A team of seasoned fitness instructors has started a programme that aims to eradicate rising use of drugs in the city. Dubbed Zoezi Mtaani, the team will hold fitness, team building and counselling sessions in various estates in the city.
Led by Silas Okuku, the Hill Park Hotel Heath Club Manager, the initiative was launched at the sprawling Kaloleni Estate two weeks ago.
“We have realised that our youth are getting hooked up in drugs at a very early age. We want to engage them and supplement Government efforts”, Sila said.
He said they had written to NACADA and other agencies for possible partnerships and urged other players to support the initiative. He said the group had also engaged all the elected leaders in Nairobi and is going to extend the same to other counties such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Busia.
Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo with Zoezi Mtaani Patron Silas Okuku at Kaloleni during the inaugural session.
“At the end of the day, we will cover the entire country. We want Kenyan youth to remain fit, sharp and alert” Sila said.
He said once the youth are hooked to fitness, it will be hard for them to misused by politicians during elections as is normally the case. 10 trainers are involved in the initiative that will be held every Saturday.
Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa on Friday attended a public participation session for Policy on the Establishment of County Regional Economic Bloc {CREBs} in Kitui town.
The meeting was also graced by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu who was the host, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti and Makueni County Secretary Paul Wasanga.
The forum had been convened to seek views from members of the public on how to establish a robust and effective policy framework to guide and regulate the operations and functions of Reginal Economic blocs that have been set up by counties across the country.
Wamalwa pointed out that already there were six regional economic bloc including the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) crafted out of the three Ukambani countis of Kitui ,Machakos and Makueni.
He said devolution was one of the most transformative changes in governance system brought about by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Quoting Article 174 of the Constitution that provides that one of the key objectives of devolution is to promote social and economic development and provide proximate, easily accessible services.
The CS said his ministry was is providing policy leadership to ensure the enactment of devolution laws, operationalization of County Government structures, the transfer of functions and allocation of resources to County Governments.
“There’s need for engagement of different blocs to encourage inter-block trade and enjoy the economies of scale”. He said.
Governor Ngilu said the three counties of the SEKEB intend to utilize the resources well to eliminate poverty in the counties and offer the region better economic resilience.
“It is only through mobilization of resources that the initiative would succeed,” said Ngilu.
Interim SEKEB chair also the NCCK Chairman Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki said the bloc has specific agenda for the people, all aimed at growing the residents’ economic potential.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti said there was need for visionary leadership anchored on mwananchi’s needs to have the bloc succeed.
Makueni County Secretary Paul Wasanga said SEKEB was not a political bloc and must not be politicized.
Policy Advisor for Devolution, Elizabeth Ouma, said the purpose of the policy was to improve the implementation of the devolved system of government in order to achieve optimal service delivery.
“It is intended to guide both levels of government to align their policies to the devolved system of government” said Ouma.
Catholics from the Don Bosco shrine yesterday held special prayers for Kenya security forces. Led by Bishop Rodrigo Mejia and more than 10 priests, the clerics said security forces have lately gone beyond the call of duty to protect Kenyans.
He urged Christians to pray for families of police and KDF officers stationed at various places within and outside the country.
“Our soldiers have done us proud as a nation. We will continue to offer special prayers for them” said Father Abel Njue, the Parish Priest at Don Bosco.
The clerics were speaking during a Parish day and celebration of the feast of St. John Bosco at the Shrine grounds.
The climax of the event was the celebration of Holy Mass led by Dr.Rev. Bishop Rodrigo Mejia.
Bishop Mejia urged youth in Kenya to emulate the life of St.Donbosco who he said defied all the odds to serve God and the young people in his native Italy.
“Today the youth need to heed the call of holiness and serve God to safeguard against the pitfalls of life”, the Bishop.
Social media giant Facebook has plans in the pipeline to merge its messaging services on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. The apps will be linked so messages can travel between the different services.
The merger would mean that a Facebook account holder could communicate with someone who only has a WhatsApp account. This is currently impossible.
“We want to build the best messaging experiences we can; and people want messaging to be fast, simple, reliable and private,” said Facebook in a statement.
The process is expected to be completed by the end of 2019 or early next year.
The project which “should have been announced earlier” was kept on the low due to the on going data handling probes facing the social media giant.
“We’re working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks,” it added.
On Thursday, The catholic faithful gathered at Panama City’s Coastal Belt to commemorate the Official Welcome and Opening Ceremony of World Youth Day 2019. Addressing the crowds gathered in a specially organized open area along , Pope Francis encouraged them to nurture the culture of encounter that has made the event possible.
A Kenyan delegatiion led by Bishop Muheria attended the occation.
Bishop Muheria echoed the words of the pope to the lkenyan youth on the importance of unity and building bridges.
“We must graft this experience to our youth in Kenya! Prayer and Fun…No fear to show our Catholic faith!! Do not be afraid! These young people have great desires. Lets accompany them and love them”
Bishop Muheria,
World Youth Day 2019 is an international Catholic event focused on religious faith and youth. The event brings together thousands of young people of the Catholic faith, get involved in communion and other religious practises. The event is presided over by the Pope, who is the overall leader of the Catholic Faith .
There has been a financial crisis in public schools following the delay of funds from the Ministry of Education. The setback has made it quite impossible for the schools to run.
“We purely depend on government funding and with the 100 per cent transition, we need money to operate smoothly,” a principal from Nyandarua County told Uzalendo News, while a counterpart in Nyeri Girls Boarding said they were unable to pay suppliers and learners’ medical fees.
“Some suppliers have refused to give us their products, and students cannot seek medical attention as the money is yet to be provided for,” she said.
Most students have not paid their school fees in full, she added Schools normally receive fifty per cent of the cash from the Government, based on the population of learners in each school, at the beginning of the first term. Thirty per cent is paid in the second term and the remaining 20 in the third term.
On Monday, Kahi Indimuli, Chairman of The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association said that head teachers in public schools were unable to manage the large number of students without funds. “As at Friday, the funds had not been released… We opened the schools three weeks ago,” he said.
CS Treasury Henry Rotich on Tuesday affirmed that funds would be wired to schools before the end of the week. He accredited the delay in funds a result of late request from the Ministry of Education.
On the same day, Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang visited Ngong Township primary school during an exercise to monitor the competency based curriculum in practice. He cautioned that schools who had not registered details of their students on the National Education Management Information System (Nemis) would not get the funds.
“We are not going to do any payments outside Nemis, so those schools that are yet to put details of their students on the system must ensure they do that to receive the funds,”
It has been a sombre day for many people in the world following the demise of Afro-Jazz legend, Oliver Mtukudzi. Oliver “Tuku” was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.
He died on Wednesday at the age of 66 after a long battle with diabetes. Oliver was famously known by his song ‘Todii’ which received massive love and airplay in many parts of the world. Apart from singing he was also a songwriter, actor, writer and film director. Tuku was a legend whose music touched millions of people across the world, even those who did not understand what he said. He was proof that music could speak up for the people and help in making the world a better place. In his songs he spoke of people’s everyday life struggles.
“I sing because I am trying to get through to people. An artist is supposed to represent themselves and everyone. Not just a certain dialect or language.” – Oliver Mtukudzi
In an interview, On the Trend with Larry Madowo on September 2016, Oliver passionately talked about his love for music. He said that his music was meant to bring life and hope to the people. “The purpose of a song is to give life and hope and to heal the broken hearts. if I come up with a song it’s supposed to touch a heart, not to impress.” I don’t do good compositions but I do good songs. He said.
Oliver appreciated his culture and heritage so much that he preached about it in his songs. He was also passionate about promoting African Music.
With 67 albums to his name, he was Zimbabwe’s most renowned and internationally recognized cultural icon of all time. His music career began in the 1970s with a group called Wagon Wheels. He later left the group to pursue a solo career. His lyrics often carried social messages about HIV/Aids and coded political commentary. One of his songs ‘Wasakara’, meaning “You Are Too Old”, was banned as it was seen as a reference to leader Robert Mugabe. The singer and guitarist mixed several different styles to create his own distinctive Afro-jazz sound, known to his fans as “Tuku Music”.
Mtukudzi told Forbes Africa in 2016 that he did not view his music journey as a career.
“I am yet to decide on a career to take on. This is not a career for me. I am just doing me.”
He will be remembered as one of Africa’s most renowned and internationally recognized cultural icon. His music touched many souls as it was inspiring, hopeful and also entertaining. His performances on stage were energetic and thrilling despite his age. His authenticity and legacy is something that will still live on. The people of Zimbabwe will also remember for his philanthropy and human rights work. Tuku was surely One of the greatest African musicians.
A day after the high noon drama caused by the appointment of Dr. Fred Matiang’i as a superior Minister, DP William Ruto flew to Mombasa for a meeting with his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. Details of the meeting are scanty, but it is natural that the DP hard men consisting of Kipchumba Murkomen and Kithure Kindiki may have broached the new government structure.
But the response from the Presidency if any is yet to be known. “Top Jubillee leadership met over lunch at a middle class restaurant to discuss key developments in politics” a source privy to the meeting told Uzalendo. The meeting came hot in the heels of two Executive Orders signed by the President. In attendance was Jubillee Chairman Nelson Zuya, Raphael Tuju, Kithuke Kindiki, Aden Duale, Irungu Kangata and Kipchumba Murkomen.
Top of the agenda was the need for Jubillee to field a candidate at Embakasi South and also the creation of a cabinet committee chaired by Dr. Fred Matiang’i to coordinate government activities. It is said that the Jubillee brigade ate lunch at Barka Restaurant near Fort Jesus and mingled freely with patrons.
KENYA National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has installed virtual weighbridges in all Kenyan roads that will net transporters who abuse stipulated axle load limits.
The ultra modern weighbridges is fitted with 3D and HD cameras capable of capturing the front and rear of the motor-vehicle, its rear and front registrations, the weight of the vehicle and the occupants.
KeNHA Deputy Director Muita Ngatia shows a live feed of Yatta Virtual station as captured at the control centre in Mlolongo to Uzalendo News .The pictures are stalled in the cloud to avoid interference.
The technology deployed at the virtual weighbridges is
relayed real time to the Athi River Data Centre and is periodically reviewed by
police units investigating terrorism, smuggling, counterfeits, kidnapping among
other sophisticated crimes.
“For example, a suspect vehicle on transit from say Garissa is weighed at Matuu virtually, its details analyzed and the offender nabbed at Thika, Tala, Makuyu, if they elect to use ‘Panya Routes’ ”, a detective said.
“We installed these to curn overloading in a bid to protect
our roads. But as a Government agency, we are part of the multi-sectoral team
whose only aim is to promote social economic development for the benefit of the
Kenyan people”, a Senior KeNHA officer told Uzalendo News, on condition of
anonymity.
A truck ordered to reduce its tonnage after being detected by KeNHA intelligence
“The pictures leave a permanent record that can be used by
the police to prosecute those who destroy roads and also investigate counterfeiters.”
He added.
A project launched by the Government in conjunction with the
World Bank to modernize Kenya’s weighbridges and arrest abuse of axle load
limit on the northern corridor appears to have finally yielded dividends.
The climax of this was the installation of sophisticated
virtual weighbridges in various roads in Kenya put in place last year. These
are able to determine the vehicle weight, occupants, time the vehicle passed
the virtual station and speed.
According to data from Kenya National Highways Authority,
compliance at all gazetted weighbridges has been enhanced, with compliance
along the Northern corridor stated at 99.9 per cent.
KeNHA has installed weigh in motion machines at Mlolongo,
Athi River, Mariakani, Webuye and Mtwapa. The virtual weighbridges are located
at Kamulu, Sagana, Southern By pass, Eldoret, Yatta, and Kakamega.
Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA) new offices at Barabara Plaza are almost complete. Consequently the Authority will move into the new premises during the third quarter in a move that wiĺl safe the Authority millions in rent at their current Blue Shield headquarters.
KeNHA Director General Engineer Peter Mundinia toured the offices on Tuesday in readiness for the proposed relocation to the Mombasa Road abode.
The project cost the Government Sh. Sh2.9 billion. The complex will house Kenya’s road agencies namely Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) , Kenya Rural Roads Authority(KERRA) and Kenya Roads Board.
The building sits on a nine-acre piece of land in Embakasi near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenya National Highways Authority director-general Peter Munindia says the office complex will host employees of Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Roads Board and Engineers Board of Kenya.
“Several institutions have been established since the Kenya Roads Act was enacted in 2007. However, these institutions have been housed in private premises which, as public institutions, they are hard pressed to afford,” said Mr Munindia. “To mitigate the various challenges, the government identified and secured a nine-acre piece of land in the vicinity of JKIA where the complex is being constructed”
