Kenya and South Korea have signed a $485 million (KSh63 billion) concessional development funding on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit.

This includes $238 million (KSh30 billion) for the implementation of the Konza Digital Media City Project.

President William Ruto said the project will boost the country’s digital ecosystem, a key government initiative aimed at expanding digital and creative economy opportunities for the young people of Kenya, at the Konza Technopolis.

“This project will provide an excellent digital media and entertainment ecosystem for research, training and the propagation of new technologies,” he said.

He commended Korea for the Economic Innovation Partnership Programme, which further supports Konza Technopolis.

He made the remarks on Tuesday during talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol of Korea on the sidelines of the Korea-Africa Summit at the Korea International Exhibition Centre in Goyang, on the outskirts of Seoul.

President Ruto thanked President Yoon for Korea’s support in establishing the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KENYA-AIST), modelled after the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, an institution pivotal in Korea’s economic transformation.

He said Kenya-AIST is nearing completion and will be unveiled later this year. He invited President Yoon to Kenya during the official opening of the institute.

“I take this opportunity to invite Your Excellency to join us during the opening ceremony. We are confident that this institution will be a prominent showcase of Africa-Korea scientific and technological collaboration,” he added.

President Ruto cited the development of Bus Rapid Transit Line 5, the Nairobi ITS, the dualing of the 78km Machakos Junction-Emali Road, water supply and sanitation for the Konza Technopolis and the Vaccine Production Project as some of the ongoing collaborative projects between Kenya and Korea.

During the meeting, President Ruto implored President Yoon to fast-track the implementation of the Kenya-Korea Bilateral Labour Agreement.

“I assure you that my government has put measures in place to ensure that any Kenyan employed in Korea complies with Korean laws and terms of engagement, including returning home at the expiry of their employment contracts,” he added.

President Ruto said Kenya is keen on enhancing trade relations with Korea to attain balanced trade between the two friendly nations.

“Although the balance of trade currently favours Korea, we have an opportunity to work together to reduce this imbalance,” he stated.

He outlined other areas of cooperation Kenya is pursuing with Korea, including maritime development, green industrialisation and manufacturing, among others.

He noted that Kenya seeks Korea’s support in developing the semi-conductor industry through technology partnerships, infrastructure development and capacity building.

“Kenya aspires to be a manufacturing and technology leader on the African continent. We invite Korean expertise to help meet our energy demands, including expanding our renewable power mix to incorporate nuclear energy,” he said.

On his part, President Yoon committed to enhancing the relations between Kenya and Korea for the mutual benefit of the citizens of both nations.

He said that Korea is ready to support Kenya’s ambitious transformation agenda in technology, infrastructure development, and water and dam programmes.

Kenya has formally joined the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as a Member State.

Kenya’s accession to the IVI strengthens the nation’s resolve to achieve self-reliance in vaccine production, President William Ruto said at the ceremony held to mark the country’s ratification of the IVI treaty at the agency’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday.

During the ceremony, President Ruto raised the Kenyan flag and then the National Anthem was played.

He pointed out that increased vaccine availability will enhance the delivery of Kenya’s primary healthcare and adequately support disease prevention.

President Ruto said Kenya had learnt critical lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic challenges of accessing vaccines, and emphasised the commitment to reduce reliance on external manufacturers of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals.

“The time has come for Africa to actualise health sovereignty by liberating itself from dependency on unsustainable frameworks, and accelerating initiatives to become self-sufficient in vaccine production,” he said.

The President said making vaccines universally accessible, regardless of nationality and status, is an urgent imperative that must be addressed.

“In vaccine production and supply terms, no one is safe until everyone is safe.”

President Ruto thanked IVI for announcing that it would establish a country and project office in Nairobi, saying it will bolster Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and promote African self-reliance in vaccine production.

“Under this partnership, we will strive to strengthen our health systems by ensuring commodity security through research, development and manufacturing,” he said.

President Ruto said a tripartite agreement between the IVI, Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will further boost the continent’s plan for cutting edge research and training, and consequently a resilient healthcare system.

The police officer who was attacked on duty in Kasarani, Nairobi, has forgiven the teenager who attacked him.

This comes at a time when there is widespread concern over Ian Njoroge, who was harassed and mistreated while in custody.

Following former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko’s intervention, the police officer chose to forgive Njoroge.

On June 5, 2024, Sonko released a phone call tape in which Ogendo expresses an interest in meeting with Njoroge’s family for reconciliation and forgiveness.

As part of the agreement, the family must publicly apologize to Ogendo and the national police service.

 “Even though I am hurt, I will agree to forgive him,” stated Ogendo.

Meanwhile, Ogendo strongly denied asking for a bribe from the driver during the incident.

During the hearing of the case in court on June 4, the defense had claimed he requested Ksh10,000, from Njoroge who had committed a traffic offence.

Njoroge, who appeared in court on Tuesday before Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, is now dealing with serious charges like robbery with violence causing grievous harm, and resisting arrest.

However, he denied all three charges as the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), pushed for Njoroge’s detention for more investigation.

Although Njoroge’s legal team objected, the court allowed the prosecution one day to hold Njoroge at Industrial Area prison for medical assessment at Kenyatta Hospital.

Njoroge is accused of stealing a police communication gadget and a phone worth Ksh50,000 from Corporal Ogendo, and then causing serious harm to him.