KBC Channel 1

Author: Prudence Wanza

  • President Ruto: We will monetise the creative industry

    President Ruto: We will monetise the creative industry

    President William Ruto has assured the country of the Government’s support for the creative economy.

    He said the government had initiated a programme under the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture to growing the arts industry.

    The Head of State noted that the programme creates a continuum through which gifted youth secure dream careers after their studies.

    “We would want to see the arts grow so that they can also contribute productively to our growth,” he explained.

    The President was speaking on Friday during the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival hosted at State House, Nairobi.

    The Initiative, he added, is a flagship project through which “we will revolutionise the way we organise sports and the arts in Kenya.”

    “We are lucky that we are implementing a curriculum that recognises performing arts such as music, dance, drama and film as learning components.”

    The President noted that the move will see students leave secondary school armed with knowledge both theory and skill in the arts.

    He commended the students for the skills and talent exhibited during the performances.

    “We have been educated on a lot of issues; some of the themes presented here touch the society to the core.”

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who was present said the Government will keep supporting the sector “for our country’s sustained growth”.

    “The monetisation of content will help us tame unemployment and increase earnings, especially to the youth,” said Gachagua.

  • Stop stigmatizing mental illness, Pastor Dorcas urges Kenyans

    Stop stigmatizing mental illness, Pastor Dorcas urges Kenyans

    The Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas has urged Kenyans not to stigmatise those suffering from mental illnesses.

    Speaking during a youth forum dubbed Sikika Youth Fest at the Mt.Kenya University in Thika Pastor Dorcas expressed concerns over continued stigmatisation towards those suffering from mental illnesses.

    “What we are trying to do is doing sensitisation, so that people do not stigmatise those suffering. We start to talk demystify mental illness so that those suffering can have the courage to talk to anyone around them,” she said

    She further called on universities and institutions of higher learning in the country to introduce deans and counselors in the institutions.

    “I look forward to where every university will have a dean and counselors to speak to our students, where students can get some help,” she said

    In her recent visit to Miritini Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa County at least 60 % of the recovering addicts confessed to be university student and drop outs.

    “Mental health and drugs are robbing out country a future generation. This is a global crisis.

    And as the boychild champion am more concerned because the male gender -who is the boychild report more cases of mental health and suicide,” she said

    “I will speak about the boychild until they hear me. As a mother I will speak until the whole world hears. Because the boychild is important. I know when I advocate for my boychild case, am advocating for my girlchild. The boy is the seed carrier. Both must be brought up together and must be equally valued,” she noted

    The forum brought together university students from various institutions under the theme SIKIKA, TUBONGE, TUSIFICHE.

    During the forum Pastor Dorcas shared her story on suicidal thoughts back in her Kenyatta University days. She says she had contemplated suicide when a gas cylinder she had bought for her mother exploded burning their neighbour’s children.

    It is a situation that led her to regrets on why she had bought the gas cylinder. It is out during the time that a friend requested her to accompany them to go to see the then President Daniel Arap Moi in his Kabarnet Gardens residence.

    Pastor Dorcas says when they arrived at the President’s residence, she tried to run towards the president to be shot dead by the President’s security team.

    Pastor Dorcas called on the youth to speak out when depressed.

    “You must speak to one another; you must find someone to lean on. And we must offer shoulders to one another. Do not keep those things to yourself,” she said

    Under her office Pastor Dorcas has been advocating for establishment and revival of many rehabilitation centers.

    “In the counties we are settling up rehabilitation centers so that we can rehabilitated people who need help. And with the help of NHIF it will be easier and accessible to all,” she said

    Mt.Kenya University Co-Founder Dr.Jane Nyutu expressed concerns over the young age which the youth are getting into mental disorder and depression noting that many are getting into such due to peer pressure.

    “We have the culture of ‘sponsorship’ that has rendered our youth desperate in their future lives. Not forgetting the celebrity culture, many want to live like someone they have seen. Many young people are falling into the trap of celebrity status,” she said

    “Many of our young people have fallen into stress and depression when they feel they are different from others,” she added

  • Mudavadi leaves the country for two-day visit to Angola

    Mudavadi leaves the country for two-day visit to Angola

    Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is set to leave the country for a two day official visit to Luanda, Angola.

    Mudavadi will represent President William Ruto at the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the signatory countries of the framework agreement for Peace, Security and Co-operation (PSC) for the Democratic Republic of Congo to be held on Saturday (3rd June).

    “The Framework Agreement for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region was signed in 2013 by 11 African countries, including Kenya, with the aim of promoting peace, stability and development in the DRC and the Great Lakes region of Africa,” Salim Swaleh Mudavadi’s Director of Press Service said in a statement

    “The summit is an important forum for discussing the progress made towards achieving these objectives and identifying any challenges or obstacles that need to be addressed,” he added

    The summit is a follow up to the 11th session held in May in Bujumbura, Burundi.

  • Ruto: National Open University of Kenya to receive Charter in June

    Ruto: National Open University of Kenya to receive Charter in June

    The National Open University will receive its charter in the course of this month, President William has said.

    Speaking during Madaraka Day National celebrations at Moi Stadium in Embu, Ruto stated the establishment of the institution was in its final stages.

    “National Open University will obtain its charter in the course of this month and as we speak, courses are being uploaded for commissioning,” said Ruto

    The head of state emphasized the government’s committed to ensuring all Kenyans have access to quality education that is affordable and inclusive.

    “We have taken all possible measures, and pursued every available option, to actualise our vision to make education at all levels accessible, affordable and inclusive, and removed social and economic barriers to the attainment of the highest level of education by Kenyans,” said Ruto

    The Open University will provide distance learning, allowing students to enroll for academic programs from the comfort of their homes.

    The university will offer a variety of online courses including degrees and diplomas in cyber security and digital forensics, technology education, business and entrepreneurship, data science, economics, statistics, agriculture technology and food systems.

  • Null and void, Jubilee’s internal dispute committee rules on Uhuru NDC

    Null and void, Jubilee’s internal dispute committee rules on Uhuru NDC

    The Jubilee Party Internal Disputes Resolution Committee has ruled that the National Delegates Conference (NDC) convened by former President Uhuru Kenyatta was null and void.

    In its determination, the Committee also found that Uhuru breached provisions of the party’s constitution when he issued a notice to convene a National Executive Committee meeting on 28th April, 2022.

    “The Respondent (Uhuru) did not act in accordance with the Party constitution in publishing the notices convening the NEC meeting of 28th April, 2023 and the SNDC of 22nd May, 2023,” the determination reads

    The Committee led by its Chairperson Gideon Solonka further noted that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on 28th April, 2023 was convened irregularly and had no quorum.

    “It follows that all the decisions passed in the above stated NEC meeting were null and void. The Committee therefore finds that there was no decision of the NEC to summon a special NDC,” the committed stated

    The determination by the disputes resolution committee comes after the party Chairperson Nelson Dzuya lodged a dispute faulting a notice issued by Uhuru to convene a National Executive Committee meeting.

    Dzuya argued that the notice was irregular and that the decision to hold the May 22 NDC was resolved in a NEC meeting that lacked quorum.

    The Jubilee party has been embroiled in wrangles with two faction fighting for the party’s leadership; one led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and the other by former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni.

  • Cholera cases in Siaya rise to 120

    Cholera cases in Siaya rise to 120

    The number of Cholera cases reported in Siaya County has risen to 120.

    Siaya Governor James Orengo has called upon residents to support efforts to contain the disease by observing hygiene.

    Speaking during the flagging off of modern ambulances at the county headquarters, Orengo said that a team of medics from the county government has pitched camp along the beaches of Rarieda and Bondo sub counties which are the epicentres of the disease.

    He further stated that the government has adequate supply of drugs to deal with the disease and called on the public to rush anybody who shows signs of diarhoea and vomiting to a nearby health facility.

    Siaya County Commissioner Jim Njoka who addressed the public during this year’s Madaraka day celebrations at the KMTC grounds in Siaya town hailed the county government for its quick action to contain cholera spread.

    Njoka however called on the county government’s health department to sustain crackdown on eateries that are not compliant with public health requirements.

    The administrator urged Siaya residents to join the war against spread of the disease by ensuring that their surroundings were clean and strict adherence to basic hygiene.

    The officials clarified that so far, only four deaths have been reported in the county and that all the deaths occurred at Bondo sub county referral hospital.

  • President Ruto nominates two new Principal Secretaries

    President Ruto nominates two new Principal Secretaries

    President WIlliam Ruto has on Wednesday nominated two new Principal Secretaries. 

    In statement by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the President nominated Salome Wairimu Muhia-Beacco as the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Correctional Services, Ministry of Interior & National Administration, to replace Esther Ngero who resigned.

    Salome is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya of twenty-six years standing.

    She has served in various management roles within the following corporations; Bamburi Cement Company Limited, AIG Insurance Co. Ltd, Phoenix of East Africa Insurance Company Limited; and ICEA Insurance. Ms. Muhia-Beacco holds a Master of Laws Degree (LL.M) in Leadership and Governance from the University of Nairobi.

    Anne Njoki Wang’ombe has been nominated as Principal Secretary, State Department for Performance Management and Delivery Services, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

    Anne is a human resource practitioner and educationist with experience spanning three decades.

    She is currently serving as the Manager of, the Kenya Revenue Authority Staff Pension Scheme (KRASPS); a position she has held since 2018.

    Previously, she served as the lead Human Resources Consultant for Mannion Daniels Africa Limited and Assistant Director KEMRI.

    She holds a Masters degree in Education Administration and Planning from the University of Nairobi.

  • No scripture will save you, CS Kindiki warns rogue preachers

    No scripture will save you, CS Kindiki warns rogue preachers

    Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has raised alarm over the increase of religious and cultural extremism practices in the country.

    Addressing the media on Wednesday, the CS said authorities were closely monitoring several religious leaders involved in criminal activities.

    “We are actively investigating a number of religious extremists. Leaders of groups purporting to be religious groups but who are engaging serious crimes against humanity including sexual violence, slavery, torture, and inhumane and degrading treatment,” said Kindiki

    “All criminals hiding behind religion your time for business in Kenya is over look for another business. No religion, no scripture, no legal provision will save you from accountability and justice. We will not fear you because you are invoking the name of God,” he added

    Kindiki’s warning comes in the wake of the Shakahola massacre, where controversial preacher Paula Mackenzie’s cult-like teachings have led to 243 deaths and thousands of victims.

    The CS further cautioned the youth against joining outlawed groups such as Mungiki which he said was slowly being revived in Central Kenya.

    According to Kindiki, cultural extremism must be addressed if the country is to tackle challenges like cattle rustling in the Rift Valley.

    “In upper Eastern and Northern Rift Valley the cultural extremism is in the perpetuating of some of the crimes we are fighting in that area. In the Central Kenya we have seen a reemergence of cultural extremism by groups which are prescribed under laws of Kenya,” said Kindiki

    The CS urged members of the public to refrain from destroying property or forcefully accessing protected areas after a police station in Isebania was attacked by locals protesting insecurity in the area.

    “Any member of the public who tries to access or violate the integrity of a protected area or a security facility will be dealt with in a very firm and final manner,” he warned

  • Families of deceased Mukumu Girls’ students to receive Ksh400,000 from State

    Families of deceased Mukumu Girls’ students to receive Ksh400,000 from State

    The government will provide financial compensation of Ksh400,000 to each of the families of three students who tragically lost their lives at Mukumu Girls due to food poisoning.

    Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu said the government has also settled hospital bills for the affected students.

    “The Ministry has catered for the cost of treatment of the 109 students in various facilities. The deceased families are entitled to a group life compensation of Ksh400,000,” said Machogu

    As part of rehabilitation measures the CS said the Ministry has operationalized a water purifier dispensing unit at a cost of Ksh6 million while Ksh10 million has been disbursed to refurbish dormitories and classrooms at the school.

    Mukumu Girls was closed down for three weeks in April following an outbreak of an illness linked to food poisoning and water contamination.

    Three students and a teacher lost their lives.

    The Ministry of education has since installed a new Board of Management and appointed Jane Mmbone as the new school Principal.

  • Gov’t registers over 4 million farmers in five months

    Gov’t registers over 4 million farmers in five months

    A total of 4, 287,713 farmers have been registered across the country in the past five months as government intensifies efforts to boost food production.

    According to data released by the Ministry of Interior, Rift Valley region accounts for over 1.2 million farmers followed by the Eastern region which has registered 888,675 farmers.

    Nyanza, Western, and Central Kenya have crossed the half-a-million mark, capturing the details of 663,438, 614,146, and 591,776 farmers respectively.

    The Coast region has compiled a list of 235,779 farmers, while North Eastern (44,679) and Nairobi (6,738) close the list with the lowest numbers so far.

    Further, a total of 16 counties have filed a significantly high number of registered farmers, with all of them crossing the 100,000 mark.

    Nakuru is currently the frontrunner in the exercise with a count of 230,787 farmers. Bungoma is second with 203,310, then followed closely by Kakamega, which has 203,173 farmers’ details in its records.

    Participation in the exercise is also high in Meru, where a total of 197,048 farmers have availed their personal information for registration.

    Isiolo, Mombasa, Marsabit, Wajir, and Garissa have recorded relatively low numbers of under ten thousand registered farmers each.

    The registration exercise which kicked off in January intents to establish a national database of all farmers, detailing their profiles, location, and crop acreage among other identifiers.

    “It is through the database that the government has determined the level of support and extension services needed by each farmer, a move that has also facilitated the ongoing distribution of fertilizer,” read a statement from the Interior Ministry