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Private boat owners in Garissa and Madogo have now been granted permission to ferry people across the flooded Garissa – Madogo road under police supervision.

According to Bangale Deputy County Commissioner Mr Joseph Kipkorir the private boats now operating in the area are supposed to carry only 10 people at a time at a fee of Sh200 only.

The operators of the boats must also provide safety jackets for their passengers and on the other hand those who wish to cross to either side must register their details to a command centre set up at the ground before being allowed to board the boats.

‘We have given priority to the 23 persons who were rescued from the boat that capsized. Further, those set to travel to Wajir or other areas within Garissa County but got stuck are also allowed to go now,’ Kipkorir said.

‘There are also public servants here who work in Garissa and police officers, or those who have emergencies to attend to. We are currently allowing only these groups to go through,’ he added.

Previously, t
he boats were overloading and charged at least Sh 1500. The operators also ignored the life safety jackets requirement.

Meanwhile, three boats from the Kenya Coast Guard, The Kenya Red Cross and the Tana River County government are still searching for the bodies of the victims who died in the recent boat accident. So far, 7 bodies have been recovered while at least 6 others are still missing.

Yesterday, the Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Mr Kello Harshama who spoke in Madogo said that the government will support Kenyans affected by the ongoing floods with relief food.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Addis Ababa: Minister of Peace Binalf Andualem emphasized the importance of a continuous national Consultation and common understanding to pave the way for durable peace and development in Ethiopia.

This was disclosed at training organized for members of the House of People’s Representatives, House of Federation as well as members of regional councils and speakers.

In his opening remarks, Peace Minister Binalf underscored that reaching consensus on major issues of the country is pivotal to ensure sustainable peace.

As a strong nation-state building endeavors has not yet been completed, the minister noted that the current generation of Ethiopia should deliver on its responsibilities and realize the ambition.

To this end, constructive dialogue among the entire public as well as the elites of the country has become now instrumental to national consensus, Binalf underlined.

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission has been currently facilitating inclusive techniques of discussion and reconciliation that he
al wounds, build consensus on key troubles, and assist Ethiopia in remedying its complicated issues, it was learned.

The Commission is highly expected to resolve differences of opinion on fundamental issues and forge a ‘national consensus’ that would bring about lasting peace and prosperity in the East African nation.

We believe this national dialogue will create strong harmony and ensure durable peace, the minister hoped.

A half-day training would be vital for the participants to thoroughly discuss on fundamental issues of the country including the nation-state building, national identity, Ethiopia’s interest as well as its assets for the aspiration of prosperity.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Kiambu County Director of meteorological services Magdalene Gateri has stated that heavy rains are expected in most parts of Kiambu County throughout the coming week.

The forecast comes amidst the catastrophic flash floods that have seen a lot of destruction of property and livelihoods within the county and the country at large in the last one week.

Giving the weekly weather forecast for Tuesday 29th April to Monday 6th May, 2024 Gateri added that flooding in the region is to be expected in areas with poor drainage and in the lowlands.

‘We expect flooding in areas with poor drainage and in low lying regions of the county,’ she said and cautioned residents to avoid areas prone to landslides.

Gateri said mornings are likely to be cloudy with occasional rains over a few places giving way to sunny intervals adding the rains might be more than 120mm over most sub counties.

In the weather forecast, afternoons and night showers with thunderstorms and lightning are expected in most areas with Gateri forecasting
rain to intensify this month.

Source: Kenya News Agency

As the heavy rains and flooding continue, the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, through the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), is making significant strides in the fight against malaria with a comprehensive approach to prevention and management across Kenya.

Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni Muriuki said that currently, there is an ongoing distribution of 15.3 million Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in 22 counties, protecting a population of 27 million individuals from the risk of malaria.

The PS said that this process, which has involved all stakeholders with 36 National Steering Committee (NSC) meetings held since its commencement, is digitised for transparency and accountability.

‘To date, 5.9 million nets have already been issued to households across nine counties, safeguarding 11 million people,’ said Ms. Muriuki.

She explained that the distributions include Homa Bay 823,363, Kisii 872,333 nets, Nyamira 412,747,
Kisumu 798,625 nets, Siaya 688,429 nets, Migori 808,712, Kwale 542,957 nets, Mombasa 800,556 nets, and Taita Taveta 228,974.

‘Starting April 29th, 2024, and the following week, households in the specified counties will receive mosquito nets. Lamu will be allocated 111,053 nets, Tana River 243,770 nets, Kilifi 1,121,621 nets, Trans Nzoia 765,631 nets, Busia 652,471 nets, and Narok 895,161 nets,’ said the PS.

According to Ms. Muriuki, the NMCP is also accelerating preparatory activities to ensure the issuance of LLINs in May 2024 in additional counties, including West Pokot, Turkana, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kakamega, Baringo (Marigat, Mogotio, and Eldama Ravine sub-counties), and Kirinyaga (Mwea East and Mwea West sub-counties).

‘Furthermore, indoor residual spraying (IRS) was conducted in Busia County in March 2024, covering 95 per cent of target structures, with ongoing activities in Migori County,’ said Ms. Muriuki.

She highlighted that last year’s IRS efforts achieved coverage rates exceeding 96 per cent in Mi
gori and Homa Bay counties.

‘The NMCP has implemented an elaborate surveillance system that conducts routine epidemiological and periodic entomological monitoring. Standardised data collection tools have been disseminated in health facilities across all 47 counties, facilitating early detection and management of malaria upsurges and epidemics,’ she said.

The PS explained that data collected through the Integrated Disease Surveillance System (IDSR) and the Kenya Health Information Management System (KHIS) are reported on a weekly and monthly basis, respectively.

‘This data is crucial in detecting malaria upsurges and epidemics, as well as in resource need projections and tailoring malaria prevention intervention packages,’ said Ms. Muriuki.

She added that the NMCP ensures the availability of routinely supplied malaria management commodities in counties and central stores in KEMSA and MEDS, maintaining a minimum of 3-month and 6-month stock levels, respectively.

‘The NMCP remains committed to working colla
boratively with stakeholders and communities to achieve a malaria-free future for all Kenyans,’ said Ms. Muriuki.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Busia County were vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases in an open day conducted by the ministry of health through the National Vaccines and Immunisation Programme (NVIP) to mark the end of world immunisation week at Brimaxa Hospital in Busia.

Speaking during the process, County Expanded Programme on Immunisation Logistician Juliet Kilima said the vaccination is for everyone as they have vaccines that cover different categories, stating that the aim of the programme is to ensure that the community is free from vaccine-preventable diseases.

‘We are commemorating World Immunisation Day by sensitising the community on matters of immunisation and encouraging them to be immunised. We are offering all immunisable vaccines to all age cohorts. We have PCV for the children, HPV for the girls between 10-14 years old, and COVID-19 for the adults, among other vaccines,’ she said.

Kilima encouraged the public to come out and be vaccinated, stating that the process is continuous and available in
all public health centres.

‘My plea to the public is that they should come out and be vaccinated. Prevention is better than cure. When you visit all public health centres, you will get these services, so they should help the ministry in the fight towards eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases,’ she said.

Ismail Abdulilah, CEO of Brimaxa Hospital, stated that they partnered with the Busia County Referral Hospital to ensure that the process was effective, stating that open vaccination will continue at the place for the whole week.

He urged the public to take advantage and be vaccinated to save them from life threatening conditions.

”This open day is a good partnership between Busia County Referral Hospital and Brimaxa Hospital. The public should take this advantage and be vaccinated, as it will save them from life-threatening conditions. It will also help to protect the future generation because it’s safe, ‘he said.

According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022, 8 out of 10 children below the ag
e of two have been vaccinated. This indicates that there are still some children who have not been vaccinated, putting them at risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases.

The goal of this year’s World Immunisation Week was to reach all eligible populations with life-saving vaccines and increase immunisation coverage.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Addis Ababa: The employee and leadership of Ethiopian Airlines Group have observed the nationwide International Labour Day 2024 this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Ethiopian Airlines Group Primary Basic Trade Union President Tekalegn Terfassa said the day creates opportunity to enhance the collaboration between employee and the leadership.

The president stated that “on this day we promise to ensure our industrial peace.”

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said on his part that the day meant a lot for both the employees and the employer.

On celebrating the Labour Day we are reminded of the need to extend reasonable payment, create good working environment, and strengthen unity, he added.

The day makes the employer think about the success of the company, Mesfin noted, adding that but that can only be achieved by treating employees in a good manner, respecting the rights of employee, and providing essential benefits, among others.

According to him, the Ethiopian Airlines Group believes that its
big resource is its human resource.

For the CEO, the day has equal meaning for both employees and employers.

The International Labour Day or May Day has been celebrated in Ethiopia the 49th time and for 135th time globally.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency