Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo
Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, has urged journalists to use technology ethically and responsibly. He stressed the importance of being vigilant guardians of accuracy and authenticity through fact-checking, source verification, and maintaining a commitment to truth. Owalo emphasised the role of communicators in shaping public opinion, challenging negative societal norms, and fostering positive change. He urged 41 graduates in film video program production to embrace the opportunities technology presents for storytelling and audience engagement. Technology has changed the way people share information, tell stories, and connect with the world. Owalo emphasised that communicators are not mere observers but architects of information, shapers of narratives, and guardians of truth. He emphasised the responsibility of using technology ethically and responsibly, as they are not just passive witnesses to technological advancements but architects of a bold digital future.
The government is implementing over 700 legislative proposals, policies, and regulations across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to drive the implementation of its agenda over the next four years. Principal Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs Aureli Rono has initiated the development of 247 legislative proposals, 285 regulations, and 188 policies to fast-track the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The initiative aims to bolster investments and foster economic growth as part of the government’s economic turnaround strategy. Rono emphasises collaboration between her office and all MDAs to ensure legal standards are adhered to and mitigate the risk of court injunctions. The government is also developing a tool to track the status of policies and legislative proposals. A steering committee on the legislative agenda will support and strengthen all proposed legislative proposals before reaching parliament. The government is also focusing on six core pillars to revitalise the economy, including Agriculture, Affordable Housing Scheme, support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Affordable Healthcare, and investment in the Digital superhighway and creative economy. However, certain key legislation, such as the housing levy, rollout of the digital Maisha number, and affordable care acts, have faced setbacks in court, further delaying their implementation. The government is reverting to the drawing board to review and align flagged sections with the law.
Police in Gilgil Sub-County are investigating two shooting incidents involving civilians and police officers. The first incident involved a police officer who committed suicide by shooting himself in the head while on duty. The motive is yet to be established, but several spent cartridges were recovered from the scene. The body is currently lying at the Gilgil Sub-County Hospital mortuary, pending a postmortem and further investigations. The second incident involved a 53-year-old man who was shot dead by forest rangers in Eburru Forest. The deceased, identified as Stephen Wakaba, had gone into the forest with his 17-year-old son when he was confronted by rangers. A scuffle ensued, and the deceased was shot several times in the chest as the son fled. The body is also lying at the Gilgil Sub-County Hospital Mortuary, pending a postmortem and further investigations. Kenya loses about 7,000 people to suicide-related deaths annually, with 142,500 others being survivors. To address this trend, police authorities launched counselling services last year, which evaluate, design, and lead an outreach programme to prevent mental health and substance abuse among security personnel.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) has been awarded the HACCP (SANS 10330:2020) certification, which will open up international markets for small and medium-scale horticulture processors and packaging companies. The certification was presented by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for the Nairobi Pack House, which provides startups and medium-scale exporters and importers of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers with packaging space and cold storage. The HACCP system provides a framework for monitoring the total food system, from harvesting to consumption, to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and assure food safety. The Kenya-EU agreement will enable Kenya to sell up to 13,000 different products to 27 EU countries duty-free and quota-free for 25 years. The Kenya Bureau of Standards is implementing County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) to boost local manufacturing and processing and increase exports to these markets. The AFA Board Chairman, Cornelly Serem, aims to ensure that the pack houses in the country meet international standards so that international buyers are comfortable buying products from Kenya. The Nairobi Pack House has benefited SMEs who cannot afford their own packaging space by offering them a fully equipped facility.
The government has allocated Sh1.1bn for land compensation to complete the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) to link with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) terminus in Miritini. The project, which commenced in September 2022, was derailed by land acquisition challenges, with the project stopping at 65%. The Ministry of Roads and Transport has granted the budget to the National Land Commission, and the compensation process is expected to begin. The MGR line will be accessible to passengers using the Madaraka Express passenger service train and seven stations along the SGR. The second part of the project will involve the rehabilitation of the Mombasa Central Railway Station and the establishment of four mini-stations in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi. The government will provide concession rates for commuters, enhancing commuter movement and easing pressure on road transport. The project is part of the Mass Rapid Transit System, which the Ministry of Roads and Transport aims to establish alongside other MRTs.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated essential medical supplies and equipment worth Sh 10 million to the Garissa County health department to help with emergencies caused by El Nino rains and flooding. The WHO’s risk communication officer, Ibrahim Gedi, stated that the supplies are part of the organisation’s goal to build emergency preparedness responses in counties. The WHO has already trained health workers on surveillance, case management, and risk communication for laboratories for public health emergencies. The WHO has also constructed a stabilisation centre at the Garissa Referral Hospital for malnutrition cases due to the ongoing El Niño rains and other emergencies. The county director for health, Aden Hussein, expressed gratitude for the WHO’s support and emphasised the need to reposition medical supplies and logistics to health facilities across the county.
The Mining Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, has emphasized the importance of digitizing core management systems to improve efficiency and combat corruption in the mining sector. The department has adopted the Online Mining Cadastre, an online platform that grants miners’ rights for acquiring and allocating mining zones, reducing conflict and fights over mining zones. The department is prioritizing the digitization of explosives inventories, critical systems, and operations to combat graft. Other digitised systems include royalty’s management systems, library resource management systems, artisanal mining digital registers, and geo-data information management systems. The adoption of digital systems is enhancing the mining sector’s contribution to national development goals under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Over 60 marketing cooperatives have been registered and are undergoing training to equip officials with critical skills. The government is pushing for the formation of artisanal mining cooperatives to formalize operations and enhance regulations.
Murang’a South Sub County authorities have expressed concern over increased cases of suicides and homicides in the area, with Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Murungi blaming the menace on domestic squabbles, depression, excessive use of illicit brews, drug abuse, lawlessness, and the general moral decadence of the societal fabric. Murungi emphasised the need for dialogue between people, authorities, and other stakeholders to establish the root cause of the homicides and suicides. The situation is dire, with children as young as 11 committing suicide. In Kamahuha Ward, nine young people aged between 12 and 29 committed suicide between December 2022 and October 2023. The most recent incident involves a 11-year-old girl who committed suicide on the eve of Jamhuri Day. Area Member of Parliament, Mary Wamaua, has previously decried such unfortunate incidents and called on residents to stop protecting criminals who do not belong to society. Wamaua called on members of society to embrace dialogue with the administrators so that the root cause of the suicides and homicides could be identified and a solution found.
Nyeri Diaspora Leadership Academy (NDLA) was officially launched at the Nyeri Town Hall grounds.
NDLA is a non-profit social entrepreneurship venture started in February this year through the identification of high-performing KCPE graduates from Nyeri county who were in dire need of support.
NDLA in partnership with the County Government of Nyeri has successfully sponsored 30 students who performed exemplary well in their KCPE national exams.
Lands CECM Ndirangu Gachunia who officially launched the Academy on behalf of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga lauded the work of the academy and invited other NGOs to partner with them towards improving the livelihoods of the Nyeri citizenry.
Ambassador Prof. Peter Ndiang’ui who is the chairman of the Nyeri Diaspora Advisory Council which is under Nyeri Diaspora Leadership Academy led a team from diaspora who witnessed the ceremony.
Also present was Prof. Macharia Munene.
Kenya Airways hosted a delegation from Mang’u High School at the Airline headquarters in Nairobi to inspect and formally accept the livery on a recently decommissioned Boeing 737-700 donated they donated. The Airline leadership expressed their gratitude that the learning institution’s leadership including the Board of Management which is led by Anthony Mithanga was pleased with the progress of the work done by engineers and other partners.
The decommissioned aircraft will be fitted with a simulator for practical lessons. This donation aligns with Kenya Airways’ commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, enhancing academic and practical excellence for future aviation professionals.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Dagne Walle: The Ethiopian Maestro Redefining African Music
- Brazil overpower Scotland in commanding 3-0 victory
- Morocco survive Haiti thriller 4-2 to seal last-32 place
- South Africa seal historic 1-0 win over South Korea to reach knockout stage
- Budimir’s late strike keeps Croatia’s World Cup dream alive
About the Author
