Category: General

Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa has appealed to the local farmers to buy subsidised top-dressing fertilisers to boost production.

The governor warned that with the heavy downfall throughout the region, there are high chances of nutrient leaching and lower productivity at the end of the season.

‘It is essential for our farmers to apply top dressing fertiliser to their crops to replenish the lost nutrients caused by heavy downfall,’ said the governor.

He said statistics from various farms in the region indicate that a subsidy programme worth Sh700 million initiated by the county has been a resounding success.

‘We will continue rolling out similar initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and improving our food basket,’ he promised.

The Governor said the last batches of top-dressing fertilisers were being ferried to ward offices for easy access by the farmers.

He said the current heavy rains benefit the maize crops and farmers in the region but can also cause havoc through leaching.

The governor s
poke Tuesday in Matungu Sub County while distributing bags of fertiliser to the farmers.

While accompanied by various leaders and administrators, he said that no one should gamble with food security in Kakamega County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Forty guests and several staff members were rescued at Masai Mara Game Reserve after the River Talek burst its banks and overflowed.

Speaking to the media at Sarova Mara Lodge, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu said 40 guests and several staff were rescued, with no casualties or fatalities reported.

Nine camps have been impacted by floods, including Tipilikwani camp, Mara Leisure camp, Mara Base camp, Olkinyei camp, Mara Big Five camp, Mariot camp, Sweet Acacia camp, Pride Inn Mara camp, and Kananga camp.

Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu said that the river had overflowed at midnight, affecting sections of Talek town and leaving guests trapped in several camps along the river.

Further, the governor said that Mosiro ward has been severely impacted by the ongoing rains, with 100 families residing along the Mosiro Irrigation Scheme having been displaced.

The governor urged those who reside adjacent to the rivers to evacuate to safer ground.

Narok County Commissioner Lotiatia Kipkech echoed the governor’s sentiments b
y issuing a warning to those who reside adjacent to rivers to move to safer grounds.

Lotiatia urged the stakeholders to alert people still residing near rivers of the risks of overflowing, adding that the government will use force to move people living in areas prone to floods.

The chairman of Narok County Natural Resources, Nicholas Murero, also urged the community residing around the flooded area to move to safer sites.

He also praised both the National and county governments for their operations in rescuing the affected people.

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

The Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) has commissioned a water project to benefit over 1200 households in the Emutsesa sub-location of Khwisero Sub County.

Area Member of Parliament Christopher Aseka said the commissioning of community water projects in every sub-location in the constituency will be realized to ensure that residents are connected to clean and safe water.

The area Legislator who was accompanied by LBDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wycliffe Ochiaga was speaking at Ebuyonga Primary School where they launched the project.

Aseka said the project is spearheaded by the LBDA and is expected to produce 64000 litres of water per day.

He lauded LBDA for considering his constituents and putting more efforts into supporting the project to its completion.

The Legislator said that the completion of the project will tackle some of the challenges women and girls undergo while looking for the precious commodity.

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

A joint disaster preparedness and response committee composed of national and county government officials has been formed to coordinate response interventions to deal with floods and other emergencies arising from heavy rains in Kirinyaga County.

The team headed by the Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow and Deputy Governor David Githanda will jointly work together to respond to any emergency issue arising from floods and mobilise resources from both levels of government.

Allasow said the flood situation in Kirinyaga is now under control, and both the County and National governments have supplied flood victims with food and other relief supplies to ensure no one suffers from hunger.

The County Commissioner advised motorists not to drive through flooded areas and those living near waterways to avoid crossing swollen rivers.

‘We have managed the situation and we are urging our people to be on high alert because we have been told by the weatherman that the rains might continue,’ he said.

He said
most schools are safe and ready for re-opening on Monday except for one whose condition is being monitored.

Residents of areas affected by the floods said interventions being undertaken by the county government have helped in redirecting flood water back into the rivers and other water catchment areas.

The County Government has deployed additional machinery and manpower to drain water from areas marooned by floods.

The areas prone to flooding, mudslides and landslides are: Tebere, Thiba, Wamumu, Gathigiriri, Mutithi, Kariti, Kangai and Nyangati wards.

The machinery which includes excavators, backhoes and trucks are being used to clear soils and debris that have blocked drainage trenches and culverts.

Deputy Governor Githanda said the committee had agreed on measures to be undertaken to safeguard lives of people and properties including evacuation of people from flood and landslide prone areas.

However, it was identified that the floods are being caused by people who have built on riparian land and other
s who are blocking drainage systems.

Jared Migwi, the County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Roads, Public Works and Housing, who visited some of the flooded areas said the flood situation is being addressed by creating alternative routes for water to flow from homes.

Source: Kenya News Agency