Day: May 26, 2023

More than 600 schools in Kisumu County have benefited from free quality tanks and water treatment services, courtesy of Impact Water Organization.

The NGO distributed 2,952 units of 100 litres water tanks to the primary and secondary schools in all 8 sub-counties in Lakeside County in a bid to improve hygiene.

The noble initiative targeting both public and private learning institutions across the county seeks to address the problem of water-borne diseases through the provision of clean and safe drinking water to ensure students concentrate on their studies.

Lucy Owiti, an official from Impact Water, pointed out that many of the school-going children miss learning programs due to constant illness occasioned by a lack of safe drinking water.

Speaking during the water tank distribution exercise in Kisumu East, Owiti stated that the organization conducts tests on the institutions that benefit from the donation to ascertain if they deserve the facilities.

“The safe drinking water solutions that we offer comprise water purification methods like Aqua Tabs, Ultraflo, and the inlet systems,” she explained.

She added that some schools had qualified for the Aqua Tabs, which involve putting a single chlorine tablet in a 100 litres tank recommended for schools without piped water.

“When a school qualifies to benefit from the Aqua Tabs program, it means that they don’t have tapped water but mostly use the river, well, or rainwater, in which the flow system cannot be connected to the gutter,” she said.

For institutions with piped water connections sourced from either water companies, rivers, or rainwater, the organization installs the inlet system.

She added that some schools had piped water connections from the water services companies, qualifying them for the inlet system, whereby the system is installed on the meter to treat the in-flowing water.

She reveals that the number of safe water tanks depends on the school’s population, with a tank estimated to cover 100 students. Some schools got eight, six, five, and three water tanks, depending on the number of learners.

In schools, Owiti reveals that they always create awareness among the students and teachers about safe drinking water and hand washing measures.

Defending the organization’s move to invest in the smaller capacity tanks, Owiti stressed on the need to promote the water quality and hygiene in the tanks.

“The 100-litre tanks are easy to clean compared to 1,000-litre tanks, and then you replace fresh water and put tablets in after three days on a weekly basis. The bigger ones are cumbersome to wash,’’ she explained.

Immaculate Atieno, a pupil from Mbeme Primary School, expressed her joy because she can now get safe water to drink in school and prevent her body from dehydration.

Emmanuel Otieno, Kibos Secondary School Principal, lauded the initiative as timely and said it has helped a great deal in offering safe drinking water solutions to the students and improving the number of hand washing points.

The organization has so far managed to reach over 32,000 schools in Kenya since its inception in 2013.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to support Kenya in land governance projects and programmes that will help mitigate climate change and solve social, economic, political and cultural challenges.

Amb. Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya and Head of Delegation said European Union has been supporting Kenya in land governance issues because of her major historical, social, economic and spiritual significance besides using it for production to boost the economy.

She said improved land governance is in line with the country’s Vision 2030 priorities of creating job opportunities, enhancing food and nutrition security, investment opportunities, as well as managing natural resources and mitigating conflicts related to climate change.

Amb. Geiger said EU through its support seeks to use the adaptation project and other projects being undertaken to integrate biodiversity conservation and conflict sensitivity.

She made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by EU representative, Myra Benardi during the 2nd, Regional Research Conference themed ‘Responding to Climate Change through land Governance in the Region’ held at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi.

The two-day conference aims to generate policy recommendations to support mainstreaming of climate action and access progress on carbon trading in the region, as well as collate, synthesize and share knowledge related to Land governance and climate change adaptation, mitigation, capacity building and technology with relevant stakeholder among others.

“EU has contributed 20 million Euros to support the National Land Governance Programme (DLGP) project where 47 counties benefited. It will help them achieve social and economic development,” she added.

She observed that the DLGP programmes which focus on enhancing efficient and effective land governance through accessible digitization of land records and processes, address challenges that impede sustainable administration and management of land in the country such as tenure security, low registration of community land, delays in access to justice and inefficient land transactions.

“It will contribute to conflict resolution by improving conflict and dispute resolution mechanisms on land and natural resource,” said Gieger, adding that DLGP project will also improve land governance and livelihoods through inclusive policy, legal and institutional frameworks.

Some of the power projects EU has supported include the Olkaria Geothermal, Turkana wind firm, small scale sustainable electrification and Green BRT transport.

“We have also supported many communities in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands affected by climate change through programmes targeting pastoralists, women and youth,” she stated.

She said at least 24 communities in Laikipia, West Pokot and Samburu counties have received title deeds for the first time under the 2016 community land Act which she noted has helped the youth, women and communities to use the titles to protect and manage their lands.

The National Research Fund Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala in his remarks said the organization will continue to bring together research experts to come up with strategies that can address climate change through land governance.

Prof. Andala said climate change is a global issue that demands immediate action, and recommended that Smart agriculture is the best solution to combat climate change in the country.

“We need to create awareness on how research can help mitigate adverse effects of climate change, as well as increase funding for research,” he added.

The conference that was attended by research experts, academia and senior government officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Vice President of China, Han Zheng stated that the Ethio-China comprehensive and strategic cooperation partnership has yielded tangible results.

He made the statement today during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen in Beijing.

The Chinese Vice President said that Demeke’s visit will provide a better opportunity to strengthen Ethiopia-China relations.

He also stated that China will provide the necessary assistance to Ethiopia’s efforts to consolidate peace and rebuild infrastructure.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke for his part thanked China for its comprehensive support.

Demeke also praised China for taking principled positions in international fora by supporting Ethiopia over the last three years.

He said it is critical to strengthen bilateral relations and collaborate on international issues.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency