Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni yesterday held a meeting with County Public Health Officers
Principal Secretary State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni yesterday held a meeting with County Public Health Officers and Technicians from all the 47 counties to discuss their evolving roles in the context of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The meeting focused on understanding environmental health functions and identifying challenges in service delivery. Key objectives included outlining PHOs’ roles in UHC, proposing solutions for improved service delivery, and establishing a coordination mechanism for PHOs and Technicians. The meeting is expected to result in the formation of a Caucus of CPHOs for better national coordination and a follow-up list on critical activities like sanitation, tobacco control, and food safety.
During a recent visit to Turkana County, Cabinet Secretary for East Africa Affairs, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Authority Beatrice Askul, emphasized the importance of enhancing agricultural efforts to combat the county’s high poverty levels. “Turkana is among the most vulnerable communities in the Country, let us therefore not compromise our working systems and rather focus on our agricultural initiatives to improve food production in the county,” she stated. She noted that key irrigation schemes in Katilu, Lokwiii, Kangalita, Kolioro, and Morulem were crucial for local food production as she further lauded the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) as one of the development partners that have contributed to the success of this scheme. The CS noted that Turkana has the highest poverty index in Kenya, urging local leaders and farmers to strengthen their agricultural initiatives.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has been allocated land by the county government of Uasin Gishu to construct a KEMRI centre and a vaccine manufacturing factory. KEMRI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Prof. Elijah Songok said they have already been shown the land in Kapsoiya to put up a KEMRI branch and another for the construction of a vaccine factory they will undertake with its sister Vaccine manufacturing institution, Kenya BioVax. Speaking in Eldoret, Prof. Songok said KEMRI will take over Kapsoiya hospital as its research hospital for the vaccines. “We shall improve facilities at the hospital so that it can be upgraded to a level four hospital for medical research,” said Songok.
The creative sector is headed for a major revival as the government champions the passing of legislative policies that will favour players in the arts industry. Director of Culture in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage Dr Kiprop Lagat said time has come for creatives to make a meaningful life out of their art noting that the State had put in place strategies that will open opportunities for all creatives and save their Intellectual Property from exploitation. He was speaking in Nakuru on Sunday when he held deliberations with the County’s Creative Working Group to discuss initiatives aimed at supporting local talent and boosting the city’s cultural profile. At the same time, Dr Langat who was flanked by Nakuru City Manager Mr Gitau Thabanja challenged artists to create content that identifies with the African culture as it will speak to African values and will help in promoting local content internationally.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected Sh946 million from taxes in the Western region last month following a raft of measures to curb smuggling of goods through the porous borders of Uganda and Tanzania.
Through enhanced surveillance and enforcement in the region which covers ten counties, the taxman generated more revenue from customs at the Malaba, Busia and Isebania One Stop Border Posts (OSBP’s) and the Lwakhakha satellite station. KRA Western Regional Coordinator Ms. Patience Wanjau said even though the figure fell short of the Sh1 billion monthly target, the performance was encouraging given the tough economic times. Out of the total collections, Malaba OSBP generated Sh540 million due to enhanced efficiency in clearance of trucks making it a key route for goods destined for Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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