Day: June 27, 2024

Nandi County Government has unveiled a Sh9 billion budget for the financial year 2024-2025.

The budget was presented before the County Assembly by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance Hillary Serem who said the budget mainly is focusing on Wards thus operationalisation of the Equitable Development Act 2023.

The law that creates the Ward Fund stipulates that all development resources should be decided at the 30 electoral wards and puts MCAs at the centre of development.

Serem noted that out of Sh2.6 billion meant for development, Sh1.1 billion is going to the Ward-level to finance various development projects which members of the public have prioritised during public participation.

He said Ward representatives are the patrons of the committees and the implementation of the development programmes will now shift from the governor’s office to the committees and MCAs.

‘Every ward has respective priority projects ready for implementation as captured in the County Integrated Development plan and
approved by the controller of budget,’ he said

The Finance CECM said the county has projected 12 percent increase in revenue collection to Sh600 million adding that they are hopeful to attain that target or even surpass it due to the measures they have put in place.

‘We have agreed with land rates in multinational tea estates who used to pay Sh100-400 per acre are now paying Sh1,600 per acre. We are looking up to a brighter future in form of revenues for Nandi County,’ he said.

Serem noted that top financial allocation went to the Roads department which received Sh460 million followed by Education, Health and Water as per the prioritisation by the people.

He said the focus will also include completion and operationalisation of County flagship projects among then a dairy processing plant, coffee milling plant, multi-million mother and child hospital, a textile mill among others.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has been called upon to sensitise members of the public about the regulations in force on milk handling before enforcing arrests for violators.

This follows recent arrests and prosecution conducted by KDB in conjunction with local administration on milk vendors violating the regulations in Loitoktok.

While addressing a public meeting in Loitoktok town during the launch of Loitoktok Dairy mini plant, Kajiado Governor, Joseph Ole Lenku however emphasised the importance of adherence to the milk regulations which are intended to ensure safety of milk and health of the users.

Ole Lenku however said his government supports the initiative of regulating handling of milk to ensure safety for consumers.

Governor Ole Lenku appreciated the Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society for being a pace setter in value addition of agricultural produce, adding that this is the way to go in farming.

He further said the cooperative has aligned with national government’s goal in its programme of national liv
estock value chain targeting milk, meat and hides and skins.

The county boss highlighted that in order to fast track quality production, his government has embarked on moderated pastoralism, a programme aimed at improving quality of cows for milk and meat production.

He pledged his continued support to cooperative societies through facilitating trainings as well as provision of necessary financial and infrastructural support to enhance production.

Ole Lenku further noted that the county government will continue connecting the cooperatives with donors and opportunities through its agriculture affiliated programmes.

Loitoktok Deputy County Commissioner, Antony Maina challenged the local community to consider improving the quality of their animals through moderated pastoralism to improve the quality and quantity of milk and meat.

The DCC also noted that by reducing the number of animals it will also help them to be left with manageable herds of livestock even when a dry spell strikes.

Source: Kenya News A
gency

Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has been called upon to sensitise members of the public about the regulations in force on milk handling before enforcing arrests for violators.

This follows recent arrests and prosecution conducted by KDB in conjunction with local administration on milk vendors violating the regulations in Loitoktok.

While addressing a public meeting in Loitoktok town during the launch of Loitoktok Dairy mini plant, Kajiado Governor, Joseph Ole Lenku however emphasised the importance of adherence to the milk regulations which are intended to ensure safety of milk and health of the users.

Ole Lenku however said his government supports the initiative of regulating handling of milk to ensure safety for consumers.

Governor Ole Lenku appreciated the Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society for being a pace setter in value addition of agricultural produce, adding that this is the way to go in farming.

He further said the cooperative has aligned with national government’s goal in its programme of national liv
estock value chain targeting milk, meat and hides and skins.

The county boss highlighted that in order to fast track quality production, his government has embarked on moderated pastoralism, a programme aimed at improving quality of cows for milk and meat production.

He pledged his continued support to cooperative societies through facilitating trainings as well as provision of necessary financial and infrastructural support to enhance production.

Ole Lenku further noted that the county government will continue connecting the cooperatives with donors and opportunities through its agriculture affiliated programmes.

Loitoktok Deputy County Commissioner, Antony Maina challenged the local community to consider improving the quality of their animals through moderated pastoralism to improve the quality and quantity of milk and meat.

The DCC also noted that by reducing the number of animals it will also help them to be left with manageable herds of livestock even when a dry spell strikes.

Source: Kenya News A
gency

The Africa Conservation Forum of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially opened in Nairobi with a call to enhance efforts towards involving communities and young people in conservation programmes.

About 700 delegates from across Africa including eight African Environment Ministers are attending the forum, themed ‘African Solutions for Nature and People: Creating Transformative Responses to the Biodiversity and Climate Crisis in Africa’.

In his opening address today, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, emphasised the importance of placing local communities at the centre of conservation efforts.

‘For conservation to be truly effective and sustainable, we must ensure that local communities are not only involved but are also the primary beneficiaries,’ Mutua said.

He also called for the empowerment of youth to enable them benefit from conservation activities.

Dr Mutua attributed the increasing problem of human-wildlife conflict in Kenya to inadequate resource
s for conservation initiatives among other challenges.

He called for innovative approaches and partnerships to bolster Africa’s conservation efforts.

‘Kenya, with its rich biodiversity, is actively implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, focusing on locally-led and appropriate solutions for nature and people,’ he stated.

The forum serves as a strategic platform to influence the global sustainability agenda, climate change policies, and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Dr Mutua encouraged delegates to share information and knowledge, build partnerships, and connect key stakeholders from across Africa to address pressing environmental issues.

The opening ceremony was attended by Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Zakaria Njeru, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Ms Sylvia Museiya, Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Razan Al Mubarak, President of IUCN and Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN
among other dignitaries.

During the three-day forum, participants will discuss urgent conservation challenges and explore transformative responses to the biodiversity and climate crises in Africa.

The event aims to foster collaboration and innovative solutions to safeguard Africa’s natural heritage for future generations.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Council of Elders and religious leaders in Uasin Gishu county have condemned the destruction of property and disturbance of peace occasioned by recent protests over the finance bill 2024.

In a press briefing in Eldoret town after going across the town to examine the level of damage, the elders and the members of clergy expressed concern over the occurrence as they said it is unprecedented as they called on the youth to embrace peace and if there is any issue with the law they should seek advice from parents and embracing peaceful interventions through courts and peaceful consultations without causing rampage on the streets that resulted to destruction of public property and life.

Alexander Mursi chairman Miyot council of Elders, Uasin Gishu said though peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right, people must not misuse such freedom to cause chaos and violence to disrupt peace through burning other people’s properties and causing loss of lives.

‘We condemn what happened in our town yesterday, we don’t
want such things to happen again in Uasin Gishu, as elders we want peace in our midst, we call our children called Gen Zs, that the path they have chosen is not the right direction, it is dangerous we condemn that and advise you to stop immediately,’ exclaimed Mursi.

In his remarks, Bishop Luka Maiyo of the African Inland Church (AIC) expressed heartfelt condolences to those who lost their love ones as he complained that they have brought up in churches and villages but the aftermath of the protests has revealed to them that there is a missing link in the way the children are brought up in terms poor moral upbringing.

‘We saw peaceful demonstrations and a little while violence erupted, we are saying sorry for the families who lost their beloved ones, losing young ones is losing future blessings, we wish quick recovery to the injured,’ he noted.

He urged the youth that Whenever they do not disagree with any bill or have any concern with authorities, they should use other forums allowed by the law to express
their interests, and embrace peaceful dialogue.

The demonstrations saw a public library, vehicles and other public and private property destroyed across the municipality of Eldoret.

‘What does the bill have to do with our library, critical building infrastructure in the county, we condemn such incidents with the strongest terms possible, we pray for peace and calm. Let us walk the journey together supporting each other,’ said Bishop Maiyo.

Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Eldoret, bishop, Dr. Christopher Ruto, noted that they have been speaking to many youths in their congregations from time to time to love the nation and always focusing on peace by indulging in lawful activities that create a humble environment that fosters development.

‘Our concern always as church leaders is that we should love our nation and also youth should love your nation. By bringing out issue that are very critical especially to young people like employment and others to the mainstream public, if it is the matter with the bill, w
e want them to write in a way that the same matter can be taken on board, we don’t want anyone to ignore them, because they are part of the larger population within us,’ he said.

‘We want economic zones to be opened up so that we have many opportunities for the youth to earn a living and live a better life to fulfil their dreams. We want to have a youth culture that also respects our heritage, we do not wish to have a culture whereby we keep on destroying that which we have also inherited from previous generations,’ explained the bishop.

He further affirmed the church’s active role in sensitizing the people on peace, blessed are the peacemakers, we want the youth to be part of the peace makers in this country.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nanyuki Town in Laikipia County on Thursday witnessed calmness as businesses operations continued smoothly as usual unlike on Tuesday when rowdy Anti Finance Bill 2024 youths paralysed business.

A spot check by KNA at various places in Nanyuki Town revealed businesses were open with no sign of chaos as witnessed on Tuesday by anti-finance bill protestors.

President William Ruto withdrew the bill on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s anticipated demonstrations.

Source: Kenya News Agency