President William Ruto yesterday attended the African Divine Church’s milestone celebration of 72 years of existence in Nairobi. He was accompanied by among others; Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi City County governor Johnson Sakaja, his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’a and several other senior officials including Members of Parliament.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s spouse, Pastor Dorcas yesterday attended Sunday service at PEFA Kiamariga Church where the sermon was presided over by Bishop Macharia.
Mukurwe-ini Constituency Member of Parliament John Kaguchia yesterday joined African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) faithful during the Mukurwe-ini West Diocese Alter Table consecration ceremony at Karindi Church in Gikondi Ward where the service was presided over by Archbishop Fredrick Wang’ombe.
Nyeri County governor Dr Mutahi Kahiga and his Deputy David Kinaniri yesterday joined the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Roberto Natali and the Italian Community at Italian Memorial Catholic Church, Mathari, Nyeri County during a special mass. The chapel is not an ordinary Catholic sanctuary with the Mass being conducted in Latin language and is held only once a year where scores of Italian families, friends and government officials throng the beautiful brick-walled compound to pay homage to their country’s fallen soldiers. The church building was constructed in 1952 houses the remains of 676 Italian soldiers captured by the British Army during World War II. It has another structure beside it with remains of African soldiers, majority of them being of Somali origin, who could not be buried inside the church because of their faith. The church attracts many Italian tourists who pay homage to the fallen Italian prisoners.
Othaya constituency Member of Parliament Wambugu Wainaina alias Kìrìma over the weekend donated a tent and chairs to a group of men from Chinga ward. The MP made the donation through his charity organisation; Wambugu Wainaina Foundation and the gifts were presented to the Gikira Men Association by his aides led by Macharia Wa Joel. The team had a cherished time for relaxation and socializing where they discussed on ways to improve their growth at Kahwaga tea buying center.The association comprises of 186 men from this area. The members thanked the MP for his generosity in the development and social welfare of his constituents.
The Research and Policy Lead, Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), Vincent Ogaya, delivers a presentation on renewable energy potential in Kenya during a journalists training on the productive use of solar energy. Ogaya highlighted the critical need for off-grid energy solutions, stating, “Off-grid energy solutions, like solar home systems and mini-grids, are crucial for supporting locals in underserved regions where traditional grid connections are not feasible.” He emphasized the challenges faced by many areas, noting, “The 14 targeted counties account for 72% of Kenya’s total landmass and approximately 20% of its population, but they remain among the least electrified due to their diverse and challenging terrain, which impedes the expansion of the traditional grid connection in the region.”
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire sharing a cake with a PP2 learner during the graduation of over 400 learners from Mbeti South Ward who will be transitioning to grade one in January next year. Starting January 2025, the Embu County will roll out a school feeding programme for all Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners. Students will be given porridge for breakfast, with plans to expand to full meals later. Governor Cecily Mbarire stated that the “uji programme” aims to improve nutrition and enhance student retention and concentration, ultimately boosting performance.
A committee has been formed to work with the County Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate circumstances under which a private school in Uasin Gishu County was allowed to administer fake Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations to 23 students. Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Edyson Nyale said education officials in Turbo sub-county were also being investigated to establish if they colluded with the school to administer the fake exams. Dr. Nyale said the school, Silver Bells Academy, was operating illegally inside a residential home with more than 230 pupils. The school is not registered and was identified as one of those to be closed down in 2019 because the environment it was operating in was not conducive. It was also not registered as an examination centre by the Kenya national examination council, KNEC.
“Unfortunately, no follow-up was done to establish if the school was closed down as directed,” he said. He added that internal administrative action against education officials involved in the malpractice has been initiated: “Administrative action, including show cause letters or suspension from duty, will be taken against any education officers found culpable.” Last Wednesday, security officials, accompanied by education and KNEC officials, raided the school, where they found the 23 candidates taking examinations that turned out to be photocopies of the 2023 exams.
Save the Children has handed over a consignment of assorted essential drugs to Wajir County Department of Health to combat childhood illnesses in the region. The drugs, which will be distributed to health facilities and community health promoters, are part of an initiative to ensure that no child dies from preventable causes. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at Wajir Afya House Dr. Mohammed Kahiye, Chief Officer of Public Health and Sanitation Services, emphasized the project’s focus on combating the three leading childhood illnesses; pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. “This consignment is vital in addressing stock outs of essential medications,” Dr. Kahiye said. “It ensures our healthcare providers have the resources needed to deliver timely and effective treatment, ultimately improving health outcomes for our children,” he noted.
Dr. Kahiye at the same time said that the initiative also includes training for healthcare workers across Wajir West, Wajir North, and Tarbaj, bolstering the county’s capacity to address these health challenges.
Kwale County Government seeks to promote the coastal county as a significant hub for tourism following the scooping of several prestigious awards by the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024. WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. In the awards ceremony held at the Diamonds Leisure Beach and Golf Resort, Diani Public Beach, which boasts of swaying palm trees, white sandy shores, and turquoise waters, was recognised as ‘Africa’s leading beach destination’ for the eighth year in a row. Other achievements for Kwale County were Leopard Beach Resort and Spa, which was ranked as Africa’s Leading Hotel Residences 2024; Baobab Resort and Spa, voted as Africa’s Leading Family Resort 2024; and the idyllic Chale Island, voted as Africa’s Leading Private Island Resort 2024.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the Office of the President Eliud Owalo has asked state departments and agencies to redouble their efforts in tree planting to help reach the 15 billion target by the year 2032. Owalo said all the departments and agencies must inculcate the culture of tree planting in their staff and take advantage of the available spaces within their establishments across the country to grow trees. Since the inception of the programme, he said, state departments and agencies have planted 4.6 million trees, calling for concerted efforts to boost the numbers. “You must be committed and dedicated to ensure that the 15 billion target set by His Excellency the President is attained,” he said. Speaking during a tree planting exercise at Maseno School in Kisumu County, Owalo decried the poor tree cover in Kisumu, which currently stands at 8.85%, calling on the private sector to join hands with the government to push the figure to 30% by the year 2032.