Day: April 27, 2024

Students from technical institutions in Mount Kenya Region have teamed up with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to rehabilitate degraded water towers through an afforestation programme.

The students plan to plant 350,000 tree seedlings this year, having commenced the initiative at Tumutumu Hills in Nyeri County, where they have so far planted more than 20,000 trees.

Some of the hills targeted in this restoration campaign have been degraded over the years due to invasion by charcoal burners and illegal harvesting of trees for wood fuel and timber.

One of hills targeted in the restoration initiative is Lusoi Hills in Laikipia County that was once a wildlife habitat with numerous water springs, but which was degraded and left bare following invasion by residents of the neighbouring Solio Settlement Scheme.

Conservationists have managed to plant 450,000 trees in the last five years in an initiative conducted by the local Community Forest Association but most parts of the 700-acre hill, once a dense forest, remains
bare.

The students plan to plant 30,000 indigenous trees in an effort to revert it to its original status of being a water tower and turn it into a wildlife conservation site once again.

Mt Kenya Environment champion Edith Karwitha, a tutor who is leading the students in this initiative said they have targeted five water towers in the region for rehabilitation.

‘The purpose of this exercise is to create awareness about environmental conservation since with climate change we need to be proactive for the future generation,’ said Karwitha.

KFS Director in charge of Laikipia Paul Ng’ang’a said there are nine Government Tree nurseries and asked institutions and individuals to get the seedlings free of charge to help in increasing the forest cover from the current 10 percent to 30 percent by 2032.

‘We have a long way to go aiming at achieving our target of 30 percent by 2032 and we have to team up with stakeholders. If we continue planting trees we will reach our goal,” said the Conservator, adding that in La
ikipia county, the government is expected to plant 37 million seedlings annually.

Laikipia Deputy County Commissioner Joshua Marete who participated in the two-hour tree planting exercise up the hill said the function had officially kicked off tree planting campaigns in the county and asked each individual to plant at least ten tree seedlings during the current rainy season.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Former Public and Private Sector Staff have entered into a contract with Cooperative Bank of Kenya as the last expense provider for the SACCO members.

In a speech during the Fopps SACCO Annual General Meeting at ACK Guest House in Amagoro, National Chairman and founder Ben Akwara said the last expense policy cover of Ksh150,000, which they entered into contract with Cooperative Bank invites an annual premium of Ksh6,600 from both parties remittable in full and covers up to 10 beneficiaries.

However, Akwara disclosed that a total of 3.4 billion had been disbursed to members as loans as at Sh2.9m in 2022, noting that although loan uptake had gradually increased, over time, recovery has been rather sluggish.

‘I therefore urge borrowers to consistently service their loans in order to allow other members to borrow. I propose that each loanee be levied Sh200 per loan starting June 2024 for us to carter for the annual loan policy.

On investment savings, the management team is in the process of reviewing the inve
stment policy and introducing new changes at this trading arm of SACCO more profitable in future, adding that as at 31st December, 2023, the investment saving account treasured at Ksh.1.5m. Contributions to this account had grown from 72 in 2002 to 76 in 2023.

He added: ‘ Our total share capital as at 31st December 2023 had grown to Ksh1.07m, up from Ksh812,000, while the SACCO realized a net income of 30,374 less 20% statutory reserves of Ksh6073, leaving the SACCO with Sh24,299.

Key achievements the SACCO realized being granted a borrowing power of Ksh870,000 from Commissioner of Cooperatives, access an external loan facility of Ksh870,000 from Kusco, which is being used to loan to members.

Other achievements include sourcing for spacious office at the Amagoro ACK Guest House grounds, recruitment of 90 SACCO members, and who have added a significant contribution to SACCO capitation.

Malaba Cooperative Bank Manager Obed Mogaka concurred with Akwara that there is need by members to service their loans to
pay the loans or members’ funds.

‘Coop Bank started as SACCO before it transitioned to a bank,’ he said, noting that Co-op Bank is a bank of saccos. We have what it takes to transform FOPPS to be a giant,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of Health has commissioned the Zipline plant to distribute blood products and vaccines to hospitals in Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties using drones.

Drones technology seeks to slash the delivery time of life-saving medical products to the remotest places from five hours to an average of 45 minutes, thus reducing maternal deaths and incidences of malaria-induced anaemia.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha speaking about the official launch of the service in Chemelil, Kisumu County, said the development marks a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare access and attaining Universal Health Coverage.

‘The launch of drone deliveries for blood and vaccines is a transformative moment for healthcare in Kenya.

This technology has the potential to revolutionize access to critical medical supplies, particularly in remote areas, and significantly reduce malaria burden,’ she said.

Transporting blood and blood products to where they are required faces considerable hurdles because of intricate sup
ply chains, short shelf life and fluctuating demand. The initiative seeks to address these challenges.

Zipline adopts a centralized stock approach and implements on-demand delivery meaning that health facilities need not store blood resulting in less waste as blood spoils quickly.

The firm has partnered with the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services and the Kisumu Regional Blood Transfusion Center to stock and deliver the product quickly and efficiently.

Miki Sofer, Zipline Vice President of Health Partnerships said the project targets serving health facilities in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties in phase one before gradually rolling out the services to the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB).

‘We are here to celebrate one of the many milestones coming from our partnership with the County Government of Kisumu to reach the unreachable and enable healthcare access. This development coincides with the World Malaria Day celebrations, as we have launched the delivery of life-saving blood and vaccines that are cri
tical to curbing the effects of severe malaria,’ Sofer said.

The National Vaccines and Immunization Program (NVIP) approved the distribution of vaccines as well as malaria tests and treatment kits, which underscores the importance of leveraging technology in curbing malaria mortality rates in the LREB region.

In a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Dr. Mathews Owili, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said, ‘As we strive towards Universal Health Coverage, the government must enter strategic partnerships to ensure that health building blocks and innovative solutions and logistics management of medical supplies will play a vital role. I commend our partnership with Zipline, which has already made over 6,300 deliveries of life-saving commodities since its inception in February 2023.’

Zipline, a US-based company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kisumu County to establish its regional distribution hub in the lakeside county in February 2023.

Since its inception, it has successfully made over 6,300 co
mmercial deliveries of life-saving medical supplies to over 400 health facilities.

The deliveries to these health facilities have included medicines such as oxytocin – a drug used to control bleeding during childbirth, snake antivenom and anti-rabies vials used in emergency cases of snake and dog bites respectively.

Further, Kisumu County Livestock Department relies on Zipline drones to deliver livestock semen to veterinarians in distant places for use in artificial insemination to facilitate farmers’ access to improved breeds and boost animal production.

In Africa, Zipline also operates in Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire and Tanzania.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kwale county government is out to address maternal and newborn health disparities in the coastal county and end maternal mortality.

Governor Fatuma Achani says the devolved government is out to improve the quality of care for maternal, newborn and child health.

Achani says receiving care at health facilities is crucial for maternal and newborn health.

‘As a devolved unit we are out to increase access and coverage of health services for mothers and children to counter the numerous challenges faced by women and newborns during and after childbirths,’ she said.

The governor spoke at the Msambweni Referral Hospital during the groundbreaking ceremony of a Sh36.2 million modern maternity newborn units and child health complex.

She said with the increase in demand for newborn babies who need intensive medical care in Kwale, the county government in partnership with M-PESA foundation has set aside Sh36.2 million for the construction of maternity newborn unit and child health complex at Msambweni Referral Hospita
l in Msambweni Sub County.

Achani noted that the modern newborn unit facility is expected to serve all the residents across the county and improve the quality of care for maternal and newborn health in the region.

‘We requested support from the Safaricom foundation and they responded well to our call and today we have received Sh30 million which will go towards the construction of our newborn unit here in Msambweni hospital,’ she said, adding that the county government topped up with Sh6.2 million.

Achani said the county government will keep on engaging the private sector to deliver quality maternal and newborn healthcare services in the realization of universal health coverage.

The Governor said the new facility would go a long way in alleviating the myriad health challenges expectant mothers faced over the years.

Achani thanked the Safaricom Foundation for supporting the county government in terms of project implementation stating that the new facility will bring a significant change in terms of health
service delivery to the patients across the county and is expected to be complete in 3 months’ time.

‘This project which is being done in collaboration with the M-PESA Foundation, is a testament to my commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare across Kwale,’ said Achani, adding that to achieve universal health coverage the health systems must increase the coverage, quality and equity of interventions.

She says the specialist wings will be equipped with modern facilities that would help reduce the rate of maternal mortality in Kwale.

The coastal county boss revealed that the new facility will be equipped with top-of-the-art amenities including an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Kangaroo room, laundry area, and a staff lounge.

‘The ICU and HDU will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology to provide the best possible care to newborns while the Kangaroo room will provide a cozy and comfortable environment for mothers and their babies to bond,’
she said.

She further said the laundry area will ensure that all linen and clothing are clean and hygienic while the staff lounge will provide a comfortable space for hospital staff to rest and recharge.

‘My administration is dedicated to ensuring that every newborn receives the care and support they deserve from day one in a bid to increase the success rate in child survival after birth,’ she said adding that the county government will seek to improve care for women and their babies during pregnancy and childbirth.

She observed that the Msambweni referral hospital will engage qualified health personnel and proper medical equipment to achieve its purpose of ending maternal mortality in the coastal region.

Anne Eriksson, a trustee from the Safaricom Foundation said that they have been partnering with Kwale County on various development projects touching on agriculture, education, water and other economic empowerment sectors.

‘The MPESA foundation has invested over Sh316 million in various development and
community projects in Kwale over the past few years and we will keep on collaborating with the devolved government for the sake of posterity,’ she said.

The governor said the Safaricom Foundation team will come back to Kwale after three months to commission the new maternity and neonatal care unit with emergency and recovery rooms, and delivery wards in Msambweni referral hospital.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Sauti Sacco cooperative society has embarked on a five-year strategic plan to realign with emerging technological challenges to cope with the market demands.

Sauti chairman Elly Ndwigah told the 47th annual delegates conference at a Nairobi hotel that the society had set an elaborate plan pegged on five strategic pillars to turn around the fortunes of the organization that was reeling with financial constraints.

He regretted that the chronic withdrawal of membership and non-remittance of deductions from employers that had been dogging the Sacco running into almost Sh 40 million has contributed membership apathy, even as number of new recruits continues to dwindle due to such fears.

He however assured delegates that going forward the Sacco planned to roll out an aggressive marketing campaign to woo new membership as envisioned the strategic plan that runs from 2024 to 2028.

‘The trend shows that our membership growth is negative 4 percent as opposed to the minimum target of 15 percent per year due to exit
from Sacco by members’, Ndwigah said.

He noted that despite the decline in membership, the Sacco registered a slight increase in total loans uptake of Sh103 million in the year 2023 compared to Sh95 million the previous year registering a 9 percent growth.

The chairman assured delegates that the society will improve in the implementation of the measures proposed in the strategic plan, which include introduction of collaterals as guarantees to loans in cases, where employees’ salaries were overstretched beyond the two third deduction limits.

Commissioner of Cooperative David Obonyo commended the Sacco for endorsing the strategic plan to address issues pertaining to recruitment and retention of members saying that cooperatives were meant to play a vital role in fostering economic development, social cohesion, and the poverty reduction.

He however challenged the society to ensure that the strategic plan addressed the aspirations of members and offered a comparative advantage compared to others in the market
observing that sacco movement had become a way of life.

Obonyo noted that for the society to achieve the 15 percent annual minimum m membership recruitment threshold, he advised the AGM to embrace digital technology, which were more appealing to the youthful population who make up the better bulk of potential members.

‘As a corporative movement, we must adapt and be innovative in order to remain relevant in this changing world. We have to embrace the pitch for technology,’ he added.

The Commissioner noted that Corporative provide an avenue for member success through access to affordable financial services for investment and related development prospects.

‘We must also recall the challenges that lie ahead, one being the global landscape that is evolving very rapidly, characterized by technological advancements, economic and environmental pressure,’ he said.

Obonyo stressed that the youthful membership was a critical component for the posterity of the SACCO because they were the most productive members of
the society and had the needed resources and energy to invest.

As a government, the Commissioner said, they remain committed to support the cooperative sector and that the Shared Department for Cooperatives will continue to provide policy guidance, capacity development and technical support that may strengthen cooperatives at all levels.

He commended the SACCO for wading through a myriad of challenges during their 52 years of service in which they made their invaluable contribution t national development.

‘As we reflect on the achievements of the past year and the chart of course for the going forward, let us reaffirm our commitment to cooperation, solidarity, mutual support, and mutual support. Together we can overcome’ the commissioner declared.

During the meeting, the delegates’ approved a dividend payout of Sh. 1, 502,864 at a rate of 15 percent and rebates on interest on deposits Sh 15,085,600million at a rate of 8 percent, up from last year’s figure of 7 percent.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Stephen Wachira is one of the many farmers in Kenya who have achieved success through cultivating a variety of herbs.

The farmer in Kimunya, located along Kenyatta Road in Kiambu County, grows a variety of herbs on his farm, including parsley, which helps him supplement his income. After months of searching for a more profitable crop, he finally decided to settle on parsley.

Armed with a capital of Sh15,000, he ventured into the farming business with knowledge gained from experienced farmers in the agribusiness.

‘One can either grow the plant from seeds or buy seedlings from suppliers. The herb thrives in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and I fertilize my plants with chicken or goat manure,’ he said.

Wachira urges farmers planning to cultivate the herb to invest in quality certified seeds, stating that premium Italian Parsley seeds, like the ones he uses, can be purchased from a price range of sh1,000 to sh 4,000, depending on the packaging.

‘Once Parsley is planted, it needs to be carefully te
nded to for optimal yields. It is important to maintain consistent soil moisture through deep irrigation whenever the top inches of soil feel dry, while also ensuring that the plants are not waterlogged. The herb takes three months to reach maturity and can be harvested for up to six months,’ added Wachira.

A kilogram of parsley will then sell for anywhere between Sh100 and Sh150 depending on the current market demand.

He earns between Sh100,000 to Sh150,000 by selling 1,000 kilos of the herb from his half-acre farm at a price ranging from Sh100 to Sh150 per kilo.

The farmer noted that there was a growing local demand for Parsley, as some hotels and herbal juice manufacturers are using it as a garnish for their food.

However, most of the locally grown Parsley is still exported to international markets.

Wachira recommends that those considering farming should first identify a reliable market, assess their soil quality, and implement effective management techniques.

He also suggests visiting established f
armers in the same field, sourcing high-quality seeds, and seeking expert guidance.

Source: Kenya News Agency