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  • China’s reiterates stand on the Palestinian question

    China’s reiterates stand on the Palestinian question

    The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Nakba on May 15 was highly significant as it once again drew international attention to the question of Palestine and the Israel-Palestine conflict. On this day 75 years ago, the first war in the Middle East. “Nakba” is the Palestinian term for the events of 1948, when many Palestinians were displaced by the creation of the new state of Israel.

    A large number of Palestinians lost their home and became displaced. Ever since then, the Palestinians have been on an arduous journey of pursuing their legitimate rights. In marking the United Nations Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Nakba, Qin Gang, China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs released a speech outlining his country’s sentiments on this delicate matter.

    Qin noted that for more than half a century, the tragedy of the Palestine-Israel conflict keeps repeating itself, causing longstanding antagonism between the Arab and Jewish peoples, plunging the region into flames of war time and again, and seriously jeopardizing world peace and stability. Until now, the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people for an independent state is still not yet met. This calls into question international fairness and justice.

    The Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East issue and bears on enduring peace, stability and security in the region. To de-escalate the Palestine-Israel conflict and resolve the Palestinian question, the fundamental way out lies in resuming the peace talks, enforcing the two-state solution, and establishing an independent Palestinian state.

    The recent escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict once again highlights the urgency of resolving the Palestinian question. The international community must put it high on the international agenda, stay committed to the two-state solution, push for early resumption of the Palestine-Israel peace talks, and address the legitimate and reasonable aspirations of the Palestinian people so that they can fulfil their dream of establishing an independent Palestinian state as soon as possible.

    Qin said that China upholds fairness and justice on the Palestinian question. It has all along firmly supported the Palestinian people’s just cause of restoring their legitimate rights, and supported the establishment of an independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 border, and with east Jerusalem as its capital.

    For ten consecutive years, President Xi Jinping has sent congratulatory messages to the special commemorative meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. More than once he put forward China’s proposals for resolving the Palestinian question, stressing the need to resolutely advance a political settlement based on the two-state solution and intensify international efforts for peace.

    China supports strengthening the authority of the Palestinian National Authority, supports enhancing unity among the various Palestinian factions, and encourages Palestine and Israel to resume peace talks on the basis of the two-state solution. China has hosted four Palestine-Israel Peace meetings to galvanize the search for peace. China has and will continue to provide Palestine with humanitarian and development assistance, to assist it in capacity-building, developing its economy, and improving people’s lives.

    China applauds the important role the UN has played over the years in advancing the resolution of the Palestinian question and in easing the humanitarian situation in Palestine. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China will continue to work with the international community to put into action the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi.

    The country will also contribute to a comprehensive, just and enduring solution to the Palestinian question as soon as possible. China also appeals for the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel and the common development of the Arab and Jewish people.

    The root cause of the deterioration of the situation is that for a long time there has not been a just solution to the Palestinian question. In recent years, the Middle East peace process has deviated from its original track, the United Nations Security Council resolutions have not been earnestly implemented and, in particular, the Palestinian right to build an independent state has been continuously violated, adding to the plight of the Palestinian people. Without a just settlement of the Palestinian question, Palestine and Israel as well as the Middle East will not achieve true and lasting peace.

    In its white paper titled, “China’s Peaceful” published in September 2011, China reiterated to the rest of the world that it took a path of peaceful development and is committed to upholding world peace and promoting common development and prosperity for all countries.

    At the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century and on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, China declared again that peaceful development is a strategic choice made by China to realise modernisation, make itself strong and prosperous, and make more contribution to the progress of human civilization.

  • China bans major chip maker Micron from key infrastructure projects

    China bans major chip maker Micron from key infrastructure projects

    China says products made by US memory chip giant Micron Technology are a national security risk.

    The country’s cyberspace regulator announced on Sunday that America’s biggest maker of memory chips poses “serious network security risks”.

    It means the firm’s products will be banned from key infrastructure projects in the world’s second largest economy.

    It is China’s first major move against a US chip maker, as tensions increase between Beijing and Washington.

    The announcement is the latest development in a deepening row between the US and China over the technology crucial to economies around the world.

    The long-running dispute has seen Washington impose a series of measures against Beijing’s chip making industry and invest billions of dollars to boost America’s semiconductor sector.

    In a statement, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said: “The review found that Micron’s products have serious network security risks, which pose significant security risks to China’s critical information infrastructure supply chain, affecting China’s national security.”

    The CAC did not give details of the risks it said it had found or in which Micron products it had found them.

    A Micron spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that the company had “received the CAC’s notice following its review of Micron products sold in China”.

    “We are evaluating the conclusion and assessing our next steps. We look forward to continuing to engage in discussions with Chinese authorities,” they added.

    In response, the US government said it would work with allies to address what it called “distortions of the memory chip market caused by China’s actions”.

    “We firmly oppose restrictions that have no basis in fact,” a US Commerce Department spokesperson said.

    “This action, along with recent raids and targeting of other American firms, is inconsistent with [China’s] assertions that it is opening its markets and committed to a transparent regulatory framework.”

    The CAC’s announcement came a day after a G7 leaders meeting in Japan issued a joint statement which criticised China, including its use of “economic coercion”.

    On Sunday, US President Joe Biden said G7 nations were looking to “de-risk and diversify our relationship with China”.

    “That means taking steps to diversify our supply chains,” he added.

    Micron chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra attended the summit in Hiroshima as part of a group of business leaders.

    Last week, the company said it would invest around 500bn yen ($3.6bn; £2.9bn) to develop technology in Japan.

  • FKF,MOFA Academy partner in enhancing coaching development in Homa Bay

    FKF,MOFA Academy partner in enhancing coaching development in Homa Bay

    Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the MOFA Football Academy have joined forces to bring a comprehensive Caf D coaching course to Homa Bay County in Kenya. The program, which began on May 22nd and will run until June 2nd, 2023, is taking place at the Base Camp in Sondu Miriu.

    The main focus of this course is to train MOFA Academy staff, who are responsible for coaching and managing various age groups within the academy, to obtain their Caf D coaching license. In addition, MOFA has generously sponsored additional coaches who have been training local teams in Homabay but have not yet had the opportunity to undertake any FKF/Caf coaching courses. This initiative aims to strengthen grassroots football development in the area.

    Victor Ouma, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MOFA Football Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for the training program, emphasizing the academy’s commitment to empowering grassroots coaches in Homa Bay. Through their partnership with FKF, they aim to develop a skilled workforce capable of effectively handling and nurturing talent.

    A total of 30 coaches have been invited to participate in this training initiative. Ten coaches are affiliated with MOFA Academy, another ten have been selected from teams in the Kabondo constituency, and the remaining ten come from various locations across Homa Bay County. This diverse group of coaches will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum and practical sessions delivered by experienced FKF CAF coach instructors.

    The Caf D coaching course represents a significant step in elevating football standards and promoting sustainable talent development in Homa Bay County. By enhancing the coaching skills of local trainers, FKF and MOFA Academy aim to create a positive and nurturing environment for the next generation of football stars.

    The collaboration between FKF and MOFA Academy is expected to make a lasting impact on the football landscape in Homa Bay County and beyond. Through this training program, they aspire to inspire and empower coaches to unlock the true potential of talented young athletes, paving the way for a brighter future for Kenyan football.

  • Alliance Girls to host swimming ”Bush Gala” in July

    Alliance Girls to host swimming ”Bush Gala” in July

    The academic giants Alliance Girls High School is set to organize a swimming gala dubbed “BUSH GALA” in July this year in an exercise expected to bring together various swimmers from both primary and secondary schools in a bid to promote development of the sport in Kiambu County.

    According to organisers led by Kenya Swimming Federation (KSF) Kiambu Executive Committee member Joseph Ndung’u,the gala will act as a forum of spotting talents and subsequently have them properly nurtured through structures being put in place by the Mt Kenya stakeholders of the game.

    “The gala will be used to spot talent in a bid to get best swimmers in the region as the best 3 girls in primary school category will be get an opportunity to join Form 1 at Alliance Girls High School and the best 3 boys in primary section to join the brother school Alliance. The best swimmers in secondary category will get a scholarship at Strathmore University to study either a diploma or a degree course that they have qualified for,” he said

    In recent past,focus had been on the National Games for Private and International Preparatory Schools Sports Association (PIPSSA) as Kenya intensified preparations to take part in Kampala Invitational Swimming Championships last April this year.

    According to Kiambu County Swimming Federation Chairman Stanley Mwangi Kaberu, the move by Alliance Girls to host the upcoming tourney underscores the region’s commitment in boosting the growth of swimming in both private and public institutions.

    Mwangi said that his office is intending to come up with competition programmes among school going children in efforts to spur talent development among the teenagers.

    “Our bid to support swimming activities is not only in private schools but across the board and we’re leaving no stone untouched in terms of ensuring that the sport spreads across not only in Kiambu but Mt Kenya as a whole.This is after realisation that most schools have swimming pools and good trainers making it easier for students to partake the sport.” said the long serving swimming stakeholder in the region.

    Hid words were echoed by the patron of Mt Kenya Swimming Bloc Bernand Mathu who reiterated the region’s commitment of deploying mechanisms to make the region a swimming powerhouse  to rival other swimming blocs like Coast Amateur Swimming Association (CASA) that has dominated galas and international meets in the past.

    The gala which is sanctioned by KSF Kiambu will be graced by key personalities in politics, education and sports sector in an event that will see all the participants called upon to meet certain qualifying times participated in previous sanctioned meets.

  • Platform unveiled to connect young tech professionals with MSMEs

    Platform unveiled to connect young tech professionals with MSMEs

    EldoHub, an education, innovation and technology organization targeting youth and women has launched Sasakazi, a platform that connects tech professionals in Kenya with businesses based on their digital needs.  

    Sasakazi is a job matching and job blending digital platform that enables Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop digital solutions tailor-made for their businesses and in the process create jobs for young tech professionals.

    EldoHub Founder and CEO Magdaline Chepkemoi said the launch of the Sasakazi platform is a huge milestone for the tech organization and the digital ecosystem in Kenya.

    “The launch event marked an important milestone in our journey to empower young tech professionals and bridge the digital skills gap in Kenya. The event also highlighted the collaborative efforts of various organizations and stakeholders in driving digital transformation and job creation in Kenya,” said Chepkemoi.

    Speaking at the launch, Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya Josephine Gauld said the UK-funded programme will help build a more equitable and diverse digital ecosystem.

    “The partnership with Eldohub has shown that there is still a lot of demand for digital talent from both technology companies and traditional companies looking to digitalise and grow their businesses,” noted Gauld.

    Sasakazi is a product of a three-year partnership between EldoHub, which is based in Eldoret, Thunderbird Global School of Management (Arizona State University, USA) and UK-Kenya Tech Hub and is funded by the UK government through the Africa Tech and Innovation Partnership (ATIP).

    Built to disrupt the industry by creating professional digital apprenticeship with time-tested soft skills for digital work setting, Sasakazi supports MSMEs to digitize and broaden the business scope by opening them up to new markets; creating and maintain data platforms, websites and Apps; and to overcome disruptions caused by global pandemics such as Covid-19 among other interventions.

    ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary, End John Tanui, lauded Sasakazi platform as an accessible marketplace for tech skills and talent on one hand and MSMEs on the other.

    “The SasaKazi platform will disrupt the industry by creating professional digital apprenticeships with time tested soft skills for digital work setting and support MSMEs to digitize in Africa,” added ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary, End John Tanui.

    The platform is providing an opportunity for young tech talents to market their skills and qualifications and access opportunities and employers in the digital economy locally, regionally and in other countries across the globe.

    Sasakazi helps the interested businesses to identify, vet, recruit and place young tech talents to complete a digital project that has been identified by the business to suit its needs.

    “Let us build an environment where no talent is untapped and where opportunities are not missed,” said Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) acting CEO John Paul Okwiri.

    So far, the project has reached 3,884 tech talents, placed 386 junior tech professionals into 181 businesses (start-ups, SMEs, and traditional businesses) in Kenya, with up to 90 per cent of the tech talents having been hired by the businesses, a proof of the significance of the initiative.

    Sasakazi works closely with the businesses and the junior tech professionals to ensure they mutually benefit from their tech relationship.

    The platform aims to onboard 1 million users and create 100,000 new jobs for the young unemployed youth and women in the digital space within the next five years with plans to expand beyond the African borders.

  • ‘Drip in the city’ event brings together young creators

    ‘Drip in the city’ event brings together young creators

    Instagram event “Drip in the City” which took place over the weekend brought together young creatives from across the city to Nairobi’s City Hall Way for a content capture experience.

    In collaboration with the Nairobi City County’s Nairobi Festival, the event tapped into the current pop culture movement that has seen Nairobi streets on Sundays dotted with smartly dressed young people and photographers taking videos and pictures of the city’s scenic streets to post on social media.

    META Young Content Creators

    The colourful event connected young people over their interest in fashion and street photography through photo ops that were staged across City Hall Way. The photo ops encouraged young people to create pictures and videos while expressing themselves in an authentic way with their communities on Instagram.

    Speaking during the event, Janet Kemboi, Communications Manager for Eastern Africa at Meta, emphasized that Instagram is rooted in promoting creativity and community for young people and that this event was one way of doing that. 

    “We are plugging into a moment that young people in Nairobi care about and we wanted to take it to the next level through this “Drip in the City” event – a content capture experience encouraging everyday creativity through fashion and street photography in Nairobi. Instagram creators are breaking barriers, growing an audience and building connections over the content they love. We want to help young people in Kenya to establish their voice, share their story and connect and express themselves through Instagram’s Reels, Stories, Feed, Live and more.”

    The event was also graced by well-known young creators such as Crazy Kennar, Sheila Kwamboka, Eli Mwenda, Wanjiru Njenga and Trevor Silaz who shared insightful tips to assist the young people at the event unlock their full potential on Instagram.

    Fashion show

    On her part, Suzanne Silantoi, Nairobi City County CECM – Inclusivity, Public Participation & Customer Service said, “Nairobi City County is keen to see the growth of young people. We are happy to see that the waiver that Hon Johnson Sakaja lifted on street photography in Nairobi on Sundays is yielding great results. As a County, we are committed to supporting young innovative minds and by working with brands such as Instagram, we believe we will create a more conducive environment for young people to thrive through creative art forms such as fashion and street photography. ”

    Also present at the event was Dance 98 Kenya, a teen dance group that entertained the crowd with a storm dance as Pesos and Nairobi Apparel District young fashion designers also exhibited their recent collections at the event.

    Instagram is rooted in creativity and community, and this event sought to encourage young people to find their voice, share their story, and express themselves through Reels, Stories, Feed, Live, and more on Instagram.

  • Miley Cyrus won’t go on tour for “Endless Summer Vacation”

    Miley Cyrus won’t go on tour for “Endless Summer Vacation”

    Miley Cyrus likely won’t be hitting the road in support of her latest album, “Endless Summer Vacation.”

    During an interview for British Vogue‘s latest cover story, the 30-year-old superstar singer revealed that she doesn’t see herself going on tour in the near future.

    “It’s been a minute,” Cyrus said. “After the last [headline arena] show I did [in 2014], I kind of looked at it as more of a question. And I can’t. Not only ‘can’t’, because can’t is your capability, but my desire. Do I want to live my life for anyone else’s pleasure or fulfilment other than my own?”

    The singer’s last global tour arrived in support of her 2013 album, “Bangerz”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The extensive trek included concerts in North America, Europe, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. Since then, she has played only a handful of solo shows and performed at dozens of prominent music festivals, including Glastonbury, Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza.

    The “Flowers” singer told British Vogue she prefers performing for close friends and loved ones instead of large-scale arenas.

    “Like singing for hundreds of thousands of people isn’t really the thing that I love,” Cyrus said. “There’s no connection. There’s no safety.” She added, “It’s also not natural. It’s so isolating because if you’re in front of 100,000 people, you are alone.”

    On Tuesday (May 16), the singer dropped the music video for “Jaded,” the third single off her March-released eighth studio album, “Endless Summer Vacation”, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. 

    The set’s lead single “Flowers” spend eight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and became the quickest song to reach 1 billion streams in Spotify history.

     

  • Orwoba’s sanitary pad campaign receives a boost ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene

    Orwoba’s sanitary pad campaign receives a boost ahead of World Menstrual Hygiene

    Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba’s sanitary pad campaign got a shot in the arm following a donation of a “pad bank” from the Export Processing Zones Authority and Container Technology Limited ahead of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrations scheduled for 27th of this month at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

    “I just received the long awaited Pad Bank that I will be launching this coming Saturday the 27th of May at KICC you are all welcome! Entrance fee – Purchase any amount of Sanitary Towels at the gate and drop into Glo’s Pad Bank. Thank you Export Processing Zones Authority – Kenya  and Container Technology Limited” she wrote on her Facebook page

    The vibrant  lawmaker who was earlier this month nominated for the trailblazer Bunge Award during the International Women’s day at the same venue is expected on Saturday to conduct morning road show that will cover majority region of Eastlands in Nairobi in a bid to distribute sanitary pads in various shopping centres and also create awareness on Menstrual Hygiene.

    The subsequent weekend afternoon event will see the youthful politician launch “Glo’s Pad Bank” a 20ft container geared towards collecting sanitary pads to be distributed country wide besides unveiling her bill dubbed The Provision of Free Sanitary Towels for public participation

    The event is a global advocacy platform bringing together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) for all women and girls. 

    “This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around MHH, and engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for MHH, at global, national and local levels,” she said.

    In February this year,she attracted international attention after being asked to leave parliament because of an apparent blood stain on her trousers in an effort aimed at pushing forward a bill that would provide free and unlimited feminine hygiene to show solidarity for the ordeal girls and women go through when experiencing their menstrual cycle.

    “I think I’m dressed as per the standing orders; I’m covered, I have a suit, I have collars, and I’m just short of a tie. I’m disappointed because the point of order that is being raised to try and attack an accident that is natural…I have stained my clothes…I just want to know, while we’re discussing this issue that is not even in the Order Paper, is it because Senators are not women who have periods? Because then maybe I shouldn’t be in this House,” she stated.

    “This is the period stigma that is making our girls kill themselves, we have a girl who killed herself because of the same issue that I’m going through, and now I understand because it is the women who are trying to make this a crime. Because maybe it’s Valentine’s Day? Because maybe on Valentine’s Day, we’re not supposed to have our periods? I’m shocked that someone can stand here and say that the House has been disgraced because a woman has had her period?” she added.

    Orwoba who left  managing Facebook data network in Denmark in 2019 says she joined politics to advocate for leadership,ideologies and frameworks that respect women hence lifting the girl-child into elective positions.

    She wants to break the ceiling by becoming the first female MP for Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County, in 2027, having already called upon the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action to facilitate the provision of feminine hygiene products in all public schools.

  • First Lady urges church leaders to partner with gov’t in actualizing bottom up agenda

    First Lady urges church leaders to partner with gov’t in actualizing bottom up agenda

    The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has urged leaders to support the actualization of the projects envisaged in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by the Government.

    The First Lady was speaking in Nairobi during the 70th birthday celebrations for Bishop Dr. JB Masinde, the founder and senior pastor of Deliverance Church International, Umoja.

    Mama Rachel Ruto singled out a multistorey residential housing development that will be built on Kangundo Road by Deliverance Church Umoja.

    She urged other leaders present to identify similar potential projects alongside the priority areas of agriculture, MSME housing and settlement, manufacturing, the digital superhighway and creative economy, the service economy, and environment and climate change.

    She further expressed optimism for the nation’s full economic recovery from the effects of the prolonged drought that was the worst in 40 years, with some areas missing rainfall for more than five consecutive years.

    The First Lady was accompanied by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, Spouse to the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi and Embakasi West Member of Parliament Mark Mwenje among other leaders.

  • Shujaa reach London 7s playoff final despite Uruguay loss

    Shujaa reach London 7s playoff final despite Uruguay loss

    The Kenya Rugby Sevens National team Shujaa reached the playoff final at the London 7s with a narrow 10-14 defeat Uruguay at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon.
    The result saw Shujaa finish second in the four team pool to set up a clash with Canada at 6.56pm East Africa Time for a slot in the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Series.
    This match was tense and scoreless for nearly the entire first half before Uruguay broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time, Bautista Basso touching down with Guillermo Lijtenstein converting for a 7-0 lead at the break.
    Felipe Arcos Perez then went over with Lijtenstein converting to see Uruguay 14-0 up after the break and with a foot in the final as Uruguay needed to beat Kenya by 8 points to make the playoff decider.
    Tony Omondi converted Alvin Otieno’s try to restore the final advantage to Kenya before Johnstone Olindi drilled home a penalty to cement Kenya’s place in the final.
    Kenya which has got one final chance to secure their place on the 12-team line-up for the new-look men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2024finished a difficult last weekend in Toulouse, during which they lost to both Canada and Uruguay, by beating USA and Japan on the final day.
    Those results earned the Shujaa 13th place in France and have ensured the team travelled north to London full of hope they can retain their place on the Series.
    “The boys are relaxed,” captain Nelson Oyoo said. “They know what they need to do and what’s at stake.
    “I can’t say there’s no pressure, there’s pressure, but we’re trying as much as possible to keep calm and be able to tackle the task at hand.”
    One positive for Oyoo and his team-mates to cling to is the fact that Kenya are the only team competing in the Series Play-off to have beaten Tonga this year.
    The best two from the four-nation competition will advance to a winner-takes-all play-off at 6.56pm on Sunday to decide the identity of the 12th and final team on the new-look men’s 2024 World Rugby Sevens Series.