Uhuru: Unlawful withdrawal of Labour will not be tolerated

February 13, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta today delivered a statement concerning the ongoing health workers strike. This is what he had to say.
Fellow Kenyans,
This morning, I held a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors to discuss the important issue of the provision of health services in our country. As the National and County Governments, we have a cardinal responsibility to provide adequate and accessible health care to all Kenyans.

In the 2017/2018 Financial year alone, as an example, County Governments spent approximately 87.3% of their entire budgets on Recurrent expenditure, leaving only a meagre 12.7% for Development. This is not in accordance with the objects of devolution under Article 174 of our Constitution. Indeed, the spirit of Devolution was to bring services closer to wananchi and the situation is clearly not desirable.

Human resources, including our nurses make up an important component in the provision of health services in our country. Our Government appreciates the hard work and dedication of thousands of the nursing personnel working in public hospitals in all corners of our Republic. To this end, over the last few years, we have sought to continually improve the working conditions and remuneration of all cadres of personnel in the health sector who are critical players in the implementation of our Big Four Agenda of providing Affordable Healthcare to all Kenyans, affordable housing, affordable food and jobs for our young men and women by the year 2022.

It is therefore greatly disheartening to learn that that some of our nurses have decided to engage in against the determination of the Employment and Labour Relations Court, which suspended any industrial action for sixty days pending conciliation meetings between the County Governments, Ministry of Health and the Nurses’ Union. Moreover, it is disheartening to hear officials of the Nurses Union declare that they will not obey these Court Orders.

One of the most important principles on which our Republic is established is the Rule of Law. No one is above the law. Obeying Court orders is not optional; it is a requirement for all of us, no matter their place in society.

Our Constitution and various labour laws, while granting the right to picket and participate in strikes, also provide for the process of determining public service remuneration by the Salaries Remuneration Commission whose advice has equally been disregarded.

Consequently, we have jointly agreed to take the following urgent actions:

a) All nurses should resume duty with immediate effect and in any case not later than Friday the 15th of February 2019 at 8:00 a.m.

b) As the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, I have instructed the National Police Service to take stern action against those picketers who may intimidate or otherwise harass the public servants who intend to go to work.

c) Accordingly, any nurse who fails to report to work as directed above will be dismissed by the County Governments and the Ministry of Health.

d) The respective County Governments will therefore be at liberty to undertake any action, as they deem appropriate, against personnel who fail to resume duty as directed by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

In conclusion, fellow Kenyans, we have a clear development agenda. And as an investment destination and a Government that seeks to provide services to her people, we cannot allow unlawful industrial actions to derail us from our focus of taking Kenya forward.

I thank you.

7 Elite KDF chiefs you should know about

Dan Ojumah

February 12, 2019

These are the men who have ensured that Kenya’s sovereignty is protected. Since independence, they have held together platoons upon platoons of highly trained men and women. A glimpse of these heroes and heroines is discerned at parades during national days. So who are the men who have moulded Kenya’s Military into a mean war machine feared, respected and adorned at home and away?

General Jackson Mulinge 1971- 1986

General Jackson Mulinge was Kenya’s longest serving military chief. Mulinge was born in 1924, in Kathiani District, Machakos County.

He was educated at the African Inland Mission School in Machakos before joining the Kings African Rifles Education Services for higher education.

He enlisted in 1942 to the then Kings African Rifles and served in the World War II in Malaysia.

Mulinge rose through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class One in 1956 and was the first African officer in Kenya to be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1961.

He was appointed Platoon Commander in the 3rd Battalion Kings African Rifles (3KAR) and was later promoted to become rank of Major General in 1971.

He held several honours, including Elder of the Golden Heart (EGH), Moran of the Golden Heart (MGH), Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Distinguished Conduct Order (DCO).

General Mohamud Mohamed (1986 to 1996)

He was the Kenya Airforce Commander in 1982 when he was actively involved in crushing the coup attempt against the government of President Daniel Arap Moi.
Gen. Mulinge is remembered for crashing a rebellion by a few air force soldiers in 1982.

He took over as Chief of General Staff from General Mulinge in 1986 and served in that capacity for ten years until 1996.
He was the general who neutralized the mutineers in 1982.

General Daudi Tonje (1996 to 2000)

Popularly known as the CGS who reformed the military, General Daudi Tonje was appointed the Chief of General Staff in November 1996 and served until 2000.
He lives a quiet life in Baringo County. As CGS, he introduced measures to professionalize the force including allowing women soldiers to marry and ensuring that promotions in the force are pegged on academic performance.

Major General Joseph Kibwana (2000 to 2005

General Joseph Kibwana joined the Kenya Navy in 1964 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on January 1, 1967.
He served in various senior ranks in the Kenya Navy and was also Chief of Military Intelligence from 1982 to 1985.
In May 1998, he became Lieutenant General and took over as the Commandant of Kenya’s National Defence College.
He became Chief of General Staff on December 1, 2000 and served until 2005.

General Jeremiah Kianga (2005 to 2011)

General Jeremiah Mutinda Kianga joined the Armed Forces in 1971 as a Cadet Officer and was commissioned in 1973.
He served the force for more than 40 years in various capacities including diplomatic, staff, command and training establishments, rising through the ranks to the top.
He served as Defence Attache, General Officer Commanding (Eastern Command), Deputy Commander and also Commander of the Kenya Army.
He was appointed the Chief of General Staff on September 1, 2005.

Gen Julius Waweru Karangi (2011-to 2015)

This is the General who commandeered the Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia.
The operation, so far highly successful has managed to keep terrorists away from our borders. Karachi joined Kenya Air Force in 1973 and after Cadet training in UK, he was commissioned as an officer in 1974.
After qualifying as a Flight Navigator in October 1975 in the Royal Air Force in England, he was posted to Flying Wing Kenya Air Force where he worked as a Navigator.

In 1995 he became Commander of Kenya Air Force Base, Moi Air Base and then in 1997, he was appointed Commander of the Kenya Air Force Logistics Command.
In 2000to 2003 he was promoted to the position of Commandant Defence Staff College, Karen rank of Major General, after which he was appointed before he was made Commander of the Kenya Air-force between 2003-2005
In August 2005, Karangi was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General and Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Defence Headquarters.
And then On 13 July 2011 he was promoted to the rank of General and appointed the position of Chief of Defence Forces.

General Mwathethe (2015 to date)

General Mwathethe was born in Malindi and educated at Shimo La Tewa and Sacred Heart High Schools Mombasa.
Mwathethe joined the Kenya Navy in April 1978 and was commissioned in 1980 as a Seaman Officer after attending Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK.
Hi professional and military training includes International Sub-Lieutenants Course (UK), International Principal Warfare (IPWO) Course (UK), Missiles Course (ITALY) and the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, (UK) in 1989
Before he served with the United Nations as a Military Observer in Kuwait/Iraq and Yugoslavia in 1991/92.

He then attended the Defence Resource Management Course in Monterey, USA in 1998, and the National Defence College in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000. He has held various command appointments including Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Commander Kenya Navy, Deputy Commander Kenya Navy, Kenya Navy logistics Commander, Base Commander Mtongwe and Fleet Commander

Kenya’s Margaret Kenyatta invites fellow African first ladies to Marathon

Dan Ojumah

February 11, 2019

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today invited fellow African First Ladies to participate in the forthcoming Beyond Zero Marathon in Nairobi.

The Kenyan First Lady expressed optimism that resources raised through this year’s Beyond Zero Marathon will help scale up the provision of health services to vulnerable women, children and the youth in Kenya.

She thanked the private and public sectors as well as ordinary Kenyans for supporting her work through the Marathons, saying it has helped in the provision of much needed modern medical equipment and services.

“This work is done through direct support from partners in the public and private sectors and also support from ordinary citizens who mobilize resources by running with me in the Beyond Zero Marathons,” she said.

The First Lady was speaking today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 22nd Ordinary General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), which she co-chaired in her capacity as Vice President of OAFLA, with First Lady Adjoavi Sika Kabore of Burkina Faso who is the President of the organization.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta invited her fellow First Ladies to Kenya to participate in the 4th edition of the Marathon slated for March 10.

She observed that Kenya is currently at full-scale implementation of the Point of Care Technology for early infant HIV diagnosis.

“This has accelerated the diagnosis to less than 24 hours, leading to early initiation of treatment and improved follow up for mothers and their children,” she said.

During the meeting, the name of the First Ladies’ organization was officially changed from the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS to a more broad based Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). The event also witnessed the unveiling of OAFLAD’s logo and launching of its Strategic Plan for the 2019-2023 period.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta affirmed her support to the
First Ladies collective pledge of eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV as well as other campaigns that OAFLAD has prioritized in previous Strategic Plans such as ending child marriage and female genital mutilation.

“As the national champion of the eMTCT, I have advocated for increased resources to scale up programmes for the attainment of less than 5 per cent mother to child transmission rate in readiness for the World Health Organization validation,” she said.

“We have scaled up our work in advocacy by supporting initiatives that accelerate policies centred on mother and child health,”she added.

Implementation of the 2nd Strategic Framework of the Beyond Zero Initiative that was launched in March 2018 includes the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris which is a new and innovative approach of delivering health services.

During a Medical Safari, service providers are concentrated in one location to provide integrated health services among them HIV testing; cervical, breast and prostate cancer screening; and screening for physical and intellectual challenges for children and young people.

“So, far we have impacted over 10,000 people and will continue to work throughout the country over the next year,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta told the meeting.

She emphasized her commitment to advocating for the elimination of obstetric fistula, pointing out that the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris have already restored dignity to over 100 women, some of whom have suffered for decades.

Madam Kabore, the OAFLA President said that the change of the organization’s name marked a new beginning that heralded more commitment to serving vulnerable groups.

Ethiopia’s First Lady Zinash Tayachew urged the First Ladies to embrace the spirit of love and care as they carry out their work of improving the welfare of vulnerable people.

Other First Ladies who shared their work in promoting health and the wellbeing of communities included the First Ladies Isaura Nyusi (Mozambique), Auxillia Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Monica Geingos (Namibia), Denise Nkurunziza (Burundi), Neo Masisi (Botswana), Fatoumata Bah Barrow (the Gambia), and Rebecca Akufo-Addo (Ghana).

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the First Ladies committed to advocating for the wellbeing of the most vulnerable persons on the continent with renewed vigour.

Power to the vulnerable: Auma Obama’s Sauti Kuu Foundation

Dan Ojumah

February 11, 2019

Sauti Kuu which means powerful voices is a Non-profit organization that helps orphans and other young people struggling with poverty in East Africa.
Its main goal is to create a platform for disadvantaged children and young people worldwide that allows them to uncover their strengths and realize their full potential to live independent successful lives. They deal particularly with children from rural communities and urban slums and help them to discover the strengths of their own voices and the power they have to positively change their lives. They make sure that children and young people realise that they do not have to be victims of their social backgrounds or their environments. This way they can become self-reliant –mentally, socially and financially.

Sauti Kuu Foundation was founded by Dr Rita Auma Obama, Sister of Former US president, Barrack Obama. Dr Auma is a community activist, sociologist, journalist and the author of the book and then life happens.
Sauti Kuu is located in Alego Nyang’oma,Kisumu County, with many of its sponsors and partners from Germany. Sauti kuu foundation opened a sports and resource centre named Sauti Kuu Foundation Sports Resource and Vocational Training Centre in K’ogelo, Siaya County.
Former Us President Barrack Obama presided over the official opening of the global standard sport facility on July 16 2018.
The vocational Centre was aimed to provide educational and economic opportunities to help young people serve their communities.
Sauti Kuu Foundation focuses on personality development, education training and sustainable economic growth.

Through Personality training, educational workshops, sports and creative activities, young people have built their self-confidence, self-esteem as well as help them build motivation and perseverance. It supports young people through tutoring, school sponsorship, vocational training projects and career guidance.
One of the Core missions of Sauti Kuu is to promote sustainable economic development in the rural region of Kenya. Farming families learn to improve their financial situation and to become economically independent.

Auma Obama through her vision ‘young people should learn to take their lives into their own hands’ has transformed many lives as well as giving hem hope for a better future.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Vision to unite Africa

Dan Ojumah

February 11, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosted a historic meeting of world leaders on African renaissance as part of celebrations to mark the 400th Anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The breakfast meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 32nd Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government sought to inspire a global conversation geared towards reconciliation, re-engagement and re-connection of all Africans and their descendants across the world.

The conversation also aims at mobilizing African diaspora population in the world to reconnect with their heritage in recognition of its common ancestry.

President Kenyatta said the conversation, in the spirit of Pan-Africanism, aims at producing a new framework for engagement that brings together Africa and its descendants in the Americas, and across the world for the sake of inspiration, investment, collaboration and cooperation.

As the world marks the 400th anniversary of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, it is estimated that between twelve and fifteen million African slaves were trans-shipped to America of which over 4 million are reportedly to have died on the high seas.

In his remarks, President Kenyatta said the Afro-conversation is further aimed at renewing ties between Africa and its descendants across the world.

He said all Africans have a common cultural heritage and historical experience that all citizens of the continent must understand to have a clearer insight of our desired destination

Besides the brutal and hellish conditions that African slaves went through and the millions that lost their lives, President Kenyatta observed that slavery eventually laid the grounds for colonialism, discrimination and racism.

“It undermined families and nations, and introduced the damaging and false hierarchy of racial superiority and inferiority that continues to afflict mankind,” the President said.

President Kenyatta called for unity of purpose among Africans for the renaissance to succeed and ensure the continent retains its current status as a new frontier of global economic growth and prosperity.

“For this upward surge to be sustained for generations to come demands that we be united,” said President Kenyatta who called for the full participation of the diaspora population towards the new revival and revitalization of Africa

He said the diaspora, wherever they are in the world and irrespective of their citizenship and nationality, constitutes the sixth region of the AU

“This includes the descendants of Africa in the Carribbean , North and South America. We are one and must find paths to reconnect and reengage with one another,” he said

President Kenyatta called for practical steps and the full engagement of the AU Commission to ensure workable and clear programs are put in place to actualize the new initiative.

The Kenyan leader further called for the initiative to be embedded in the legal and institutional frameworks of respective African states and the AUC.

Leaders who spoke at the meeting among them Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique) Hage Geingob (Namibia) and newly elected DRC Congo leader Felix Tshisekedi termed the initiative as historic and thanked President Kenyatta for bringing the matter back to the table after it was first mooted by the founding fathers of African states in the 1950s and 1960s.

Other speakers were former US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Dr Jendayi Frazer and AU Special Envoy for Infrastructure Development Raila Odinga.

The leaders shared their perspectives on African renaissance and pledged their support for the new initiative.

African rennaissance is a concept born in mid 1940’s and is premised on an understanding that for the continent to overcome challenges facing it, its people must come together in unity of purpose.

African states vow to defeat terrorists

Dan Ojumah

February 11, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta was among world leaders who today vowed never to allow terrorist elements to distabilise any country in Africa.

The leaders attending the ongoing 32nd African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa discussed and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack at the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi that led to the death of 21 people.

Newly elected AU chairman, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the President of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas said terrorism should be eradicated and its sponsors identified and shamed.

The Egyptian leader described the scourge of terrorism as a cancer that continues to affect African nations and destroying important structures.

“There is need to identify the sponsors of terrorism and address its root causes while putting counter terrorism measures in place,” said the new chairman during his acceptance speech that also marked the official opening of the AU Summit, also attended by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

The PLO leader on his part called on the world to reject all forms of terrorism, including religious extremism.

“We are ready to fight terrorism and extremism in all our capitals. We should all abhor all forms of terrorism and extremism,” said Abbas adding that Kenya was the latest victim of the scourge.

Over 700 people were safely evacuated by a multi-agency security team during the DusitD2 attack that authorities termed as a successful operation.

Other key issues discussed at the Summit included a commitment by African leaders to silence all guns in the continent by 2020, an acknowledgement of a new Africa where democratic elections and peaceful transitions have replaced political takeovers and resultant turmoil.

Several countries including Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, DRC Congo, Central African Republic and Libya were recognized for choosing peace and initiating dialogue to resolve conflicts in their countries.

Progress made towards the ratification of the African continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) was also praised as a major step forward and more countries were encouraged to sign up to the pact.

Outgoing AU chairman President Kagame who chaired the session said the ACFTA protocol, signed less than one year ago, stands only a few weeks to enter into full force

The theme of the summit is:“The year of refugees, returnees and Internally Displaced Persons”.

Among other objectives, the summit is exploring durable solutions over the issue of refugees in Africa, including Kenya.

President Kagame said the agenda of the summit reflects the capacity of AU to address an increasingly complex range of challenges and priorities.

While calling on African countries to increase domestic funding for health programmes, the Rwandan President acknowledged the tremendous progress made by individual states among them Kenya which is rolling out the Universal Health Coverage besides other health initiatives like the Managed Equipment Services for expanded healthcare.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Africa hosts a third of the world’s refugees and internally displaced persons.

He said despite the continent’s own social, economic and security challenges, African governments and people have kept their borders, doors and hearts open to millions in need.

“Africa has set the gold standard for solidarity. Its generosity is unmatched,” the UN chief observed.

World Health Organization Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom, the first African to head the world body, said the continent can achieve much more if it unites for a common purpose.

For the continent to thrive, Dr Tedros said, it must take its rightful position in the world by initiating smart investments in areas of health and education.

He called for increased investment especially in primary healthcare.

The WHO boss said the establishment of the proposed African Medicines Agency will ensure reliable and safe supply of medicines to the continent and stop the proliferation of falsified medicines.

Microsoft boss Bill Gates, whose Bill and Melinda Gates has invested heavily in Africa’s health, education and Agriculture sectors said the AU can achieve its ambitions by investing in human capital.

He said every dollar invested in Africa by his foundation has a major social impact adding that he will continue investing on the continent.

Other speakers included African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Earlier, President Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta joined other leaders during the inauguration of former Emperor Haile Selassie Statue outside the AU headquarters.

The only other statue at the AU is that of Ghana’s founding father Kwameh Nkrumah who is recognised for his instrumental role in the establishment of the AU predeccessor, the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta pledges support to “Total Plastic Ban”

Dan Ojumah

February 11, 2019

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has voiced her support for the total ban on the use of plastics, saying it will help reduce environmental pollution.

The First Lady noted that environmental pollution caused by plastics place a disproportionate burden on women and children, particularly those from poor and vulnerable communities.

“To this end, I make a personal pledge to add my voice to a total ban on the use of plastics,” the First Lady said.

“I will continue to support local communities, especially women and children in advancing their conservation programmes including recycling of waste, tree planting and production of biodegradable bags,” she added.

The First Lady made the remarks on Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, when she delivered a keynote address during a High-Level Working Session on Banning of Plastics in Africa held on the margins of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The meeting saw the launch of a campaign towards a pollution free planet.

She emphasized that she will support advocacy for lifestyle behavioural change that promotes the use of biodegradable materials and waste management initiatives, saying the threat posed to the environment by plastics is real.

“I look forward to serving as a champion for this campaign, together with you, towards the banning of plastics on the African continent,” she told other First Ladies who attended the meeting.

The Kenyan First Lady informed the meeting that Kenya recognizes the adverse effects of plastics on the environment as a pollutant and its contribution to climate change, and has joined the global call towards a pollution free world.

“Kenya has taken a lead in this effort. We banned the manufacture, sale and use of plastic carrier bags in August 2017. We have in place clear legal guidelines on use of plastics which place stiff penalties on those who contravene the law,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

Acknowledging that the push against the use of plastics requires strong legislation as well as capacity building, the First Lady called for the collective application of sustainable and innovative measures.

The Kenyan First Lady is one of the ten high profile continental champions selected to spearhead the campaign to ban plastics and thus reduce their negative impacts on the environment in Africa. First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and her Rwandan counterpart Jeannette Kagame represent the Eastern Africa region.

Central Africa is represented by Congo and Gabon, North Africa by Egypt and Mauritania, West Africa by the Gambia and Ghana while Southern Africa is represented by Angola and Botswana.

Other speakers included First Ladies Neo Masisi of Botswana and Fatoumata Bah Barrow of the Gambia as well as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) acting Executive Director Joyce Msuya.

Earlier, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, in her capacity as the Vice President of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), co-chaired a session of the 22nd OAFLA General Assembly with OAFLA President Madam Adjoavi Sika Kabore, the First Lady of Burkina Faso.

Ahead of the meeting held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Kenyan First Lady interacted with her counterparts from across the continent, sharing her vision on improving the welfare of Kenyans, especially on health through the Beyond Zero initiative.

During the session, minutes of the 21st Ordinary General Assembly were adopted, and the OAFLA Steering Committee report was presented and discussed.

The OAFLA President, Madam Adjoavi Sika Kabore, congratulated First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on her election to the position of Vice President of the not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 by 37 First Ladies to steer the fight against HIV/AIDS on the continent.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and her counterparts also attended the official opening of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

Uhuru invites private health sector to ‘Plug in’ for government commitments

Dan Ojumah

February 9, 2019

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for increased partnerships between national governments and the private sector in the provision of health services in Africa.

While acknowledging that health is critical to the continent’s economic growth, President Kenyatta said the partnerships between the private sector and national governments should be determined by specific country initiatives and not by loose arrangements where local efforts are not put into consideration.

“Plug into existing country initiatives because if you do that then you will benefit from government commitments,” President Kenyatta urged the private sector and development partners.

He commended the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other donors who have plugged into the Kenyan health system and are actively working to manage the HIV/AIDS scourge.

“They have ensured that virtually every affected Kenyan today has access to anti-retroviral drugs. That is because of the partnerships that we have cultivated,” the President said.

President Kenyatta was speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he addressed an Africa leadership meeting on increasing commitments for health and accelerating the path towards Universal Healthcare Coverage.

“To me, the critical thing is partnership. The critical thing is working with national governments to ensure that we achieve this objective of Universal Healthcare for all,” President Kenyatta said.

He urged African governments to strive to end the vicious political cycles and embrace long term commitments that give the private sector the confidence and trust to invest in the health sector.

“We will not be able to achieve our social economic agenda if we do not invest in health. It is critical that as governments, we pool our resources together, working in partnerships with development partners as well as the private sector to ensure that we achieve this ultimate objective of universal health coverage for all,” the President said.

President Kenyatta also expressed the need for African countries to come up with policies that support private sector investment in the health sector

Landslide vote crowns First Lady Margaret Kenyatta as new Vice Chair to OAFLA

Dan Ojumah

February 9, 2019

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta was today unanimously elected as the Vice Chairperson to the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA)

The Kenyan First Lady will deputise the Burkina Faso First Lady Mrs Sika Bella Kabore who is the current chairperson of the continental First Ladies Organization.

The elections of OAFLA’s Vice Chair position were held at the AU Commission Old Buildings during the Steering Committee meeting of OAFLA ahead of the organization’s 22nd Ordinary General Assembly set for tomorrow , Sunday 10th, February 2019.

The OAFLA General Assembly is taking place on the side-lines of AU Heads of State and Government which is being attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The elevation of Kenya to the vice chair of OAFLA comes only a day after AU members unanimously reelected Kenya as a member of the AU security council for another three years.

OAFLA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 by 37 African first ladies.

The organization works to cultivate a spirit of solidarity and the exchange of experiences among African first ladies to increase their capacity and that of other women leaders to advocate for effective solutions to respond to the ongoing HIV/Aids pandemic in Africa.

The continental body seeks to proactively campaign against stigma and discrimination of those infected and affected by the scourge besides developing partnerships with international, regional and local donors to raise awareness, support and resources towards prevention, treatment and care programs.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has been key supporter and an outstanding member of OAFLA where she has initiated several programs aimed at addressing the HIV/AIDS challenges in Africa using the platform of her Beyond Zero initiative.

Will Telkom colours nourish Merali’s former teleco?

Dan Ojumah

February 9, 2019

By Henry Kimoli

– For those born after the year 2001, Kencell Communications Limited rings no bell.
This however was the first privately owned telecommunications giant ever licensed in Kenya. It is this company that has mutated four times from Kencell to Celtel, Airtel and now Airtel Telkom.

Kencell was a joint venture between then Vivendi, a French telecommunications giant and Naushad Merali, then a filthy rich, blue eyed President Moi era businessman.
The firm was launched with pomp at Intercontinent Hotel by President Moi himself in 2001.
It’s sole mandate was to provide competition to the then Government owned Safaricom, which before partnering with Vodafone was a department at Telkom Kenya housed at Extlecoms house along Haileselasie Avenue.

The public face of Kencell was Phillipe Vanderbrouck; a polished French technocrat who lost the plot before he even started.
Once the two telecos were up and running, a vicious pricing war set on, based on billing mode, cost per minute and the price of mobile sets required for market penetration.
Kencell made two fatal mistakes. The fist was to market the lowest airtime top up card at 300. The other was to deduct a Sh.25 tax and their not so smart insistence on charging customers a flat rate per minute, even if the call lasted one second.

From the beginning, Kencell was targeting the upper middle class….CEOs, parastatal fat cats, the international community and other mortals domiciled in the leafy neighbourhoods of Karen, Spring Valley, Lavington, Valley Arcade and their corresponding peers in other estates.
Of course Merali and his French friends appeared to have engaged in futile and defeatist business idea that Safaricom fully exploited to run away with a critical market niche.
First the super rich never call. They only wait to be called. They considers call a bother and ts kept Kencell numbers at their lowest ebb.
When they finally appeared to penetrate the market, Safaricom introduced other innovative and value adding products such as Bamba 10, Okoa Jahazi, Please Call Me thank….all which kept then hooked. Kencell was doomed. But trust Merali, the Sameer group chairman to pool a fast one on competition.
Merali approached panafricanist Mohammed Amin and hawked his shareholding in Kencell…making a tidy some. This gave birth to Celtel. Nothing much can be written about this company, for it never destabilized the market until Airtel came calling and snapped the company.
Now Airtel and Telkom have merged to cumulatively control 30 per cent of the market. The 0733 prefix has been quite a journey. Is it over? Keep it Uzalendo.

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