Malawi Wire

Nyahururu based athletes joined other Kenyans in mourning the World Marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, by observing a minute of silence before their speed work training, Tuesday.

The Chicago World Marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, died on Sunday night, through a road accident.

The athletes said the death had robbed the sports fraternity one of the finest road runners in the Country.

They mourned that the death has robbed athletics fans of a mouthwatering showdown between Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge, whose world record he bettered. The two were in the Kenyan marathon team for this year’s Paris Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in August.

His death was in the minds of the athletes and they could be heard discussing it before and after training at the Nyahururu stadium.

Former marathon runner who is currently a coach in Japan, Daniel Njenga, said he was receiving a lot of calls from the Far East Country, by people who wanted to know more about the tragic accident.

Kiptum and his Coach, Garvais
Hakizimana from Rwanda, died in a road accident in Eldoret.

The death that has shocked the Country and the world of athletics, occurred when the vehicle they were travelling in rolled along the Eldoret-Kaptagat Highway.

Kiptum set the World Record in the Chicago Marathon, clocking 2:00:35, surpassing Kipchoge’s previous record of 2:01:9 set in 2022.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Government has announced its plans to carry out a major inspection of vessels in the Indian Ocean and inland waters on 24 meters and below vessels, for the next 12 months, starting April.

The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Salim Mvurya, said that a comprehensive vessel inspection initiative, will ensure maritime safety, urging owners to cooperate, as the government has given a waiver and the process will be done free of charge.

‘From the 1st of April, we will be doing a major inspection of all vessels of 24 meters and below in the Indian Ocean and also in the inland waters and we will do it in the next twelve months,’ said Mvurya.

He noted that the inspection aims to verify vessel worthiness, compliance with safety standards and provide unique identification, for swift response in rescue operations.

Mvurya who was speaking at Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Headquarters in Mombasa, said that there is a ground-breaking move set to reshape Kenya’s maritime landscap
e.

Alongside key stakeholders, he unveiled a series of transformative initiatives, aimed at bolstering training, safety and opportunities within the sector.

The CS said following the President’s directive to train 2,000 coxswains in the Indian Ocean region, the Ministry has successfully trained 5,410 coxswains, surpassing initial targets.

‘We have trained 5,410 coxswains here in the Indian ocean. A decision was made to extend coxswain training to inland waters, including Lake Victoria, Lake Baringo, and Lake Turkana starting 1st March, 2024,’ he added.

Responding to concerns about costly seafarer training by Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) and Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), the CS assured that Ministry is committed to reassessing and potentially reducing fees within the next two weeks.

There have been complaints from leaders and parents that the fees for seafarers for the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch (STCW) keeping course was high.

This is a two-week course that is an international con
vention that is regarded as the lateral standard of training for anyone working on a commercial vessel.

Mvurya noted that it has been agreed in the next two weeks, that Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and Bandari Maritime Academy, will conclude assessment and reduce the fee which is currently at Sh35, 000.

He added that Bandari Maritime academy has slashed professional coxswain training fees from Sh125, 000 to Sh70,000, enhancing accessibility to maritime education.

Emphasizing national interest, he spoke on collaborating with institutions such as the Utalii College, aiming to synergize hospitality and maritime training, fostering comprehensive skill development.

On streamlining recruitment processes for Kenyans seeking opportunities abroad, he stated that the Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Labor and maritime stakeholders, to ensure clarity and fairness.

‘Bearing in mind this is a directive and inspiration from his Excellency the President, we have agreed that BMA and KMA need to work wi
th other institutions, in order to achieve harmony in training and recruiting trainees,’ he added.

The CS said the formal recognition and registration of the Seafarer Union, mark a significant step towards addressing labor issues and fostering constructive dialogue within the maritime sector.

‘Dr. Eric Lewa Katana, assumes the role of CEO at BMA bringing new leadership and expertise, to drive institutional growth and excellence,’ added Mvurya.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Mombasa County Government has collaborated with The Aga Khan Foundation in a workshop that aims at safeguarding gender equality, sustainable development, and social welfare for the Coast Region and the Country at large.

The Advancing Gender Equality through Civil Society (AGECS) Global Learning Workshop gathered 130 participants representing Civil Society Organizations, Universities, and Research Institutions from 14 Countries, Primarily across Africa and Asia.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a globally renowned, private, not-for-profit international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan and is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by the world’s most marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on empowering women and girls.

Speaking at the AGECS workshop held at Pride Inn Paradise, Mombasa, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Youth, Gender, Social Services, and Sports Kenneth Ambani urged men to acknowledge and protect women as they have rights to li
ve a peaceful and comfortable life as well.

‘Gender-based violence has become a matter of serious concern because we have had numerous cases in the country and women have taken to the streets to fight for their rights against being killed by men,’ Ambani said.

Ambani said that it is also important to keep educating the youth and creating more awareness about the consequences of early pregnancies and marriages.

‘Unplanned and early pregnancies end up trapping young people in life because there is a new being added to your life and you must take care of it while you are still figuring out your own life financially, morally, and you still do not understand how to raise a child properly,’ he added.

He observed that these repercussions often led young people to resort to drugs for comfort, unaware that it only exacerbates the situation further.

‘Let us prioritize humanity first; we are all human beings. If you eat, drink, and breathe comfortably, remember that your fellow human beings also need these things t
o survive,’ he urged.

Kennedy Mambo Chande, an overseer of the Advancing Gender through Civil Society Project at the Aga Khan Foundation said that as much as the scheme focuses on gender issues, they were also working to ensure that the organizations partnering with them are empowered to successfully implement their agenda in the society.

He said that they have been in collaboration with two organizations in the Coast Region, namely ‘Sauti ya Wanawake Pwani’ and Dream Achievers Youth Organization.

‘The issue of femicide has struck the entire country and it is extremely saddening. We are pleased to have come together with various organizations to discuss, share, educate, and see which methods and strategies will bring benefits in the fight for gender equality,’ Chande said.

It was observed that by the conclusion of the forum, the participants would depart with the understanding and spread the word that we are all human beings and are entitled to enjoy our human rights.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The County Government of Murang’a has imposed quarantine of livestock in Kahumbu Ward, after scores of residents got ill, after consuming meat from an anthrax infected cow.

On Monday, the County government declared that there will be no selling of milk and meat in the area for the next 14 days.

The County Veterinary Officer, William Kingori, noted that the quarantine will assist to control spread of the disease, saying officers from his office will embark on vaccination of livestock against the disease.

On Saturday, more than 180 local residents, got ill after they consumed meat of a cow that was infected by anthrax.

The owner of the cow, Margret Ngugi, opted to slaughter the cow after it died mysteriously and sold meat to the residents at Sh400 per kilo, resulting in those who consumed the beef getting ill.

Though she alleged her animal died as a result of suffocation, she claimed that the meat sold to the residents, was certified by a private veterinarian.

King’ori said after investigation it emerged
the person said to have inspected and okayed the meat, to be sold to residents was a quack.

He decried the increased number of people purporting to be veterinary officers, saying the quacks are putting the lives of residents at risk.

‘During the quarantine period, all local butcheries will remain closed, no selling of meat unless one gets from other areas. Farmers are advised to pour milk and we will continue monitoring the areas, to ensure there is no spread of diseases,’ he directed.

Governor Kang’ata who visited the area, Monday, said the County government, will take care of medical expenses of those who were affected.

Kang’ata noted that a mobile clinic has been dispatched to the Ward for the next 14 days, to assist in testing and treating residents, who consumed or came in contact with the meat.

The Governor directed the person who is said to have inspected the meat, to be apprehended and face the law.

‘It’s illegal for anyone to discharge veterinary services without the required qualifications. I
confirm the person who inspected the meat was not an employee of the County government and he should be apprehended to face the law,’ declared the Governor.

‘For the families affected, the County government will prepare a list and see how they will be assisted. Some of the residents have developed wounds and the matter needs urgent attention,’ explained Kang’ata.

The Governor warned the residents to be wary of uninspected meat, saying it was dangerous for human consumption.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Bomet County Government has stepped up the management of waste at Kapkwen market following a protest by traders that has lasted three weeks.

The traders have refused to pay taxes to the County Government over what they termed as a lack of tangible services, especially the collection and dumping of wastes.

The traders had also cited a lack of proper ablution facilities in one of the biggest open markets in the region.

The decision was made following Monday’s discussion between Governor Prof Hillary Barchok, and a delegation led by the area Member of the County Assembly, who is also the Deputy Majority, Leader Josea Somoei.

Barchok noted that Kapkwen Trading Centre was not only one of the fastest growing centres, but also the market contributed a substantial amount of taxes to the County and hence deserved better social amenities.

He said his Administration was working tirelessly, to ensure that it provided a conducive environment for the traders to work in.

Barchok said plans were at an advanced stage to
pu- up a public toilet that would be managed by the traders themselves.

On garbage collection, Barchok said there would be timely collection, as well as dumping of the same to significantly improve the general cleanliness of the market.

He added that to improve mobility, resources would be channeled towards renovation and building of new roads all over the market.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health Mary Muthoni has defended the government’s plan to export qualified health professionals to other Countries which she said will ease unemployment in the Country.

Muthoni said the plan seeks to accommodate and offer a lifeline to thousands of graduating health professionals’ especially nurses from local colleges and universities.

The PS said each year over 20,000 well-trained nurses graduate from the Kenya Medical Training Colleges and other local institutions in the Country with only a handful of them employed locally.

In addition, the PS said current data has necessitated the move to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with foreign countries to export qualified personnel.

So far, Kenya has signed an MOU on health partnership with the United Kingdom [UK] which will see a total of 20,000 nurses sent to UK hospitals by 2025 highlighting local nurses’ competitive edge.

Consequently, the government last year signed a bilateral labor agree
ment with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which seeks to regulate the export of skilled workforce to the Gulf Nation where 2500 nurses are set to benefit.

Muthoni dismissed the Council of Governors’ concerns over the high number of health professionals leaving the Country noting that the country has more qualified nurses than those absorbed and the move will not jeopardize local healthcare services.

‘The government strives to ensure that the range of trained healthcare professionals are compatible and adhere to both local and international health standards while discharging their duties,’ said the PS.

Speaking in Naivasha during a stakeholder meeting to develop the Quality of Care Bill [2024], Muthoni said the government is committed to overhauling the healthcare system to address the existing gaps in affording and accessing quality healthcare services.

The PS said the bill which touches on the core mandate of the Social Health Insurance Act [SHIA] will address the underlying quality of healthcare services, p
roducts offered, and personnel.

In addition, the bill which will come into force in the next three months will see the fixing of flagged dilapidated health and diagnostic equipment and the deployment of qualified personnel which will help lower the mortality rate in local facilities.

Muthoni said Ministry of Health officials are currently holding public participation forums on the Social Health Insurance General regulations across the Country before it’s rolled out in the coming months.

Under the Social Health Insurance Act, of 2023, the government seeks an overhaul of the current National Health Insurance Fund that has previously been plagued by corruption claims worth billions of shillings.

The SHI Act establishes three new funds which include Primary Healthcare Fund, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund as well as Social Health Insurance Emergency Fund all geared towards easing access and financing of healthcare to every citizen.

The government has proposed a cap of 2.75 percent cut of an employee’s gros
s salary and a minimum contribution of Sh300 for low-income earners to fund and accelerate the rollout of the noble initiative.

To ensure every citizen boards the Universal Health Coverage train, the government will cater for medical bills for the most vulnerable members of society including the elderly.

‘The successful implementation of this initiative seeks to provide affordable, available, and quality healthcare services for all citizens,’ said the PS.

Source: Kenya News Agency