Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke led the State Department in presenting the Financial Year 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates No. II to the Parliament of Kenya Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, chaired by Dr. John Mutunga. The PS He highlighted budgetary adjustments, achievements, and key priorities for the livestock sector including the mass livestock vaccination, livestock insurance expansion, feedlot development, and advancing the Kenya Leather Industrial Park. These efforts are boosting productivity, increasing farmers’ incomes, and creating more opportunities across the livestock value chain.
The Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho presented before the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy Water and Irrigation a list of capital projects affected by the Government of Kenya’s budget rationalization, amounting to KSh1.5 billion. He highlighted that these cuts would lead to pending bills and delays in the completion of various works. The Galana Kulalu Irrigation Development project drew significant attention during the session. Kimotho assured the committee that the contract would be presented next week. He also provided an update on the project’s progress, explaining that the contract had been awarded to two entities. IRRICO International has completed a reservoir with a capacity of 450,000 cubic meters of water storage, which will be used by SELU Ltd for food production on 20,000 acres, as approved by the Public-Private Partnership Directorate. As of February 28, 2025, the project had incurred a total expenditure and commitment of Kshs. 750 million, with revised estimates for FY 2024/25 allocating Kshs. 500 million. This leaves a balance of Kshs. 250 million, even though the contractor has already completed the work, leading to pending bills.
Following recent developments in Health funding, the Ministry of Health through the Division of National AIDS and STI Control Program and NSDCC convened key stakeholders in HIV programming to discuss government-led mitigation measures aimed at safeguarding Kenyans in HIV management. The recent USG directive on re-alignment and re-evaluation of funding priorities has prompted significant changes in the way HIV programs are conducted in Kenya. This directive results in reduced funding levels, shifting focus towards target populations or interventions, and an increased emphasis on government ownership and sustainability. The Ministry of Health recognizes these challenges and is collaborating with HIV program partners to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of the changes while ensuring the continuity of essential HIV services. The Ministry of Health focuses on strengthening government leadership and increasing local capacity to manage HIV care.
The Ministry of Health, through the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners, has urged the media to be accurate when reporting about cancer ailments in order to curb misinformation and stigma associated with the disease. Speaking during a media sensitisation forum on cancer reporting in Nairobi, Dr. Joan Bor, Head, NCCP, said that the media plays a key role in shaping opinion concerning cancer treatment and debunking myths and misconceptions regarding both cervical and breast cancers. Dr. Bor underscored that the media must strive to report accurately and advocate for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment so as to improve treatment outcomes.
Former Director of the Kenya Anti-Commission, Professor PLO Lumumba, has challenged Kenyans to uphold national values to transform the country, Lumumba said the values are the only key to unlocking Kenyan potential in terms of development and laying a solid foundation for future generations. He emphasised patriotism as a value, saying that if Kenyans were patriotic, they would love their country and only focus on issues that benefit every citizen as opposed to self-interests. “Before you think of changing the country, let us see the change in you even at the personal, family, and societal levels, and then you can get to the national level,” said Lumumba.
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) yesterday hosted Uasin Gishu county Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim, who was the Guest of Honour, at the ongoing Eldoret National ASK Show. The Governor was accompanied by other distinguished guests who visited the KALRO stand. The KALRO Board Chairman, Dr. Thuo Mathenge, DDG for Crops, Dr. Felister Makini, and other Directors received the guests and guided them around the stand, highlighting KALRO’s research efforts in relation to climate change and trade. The guests expressed their appreciation for the remarkable milestones KALRO has achieved, recognizing the dedication and hard work of our team in advancing agricultural research and implementing climate-smart strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
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