Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, has urged Eastern African Regional Chiefs of Intelligence and Heads of Security to embrace inter-agency cooperation in counter-intelligence, law enforcement, and crime prevention. The region faces unprecedented transnational crime, terrorism, and cyber threats, which threaten national security and developmental prospects. The Cabinet Secretary encouraged the region to unite, fortify alliances, exchange insights, and devise innovative strategies to safeguard the security and prosperity of the nations. The collective response must be comprehensive and two-fold, involving breaking down silos, fostering synergy among law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and ensuring a seamless exchange of information. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General, Noordin Hajj, said the cooperation formed with the region heads of intelligence will bear fruit, providing a new opportunity to work, trade, and live peacefully together. Former CS Amina Mohamed urged the intelligence chiefs to innovate and upgrade methods to achieve optimal results.
Epson Kenya has donated Sh4.9 million worth of printers, projectors, and visualizers to 80 schools in partnership with Liquid Intelligent Technologies. The initiative aims to aid in the implementation of the competency-based curriculum (CBC) in schools from early childhood to secondary education. The Liquid Intelligent Technologies Group Technology and Innovation Officer, Ben Roberts, praised the partnership as a significant step in enhancing educational technologies. Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu expressed appreciation for the efforts made by Epson and Liquid Technologies to make education more interesting and easier for students. Rosemary Bosibori Onyacha, the African Union award-winning best teacher in 2023, expressed her dedication to empowering young minds through education and overcoming challenges in integrating educational technology into classrooms.
The government is set to establish a satellite sports academy at the Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea East, in line with the Ministry of Youth Policy. Sports Principal Secretary (PS), Eng. Peter Tum, announced the plans during a tournament sponsored by area Member of Parliament (MP), Mary Maingi. The initiative, Talanta Hela, aims to monetize talent and revolutionise sports and the creative space into a mega industry. The programme, which started with football and volleyball, will expand to cover other talents in the next financial year. The MP emphasised the importance of sports in creating social networks among constituents and enhancing cohesion among residents. She urged youths to join TVETs to gain the necessary skills, with the Constituency Bursary Kitty covering part of the fees. The MP also urged local youth to apply for passports in readiness for the labour export programme. The proposed local Sports Academy will provide a platform for gifted youths to build and sharpen their skills, allowing them to compete with other young people.
The County Government of Narok has sponsored a three-week training programme for about 500 boda-boda riders in Narok town, aimed at curbing petty road accidents. The training, conducted by the Moran Driving School, will cover basic road regulations, the Highway Code, road signage, and riding skills. The programme, which is expected to reduce accidents, will start in Narok Town and extend to other sub-counties within the county. By the end of the training, riders will be subjected to a driving test conducted by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and awarded an interim driving license. Eliud Mathu, a boda-boda rider, expressed gratitude for the initiative and said it would reduce accidents and deaths along the highways. Joseph Masika, another beneficiary, believes the training will help build trust between riders and their customers, reducing road accidents.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, State Department of Creative Economy, has engaged with creative industry youth to develop a Creative Economy Policy and Creative Industries Bill. The session, led by Ismail Maalim Madey, Principal Secretary (PS), State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, emphasised the importance of public participation in governance to enhance the quality of life. The bill aims to unlock the creative potential of youth and promote their engagement with government services. The County Executive Committee announced an initiative to establish an innovation centre to keep the youth engaged and enhance their talents. However, stakeholders expressed a desire for additional domains to encompass creative art forms.
Kiambu County is set to benefit from a multi-million three-storey modern market project in Wangige, Kabete Sub County. Under President William Ruto’s flagship programme, the national government has allocated Sh400 million for the market, with the administration contributing Sh150 million to construct a suitable facility for traders. The multi-storey business hub, which will accommodate approximately 700 traders, will create a conducive working environment for traders in Wangige town. The facility will be completed in 13 months, allowing traders to return to their spaces soon. The public participation exercise follows the approval of the market’s designs by architects from the Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs). Residents also voiced their challenges and requests to the governor, including space allocation and market leadership. The governor praised traders and elected leaders in Kabete Constituency for endorsing the planned construction, stating that the tender advertisement will take place next and the allocation of spaces in the new facility will be transparent.
The Narok County Directorate of Disaster Management has successfully recovered the body of a man who drowned in the Ewaso Nyiro River over two weeks ago. The body was found floating on the water and squeezed between heavy logs, suggesting it could have been swept from a long distance. The pale and peeling skin of the body suggests it had been in the water for over two weeks. Local elder Oloishuro Ole Naeni revealed that the river had swept many villagers, whose bodies had been identified and buried accordingly. He called on area residents to avoid crossing flooded rivers or bathing beside rivers, as they could easily be swept downstream. The retrieved body was taken to the Narok County referral hospital mortuary for preservation while awaiting a postmortem and identification. People who have lost a loved one have been called to visit the police station or the mortuary to identify the body. Over 16 people have drowned in different parts of the county since the onset of enhanced rainfall.
60 students from Ijara Constituency, enrolled in Garissa Teachers College, will receive scholarships from the National Government’s Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). The decision was made due to the area’s low teacher-pupil ratio and aims to address teacher shortages. Local teachers trained at Garissa Training College will be posted to various schools in Ijara Constituency upon graduation. The MP stated that the area needs more teachers due to the expanding education opportunities, with plans to add more schools soon. Residents expressed gratitude for the move, stating that more teachers would ensure increased student enrollment and quality education.
Nyeri County Director of Education, Jane Njogu, has partnered with National Government Administrative Officers to ensure that the remaining 3% of learners who are yet to report to secondary school join Form One before Friday this week. Out of the over 16,000 who sat the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Schools (KCPE) in 2023, an estimated 1,000 learners are yet to take up Form 1. The County Director facilitated the registration of over 25 learners from Nyeri Central sub-county during a mop-up exercise. A similar exercise is taking place in the remaining seven sub-counties to ensure that 16,470 students transition to secondary school. A majority of learners will be joining nearby day secondary schools to avoid lag far behind their counterparts who joined secondary schools on January 15. The Ministry’s directive allows learners who cannot afford new school uniforms to continue donning their primary school uniforms until their parents can afford the new set. As of Friday last week, about 131,854 learners were expected to transition to Form One this year.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has arrested seven traders in Kisii and Nyamira counties for selling uncertified maize seeds. The officials conducted a two-week surveillance on seed certification in the region and impounded 210 kilogrammes of counterfeit seeds from three unlicensed individuals in Kisii and another 100 kilogrammes from four people in Nyamira County. The operation is ongoing across the country to weed out individuals who are taking advantage of the planting season to sell fake seeds to unsuspecting farmers. The Seed and Plant Varieties Act, Cap. 326 of 2012, stipulates that individuals arrested for dealing in fake seeds should pay a fine of up to Sh. 1 million and a jail term of up to two years if found guilty. KEPHIS Acting Deputy Director, Kisumu Region, Chelangat Tonui, urged farmers to purchase seeds from licenced agrovets and ensure seed packets have quality marks and sticker labels from KEPHIS. The KEPHIS is working closely with counties through the Departments of Agriculture to recommend individuals for licencing their agrovets and sensitising farmers on good agricultural practices. The county government has employed Extension Officers to assist farmers in identifying certified maize seeds.
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