Day: April 27, 2024

The government has reiterated its commitment to complete all pending projects and ensure amendments of laws to reinvigorate the country’s transport sector.

Transport PS Mohamed Daghar speaking at a Mombasa hotel Friday, when he appeared before the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, said part of this ambitious plan is is a review of legislations to align them with new emerging developments.

The review is aimed to forestall legal hurdles for projects being undertaken by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

Daghar hailed the cordial relationship between the State Department and the Parliamentary Committee, which is key to driving the legislative mandate of the department.

The State Department is in the process of revoking the Legal Notice establishing the Railway City Development Authority to avoid duplication of functions with KRC.

In his submission to the committee chaired by Ndia MP George Macharia, the PS
noted that the process of reviewing the draft 2023 Railway Bill to align it with the Reviewed Integrated National Transport Policy is at an advanced stage.

‘We are undergoing a lot of legislation review, in terms of policies and the entire architectural legal framework,’ he said.

‘A regulator like the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is constantly undergoing amendments of its statutory instruments,’ he added.

The PS assured the legislators of his State Department’s determination to ensure all pending projects are completed on time, adding that the government was currently undertaking a review of stalled projects to establish what has caused delays in taking necessary actions.

The Committee was also informed that KAA is in the process of developing an Airstrips policy that will address issues relating to funding and management of airstrips

The committee observed that airport land had been encroached posing a serious security threat to the aviation sector in the Country.

The Committee Chairman said they hav
e reviewed the status of ongoing projects, challenges and how they can resolve the bottlenecks.

‘As a committee, we have devised ways on how we can assist KAA to efficiently undertake their mandates of facilitating the transportation of cargo and passengers in our major airports and airstrip,’ said Macharia.

Admittedly, the Chairman said the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) faces numerous challenges, but works were ongoing to improve operations at the country’s major entry point for international arrivals.

‘As an oversight committee, we have a task to find out why some projects are at a snail’s pace, if it is a result of budgetary constraints we will look for ways for funding to be availed,’ said the Committee Chairman.

On grabbing KAA lands, the committee halted the issuance of leases before the approval of parliament.

Consequently, the committee directed acting KAA Manager Henry Ogoye to submit the names of companies and individuals laying claim to airport lands to know the next course of act
ion.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Heavy Rains that are being experienced countrywide have delayed the commencement of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots election in Narok County.

The Governor of Narok County Patrick Ntutu who voted at Kutete polling station said that heavy rains delayed the commencement of the elections, even though many members have come out to vote.

‘I admit that there was a challenge in the morning, as many voting gadgets had not reach the polling station,’ added Ntutu

The Governor said the voting exercise is going on peacefully across the polling station and that the voting gadget has reached and the party members are electing their representative.

He said that there was a total of 585 polling stations across the county noting that the exercise was going on smoothly with 90 percent of the stations having received the voting gadgets.

The Governor further said that grassroots election in polling stations will lead to 20 member delegates being voted in to represent the party. The 20 delegates will constitut
e ward congress of which they will participate in the constituency elections, the process going forward to the chairmanship position.

However, Ntutu applauded the party election management team for making sure the voting materials reach their intended polling stations by the use of the Helicopter in good time.

Further, he said that the grassroots election will make the party active because members usually forgot the party just after the general election.

‘These grassroots elections will not only make our members active, but to choose their representatives,’ said Ntutu.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Murang’a residents have been urged to support the government in the tree planting programme especially this time the county is experiencing heavy rains.

The county Kenya Forest Service Conservator Ms Eunice Njoroge observed that as the county they are targeting to plant more than 134 million seedlings by year 2032.

Njoroge speaking when launching a tree planting exercise during the ongoing rains at Kiambicho forest in Gaturi ward said every year, the county targets to plant 13 million tree seedlings.

The trees, Njoroge noted, will be planted at gazette forests, schools’ compounds, prisons’ land among other lands belonging to public institutions.

She called for commitment by local residents to support the programme saying KFS will be advising on suitable types of trees to be planted.

‘Today we have planted over 10,000 seedlings here at Kiambicho forest which brings us to 27.8 percent tree cover, and 16.6 percent forest cover in the county,’ she noted.

Njoroge continued, ‘We are working in partnership wit
h various stakeholders drawn from the national and county governments, churches, non-governmental organizations and community forest associations to attain tree planting targets and in rehabilitating our forests to bring them back to how they used to be in the past.

The conservator further urged the residents to grow trees along riparian land saying cultivation at river banks has led to destruction of the ecosystem.

Speaking during the same occasion, Gaturi MCA Gathee wa Njeri asked the residents to take advantage of ongoing rains and plant trees at their farms.

Gathee noted destruction of forests has contributed to climate change saying some parts of Murang’a has in the past been experiencing drought due to destruction of the environment.

‘Tree growing will help in the prevention of soil erosion and landslides as we have witnessed in the past. We should also plant fruit plants in those forests so that we can curb the invasion of monkeys to our towns and our farms.

‘As the county Assembly of Murang’a und
er the committee of environment and energy, we are working on a policy to regulate mining in our county as the open holes left after the mining cause a lot of damages to the residents,’ he stated.

Nominated MCA Diana Muthoni on her part asked the residents to make tree planting as a normal responsibility.

She argued many people plant trees when there are occasions saying if farmers plant trees in every rain season the tree cover in the county could be more than 60 percent.

‘We should make it our sole responsibility to plant trees and follow up on their progress so that we can have a conducive environment. There is also a need to stop littering our towns and environment because this can be attributed to ongoing disasters as a result of poor drainage,’ she added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kamung’ei Football Club (FC) from Sotik Sub County has won the much contested first edition of Wakili tournament beating Mogoywet Snippers 3 goals against 2 in penalty shootout.

Kamung’ei staged a strong defense against the Snippers who were largely more aggressive and had a significant percentage in ball possession.

The two teams did not manage any goal during the normal time forcing the referee to add 30 minutes extra time, resulting to no fruitful goals.

The tournament, which commenced on 10th December, 2023 at Ngererit, Mogogosiek, Bomet Central, brought together about 437 teams drawn from the five sub counties in Bomet.

The competition, which was initiated by Bomet Senator Wakili Hillary Sigei was aimed at identifying and nurturing talents among the youths.

The tournament attracted over 30 000 fans filling Bomet IAAF stadium to the brim, while also attracting guests including local political leaders led by Bomet Deputy Governor Shadrach Rotich and other regional leaders including Senate Majority lea
der Aaron Cheruiyot among other leaders.

Mogoywet Snippers managed Sh 700 000 after losing out in the penalty shootout, while Kapsimbirir FC came in the third position grabbing Sh250 000 after beating their neighbors Chpkolon FC two goals to one in normal time.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Global technology company Cisco has launched its first Cybersecurity Technology Experience Centre in the continent at the University of Nairobi.

The centre, which has been set up in collaboration with ICT Authority (ICTA) and the University of Nairobi is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) global programme collaborates with government and private sector leaders to build sustainable, secure, and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions. With more than 1,600 active or completed projects in 50 countries, it is creating new value for participating countries, their industries, and their residents.

Speaking during the official launch at the Chiromo Campus that was attended by Cisco Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer, Francine Katsoudas and THE University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama, ICT and The Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui noted that the Centre will offer Cyber Security Training, help bu
ild strategic in-country Cyber Security capabilities and expertise leveraging Cisco Networking academy.

‘Cisco is launching its first Cyber Security Technology Experience Centre on the African continent. This is designed to serve as a hub for Cyber Security Training and a showcase of state-of-the-art cyber security solutions,’ said Eng. Tanui.

The PS stated that the Centre will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) tools to deliver a cyber security awareness experience to government officials and the Industry across the continent.

‘The centre will showcase the latest cyber security threat intelligence solutions, support government with cyber security architecture, use cases, validated designs and knowledge necessary to detect, prevent and respond to Cyber threats effectively,

Furthermore, Cisco’s involvement in Kenya’s digital transformation journey extends beyond mere partnership; it embodies a shared commitment to advancing our strategic priorities and realizing our vision for a
digitally inclusive and prosperous nation,’ he added.

Eng. Tanui pointed out that by aligning our goals and leveraging Cisco’s global footprint and technological prowess, Kenya can accelerate our progress towards key objectives such as enhancing connectivity, promoting digital literacy and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across all industry where all companies are now a Tech company be it Agritech, Fintech, MedTech.

‘We applaud you for what you have achieved here today. Let us continue to work hand in-hand, leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, to build a brighter and more prosperous future for our nation, ‘ he added.

‘AI is increasing the pace of change in our work and our lives, as well as the risks we face from cyber-attacks. It’s more important than ever to ensure that communities are connected and have the skills to participate and respond to threats,’ said Katsoudas.

‘This partnership between CDA and Cisco Networking Academy allows us to equip more people with the skills needed
for the future and strengthen the country’s cyber defences. We look forward to working with ICTA on advancing the goals they’ve set in Kenya’s Development Plan.

Protecting citizens against cybercrime requires collaboration. Cisco and ICTA invite government, educational institutions, private sector organisations and entities committed to Kenya’s cyber security infrastructure and digital transformation to engage in this landmark initiative,’ said Shain Rahim, Country Leader for Cisco Kenya.

‘We believe we can make an important and tangible difference in the industry and help accelerate the country’s digital transformation,’ he said.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) documented an unprecedented surge in cyber-attacks in 2023. At the same time, countries around the globe, including Kenya, are facing a major skills gap.

According to the latest Cisco Cyber security Readiness Index, 86 percent of organizations globally are impacted by a shortage of cyber security talent.

The CDA programme in Kenya was
founded in 2023 and works hand-in-hand with Cisco’s Networking Academy, which has been active in Kenya for more than 20 years, training over 130,000 learners in networking, cyber security, programming and other digital skills.

Aligned to Cisco’s commitment to power an inclusive future for all, the CDA and Networking Academy programmes empower communities worldwide through technology and education.

Source: Kenya News Agency