Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has announced plans to establish digital hubs in West Pokot and other remote counties to facilitate online business. The government will distribute computers and free internet to remote residents, ensuring they can access government services. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) organised a charity race to raise awareness for neglected diseases, with over 15 of the 20 World Health Organisation-listed diseases affecting over 25 million Kenyans. The race brought people together to fight neglected diseases and celebrate relative peace in the region. French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet expressed commitment to ensuring the programme’s success and plans to organise more races, like 40 kilometres, next year. West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin praised the organisations for choosing West Pokot County for the race, highlighting the importance of universal health and dealing with neglected diseases. The race marked a significant milestone for DNDI, with 12 treatments developed for six deadly diseases over the last two decades. The race included a 10-kilometre run with elite athletes and a 5-kilometre run open to schoolchildren and other athletes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has called on counties to invest in newborn baby units to support equipment, commodities, and training personnel for comprehensive newborn care and reduce neonatal mortality. The government is committed to reducing the neonatal mortality rate from 21 deaths per 1,000 live births to less than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has supported equipping 17 hospital newborn units in 14 counties, aiming to have 80% of counties with at least one specialised newborn unit. These units will provide thermal care, assisted feeding, intravenous fluids, oxygen administration, and management of preterm respiratory distress using Continuous Positive Air Pressure machines (CPAP). The MoH has also developed and trained health workers on newborn management guidelines, including the development of guidelines for apnea management using caffeine citrate and CPAP. Makueni County will benefit from 2,000 ampoules of caffeine citrate to boost newborn care.
Masalani residents in Garissa County are in urgent need of relief and evacuation services following flash floods. Hundreds of people have been displaced due to water damage. The region has been cut off from major food and non-food supply due to washed roads and bridges. Residents are travelling over 18 kilometres by canoe in the River Tana, despite crocodile infestations, to access Tana River County to replenish food, petroleum, and other household needs. Area leaders, including Ijara MP Hon Abdi Sheikhow, Garissa Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji, and Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, have requested Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen to construct parts of dilapidated roads to ease the transport of goods and people.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched the second edition of the Ethnic and Diversity Audit of the County Public Service, 2023 Report to promote an equitable and vibrant community for all. The report states that employment in each county should not be skewed towards the dominant ethnic group, at least not exceeding 70% when employing dominants, while ensuring balance and fairness to all ethnic groups in the county. NCIC worked with county executives to submit data on diversity in their respective counties. All counties, except Garissa County, complied with the required legal provision, with only thirteen out of forty-seven having complied. NCIC Commissioner Abdul-Aziz Farah emphasised the importance of diversity in Kenya, which includes culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and religion.
Marsabit County, which had the highest number of employees, employed 33% of the Borana ethnic group, followed by Lamu, Tana River, and Nairobi counties. However, Bomet County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, and Vihiga County did not adhere to the provision, with 29 tribes taking only 1% of the jobs. Nairobi County had the highest number of employees, at 13,510, followed by Kakamega and Bungoma.
The report highlights three remedies to rectify the situation: recognising the constitutional requirement for diversity, reminding governors of their legal and moral obligations, and calling on all governors to act as examples of compliance.
Former international footballer MacDonald Mariga has entered the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) presidential race, with four candidates vying for the position. Mariga expressed optimism that he will win the seat in a free and fair election, avoiding electoral malpractices. He has pledged to bring fresh ideas to the country’s football management if elected. Mariga has criticised the stringent rules issued by the football body for those seeking to contest the election. He has requested that the electoral board relax some of these rules to allow delegates to elect leaders of their choice. The rules require candidates to be cleared by various government agencies, obtain support from a national league club, and have been registered as a national executive member or player for three of the last four years.