Only 40 Pupils Of St. Patrick’s Primary School Have Reported


Only 40 out of 135 pupils of St. Patrick’s Kawese Primary have reported back to school after heavy rains pounded the area and destroyed the roads, the Head teacher Mary Ndinda Mutonya has said.

Mutonye explained that many parents have refused to release their children fearing that they risked being hurt following huge gullies that have developed on the roads.

‘Since last week on Monday, only 40 pupils have reported back to school. 95 pupils are yet to report after parents refused to release them as they fear that they may hurt in the deep gullies that have developed on the roads following the heavy rains that has pounded the area,’ said Mutonya while speaking to KNA on phone.

Consequently, she revealed that the School Board has written to the national and county government to provide tents to use as classrooms and turn the classrooms to dorms to enable the pupils to continue with their learning.

‘We have requested for tents from the national and county government so that we can use them as classrooms and
convert the classrooms into dormitories as a temporary measure to ensure the children continue with learning,’ she said.

On low enrolment, Mutonya said that many of the parents were squatters and poor, while the school was started in 2017.

Source: Kenya News Agency

NCBA Group Reports Sh5.3 Billion Profit After Tax


NCBA Group PLC has posted Sh5.3 billion after tax profit in their 2024 first quarter financial results.

This is 5 per cent increase compared to Sh5.1 billion reported during a similar period last year.

In a press release Thursday, the firm’s Profit before tax was Sh6.5 billion that translated to 2.2 per cent profit up year on year, while Customer deposits closed at Sh548 billion, 9.7 per cent up year on year. The total assets grew to Sh695 billion, 10.5 per cent up year on year.

Releasing the financial results NCBA Group Managing Director John Gachora said the bank has been able to achieve continued growth and success driven by positive operating income of Sh16 billion.

‘We are pleased to report strong financial results for the first quarter of 2024. Despite a challenging operating environment, our diversified business model continued to demonstrate growth and resilience with strong contribution from our digital business and stable performance from our regional banking subsidiaries,’ he said.

The regiona
l subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, Gachora noted, had delivered a combined Sh705 million, representing 11 percent of group profitability; while the non-banking subsidiaries including the Investment Bank, Bancassurance and Leasing, all did well and contributed 4.9 percent of the Group profitability.

‘We have maintained asset finance market share leadership at 35 percent and our growing deposit base indicates the ability to attract and serve more corporate and retail customers,’ he said.

NCBA`s Enterprise Development Programme partnership with Strathmore Business School has been a major boost to SME growth and this aligns with the Government`s commitment to support small businesses, accounting for 33.8 percent of the National output.

‘Business owners were trained in a 16-week course tailored to equip them with the tools and skills needed to identify and seize opportunities, foster innovation and unlock their business potential,’ Gachora said.

‘Access to credit through digital platforms includin
g LOOP, M-shwari and Fuliza partner platforms with KCB and Safaricom empowered over 60 million customers across Africa recording digital loan disbursements of Sh232 billion, a 3.9 percent increase year on year to meet their daily financial needs and cushion them against economic headwinds,’ the MD said.

Gachora said under Change The Story platform, NCBA’s journey to realize it`s 15 Sustainability Commitments is on track, noting that in collaboration with partners they were able to offer100 Students education scholarships, sponsored regional golf tournaments by investing Sh60 million for 10,000 golfers, funded numerous tree nurseries and economically empowered women groups via USD 50 million facility. Besides, they installed EV charging station in Rwanda to enable electric vehicle adoption.

The partners include Proparco, Dr. Choksey Albinism Foundation, M-PESA Foundation, Edumed Trust, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya, Daraja Kenya Initiative, Palmhouse Foundation, KENSAP, WEDCO, Junior Achievement, Wangari Maa
thai Foundation, Kenya Forest Service, Karura Forest, Junior Golf Foundation and Kenya Golf Union.

Gachora added that the challenging business environment will benefit from the positive outcomes outlined in ongoing public and private sector economic policy interventions. ‘We remain committed to deliver against the Group`s strategic cycle now in its final year, which will drive sustainable growth and create value for shareholders.’

According to leading brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance, NCBA has been recognized as Kenya’s second fastest-growing brand, at position six of the top 25 Most Value Brands.

NCBA Group operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast and serving over 60 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa going by customer numbers.

Source: Kenya News Agency

State Conducts Account Opening For Older Persons In Kiambu


Older persons in Kiambu County are set to benefit from Inua Jamii funds from June 2024 as the government begins opening bank accounts for those registered last year.

The exercises which started in Kiambu Sub County will be taking place in all the sub counties for five days.

The funding targets legible senior citizen aged 70 and above who will be receiving be Sh2, 000 every month from the national government through the Department of Social Protection

The Social Development Officer in charge of Kiambu Sub-County Rose Kanyutu said they had invited the six contracted banks to pitch tent in selected locations in the sub counties to ensure a smooth operation of the exercise

‘Today is the first day of the account opening exercise for the older persons, happening here at Ndumberi stadium. We have six banks participating in this exercise which include, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank, Post Bank, National Bank of Kenya and the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT),’ Kanyutu said.

S
he added that about 1200 legible older persons will be opening new bank accounts in Kiambu Sub- County alone.

‘Account opening is a continuous process which will be going on in our offices, even after the five days planned for the exercise have passed,’ said Kanyutu.

The social development officer further encouraged the beneficiaries to take note of the place and dates when the exercise will be taking place in their locations to avoid crowing and long queues in the banks

Kanyutu said that the account opening exercise will only be restricted to the older persons as the government is yet to conduct validation tests for people living with disabilities, Orphans and vulnerable children.

‘Plans are underway to ensure that validation tests are conducted to the registered persons with disability, orphans and vulnerable children to ascertain their legibility for the funds before they can also open their bank accounts’ stated Kanyutu

She added that they will soon release a time table indicating when the door-to-do
or visit will be conducted in all the sub counties for the validation tests.

Martha Gakuo, a beneficiary of the Inui Jamii program in Ndumberi ward lauded the government for ensuring the banks came to them as the process is much faster and easier.

‘I am glad because I am able to choose from any of these banks here without being influenced by anybody, the process has taken me less than 10 minutes and I am now ready to go back home’ said Gakuo.

Last year, President Dr. William Ruto committed to increase the number of those under Social Protection from the current 1.2 million beneficiaries to 2.5 million in phases.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Persons With Disabilities Ask For Special Public Service Vehicles


Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have asked the government to consider providing for them Special Vehicles or design Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) they can comfortably use whenever they want to commute.

Speaking during a public Participation forum on the Proposed Persons with Disabilities National Policy 2024, Josphat Musagama, a resident of Vihiga County said most Vehicles on the road are not designed to support Persons with Disabilities.

He noted that the unfavorable designs in the vehicles expose them to risks of injury particularly those who use crutches and wheelchairs.

He disclosed that during an earlier meeting he attended and gave inputs at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in 2011, some transport companies present promised to design their vehicles to consider the needs of persons with disabilities.

He however regretted that despite the promises their concerns as PWDs have not been implemented with only few institutions like the Vihiga County Assembly meeting the standards.

A report b
y the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis(KIPPRA) on ‘Enhancing Accessibility in Transport Infrastructure by PWDs’ revealed that lack of a Universal accessibility of transport infrastructure both in rural and urban environments limits the participation of PWDs in the society.

‘PWDs have to use taxi cars as opposed to available public transport, or even pay relatively more than the other public transport users. The cost is even worse in rural areas where PWDs have limited travel options, implying that PWDs in rural areas are less mobile,’ states the report by KIPPRA published on July 28, 2020.

The report states that in universal designs, the Transport system should include ease in boarding and disembarking the vehicles, and securing passengers and their equipment.

Similarly, a study conducted by the Flone Initiative in 2021, titled ‘The Need for Inclusive Transport in Kenya’ shows that about 77% of People with disabilities in the country use Public Transport Vehicles (PSVs).

The Policy
brief indicated that while using the Public Service Vehicles, PWDs were worried about boarding, reaching the vehicle, cost of transport, switching from one vehicle to another, alighting from a matatu and the condition of sidewalks.

While giving his proposal during the public participation held in Kakamega County, Musagama who is visually impaired asked the government to fully implement the Proposed Persons with Disabilities National Policy 2024 which contains recommendations on improving transport services for PWDs.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya Commercial Bank In A Mission To Assist Cooperatives


Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Nakuru Branch Manager Ms Christine Keter says that the bank has come up with the KCB Chama App that seeks to help cooperatives, and Chamas (Groups) on managing finances, taking loans or saving towards an objective.

The officer noted that most cooperatives face challenging issues such as managing finances and unavailability of credit that cause stagnation of development within the cooperatives.

She was speaking in Nakuru where she led a team from the bank in a meeting with the County Chief Officer for Cooperatives Kurgat Kibet to explore possible areas of collaboration between the department and the bank.

Ms, Keter further disclosed that the bank will work in partnership with the county to train Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and provide mentorship to the cooperatives which has been identified by the government as one of the important pillars in improving the economy and in the achievement of vision 2030.

However, the chairman of small-scale farmers in the county, Bernard Mwenje
, present, said, a number of banks have not appreciated the struggle of farmers since they don’t factor in the numerous natural calamities such as the recent floods, droughts and unanticipated diseases like the vicious armyworms.

He maintained that farming be it of crops, poultry and animal husbandry are totally different from other businesses, which are likely to make profits on a daily basis as farmers have to wait for crops to mature, get harvested, sell and repay the loans.

He claimed that more often than not banks expect farmers to start servicing the loan in 30 to 60 days, which in most cases the poor farmers haven’t even harvested, or started selling the eggs, meat or milk.

Mwenje said cooperative societies who take loans on behalf of the farmers are more likely to default because of unanticipated eventualities, such as a sick cow or after a cow has been injected against East-Coast Fever (ECF) which forces the farmer to milk, and discard the milk for seven days, hence affecting the projected out-put
of the cooperative society.

He urged the county governments to come up with a revolving Sacco that charges a minimum fee, and doesn’t penalize or increase interests for delayed payments caused by natural disasters.

Source: Kenya News Agency

County To Get A State-Of-The-Art Library


Kiambu County will be embarking on establishing a modern education library facility in a bid to elevate literacy levels.

In partnership with the Nation Media Foundation and Kenya National Library Services in the construction of the facility that will be able to accommodate 500 individuals.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi expressed gratitude to the Nation Media Foundation for their crucial financial support in funding the construction of the facility that is set on a one-acre parcel of land that has been provided by County Government.

‘I am grateful to the Nation Media Foundation for offering to help fund the construction of this facility that will feature a state-of-the-art e-resource center and designated sections tailored for children, youth, and adults,’ he said.

The meeting held Thursday included key stakeholders from the Nation Media Group and its Foundation, led by Group Managing Editor Ms. Pamela Sitoni and Daisy Maritim, Manager at Nation Media Foundation. Kenya National Library Services Philomena Mwiri
gi, alongside Mary Kinyanjui, Head of Research and Consultancy.

County Executive Committee Member for Education Nancy Gichung’wa and Director for Cultural and Arts, Heritage, and Library Services Mr. Ken Mwangi also graced the occasion, along with Ngewa Ward Member for County Assembly Charles Kang’ethe.

Meanwhile Governor Wamatangi issued bursary cheques to beneficiaries across various wards. The Cheques were distributed in Cianda, Ndenderu, and Karuri wards (Kiambaa Sub-County), as well as Township, Riabai, Ting’ang’a, and Ndumberi wards (Kiambu Sub-County).

Additionally, beneficiaries of the Kiambu Scholarship Programme in Githobokoni Ward, Gatundu North Sub-County, received their cheques yesterday. ‘Our top priority is to enable bright and needy children across the County to attend school without interruption,’ stated Wamatangi, emphasizing their commitment to supporting education.

Each beneficiary receives between Sh5, 000 and Sh 10,000 under the enhanced bursary programme.

Kiambu County has been wit
hout a library for a long time since the only one that existed was closed down in 2013 after the administration of the County Government of Kiambu removed books from the community hall that was being run by the defunct municipal council of Kiambu.

The hall was then partitioned and is now being used by officers of the County Government as offices.

Source: Kenya News Agency