Malawi Wire

A Belgium-based organization has plans to support the production of hydroelectric power in some of the local villages in remote areas.

The Chief Executive Officer of HydroBox Organization, Mr. Thomas Poelmans, has said that by the year 2027, they are targeting to connect more than one million Kenyans to locally produced hydropower.

He observed that his organization would continue funding small hydropower projects in villages to assist the less disadvantaged in their respective localities with cheap electric power.

The CEO spoke on Friday during the launch of the Gitugi Hydropower Plant, previously known as Magiro Power Station, in Mathioya Sub County.

The power plant with a capacity to generate about 640 kilowatts was innovated by a local resident, Joseph Magiro, a few years ago but later got a boost to also tap solar power.

Poelmans observed that with their input, they managed to improve Magiro’s power plant from generating 47 kilowatts to the current situation where the plant located along the River Mathioya now produces power to connect more than 3, 000 end-users.

The CEO said by the end of this year they would sponsor three other similar projects in Murang’a County, which in total would have the capacity to produce more than 1 megawatt.

‘My organization is working to ensure those in rural areas and those who cannot access electric power from the national grid can access locally produced electric power. The projects are hybrid, meaning that they can generate power from water and also get a complement from solar panels. Such projects will ensure the disadvantages in society also get connected to electric power,’ explained Poelmans.

The CEO said that despite electrification in Kenya being high, at around 70 per cent coverage, there were still some rural areas which had no access to electric power.

He noted that by supporting innovations like that of Magiro, individuals and institutions that Kenya Power Company has not reached could access power.

‘Power produced at these local stations is cheap by about 20 percent compared to the rates charged by KPC. The innovations can go a long way to complement what the government is doing to avail power to the majority of Kenyans,’ he added.

His sentiments were echoed by the Chief Executive Officer of NETFUND Group, Mr. Samon Toniok, who praised Magiro’s innovation, which has seen more than 300 local homesteads get power connections.

NETFUND, he said, came in to support the initiative by providing some needed materials to ensure the power plant increases hydropower production.

‘On our part, we sponsored making the plant hybrid by tapping solar to increase the number of kilowatts produced. I request other organizations to sponsor such innovations as they are aimed at solving some challenges facing common Mwananchi,’ said Toniok.

He continued, ‘We appeal for similar stations to be done in areas with this kind of topography and permanent rivers.’ This will ensure production of clean energy as well as mitigation of climate change since our trees will be spared from being sourced as fuel.’

On his part, Magiro said his idea to come up with the power station was influenced by a bicycle dynamo. He mobilized resources and tapped water from the local river, where he initially produced seven kilowatts.

He said he would continue to partner with more organizations to increase the production of power and supply it to more end users.

‘Currently, the power being produced is greater than the one needed by customers. ‘I am seeking support to enable families which are as far away as five kilometers from the power plant to get connected to electricity,’ added Magiro.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nakuru County’s health sector has received a boost after 1400 tablets were delivered to aid in disease surveillance and reporting.

The devices, which are a major boost to efforts by the county to automate the healthcare system, will be utilized under the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) Digitization Programme.

While receiving the batch from the Ministry of Health for the County, Community Health Strategist Rita Ochola noted that the gadgets would be key in ensuring efficiency and improving reporting to primary healthcare at level 1.

‘We have received the first batch of 1400 tablets for our dedicated Community Health Promoters, formerly Community Health Volunteers (CHVs)’, she acknowledged.

‘We eagerly anticipate the arrival of the second batch, which will complete the rollout with a total of 3306 tablets, covering all our CHVs. We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Health, who will be providing the remaining 1906 tablet,’ said Ochola.

The delivery comes in the wake of digitization to align the healthcare system with the ever-evolving technological landscape.

Some of the strategies to be deployed include enhanced early pregnancy detection, referrals for care, and the provision of family planning services by Community Health Volunteers at the community and facility levels.

The strategies also include engaging community leaders like National Government Administrative Officers and religious leaders to help enhance access to quality, healthy lives at the community level.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Parents in Molo sub-county have been urged to utilize parental control measures on the digital devices used by their children so as not to expose them to an array of risks.

Speaking during the day of the African Child Celebrations at Molo Stadium, themed ‘The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment,’ Molo Principal Magistrate Rugut Kipyegon noted that in as much as the digital space offers great learning opportunities, parents ought to make sure that they monitor what content their children are consuming online.

‘Yes, you have rights as children, but there are little traps on the internet waiting to pounce on you, and your development and best interests as a child can be taken away by a click on the network,’ said Rugut.

According to him, sexual exploitation is among the top major challenges the children are facing, and this has greatly derailed the holistic growth of many children.

There are those who have given birth at a tender age and thus drop out of school due to peer influence, drug and substance abuse, consumption of illicit liquor, and getting infected with Sexually Transmitted Infections among other issues affecting the children. Thus, there is a need to keep on guiding the minors in all they do on the internet.

He was optimistic that if the digital space is used well, then it will provide great opportunities, such as jobs and learning experiences, that will help the children compete effectively in all that they engage in.

His sentiments were echoed by the area children’s officer, Henry Bigoro, who observed that such exploitation results to emotional torture, disinterest in school matters, change of behavior, depression, and low self-esteem, and therefore parents ought to give the minors the appropriate digital skills that will enable them to explore the positive gains it gives.

Elsewhere in Kajiado County, Director of Children’s Services Dr. Samuel Masese noted that while the internet has numerous advantages, such as bridging educational gaps and enhancing digital learning for African children, it at the same time presents risks for the infringement of their rights.

Speaking at Engaboli Primary School in Maili Tisa, Kajiado County, during celebrations to mark the International Day of the African Child, Dr. Masese revealed that children are often exposed to cyberbullying, exposure to adult content, online sexual exploitation, child labor, and trafficking.

‘The use of digital technology is vital in the modern world, but it also comes with risks as children using digital devices are exposed to pornography, online sexual exploitation and abuse, radicalization, and child trafficking,’ he said.

The director called on parents to protect their children from exposure to inappropriate content online by constantly monitoring what they access on the internet through their phones and restricting access to adult sites.

‘Parents give their phones to their children but do not check the sites they access, so the children can be easily exposed to cyberbullying and harmful content,’ he added.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Rift Valley Branch Secretary General Elly Korinko reiterated that parents must regulate and monitor the online activities of their children.

Korinko further called on the government, through the Ministries of Education and ICT, to regulate the content that pupils access while in school through the use of digital devices.

Oloililai Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Justin Maina, noted that despite laws in place to protect the children, they still continue to face various forms of abuse, such as child labor, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced marriages.

Maina revealed that cases of child labor were rampant in the area, with children being engaged in hawking during market days, herding, and sand harvesting, denying them the right to education.

He warned that all children have a right to education, and those caught exploiting children for monetary gain will face the full force of the law.

From neighbouring Narok, media personalities led by Citizen TV reporter Mary Lolchoki said the lack of access to digital services bars educational advancement for children, thus excluding them from innovations and opportunities to improve their lives within the digital world.

Similarly, Milton Salaon, a Sidai FM radio reporter, said the digital world has contributed a lot to the learning environment for youths and children showcasing their talents.

‘Former Olympian Julius Yego used the internet to learn the techniques of throwing the javelin and participated in the Olympics games, and now he is called the YouTube Man. The Internet helps a lot,’ said Salaon.

Saloan noted that currently students can use the internet to choose their careers and search for jobs; hence, the new technology is the new era, and people should accept and embrace it.

The Ministry of Education is being called upon to contribute to the digital world through the sensitization of new trends in the digital world and to come up with children’s rights in the digital world.

On his part, David Sankele, Narok Town chief, said the children are vulnerable to the digital world, and parents should give guidance as parents interact mostly with children at home.

This is an annual celebration that commemorates the black schoolchildren of South Africa who went to the street on June 16, 1976, protesting against the poor quality of education they received and thus demanding to be taught in their own language in school.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Assistant County Commissioner, Kajiado Central Division, Kajiado County, has warned residents against engaging their children in child labour.

Patrick Mburure pointed out that child labour is forbidden not only by the constitution but also internationally.

Mburure warned that those who engage their children in child labour will be prosecuted and face the full force of the law.

The ACC,who was speaking on Friday during celebrations of the Day of the African Child at Kisanjani area, directed chiefs to be at the forefront in identifying those engaging their children in child labour.

He further directed them to identify school dropouts who have gone to the Kaputei area to work as herdsmen as well as those who went to work in Elang’ata as casual labourers in farms.

He warned the parents whose children drop out of school and never report the matter to the chiefs or school head that they will be arrested for violating the rights of an African child.

Mburure also urged the parents not to hide their physically challenged children so that they can receive assistance from government and well-wishers and also be part of the community.

On relief food, the ACC assured that the food received had been shared from county to sub-location, adding that schools have not been left behind in the provision of relief food.

He also noted that human-wildlife conflicts have increased in Kajiado south due to drought, causing the animals to invade homes for water and prey to survive.

Loitoktok Sub County Children Officer Dennis Njoroge expressed concern that the African child is facing myriad challenges, including early marriages, female genital mutilation, and a lack of education.

He also lamented that the parents were not taking their children to school, citing that statistically, the constituency is leading in school dropouts and early marriages.

Njoroge also urged the parents to be ambassadors in the fight against FGM and promote the government’s national goal of ending FGM by 2030.

Patrick Nang’unin, who is an educationist from Kimana, confirmed that the government has provided digital devices like laptops and desktop computers that can help the learners conduct research in a digital environment.

He also appreciated the non-government organizations in Kajiado South for their support and funds for child development.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Fresh graduates have been urged to have high integrity and good morals when they get into the workplace.

Speaking during the 37th graduation at the Animal Health and Industry Training Institute-Ndomba (AHITI) in Kirinyaga, the Director of Livestock Research and Regulations State Department of Livestock, Dr. Christopher Wanga, told graduates that livestock is an investment of the farmer and it must be treated properly and with respect.

The 284 graduates were warned that taking shortcuts, as they are expensive, could end the careers of some individuals and taint the entire profession.

Dr. Wanga further advised them to administer correct medication to animals and not only go after money but also advise on correct practices.

‘My advice to you graduates is that livestock is an investment for the farmer. You must always do the right thing with full respect. Don’t invent any shortcut because it is expensive, career-threatening, and taints the whole profession,’ Dr. Wanga said.

He revealed to graduates that animal health programmes are still marketable in the country, apart from self-employment, the majority of small-scale farmers and commercial ranches need to know the condition of their animals daily.

Dr. Wanga said with the subsidy of farm inputs in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformational Agenda by the government, many people would venture into farming, hence the need for clear minds ready to work and utilize skills learned to assist them with veterinary services.

‘The programmes offered here are still marketable because farmers need to know about their animals daily. You can start as an individual; the demand for a veterinary service is expected to increase as the government is now subsidizing farm inputs,’ he added.

He challenged them to advance their studies to the highest level to secure more opportunities. Students get a one-year internship from the government after graduation, which leads to certification by the Kenya Veterinary Board.

The director also said they were in the process of renewing the buildings and training facilities in the institution to modern standards.

AHITI-Ndomba Principal Mr. Edward Murage said the training offered in all programmes by the institution meets the Kenya Veterinary Board’s (KVB) minimum requirements.

He said they engaged external examiners from the University of Nairobi to ensure the credibility and competence of the professionals released to the job market.

Kirinyaga Deputy Governor David Githanda, who delivered Governor Ann Waiguru’s message, said AHITI is a great asset to the county.

He said the region being an agricultural zone means the demand for animal health professionals has increased, providing greater opportunities for the graduates.

He added that the county government would continue offering internships and attachments to AHITI students.

‘This institution is a great asset to our county, as there are only three in the entire nation. We will continue offering internship opportunities to the students from here,’ said Githanda.

AHITI prides itself on having three branches countrywide: Kabete, Nyahururu, and Ndomba, with the mission of providing quality training in animal health and production to the frontline technical personnel in the livestock sub-sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency