Day: May 26, 2023

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) today confirmed that al-Shabab militants stormed its military base in southern Somalia.

Reinforcements from the ATMIS and its allies managed to repel the attacks launched by suicide bombers and other al-Shabab fighters earlier in the day in Bulo Marer, about 120 km southwest of Mogadishu, the mission said in a statement.

However, the AU mission did not reveal the number of casualties, saying it will continue working closely with the Somali government and other international partners to protect the country from al-Shabab and other armed groups.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Namibian Government and its preferred green hydrogen bidder, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy on Friday signed the Feasibility and Implementation Agreement (FIA) to kick-start the green hydrogen project in the Tsau ?Khaeb National Park in the ||Kharas Region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at State House, National Planning Commission Director General, Obeth Kandjoze said the N.dollars 10 billion agreement marks the beginning of Namibia’s plans to become the clean energy of hub of Africa and Government’s recognition of the urgency to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of all citizens.

He said the project will create up to 15 000 jobs including 3 000 permanent employment during its operation of which 90 per cent will be sourced locally, mostly youth, adding the project will source up to 30 per cent of its procurement of goods, services and materials during the construction and operational phases from local SMEs and business.

Kandjoze emphasised that the project will generate significant income to the Namibian fiscus through the payment of land rentals, royalties on all project revenues and taxes, noting the government also has an opportunity to be a co-investor in the project with the right to take up to a 24 per cent equity interest at cost.

“Green hydrogen plays a crucial role in the global decarbonisation effort because of its versatility and unique ability to connect power, gas, chemicals and fuel markets, especially in hard-to-abate sectors. Namibia is investigating the feasibility of green hydrogen and ammonia as a transformative strategic industry to respond to the global cry,” he said.

Kandjoze noted Hyphen Hydrogen Energy is responsible for the technical, financial, environmental, social and commercial delivery of the first project, whist the government is responsible for the provision of land on which the project will be established, and providing development and implementing of the required legal, fiscal and regulatory environment necessary for the establishment and sustainable operation of Namibia’s green hydrogen industry.

Kandjoze also noted that Hyphen Hydrogen Energy was selected from nine dynamic proposals received from six different international developers.

At the same event, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Chief Executive Officer, Marco Raffinetti said the Namibian green hydrogen project represents a global benchmark of economic and sustainable development as the world gears towards achieving decarbonisation.

“We feel the weight of the expectation of the country and working hand in hand with the government to deliver upon the ambitions set out in the Harambee Prosperity Plan. The project truly has the opportunity to transform Namibia’s economy,” Raffinetti noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A family in Keng’atuny village in Teso North Sub County in Busia is appealing to well-wishers to help them raise funds for surgery of their child born with an anal abnormality.

The twelve-month-old baby, Ruth Anita, was born without an anus, a condition which was discovered by her mother on the first day while at Angurai Hospital, where she was referred to Busia County Referral Hospital for further examination.

Anita was further referred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret (MTRH), where two holes were made on her left side of the abdomen to help her pass the stool.

“I discovered the problem with my daughter the first day I delivered her when she persistently cried the whole night. Upon close observation, I discovered she had complications as she couldn’t pass stool. She did have an anus,” narrated the mother, Annet Nekesa.

Nekesa, the mother of five, is now struggling to raise the child with this kind of abnormality, a situation that forced her husband to abandon her before going to exile in Uganda just 4 months after the baby was born.

Baby Anita goes for check-ups at MTRH in Eldoret three times a month, which is too expensive despite the humble background of the family and the fact that the mother, who is the breadwinner, works as a casual labourer in a hotel at Angurai Market, earning Ksh. 150 a day.

“I take my daughter to Eldoret thrice a month for check-ups and bear the transport cost alone of Sh400 to Malaba from Keng’atunyi, before paying Sh700 to Eldoret from Malaba,” she added.

When the family could not bear the cost of paying rent at Angurai centre, they sought refuge at St. Mary Emmaculate Chelelemuk Parish with the intervention of Fr. Rev. Benard Fwamba Wamayeye, who has been offering support in the form of food with the help of the church.

Fr. Wamayeye has appealed to all Kenyans to help Anita undergo an operation in a hospital that has specialist doctors for such cases.

“Let us contribute anything we have as Kenyans to restore dignity to the life of Baby Ruth Anita,” said Fr. Wamayeye.

Although the embryogenesis of the malfunction is not clear, health professionals believe it is due to interference with the normal development of the digestive system at varying stages during pregnancy.

To help baby Ruth Anita, contact her mother, Annet Nekesa, through 0702082680 or St. Mary Emmaculate Chelelemuk Parish.

Source: Kenya News Agency