Murang’a county governor Irungu Kang’ata has directed all five medical superintendents to step down in two weeks’ time to pave way for fresh recruitment.
The medical superintendents at the Murang’a district hospital, Maragua hospital, Kirwara, Muriranja’s and Kangema have until 7th September to relinquish their positions.
Kang’ata says the county will advertise the positions for interested candidates to apply for the job and the successful ones will be picked.
“The candidates shall be subjected to a suitability test conducted internally by the county and the successful candidates will get the job” he said.
“The med sups will serve for a one-year term which is renewable. At the renewal stage, a client’s satisfactory survey will be conducted to determine the necessity of renewal” he added.
The governor said there has been widespread outcry from the residents over poor service delivery at the health facilities saying the move will help bring the desired change.
Further, the governor directed for the automation of systems in all the 157 health facilities in the county to help improve o service delivery.
He said there are complains of lack of drugs despite the county ensuring there is adequate supply pointing out that there is a possibility of drugs being smuggled out of the facilities.
“I have given a one-month ultimatum to those in charge of the health sector to ensure the operations in all the facilities are automated failure to which they will face disciplinary action” he remarked.
The governor however acknowledged there have been hitches in the digitization program appealing for patience from the public.
“We are working to have the system stabilize for efficiency and this complains will be things of the past” he added.
“I will also be able to monitor drug dispensation from all the facilities and track all the operations to ensure efficiency” said Kang’ata.
Avocado farming has received a major boast following the opening of one of the largest farms in Naivasha by an Israel investor.
The 400 acre Granot International farm in Ndabibi area of Naivasha is expected to employ over 1,000 workers with the number expected to triple in the next couple of years.
This comes after the Israel government promised to partner with the country in increasing acreage under the produce and latest technology.
The farm CEO Giyora Merom said they would bring their 70 years’experience in avocado growing in the region.
Giyora termed the cost of production for the produce as conducive and cheap compared to their competitors in Peru, Chile and Spain.
He admitted that the cost of production was a universal issue which had been caused by climate change and the soaring fuel prices.
“We have invested millions of dollars in this project which we expect to offer employment opportunities and new market for the produce,” he said.
He said the farm had over 300,000 seedlings meant to help farmers with technology which would help increase yield as the product was high demand globally.
“The main challenge we are experiencing is the poor road network which is making it a problem to access the farm,” he said.
Israel Ambassador Michael Lotem identified the farm as one of the many agriculture projects supported by his government.
He said Israel in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders would be opening more farms in the country with a view of impacting knowledge to farmers.
Nakuru CEC for Agriculture Leonard Bor said the county was keen to increase acreage under avocado as this was their flagship produce.
Kapsabet County Referral hospital has successful performed its first brain surgery on a 67-year-old-man.
The patient from from Kapkangani Ward in Emgwen Sub-County had been presented to the facility on 15th August, 2023 with one-day history of loss of consciousness, right sided weakness and confusion after a throbbing global headache having no history of trauma.
A CT scan on his brain showed left sided massive acute on chronic subdural hematoma (a bleed into the brain) which resulted in him undergoing emergency craniotomy to evacuate the accumulated blood.
The patient’s surgery was successful and he was admitted to Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) then Intensive Care Unit (ICU) overnight for monitoring.
The patient’s positive progress led to him being moved from ICU to the male surgical ward.
The patient is fully awake and orientated recuperating in the surgical ward for daily reviews and close monitoring.
Deputy President’s spouseDorcas Gachaguais calling for a multifaceted approach in efforts aimed at preventing the spread of HIV, drug and substance abuse among boys and men.
Addressing a diverse audience comprising of religious leaders and parents at the Bomas of Kenya, the deputy president’s spouse expressed her concern over the boy child’s vulnerability to vices. Highlighting the urgency of changing approaches to secure the youth’s future, she called for collective action to steer the boy child away from negative influences.
“The future of our youth is in our hands. History will judge us harshly if we do nothing for the boy child now; it is time for action.” Observed Dorcas.
She said a staggering 89% of individuals engaged in drug and substance abuse in Kenya are boys and men estimated at 26,673. Observing a gender imbalance in education where more girls than boys transition to secondary education, 51% of reported cases of missing children being boys and a significant 87% of inmates in Kenyan prisons being boys and men, the deputy president’s spouse emphasized that if left unchecked, these imbalances and challenges will persistently affect the community.
In addition, the deputy president’s spouse extended an invitation to religious leaders to collaborate with the Dorcas Rigathi Foundation and initiate a social movement to reclaim and restore the dignity of the boy child.
Kenyans have an opportunity to board the world’s largest floating book fair, MV Logos Hope, which docked in Mombasa Tuesday morning.
The vessel dubbed, ‘the floating library’ with 5000 different titles of books and 350 crew from 65 nationalities, docked at the Mbaraki Wharf next to the Likoni crossing a few minutes past nine in the morning sailing from Seychelles.
MV Logos Hope is a sister vessel to MV Doulos, which docked in Mombasa in 2005 where thousands of Kenyans were welcomed on board.
The vessel will be at Mbaraki Wharf for 45 days and visitors will pay an entrance fee of 50 shillings.
The ship will open its doors to the public to select books of their choice from a wide array of genres including science, sports, hobbies, language, faith, cookery arts and purchase medicine. Photo by Haniel Mengistu
MV Logos Hope’s visit to Kenya has been organized in partnership with KPA, Inchcape, the Mombasa County government and Kenya Tourism Board.
MV Logos Hope was built 50 years ago as a passenger car ferry and was first named Gustav Vasa sailing North Atlantic routes.
In 1983, the ship changed hands to the Smyril Line and was renamed Norröna, sailing between the Faroe Islands and Denmark.
By 2004, the previous GBA Ships (Good Book for All) had raised sufficient funds to acquire the vessel and MV Logos Hope underwent extensive renovations for her new role.
The public will be treated to the fun of touring the expansive vessel to explore other amenities like the international café, visitor’s deck, and welcome area among others.
The ship operated by GBA (Good Books for All) goal is to share knowledge, help, and hope in every port it visits. It has so far called on over 150 countries and territories.
MV Logos Hope sailing under Malta flag, MV. Logos Hope with a length overall of 132.5 meters, a width of 20.8, a draft of 5.2 meters and a carrying capacity of 12,519 Gross Tons made her maiden to Mombasa 18 years after her sister ship Duolos visited. Photo by Haniel Mengistu
Kenya Port Authority (KPA) Principal Corporate Communication Officer Hajj Masemo said the tourism season has begun in earnest with the arrival of MV Logos Hope.
“Today is a very good day for us as KPA; we have started our tourism season. The tourism season usually starts in September and ends in March. This time we have started earlier, and we are happy it is a good sign. This vessel MV Logos Hope it is a moving library it is actually the biggest moving library in the world today. She is carrying 5000 different types of books. She is going to be here for 45 days, the vessel is coming from Seychelles,” said Masemo.
Masemo added that bibliophiles will have an opportunity to buy any book that they like in the vessel and business will thrive in Mombasa.
“We believe there will be a lot of business going on between the city residents and the vessel. More cruise vessels are coming, it’s a renaissance of crew business after the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said urging people to throng the vessel.
CECM for Education Mbwarali Kame said they expect beneficiaries of the County mentorship programme to visit the library starting with schools from Mvita, Likoni, Nyali and Kisauni Sub-Counties.
“Mombasa County will enter into an agreement with the management of the vessel to purchase books that will be distributed to schools,” said CEC Kame.
On his part CECM for Trade and Tourism Mohamed Osman said they are well prepared to handle the vessel crew as they visit tourist attractions sites in Mombasa.
The coming of the vessel Osman said is one of the stratagems to attract tourists and plans are underway for SMEs to pint tents near the vessel to sell their products in order to uplift them economically.
“We have negotiated with the Ministry of Blue Economy for the revival of tourism more cruise ships should dock in Mombasa,” disclosed Osman.
Constanza Figueroa, member of the vessel advance preparation team, said the ship has already visited 150 different countries in the world. She thanked different agencies for their cooperation in receiving the ship in the country.
“This is teamwork, a lot of people were involved to make this possible. We are really excited to welcome you onboard from the 24th of August to the 3rd of October please don’t miss the chance to visit the largest floating book fair in the world,” said Figueroa.
At least two people have been killed and about 10 houses torched in an overnight attack by suspected alshabaab militants at Salama Village in Lamu County.
Confirming the incident, Lamu West sub-county assistant County Commissioner Gabriel Kioni said the Salama and Pandanguo attacks happened last night while the two victims were killed early Tuesday when the lorry they were traveling in was attacked.
Kioni said security agencies have launched an operation to nab the perpetrators even as he urged area residents to remain vigilant.
The over 30 heavily armed attackers are said to have fled with their loot to a nearby forest.
Monday night’s attack is the latest such incident to happen in the area amid police operations to address the menace.
The government has announced that it will enhance patrols in northern Kenyan and Upper Coastal regions in an effort to detect and deter terror attacks targeting civilians, security officers, critical infrastructure, and personnel.
The Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital has unveiled modern endoscopy equipment meant to enhance treatment of cancers and other ailments at affordable costs.
The new Endoscopy Tower comes equipped with precision diagnostic capabilities for checking and treating internal organs and can perform upper endoscopy (OGD), colonoscopy, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) procedures while simultaneously treating them. This makes it the first hospital to offer this service in the country as a public institution.
The ERCP and EUS procedures, which would typically cost about Ksh 850,000 in private hospitals, have now been reduced to Ksh 100,000, an amount that can be covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Chairperson of the KUTRRH Board Prof. Olive Mugenda says NHIF cardholders will benefit from the equipment which is the first of its kind in the country’s public hospitals and acquired through the Ministry of Health.
“KUTRRH takes pride in introducing this transformative addition to our medical capabilities – an advanced endoscopy tower that represents a groundbreaking advancement in healthcare,” Prof. Mugenda said.
She added that this move signifies a leap towards realizing improved healthcare services in the country.
In an effort to revolutionize agricultural practices and boost food security, a Soil Health Campaign was unveiled today at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre (KATC).
Spearheaded by the Feed The Future Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS), an organization funded by USAID and the Kisii County Government, the campaign seeks to empower small-scale farmers through enhanced knowledge and informed decision-making regarding soil management.
During the campaign launch, Kisii County Governor Paul Simba Arati underscored the pivotal role of the caravan, which is slated to traverse all 45 wards within the county.
“The key to unlocking a more sustainable and economically viable future for our farmers lies in informed decision-making,” the governor emphasized.
He added that at least 200 farmers from each ward would be encouraged to participate in soil testing, a practice designed to facilitate intelligent farming choices, including prudent fertilizer application.
The Governor further reassured farmers that the soil testing process would be streamlined and hassle-free, as no documentation or proof of land ownership would be required for farmers to test their farm soil.
The partnership with KCDMS extends beyond training as it seeks to bridge farmers with financial providers, offering an avenue for sustainable growth and development within the agricultural sector.
Expanding its impact beyond Kisii, KCDMS envisions a sweeping Soil Health Campaign across the Western Kenya counties of Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, and Kisii.
The ministry of health is set to conduct three rounds of emergency polio vaccination campaigns across ten counties targeting 7.4 million children.
The first round of the campaign, targeting children aged five years, will be launched on Thursday 24th to 28th August 2023 with initial focus on Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Garissa counties with the aim of vaccinating approximately 1.8 million children.
Speaking during a media and stakeholder breakfast meeting, public health and professional standards Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki, said the ministry of health has identified ten counties with the highest risk of polio transmission, namely Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Garissa, Kitui, Machakos, Tana River, Lamu, Wajir, and Mandera as the focal points of our emergency polio vaccination campaign.
“Subsequently, the second and third rounds will target 2.8 million children each and will be conducted between September and October 2023 in 10 counties covering Kiambu, Nairobi, Kajiado, Garissa, Lamu, Tana River, Wajir, Mandera, Kitui, and Machakos Counties.” Said the health PS.
The latest campaign follows the detection of 6 poliovirus cases among children in the Hagadera Refugee Camp in Garissa County. The cases were detected by healthcare workers through surveillance activities with stool analysis conducted at KEMRI. According to Muthoni, further examinations conducted in Atlanta, USA, confirmed the virus’s similarity to the strain responsible for an outbreak in a neighbouring country.
Three suspects accused of involvement in a series of criminal activities within Meru region have been arrested.
Narman Kioo Bariu, Stephen Mathenge Njoroge and Matthew Koome alias Pator were arrested in an ongoing operation aimed at containing an upsurge in violent robberies within the region.
The three were wanted for various felonies pending before Meru, Githongo and Nanyuki law courts, including murder, robbery, attempted defilement and house breaking.
During the operation, which also led to the recovery of two motor vehicles, the ring leader of the gang Jeremy Mutethia is said to have escaped the police dragnet by slipping away through a camouflaged opening in his wooden house.
According to police, Jeremy and Narman met previously at Meru GK prison as remandees for robbery with violence and murder charges respectively, and have been out on bond.
Police say that Jeremy had led his gang in a spate of violent robberies including the Turkwel Filling Station (Tigania West) night attack on April 24, 2023 where pump attendants were robbed at gunpoint. In the 2am incident, the victims were tied with ropes by 8 men who were armed with two AK47 rifles, before disappearing with 57,000 shillings in cash and a safe box with an unknown amount of money.
The group is said to have also accosted a bodaboda rider at Makutano, Imenti North in a botched attempt to rob his motorbike on May 14.
