Day: June 15, 2024

Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya, has affirmed that the government’s commitment to plant 15 billion trees across the country by 2032 is steadily progressing.

Speaking at the planting of 60,000 mangrove seedlings in Kipini, Tana Delta Sub-County, Mvurya urged local communities to participate actively in the initiative.

‘The tree planting exercise is a big step in achieving our set targets towards curbing the adverse effects of climate change. In particular, the planting of mangrove trees in Kipini is a great idea that helps address the problem of flooding and other negative effects of climate change in the area,’ he said.

In addition, Mvurya announced that plans are underway to construct a fish landing site in Kipini, enhancing the local fishing industry.

‘Before the end of this month, we want to come and launch the construction of the fish landing site here. On the same day, we will also disburse Sh206 million to fisherfolk groups in the area,’ he said.

Noting th
at the government has already purchased 150 boats for fishermen in the Coast region, Mvurya said that some will be allocated to groups in Kipini.

He added that 150 youths from Tana River County will receive free training to become coxswains, equipping them with skills to improve their fishing activities, while another 50 youths will be trained in making life jackets.

On the campaign against Muguka and its negative effects, Mvurya emphasised the need for stronger laws to protect the youth from the herb.

‘The same force used against illicit brews and hard drugs should be applied to Muguka,’ he stated.

Others who attended the event included Tana River Governor Major (Rtd) Dhadho Gaddae Godhana, Deputy Governor Mahat Ali Loka, Senator Danson Buya Mungatana, and Kipini MCA Abubakar Mohamed Athman.

Maritime Affairs and Shipping PS Geoffrey Kaituko and senior officials from the State Departments of Mining and Blue Economy also participated in the mangrove planting exercise, which was attended by hundreds of loc
al residents.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The judiciary is set to open two new courts in Elgeyo Marakwet in Chesoi in Marakwet East and Chepkorio in Keiyo South.

Lady Justice Lucy Waithaka told a Court Users Committee (CUC) in Iten that the chief justice had already gazetted the two courts, which she said will bring judicial services closer to residents of the two sub-counties.

Due to the distance to Iten, residents from the two sub-counties have been forced to seek justice elsewhere, with those from Marakwet East going to neighbouring Trans Nzoia County and those from Keiyo South going to Uasin Gishu County.

The judiciary had also established a mobile court in Tot to provide services to residents in the far-flung areas, but it has been facing challenges due to insecurity in the area.

The CUC was told that the judiciary will also establish Alternative Justice Systems in all the courts as it strives to encourage the use of AJS to decongest the courts.

The judge said the judiciary was ready to train AJS committees in the different parts of the cou
nty so that each area is able to use the AJS to handle cases using their unique traditional ways of handling disputes.

She added that while AJS has been practiced by various communities and government agencies involved in community disputes, the judiciary seeks to strengthen them to ensure fairness and alignment with human rights standards.

The court called on the police department to ensure that hearings of cases do not delay due to the unavailability of investigating officers when they go on transfer or training.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Locally assembled smartphones are gaining traction in Kenya, with 390,000 devices purchased since the initiative began in October last year.

Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy (CS) Eliud Owalo highlighted that the country’s efforts to produce affordable smartphones are progressing well, with increasing market demand indicating the initiative’s potential for significant success.

Speaking during the launch of the Jitume Project at Seme Technical and Vocational College in Kisumu County, Owalo emphasised that cheap devices are key to bridging the technology gap, which has undermined the optimal uptake of government digital services.

‘We recognise that many Kenyans still lack access to smartphones. The government, in collaboration with the private sector, has initiated the assembly of affordable Kenyan smartphones locally. This means we won’t need to import phones from countries like China or Korea,’ he stated.

The Neon brand handsets, retailing at Sh7,499 per unit, are available at all the S
afaricom branches or the Jamii Telecom shops countrywide.

‘These smartphones come with all essential features, allowing users to access government services conveniently from anywhere. There will no longer be a need to visit government offices in person,’ Owalo added.

The CS assured that with the digital transformation led by the Kenya Kwanza administration, Kenyans will benefit from efficient and effective government services without needing personal connections in government offices.

‘It will be a direct interaction between you as a Kenyan, your phone, and the government. You won’t need to know anyone in a government office to access these services. You will be able to apply for an ID or a passport virtually,’ he explained.

To further the digital transformation agenda, Owalo mentioned that the government has partnered with Kenya Power Company (KPC) to expand fibre connectivity, ensuring reliable and sustainable internet access across the country.

Since January 2023, the government has installed approxim
ately 11,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, with a target to reach 100,000 kilometres of fibre by 2026.

‘We are shifting from the traditional method of laying fibre cables underground, which is prone to vandalism. Instead, we will utilise KPC transmission lines,’ Owalo said, adding that KPC has already engaged 300 contractors, distributed evenly across the country, to begin the project.

‘We will extend fibre connectivity to all existing 74,000 transformers. Once fibre is connected to these transformers, we can provide internet access to nearby institutions and public spaces such as market centres,’ the CS noted.

Additionally, Owalo confirmed that the last-mile electricity connectivity project is ongoing to ensure sufficient electricity supply to support the digital infrastructure.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Mariba village in Gucha sub-county, Kisii County, are witnessing a remarkable transformation.

This change, marked by the adoption of cooking gas over traditional firewood, is not only revolutionising daily life but also contributing to significant environmental conservation efforts.

Speaking to KNA, the Sub-County Forest Officer, Abel Osoro, said that this shift has immensely facilitated afforestation initiatives in the area.

‘Tree cutting has significantly decreased,’ Osoro reports with evident satisfaction.

‘A lot of people are now planting trees, leading to a much greener environment.’ Osoro further explains that the rampant tree felling for charcoal production, which was once a common practice, has drastically decreased.

He attributes this positive trend to the increased use of cooking gas and comprehensive civil education campaigns that have raised awareness about the benefits of this cleaner energy source.

John Nyangaresi, a village elder, echoes Osoro’s sentiments and highlights the
improvements in the quality of life that have accompanied this transition.

‘Using cooking gas is more comfortable compared to firewood,’ Nyangaresi explains.

He points out that the firewood previously used was often not dry enough, leading to excessive smoke that harmed the health of many villagers.

The smoke was particularly damaging to the lungs and eyes, posing a significant health risk, especially to women who spent long hours in the less ventilated kitchen cooking.

Nyangaresi also highlights a significant social change: the once common sight of villagers, especially women and children, spending hours gathering firewood has become rare.

This change has freed up time for more productive activities, contributing to the overall development of the community.

‘Now, their time is spent on other productive activities, enhancing the community’s progress,’ Nyangaresi adds.

Annette Sarange, a local gas vendor, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. ‘I’ve sold more gas cylinders in the past two years th
an in the entire previous decade since I started this business in 2014,’ she shares.

Sarange takes pride in the community’s safe use of cooking gas, noting, ‘I am happy because locals have learned how to use the gas safely. I have never heard of any case of explosions.’ Her business has flourished alongside the community’s growing acceptance of this safer and more efficient energy source.

Despite these positive changes, Nyangaresi acknowledges that many residents still find the cost of cooking gas high, preventing them from fully abandoning firewood.

‘Many residents still find the cost of cooking gas high, preventing them from fully abandoning firewood,’ he notes.

The villagers are now appealing to the government to manage the rising cost of cooking gas to enable them to make a complete transition.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui says Baringo County has continued to lag behind due to myriad of historical problems.

However, Chelugui added that the government is committed to supporting local farmers to realise increased agricultural productivity through improved extension services.

The CS urged residents to capitalise on institutions like the livestock training institutions, which will have a huge effect on their long-term growth and prosperity, especially in the livestock industry.

He therefore challenged farmers, especially from the major towns of Baringo, to venture into profitable agribusinesses that will in turn boost the economy of the vast county, which is mostly semi-arid.

Chelugui said this while facilitating Baringo County dissemination forum on the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) at the Kenya School of Government (KSG), Baringo campus, where he announced the construction of a new livestock training institute in Baringo County, which will commence at the s
tart of the 2024-2025 financial year.

The Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, who was present, disclosed that the National government had allocated Sh100 million for the upgrade of nine (9) other existing institutes countrywide.

Kimtai said the flagship project to be set up at Mogotio Sub County came into being after it was successfully captured in the fourth medium-term plan for the 2023-2027 period.

He noted that the institute will play a crucial role in training students besides offering support to the county, with 75 per cent of its residents being livestock farmers.

‘For the entire five years, there will be a budget for the construction of the training institution that will be a game changer for all Baringo residents,’ said the PS.

Kimtai added that, apart from the new facility, the government will be upgrading the other nine livestock institutes countrywide in a bid to improve the sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

People living near forests have asked the government to sensitise them on the guidelines for grazing in public forests.

The communities in uplands Limuru in Kiambu said they needed the education as they did not want to clash with or disrupt the Kenya Forest Service’s (KFS) efforts to restore forests, especially in areas where trees were cut down years ago without being replanted.

This is in response to the Kenya Forest Service’s (KFS) release on Monday about new grazing guidelines in forests.

KFS said the Grazing in Public Forests law, enacted in 2005, was poorly enforced and that now it aims to better protect trees and vegetation.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Soipan Tuya, announced on May 13th of this year that the state will not allow the grazing of animals in public forests as part of measures to protect seedlings planted in the ongoing national tree-growing campaign.

Peter Wachira, from Githirioni in Lari subcounty and who has been benefiting from the uplands fores
t, asked the Chief Conservator of Forests (CFA), Alex Lemarkoko, to start educational forums.

‘The CCF is supposed to ask the forest station managers, county forest conservators, and their staff to teach us on how to graze in Public Forest in a guided way so that we do not interfere with their work. We want to be law-abiding people,’ Wachira said.

Wachira, who revealed that he rears 23 sheep and three cattle in Uplands forests, added that he cannot allow himself to be among those who break the law knowingly.

According to KFS, they will increase efforts to stop illegal grazing, focusing on conservation and community involvement.

Communities benefit from forests through activities like grass harvesting, grazing, and tourism under the Community Forest Association.

Under the new law, grazers need a permit and must register with forest stations, which will track grazing activities.

Uplands CFA official John Mwathi is in support of the law, saying it will help protect the forests.

‘Whenever there is no law,
the people who have pride take advantage of undermining people like us, the CFA. Now, the law will assist us in ensuring there is discipline within the CFA’s and the grazers,’ he said.

Mwathi suggested arranging a meeting for all people who graze, including those who want to graze in the forests, to inform them about the law.

‘We want to support the government, the CFA, and the KFS in the conservation of forests and the environment at large. We want to ensure President William Ruto’s directive of having planted 15 billion trees is achieved by 2023,’ he said.

During the ban last month, CS Soipans said that Grazing of animals in the forests will not go on as it is interfering with the government policy where planting of trees in degraded areas of public forests is done, then livestock comes in and clears it all over.

The Kenya Forest Service protects around 6.4 million gazetted forests and another 420 million acres under the counties.

Kiambu County has six forests, with the major ones being the Kieni and K
inale forests, which occupy an area of 426.62 km2.

Source: Kenya News Agency