Day: May 27, 2024

Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has officially launched a 30-acre model drip irrigation scheme in Nakwamoru, Kaputir Ward.

The project features a solar-powered borehole and a 50,000-liter elevated steel tank designed primarily to support horticultural farming.

Governor Lomorukai while launching the project highlighted his administration’s focus on development. He emphasized the county government’s commitment to utilising technology to ensure food security in areas with agricultural potential.

‘We are here to showcase the development we’ve undertaken as a county government, and we plan to roll out more projects,’ Governor Lomorukai said. ‘This is just one of the food security projects. We plan to commission more soon.’

The drip irrigation farm, which relies on groundwater, is expected to benefit over 200 farmer households, with women and youth making up a significant portion of the beneficiaries.

The Governor reiterated his and the County Assembly’s dedication to development initiatives. He announced
that his administration had allocated Sh69 million for a restocking programme to support residents affected by various disasters.

The County Security team was represented by Daniel Kinyua (County Police Commander) and Gideon Ombongi (Turkana South DCC).

Earlier in the day, the governor engaged the residents of Lokichar, who were displaced by bandits. He assured them that the government is beefing up security in the area. He also shared plans for resettlement as well as piping of water into the village.

The Governor condemned criminal activity in Turkana South and urged for the perpetrators’ arrest. ‘I won’t be part of those who aim to create chaos in Turkana. My goal is to champion peace and coexistence with our neighbours, like the one we have with residents of Pokot North,’ he stated.

Governor Lomorukai informed residents that a recent meeting with Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo aimed to secure additional National Police Reservists to address ongoing insecurity i
n parts of Turkana South and Turkana East constituencies.

He expressed gratitude to the multi-agency security team for their efforts in combating crime and rallied support for President Ruto’s administration, which he commended for fulfilling its promises to Turkana leadership.

County Executive for Agriculture, Dr Antony Apalia, encouraged residents to form cooperatives to gain access to grants and establish market linkages for their agricultural products. Meanwhile, Lokichar MCA and Minority Leader Samuel Lomodo lauded the Nakwamoru drip irrigation project as a testament to Governor Lomorukai’s administration’s efficient service delivery.

He criticized leaders who engage in negativity towards the Governor, especially those with a history of corruption during their time in the county government. Kaputir MCA Michael Aemun expressed his support for the county government, which he believes is on the right track for development, citing visible projects within his ward.

County Executives Patrick Losike (Water
Services), Peter Akono (Lands), David Erukudi (Trades), a host of Chief Officers among others were present during the launch.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Farmers from six villages in Kwabwai Ward, Ndhiwa Constituency have benefited from mass deworming of their livestock.

The animals were also sprayed with acaricides to control ticks following a spike in animal diseases and deaths associated with worms and tick infestation.

Ndhiwa Sub County Veterinary Officer Kennedy Oranga said more than 1200 animals benefited from the exercise.

He said the exercise was undertaken after more than 80 cattle died due to diseases associated with worms and ticks.

Oranga said some of the affected villages included Nyoniang’, Ong’ere, Kanyotieno, Nyaguok Oromo Ng’or, Dunga and Nyamware.

‘The animals been treated against worms and tick borne diseases. Let residents remain vigilant and report cases of animal illnesses for prompt response,’ Oranga said.

Speaking during the exercise at Nyoniang Grounds, the officer said they are planning to vaccinate livestock against black water fever.

He said their assessment revealed that black water fever was one of the leading cause of live
stock deaths in the area.

The vet urged residents to report cases of animal diseases and disinfect with acaricides livestock regularly to keep diseases at bay.

‘My office is ready to support farmers in Ndhiwa for the good health of their animals,’ he added.

Residents who took their livestock for the exercise Jane Olango, Erick Awuor and Moses Odondo said they raised an alarm after losing many animals.

Livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys were treated during the exercise.

‘Livestock is a source of livelihoods to many people in this area any losses will impact negatively on the local economy,’ Olango said.

Awuor and Odondo commended the Vet Department for the prompt response.

‘Some farmers have counted heavy losses because of the infestation, we are grateful for the swift response to avert further loses,’ Awuor said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

HIV-positive mothers are urged to adhere to their medication to safeguard the next generation from HIV and AIDS. This milestone comes as 58 HIV-exposed infants graduate from the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program at Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH).

The 18-month PMTCT programme had a 96.6% success rate, with only two out of 58 children testing positive for HIV. This results in a 3.4% positivity rate, which is below the national recommended rate of under 5%.

Chief Officer for Preventive and Promoter Services, Cathra Abdi, commended the mothers for completing the program and urged them to encourage other women to participate. ‘Even though your children have been declared HIV-free, it does not mean you should stop taking the antiretroviral drugs. You [mothers] must keep taking them,’ she said.

She further advised the mothers to stop consuming alcohol, as it is one of the leading causes of failing to adhere to antiretroviral treatment, thereby compromising their health.

Director
for Preventive and Promotive Services, Dr. Bonventure Ameyo, highlighted the crucial role mother mentors play in following up with mothers in the PMTCT programme. He emphasized that this initiative should be supported as it has proven effective in tracking defaulters.

Deputy Director for Partnership, Nancy Kinyonge, requested partners to collaborate with the county health department to enhance the quality of HIV Testing Services (HTS) in other facilities. Reiterating the importance, Dr. Khali Hassan, Deputy Director of LCRH, emphasised the need to scale up HTS to other sub-county facilities.

County AIDS and STI Coordinator, Samuel Pulkol, highlighted that stigma, poor antenatal care attendance, and home deliveries are some of the leading causes of defaulters and the high transmission rate. Turkana County’s PMTCT rate stands at 13.5%, compared to the national rate of 8.7%.

Partner representatives from AHF Kenya, USAID Imarisha Jamii, World Vision Kenya, the Kenya Red Cross Society, and LCRH staff of the Com
prehensive Care Clinic were also present at the event.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government is prioritising the development of TVETs that are well equipped to provide basic knowledge for learning, David Ng’ang’a, Director in State Department for TVETs has said.

‘The Kenyan government has partnered with the Master Card Foundation under College Institute of Canada to recruit TVET trainers, aiming to meet labor demand locally and abroad, and ensure TVET curriculum fulfillment,’ he said.

Ng’ang’a who was representing State Department for TVET Principal Secretary Esther Mworia during Ndia Technical Vocational College graduation added that the incorporation of the dual trainers programme has given the trainers deep and real-world experience that enables them to acknowledge the gap between theory and practice, and successful collaboration between various TVET institutions and their respective industries, ensuring dual training.

Meanwhile, TVET has been collaborating with the ‘JUA KALI’ sector to assist individuals with skills and experience in obtaining necessary documents for the job mar
ket.

Ndia MP George Kariuki, chair of the Roads and Infrastructure Committee in the National Assembly argued that technical schools are now producing qualified, competent workers in various departments, despite TVET being viewed as a waste of time.

Hence, he challenged the residents to take advantage of the chance that they have to join the institutions and learn different courses.

Kariuki said countries like South Korea, Taiwan, and others have a great GDP per capita due to the use of technology and innovation.

He said these are some of the countries that were in the same league with Kenya and called on the government to invest more in invocation.

‘It has always been my call as a country to stop the import of products that can be locally produced so that we can support our local industry, thus creating jobs for those who are jobless. It was the call of our president, William Ruto, that we support those at the bottom level, and that is why I have always supported TVET every day,’ he said.

However, Kariu
ki has promised to invest an additional Sh 10 million from the NGCDF to help the institution get more classrooms and workshops along with other facilities.

Nicholas Muriuki, principal of NDIA Technical Vocation College, said since the school was started with a population of thirty-three students in 2018, it has improved in terms of population, now having 622 students taking different courses.

He said there is good collaboration coming from the national government and the NGCDF office that has enabled the college to develop by a large margin. ‘From the 209 graduates we are realizing today to the job market, I am confident that we have produced the best-people who are qualified and ready to work and develop themselves,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Ndia Technical and Vocational College held its first graduation since inception in 2018 at a function held in Ndia Constituency, Kirinyaga County which saw 209 graduates awarded diplomas and certificates in various courses.

While congratulating the graduates and the institution, various speakers emphasized the vital role of technical institutions, calling on parents to enroll their children for the courses offered.

David Ng’ang’a, representing Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), said it is on the agenda of the Kenya Kwanza government to make sure all TVETs are well equipped to provide basic knowledge to learners.

He added that the incorporation of the dual trainers’ programme has given the trainees deep and real-world experience that enables them to acknowledge the gap between theory and practice.

He acknowledged good cooperation between several TVET institutions that have seen them enter into agreements with industries within their regions in ord
er to offer industrial training courses.

‘The visionary leadership of the Kenya government and NG-CDF for offering unwavering support in the establishment of this institution and their commitment in investing in education and skill development has paved the way for a brighter future for our youths’

He said the reforms recommended by the presidential working party on education will be fully implemented. ‘The education taskforce gave out a report last year and we as a ministry have embarked on implementing its recommendations that includes full roll out of competence-based education and training programs.’

Ndia Member of Parliament Mr George Kariuki who was among the guests said gone are the days when TVET was seen as a waste of time and parents preferred other learning institutions over them.

The legislator noted that the technical schools have proven to produce qualified and skilled workers in different departments and challenged residents to take advantage of the courses offered at the institution by enr
olling their children.

‘TVET is vital for fostering innovation, enhancing productivity and driving economic growth. It provides a pathway for youth to acquire skills that meet the demands of the modern labour market,’ Kariuki said.

The MP further promised to invest an additional Sh10 million from the local NG-CDF to help the school get more lecture halls and workshops along with other facilities.

Ndia Technical Vocational College principal Nicholas Muriuki said the institution opened in 2018 with 33 students adding the number has since risen to 622 students undertaking different courses. He said their programs are tailored to meet demands of the ever-evolving job market.

He revealed that they also offer fully subsidized German Language Training which commenced in March this year.

He attributed the growth to collaboration from the national government and the NGCDF office that has been allocating resources to develop it.

Anthony Wandu, Chair BOG, called on those who have acquired skills in the Jua kali se
ctor to register for exams in the institution to acquire certificates through the Recognition Prior-Learning Program.

‘Let’s continue to support this institution by bringing our sons and daughters here. If you go around today you will notice that we have opened a new workshop, and further, the government is investing more than Sh200 million in facilities. Those who have skills can register for exam and receive certificates through RPL-Recognition Prior-Learning,’ Wandu divulged.

Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) John Mbugua said the institution has transformed the area in terms of business and improvement of security.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Stanbic Bank and MiDA Advisors, will be partnering with Acorn Holdings, an established real estate developer, to mobilise $700 million in long-term blended finance commitments for green, affordable student housing in Kenya.

Upon approval, the transaction will comprise a $180 million commitment from the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) that will secure over $380 million in equivalent KES financing arranged jointly by Stanbic Bank Kenya and MiDA Advisors, and $315 million in equivalent KES financing from Kenyan capital markets, for a total blended financing of $700 million over an 18-year timeframe.

Commenting on the transaction, Dr Joshua Oigara, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan (CE) said that that Stanbic Bank pride itself on being a catalyst for growth in the region, with sustainable finance acting as an enabler.

Oigara maintained that this blended finance deal would mark one of the largest impact investment transactions in Kenya, with long term impact on job
creation, sustainable housing and education. ‘We are in the final stages of the structuring process and remain committed to the growth of Acorn Holdings and to the country’s sustainable infrastructure goals,” he stated.

Echoing his sentiments, Alakh Kohli, Stanbic Bank Kenya Head, Corporate and Investment Banking revealed that in the past years, Stanbic bank has mobilized about $122 million for green or sustainability linked facilities and remains keen on unlocking more green finance opportunities in Kenya.

‘This partnership would not only advance our growth journey with Acorn but would help us drive more societal impact. We are excited to be lead arranger in one of the largest transactions in affordable green housing in the region and will leverage our investment capabilities to drive a successful transaction upon approval,” noted Kohli.

According to the press statement, the collaboration will result in the construction of 35 certified green housing projects, creating approximately 48,000 new student be
ds over the next 10 years, making it the single largest investment into student housing in Africa.

Furthermore, this project will be key to alleviating the shortage of quality and affordable accommodation for tertiary students in Kenya. Additionally, the initiative will create an estimated 15,000 direct jobs and 35,000 indirect jobs. Moreover, the units will also provide a conducive learning environment for the students, helping to improve access to education.

Thus, this is not Stanbic Bank’s first collaboration with Acorn Holdings. The Bank was instrumental in bringing the first-ever green bond to East Africa, in association with Acorn Holdings, for environmentally friendly student housing in Nairobi.

Stanbic Bank also facilitated the largest purchase of Acorn Holdings’ Income and Development Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) through the Unquoted Securities Platform.

Source: Kenya News Agency