Day: June 21, 2024

In an effort to engage area residents in her development agenda, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has initiated a citizen’s engagement forum dubbed City Governor’s Neighbourhood Engagement Initiative.

The initiative aims to gather the views of residents on priority projects within their wards and their concerns on urban development and decision making processes.

City Manager Mr Gitau Thabanja who launched the initiative on behalf of the Governor, engaged residents of Rhonda Ward to gather their input on their priority projects.

The discussions highlighted several key areas for prioritization, including the need for a modern market, tarmacking of a 3 km road, addressing blocked drains, provision of Jua Kali sheds and installation of street lights among other issues.

Thabanja told the residents that the County government was committed to building partnerships with its residents to ensure that planned projects were aligned to the critical needs of residents.

Thabanja told the residents that the management is d
evising a schedule to engage all city wards, as their input would be crucial during budgeting and decision-making phases. This approach aligns with H.E Governor Susan Kihika’s vision for the City.

Since its establishment in 2019, the Nakuru City Board has adopted an open governance and management system where regular reports are made to various interest groups on the performance of the board and opinion is sought on ways to improve service delivery.

Some of the catalytic projects that Nakuru has embarked upon since its elevation include redesigning public transport routes and construction of non-motorised transport (NMT) corridors on Kenyatta Avenue, the city’s main road.

Through these and other ongoing initiatives, Nakuru hopes to capture more public views on how the city should be developed.

Nakuru leadership is geared towards making the city a model city for other cities and towns that are struggling to deliver services to residents.

Thabanja indicated the board’s intention to play a proactive role in
identifying catalytic projects that will be instrumental in carrying forward the city’s vision.

Area MCA John Macharia emphasized the importance of these engagements in building trust and collaboration between the County Government, City Management and residents. He expressed gratitude to Governor Kihika for her commitment to this cause.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Agricultural stakeholders and value chain actors in Homa Bay County have hailed the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) for transforming the local economy.

This endorsement followed a series of barazas held across all the 40 wards, where draft Community Action Plans (CAP) and Micro Catchment Action Plans (MCAP) were validated as part of the Participatory Integrated Community Development (PICD) process.

Skeeter Otieno who is the coordinator of the process said they were keen on fostering community participation in identifying issues, developing plans, and proposing solutions.

‘We have received reports generated by all 40 wards. These reports will guide our engagement with the community moving forward. They have developed community action plans and micro catchment action plans,’ she said.

During the barazas, various opportunities were highlighted through value propositions and potential returns on investment in the five main value chains of dairy, cotton, coffee, rice, and banana
s.

Ms Otieno noted that farmers interested in these value chains were registered into Common Interest Groups (CIGs) or Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups (VMGs).

Lead farmers were elected as value chain representatives to ensure effective communication and implementation of plans.

Key issues identified by the community included low crop and livestock yields, high cost of farm inputs, dilapidated irrigation infrastructure, silted dams, unprotected springs, lack of aggregation centers, and unreliable rainfall among others.

Additionally, challenges such as lack of processing knowledge, poor market linkages, post-harvest losses, and poor road networks were cited as major barriers to market participation and value addition.

Proposed interventions include the use of certified inputs, training programs, fertilizers, pesticides, acquisition of spray pumps, establishment of new and renovation of existing irrigation infrastructure, establishment of processing facilities, and the adoption of modern agriculture tech
nologies.

The NAVCDP aims to support 500,000 small-scale farmers in transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming, enhancing their livelihoods through the five selected value chains.

Residents are also encouraged to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) to better position themselves within the agricultural economy to receive government support.

Project success will be measured through several indicators, including the number of farmers reached with agricultural assets/services, with a target of 50% female participation.

Additional indicators include the percentage increase in farmers selling more than 50% of their produce in the market and the percentage increase in farmers selling value-added produce.

Mr. Paul Otuoma, a key actor in the banana value chain, praised the project’s participatory approach: ‘We have been engaged every step of the way. We have identified our challenges as a community and suggested the best interventions,’ he said.

Otuoma shared his personal experie
nces of banana produce going bad due to the lack of timely market access, a challenge the project aims to address by supporting farmers in acquiring cold storage facilities.

The project also focuses on educating farmers about processing produce to sell in value-added form for higher profits. ‘We are happy that this project is building on the gains made by the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), now in its closure phase, which aimed to increase production and productivity.’ Otuoma said.

He noted that the main objective of NAVCDP is to increase market participation and value addition, which will greatly impact farmers lives.

He emphasized that the transition from subsistence to commercial farming will significantly improve the economic position of farmers by increasing their income.

The endorsement of NAVCDP marks a significant milestone for Homa Bay County, heralding a new era of agricultural development and economic prosperity for its residents.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Six traders have been arrested in Kitengela town, Kajiado County after being found in possession of the banned plastic bags.

The traders were arrested by officers from the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) after they were caught using the banned nylon plastic bags for packaging.

The crackdown comes after several complaints from members of the public over the re-emergence of the banned single use plastic bags.

NEMA Deputy Director in charge of Enforcement Salome Machua, said the ban against the plastic bags is still in place and warned traders from using them adding that those arrested would be arraigned in court.

Machua noted that the plastic bags are not environmentally friendly and are easily ingested by cows while grazing thus ruining their intestines.

‘The ban on the use of flat plastic bags is still in effect and anyone found using them will face the full force of the law. The bags are not environmentally friendly and pose a danger to the animals when they ingest them,’ she said.

The ban on plastic bags came into effect in Kenya on August 28,2017. However, the bags still find their way into the country as they are smuggled in from Tanzania through the porous border.

Anyone found manufacturing, importing, or selling plastic carrier bags is liable to a fine of up to Sh5 million or face a prison sentence of up to four years. Using the banned bags carries a fine of Sh50,000 or a jail term of up to a year.

According to NEMA, plastic bags are highly toxic and cause environmental degradation as they take over 100 years to decompose.

Some of the countries in Africa that embraced the ban of plastic bags include Rwanda, Mauritania, Tanzania and Morocco.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) is strongly condemning the assault of journalists in Nairobi covering the protests against the Finance Bill 2024 which began on Tuesday 18 June.

AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori said the various incidents reported thus far should serve as a stark reminder to security forces and the government of their obligation to uphold the constitution of Kenya.

In a press statement, Mbori said any efforts to obstruct the work of journalists is a threat to the country’s democracy, which guarantees freedom of press under Article 34, and the right to peaceful assembly under Article 37.

‘We call upon our entire security apparatus to provide the necessary security and respect the rights of both journalists and protestors, fostering a conducive environment for freedom of expression and dissent’ said Mbori

Mbori urged the police force to prioritize protecting journalists and their right to perform their duties freely, without fear of intimidation or violence as demonstr
ations unfold across the country.

She noted that journalists are essential for keeping the public informed and holding those in power accountable.

She commended the tireless efforts of various NGOs, CSOs, HROs, the Law Society of Kenya, and the public for speaking up and securing the release of journalists and Kenyan protestors who were arrested on Tuesday.

Mbori said AMWIK is committed to advocating for the safety and protection of journalists in Kenya.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) has launched its 2023-2027 strategic plan dubbed, collective ambition for a thriving Kenyan agriculture.

The strategic plan is said to enhance financial inclusion, boost agricultural productivity and promote sustainable practices across Kenya’s farming communities.

The plan focuses on providing affordable credit for smallholder farmers, offering capacity-building programs to support modern farming techniques and improving market access.

The plan is also aligned with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), emphasizing grassroots economic development and food security.

Speaking during the launch, Livestock Development PS John Mueke, underscored the ministry’s dedication to developing Kenya’s agriculture and livestock sectors.

‘The Strategic Plan outlines our vision to increase agricultural productivity, promote climate-smart agriculture and improve access to finance for farmers,’ he remarked.

The PS also announced that the AFC will receive Sh1 b
illion in the next financial year from the national government and a further Sh15 billion from Absa bank and to enhance financial access to farmers.

On his part, AFC Managing Director, George Kubai stated that the Corporation aims to tackle challenges faced by farmers nationwide by offering solutions to help them thrive.

‘At AFC we are focused on tackling every farmer’s obstacle by giving them solutions to help them prosper,’ he said.

Kubai further emphasized the urgent need to address climate change and affirmed the corporation’s commitment to integrating climate-resilient practices into the financing mechanisms.

‘By promoting climate-smart agriculture, we aim to support sustainable agricultural development and help farmers adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change,’ he said.

Kubai also indicated that special attention will be dedicated to small holder farmers, youth and women in agriculture to give them the necessary tools to prosper.

‘Special attention will be given to supporting smallholde
r farmers, youth, and women in agriculture, ensuring they have the financial tools necessary to thrive.

To maximize our impact, we will upscale our wholesale lending model to account for 65 percent of our loan book, while dedicating 35 percent to retail lending,’ he said.

Tamara Cook, CEO of Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya, announced that FSD Kenya is committed to supporting the Corporation in implementing its strategic plan.

‘We will review current AFC business models to ensure alignment with the BETA Agenda and the fourth medium term plan (MTP IV) and develop new and innovative financing models that leverage digital technologies to improve access to finance for farmers, agri-MSMEs, youth, and other underserved groups,’ Cook said.

The strategic plan is expected to significantly contribute to the country’s Vision 2030 and the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019-2029.

Meanwhile, by addressing the needs of small-scale farmers and focusing on sustainable growth, the AF
C’s new strategic plan is poised to play a pivotal role in achieving Kenya’s economic and agricultural objectives.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The challenge of inadequate financing has had a significant impact on farmers by limiting their ability to invest in essential resources such as seeds, fertilizer, equipment and technology.

Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Managing Director George Kubai says that farmers were facing numerous challenges that hindered their productivity and profitability which includes adequate financing.

Speaking when AFC launched their Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the MD noted that the limitation has led to lower crop yields and a reduction of the overall productivity.

He noted that insufficient financing has also made it difficult for farmers to manage risks such as weather-related disasters or market fluctuations, leading to financial instability and potential crop failure.

‘Access to appropriate financing is crucial, it is the bedrock of agricultural development and rural prosperity and therefore prioritizing its enhancement is paramount,’ he said.

Kubai added that by facilitating financial access, farmers would b
e empowered to engage in productive investments, mitigate risks, stabilize income fluctuations, access markets, embrace technology, and ultimately elevate their livelihoods and well-being.

He explained that in advanced economies boasting of higher productivity, private financing often steps in to fill the gap in public funding for agriculture.

‘Regrettably, Kenya diverges from this trend as agriculture represents about 3.6 percent of commercial banks’ lending portfolios, totaling Sh95.78 billion out of Sh2.48 Trillion in private sector loans,’ the MD said.

The agricultural credit demand for the country, he added, exceeds Sh200 billion annually and out of this, the Agricultural Finance Corporation receives loan applications surpassing Sh15 billion annually and could only extend approximately Sh4.5 billion in support.

‘The strategic plan being launched today is a seed, a promise of sustenance and the foundation for a thriving agricultural sector and will address these challenges by providing solutions that
will help farmers thrive,’ Kubai said.

Out of the strategic plan that is anchored on eight pillars that will embody AFC commitment to drive growth and foster sustainability within the agricultural sector, the first two would look at Financing Agri-food Value Chains and Enhancing Financial Inclusion.

Alongside the unveiling of the strategic plan for 2023-2027, AFC has also introduced two innovative products namely: Asset Finance and Open-Line Agribusiness product to foster financial inclusion and revolutionize their business model.

‘The tailor made financing solution allows clients with agribusiness loans to consolidate their loan charges every six years, covering three cycles of two years each and this streamlines processes and reduces both time and costs,’ Kubai explained.

The Corporation is also pursuing the Sustainability Standards and Certification Development (EOSD), a certification dedicated to value driven financial institutions.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Lint
uri in a speech read on his behalf by Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke, noted that AFC’s strategic plan comes at a crucial time and that by providing tailored financial solutions, the corporation can empower farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural value chain actors, enhancing productivity, creating jobs, boosting exports and improving food security.

Linturi appealed to individuals, who still owe AFC to settle their debts saying that the funds entrusted to the Corporation are earmarked for enhancing agricultural productivity, not for investing in real estate.

‘The goal for AFC is to support farmers and fuel agricultural growth. Your timely payments will enable the Corporation to continue with its mission of financing the agricultural sector effectively,’ the CS said.

AFC Board of Directors Chairman Eng. John Mruttu said the plan was not a static blueprint, but a dynamic roadmap adaptable to the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

AFC has been instrumental in the development of agriculture, providing a
n average of 26 percent of the total credit to the sector, since independence.

Agriculture directly contributes 25 percent to the Country’s GDP, with an additional 27percent indirectly supporting other economic sectors like manufacturing. It also employs about 40 percent of the population.

Source: Kenya News Agency