Category: General

Residents of Homa Bay County today celebrated the life of journalist Rita Tinina by planting trees in her memory.

Nuhu Abdul Masoud, the patron of Plant Trees for a Better Environment CBO distributed free tree seedlings to the residents to plant in celebration and memory of the life of the journalist who died last week

‘This journalist really touched our hearts during her work. So, in her honour, we decided to celebrate her life by distributing tree seedling to residents of Homa Bay,’ Masoud who is also the Supkem Secretary in the county said as he distributed seedlings in Kendubay and Oyugis towns.

He said the burial for Rita is happening today and since they could not all afford to attend physically; residents would plant the distributed seedlings in their homes in her honour and memory.

‘We will plant the trees and it shall remain as an honour for her, that is why as the people of Homa Bay County, the Plant Trees for Better Environment, CBO and the media we are celebrating her,’ Masoud said.

Henry Oga
la who is a paralegal Homa Bay chapter said he appreciated the life of Rita Tinina and her work which impressed and touched many lives.

‘We are going to plant the trees seedlings just received and it will be a great honour for Rita though departed,’ Ogola said

Speaker by speaker said they loved listening to her and it was saddening that she was no more.

Rita Tinina is a Kenyan journalist who served in various media houses in the country. At the time of her demise, she was working at Nation Television (NTV). Rita who was found dead in her house in Narobi is being buried today Wednesday at her family home at Noosupeni farm olokirikirai, Narok county.

‘We are happy for the day and I thank Masoud for providing free tree seedlings for distribution to mark this day when Rita is being buried so that we celebrate her life,’ said Wilson Were, the Assistant Chief Lower Kakwajuok Sub Location and Acting Chief North Karachuonyo who termed Rita Tinina a real heroine and appealed to residents to continue planting tree
at all times

‘Use the available rains now to plant more trees. Let the planting of tree be a continuous event because we all know the benefit of planting trees,’ Were urged.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Public Service Governance (PSG) has urged the government to prioritize public service budgets terming them essential during a press conference to discuss the state of the nation’s governance concerning health, transport and the government wage bill.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel, Ambassador Esther Waringa, PSG president noted that crucial sectors such as the health, education and transport are not adequately financed and the government’s intention to reinstate the CAS’s positions through parliament, negates the prudent fiscal management.

Waringa lamented that the government wage bill is too high and is rewarding the political class while professionals like doctors, teachers and agriculturalists are paid lower than politicians.

‘All the money being budgeted to pay the political class must be used to streamline our medical facilities, education sector and infrastructure,’ maintained Waringa.

Further, she advised that the Michuki rules should be refined and reinstated as they control regulations on overloa
ding, over speeding, roadworthiness of vehicles, corruption and bribery on the roads.

She urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to enforce strict rules against bribery, over speeding, overlapping and playing heavy non-essential music on public transport vehicles.

According to Waringa, the country is becoming ungovernable as Kenyans are paying taxes but the government has no transparency citing the doctors’ strike and the teachers’ impending strike.

‘The government has enough money to take care of doctors and anyone serving in the public service should be first priority,’ voiced Waringa.

Nevertheless, she commended the Office of the Deputy President for the good work in doing away with drugs and closing down unnecessary bars.

Source: Kenya News Agency

There is need to contentiously educate and sensitize Kenyans on the importance of going for medical check-ups and screening at least once every year.

This is the only way that diseases such as cancer that have become rampant could be treated and managed at an early stage.

Dr Joyfrida Chepchumba, the Programme Officer, Treatment, Palliative Care, and Survivorship at the National Cancer Control Programme says, ‘We need to catch cancer at an early stage so that treatment is effectively minimizing the loss of life’.

Dr Chepchumba adds that medical screening helps find some types of cancer at an early stage when they may have a better prognosis.

‘Being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence. Early screening and starting treatment on time saves lives, and the survivors will continue living fruitful lives,’ she says, adding that the government has invested heavily in cancer care and encouraged people to go for screening since those diagnosed with the disease would get treatment locally.

‘Treatment is ava
ilable in Kenya, there will be no need to travel overseas for cancer treatment. PET CT scan or radiotherapy is readily available in the three referral hospitals, Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, says Dr Chepchumba

She adds that the country has 10 other regional cancer centres, with Mombasa, Nakuru, and Garissa offering radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery, while Kakamega, Kisumu, Embu, and Nyeri have chemotherapy and surgery with radiotherapy coming soon.

Dr Chepchumba said although breast cancer was the leading in the country with 5000 cases being reported annually, cervical cancer with 4000 cases reported annually causes more deaths because it is very aggressive.

‘We lose many women with cervical cancer because the disease is very aggressive, but it can be managed and treated effectively with early screening and diagnosis,’ she explains.

Dr Chepchumba made the remarks during a medical screening camp at Dry
s farm in Ainabkoi sub-county of Uasin Gishu county where more than 2000 residents benefited from free screening and treatment.

She was accompanied by KUTRRH Deputy Director of Clinical Services Dr. Kerama Onyimbo and Uasin Gishu County Director of Health Dr. Evans Kiprotich.

The medic encouraged men particularly those aged 45 years and above to go for screening, not only for prostate but also for colorectal and pancreatic cancers.

At the same time, she urged parents to ensure their girls aged 10 to 14 years get vaccinated for the human papillomavirus (HPV) that is available in all public hospitals.

She said HPV was the only cancer that could be prevented at this point, ‘when the girls become sexually active, they will be susceptible to be exposed to HPV, but this will not transform into cancer if they are vaccinated,’ assured the medic.

She assured that the vaccine was safe without any side effects with no issue raised from the girls so far vaccinated since it was introduced in 2019.

Following some res
istance when the vaccine was introduced, samples were taken for analysis at the quality control lab in KNH, it was tested and certified safe without any family planning hormones, it neither causes infertility nor impotence, she adds.

In his remarks, Dr. Kiprotich said as a county, they initiated an RRI to ensure all girls within the age bracket get the HPV vaccine, ‘what is wrong with our girls getting the vaccine that would prevent them from getting cancer in their later lives?’

He however said there was a need for men to be encouraged to go for screening because a majority of them waited until they stopped passing urine to go to hospital.

‘Prostate enlargement can be diagnosed early through PSA testing and managed, but majority of our men rarely go for testing,’ noted Dr Kiprotich.

He adds that from numerous medical camp screenings done in the county, it emerged that demand for health services was huge hence the need to put in place strategies that would ensure better access to healthcare.

‘We have rea
lized there is an increase of hypertensive cases in our communities that the affected may not be aware of. Last year we only screened 4000 mothers out of a population of more than 40,000 women of reproductive age, indicating a serious gap. We have also realized that most men do not go for prostate enlargement check-ups, and will only go the hospital when the urine is completely blocked,’ he said.

‘The issue of prostate enlargement is largely a private affair for men and because of the stigma attached to it, they will only come to the hospital when they realize the urine is completely blocked,’ he added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Mutunyi Community in Buuri, Meru County is a happy lot after the commissioning of a 2.5-kilometre electric fence that will deter elephants from destroying their farms as well as killing and injuring people.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza thanked the Lewa Safari Marathon for funding the project adding that it was an initiative that marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts.

She said the construction of the fence underscores a collaborative effort between Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the local community, aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

‘With elephants often encroaching into human settlements, posing threats to lives and livelihoods, installation of the electric elephant fence serves as a crucial step towards fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife,’ said Governor Mwangaza.

Lewa’s Chief Programs and Partnerships Officer Mr John Kinoti said one of the responsibilities they have taken seriously as a conservation group i
s building partnerships and the construction of the fence was a sign of good partnerships that they have with communities and the County government of Meru.

‘We are building partnerships for people in terms of their livelihood enhancement because Mutunyi community is an agricultural community and having an electric fence helps to mitigate human-wildlife conflict,’ said Mr Kinoti.

He added that the conservancy also launched registration for the June 29 marathon saying that this will be used to celebrate 25 years with the clarion call of connecting generations.

‘We are saying that it is time to connect generations and one way to celebrate this is that we have done an electric fence that is going to connect generations of young to old people in terms of farming and that is the reason we are calling on everyone to support us in this marathon,’ said Mr Kinoti.

Lawrence Riungu, the Community development programs officer at Lewa Conservancy said the Mutunyi community had for years struggled to deter elephants co
ming to destroy their crops in vain but through the support of the Lewa Safari Marathon Fund for the community in the 2022/2023 financial year, it has been possible.

Since the completion of the fence construction in December last year, Mr Riungu added, the farmers returned to their farms and had a bumper harvest from the last season’s rains.

‘I am happy to continue supporting the community on development projects so it can see the value and the benefits of what they do daily,’ said Mr Riungu.

Mutunyi Community Chairman Mr David Mwiti Nabea said that in the past they had serious challenges emanating from the invasion of elephants which had led to people abandoning their farms and relocating to the market areas.

He said they tried to construct a stone fence along the routes that elephants use in vain until they got a partnership with Lewa Conservancy.

‘When Lewa came in they sat down with the community’s development committee where we agreed that constructing an electric fence to deter elephants from invad
ing our farms was a priority.

To own the project, the community participated in the project by way of providing labour while the conservancy gave us the required materials,’ said Mr Mwiti.

He said with the establishment of the fence, the community members can presently walk around and sleep comfortably.

Ms Gladys Nkatha said they are happy that they can now comfortably utilise their farms and produce adequate food for both consumption and commercial purposes.

‘Since our relocation to this area in 1986, we have been having conflicts with elephants which made it impossible for us to do any crop production in our farms as they would eventually be destroyed by elephants.’

‘At the moment we can now get back to our farms and stop leasing farms in other areas,’ said Ms Nkatha.

Source: Kenya News Agency

To promote rehabilitation and reduce prison congestion, 40 low-risk inmates from Tambach Prison in Elgeyo Marakwet have been released from jail under the Community Service Order (CSO) program.

These individuals will serve the remainder of their sentences by contributing a specified number of hours to community service.

Dr Salome Beacco, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Correctional Services, emphasized the significance of this initiative during her visit to Tambach Prison yesterday.

‘The probation department has been empowered to supervise the inmates released under CSO orders,’PS Beacco said.

PS Beacco highlighted that the majority of incarcerated individuals are men, expressing concern about its impact on society.

‘That is why we have thought of what transformational ideas we can come up with on how we can help you help yourselves thus the release under CSO orders is one of the reasons,’ she explained.

Under the CSO program, offenders deemed low risk are offered a chance to make ame
nds through community service, granting them a second opportunity in life. The collaboration between the Prisons department and the county government aims to provide training opportunities for the released individuals, enabling them to become self-sufficient.

Furthermore, the Prisons Department is working in conjunction with the Power of Mercy to assist those in need, facilitating their reintegration into their families and communities.

PS Beacco affirmed that this process will extend beyond Tambach Prison to other facilities nationwide to assess its efficacy.

Additionally, plans are underway to refurbish Tambach Prison to accommodate a mixed block, addressing the lack of a female prison in Elgeyo Marakwet.

The PS further pledged to liaise with the Commissioner of Prisons to explore solutions that ensure female inmates are not relocated outside the county.

Highlighting the need for judicial support, PS Beacco announced plans to petition the Chief Justice for the appointment of a resident judge in Elgeyo
Marakwet. She also revealed intentions to equip the prison with internet connectivity to facilitate e-court sessions, expediting legal proceedings.

Commissioner General of Prisons Brigadier (Rtd) John Warioba urged the released inmates to uphold good conduct and avoid recidivism. He assured those hesitant to return to the community that they could remain in custody until they felt prepared to reintegrate successfully.

Regarding reintegration support, Governor Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet announced various opportunities available to the released inmates.

‘For those willing to learn skills, there are 1000 slots under the Tujiajiri program,’ Governor Rotich stated, encouraging them to seize the chance for personal growth.

In addition, he pledged to provide job opportunities through the World Bank town expansion program and support entrepreneurship initiatives with tools and agricultural resources.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy through the State Department for ICT and The Digital Economy has launched a global digital campaign dubbed LetsGoToKenya aimed at promoting awareness of Kenya as a premier global destination for both tourism and investment.

This follows Nairobi’s endorsement as the world’s best city to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet, a United States based travel agency, placing it ahead of Paris and Montreal in Canada.

The campaign which will run for a period of one year was officially launched by ICT and the Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui who was accompanied by ICT Authority CEO, Stanley Kamanguya, Konza Technopolis Development Authority CEO John Paul Okwiri and other key government officials and technology development partners.

‘It is my great pleasure to join you today for the launch of the #LetsGotoKenya digital media campaign. Nairobi, our capital city and a jewel in Kenya’s crown, has been rightfully recognized as the best city to visit in 2024 b
y Lonely Planet’, said Tanui.

This accolade lays the foundation for our gathering today. The upward trajectory of Kenya’s tourism sector is undeniable. Our nation’s allure, with its warm hospitality, status as a technology and innovation hub, vibrant street culture, and the unique distinction of Nairobi as the ‘Green City Under the Sun’ with its national park within city limits, has earned it the esteemed title from Lonely Planet,’ added Eng. Tanui.

He said that the campaign aims to harness the power of technology, specifically tapping into the capabilities of social media platforms, leveraging the enthusiasm and expertise of Kenya’s youthful, tech-savvy population which constitutes approximately 70 percent of the demographic as well as the vibrant creative community.

‘By fostering collaboration across various government ministries, departments, agencies, and technology partners, we seek to amplify our message and attract more opportunities for tourism and investment,’ said Tanui.

The PS pointed out that
the campaign will leverage on major events and forums being hosted by the government throughout the year to further promote the campaign hence, maximizing its visibility and impact.

‘We will utilize the Connected Africa Summit which is set to be held in April, the 41st International Association of Science Parts conference being hosted by Konza in September and the Transform Africa Summit 2024 to be held in August in Nairobi. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner will also be hosting the Network of African Data Protection Authorities Conference in May,’ said Tanui.

Tanui further noted that the campaign will capitalise on a one government approach where he called on other government agencies to contribute to content creation and the #WeGotoKenya Hashtag promotion.

He pointed out that key partners in the campaign comprise Linkedin, Kenya Airways, Startup Lions/Digital nomads of Turkana, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and the Ministry of Youth, Creative Economy, and Sports which will engage with con
tent creators and sports associations to infuse the campaign with dynamic energy.

‘Technology companies, including esteemed representatives such as META and Google will play a pivotal role in promoting the campaign, bolstering platform security, providing capacity-building initiatives, and delivering performance metrics to optimize the country’s outreach efforts.

PS Tanui further acknowledged the critical role to be played by the media sector in amplifying the key messages to a wider audience through interviews, talk shows and publications.

‘Together, let us unite in showcasing Nairobi’s vibrant culture, rich heritage, and innovative spirit to the world. Let #LetsGotToKenya become our song for tourists and investors alike, beckoning them to experience the countless wonders our city has to offer’, declared Eng.Tanui.

Source: Kenya News Agency