June 23, 2023 – Djibouti News Gazette

June 23, 2023

New Funding Model, Open University Among Key Reforms For Universities

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has announced that the government is working on various reforms to improve access and quality of education in the country.

According to Machogu, some of the reforms lined up for implementation are the funding model for universities and a related effort is the launch of the Open University of Kenya which will revive and enhance the effectiveness of the university sub-sector.

The National Open University of Kenya will provide distance learning and allow more students to enroll for academic programmes regardless of their geographical location, age or employment status.

The CS disclosed that the plans for the launch of the University are at an advanced stage, and that they are set to admit the first cohort of students in September, 2023 where Garissa University will also provide a convenient and flexible mode of study to students.

Speaking at the Garissa university during their 4th graduation ceremony, the Education CS said that his ministry is keen on providing the necessary resources and environment to ensure that universities thrive in skill development and societal transformation.

‘Beginning the next Academic year, university students will be funded on the basis of the actual cost of their programmes. The funding will also be student-centered, and will take into account the level of need of a specific student,’ Machogu said.

‘The model will ensure that no one is left behind as far as access to quality university education is concerned. Socio-economic barriers will be eliminated, extremely needy and vulnerable students will not be required to pay a coin for their university education,’ he added.

Machogu said that the reforms will supposedly play a crucial role in the development and transformation in the country and are intended to enhance service delivery, improve governance and promote quality and relevant education in the country’s universities.

The minister congratulated the graduands for their hard work, discipline and commitment in their academic endeavor.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 23, 2023

CS Owalo Challenges The Youth To Embrace Digital Skills

Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo has said the government is keen to open up more job oportunities for the youth through training on digital skills.

This, he noted, was being done through the introduction of Ajira and Jitume digital programmes that are allowing many youth acquire the right skills by using the digital space.

He said the free Internet and hundreds of computers so far provided at various digital hub centres within constituencies have enabled the youth to learn digital tactics of doing research and business online.

e-Commerce skills strive to assist the youth and especially students buy and sell services and make good money, he said.

The CS was speaking at Rongo University where he officially launched the institution’s Konza Digital Laboratory to help students learn online skills, under the Jitume Digital Access Opportunities programme.

The Konza techno polis authority helped to establish the centre that would accommodate more than 100 students per every computer session.

Owalo said that the Kenya Kwanza government plans to establish some 1450 digital labs across the country to drive the country into a digital hub.

With this heavy training and free access to internet, the country stand to be an economic power house among the many other nations that had long grown into super highways using the digital space.

‘We are moving very fast to connect markets with free internet broadband to enable our business people also buy and sell their wares online,’ he said.

He said the laying of the 100,000 km internet broad band fiber ongoing across the country would see small markets and government institutions connect to offer free 3 WiFi services to the people.

The official said the government was also doing everything possible to improve roads, water supplies, and health services in Nyanza and elsewhere across the country.

Speaking elsewhere at Siala technical training institute (TTI), the CS emphasized on the need for the local people to work with the current government.

Owalo said time for political rhetoric had long elapsed and the local leaders and the people must now embrace political development.

He said the leaders must strive to join President William Ruto in his efforts to rejuvinate fishing, mining, and agricultural activities in Nyanza region.

The event was also graced by the PS ICT John Tanui, Konza techno polis acting CEO John Okwiri, Rongo Univeristy VC Samwel Gudu and Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga among other senior goverment officials.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 23, 2023

Over 100 Families In Kajiado Receive Relief Food

Tens of households in Kajiado can now put food on their table as the National Government has distributed relief food to feed the starving residents.

The starving families gathered at Ildamat chief’s camp to receive 5kg of rice and 5kg of beans each.

The whole of last year, the county experienced prolonged drought that resulted to loss of livestock which is their main source of livelihood hence the relief food came in handy for families who were sleeping hungry.

Millicent Onyango, a resident of Ildala Lekutuk, thanked the government for remembering them in these tough economic times and is happy that her family will not sleep hungry albeit for a few days.

‘I thank the government because today we have received food to feed our kids. We did not expect this or know if we would receive food, we thank God for the little we have received, my kids will now eat when they come from school,’ said Millicent.

The food distribution activity that kicked off in the morning was conducted by various chiefs in the area.

Majengo assistant Chief, Joel Sapurr said that more food needs to be donated since the county has a larger population facing starvation.

‘Kajiado is a big town with a high population, the food we had is finished. We have distributed food in every part of Kajiado even in schools. We are yet to receive an official communication from the government concerning school feeding programme,’ Joel Sapur.

As some families return home smiling and grateful to the National Government, a number of families returned home heart broken.

‘There has been an ongoing food distribution in this area, some were lucky to receive rice and beans but most of us unfortunately did not receive anything. We are hungry and we are asking the government to bring more food that is enough,’ echoed Hannah Abdi.

Agnes Njeri, a resident of Majengo, said she was on the food ration queue since 8.00 a.m. but she was yet to receive food.

‘Where is this food being distributed, we came here early in the morning and since then we have not received food. We were told to line up and wait for the food then all of a sudden, we were told the food was over, we have kids we cannot push each other so we are wondering what to do,’ said Agnes.

Geoffrey Opiyo, was working when he heard about the relief food but as soon as he arrived at the gate, he heard people saying there is no food.

‘I heard from people saying there is no food. I would ask the government to bring more food, the prices of food stuffs are high there are people who cannot afford a meal so the government should help us.’

Kajiado County has had recurrent drought seasons and pastoralists have lost most of their livestock which was their main source of livelihood.

Starvation is rampant in the urban and rural parts of the county and most people depend on relief food from donors and the government.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 23, 2023

State Initiates Innovative Programme To Provide Avenues For Youth Employment

Youth have been urged to take advantage of opportunities presented under the National Young Innovators Entrepreneurship Programme (NYIEP) that creates a unique opportunity to connect the youth to wider innovative eco-systems.

This is to leverage the technical know-how of innovate hubs so as to build skills required to set and commercialize their innovations.

The Government of Kenya is amongst the few countries in Africa that has taken a lead in developing innovations ranking third, behind South Africa and Botswana in the Global Innovation Index.

State Department for Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary (PS) Geoffrey Kaituko stated that the development skills program is aimed at providing innovative skills that see the young people develop and translate their skills into productive economic activities.

Speaking during the virtual launch of the Second phase of NYIEP and graduation ceremony of the first cohort, Kaituko said the innovation hubs provide the interface between young innovators and the industry.

‘Young innovators are provided with early-stage entrepreneurship training and information on Intellectual Property Rights as well as linkages within the industry,’ Kaituko emphasized.

He added that the programme combines incubation, acceleration and is scaling-up to equip young people with skills and resources that they need to become innovators and entrepreneurs.

‘Our vision is to change the mindset of the youth from job seeking to that of job creation and self-employment that thrives on innovation. A good example of this is the M-Pesa mobile-based and web development start-up which allows its users to conduct financial transactions and to pay for products and services via their mobile phones,’ Kaituko remarked.

The PS said that for the young people, start-ups are a bottom-up method of generating income as envisaged in the Governments Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Kaituko reaffirmed that the government recognizes the acceleration of innovative-driven entrepreneurship through skills development as crucial for large-scale employment as envisioned in Kenya Vision 2030.

The PS confirmed that 187 youth are graduating from the first phase of the National Young Innovators Entrepreneurship Training while the second cohort of 120 trainees are set to participate in the next phase of the program affirming that plans are underway to follow up on the youth who graduated to ensure that they implement successful startups.

The PS said that the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, in collaboration with the Chandaria Business Innovation and Incubation Center at Kenyatta University is implementing the National Young Innovators Entrepreneurship Training Programme.

Kaituko highlighted that the goal of the Programme is to empower young innovators with the skills required to transform inventions and innovations into entrepreneurial ventures in an effort to enhance their productivity and employability.

The PS added that the Skills development is a key pillar in fostering youth employment and harnessing their full potential with a youthful, talented and energetic population noting that the country is well placed to harness a demographic dividend.

‘Towards this endeavor, the State Department for Labour and Skills Development will continue to promote pro-youth employment skills and development efforts. The more the young people are empowered, the more they will be able to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,’ Kaituko pledged.

According to a report released in 2021 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the age groups of 20-24 and 25-29 continued to record the highest proportion of the unemployed at 16.3 per cent and 9.1 per cent, respectively.

Furthermore, the youth aged 20-24 have the highest rate of long-term unemployment (which means continuous periods of unemployment extending for one year or longer) at 13.5 per cent.

Youth unemployment imposes challenges related to poverty, inequality, dependency, loss of self-esteem, social and political unrest and vulnerability to drug and substance abuse, criminal behavior, radicalization and violent extremism.

Source: Kenya News Agency

June 23, 2023

Oceanika opens sustainable products trade show in Seychelles

Several companies in Seychelles are showcasing their sustainable products and services at the professional trade show being held at Savoy Resort and Spa in the northern Mahe district of Beau Vallon.

The two-day trade show is being organised by Oceanika, a non-profit organisation, where the products and services on show are focused on sustainable development.

Oceanika has offices in Geneva and Thailand and has recently established one in Seychelles, and its aim is to look for the fishing aggravating devices (FADS) stuck in the coral and dive to remove them.

“Our aim with this expo is to showcase the expertise of local businesses in sustainable products and solutions because it is no longer acceptable to hear from certain industries that Seychelles lacks solutions for responsible growth,” said the president of Oceanika Seychelles, Olivier Manault.

One of the companies participating in the expo is Pop Sey producing organic popsicles. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The expo features about 15 companies, showcasing various products and services, such as electric vehicles and solar panels, organic foods and beverages, recycled products, as well as sustainable management consulting services.

The fair was officially opened by the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-Francois Ferrari, on Thursday.

“I want to thank the organisers of this event, as in Seychelles, it is not often that the private sector organises such events. Most of the time, it is left up to the government,” said Ferrari, who added that this is a great initiative.

Among the participants at the event are Brikole, a company that is recycling waste found at sea, such as FADs, nets and ropes, ASD Professional products, which produces skin care products from organic materials, Pop Sey producing organic popsicles and ACM chartered accountants, offering sustainable management consulting services.

The products and services on show are focused on sustainable development. (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The organisers of the event are getting help from the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

SCCI’s chairperson, Oliver Bastienne, explained that while they were not at the forefront of organising the event, they found it important to get the businesses involved.

“I think this event needs to be used to continue encouraging more collaboration between the government and the private sector, as the climate is not only a global issue and not only concern one party,” he said.

The event will also be open on Friday, for other businesses looking for sustainable solutions.

Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, is recognised by the international community for its work on environmental protection. It has worked for a long time with partners to put in place sustainable solutions that will minimise the impacts on its environment and ocean territory.

Source: Seychelles News Agency