whole society prospers and finally the whole nation thrives,” she added.

  • Mudavadi calls for global south unity as Kenya positions itself as a strategic player

    Mudavadi calls for global south unity as Kenya positions itself as a strategic player

    Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has called for a renewed commitment to multi-lateralism, deeper Africa-Korea cooperation, and greater Global South solidarity as Kenya seeks to strengthen its influence in an increasingly fragmented world order.

    Speaking at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, under the invitation of the University President Ji-Beom Yoo and the Dean of the faculty of Political Science Dr. Wonbin Cho, on Tuesday, Mudavadi outlined Kenya’s foreign policy vision under the theme, “From Regional Anchor to Global Influence: Kenya’s Strategic Foreign Policy Outlook in an Evolving World Order.”

    He argued that growing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and weakening international cooperation require African nations to rethink their diplomatic and economic strategies.

    Mudavadi warned that the global order is facing significant strain, citing the resurgence of unilateralism, increasing use of sanctions, trade disputes, and the growing militarization of international relations.

    “We still confront the hard realities of an increasingly volatile global landscape with far-reaching implications for the global economic and security architecture,” he said.

    “Multi-lateralism is under strain as unilateralism resurges, alongside the weaponization of tariffs and the expansion of sanctions regimes,” added the Prime CS.

    Mudavadi who is in South Korea for the Korea-Africa Ministers Meeting,  expressed concern that diplomacy is increasingly being replaced by transactional approaches to international relations.

    “Diplomacy is increasingly being treated as a transaction and sovereignty as a negotiable property,” he said, adding that the rules-based international trading system and development assistance mechanisms face mounting challenges.

    Drawing parallels between current global tensions and challenges experienced during the tenure of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mudavadi said conflicts, climate change, humanitarian crises, and unequal development continue to threaten global stability.

    He pointed to major international crises, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and the Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, saying they have had severe economic consequences for African countries.

    “These shocks have compounded economic hardships in Africa, underscoring the need for deeper integration, diversified partnerships and enhanced investment in science, technology and innovation,” he said.

    Mudavadi also highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and South Sudan, noting that millions have been displaced and children forced out of school due to conflict and climate-related shocks.

    Against this backdrop, he urged African nations to seize emerging opportunities by strengthening regional integration and reducing dependence on foreign aid.

    “African states are charting a forward-looking and people-centred approach driven by diversification in cooperation, trade and investment, rather than aid dependency,” he said.

    The minister emphasized the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a critical platform for expanding intra-African trade, boosting manufacturing, and increasing value addition to the continent’s natural resources.

    “African Continental Free Trade Area offers African countries a unique platform to build regional value chains across diverse sectors, including agri-food and pharmaceuticals,” he said.

    Mudavadi also called for reforms within global institutions, particularly the United Nations, ahead of the election of the next UN Secretary-General later this year.

    “Africa’s position is that multi-lateralism must be reformed and strengthened, not abandoned,” he said.

    “The election can be a make-or-break moment for multi-lateralism,” he paused.

    He urged the next UN chief to champion science, technology, and equitable development for developing countries, quoting former Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s assertion that national prosperity depends on the ability to harness knowledge and innovation.

    Turning to Kenya’s bilateral ties with South Korea, Mudavadi praised the growing partnership between the two countries, particularly in technology, education, health research, and industrial development.

    He noted that South Korea has been a major partner in the development of Konza Technopolis and the establishment of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST), which is modeled after Korea’s prestigious KAIST institution.

    “The Korean government remains Kenya’s leading partner in technology and the digital economy,” he said.

    Mudavadi described Kenya as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” citing the country’s advances in digital innovation, fintech, and telecommunications, including the success of the mobile money platform M-Pesa.

    He further highlighted Kenya’s strategic location as a gateway to East and Central Africa, providing access to more than 1.5 billion consumers under the AfCFTA framework.

    The Prime Cabinet Secretary also showcased Nairobi’s growing significance as a diplomatic and financial hub, noting that the city hosts the United Nations Office at Nairobi, UNEP, UN-Habitat, and regional offices of major international financial institutions.

    “In a world where diplomacy is increasingly reduced to transactional exchanges, peace treated as a private enterprise and nations locked in the ‘Dignity Trap,’ Kenya chooses a different path,” Mudavadi said.

    “We choose partnership over patronage; principle over opportunism; dialogue over use of force.”.he added.

    He concluded by inviting South Korean scholars, investors, and citizens to deepen engagement with Kenya through trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges.

    “Visit Kenya. Invest in Kenya. Learn with Kenya,” he said. “When Africa and Korea rise together, the world does not merely become safer. It becomes prosperous.”

  • Duale to face MPs over proposed Ebola facility in Laikipia

    Duale to face MPs over proposed Ebola facility in Laikipia

    Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly Departmental Health Committee over the decision to quarantine US citizens exposed to Ebola in Kenya.

    The Health CS is expected to appear before the Committee to provide a comprehensive briefing on the arrangement and explain measures the Ministry has put in place to manage the epidemic.

    MPs summoned Duale last week after reports emerged that the Donald Trump administration were expected to deploy US public health officers to Kenya to staff a potential quarantine facility in Laikipia amid the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo.

    In the country, Lawmakers have raised concern over Kenya’s preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks in parts of the region.

    Speaking before the Parliamentary Health Committee earlier last week, Khwisero Member of Parliament Christopher Aseka questioned whether the Ministry of Health was adequately prepared to handle a possible Ebola outbreak.

    Defending the decision to set up the facility in the country, President William Ruto said he gave the US President the green light saying it was part of a long standing US-Kenya partnership. He recalled that the U.S government played a key role in supporting Kenya’s response to public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “The partnership with the American government is mutually beneficial to us and to them. When  President Donald Trump asked me to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase, I gave the okay, because it is a partnership and agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for over 40 years on health issues,” he said.

    He noted that the quarantine facility being established at Laikipia Air Base with support from the United States is part of a broader national preparedness strategy.

    He reiterated that the facility exist solely to protect the health and well-being of Kenyans and others and to ensure that the nation responds swiftly and effectively to public health emergencies.

    The Ministry of Health has now sanctioned daily meetings, carried out through sub-committees formed to assess and react to the mutating Ebola virus.

    Though there is no confirmed case in the country, the government said its alertness has increased with 10 neighboring countries now on the radar.

    So far, the PS noted, 25 counties have been categorized as either ‘very high risk’ or ‘high risk’ in efforts to combat the entry and containment of the deadly zoonotic virus.

    The very high-risk counties are – Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kisumu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Siaya, West Pokot, Turkana, Homabay and Migori, most of them being counties at the country’s borders.

    High risk counties are – Vihiga, Kakamega, Nakuru, Kericho, Nandi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kilifi, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Garissa.

    Fresh data also indicates that in the last 24 hours, 13,548 travelers have been screened in the country’s points of entry, while cumulatively, about 67,000 travelers have been screened.

  • Ruto links Ksh611B forest economy to record Rhino Charge fundraising drive

    Ruto links Ksh611B forest economy to record Rhino Charge fundraising drive

    Kenya’s forests contribute an estimated Ksh 611 billion annually to the economy, President William Ruto has said, underscoring why conservation is increasingly being viewed as an economic investment rather than simply an environmental obligation.

    Speaking during the 2026 Rhino Charge prize-giving ceremony in Samburu County, the President highlighted the direct link between healthy ecosystems and economic growth as the event raised a record Ksh 365 million for conservation.

    “Our montane forests are the Water Towers of Kenya. They sustain agriculture, fisheries, energy and manufacturing,” President Ruto said. “Their value to our economy is estimated at KSh 611 billion each year.”

    The remarks came as Rhino Ark unveiled a new Endowment Fund designed to provide long-term financing for conservation projects.

    The organisation committed Ksh 100 million to the fund, prompting an immediate matching pledge from the Government.

    The combined Ksh 200 million commitment signals growing recognition that protecting water catchments and biodiversity is essential to securing economic productivity, energy generation, food security and climate resilience.

    Over the last 37 years, Rhino Charge has raised more than Ksh 2.8 billion for conservation initiatives.

    These investments have financed 853 kilometres of electric fencing around critical forest ecosystems, helping reduce human-wildlife conflict while protecting strategic water sources.

    The annual event continues to attract strong private-sector backing.

    Corporate sponsors, philanthropists and competitors contributed to this year’s record fundraising performance, led by Adil Khawaja’s AK44 team, which raised Ksh 216 million—more than half the total amount collected.

    Mark Glen’s Team 48 and Peter Kinyua’s Car No. 23 completed the top three fundraising positions.

    The funds will support Rhino Ark’s ecosystem protection programmes, including forest restoration, fencing projects and conservation initiatives in major water towers such as the Mau Forest Complex and Mount Elgon ecosystem.

    Competition results also reflected the event’s enduring popularity.

    Team Huzi, led by Oliver Outram, retained the overall title after successfully navigating all checkpoints across the rugged Samburu terrain.

    Hatarious Chargers and Braeburn Seven Squared secured second and third places respectively.

    President Ruto praised the partnership between government, communities and the private sector, describing it as proof of what collaborative investment can achieve.

    “Over thirty-seven years, you have proven what partnership between the private and public sectors can accomplish,” he said.

    As climate change, water scarcity and environmental degradation increasingly threaten economic stability, Rhino Charge is demonstrating that conservation financing is no longer a peripheral issue, it is becoming a central pillar of Kenya’s long-term development strategy.

  • Spiro raises Ksh28B to scale up electric mobility in Africa

    Spiro raises Ksh28B to scale up electric mobility in Africa

    African EV platform Spiro has announced a Ksh 29 billion investment round to accelerate the deployment of its electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa. 

    Building on the support of long-standing institutional partners such as FEDA, Spiro’s latest equity round draws global capital from Europe and Africa, confirming growing global confidence in scalable infrastructure-led business models across emerging markets.

    Following years of optimization across its product portfolio, technology and energy ecosystem, Spiro has moved past the proof-of-concept phase and stands ready to execute its next chapter of pan-African expansion.

    This investment will support the expansion of Spiro’s battery-swapping network, strengthen its industrial and assembly footprint, accelerate technology development and support the company’s entry into new high-growth African markets.

    Global investors back Africa’s fast-growing mobility and energy transition

    As Africa’s urban population and mobility needs continue to surge, electric vehicles and battery-swapping ecosystems are rapidly emerging as one of the continent’s most promising infrastructure and energy investment opportunities.

    Reducing dependence on imported fuel, strengthening energy and industrial sovereignty and modernizing urban transport systems are becoming strategic priorities across the continent, positioning EV infrastructure as a key pillar of Africa’s economic resilience and industrial development.

     

    Driven by rising fuel costs, increasing demand for affordable transportation and growing policy support for clean energy solutions, investors are increasingly backing scalable EV platforms capable of supporting Africa’s next phase of urban and industrial growth.

    For riders, the economic impact is immediate: operating a Spiro electric vehicle can reduce daily mobility costs by up to 40%, generating savings of up to $2 per day compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles.

    Recent third-party verified lifecycle assessment results conducted on Spiro’s operations in Kenya further highlight the environmental impact potential of EV infrastructure deployment across African cities:

    • Spiro’s electric bikes deliver a 72pc reduction in climate impact compared to fossil-fuel motorcycles, equivalent to approximately 19 tons of CO₂ emissions avoided over a vehicle’s lifespan.
    • The study also identified an 80pc reduction in ozone depletion potential and a 20pc reduction in particulate matter emissions, underscoring the role electric mobility can play in improving urban air quality and reducing public health risks across rapidly growing cities.

    Powering Africa’s mobility revolution at scale

    With operations across 7 African markets (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon) and further plans to expand local production and enter new markets such as DRC and Ethiopia, Spiro is building one of Africa’s most advanced EV and battery-swapping ecosystems.

    Spiro’s industrial footprint includes flagship manufacturing plants in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, alongside a state-of-the-art battery recycling facility in Nigeria.

    Combining locally adapted vehicle design, affordable battery-swapping infrastructure and integrated maintenance ecosystems, Spiro is making electric mobility commercially viable at scale for African riders.

    Spiro’s technology platform is supported by its R&D center, 150+ engineers and 30+ proprietary patents.

    The company is actively expanding beyond urban transport into a distributed clean-energy utility network that supports national renewable energy goals while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Its innovations include IoT-enabled, solar-powered swap stations, alongside secondary-life battery applications designed for stationary renewable energy storage.

  • WMO confident that 2026 is El Nino year

    WMO confident that 2026 is El Nino year

    The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) indicates an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event during June–August 2026.

    In a statement, the World Weather body says, “probabilities for this to continue until at least November are near or above 90%.”

    While noting there is uncertainty about El Niño peak strength and timing, “most forecast models suggest it will be at least moderate tending towards a possibly strong El Niño.”

    Climate scientists at WMO say observations are showing unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, indicating that El Niño conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of extreme weather over the coming months, says WMO.

    The information by WMO is being relayed to governments, humanitarian agencies and climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, health, energy and water management. The latest update is based on a consensus of models from WMO Global Producing Centres, experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and climate prediction centres around the world and are produced through a collaborative effort between the WMO and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI).

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his video statement, is calling for an end to the use of fossil fuels which he says are impacting the climate system and resulting into cyclic extreme weather conditions.

    “The science is clear: El Niño is arriving on our doorstep in the coming months with 90% certainty.  The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world.  Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.  The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis – ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his video statement.

    In late April to mid-May, the sea-surface temperature in the central-eastern Equatorial Pacific, the area used as a monitoring reference, was approaching El Niño thresholds, according to observations from different platforms used by WMO.

    According to WMO, the increasing sea surface anomalies “are being fed by unusually warm subsurface conditions across the tropical Pacific, with temperatures exceeding 6 °C above average and providing a substantial reservoir of heat that is contributing to the observed surface warming,” says the world weather body and adds, “the El Nino Southern Oscillation is also consistent with developing El Niño conditions.

    WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo is calling on governments to to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event “which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean. The most recent El Niño, in 2023-24, was one of the five strongest on record and it played a role in the record global temperatures we saw in 2024,” said Prof. Saulo.

    The WMO Secretary General says the organisation will be monitoring conditions in order to inform decision-making by governments, humanitarian agencies and climate-sensitive sectors. “Advance seasonal forecasts and early warnings are vital to save lives and cushion the impact on our economies and our communities,” said Celeste Saulo.

    El Niño is characterized by a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Equatorial Pacific. It typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts around nine to twelve months.

    It generally begins developing between March and June and reaches its peak intensity between November and February, with impacts on global temperatures typically being most pronounced in the second year after development.

    The effects of each El Niño or La Niña event vary depending on the intensity, duration, time of year when it develops, and also how it interacts with other climate variability modes such as the Indian Ocean Dipole. Not all regions of the world are affected, and even within a region, impacts can be different. Even when ENSO is neutral, extreme weather can still occur.

  • Over 800,000 people registered under SHA in North Eastern

    Over 800,000 people registered under SHA in North Eastern

    Since the inception of the Social Health Authority (SHA), more than 800,000 people have been registered in three North Eastern counties.

    Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebration in Wajir, President William Ruto said the enrolment of persons in Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera counties into SHA represented one of the most significant expansions of healthcare inclusion since independence.

    The President added that the authority has so far paid Ksh 8.1 billion in claims to hospitals for services provided in the three counties, demonstrating the transformative impact of this reform on access to quality healthcare.

    On youth, President Ruto said the Government is investing KSh38.5 billion in affordable housing across the three counties, creating job opportunities for thousands of youth while stimulating local economic growth.

    “Our message to the youth of Northern Kenya is simple: Your future will not be defined by your geography. It will be defined by your talent, your skills, and your determination,” he said.

  • Finance Bill: Relief for families as death benefits remain tax-free

    Finance Bill: Relief for families as death benefits remain tax-free

    Thousands of Kenyan families stand to benefit from proposals in the Finance Bill 2026 that seek to protect money paid to loved ones after the death of a pensioner and provide greater clarity on tax exemptions.

    One of the key proposals aims to ensure that pension benefits paid to beneficiaries after the death of a pensioner remain free from income tax.

    Currently, when a pensioner dies, benefits paid to their spouse, children, or other nominated beneficiaries are not taxed. However, the law does not expressly state this, creating uncertainty and confusion for families.

    To address this, the Finance Bill proposes an amendment to Clause 20, Paragraph 53 of the First Schedule to the Income Tax Act to explicitly exempt these benefits from income tax.

    In simple terms, if a retired worker passes away, the pension benefits paid to their family or beneficiaries will continue to be received in full, without any tax deductions.

    The proposal is intended to provide certainty and protect families during a difficult period by ensuring they can access the financial support left behind by their loved one without fear of taxation.

    According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the proposed changes are part of the government’s broader effort to create fairness, equity, and consistency within the tax system.

    The CS has maintained that the Finance Bill 2026 is focused on making tax administration clearer and more equitable while protecting ordinary Kenyans from unnecessary burdens.

    If approved, the changes will give families peace of mind that pension benefits paid after the death of a loved one will not be taxed.

    The overall goal is to protect family income, provide certainty and make the tax system easier to understand, fairer and more equitable for all Kenyans.

  • EACC arrests senior police officers over alleged bribery

    EACC arrests senior police officers over alleged bribery

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two senior police officers over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a member of the public.

    The arrests followed a complaint alleging that the officers; the DCIO Kitutu Central Sub-County, Chief Inspector Nicholas Waringa, alongside Corporal Lovy Ochieng Ouya of Nyanchwa Police Station,demanded Ksh 100,000 to facilitate the arrest of an individual accused of illegally taking possession of a parcel of land within Nyanchwa Estate, Kisii County, and putting up structures on it.

    Following investigations by EACC’s detectives, the two officers were arrested after allegedly receiving part payment of Ksh 40,000 from the complainant.

    The suspects were escorted to the EACC Kisii Regional Office for processing and were released on cash bail of Ksh 50,000 each, pending completion of investigations.

    EACC remains committed to the fight against corruption and continues to urge members of the public to report cases of bribery and abuse of office.

  • Utumishi Tragedy: Eight students arrested as detectives intensify probe

    Utumishi Tragedy: Eight students arrested as detectives intensify probe

    DCI detectives have taken eight girls from Utumishi Girls Academy into custody following yesterday’s inferno that killed 16 students and left others injured.

    In a statement, DCI said the eight were arrested following extensive interviews with students and teaching staff linking them to the arson attack.

    “We have conducted extensive interviews with students, teaching staff and other witnesses and reviewed available CCTV cameras. Preliminary investigation have identified eight students as persons of interest in connection with the planning and execution of the suspected arson attack,” said the DCI.

    A multi-agency team comprising Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs), Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CR&IB), officers from the Forensic Imaging and Acoustics Unit, and Forensic DNA experts have camped in the school to establish the exact cause and sequence of events.

    According to the DCI, all the 16 bodies have been recovered  and moved to Naivasha Sub-County Referral Hospital Mortuary pending post-mortem examination and formal identification.

    The government assured that anyone found culpable for the tragic Utumishi Academy dormitory fire would be brought to justice.

    Speaking when he visited the injured students in hospital, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appealed for calm as investigator work to establish the cause of fire.

    “We will do everything possible to ensure that if anyone was involved in this fire, justice will be served, so that the lives lost and the injuries suffered by your colleagues will not have been in vain,” CS Murkomen said.

    Utumishi Academy has a total population of 815 students, the CS said that at the time of the incident 808 girls were present in school with seven being away due to various reasons.

    He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of children across the country.