EDUCATION DOCKET ROPES IN COMMUNITY TO HELP TEACH HOW TO FISH

Nairobi, 8^th July 2019: The Ministry of Education and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) in partnership with technical advisor Educate! have this weekend completed a Community Service Learning Program across 65 secondary schools in 10 counties, with the aim of learning how best to develop the new learning area for the CBC curriculum at secondary level.

 “The Community Service Learning we have been testing applies concepts students have learned in the classroom to real-life situations and enhances entrepreneurship, social awareness and responsibility,” said Dr Julius Jwan, Director and CEO at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

Olympic High school students showcasing one of their projects. Images Courtesy Val Likhanyu

The program follows global research into community service learning that has shown it delivers a rapid and significant change in students’ attitudes and skills.

According to a study of 1,500 US students published in the Michigan Journal of Community Learning, the learning area changes students’ personal values within just six months, significantly raising the chances of students entering careers that help others, and raising their levels of volunteering and community leadership.

It has also been shown to increase students’ belief in their ability to solve community problems and their sense of connection with the community.

“We have, furthermore, run the Kenyan program under the theme of ‘Igniting the High School Social Entrepreneur’ to equip students to create livelihoods while also solving local problems,” said Diana Mwai, Educate!’s Kenya Program Director.

Olympic High school recycling projects. Images Courtesy

This emphasis reflects the KICD’s commitment to achieving a more relevant curriculum that will address the issue of high youth unemployment, which was running at 26.2 per cent in 2017, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

Educate!, which aims to impact 1 million students across Africa, has advised on curriculum reforms and run similar programmes  in Rwanda and Uganda. These were found to nearly double the earning power of participants, increase the use of learner-centred teaching methods, and  deliver a greater focus on community issues.

The program has already transformed the lives of Kenyan learners too, both through community engagement and through the entrepreneurial skills gained.

Kwirenyi Secondary School in Kakamega County wanted to improve community health, so it taught community members how to treat water and keep it safe for drinking, whilst also running a sensitisation campaigns on preventing malaria and cholera.

The program has also taught learners how to connect the knowledge they are gaining from other learning areas to their entrepreneurial ventures. Students from Agoro Sare school from Homabay County applied what they learned in chemistry and biology to create a bio-gas business, using kitchen waste and cow dung from the school herd to create bio-gas fuel. The business intends to provide the school with a source of low-cost and sustainable fuel. 

Likewise, students from Mbitini Girls Secondary School in Kitui County started a rabbit project after learning about diabetes in class. The business aims to sell and promote the consumption of white meat in the community.

In addition to benefiting learners, a key goal of the program is to produce research to be used by curriculum developers. Professor of Teacher Education at Moi University, Dr. Charles Ong’ondo, has led the 18-month, qualitative research project, in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and MOE. The research team conducted three rounds of research, beginning with a needs assessment before the program began. The research team is now in the process of collecting final data, which will lead to a summative research report. The research will be shared with national stakeholders at KICD’s curriculum conference in August and will inform how to best design this new learning area, as KICD prepares for the development of the secondary curriculum.

“Our aim is to deliver powerful skill sets that prepare students for individual success and to tackle youth unemployment,” said Diana, in targets that tie with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which places emphasis on the link between education and the labour market.

The results of the Community Service Learning programme have been exhibited by participating schools for assessment by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC). The exhibitions were held on June 29^th and 30^th in Taita Taveta, Kitui, Garissa, Homabay and Kisii counties. Schools in Nairobi, Kakamega, Uasin Gichu, Kiambu and Embu counties held their exhibitions on Sunday July 6^th, closing the first phase of the Community Service Learning program. 

FINANCIAL REPORTING AWARDS TURNS 18 YEARS

Nairobi – July 3, 2019 – The promoters of FiRe Award (Excellence in Financial Reporting Award) have announced the launch of the 2019 edition, with this year’s event focusing on enhancing confidence by deepening best corporate governance practices in the region. The event whose theme is “Enhancing corporate value through excellence in financial reporting for cross-border trade and investment facilitation in East Africa and beyond” comes on the back of a keener focus on regional trade and investment.

The continued participation of the public sector is key in improving reporting and corporate governance practices in the sector, which is expected to inspire more confidence in public sector entities in Kenya. The public sector participation follows the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards as the reporting framework in Kenya in 2014. The promoters of the FiRe Award are; the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB), Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Keya (ICPAK).

The coveted FiRe Award is in its eighteenth year since it was launched in 2002. The public sector entities expected to participate in the 2019 FiRe Award include; Ministries, Departments and Agencies, State Corporations, Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies and the County Governments.

The PSASB Chairman, CPA Bernard Ndung’u, who is also the Director General of Accounting Services at the National Treasury, said, “the participation of public sector entities in FiRe Award is a demonstration of the commitment to transparency in how public resources are utilized and an opportunity for feedback to public sector entities on how they can improve their financial reporting on a continuous basis to entrench the best practises.’’

According to the ICPAK Chief Executive, Mr. Edwin Makori, the international financial reporting has been in Kenya since the year 2001 and the international public sector standards was adopted in Kenya in the year 2014 with the establishment of the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB). Mr. Makoro said ‘’the Fire Award has been going on for 18 years awarding excellence in financial reporting. One of the Institute of Certified public Accountants of Kenya’s mandate is to develop and implement the financial reporting standards. It is with this background that the institute teamed up with NSE, CMA and PSASB to promote the FiRe award, and will continue doing so’’.

The Capital Markets Authority Chief Executive, Mr. Paul Muthaura, observed “high standards in financial reporting and corporate governance practices are fundamental in positioning Kenya as the preeminent financing and investment hub in the region. Following the official launch of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, there will be increased opportunities for business growth through trade and investment but the sustainability of this growth will rely on the quality of financial reporting adopted.  Sound reporting ensures and increase in transparency on evolving corporate value.  OThe adoption of high standards is therefore an important foundation for attracting investors, particularly through the capital markets, as Kenya seeks to be the heart of African capital markets  and meet the funding needs to facilitate the attainment of the Big 4 Agenda’’

Speaking during the launch Mr. Geoffrey Odundo, Chief Executive, NSE noted, “As an Exchange, we are committed to supporting the awards at it seeks to enhance a strong financial system supported by robust governance, high quality financial reporting standards and a sturdy regulatory framework which is fundamental in mobilizing domestic investments and international capital flow to Kenya”.

The award ceremony of the FiRe Award 2019 will be held on November 8, 2019 in Nairobi. It will be preceded by a conference to engage key stakeholders on topical issues which will be held on November 7, 2019.

EABL PARTNERS WITH LOGO MAKERS IN NEW KSH1 MILLION LOGO HUNTING COMPETITION

Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday 26^th June, 2019 – East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has today launched a competition that will culminate in the design of a new logo for the company.

Dubbed EABL, Got Skillz? the competition is intended to celebrate East Africa’s diversity in terms of the region’s culture, colours and people and is open to design artists from across East Africa aged between the ages of 21 and 25 years.  

Artists have been invited to submit their artistic interpretations of how a new EABL logo would look like ateabl.com/gotskillz from 27^th June to 11^th July. The submissions can be made by individuals or by a group of up to four people.

The winning submission will win a cash prize of Kshs 1 million, while the second and third placed will each receive a cash prize of Kshs 500,000 and Kshs 300,000 respectively.

EABL Marketing and Innovation Director, Graham Villiers-Tuthill (right) and EABL Corporate Relations Director, Eric Kiniti (left) pose at the launch of the Got Skillz? competition at the EABL Corporate Office at Ruaraka in Nairobi. Got Skillz? is a competition whose final product will be a new EABL logo. The winning artist or team of four will receive a prize of Sh1 million, with the second and third-ranked individual or team getting Sh500,000 and Sh300,000 respectively.  

The top three will get the opportunity to work with a team of talented creative and advertising experts from J. Walter Thompson Kenya (a part of Scangroup) to work on finalising the new EABL logo interpretations.

Speaking at the launch of the competition at their offices at Ruaraka, EABL Marketing and Innovation Director, Graham Villiers-Tuthill, said the rationale behind this approach is to support creative arts in line with the company’s rich history in the region, reflecting its long association with the community.

“With this refresh, we aim to craft a modern, dynamic logo that is up to date with the contemporary look and feel of the biggest consumer products company in the region. Our desire is to ensure that the logo and the creativity around its creation celebrate our rich heritage in East Africa and its immense diversity in people, colour and culture,” said Mr. Villiers-Tuthill

Ed Wanaina (center), Ramadhan Oluoch (left) and Leona Akina interact at the event at the EABL Corporate Office at Ruaraka to announce the start of the Got Skillz? competition. Got Skillz? is a competition whose final product will be a new EABL logo. The winning artist or team of four will receive a prize of Sh1 million, with the second and third-ranked individual or team getting Sh500,000 and Sh300,000 respectively. Images Courtesy oxygene.co.ke

EABL Corporate Relations Director, Eric Kiniti said: “We want to involve the emerging group of design artists, potentially those with the talent but out of employment, providing them an opportunity to build a career in design art. By providing the winner with a three-month mentorship programme, we hope they can hone their skills so they can monetize their craft in the future. We believe there’s no better way to walk that journey than to help create the corporate logo for East Africa’s biggest consumer products company.”

A panel of judges will review the submissions, judging them on: interpretation and clarity of the theme to the artist, creativity and originality of the depicted theme, quality of artistic composition, overall design based on the theme, and overall impression of the art.

Submissions will also be judged on their adaptability as a logo and whether the artwork stands on its own as a complete and outstanding work of art plus the ease of adapting the creative idea into a brand identity.

The top 20 submissions will proceed to the next stage of the competition, a design hackathon guided by the judges. At the hackathon, the finalists will be briefed on key areas to pay attention to as they work on their designs.

The judges will then pick a winner and two runners-up, who will receive cash rewards and a mentorship session, part of which will be to interpret the final logo into various forms for use by EABL.  

The panel of judges comprises advertising experts, art, copy and creative directors with decades of experience in the industry and who have participated in the creation of brand designs for big organisations across the region

ZENKA, TALA, HFC Sign Code of Conduct For Responsible Lending

Nairobi, 27^th June 2019… Members of the Digital Lenders Association (DLAK), which represents 12 major digital lenders in the country, have today signed on to the “Code of Conduct” and announced plans to adopt a self-regulatory framework and a set of shared principles to guide members. 

Speaking during the formal launch of the Association formed in March 2019, DLAK Chairman and Zenka CEO Mr. Robert Masinde said that the Code of Conduct will promote ethical business practice and broadly addresses emerging consumer protection issues.   

“At the heart of the Code is a requirement for consumer protection. It requires digital lenders to practice responsible lending, disclose standardized pricing, improve transparency and fairly resolve customer disputes while respecting the spirit of self-regulation and raising the bar on ethical lending,” Mr. Masinde said. 

Digital Lenders Association Kenya (DLAK) Chairperson and CEO of ZENKA Finance, Robert Masinde, (L). receiving the signed code of conduct document from Tala Regional Country growth Manager, Ivan Mbowa, (R). This was  during the launch of Digital Lenders Association Kenya (DLAK) at Crowne Plaza where all 12 members signed a Code of Conduct document. 

 “The Code represents an ongoing effort to continually evaluate how our industry can best serve our customers, respect the efforts of regulators and set useful precedents for how digital lenders contribute to the financial ecosystem.” 

As part of the efforts towards enhancing compliance, DLAK has established a Code Compliance Committee to handle cases where a member fails to adhere to the set guidelines. The committee has the power to call out signatories it finds to be non-compliant and is tasked with ensuring all members are compliant with terms against unfair contracts. Currently 13 members have signed the Code of Conduct and are working in compliance to the Code.

DLAK is also actively seeking to collaborate with the Central Bank of Kenya in enhancing compliance and addressing consumer protection issues that CBK has been working towards. “The CBK is working hard to improve compliance of non-deposit taking institutions and DLAK will work to collaborate, enhance and complement CBK’s efforts,” Mr. Masinde said.

 “The Code we have signed today requires members to comply with a series of best practice principles when dealing with customers. Members who do not adhere to the Code will be publicly disbarred from the Association,” said DLAK Vice Chairperson and HF Group Chief Digital Officer Ms. Rose Muturi. She added: “We are proud to be working together to take proactive steps to bring transparency to the market, and ensure we’re doing what’s best for our customers.”

Speaking at the launch, FSD Kenya Head of Regulation Mr. Gitau Mburu challenged members to enhance transparency, self-regulation and promote ethical practices that have remained an operational and reputational challenge. 

“It is clear that as new digital credit players enter the market, new innovative products are offered and new credit models develop; laws and regulations alone will not be able to address all of the consumer protection issues, members must act responsibly,” Mr. Mburu said. Adding that: “The evolving landscape of digital lending is a demonstration that households and micro, small and medium enterprises have real challenges of accessing capital and are finding the fintech industry as a growing source of short-term capital.”

“Due to this, it’s really important the fintech industry is transparent and easy to understand for customers, so they can really understand what the cost of borrowing really is, and what the penalties look like if they don’t comply.”

The Digital Lenders Association Kenya (DLAK) members after signing the code of conduct document. This was during the launch of Digital Lenders Association Kenya (DLAK) at Crowne Plaza

Overall, digital lenders said, they see a definite change in mindset towards fintech by customers.  “Years ago, there was a limited understanding of the difference between digital lenders and some of the “less reputable” short-term funding options, but now there’s a growing understanding of the new players’ role in the finance sector,” Tala Regional Country Growth Manager and DLAK Director Ivan Mbowa said.  “Digital lenders are a bridge to formal finance and are filling a market need, enabling us to extend high-quality financial services to underserved communities and contribute to the national financial inclusion agenda.”

Kenya has experienced technological innovation in the financial sector, especially the business of lending through digital credit. Most low-income Kenyans, before the introduction of digital credit, relied on informal lenders (shylocks) as well as relatives and friends for credit. Today, digital lenders have dignified borrowing for individuals and micro-entrepreneurs.