Day: March 29, 2024

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region are looking for a man who allegedly sodomised a 10-year-old boy.

According to the region’s Head of Crime Prevention Deputy Commissioner Wynand Neels on Thursday, the incident happened on Monday around 14h00 at Ondombe yOmuthiya.

The victim is a Grade 5 learner.

‘It is alleged that the suspect who is a cattle herder and neighbour of the victim, went to herd cattle with the victim in the field,’ reported Neels.

It is alleged that while in the shade of a tree, the suspect asked the victim to remove his trousers so that he could have anal sex with him and offered the boy N.dollars 20.

‘The victim refused, but the suspect removed his trouser and forcefully raped the victim and the suspect repeated it again the same day, and warned the victim not to tell anyone,’ Neels said.

The victim the next morning informed his grandmother that he was experiencing pain.

‘The grandmother then checked and found bruises around the victim’s private parts and insisted
to hear the truth from her grandson,’ Neels added.

The grandmother took the victim to the police on Wednesday morning and opened a case the same day.

The victim was taken to Omuthiya District Hospital for medical attention.

The suspect’s age is unknown and he has not yet been arrested as he could not be found but the investigation continues.

Separately, two suicide cases were reported on Thursday in the region. A 24-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging on Thursday at about 00:00 at Ondonga village, while a 46-year-old man was found hanging in a mopane tree on Thursday at 10h00 at Amukulungundju village.

Investigations into the incidents have been launched.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Keetmanshoop Municipality on Thursday renamed nine streets in honour of various individuals that played an important role in the development of the town over the years.

Keetmanshoop Mayor, McDonald Hanse said naming a street is far more than just an administrative task, it is a symbolic gesture that ensures the perpetual remembrance of those who have made significant contributions to society.

‘Today we pay tribute to forward-thinking individuals whose ideas, dedication and tireless efforts have enriched our community, these remarkable individuals have left behind legacies that will continue to inspire generations to come whether through acts of service, innovation or public leadership,’ he said.

He said the true measure of a town lies not only in its infrastructure but also in the strength of its character and resilience of its people.

‘May these streets serve as beacons of hope, symbols of unity and tributes to the enduring legacies of these remarkable individuals. Let us recommit ourselves to build
ing a Keetmanshoop that embodies the values and aspirations for which these individuals stood, let us strive to emulate their passion for progress and their unwavering commitment to the community,’ he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Ingo Klitzke, a businessman and hotelier at the southern town said: ‘I am thankful for the gesture by the municipality to give me such a recognition while I am still alive, Keetmanshoop is my home and will also be my home, its people will also be my people, thank you and I appreciate it.’

Clyde Kröhne, a son to the late Albert Kröhne who a street was named after, said: ‘I see today’s unveiling as a loving gift and I shall proudly stand here proclaiming to all and to generations to come that people like my father were faithful, history has preserved the name of a man who played a pivotal role in the transition of our town, the livelihood of our people and the politics of the day.’

The street name changes are:

Fifth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Dr Rev Nicholas Christiaans

First Avenue in the central business district renamed after Bishop Antonio Chimenelo

Nineteenth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Pastor Simon Tiboth

Mittel Street in the CBD renamed after Roy Oosthuizen

Fourth Street in the CBD renamed after Hennie Theron

Windhoek Weg Road in Kronlein renamed after Albert Louw

North Street in Kronlein renamed after Albert Kröhne

Twelfth Street in Tseiblaagte renamed after Jonathan Goliath

Cathedral Street in the CBD renamed after Ingo Klitzke

Source: Namibia Press Agency

Exciting developments are unfolding in Turkana South, after a group of 100 farmers from Namakat fodder production sites embark on a groundbreaking journey towards sustainable farming. Thanks to their collaboration with USAID Nawiri, they have expanded their fodder production efforts from initial 4 acres to 8 acres.

They now sell bales of fodder in the nearby markets and use mature pasture seeds to further expand their farms.

After a year of dedicated effort and determination, the farmers have successfully reclaimed additional 4 acres of land that was once dominated by the invasive Prospis Juli flora plant.

Their hard work has paid off, as they have managed to harvest an impressive harvest Cenchrus Ciliaris grass. The hardworking farmers have managed to sell more than1500 bales of pasture, for Ksh. 350 to the local community and Ksh 500 to the major towns of Lokichar, Kalemngorok and Lodwar earning them a total of Ksh. 500,00.

Shadrack Ekitela, the Chairman of Namakat pasture production farm, is filled wi
th joy and optimism as he witnesses the promising signs of prosperity emerging from their recent economic activity.

‘You can’t compare pasture production with any other form of farming. Thanks to the initial certified seeds provided by the County, Department of Agriculture, and the training sessions facilitated by USAID Nawiri, we’re already witnessing promising strides towards economic prosperity, both collectively and individually. Our recent sale of 250Kgs of pasture seeds at Ksh 1,000 per Kg, resulting in earnings of Ksh 250,000, reinforces our dedication to this endeavor. We fully understand the importance of pasture production and remain steadfast in our commitment.’

According to Mr. Isaac Echapan, USAID Nawiri Resilient Livelihoods Officer for Turkana South, ‘The decision to support households in Namakat with pasture production arose from the community’s urgent need to tackle ongoing pasture shortages. These shortages, exacerbated by frequent and prolonged droughts, have left livestock malnourished a
nd unable to produce milk or fetch favorable prices in the market.’

In order to address the water-related obstacles impeding agricultural potential, USAID Nawiri is constructing a shallow well in Namakat. This initiative aims to promote climate-smart agriculture and increase the area available for horticulture farming on the 4 additional reclaimed acres, while simultaneously improving pasture productivity in the remaining sections. The farmers have also been provided with a storage facility where the remaining bales have been kept in anticipation of market availability thanks to their collaboration with the Kalemgorok Livestock Market Association.

It is noteworthy that during the few days that the animals would be kept in the saleyard facilities, the livestock dealers also purchase food for their animals to prevent them from wasting while they wait for the market. apart from this, USAID Nawiri has introduced the village savings and loan association concept to enable the farmers venture into various business
es with the money earned from seed sales.

One of the aspirations of the pasture producers is to acquire their own vehicle in the upcoming months, enabling them to transport fodder and seeds to potential buyers more efficiently.

‘We’ve come a long way from depending on others for seedlings. With the skills we’ve acquired, we’re now self-reliant and prepared to oversee our pasture production. Soon, we’ll be independently managing our farming and business initiatives,’ mentions Shadrack.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya has signed a Memorandum Understanding (MOU) with the United Arab Emirates on a comprehensive framework for investment co-operation in digitalization and technology.

The MOU was signed by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Eliud Owalo, and the Minister for Investment of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi in Abu Dhabi.

Under the MOU that will be valid for five years, with provision for renewal, Kenya and United Arab Emirates commited to foster closer ties, while exploring Information Communication Technology (ICT) investment partnerships and advancing digital infrastructure projects.

Kenya’s digital economy has witnessed rapid expansion, propelled by a robust ICT sector.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, CS Owalo said that the partnership between the two nations is a game-changer that will pave way for significant ICT investments in Kenya’s data centre infrastructure besides creating new job opportunities and empowering Kenyan citize
ns with the latest digital tools.

‘The signing of this MOU lays the foundation for the development of state-of-the-art data centres, with the potential to significantly enhance Kenya’s digital infrastructure capacity and resilience,’ said Owalo.

In a press statement sent to newsrooms, Owalo added that the co-operation between the two countries will extend to the field of Artificial Intelligence and large Language Models.

The CS at the same time noted that the data centres, which are capable of serving millions of users, are fundamental to shaping Kenya’s digital future.

Owalo said the MOU is in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda which has prioritized the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy, with a specific focus on equipping the youth with digital skills for digitally-enabled jobs and digital entrepreneurship.

In his remarks Minister Alsuwaidi, observed that a closer partnership between the two nations will create numerous opportunities in various fields thereby str
engthening and advancing their economies.

‘Through targeted investments in digital infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence, this Investment Memorandum is set to accelerate the development of a sector that has the potential to become a growth driver for other industries,’ he stated.

Alsuwaidi added that the investment will also set out a vision for the future which will be defined by prosperity and progress.

The CS further noted that in the spirit of mutual growth and shared prosperity, the MOU will be a stepping stone towards a brighter, more connected and digitally-empowered future for both the two countries.

‘It embodies our collective aspiration to bridge the digital divide, accelerate technological innovation and pave the way for a thriving digital economy that benefits the entire African continent and beyond,’ emphasized Owalo.

The Kenyan delegation led by CS Owalo, included the Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui, Mr. Cosmas Kimutai Sigei, Charge d’A
ffaires, Kenya Embassy, Abu Dhabi, Annette Kerubo Nyakora Senior State Counsel, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy and Lawrence Lelei, Trade Attaché, Kenya Embassy, Abu Dhabi.

The UAE delegation included Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under Secretary Ministry of Investments, Abdalla Alobeidli, Director of Investment Policy and Legislation and Mrs. Farha Al Shamsi, Director of Communication Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Member of Parliament for Jomvu constituency Badi Twalib has welcomed the introduction of commuter rail services in Jomvu and Changamwe by the Kenya Railway.

The project, the Legislator said, will revolutionize transport and enable traders and passengers arriving or departing with the Madaraka Express train at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Mombasa terminus to save time.

‘I want to inform you that our commuter train will be completed by the end of May. As residents of Jomvu especially Miritini this is your year of transformation,’ stated the Jomvu MP.

The MP revealed that the Managing Director of Kenya Railways has assured him that residents whose houses were affected by the project have been compensated.

Last year November, The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Transport, Mohamed Daghar, announced in Mombasa that the government had allocated Sh1.1 billion for land compensation to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) to Miritini.

The Sh4.2 billion project
commenced in September 2022 but was derailed by land acquisition challenges.

‘It will have 16 passenger coaches, each with a capacity of 85 passengers. It will enable our businesses to thrive by facilitating the transportation of goods. We are lucky, the train will unlock Jomvu’s business potential. Our learners will commute safely,’ said Twalib.

He thanked the government for rerouting the railway line saving Maganda Primary School from demolition.

PS Daghar said the government would give concession rates to passengers for a seamless commuter experience.

The second part of the project involves the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Central Railway Station and the setting up of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi.

It also entails the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking the SGR and MGR platforms, a locomotive turntable and a railway bridge with a length of 480 metres across the Makupa Causeway.

The commuter train will enable Mombasa residents to have an alternat
ive mode of transport easing pressure on road transport.

‘Commuter rail is part of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRT) that the Ministry of Roads and Transport is determined to establish alongside other MRT, including the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) so that people are moved safely and efficiently and they can save time and other commuter-related costs,’ said PS Daghar.

Source: Kenya News Agency