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Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen tweaked his match-23 for their second Rugby Africa Women’s Cup match against Kenya in Madagascar on Wednesday, after opening their campaign with an 87-0 win over Cameroon. Koen recalled two of his most experienced front rankers, Lindelwa Gwala (hooker) and Sanelisiwe Charlie (loosehead prop) into the starting team, with Roseline Botes …
President William Ruto has emphasized integrity and vigilance within Government ministries and departments.
He cautioned against corruption and wastage in the provision of services to the people.
The President asked the Cabinet to honour their responsibility to the Constitution and the people.
The President spoke at the 5th Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi.
The meeting agreed to ensure the prudent utilization of public resources.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved the restructuring of Kenya Power's balance sheet in an attempt to restore profitability. The new plan will focus on enhancing the company's financial sustainability by addressing loan balances and the liquidity gap.
In line with the Kenya Kwanza Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the composition of Kenya Power's Board will be adjusted to reflect its shareholding.
The Cabinet has also endorsed proposed amendments to the Water Act of 2016, which introduces Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector.
This will facilitate the construction of 100 mega dams through PPP and another 1,000 medium and 3,000 small dams to alleviate water challenges.
The changes to the Water Act clarify the roles of Water Works Development Agencies as bulk water service providers. They also establish a licensing framework for the agencies and align the Water Act 2016 with the Public Private Partnership Act 2021.
While the ongoing rains have provided relief to drought-affected areas of Kenya, the Cabinet recognized the need for locally-driven strategies and sustained resource mobilization to support long-term resilience building. The meeting also agreed to continue supporting the restocking of livestock to aid recovery among impoverished households in arid regions.
Additionally, the Cabinet acknowledged the importance of strengthening the implementation of drought risk reduction strategies to ensure sustainable natural resource management.
The Cabinet further approved the Kenya policy on Public Participation, which establishes the overarching standard for effective citizen engagement in development and governance, in compliance with the Constitution.
To expand Kenya's international presence, the Cabinet reviewed and approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of Kenya and the World Health Organization regarding the establishment of a regional emergency hub in Nairobi. The hub will create employment opportunities and markets for medical supplies.
To fulfill its international obligations, the nation's apex body has approved the Meteorological Bill and Meteorological Policy. These approvals will transform the Kenya Meteorological Department into Kenya Meteorological Services, in compliance with international instruments such as the Chicago Convention of 1944 and the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) of 2015.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.
Kenya is set to partner with South Korea in the area of vaccines and pharmaceuticals manufacturing, with both countries exchanging technology, health financing, management information systems, and health commodity security.
This announcement was made during a meeting held today at Afya House in Nairobi, where Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakhumicha A. Wafula, hosted the visiting Health and Welfare committee members of Gyeonggido provincial government from South Korea, together with the Baringo County Governor, H.E. Benjamin Cheboi.
Last year, CS Wafula visited Seoul, South Korea, where she toured SK Biosciences, an international vaccine manufacturing company. She also held a meeting with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), where Kenya formally sought admission as a state party.
Kenya is currently in the process of setting up the Kenya Biovax Institute, which will be tasked with manufacturing vaccines and other pharmaceuticals locally. The country signed an agreement with Exim Bank last year to offer financial avenues to those interested in venturing into vaccines and pharmaceuticals manufacturing.
During the meeting, Governor Cheboi implored the Korean government to offer employment opportunities to youths who graduate from health training institutions within his county.
This partnership between Kenya and South Korea will go a long way in boosting the country's healthcare sector, as local manufacturing of vaccines and pharmaceuticals will not only reduce costs but also ensure their availability, especially in the remote areas.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Karen Wanjiru Kimani, a young African ambassador for the environment, has called for policies that will encourage young people to participate in protecting the planet, including through climate change mitigation.
The Kenyan-born 10-year-old environmentalist said: “As future generations, it is important that we are not overlooked in some of the programs or activities regarding protecting the planet. Our leaders must catch us young. After all, we will be the ones to gain or suffer tomorrow as a result of the policies and actions being implemented today.”
Karen, who has received many awards for her efforts to protect the environment, including through planting trees, was speaking ahead of the African Development Bank Group's 2023 Annual Meetings, to take place in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh from 22 to 26 May.
The event has the theme Mobilizing Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in Africa.
The meetings will offer the Bank Group's Governors and global businesspeople and investors the opportunity to share experiences of mobilizing domestic and international private sector funds, including harnessing Africa's natural capital, to close the climate financing gap and advance the transition to green growth in Africa.
The meetings also provide African governments a forum to discuss the nature and level of support they need from development partners, such as the African Development Bank Group, to achieve their climate ambitions.
Karen expressed the hope that the meetings would yield “tangible outcomes.”
“Africa's contribution to global climate change is very small, but the continent suffers the most,” she said. “Our countries need much more money to fight climate change and protect the planet. So, I want to hear about more action when they meet; we have heard enough of talking.”
Karen has won several awards locally and internationally for her tree-planting efforts—she has planted more than 10,000 tree seedlings to date—and other environmentally friendly actions. These include the MTM Environmental Excellence Award, Bristol, United Kingdom; and winner of Kenya's 2022 Green Kid Awards for children that have impacted nature through climate change and environmental protection actions. She was also recognized by the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation jointly during COP27 in Egypt.
“Protecting the natural environment is a nice thing. It has beautiful trees and flowers that give us life,” says Karen, who started planting trees at age four.
She plans to open a factory that will produce biodegradable bottles.
According to estimates, Africa has lost between 5 percent and 15 percent of per capita GDP growth from 1986 through 2015 due to climate change-related impacts.
The African Development Bank projects that, without strong climate change policies, Africa could lose as much as 12 percent of GDP by 2100, depending on different scenarios. This is compared with losses of less than one percent each for the United States and the European Union, and no more than five percent for China.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Contact:
Kwasi Kpodo
Communication and External Relations
media@afdb.org
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org
Kenya has begun a global campaign aimed at attracting quality investments.
The new move, President William Ruto said, will provide excellent returns on investment at a relatively low risk.
He argued that it is necessary but not enough to talk about the ease of doing business in the country.
Speaking during the Israel Investor Roundtable Forum in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, the President said the Government is keen on making Kenya one of the world's top business hubs.
“We have a legal system that provides robust protection for property rights and an equally strong rule of law mechanism,” he said.
Besides these, he noted, Kenya has enacted laws to protect investment and liberalised the foreign exchange regime.
“Our laws permit and support the repatriation of profits by foreign companies,“ he stated.
The President observed that the country's tax system is under steady review to align with the country's investment promotion plan.
He urged the investors to put their resources in Kenya's housing, renewable energy, health, water and irrigation as well as ICT sectors.
“We are also pursuing a plan of cooperation in tourism, culture and heritage and film production.”
President Ruto reiterated that Kenya is the ideal investment destination for foreign businesses due to its strategic location, highly-skilled human resources and stability.
“Direct your interest in the highly-rewarding investment opportunities in Kenya,” the President stressed as he wound up his two-day official visit of Israel.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula has been named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in the Health and Wellness edition for her outstanding efforts in improving healthcare in Kenya. MIPAD is a global initiative that recognizes people of African descent who are making a positive impact on their communities and the world.
The announcement of the Global lists was made by MIPAD CEO Kamil Olufowobi on May 1, with the recognition of CS Nakhumicha's contribution to healthcare in Kenya being a significant milestone and a testament to the Kenyan government's commitment to providing quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to its citizens.
CS Nakhumicha's leadership has resulted in significant improvements in maternal and child health, disease control, and the provision of essential medicines and supplies. Her tireless efforts to improve healthcare in Kenya have not gone unnoticed, and her recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Health and Wellness is well-deserved.
Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, CS Nakhumicha stated, “I am honored to be named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent in Health and Wellness. This recognition is not only a personal achievement but a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the Ministry of Health team in providing quality healthcare services to Kenyans. We will continue to work tirelessly to improve healthcare in Kenya and ensure that every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable healthcare.”
This recognition is a significant achievement for the Ministry of Health and the Kenyan government's efforts in improving healthcare. It serves as an inspiration to other healthcare leaders in Kenya and worldwide, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, positive change can be created, and lives can be impacted positively.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
