Category: General

Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed has given out a cheque worth Sh100,000 from the National Government Affirmative Fund (NGAAF) to support Loving sisters’ women group in Migori County.

NGAAF is a kitty under the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs that supports the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth, Persons with Disabilities, needy children, and elderly persons in the country.

It is also anchored on the Vision 2030 development blueprint under the Social Pillar to address the plight of vulnerable groups through enhanced access to financial facilities.

Fatuma, who gave out the funds to the beneficiary group in Migori town said that the funds are aimed at providing an avenue for the promotion of enterprise and value-addition initiatives.

‘This fund will help women, youths, and any vulnerable groups in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector to grow their businesses gradually and be self-reliant’, noted Fatuma.

The legislator challenged women and vulnerable groups t
o come together and form groups and societies to apply for government funds like NGAAF and Uwezo Funds.

Palema Odhiambo, a member of the loving sisters Group that benefited from the funds urged women in the county to join groups to benefit from government funds.

She expressed her sincere appreciation to Fatuma saying that the money will enable them to grow their businesses.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Government of Ethiopia will continue supporting drought affected areas and saving the lives of citizens at any cost, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Responding to questions by members of the House of People’s Representative today, the PM stated that drought has occurred in some parts of Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, which is not a new trend for Ethiopia.

Using the drought as a political tool is not, however, appropriate since it is not the government that brought drought, he noted.

Calling for more cooperation to save lives in drought affected areas, the premier recalled that last year’s collaboration to support drought affected people living in Borena was exemplary.

For the premier, cooperation is crucial to avoid any death due to drought, but using the drought as a political tool is damaging.

During the past four months, for example, about 500,000 quintals of grain has been delivered to Tigray region, primarily by the government and some partners, the PM said.

The Interim Administration
of Tigray has to deliver the limited resources to the ones who needier, the PM added.

The government will continue to support the people with all its capability, the premier said, stressing that “we will do our best to help our people to pass such a difficult time.”

Dismissing the baseless accusation against his government for giving less attention to the matter, he revealed that the government allotted 15 billion Birr for drought victims.

Of this, partners contributed only about 4 billion Birr.

According to him, the government is primarily prioritizing saving lives and will continue to support people that have been affected by the drought.

The premier further noted that there has been no death due to drought so far.

PM Abiy also reaffirmed the commitment of his government to continue supporting drought affected areas and save the lives of citizens by giving special priority at any cost.

He emphasized the significance of increasing production and productivity to cope with the recurrent drought.

Accord
ingly, the nation has cultivated 300,000 million hectares of land during the past Ethiopian harvest season and 120,000 million quintals of wheat is expected.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Coast Seafarers leaders have raised concerns over the snail pace of blue economy projects in Mombasa county, thus depriving the youths of employment opportunities.

The leaders say efforts by the state to escalate investments in the blue economy sector may only remain a pipe dream, if the projects are not completed in good time.

The seafarers also called for the re-introduction of government-led recruitment of seafarers, akin to the one conducted in 2022, where more than 5000 Kenyans were recruited to shipping lines.

They also want construction of the multi-billion Liwatoni Fish processing plant hastened and also the Sh6 billion Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliant ultra-modern tuna fish hub at the same plant, that was set to be completed last year in December.

‘Blue economy is the backbone of the Coastal economy; the project is taking off at a snail’s pace since inception. Our hands are tied. We expected the Liwatoni Tuna Project to employ more than 3000 youths but it has stalled,’ sai
d Daniel Kitsao, a seafarer and politician.

He added that they have heard unconfirmed reports that the contractor is being replaced, which may result in court cases that will further derail the project.

They alleged that monies for the World Bank funded Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development Project (KEMFSED), being implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries are being utilized for other purposes.

‘The project is aimed at uplifting the fisher folk, but we are being told the funds have been diverted back to Nairobi to be used in construction of the proposed Fisheries Headquarters dubbed Uvuvi house and for purchase of vehicles to the chagrin of the local fisher folk community,’ said Kitsao.

Another seafarer’s leader, Albert Adembesa, also urged the government to address and resolve pertinent issues facing Kenyan fishermen.

He called for the implementation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 185 on Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID) that Kenya rat
ified and was also passed by parliament in 2022.

Adembesa added that the document has not been issued to seafarers, despite assurances from senior government officials.

‘The document is crucial, it’s very urgent. More than 400 Kenyans seafarers risk losing their jobs on international ship lines if the convention is not implemented,’ said Adembesa, adding that the president should intervene for them to work in foreign vessels.

The Seafarers now want the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs to procure vessels for deep sea fishing, take them for refresher courses and also set up a hospital for their staff.

‘Kenya’s territorial water is endowed with fish, there are many foreign fishing vessels that do fishing and sell the product in other countries. We should purchase at least five ships that will employ more than 400 youths,’ said Adembesa.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Government of Ethiopia will continue supporting drought affected areas and saving the lives of citizens at any cost, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Responding to questions by members of the House of People’s Representative today, the PM stated that drought has occurred in some parts of Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia, which is not a new trend for Ethiopia.

Using the drought as a political tool is not, however, appropriate since it is not the government that brought drought, he noted.

Calling for more cooperation to save lives in drought affected areas, the premier recalled that last year’s collaboration to support drought affected people living in Borena was exemplary.

For the premier, cooperation is crucial to avoid any death due to drought, but using the drought as a political tool is damaging.

During the past four months, for example, about 500,000 quintals of grain has been delivered to Tigray region, primarily by the government and some partners, the PM said.

The Interim Administration
of Tigray has to deliver the limited resources to the ones who needier, the PM added.

The government will continue to support the people with all its capability, the premier said, stressing that “we will do our best to help our people to pass such a difficult time.”

Dismissing the baseless accusation against his government for giving less attention to the matter, he revealed that the government allotted 15 billion Birr for drought victims.

Of this, partners contributed only about 4 billion Birr.

According to him, the government is primarily prioritizing saving lives and will continue to support people that have been affected by the drought.

The premier further noted that there has been no death due to drought so far.

PM Abiy also reaffirmed the commitment of his government to continue supporting drought affected areas and save the lives of citizens by giving special priority at any cost.

He emphasized the significance of increasing production and productivity to cope with the recurrent drought.

Accord
ingly, the nation has cultivated 300,000 million hectares of land during the past Ethiopian harvest season and 120,000 million quintals of wheat is expected.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Information and Communication Technology (MICT), Peya Mushelenga, has urged the public to disregard information circulating on social media regarding the mourning and funeral arrangements of the late President Hage Geingob.

Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Mushelenga said the ministry will be the focal information dissemination centre regarding all arrangements and activities for Geingob’s mourning period, leading to the funeral.

‘There are people who have a habit of saying apparently this and that about the funeral…if you have heard your things keep them to yourself. If you have not heard it from me and I have not heard it from the national preparatory committee…’ he said.

A national preparatory committee chaired by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was constituted by President Nangolo Mbumba to preside over the protocol on the funeral planning and sequence of events in consultation with the family.

Mushelenga further called upon the public to observe the period of mour
ning in harmony, noting that the government has requested organisations to keep their planned official ceremonies and gatherings at a minimum and in a dignified manner.

He further noted that public members and singing choirs willing to deliver a message should make their request through the executive director of MICT for further communication to the family for a final decision and dates.

Equally, regional governors planning to host any event in honour of Geingob must receive the directive from the national planning committee.

‘It is very important that during this time we remain calm as a nation. National mourning of the country is not different as we have it in most cultures, it means it is time to reflect, honour and respect the spirit of a departed one,’ he noted.

Geingob, 82, died on Sunday in Windhoek.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The red eye disease has been detected in Marsabit County with the government advising residents to observe high standards of hygiene.

The local County health officials confirmed 10 cases of the disease detected at the Marsabit County Referral Hospital.

The CEC Member for Health Ms Grace Galmo said in a press briefing on Tuesday that the viral conjunctivitis cases were detected at the hospital’s eye unit section and the patients were offered appropriate treatment.

The spread of the disease which was first diagnosed in the coast region has sent the County health docket into a spin with Ms Galmo urging for uncompromised hygiene practices including washing of hands to stem its spread.

The CEC who was accompanied by the County Director of Health Dr Ali Boru and the County Director of Veterinary Services Dr Boku Bodha said the patients who were treated and discharged at the hospital were experiencing eye itching, swelling, pain sensitivity to light, and redness.

‘I am urging the residents to embrace very stric
t cleanliness standards that include regular hand washing with soap and water,’ she advised, adding that people should also avoid touching their eyes and face.

Dr Boru said measures to contain the spread of the disease have been taken adding that there was no cause for alarm.

He called on anybody who may experience symptoms akin to the red eye disease such as redness, itching, and blurred vision to seek medical treatment without delay.

‘We appeal to the public to remain calm, follow preventive measures, and report any suspected cases to the relevant authorities,’ the Director said.

The disclosure comes barely a week after the government confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in Marsabit County after 4 cases out of 43 analyzed at Kenya Medical Research Institute turned positive.

The Department of Health Services is continuously monitoring and making the necessary interventions to protect the health and well-being of the residents including a reported upsurge of malaria.

The outbreaks are being
associated with the recent El Nino rains which provided an enabling environment for vector multiplication.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Keetmanshoop on Monday gathered for a candlelight vigil ceremony in remembrance of the late President Hage Geingob.

The ceremony organised by the Keetmanshoop municipality was held to honour the president’s legacy and for the residents to send messages of condolence to former First Lady Monica Geingos, the children, his family and the entire country.

Speaking during the ceremony, Reverend Dr Andreas Biwa urged Namibians to unify, be strong and courageous and to continue in the spirit of Harambee.

He said Namibians should learn from past lessons and carry the president’s legacy and vision forward, as he had visions of green schemes, new mines and the increment of pension funds.

‘We cannot take this situation lightly, we have strong and weak people in this country, so let us Harambee together. We are moving into an unknown challenge, we know of our past but we are not sure of what is ahead, but let us remember one Namibia, one nation,’ said Biwa.

Keetmanshoop municipality councillor, Annalise
Knouwds described the late Geingob as not just a leader, but a guiding light, a beacon of wisdom and a source of inspiration for many people. He said as the community of Keetmanshoop, they should not only share in the sorrow of the president’s passing, but also in the gratitude for the years of the president’s dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to the betterment of the nation and its people.

‘Let us remember the moments of strength and courage that the late president displayed in times of challenges, his vision for unity, equality and progress will continue to inspire us as we move forward carrying the torch of his legacy,’ she said.

Geingob, who was Namibia’s third president, died at age 82 on Sunday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency