President William Ruto has received credentials from three newly appointed ambassadors at State House, Nairobi, signaling the start of their diplomatic missions in Kenya.

The new envoys are Rulan Mahmoud Samara (Jordan), Jacinto Januario Maguni (Mozambique), and Saad Bin Abdullah AlNofaia (Saudi Arabia).

President Ruto assured the ambassadors of his full support as they begin their duties and expressed confidence in the strengthening of bilateral ties.

Ambassador Rulan Mahmoud Samara, a seasoned diplomat with postings in London, Rome, and Bahrain, committed to deepening Kenya-Jordan relations, emphasizing trade, agriculture, healthcare, IT, tourism, and investment.

Ambassador Saad Bin Abdullah AlNofaia, former minister and diplomat with experience in Senegal, France, and multiple African nations, highlighted five focus areas: political, economic, development, defense, and investment cooperation between Kenya and Saudi Arabia.

High Commissioner Jacinto Januario Maguni, a veteran Mozambican diplomat, pledged to work with Kenya to unlock the full potential of bilateral partnerships for mutual benefits.

These appointments mark a renewed commitment to enhancing Kenya’s global diplomatic engagements and strengthening cooperation across key sectors.

Kenya School of Government (KSG) is currently conducting a week-long comprehensive induction training for Huduma Kenya Programme Universal Agents at Kenya School of Government Baringo Campus.

The training is designed to equip the officers with in-depth knowledge of KSG’s mandate, training programmes, and service delivery processes and strengthen their capacity to guide prospective clients, respond accurately to inquiries, and support seamless access to KSG services at Huduma Centres across the country.

As part of a formal partnership between KSG and the Huduma Kenya Secretariat, the School’s programmes and services will be integrated into 15 Huduma Centres nationwide.

Through this collaboration, Huduma Universal Agents will serve as frontline representatives of KSG in providing information, facilitating program applications, and linking clients to the appropriate departments within the School.

By Anthony Solly

The Roads Directorate Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology-RFTI Highways yesterday hosted delegates from the Jobs for Youth in Africa Community of Practice Knowledge Exchange under the World Bank at its Ngong Campus.

The delegation was received by Acting Director, Geoffrey Githiri, who led a comprehensive tour of the campus’ modern training facilities, showcasing its advanced infrastructure and plant machinery used in technical training.

During the visit, the institute highlighted its growing investment in simulation-based training, an innovative approach that enables students to master the operation of heavy machinery in a controlled digital environment before transitioning to real-world applications.

According to Arch. Githiri, the adoption of simulation technology has significantly reduced equipment maintenance costs while lowering carbon emissions by minimizing the number of hours trainees spend operating heavy machinery in the field. Beyond improving efficiency, the system enhances technical competency while supporting global environmental sustainability goals through reduced fuel consumption and equipment wear.

The visit also highlighted KIHBT’s commitment to inclusivity in the traditionally male-dominated infrastructure sector. Arch. Githiri revealed that the institute has launched an affirmative action initiative that has already enabled 72 female students to enrol on full scholarships, aimed at narrowing the gender gap in engineering and construction-related fields.

To mark the occasion, delegates participated in a symbolic tree-planting exercise within the campus grounds, underscoring a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Through its continued collaboration with the World Bank and partners under the Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative, KIHBT is steadily positioning itself as a regional flagship for youth skills development and employability. By integrating advanced technology, inclusive policies, and sustainable practices into its training programmes, the institute is setting a high-tech blueprint for technical certification and infrastructure skills development across the African continent.

The Decentralized Funds Accounts Committee has commended the Kisumu Central Constituency Development Fund Account Manager and his team for a job well done, having resolved all Audit Queries well within stipulated timelines.

Chaired by Mwingi Central MP Hon. (Dr.) Gideon Mulyungi, the Committee pointed out that the Constituency is the first one since the inception of its Audit processes to have no single unresolved issue.

“This is the first constituency that we have had here with no unresolved audit queries. You have done well as a team, and it’s laudable that all matters have been resolved within stipulated timelines.” Said Hon. Mulyungi to the team led by Naphtally Ochuma; the current Account Manager.

The MPs also convened meetings with Kisumu East and Kisumu West Constituency Fund Account Managers today, to scrutinize the reports by the Office of the Auditor General of the two Constituencies for Financial Years 2013/2014 up until 2022/2023.

Among the Audit issues flagged in Kisumu East Constituency included: Reallocation of emergency funds to undertake repairs, unsupported retention money, unsupported fuel expenditure,irregular purchases of classroom desks, among others.

The team from Kisumu West Constituency led by the current Fund Account Manager Kipngetich Lang’at was taken to task to explain the reported irregular payment of Kshs. 3M for an incomplete construction of an administration block in Onyiengo Pri. School in 2022.

According to the Auditors, the total cost of the project was paid to the contractor at inception, despite the construction lacking finishings like doors, windows, tiles, ceiling, and electrical work at the time of Audit.

By Anthony Solly

Teachers across Kenya are on the brink of a nationwide strike after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) issued a seven-day ultimatum over failing medical cover and unpaid claims under the Social Health Authority.

KUPPET officials claim the SHA system has been unreliable, citing frequent breakdowns and long delays, leaving thousands of educators either stuck in hospitals or paying for treatment out of pocket despite salary deductions.

The crisis stems from suspended medical services in private hospitals under the Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA), which is declining teachers and police officers due to alleged unpaid government claims exceeding Ksh30 billion over ten months.

KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori says the SHA system is failing teachers, citing frequent system breakdowns, a limited number of hospitals accepting the scheme, and what it terms as inadequate allocations, especially for accident and emergency services.

“We have been having a medical cover which did not compel us to come to hospitals to establish pay bill numbers for contribution-authorised funds in county halls. But what is happening now is not supposed to be what the teachers are supposed to undergo. In Nairobi alone, the hospitals are withdrawing because the system of claims is fatigued,” stated Akello Misori.

Teachers previously enrolled in the Minet Teachers Medical Scheme argue that the transition to SHA violates their legally negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), stripping them of previously guaranteed benefits and quality healthcare provisions.

Union leaders highlight that public hospitals, recommended as alternatives, are overcrowded and lack sufficient resources to meet the health needs of teachers, compromising both safety and timely treatment.

Some teachers in Nairobi have reported that hospitals are withdrawing from SHA, citing fatigue in pre-authorisation and claims systems, making access to basic medical services increasingly difficult for teachers contributing heavily to the scheme.

KUPPET says immediate dialogue with the government is essential, giving authorities a seven-day window to address drug shortages and ensure timely payments to hospitals before escalating industrial action.

KUPPET National Chair Omboko Milemba cited the Kisii branch, which confirmed that teachers will halt all learning activities starting next week if the healthcare inconsistencies remain unresolved.

Thousands of teachers are reportedly detained in hospitals or forced to pay for emergency care, even as mandatory salary deductions for SHA contributions continue without delivering the promised benefits.

“If this one is to continue, it therefore means that our life, the lives of teachers we represent, is going to be compromised,” stated National Chair Omboko.

KUPPET argues that the government must urgently release the Ksh30 billion owed to private hospitals to restore access and prevent prolonged disruption of essential health services for educators.

The union says failure to act will not only impact teachers’ healthcare but also compromise the wider learning environment, with potential delays in school programs and disruptions in student learning schedules.

The union now wants immediate talks with the government and warns that if the issues are not addressed within a week, teachers could withdraw from the medical scheme and take industrial action.