Author: Web Desk

The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) has launched the women inclusive, governance, accountability, performance and participation programme for women leaders and Members of Machakos County Assembly to empower and increase peer support among women leaders.

FIDA vice Chair Christine Kungu while speaking during a two day Women Leaders’ Mentorship workshop at Kyaka hotel in Machakos town on Thursday, said they were empowering women leaders to encourage them to be confident as they do their job of passing legislation.

Kungu added that they wanted to help women leaders in Machakos to know their roles as leaders and to help them brand themselves as they find out the challenges they faced in their line of work.

The FIDA Vice chair said they wanted the women leaders to know what the gender agenda is all about in terms of policies and legislation which would help women in Machakos County.

She said they have realized if they don’t walk with the women leaders, their five years would be over and they would not have done their part to uplift and push policies that would empower other women in the county.

‘We are here to hold their hands and for them to tell us the challenges they are facing and to give them skills and see what they can do better because we want them to retain their positions after the five years,’ added Kungu.

Kungu added that in the 38 years that FIDA has been operating, it has fought for women’s rights and their access to justice helping over 4 million women and girls through their legal aid programme and through policies and legislative lobbying.

Machakos County Assembly Speaker Ann Kiusya speaking at Kyaka hotel during a two day workshop by FIDA on empowering female leaders and Members of County Assembly in Machakos. Photo by Anne Kangero

‘FIDA Kenya is dedicated to fostering a culture that maintains and respects women’s rights and its objective is to advance individual and collective strength in all areas,’ added Kungu.

She further noted that they planned to work with other partners such as the Council of Governors and mobilize more than 100 women for political seats to discuss shortcomings such lack of inclusivity in making of decisions and how to deal with social barriers that affect women in leadership.

Machakos County Assembly Speaker Ann Kiusya pointed out that without a critical mass of women in the Parliament, boardrooms and County Assembly, women voices were still absent from the major decision making in the country.

Kiusya, who is the only female Speaker in the country, added that there is need for enhanced gender mainstreaming as a strategy towards realizing gender equality.

‘Empowering women has benefits for everyone and helps to build healthier lives and a strong economy because we all gain when women actively engage in all aspects of society,’ added Kiusya.

She lamented that in Machakos County Assembly, out of 40 MCAs, only two were elected female MCAs yet last year, there were four women elected.

‘In almost all other Counties in Kenya, there is either one elected MCA or none and I am worried that if we don’t seriously fight for these positions, we may end up with no elected woman MCA in the near future,’ decried the Machakos Speaker.

Kiusya called upon her colleagues in Government, Non-Governmental Organizations and the private sector to collaborate on policies and resources aimed at making work safer, more inclusive and more equitable for women.

She further urged women to step up and take on leadership roles in order to fight against inequalities and to remove obstacles that prevent women from achieving their full potential.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who represented the Governor, was also present and emphasized on the need to expose women to superior positions in Government which would make them bolder and more empowered to take up leadership roles.

He motivated women to fight for the top positions and not expect anyone to hand it to them because that is the root to economic empowerment.

‘You should aspire to be elected in the next elections or get someone elected which will increase representation that is inclusive and balanced,’ added Mwangangi.

He pledged that he would offer support to women and urged them to invest in educating girl child and not to discriminate when it comes to empowering the youth so as to achieve gender mainstreaming.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenyans have been urged to register for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) medical cover so as to be able to access health care services with ease.

Speaking in Kajiado during the Community Engagement Open Day, NHIF Nairobi Regional Manager Ms. Mary Nyachae said that medical bills in Kenya are currently very expensive but with the NHIF cover, Kenyans can access medical services at convenient, affordable rates.

‘We should all register for NHIF as through it, the government is committed to ensure that all its citizens’ access health care services in all hospitals that are NHIF accredited. Instead of organising harambees every now and then to seek funds to clear medical bills, NHIF will ensure that one can access health care services in an easy convenient way without bothering other people,’ said Nyachae.

Nyachae remarked that NHIF covers outpatient and inpatient services, dialysis, renal, oncological services, all drugs and medications, maternity and various other services at an affordable fee of Sh 500 per month.

‘NHIF has also improved its services as an organisation by automating identification of beneficiaries through the use of biometrics. Through a web based system, hospitals can now register beneficiaries thus one can also register as they visit the hospital,’ added Nyachae.

NHIF Kajiado Branch Manager Mr. Peter Leitemu noted that there has been a decline in the number of people registering for NHIF cover in the county due to the recent drought which had many residents relocating to other areas in search of pasture and water thus the need for the sensitisation.

‘We have a challenge in retaining the registered members due to the recent drought which ravaged their livelihoods and also relocated most members of the community. We are however urging them to keep paying the monthly fee of sh500 as it is much cheaper than having to sell a cow to access health care services when need arises,’ said Leitemu.

Assistant County Secretary Ms. Naomi Parinkoi also urged Kajiado residents to register with NHIF and revealed that in addition to the 24,000 people already sponsored by the county for the Universal Health Cover, it is planning to support 1,167 more households in payment for the cover in the next financial year.

Yahe Abubakar, one of the registered NHIF members also urged residents to register with the healthcare cover, reiterating that it is affordable and reliable.

‘I have really benefited from the NHIF Cover. I had kidney problems and the NHIF cover paid for shs 450,000 medical bill. My child also had heart problems and NHIF settled her shs 1.5 Million bill which I could not afford had I not registered with NHIF. I therefore urge all Kenyans to register,’ said Abubakar

Another beneficiary, Mary Malit says that NHIF has helped her settle her medical bill of Sh 600,000 which accrued after she underwent stomach surgery.

‘If I wasn’t registered with NHIF, clearing the bill could have been a huge challenge given that the cows which I depended on as my source of livelihood were ravaged by the recent drought,’ said Malit

To create awareness on the services it offers, NHIF is currently undertaking Community Engagement Open Days Nationwide which entails rallying people to register for the health cover, addressing challenges faced by the beneficiaries and free medical camps as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

The sensitisation programme took place in Kajiado town, Enkorika and Ilbissil town centers.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya is set to host the 25th Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2023 on June 20 to 23 this year at Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.

Addressing the media on the upcoming event at a Nairobi hotel today, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir said the forum titled ‘Africa for Africa in building energy for the just transition’ seeks to foster interactive conversations on energy needs in Africa.

Chirchir said the event that brings together key stakeholders in the energy sector aims to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the sector as well as highlight the crucial role of international and private investors and governments on how to meet their energy needs.

He said this is the first time Kenya is privileged to host the AEF 2023 forum, an event that will see the country handing over the mantle to Egypt who will host the AEF 2024.

‘The African continent is witnessing a transformation in its energy landscape and Kenya is at the forefront of this transition,’ said the CS.

He added that Kenya is a beacon of renewable energy in the African region and recognised as a global leader in renewable energy deployment, demonstrating its commitment to a sustainable and environment friendly energy.

Chirchir added ‘Over the next few days, we will have a global platform right here in Kenya’s capital to look back on the journey the country has made in the growth and development of the energy sector and to cast our future plans.’

The CS said the forum that will be hosted by the Ministry in collaboration with KenGen also seeks to grow access of electricity in the country which is currently over 78 percent which is projected to rise towards the 100 percent target in the Kenya Kwanza government.

He said Kenya is celebrating milestones made by green energy deployment with 93 percent of energy consumed and harnessed from renewable sources like geothermal, hydro, wind,solar, biomass among others

Chirchir announced that the government is working to incorporate and grow clean green energy cooking technologies from 70 percent of biomass used in homesteads to liquefied petroleum gas which is set to go up to 100 percent in the next 4 years to reduce the carbon footprint.

He reiterated that the AEF 2023 will also mark the launch of the Youth Energy Summit set to empower African youth in the energy industry with an aim of providing a platform for engagements, collaborations and capacity building in the energy sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A Mombasa Court has imposed stringent bond terms for two suspected ivory dealers allegedly found with Sh 2 million worth elephant tusks by Kenya Wildlife Service detectives.

Mombasa Chief Magistrate Ms. Martha Mutuku declined did not remand the two Samuel Nason Mosima and Bokisa Maleto but imposed hefty bond terms of each Sh 1million, with two personal sureties and an alternative Sh1million cash bail.

The prosecution through PPC Alex Gituma opposed their release after the investigation officer stated that the two could abscond trial.

The accused were also claimed to have no place of abode with the investigator stating they are herders, who continuously migrate with their animals in search of pasture and water.

However, Mutuku ruled that the charges facing them are bailable but released them on stringent terms to ensure they attend trial.

The two men were charged with dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species worth Sh 2 million without a permit contrary to Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Mosima and Maleto were allegedly jointly found dealing in two (2) pieces of elephant tusk weighing 6Kg concealed in a brownish safari bag without a permit or other lawful exemption leading to another charge.

The two offences were allegedly committed on 13 June 2023 at around 0900hrs, at Mwembe Tayari area within Mombasa County.

The case has been fixed for pre-trial June 22, 2023.

Source: Kenya News Agency