Day: March 21, 2023

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Muslim Clerics Call On Tolerance

The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) has urged the political leadership to demonstrate tolerance as the country approaches to mark the Holy Month of Ramadhan in the next few days. This comes after protests rocked parts of the country leading to a standoff between citizens and security agencies, a situation that brought business to a standstill particularly in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) leading to massive losses and scores being injured. Speaking to journalists in Mombasa, CIPK Organising Secretary Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa called on leaders skewed on organising the popular protests to call them off in respect to the fast approaching Holy Month as it will be devoted to prayer and dedication. ‘The council pleads with all leaders in the country irrespective of the political divide to cease propagating an agenda that will bring turmoil to our beloved nation. As Muslims around the globe prepare to mark Ramadhan, we ask for peace and tranquility as we have dedicated the Month to prayer and solace seeking from God,’ said Khalifa. The cleric lauded the Counties that maintained normalcy and asked Kenyans from the traditionally agriculturally productive areas to take advantage of the rains to plant and cultivate food in order to counter the long spells of famine the country has experienced over the last three years. Khalifa added that the spirit of generosity displayed by Kenyans during the tough drought should be extended through the Ramadhan. He said it would be noble for the privileged in society to help the less advantaged as a sign of oneness and patriotism. On his part, CIPK General Secretary Sheikh Dor Muhammad reiterated Khalifa’s sentiments insisting on the need to promote political discourse that is anchored on spearing forward the nation rather than degenerating agenda that will pull it back. He added that issues facing the country regardless of how emotive they are can be solved through institutions like parliament where they can be tackled with civility and solutions found. ‘Strife and protests are not the solutions to our problems, especially now that the government is making efforts to bring down the high cost of living. Our institutions are mandated by the constitution to step-in in the event difficulties occur, let us make full use of them,’ said Muhammad. He also wished all Muslim faithful observing Ramadhan a peaceful month and urged them to pray for the country. Muhammad also called on security agencies to be vigilant as most of the worship services will be conducted late into the night as most faithful will be observing fast during the day.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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PS Devolution Holds Consultative Meeting With The Sec. Gen. Of East Africa Local Government Association

Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika (left) charts with the Secretary General East Africa Local Government Association (EALGA) Gertrude Buyinga at Teleposta Towers on March 21, 2023 after having an engagement. The Engagement was about building a stronger association for Cities in the East and South Africa Region to cover Cities and Local Government in Prevention of Violence Extremism, Crime Hate and Polarization.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Regional Drama Festivals Kick Off In Machakos

Eastern region drama festivals for secondary schools opened on Monday at Katoloni Secondary School with students staging thrilling performances. The festivals that were officially launched by the Machakos Deputy Governor Mr. Francis Mwangangi will see students perform different genres ranging from choral verses, plays, modern dances, comedy, spoken word and narratives. The theme for the festivals is fostering digital transformation through film and theatre. Over 120 schools drawn from the eight counties will participate in the festivals that will end on Thursday. Winners will represent the region at the national drama festivals to be held in Mombasa in April. Mwangangi underscored the need for the festivals in identification and development of talents for learners. ‘In line with the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC), these festivals will prepare students for professional careers in film and theatre, ‘he said. The DG also said that the festivals empower students with social skills like teamwork, confidence and attention. ‘The performances help improve self-esteem among other soft skills that will help students navigate life,’ added Mwangangi. Regional Quality Assurance and Standards Officer Mr. Simon Maina speaking at the same event said the government was keen on establishing academies to ensure that the talents do not go down the drain. ‘The government is on top of things to ensure that such talents are developed after the students exit secondary schools,’ said Maina, and assured the participants of fairness and transparency during the competition. ‘I want to assure that the adjudicators are people of integrity and will only ensure that the best performances win,’ added Maina. Katoloni Secondary School Principal Mr. Francis Ndimu said the school was honoured to host the regional festivals and assured the participants of adequate facilities throughout the competition. ‘We are glad to have hosted the festivals after a two year hiatus due to covid. The festivals besides espousing talents also enhances learning and discipline,’ said Ndimu.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Organization Volunteers To Clean-Up Ewaso Nyiro Trading Centre

The business community at the Ewaso Nyiro trading centre in Narok North Sub County is a happy lot after a foreign Non-Governmental Organisation pitched camp in the area to help in cleaning up the market. The trading centre which is approximately 60 kilometers from the Maasai Mara National reserve is one of the major towns in the county as it hosts many visitors who stop there while on their way to the National Reserve. The cleaning led by California based organisation dubbed Trash Punx director Justin Imamura collected over 600 bags of trash. Punx said they were working with another non-governmental organisation called Sobore Well organisation based in Narok and other like-minded people to clean up the town. He revealed that cleaning up the Ewaso Nyiro trading centre was their first activity in Africa and committed to hold similar clean-up exercises in other parts of the country. ‘We prioritised the Ewaso Nyiro trading centre because we have been stopping here while on our way to the Maasai Mara. We want this market to remain clean because many visitors stop here to take their meals here,’ he said. Mr Amos Oyie, a resident of Ewaso Nyiro who worked closely with the foreign organisation thanked the organisation for the clean-up exercise that has face-lifted the market. He revealed that they have installed 14 trash bins in different parts of the market where the locals will be dumping their garbage so that the market can remain clean. ‘We have worked with the locals to educate our communities on how to be more responsible to properly dispose of our garbage. Most of this garbage drains into River Ewaso Nyiro posing danger of water borne diseases,’ he said. Enkare Nyiro Secondary School Principal Seela Kuluo who dispatched over 100 students to join the community in the clean-up exercise commended the organisers of the event and appreciated the fact that her students were part of the clean-up exercise.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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State Boosted On Food Security As Development Partners Donate Grains

Development partners have stepped in and partnered with the government to address the food security issues in the country by donating grains which are to be shared to drought stricken areas. The development partners include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), The European Union (EU), Ukrainian government, among others. The government received two consignments of wheat from the Ukrainian government and sorghum from the US government through the USAID to help in efforts towards countering famine. The UN Resident Coordinator Dr Steven Jackson said that there is a symbolic and materialistic importance of what the partnership between the country and the development partners is marking. ‘Contribution by the WFP, at least 16,000 metric tons of sorghum has been donated by the US government through USAID which is enough to feed half a million Kenyans for over four months,’ he said. Jackson added that the US government is also providing about 80 percent of humanitarian assistance going to the drought ravaged parts of the country. The East African Community, the ASAL and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Ms. Rebecca Miano welcomed the donation and congratulated the good gesture by the donors as the country is facing acute drought due to failed rains. Speaking during the handover ceremony of the grains, Miano said the support will boost food security in the country. ‘We are here to witness development partners’ support in food security in Kenya; we have received grains from Ukraine put together by about eight countries and also received sorghum from USAID. We are looking forward to full support from our partners in handling food security issues. With this consignment, those affected will have food in a few days,’ she said. She added that the development partners are valuable friends to Kenya and the country will work closely with them for the benefit of Kenyans especially in Arid and Semi-Arid lands where there is an acute shortage of food. On his part, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen thanked the development partners for standing up with the country at this critical time in the country. Murkomen said that the Ministry of Transport will work to ensure that they make the Mombasa port and other infrastructural areas very efficient and friendly to investors. ‘I am very happy that there is food that we can distribute to our people that are in need, on the other side I am sad that sixty years after independence we still need support to feed our people. I believe the government will put to an end this type of approach so that our partnership is mutual,’ he said. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto lauded the government and the development partners for the partnership to provide food to those affected by hunger. Ruto also called for the improved efficiency of the port facility by the government saying the automation of cargo processes will help in boosting the economy. The event was graced by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ambassador of US, Ukraine Ambassador, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Ambassador of Kingdom of Belgium, Ambassador of the Italian Republic, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, First Secretary Food Security and Water Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Head of Mission Honorary Consulate of Slovakia and the UN Resident Coordinator.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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