Kenya Rural Roads Authority chair, Jane Gachathi, has directed the closure of quarries along the Molo-Olenguruone Road due to concerns over damage caused by quarry activities by locals. She urged quarry stakeholders to ensure they possess the required legal licenses and adhere to mining regulations to safeguard infrastructure and people’s lives. However, some quarry workers expressed concern about the closure, urging authorities to seek alternative solutions. Molo’s Deputy County Commissioner, Ngura Mwamachi, stressed the importance of land reclamation after mining and reminded quarry workers that night-time mining is illegal. The meeting with quarry stakeholders highlighted the need for a balance between economic activities and environmental preservation, with stakeholders working collectively to address job losses and infrastructure damage.
A total of 61,700 pupils from 171 primary schools in Kajiado County have received a food pack to support them and their families during the upcoming school holiday. Light Up Hope, an NGO), donated food rations to the pupils and their families to cushion them from hunger during the long school break. The initiative, costing Sh 26 million, aims to alleviate poverty through supporting education progression. The school feeding programme, introduced in 171 public primary schools in Kajiado County last year, has helped retain pupils in the class, with enrollment increasing in schools where the programme is being implemented. The programme has also improved academic performance, with pupils concentrating better in class and attendance being high. Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho revealed that the NGO is also sponsoring students from the county, spending Sh162 million annually to retain students in secondary schools and universities.
African states are being urged to adopt harm reduction strategies to reduce the negative effects of tobacco. African Medical Association President Dr. Kgosi Letlape emphasized that harm reduction is a more transformative approach than prohibition-based policies and is better than simply advocating for complete abstinence. He highlighted that harm reduction strategies include prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion, empowering people who use drugs by giving their families the choice to live healthy and self-directed lives. He hoped that lobbying efforts would spark renewed conversations on tobacco harm reduction among stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers, leading to effective regulation and access to non-combustible product alternatives for adult smokers. Journalists and media houses should play a critical role in handling misinformation and disinformation in tobacco harm reduction discussions. Public Health Specialist and Secretary General of the Harm Reduction Society in Kenya, Dr. Michael Kariuki, said harm reduction is the better path forward, providing adult smokers with information, choice, and support to expand the off-ramp from smoking while driving down underage use.
The Kenya Ministry of Education is aiming to include children with special needs and disabilities in the Universal Health Care programme, which will be launched by President Dr. William Ruto on Mashujaa Day. The Universal Health Care programme will provide critical therapy and rehabilitation services to alleviate the severity of these conditions. The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) has awarded 664 Diplomas in Special Needs Education and 207 Certificates, creating a force of over 30,000 professionals in special needs and disabilities. The Ministry of Education is also focusing on Parental Empowerment and Engagement, ensuring parents are engaged in the growth, development, and education of children. The Ministry has decided to centralize the provision of assistive devices and specialized learning materials for learners with special needs and disabilities, valued at Sh87 million. The first batch of this distribution will benefit 101 schools covering Visually Impairment and Hearing-Impairment schools, while the next batch will support other specializations.
As schools close for a long holiday, parents are urged to monitor their children’s online activities to prevent indecorous behavior and online child sexual exploitation and abuse. St. Anthony Claret Nursery and Primary School in Shanzu, Nigeria, uses technology to interact with and monitor their students’ progress. The school aims to instill discipline and moral values in children, ensuring they maintain these values at home. The competency-based curriculum (CBC) is a key tool in the school, allowing students to develop various talents, such as playing band instruments. The school prides itself on producing well-disciplined learners who transition to secondary schools through holistic training. Spiritual nourishment is also emphasized, with parents advised to monitor their children’s online activities during the holiday. The school also works closely with the community in environmental conservation programs, introducing students to living in a clean ecosystem.
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, has urged trade unionists in the Sub-Saharan Region to continue advocating for workers’ rights and welfare. Atwoli spoke at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Executive Committee Meeting of the IndustriALL Global Union (IGU), which represents over 50 million working people in over 140 countries. The IGU aims to build stronger unions, create safe workplaces, build union power, improve democracy and inclusiveness, and promote social justice and globalisation. Atwoli highlighted challenges faced by the Sub-Saharan Region, including platform work, the digital economy, precarious employment, inadequate social protection, and the pressing cost of living crisis. He urged trade union leaders to work together on an international platform to amplify their voices and empower national centers. Atwoli urged President William Ruto to organise a high-level meeting with his advisors and key ministries to explore potential solutions to the escalating cost of living crisis.
Dr Jack Githae a herbal medical practitioner addressing journalist at his Nyeri home where he said he has come up with an organization which will define who heroes are and what role do they play in society, “African National and International heroes association”. Photo/PAUL MWANGI WANJIRU
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