Day: June 4, 2024

The government is in the process of enacting the Carbon Credit Trading and Benefit Sharing Bill of 2023.

This proposed legislation aims to create a robust regulatory framework for carbon credit trading and benefit-sharing.

It will also establish an Authority to oversee legislative measures that significantly benefit the floriculture sector providing for the registration and regulation of carbon trading businesses, and setting up a Carbon Credit Trading Tribunal to address disputes.

Speaking today when opening the 11th International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX) at the Oshwal Centre, State Department for Cabinet Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Idris Salim Dokota said that the amended Climate Act now establishes a national carbon registry in Kenya and regulates the trade in carbon credits.

‘This framework will ensure transparency and accountability in our carbon trading endeavours and with this, our flower farms can also generate additional revenue by engaging in carbon credit projects,’ he added

He expla
ined that Kenya’s flower farms can generate additional revenue by engaging in carbon credit projects and by adopting sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint, they can earn carbon credits that can be traded internationally.

Representatives from 75 countries are participating in the week-long 11th International Floriculture Expo that has begun today guided by the theme ‘Sustainability’.

‘The theme of this year’s Expo is Sustainability resonates deeply with the government’s commitment to nurturing Kenya’s floriculture,’ the PS said.

‘Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it is our shared responsibility. We protect both our industry and our environment,’ Dr Dakota added, noting that the government is actively promoting eco-friendly practices such as integrated pest management, water conservation, and organic fertilisation as well as encouraging farmers to adopt renewable energy sources and minimise their carbon footprint.

He said that Kenya’s floriculture sector has propelled the country to
become a global leader in floriculture, contributing significantly to the economy, creating jobs, and enhancing the livelihoods of over 2 million Kenyans.

The PS noted that the government has implemented policies that facilitate a conducive business environment, has streamlined export processes, created investment opportunities, and offered support for small and medium-sized enterprises within the floriculture value chain.

‘By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting fair trade practices, the government as one of the key priorities outlined in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) aim to enhance the competitiveness of our flowers in the global market,’ he said

Dr Dakota added that the government has also invested in modernising transportation networks, including roads, railways, and airports to enhance efficient logistics that are essential for successful floriculture exports.

‘This infrastructure has facilitated the seamless movement of flowers from our farms to international markets, pr
eserving their freshness and quality,’ he noted, adding that the government has also negotiated favourable trade agreements with various countries, opening doors for Kenyan floriculture exports.

The agreements, he explained, have eliminated trade barriers, promoted fair pricing, and created a level playing field for our flowers in the global market.

Dr Dakota gave an example of the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in December last year 2023 which has now been ratified by both the National Assembly of Kenya and the European Union in Brussels.

Additionally, he added that collaboration with the UK has resulted in the suspension of the 8 percent duty on cut flowers from Kenya, further demonstrating the successful partnerships.

Christopher Kulei, Chair, Board of Directors, Kenya Flower Council (KFC) said that with around 5,000 hectares dedicated to flower cultivation, the industry exports over 200,000 tonnes of flowers annually, valued at USD900 million, bringing in vital forex revenues to the e
conomy.

The floriculture sector, he explained, accounts for more than 70 percent of total horticultural exports, employing over 200,000 workers, most of them in rural areas.

Additionally, he added that it indirectly provides employment to 1 million people involved in the supply of goods and services and affects over 4 million people.

Kulei however said that the government however needs to create a conducive business environment by streamlining its processes, reviewing its regulations, and providing incentives for growers and exporters.

‘If we have to unlock the full potential of the floriculture industry, more investment will mean more jobs, more forex income and solidifying Kenya’s position in the global flower trade,’ he added.

He re-affirmed KFC’s dedication to sustainable floriculture saying they have invested significantly in reducing and recycling water usage, implementing biological pest management systems, utilising solar energy, and adopting greener logistics to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

‘
We have embraced various carbon measurement tools, which have enabled us to accurately assess our emissions and identify areas for improvement,’ Kulei said.

He noted that Sustainability has evolved from an exterior concern and considering the effects of calamities of the recent floods that has seen loss of hundreds of lives, saying that it is imperative and important for sustainable business practices in curbing the effects of climate change.

This year’s expo has seen an increase of 20 percent in exhibitors showcasing their finest blooms and will also provide a unique platform for sharing knowledge, forging partnerships, and exploring new opportunities.

According to the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) data, cut flower exports fetched Sh73. 45 billion in 2023, marking a steep decline from Sh104. 25 billion in 2022.

The decline was informed by a significant drop in export volumes, which went down to 116,270 tonnes from 202,850 tonnes that were exported in 2022.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kiambu County has drawn up an action plan to fight possible Rift Valley Fever outbreak following reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) of a potential Rift Valley Fever epidemic in the country.

The report which was released at the end of May 2024, warned counties in Eastern Africa of a potential outbreak of the Rift Valley Fever, following the impact of heavy rains experienced in the region in the recent months.

‘The sustained downpours are suitable environmental conditions for potential RVF vector amplification, abundance and dissemination, resulting into extensive hotspots for RVF that are forecasted to persist in the region (South Sudan, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, and parts of Madagascar), until the end of June 2024,’ read part of the FAO report.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus is a zoonotic disease affecting livestock and people, spread through contact with blood or body fluids,
or through bites from infected mosquitoes. Kenya has therefore been facing recurring outbreaks of RVF since the discovery of the virus in the early 1900s, with the most recent outbreaks in Wajir and Isiolo counties in 2023.

KNA spoke to Kiambu County Director of Veterinary Services Dr Samwel Njuguna who stated that the Department has come up with a strategic plan which includes vaccination and sanitation of farmers to combat any new outbreak of the virus.

‘We are and we have continually made sure that vaccinations for a zoonotic disease is available to farmers and we have also made plans to include Rift Valley Fever sensitisation in our weekly trainings, just to equip our farmers with knowledge and skills for preventing the disease from infecting their livestock,’ said Dr Njunguna.

He added that the initiative has targeted areas that have experienced heavy rains and prolonged flooding as these are habitat hatching environments of RVF competent mosquitoes (e.g. Aedes and Culex), thus influencing the risk of
RVF emergence, transmission and spread.

‘We have areas in the Kiambu County that have previous history of the Rift Valley Fever disease, we have therefore prioritized these areas to ensure that the disease is not recurrent,’ he remarked.

He further cited the fact that the Rift Valley fever also affects humans and can be transmitted to those individuals who are in close contact with contaminated blood, such as veterinarians, butchers, or animal handlers.

‘Plans are underway to carry out sensitization campaigns to people who interact with livestock or livestock products daily including veterinarians, butchers, or animal handlers as they are at a high risk of contracting the disease in case of an outbreak,’ stated the Vet Director.

He urged citizens to report to the nearest livestock and veterinary office in case of any indication of the disease.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The digital literacy program launched by the government has created 149,000 jobs for the youth over the last one year.

Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (ICTE) Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo said so far 490,000 youths have been trained adding that the program was set to address the rising unemployment in the country.

The government, he said, targets to scale up the training to reach two million youths annually to ensure that they have the requisite skills and knowledge to secure jobs online.

To make the initiative a success, the ministry of ICTE, he said has embarked in the establishment of digital hubs across the country to ensure that as many youths as possible have access to the training.

‘We are going to set up digital hubs in all the wards across the country to enhance access to the free digital skills training program,’ he said.

One digital hub, he said will train up to 1,500 youths per annually. The CS said the government was also scaling up Internet connectivity to ensure th
at the hubs are connected.

25,000 markets, he added are earmarked for Internet connection and public WiFi to enhance access to online jobs and trade.

The program, he said also targets schools, health facilities, police stations and homes.

Speaking during the Vision 2030 Medium Term IV dissemination meeting in Kisumu, CD said the government targets to lay 100,000 km fibre optic cable to scale up internet connectivity.

To achieve the target, the CS disclosed that the ministry has signed a contract with Kenya Power to lay the fibre optic cable on the firm’s poles.

The shift from the traditional laying of the cable underground, he said was set to lower the costs involved and at the same time reduce the time spent to fix the cable.

‘We are currently spending about Sh2.3 million to lay 1km of fibre optic cable but through the arrangement with Kenya Power this is set to come down to Sh300,000,’ he said.

The target, he said is to have high speed Internet at all corners to the country where Kenya Power has pres
ence to scale up uptake of government services online and create jobs for the youth.

‘Our target is to have the cable running on all Kenya Power lines. Anywhere we have a power line we will also have the fibre optic cable. This will scale up connectivity across the country up to people’s homes,’ he said.

The CS urged the youth to take advantage of the free training to acquire digital skills.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government has assured Human Resource directors of its commitment to providing them with the necessary support and guidance needed to excel in their respective roles as they execute their mandate.

Through the State Department for Public Service, the government is working towards augmenting and undertaking critical programmes and activities to strengthen management of the HR functions in the public service.

This is via the introduction of the Human |Resource Information System -Kenya (HRIS-K) that will manage HR functions in the public sector, professionalising the HR function, training revolving fund, medical cover for civil servants, payroll management policy for the public service, among others.

Speaking during the 2nd HR Summit for directors and deputy directors from ministries and departments in the public service, State Department for Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha said the programmes will help build a public service that is adaptive, resilient and efficient with good mental heal
th for a productive public sector workforce in line with the government development priorities.

Gathecha said it is fundamental in promoting economic growth and transformation of the country.

The PS said the HRIS-K system will address wage bill matters with the government expected to migrate all payrolls to the system by 1st July, 2024.

He noted that the payroll module has been finalised awaiting integration with IFMIS, |I-tax and Central Bank of Kenya Internet Banking (IB).

He said the system has been piloted successfully since April 2024 within the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management and Public Financial Management Reforms at National Treasury and Huduma Kenya, secretariat.

‘Training on the new system for payroll managers in MDAs is being undertaken in phases to ensure staff gain necessary skills and competencies for implementation,’ he said.

According to the PS, the system was developed by the state department and the World Bank and it will carry everybody who is in the public se
rvice.

He noted that there are several modules and establishments which include a module on pension to ensure pension payment is seamless, payroll, and leave, among others.

‘We expect that it is going to bring a lot of soberness, the system will not accept any person who is not in the establishment,’ he added.

The PS asked the directors responsible for the HR functions in public service to familiarize themselves with the new system before roll out.

He said the directors should also pay keen attention to the resolution of the 3rd wage bill conference with specific focus on refining strategies and action plans of

MDAs to achieve a wage bill to revenue ratio of 35% by 30 June, 2028.

He added that HR should also review and rationalize staff establishment for affordability, fiscal sustainability with the right composition, critical skills set and fit for purpose organization structures.

The PS said the payroll management policy for public service has been finalized awaiting cabinet approval.

He quipped tha
t the government is also reviewing the current performance management system to embed productivity and performance contracting in the public service.

He echoed the need to enhance training and capacity development in the respective MDAs and facilitate employees to acquire skills and competencies needed on a timely basis derived from requisite capacity assessment.

The PS pointed that the public service must focus on continuous human resource development designed for employees to be more dynamic and innovative.

‘Training programmes must therefore be aligned to organization mandate and core functions incorporating artificial intelligence and digitalization,’ he said.

He said there is also a need for strengthening and fostering a culture of dedication and commitment to requisite professional tenets in acquisition, nurturing, development and management of human resources.

He added that the trajectory will be fundamental in enhancing employee productivity and wellness for effective, efficient and transformativ
e service delivery required for public service growth and overall economic development of the country.

The PS said mental health cases of public servants have been on the rise since the Covid-19 pandemic with the year 2021/2022 recording at least 7,000 civil servants with cases of mental health.

Adding that the government is dedicated to nurture emotional intelligent employees, promoting mental wellness and improving access to medical insurance.

‘HR needs to be emotionally stable to handle the civil servant to be effective, we have isolated emotional intelligence so that we can talk to the officers first who deal with these other officers,’ he said.

Source: Kenya News Agency