Category: General

Homa Bay county is set to benefit from a Sh 1.4 billion World Bank funded informal settlement improvement project.

Governor Gladys Wanga said that the project will change the face of informal settlements in the devolved unit.

She said the county was fortunate to be among a few selected counties that will benefit from the programme dubbed Informal Settlement Improvement Programme (KISIP).

The Governor said the project will create employment for the youths who will be engaged to clean their localities.

Speaking when she launched the project on Thursday, Wanga said areas that will benefit are Sophia, Makongeni and Shauri Yako in Homa Bay town, A Thousand Street in Oyugis Town, Kendu Bay Old town, Rusinga Island and Nyandiwa.

She said at least 600 youths from each of the areas will be picked to do different tasks that will change the face of the informal settlements.

‘Part of the work involves unblocking drainage systems. Youth will also clean streets and collect garbage,’ she said.

Ms Wanga said the firs
t component of the project will involve improvement of roads and other infrastructure.

‘Another Sh 27 million will be used to install solar Street lights in the areas,’ Ms Wanga said.

She witnessed the groundbreaking of the installation work of a solar street light at Soko Mjinga market in Shauri Yako of Homa Bay town.

‘Youths who will be involved in the work will be paid to uplift their lives. The money paid to youths will circulate within the county,’ Ms Wanga said.

She said the programme is community driven and public participation will be encouraged.

‘Other socioeconomic challenges including poverty levels, will be addressed with the full implementation of the programme,’ Ms Wanga said.

The Governor said the project will also conserve the environment and spur socioeconomic development.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Kenya flowers are sold in more than 60 countries. Over 500,000 people, including over 100,000 flower farm employees depend on the floriculture industry that impacts over 2 million livelihoods.

Kiambu County is among Counties that produce various varieties of flowers for not only the local market but also for export.

Farmers however continue to shy away from venturing into new types of ornamental crops due to uncertainty of farming practices and availability of markets.

For Gabriel Mbugua growing up and becoming a farmer was always in his mind, but never in his years had he thought of venturing into the flower business.

In 2021, he embarked on agroecology farming with the primary focus being on environmental conservation – a commitment to Mother nature.

Little did he anticipate that beyond its ecological benefits and the production of safe foods agroecology farming would emerge as a lucrative income stream and its revolution transform his fortune.

Mbugua who resides in Kamburu, a Sub location within Gata
maiyu Location, Lari , Kiambu County and whose major economic activities is majorly on dairy farming and tea farming cultivates a variety of crops but what stands out prominently in his farm is Arabicum, an ornamental flower .

Arabicum is an annual flower used in fresh bouquets and has been gaining popularity among small scale farmers in the country because they are easy to grow and yield higher returns to farmers.

In Kenya the price of arabicum is Ksh13.56 to Ksh 15.14 per stem but within the field for generations normally attracts even higher prices.

Mbugua says, he is one of the beneficiaries who received education on agroecology farming from Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) in order to conserve the environment and produce safe foods.

ICE has been working with small holder farmers since 2013 to revive their hope through promotion of agro-ecological farming.

Leveraging a collaborative group effort, Mbugua says that he now exports these summer Arabicum flowers to the Netherlands, a pivotal market
for their produce.

‘Farmers in this area transitioned to organic farming and this has attributed to the surge of improved healthy flowers that we never used to cultivate before and we have experienced a substantial increase in earnings ‘, he explains.

Before adopting agroecology practices, his weekly flower harvest amounted to 5,000 stems. However, with the transition, this figure has risen to an impressive 7,000 stems.

Mbugua says the valuation of these flowers is based on length and strength, with longer and sturdier stems commanding higher prices.

The flowers are categorized in three height brackets-60cm, 70cm, and 80cms, Mbugua says, adding that organic farming, especially the use of Bokashi bio-fertilizer and boosters, has significantly contributed to the increase in stem height, surpassing the 80cm threshold.

Due to the ecofriendly nature of using bio-products that are safe, Mbugua says that European buyers, particularly those within the European Union, have shown immense interest in his flowers.

‘During off-seasons, they closely monitor the resumption of production since they have been emphasizing on environmentally sustainable farming practices and also advocating for a collective shift towards agroecology’, he said.

Even as Kenya relies on the European Union for over 80 percent of its fresh produce market, aligning with these agro ecological trends positions farmers like Mr. Mbugua at the forefront of a burgeoning global movement.

According to experts, Arabicum grows best in a cool climate at elevations of 1500-2000 Meters above sea level, requires a growing temperature of 22-28 degrees, deep fertile well drained soils preferably with a slightly acid to neutral PH

It is commonly grown in cool areas such as Limuru, Redhill, Kericho and Embu.

The main cut flowers grown in Kenya are roses, carnations, and Alstromeria. Other flowers cultivated include, Arabicum, Lilies, Statice, and a range of summer flowers amongst many others.

The Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) Yearbook of Statistics 2022, In
2021, floriculture contributed Ksh 110.85 billion up from Ksh 107.51 realized in 2020 which was 3.1 percent increase from what was realized in 2020.

The volume increased from 146,033 tons in 2020 to 210,135 tons in 2021 accounting for 44 percent increase and the increase in value was attributed to high unit price for Kenyan flowers especially roses and cuttings.

Flowers exports accounted for 70 percent of total horticulture value with the leading flowers per value being roses, cuttings and mixed flowers.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has officially opened the Manufacturers Priority Agenda (MAP) and Agriculture for Industry (A4I) report of the year 2024 with the aim of steering economic growth of Kenya’s manufacturing industry.

The 2024 Manufacturing Priority Agenda and Agriculture for Industry Report serve as a roadmap to success, outlining comprehensive strategies to scale up Kenya’s manufacturing sector and enhance the linkages between manufacturing and agriculture.

The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Rebecca Miano in a speech read on her behalf by the Principal Secretary for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana said the manufacturing sector emerges as a promising solution, capable of absorbing the growing workforce and providing a sustainable livelihood.

Miano said industrialization has served as an economic growth while noting that the challenge facing Africa is its high population of about Sh1.3billion which accounts to 17 percent of the world’s population.

‘Indust
rialization has lifted people out of poverty in Europe whereas in Africa it only benefits a few people,’ she said.

The CS who singled out agriculture as a supplier of raw material for industries noted that KAM has been lowering the price of the buyer hence making the producer to stop producing goods.

She said the industry has a responsibility to create the value chain and warehouse to stabilize suppliers, Small, Medium Enterprises and farmers to enable all involved in the partnership benefit.

Miano said the taxation issue is a must because KAM will require road, electricity and water.

‘Taxation must be part of the process by implementing the 10 percent intermediate, 25 percent global capacity and 35 percent local capacity.

She urged KAM to only import what Kenya cannot manufacture while citing that every time it imports goods, it exports jobs for young people.

‘Reengineer some of the internal process by working with farmers in order to make the process successful and competitive,’ said the CS.

Speaking
during the event, Principal Secretary, State Department of Energy Alex Wachira said that to increase food security and reduce the import for use, manufacturers need to consider the cost of power.

Under the issue of redundancy, the PS said that investing in infrastructure needs a lot of funding saying that the Ministry of Energy is investing 3.5billlion in improving substantial spaces.

‘The government is fully committed in providing affordable and reliable energy to manufacturers and citizens aligned to Bottom-up Agenda and ensures it is accessible to the private sector,’ he said.

The PS added that the government has implemented measures and additional power capacity including framework to attract and facilitate various sectors.

He added that the government will continue to invest in renewable sources including wind solar, geothermal to increase the production while that the ministry of energy and petroleum will provide resources to the energy sector as well as to the management.

In his remarks, the Kenya
Association of Manufacturers Chairperson Rajan Shah said that the potential of manufacturing and agriculture in driving economic growth cannot be overstated.

Shah said that by producing crops and livestock, and manufactured goods, the two sectors create opportunity, empower community and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that lies dormant within the nation.

He announced that with over 800,000 young people entering the workforce each year, industrialization and agriculture advancement offer lifelines and pathways to a better future for the generations to come.

‘KAM ambition of increasing Kenya’s manufacturing Gross Domestic Product to 20 percent by 2030 is a bold declaration of intent,’ he stated.

The Chair said by harnessing the transformative power of manufacturing, KAM can unlock new avenues of growth, create sustainable livelihoods and build a future that is prosperous.

He cited regulatory burden, high cost and instability of electricity and taxation as the major challenges of concern for the private
sector.

Shah said that KAM aims to propel Kenya’s manufacturing sector through the four pillars which include export-led growth, SME development, agricultural for industry program and global competitiveness.

He said KAM working in collaboration with the government will unlock new opportunities, address bottlenecks and ensure that policies serve the best interest of all Kenyans.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Six people have been hospitalized after consuming spring water that was contaminated with poisonous chemicals believed to be syenite from one of the mining processing plants in Ndemra Village-Nyatike Sub County.

Speaking at the mining processing plant that resulted in the poisonous spillover, Nyatike Deputy County Commissioner Daniel Omukoko said that such negligence with no regard to human and livestock lives will not be tolerated.

Omukoko said that the facility which did not have a valid mining license would remain closed; warning all mining processing plants in Nyatike that are operating illegally to remain closed.

The contaminated spring also resulted in the loss of three cows and three goats from the poisonous water.

The administrator noted that the investigation was underway and once concluded the culprits will face the full force of the law for operating illegally and endangering the lives of people, livestock and property.

He said that the County has continued to witness a surge of miners in the
area with foreigners flocking to Nyatike Sub County without proper documentation and valid mining licenses.

Omukoko said that the illegal mining sites were depriving the community, and the National and County governments of revenue that could have improved the lives of the residents.

National Government Mining Inspector Abel Chumba elaborated that all operators in the mining industry who do not have valid licenses should remain closed until they legalise their operations.

Chumba said that anybody who wants to invest in mining should visit the Mining Departments in their respective areas to get the legal framework as guided by the Mining Act.

He added that all mining processing plants in Migori with no license will remain closed to prevent any harm that may cost the environment and the lives of the people and livestock.

The official explained that there is no benefit to the County and National government benefits in terms of revenue if illegal miners are allowed to operate freely without following the set
mining rules and regulations.

Moris Ogwal, a resident of Ndemra Village-Nyatike Sub County lost two cows from consuming the poisonous water and said that he had lost his investment that he dearly depended on.

Ogwal however applauded the efforts that the government has made in closing down the mining processing plant to ensure no further harm is caused to the residents.

He called upon the processing plants in the area to adhere to the rules set by the mining sector to preserve the lives of the locals and their livestock.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled the Smart AI Resource Assistant (S.A.R.A.H), a digital health promoter prototype with a generative AI-powered empathetic response.

The launch of the prototype comes ahead of World Health Day, focused on ‘My Health, My Right’. S.A.R.A.H. is a Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health that represents an evolution of AI-powered health information avatars, using new language models and cutting-edge technology. It can engage users 24 hours a day in 8 languages on multiple health topics, on any device.

WHO’s digital health promoter offers information on health topics like healthy habits and mental health, assisting individuals in optimizing their health journey and recognizing their health rights.

Sarah, also known as S.A.R.A.H., aids individuals in understanding risk factors for major global diseases, providing information on quitting tobacco, maintaining physical activity, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphas
ized the priority of supporting countries in harnessing digital technologies for health in the future. He further added that S.A.R.A.H. gives us a glimpse of how artificial intelligence could be used in future to improve access to health information in a more interactive way.

‘I call on the research community to help us continue to explore how this technology could narrow inequities and help people access up-to-date, reliable health information,’ he added.

S.A.R.A.H. uses generative AI for real-time, personalized conversations, mirroring human interactions. Supported by Soul Machines Biological AI, it provides nuanced, empathetic responses.

WHO calls for continued research on this new technology to explore potential benefits to public health and to better understand the challenges? While AI has enormous potential to strengthen public health it also raises important ethical concerns, including equitable access, privacy, safety and accuracy, data protection, and bias.

Continuous evaluation and refinement as
part of this project emphasize WHO’s dedication to bringing health information closer to people while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and evidence-based content. Developers, policy makers and health care providers need to address these ethics and human rights issues when developing and deploying AI to ensure that all people can benefit from it.

The S.A.R.A.H. project strives for continuous learning and development of a prototype that can inspire reliable, responsible and accessible information.

Previous iterations of S.A.R.A.H. were used to disseminate critical public health messages, under the name Florence, during the COVID-19 pandemic on the virus, vaccines, tobacco use, healthy eating and physical activity.

WHO continues to use many digital tools and channels to disseminate and amplify health information including social media, chatbots, channels and text messaging.

Source: Kenya News Agency