Chebukati Asks Observers To Be Honest, Factual

By

-

August 4, 2022

Election observers have been challenged to ensure the accuracy of their reports on the general elections next Tuesday.

Wafula Chebukati, chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), said Thursday morning at the Bomas of Kenya, during a session with both local and international election observers, that the observation missions will be facilitated in carrying out their duties, but that they must remain factual to avoid unnecessary criticism of the electoral process.

Chebukati insisted that the commission had taken every precaution to demonstrate to the world that next Tuesday’s elections would be free, fair, and transparent.

He revealed that over 18,000 observers will take part in the election, with the commission having approved 8,000 so far.

Chebukati’s remarks were echoed by the commission’s vice chair, Julian Cherera, and CEO, Marjan Hussein Marjan, who urged the observers to adhere to all established guidelines.

The African Union and COMESA have officially launched their Election Observation Mission in Kenya.

Makueni: President Kenyatta Inspects Country’s First Agri-Hub

By

John Mutiso

-

August 4, 2022

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday made an inspection visit to Eni Kenya, the country’s first agri-hub that produces vegetable oil and related bio-products.

The agri-hub located at Kwa Kathoka in Makueni County started production last month and has already employed close to 200 workers, mostly young people from the county.

The establishment of the agri-hub was as a result of a meeting held in Nairobi between President Kenyatta and Mr. Claudio Descalzi, the CEO of Eni SPA, an Italian multinational energy company headquartered in Rome.

Eni Kenya, which is a subsidiary of the Italian multinational company, in July last year signed an agreement with the Government of Kenya to promote the circular economy by setting up 20 agri-hubs for production of bio-fuels and related bio-products, with the Makueni agri-hub as the first.

Addressing workers during the inspection visit, President Kenyatta encouraged them to work hard so that the factory can expand rapidly and create more jobs, earn farmers income and help to reduce the cost of fuel.

Speaking during the occasion, Eni Kenya’s Managing Director Mr. Enrico Tavolini said the Makueni agri-hub has an installed capacity of 15,000 tons of oil production annually.

Mr. Tavolini added that the factory has already provided market access to over 25,000 farmers and will also operate as a training and technical support hub for the farmers.

Present during the inspection tour were Energy Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma and Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and senior officials of the National and county governments.

Nobody Gives Us Instructions – Museveni Tells US

By

-

August 4, 2022

Later on Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will meet with the US ambassador to the UN.

Just a few days have passed since Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, was in Kampala. Linda Thomas-Greenfield is already there.

President Museveni called Ms. Thomas-Greenfield a “very good friend” and said she is “welcome at any time” in an interview with me on the BBC Africa Daily program.

However, when I asked whether she would bring instructions from Washington, the president was clear that “nobody can give us instructions”.

He told me that Uganda welcomes aid from western powers but insisted the country can survive, even thrive, without it.

The president said there has not been an attempt to influence the country’s position on the war in Ukraine.

One of the 16 African nations who voted against a UN resolution requesting that Russia stop the invasion was Uganda.

President Museveni compared the current confrontation to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis when I questioned him about it.

He compared NATO’s position in Eastern Europe to Soviet efforts to station nuclear missiles on Cuba, just a few miles off the Florida coast.

Mr. Museveni stated that Uganda had backed the US in the face of hostility back then and should do the same again.

Former Kass FM Journalist Found Dead In His House

By

John Mutiso

-

August 4, 2022

unnamed-36 — Former Kass FM journalist Julius Tarus

A freelance journalist formerly associated with Kass FM radio station was discovered dead in his Eldoret home.

Julius Tarus was discovered dead in his home at Rock 2 on Kimumu Road by his family members.

Tarus had been at their rural home near Kabenes, according to his brother Isaac Bowen, and had left on Sunday.

“On Monday, August 1, he visited Eldoret town and throughout he did not complain of being unwell. On Tuesday, his family members could not reach him on the phone and so today they sent relatives who found him dead,” he said.

A DCI team was summoned and conducted preliminary investigations before transporting the body to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) farewell home.

The investigation into the death is still ongoing, according to Moiben OCPD Stephen Okal.

“Officers visited the scene, and investigations are going on,” Okal said.

Kass FM CEO Julius confirmed that Tarus was previously employed by the company as a freelance journalist.

He stated that the company would help the family.

“We are saddened by his death and will stand with the family,” Lamaon said.

Tarus’ death was mourned by the Eldoret Professional Journalists Association (EPJA), whose chairman, Luka Kiptanui, sent a message of condolence to his family.

“He was a very humble person, and we pray to God to grant his family strength to bear the loss,” Kiptanui said.

Biden Still COVID Positive – Doctor Says

By

-

August 4, 2022

President Biden Meets With CEOs And Remarks On The Economy — WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 28: U.S. President Joe Biden takes his face mask off during a meeting (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

U.S. President Joe Biden continues to test positive for COVID-19, but he feels well and remains fever-free, according to a statement from his physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor.

O’Connor said in a statement that Biden enjoyed a light workout prior to his Wednesday morning exam. He added that the president is dealing with an occasional cough, but not as frequently as the previous day. Biden’s temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation remain normal and his lungs are still clear.

The U.S. president will continue to remain in strict isolation as he recovers from this rebound case, which was detected July 30.

The White House says despite testing positive for COVID-19, Biden continues to work from his executive residence. He also continues to be cautious to protect any staff of the Executive Residence, Secret Service, or White House whose jobs require them to be close in proximity to him.

Biden tested positive for COVID-19 for the first time in late July and was cleared from isolation July 27.

Since testing positive again, Biden has canceled a trip to Michigan and one to his home in Delaware. On the evening of August 1, he addressed a small pool of reporters from a distance on the killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Iceland on Code Red as Volcano Erupts

By

-

August 4, 2022

A code red alert has been declared in Iceland after a volcano erupted Wednesday near the capital, Reykjavik, at a site that erupted last year, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said.

The IMO said the eruption took place in an unpopulated area 30 kilometers from the capital city and that no lives were in danger.

The eruption is near the site of the Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano, which had been active from March to September of 2021.

If Wednesday’s volcanic activity is confirmed to be similar to the fissures seen last year, the code red aviation alert could be lowered to orange, signaling less danger, an agency spokesperson said.

Lava is reportedly coming from a crack in the ground, according to natural hazard specialist Einar Hjorleifsson, who spoke to Bloomberg.

Iceland is also known for earthquakes that sometimes cause volcanic eruptions because two of the earth’s largest tectonic plates lie under the country.

Iceland has 32 volcanic areas that are currently active, the highest number in Europe.

Govt Launches Lisha Jamii To Cushion Vulnerable Kenyans Against Drought

By

John Mutiso

-

August 4, 2022

This morning, the Government of Kenya and the development partners held a consultative meeting on the drought situation in the Arid and Semi-Arid counties.

As you are aware, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the drought a national disaster on September 8, 2021.

Today’s meeting received a brief status report on the drought situation and highlights of the long rains assessment report. 23 arid and semi-arid counties are experiencing drought as a result of 4 successive failed rain seasons.

Currently, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is 4.1 million up from 3.5 million in March 2022.

Based on the IPC Food Insecurity Phase Classification,3 counties are in Emergency, 8 counties are in Crisis, 12 counties are Stressed and 24 counties are yet to be assessed.

The government of Kenya has scaled up its drought mitigation efforts and to date has spent approximately KES. 12.6 billion on interventions which have been achieved through the support and collaboration with development partners, humanitarian agencies, the private sector and other non-state actors.

Despite the interventions, the persistent drought has left the country with a resource gap of more than KES. 15 billion for interventions required in critical sectors of food security, health and nutrition, water, agriculture, livestock and education.

According to the weather report, there will be depressed rainfall across all the Arid and Semi-Arid counties during the October-December 2022 rainfall season due to La Nina hence the prospect of a 5th failed rain season.

Consequently, the number of people in need of relief assistance could, therefore, rise to 4.35 million by December 2022.

Our meeting today has underscored the urgent need for enhanced coordination and the scaling up of more measures to address the needs of the 4.1 million people in the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid counties who are facing acute food insecurity.

I wish to thank all stakeholders, including our Development Partners, for the continued support to mitigate the impacts of drought.

As the Government strives to strengthen partnerships and mobilise resources and coordination at the national and county levels.

As part of this continuing support, we have also today launched Lisha Jamii an initiative established by the World Food Programme that will provide food assistance to 535,000 (89,000 families) across 12 counties that are facing acute food insecurity.

The targetted counties are Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River, Baringo, Mandera, Wajir, Kitui, Kilifi, Kwale and Marsabit.

The food assistance will be provided for six months through both cash transfers and in-kind with beneficiary families set to receive KSh 6,500 per month.

Children’s Home Director Sentenced To 100 years In Prison Over Defilement

By

Cyrus Kimanga

-

August 4, 2022

Today the victims of a defilement case of over six years could not hide their joy after what they referred to as justice served was finally administered by the Milimani Criminal Court.

Steve Nzuki,the Director of Utawala Children’s home was convicted of the offense of defilement of three boys aged between 9 years to 15 years.

The court noted that the life of the three boys has changed after the heinous crime and that their lives will never be the same again. The mitigation of the three boys confirmed that they were adversely affected by the offense. They pleaded with the court to pass a custodial sentence to the convicted Director stating that a punishment should be meted to serve a deterrence effect to the offender.

However, the convict pleaded with the court to issue a lenient and non custodial sentence. He stated that he is a family man and also takes care of other children.

However, the prosecutor in rebuttal, urged the court to pass a maximum sentence given the circumstances in which the offense was committed whereby the accused took advantage of the homeless and vulnerable boys.

The court ruled that their is no doubt that the offences committed are very serious and carries a heavy sentence. “The accused being a director of a children’s home aught to have protected the minors,but this was not the case, he went ahead and defiled them severally. It is the responsibility of this court to impose a deterrent sentence.” Ruled Zainab Abdul.

The court further ruled that issuing a non custodial sentence to the director would be a mockery to the Criminal Justice System.

According to the court,the victims who are now adults were greatly affected by the offenses.

“There is no doubt that the minors were affected the offense.This court will therefore sentence the accused person as follows; in count one where the minor was 9 years,the accused will serve 50 years in prison, in count two where the minor was 15 years he will serve 20 years, in count three where the minor was 13 years he will serve 20 years, in count four where the accused was convicted of committing an indecent act with a minor, he will serve 10 years. The offenses took place on different dates therefore the sentences shall run consecutively.” Ruled Magistrate Zainab Abdul.

The Director was given fourteen days right of Appeal against the sentence.

KMD Installs 154 Automatic Weather Stations

By

John Mutiso

-

August 4, 2022

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has installed 154 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), in 24 counties, to aid in providing timely and accurate weather forecasts and advisories.

Speaking in Machakos County during the commissioning of the Machakos station, Environment and Forestry PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo said a well-functioning climate service has the potential to inform a range of both short- and long-term decisions, contributing to the resilience of governments, organisations, and individuals to current climate variability.

The PS said the stations were financed by the World Bank through the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP), in the Ministry of Agriculture to address issues on climate change focusing on increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing resilience to impacts of climate change and reduction in Green House Gases (GHG) emissions.

“To manage climate risks, decision-makers must understand the risks well and be able to anticipate them. This is the primary aim of having a good AWS infrastructure”, He said.

He said climate change exacerbates sustainable development challenges by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

He urged policymakers to ensure that they plan various activities in line with the weather and climate forecasts, warnings, advisories and alerts from KMD, saying they cannot ignore the frequent changes in weather and climate, as their impact on our activities is evident.

The KCSAP project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, State Department of Agriculture and Implementing partners, Kenya Meteorological Department and KALRO.

Malawi Halts Plan To ‘Export’ Unemployed Nurses

By

-

August 4, 2022

The Malawi Nurses Union is urging President Lazarus Chakwera to allow around 2,000 nurses to work in the United States and Saudi Arabia, after the government ordered the plan halted.

The National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) announced the plan a month ago, saying nurses were forced to work overseas due to high unemployment in Malawi. The brain drain in the health sector has raised concerns and the Ministry of Labor on August 2 ordered the cancellation of the plan, saying the union had no legal mandate on labor migration .

Malawi’s Minister of Labor Vera Kantukule told VOA on August 2 that the decision to put the plans on hold was taken after considering NONM was just a union for medical workers.

“What we told them is if you want to do this thing then you probably have to register a separate identity that will do the recruiting but you, as you are, your tenure doesn’t allow you to engage in the work. migration,” Kantukule said.

Kantukule said it was also necessary to have a memorandum of understanding between the countries where the nurses are going to work and the government of Malawi, before the nurses’ organization can proceed with their plans.

The Minister of Labor said Malawi was among the countries where the World Health Organization had imposed restrictions on the migration of medical workers.

“Last time we got a request from Scotland. One of the hospitals in Scotland wanted to do it,” Kantukule said. “And the Scottish government received a response from the WHO saying ‘Malawi is on the list of countries where you cannot take their health personnel’.”

Shouts Simeza, president of the Malawi Nurses Organization, said he was surprised by the ministry’s stance.

“The minister can’t cancel this thing. The minister has no mandate to tell us we don’t have the mandate, that’s rude, actually,” Simeza said. “And it was the government that identified us as NONM to facilitate that. And the government has often said that they are not the only entity to recruit, so says the head of state Lazarus Chakwera , “job creation campaign. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Simeza said the decision to seek jobs for nurses overseas came because 3,000 Malawi-trained nurses are unemployed.

Simeza said the previous arrangement was for the first group of 1,000 nurses to leave for Saudi Arabia this month. The plan is to send 1,000 each year for a five-year project.

But he said there was a delay because they were awaiting guidance from various ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Labor, on how to move forward. .

“The team we send is made up of our members, our members,” Simeza said. “They’re not employed by a government department. So they don’t belong to any department, they don’t have one. So we went to seek advice from the Department of Labor on the safety and security of members who travel to the United States. [and] Saudi Arabia.”

Malawi’s government recently said it could not recruit more nurses now, due to financial constraints.

In an August 2 statement, a group of nurses and midwives in Malawi urged Chakwera to step in and stop the Ministry of Labor from stopping plans to send some of them overseas to work. .

Create a free account, or log in.

Upgrade your subscription