Day: May 13, 2023

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IGAD National Public Media to Ink MoU for Content Sharing

The Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, and the Minister of Communication of Djibouti, H.E Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon, yesterday inaugurated a meeting of the national public media outlets from the regional organisation’s member countries.

The two-day meeting is bringing together officials from the Ministries of Information/Communication and ICT, Directors and Managers of national broadcasters, news agencies and papers.

In his welcome remarks, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD Secretary Executive encouraged the media outlets to keep on reporting about the challengesthe region is confronted with “in such a way people are made aware of these for the purpose of addressing them. “I encourage you to widen your coverage beyond the national boundaries and go regional to tell our story/stories to each other and to the rest of the world. It’s in this respect that IGAD Secretariat brought you together, among other things”, he added. “In essence, the Memorandun of Understanding and the digital platform we are contemplating are means for the IGAD story to be told, and for the national media to link up with counterparts to go regional for multilateral matters involving IGAD member countries”, were his word before inviting the Minsiter of Communication of Djibouti to the podium.

In his opening speech H.E. Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon, Minister of Communication, in charge of Posts and Telecommunications stated: ” This meeting is of paramount importance to strengthen our regional cooperation in the field of media and information. I am convinced that this digital platform that we are going to launch today will open new perspectives for the rapid and effective dissemination of news and information concerning the activities of IGAD and our region.”

The main aim of the workshop is for national media outlets to review and finalise a draft MoU, which is meant to facilitate exchange of original content pertaining to IGAD regional activities, projects/programmes, bilateral/trilateral/cross border cooperation activities and any other material deemed fit for exchange by the media outlets. In view of the establishment of this exchange digital platform, an MoU is to be signed as the meeting closes today.

The expected outcomes include:

A shared understanding of how structured each party is;

Areas of cooperation and activities of common interests identified;

Privileged relations in terms of information sharing and news coverage of IGAD activities, bilateral and multilateral cooperation as well as trans-boundary projects/programmes between MS;

An exchange digital platform established;

An IGAD National Media Focal Point at each MS is designated; and

MoU signed for implementation

Source: EMM/ IGAD

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EAC Member States Begin A Process Of Formation Of Political Confederation

The Roadmap towards drafting of the Constitution to guide the transformation of East Africa Community (EAC), to a Political Confederation, has begun in earnest across the seven Member States.

In Kenya, the Ministry of EAC, has initiated a national process of obtaining stakeholders’ views in all the 47 counties, on what kind of Political Confederation they would desire.

According to the Ministry, the stakeholders’ views on their interests and key issues will inform the drafting of a model Political Confederation and subsequently a Confederation Constitution in line with the principle of People-centered Regional Community.

In Western Kenya, a team of constitution experts, met various stakeholders from Kakamega, Vihiga, Bumgoma, Busia and Trans-Nzoia counties at a Kakamega hotel.

The meeting chaired by Justice (Rtd), Benjamin Odoki, of Uganda and Deputized by Kenya’s former Busia Senator and Attorney- General, Amos Wako, was told of the need to establish a Central Bank of EAC States, to regulate monetary policies.

The stakeholders called for the establishment of Free Trade, EAC Court and a Uniform Education system

A participant, Mary Makokha, from Busia County suggested that in the event of marriage, partners should be given citizen of that country.

‘The EAC Court should be used to settle political disputes,’ she said.

She called for a uniform education curriculum across the seven Member States, instead of each country running different systems.

Acting Busia County Commissioner, Kipchumba Ruto, speaking on behalf of the region, proposed that Departments of Immigration in Member States, should put in place measures to control movement of immigrants or refugees.

He also called for the need for proper utilization and conservation of water sources in the region to grow Blue Economy across the EAC countries.

The stakeholders unanimously agreed that the inception the New Constitution, will increase development in many key sectors of Member States.

The Constitutional experts are seeking views on areas of cooperation under the Political Confederation, the governing structure, the modes of decision-making by the Confederal Authority, the governing principles and how the Constitution establishing the Political Confederation may be adopted among other issues.

The Political Federation is the ultimate pillar in the EAC integration process, after the Custom Union, Common Market and the Monetary Union.

The Summit of EAC Heads of State I, May 2017, adopted a Political Confederation as the transitional model to the Political Federation.

Similar consultations are going on in other Seven Member States of the EAC comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

The team of experts was appointed by the Summit in February 2018 and is chaired by Justice (Rtd), Benjamin Odoki of Uganda and Deputized by Kenya’s former Busia Senator and Attorney- General, Amos Wako.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Embu Residents Benefit From Rehabilitation Of Earth Dam

Over 200 households in Muminji Ward, Embu, have benefitted from rehabilitation of Itira Earth Dam by the County Government in conjunction with World Bank Funded National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).

The dam set to provide residents who are mainly famers with domestic and irrigation water is one of such similar projects being undertaken by the devolved unit to alleviate water shortage in the ASAL area.

Other dams that have so far been rehabilitated include Gitinangugu in Mavuria Ward and Kangondo in Kiambere Ward.

Speaking while commissioning the dam on Friday, Governor Cecily Mbarire said plans were underway to construct more such dams to harvest rainwater and sink boreholes across the expanse Mbeere North and South Sub-counties to alleviate perennial water shortage.

She said by so doing, they hope to turn the areas endowed with fertile soils into the next county bread basket.

The Governor said they had already procured a borehole drilling machine specifically for the two dry Sub-counties adding the machine will drastically reduce the cost that could have been incurred in outsourcing the services.

Mbarire said they are still pushing for construction of the proposed mega dams including Thuci, Rupingazi, Kamumu and Thambana by the National Government that will greatly assist in unlocking the county’s agricultural potential.

The residents hailed the development of rehabilitating the dam, saying it will go a long way in enhancing food production and security in the area as well as boost their incomes.

Farmer James Ngari said they have been spending 60 percent of their time searching for water, time that he noted could have otherwise been spent in their farms it they had water.

He called on the devolved unit to have at least one dam constructed within a radius of three to five kilometers to see to it that all residents have access to water.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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Nurses Call For Conducive Work Environment

Nurses in Busia have complained about heavy workload as they discharge health services to the local residents.

Speaking to the press during the celebrations to mark the International Nursing week at Busia County Referral Hospital Thursday, Busia County Deputy Nursing Officer, Lucy Amayi said that the county had only 589 nurses working in over 200 facilities.

‘We are very few and very inadequate,’ she said, adding that they cannot adequately offer services as required.

Amayi explained that the ratio of nurses to patients at the Busia County Referral Hospital currently stands at 1:100 instead of the WHO recommended 1:4.

Juliet Kilima, the Deputy Head Nurse in charge of immunization said that nurses have played a very important role ensuring that locals access immunizations services.

‘In terms of immunizations, last year, our immunization services stood at 4.5 per cent but right now we are at 41.1 per cent,’ she explains that the achievement has been made through concerted efforts from the nurses.

Kilima urged the county government to recruit more nurses in order to increase the workforce.

‘The leadership should also look into issues of promotions and resignation because there are a number of nurses who have stagnated in various job groups yet they have undergone further education and specialization,’ Kilima said.

James Emusugut, the representative of nurses in Busia County urged the County Government to ensure that the nurses are paid their three months’ salary arrears so that they can work effectively.

Emusugut cited stock out of commodities at various health facilities across the County as a major challenge adding that patients are forced to buy their own.

‘We want to ask the County government of Busia to ensure that this issue of stock outs is addressed,’ he said.

He at the same time complained about staffing at the facilities adding that staffing at various levels of health facilities do not meet the WHO standards.

Source: Kenya News Agency

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NACADA Presents The 2022 Report On The Status Of Drugs And Substance Use

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has released their 2022 report on the status of drug and substance abuse in Kenya.

The survey, which was conducted at intervals of five years to assess the effectiveness of reduction programmes implemented in the last five years, has seen its findings used to inform evidence-based policies for the next five-year programing phase.

The national survey, having used a cross-sectional study design to provide reliable indicators, sampled out Kenyans aged 15 to 65 years obtained from Kenya Household Master Sample Frame (K- HMSF).

From the report, tobacco products, Alcohol and khat have had the highest overall awareness at 97 percent, 95 percent and 88 percent respectively.

With children as young as six years suspected to begin using these drugs especially tobacco, the report also revealed that the average age for initiation of tobacco, alcohol, khat, cannabis among other drugs was 16 to 20 years.

In part, the report read that one in every six Kenyans between 15 to 65 years of age, are currently using at least one drug. However, 1 in every 3 males and 1 in every 16 females are using at least one of the drugs.

According to the report, alcohol continues to be the widely used substance in Kenya with findings pointing towards increasing demand for cheaper and readily available alcoholic products especially chang’aa.

Speaking during the event in Nairobi, Ministry of Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Raymond Omollo insisted on the collaboration between the County and National governments in order to scale up effectiveness to control the production and consumption of illicit brew.

‘There will be collaboration between the national and county government to scale up the joint effort to control the production, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit brews,’ Omollo reiterated.

The PS urged the County governments to review the licensing regime and incorporate public participation to regulate the increased rate of liquor selling outlets.

He also observed that educating the youth on the myths, misinformation and misconceptions of cannabis use will help mitigate the rate of consumption.

From the findings, the western region has had the highest prevalence of current use of at least one drug of abuse followed in succession by the Eastern region and Nairobi.

‘It is stipulated that the 25 to 35 years age group that is out of school is identified as the most vulnerable group of drugs and substance use and dependence,’ the report divulged.

The report also exposed the online sale of drugs which poses serious public health safety concerns as well as regulatory challenges that include, among others, access by underage children.

Source: Kenya News Agency