WE NEED TO BE MUCH MORE COORDINATED INTERIOR PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OMOLLO TELLS DEVELPMENT PARTNERS

Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya 27th February 2024

While making his address during the annual breakfast meeting with various development partners at a Nairobi Hotel dubbed the 2^nd Development Partners Roundtable meeting where the Ministry of Interior and National Administration hosted development partners to review their collective achievements, challenges and to chart a path for the year 2024. yesterday morning principal secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo urged development partners to be much more coordinated in the functions they perform so as to create better synergies and thereby enhance better management of the county’s security arrangement.

Speaking during the event Dr. Omollo said; ” I cannot over-emphasize the fact that we need to be much more coordinated than we are, of course we are doing well but it is possible to do much more than we are doing in terns of coordination”.

He continued to add; ” We appreciate the level of capacity building that we a have been able to achieve while working with you as development partners”. He however noted, “There is still a huge gap in that space and even as we improve the terms of service of our officers we are also able to improve their capacity to do their jobs well.

The principal secretary also took note of some development partners whom he termed as very instrumental in enhancing the country’s border security situation to include: European Union, the International Organization for Migration, the German Development Agency and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 

SINGLE MOTHERS LAMBAST FORMER CITY OFFICIAL OPPOSING FREE SCHOOL FEEDING PLAN

Clive Ayuko

Nairobi, Kenya 26th February 2024

A group representing single mothers has come out to call-out former city hall County minister Ms. Muthoni Ouko over allegations of graft.

Speaking today morning within the central business district the group led by the patron Mr. Edward Githaiga slammed the former Nairobi County Executive Ms. Muthoni for alleged professional misconduct during her tenure during the previous county regime led by Governor Anne Kananu

The group also accused Ms Muthoni of embezzling money meant for school education bursary, in addition to opposing the school feeding program by current regime led by governor Johnson Sakaja.

Muthoni Ouko according to the lobby group has in the recent past put up a vicious fight against the ongoing Dishi na County.

World Vision Initiative Regreening Africa Honored as UN World Restoration Flagship, Secures UN Support for Large-Scale Restoration

Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have named Regreening Africa Initiative among other six initiatives as United Nations World Restoration Flagships, making the initiative eligible for technical and financial support from the UN. The announcement comes ahead of the 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s highest-level decision-making body for matters related to the environment, taking place from February 26^th, 2024 – March 1^st, 2024. 

The World Restoration Flagship awards are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – led by UNEP and FAO – which aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. The awards track notable initiatives that support global commitments to restore one billion hectares.

Regreening Africa is lauded as one of the “world’s most successful examples of healing the planet” in large-scale and long-term models of ecosystem restoration, embodying the 10 Restoration Principles of the UN Decade. In Kenya, the Regreening Africa initiative was implemented between 2017 and 2023, engaging with more than 50,000 households (10,000 smallholders directly and another 40,000 through leveraging partner projects) and bringing over 150,000 hectares under restoration using the revolutionary technique to tackle both poverty and climate change, Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR).

FMNR is a low-cost approach that is up to 36 times cheaper than planting a tree and can be replicated across different communities, for as little as 50 USD per hectare. It is a quick and easy process for degraded land restoration which involves regenerating trees from stumps that are still alive or managing new trees growing from wild seedlings through pruning.

World Vision Kenya National Director Gilbert Kamanga said, “We gratefully embrace this esteemed recognition from the United Nations. Standing on the shoulders of the children and communities we serve; we pledge unwavering dedication to the relentless battle against climate change – a crisis of unparalleled magnitude in our era. Our resolve is firm: No effort shall be spared to safeguard Mother Nature for the successors of tomorrow.”

World Vision Kenya and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) implemented the Regreening Africa initiative, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, and a diverse range of stakeholders in Lambwe Valley in Homa Bay County and Nyatike in Migori County to catalyse land restoration, helping communities in Homa Bay and Migori Counties to conserve their environment through soil and water conservation and reverse land degradation by encouraging smallholder farmers to grow trees in their farms and revive existing ones. The trees help to increase crop yields and boost livestock production. Consequently, they help cushion communities from the adverse effects of climate change such as droughts and floods. The approach was based on proven agroforestry techniques that were adapted to suit the needs of farmers under varying socio-ecological contexts.

The European Union granted 18 million Euros for the first phase of Regreening Africa which was carried out from September 2017 to March 2023 across eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. World Vision led the implementation of Regreening Africa in Kenya, Rwanda, Somaliland, Senegal, Ghana, and Niger and supported in Ethiopia and Mali.

Looking forward, Regreening Africa aims to bring five million hectares under restoration by 2030, in collaboration with local communities across Kenya, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Kenya Re to grow expertise in new, emerging insurance risks like cyber security and climate change

Nairobi, Kenya 16th February 2024- Kenya Reinsurance Corporation (Kenya Re) is teaming up with local insurers to build a group of experts in new and growing risk areas such as cyber security and climate change.

The capacity building initiative will be rolled out through the recently established Kenya Re Academy and will enroll local professionals in diverse insurance risk areas.

“We are focusing on enhancing industry knowledge and building skill sets in line with the evolving nature of our business,” says the Kenya Re Group Managing Director Dr. Hillary Wachinga. He was speaking at an inaugural award ceremony attended by 31 insurance and brokers, hosted by Kenya Re.

The Corporation, he said, had launched the incentive program to encourage prompt premium payments by the insurers to help the national reinsurer meet its reinsurance obligations and safeguard its profitability.

“By helping us make more money, you give us the drive and the money to invest in research, development, and new ideas. You also help the local insurance and reinsurance industry grow and improve the national economy because we keep more money here,” he said.

Kenya Airways resumes nonstop flights to Mogadishu, fostering regional connectivity

Nairobi, 15th February 2024 – Kenya Airways has restarted nonstop flights to Mogadishu, Somalia. This is a big step forward for making travel easier and faster between Nairobi and Mogadishu. The flights will operate from Terminal 2 at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Direct flights became possible after Kenya and Somalia signed a bilateral air services agreement in August 2023. Kenya Airways’ CEO, Allan Kilavuka, emphasized that these flights will improve trade, tourism, and cultural connections between the two regions. The airline’s new B737-800 Freighter is also transporting cargo between Sharjah and Mogadishu. The flights will benefit business travelers, the Somali diaspora, NGOs, and others. Somalia’s admission to the East African Community in December 2023 and the recent improvement in its airspace classification are positive signs for the region. With its extensive global network, Kenya Airways now offers travel to 43 international destinations.

BIC East Africa Donates 300,000 Pens to Support Education in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya, February 15, 2024: In its fourth year, BIC Kenya, donates necessary writing tools to students in need across the country. In partnership with CFK Africa, BIC donated 300,000 writing tools to students this year, reaching an overall donation mark of 1M for 750,000 students. The donation is part of the ‘Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen’ initiative in Kenya. The initiative stems from BIC’s commitment to education, which aims to improve learning conditions for 250M students by 2025.

The handover event took place in Kenya on the 15^th of February in the presence of CFK Africa and BIC team members as well as representatives from the media.

Commenting on the occasion, Salome Ngugi, Marketing Manager at BIC Kenya, said: “Education is at the core of what we do, and a focus area for us from a corporate responsibility standpoint. Our initiatives in the communities we operate in are often tailored towards supporting students and enhancing their learning environments – inside and outside the classroom. One of the main learning challenges in the region, and in Kenya, is the lack of resources for students. Through our Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen initiative we aim to provide our future generation with the necessary tools and put a pen in the hand of every inhabitant, to contribute towards a prosperous future for all.” 

Jeffrey Okoro, CFK’s Executive Director at CFK Africa, said: “Education is the cornerstone of a child’s future. Partnering with like-minded organizations such as BIC amplifies our commitment to providing quality education to every child, regardless of their background.”

The ‘Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen’ initiative was introduced in East Africa in 2020. It aims to ensure that a pen is donated for every BIC pen that is sold. BIC constantly drives initiatives that aim to improve learning conditions for students, in Kenya and beyond.

Absa Bank Provides 105% Mortgage Financing

Rolls out financing at a fixed rate of 9.5%, with a repayment tenure of up to 25 years.

Nairobi, 14 February 2024- Absa Bank has introduced 105% mortgage financing, empowering Kenyans to realize their dreams of homeownership at a fixed interest rate of 9.5%.

This offering enables prospective homebuyers or those planning to construct their homes to access financing of up to KES 10.5 million, repayable over a flexible tenure of up to 25 years and it is accessible to individuals across all income brackets.

The 105% offering covers all associated costs including due diligence, valuation, Stamp Duty, legal fees, and transactional expenses, this comprehensive package makes homeownership more attainable than ever before.

In addition, the bank offers re-mortgage financing of up to KES 10.5 million at the same fixed interest rate of 9.5%, catering to individuals seeking to obtain a new mortgage with the bank.

Head of Mortgages at Absa Bank Kenya PLC, John Kaburu, stated that the product was developed in response to the current operating environment, aiming to assist more Kenyans in their pursuit of homeownership.

“As your financial partner, we recognize the challenges posed by the current economic climate and its effect on consumers’ purchasing power. Therefore, we have designed a mortgage solution to provide affordable credit, allowing prospective homeowners to fulfill their aspirations at ease,” said Mr. Kaburu.

This initiative reflects Absa Bank’s commitment to addressing pressing consumer needs, following a survey conducted by the Central Bank of Kenya in 2022, where commercial banks identified the high cost of property acquisition and limited access to long-term financing as major obstacles for individual borrowers seeking mortgage loans.

“As a seasoned player in the mortgage sector, we are committed to crafting solutions and experiences that cater to the unique needs of our customers. Our approach mirrors the construction of a compelling story of homeownership, wherein we act as the conductors, assembling a team of home loan specialists, legal experts, appraisers, insurance providers, and esteemed real estate professionals. This comprehensive approach aligns with our purpose of “Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together … one story at a time” as our customers embark on life journeys of homeownership,” he added.

Absa is a founding member of the Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC), a partially state-owned entity. Through KMRC, banks and SACCOs can access affordable housing loans, enabling them to provide financing for homeownership at a fixed interest rate of less than 10%.

OSC Launches the Greater South Information System in a Bid to Democratising Access to Knowledge

Addis Ababa, 13 February 2024 – The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), Sheikh Manssour Bin Mussallam, today launched the Greater South Information System (GreSIS) digital platform during a ceremony held at the Ethiopian Science Museum in Addis Ababa.

The launch of the GreSIS digital platform marks a pivotal milestone in democratising access to knowledge across the Global South and was graced by the State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, Dr Bayissa Bedada, officials from Member States, officials of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ambassadors of Member States of the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), educational institutions, CSOs, development agencies, intergovernmental agencies, researchers, instructors, and students.

The Greater South Information System (GreSIS) stands as a ground-breaking digital, open-access, and collaborative hub of academic and endogenous knowledge. Developed by the Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), GreSIS aims to democratise access to, and the production of, knowledge in the Global South. It is a tool aimed at fostering collaboration and engagement among educational institutions, researchers, instructors, students, government officials, and Indigenous people’s organisations.

During the event, GreSIS platform was introduced to Member States, Associate Members, and key stakeholders. A demonstration session showcased the features, capabilities, and benefits of the digital platform which currently hosts large number of publications from diverse sources including academic, non-academic and endogenous knowledge sources. The platform is expected to grow exponentially in the immediate future to cater for hundreds of thousands of publications which will be open to subscribed individuals, institutions and entities.

The Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC) was established on 29 January 2020 by countries and organisations from across the Global South at the International Summit on Balanced and Inclusive Education held in the Republic of Djibouti. As the first intergovernmental organisation of and by the Greater South, the OSC acts as an instrument of intellectual, technical and financial cooperation and solidarity between its Member States as well as its Associate Members in the pursuit of a Third Way of Development – from the South, for Humanity.

Old Mutual Unveils Inaugural Financial Services Monitor to Guide the Enhancement of Financial Wellbeing in Kenya

·       The new Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor aims to empower individuals, businesses, and policymakers with holistic understanding for informed decision-making and greater financial wellbeing.

·       Key findings reveal that nearly 90% of Kenyans are not confident with their retirement savings and many are banking on their children for support 

NAIROBI, KENYA, FEBRUARY 7, 2024. The Old Mutual Group has today launched the first-ever Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor (OMFSM), a pioneering study that provides comprehensive insights into the Kenyan financial landscape. 

The OMFSM is designed to offer a holistic understanding of the broader financial behaviour of Kenyans, serving as a valuable resource for individuals, businesses, and policymakers. It aims to empower the community to make informed decisions and, in turn, foster greater financial wellbeing across the nation.

Among its key findings are that close to half of Kenyan consumers are considerably financially stressed with only 1 in 10  earning more now than they did prior to the pandemic. Additionally, the study showed that,  59% of Kenyans allocate their monthly income to living expenses, surpassing the Africa average of 51%. 

The report highlights Kenyans’ top financial priorities as income security, expense reduction, and debt repayment. The study revealed a notable prevalence of debt in the country,  where almost 7 in 10 consumers have a personal loan of some form, higher than that in the other markets surveyed across the continent (Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa).

Meanwhile, over 50% of Kenyans own micro businesses, and 22% are “polyjobbers,” a term that refers to those earning extra income alongside their regular jobs, showcasing a robust hustling spirit.

When it comes to retirement, currently only 26%  of respondents indicated that they are actively saving for retirement (which is lowest amongst the markets surveyed), and nearly 90% of Kenyans  lack confidence in having sufficient retirement savings. Instead, many  rely on the hope that their children will provide support in old age, with only a small percentage expecting government assistance.

Overall, amidst a recessionary environment, Kenyan economic confidence is at 16%, lower than South Africa (27%), Namibia (24%), and on par with Ghana (17%). 

“At Old Mutual, we believe that knowledge is the cornerstone of financial empowerment. The Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor will serve as a reliable annual indicator of Kenyan financial behaviour, enabling us to create customized financial wellness journeys for our customers as their needs evolve,” said Arthur Oginga, the Group CEO of Old Mutual East Africa.

“After analysing the consumer financial attitudes and behaviours of Kenyans, the necessity for comprehensive financial wellness support is evident, covering day-to-day expenses, debt and income management, and long-term savings. This is a role that Old Mutual already plays, but will ramp up to equip more families with the relevant tools to thrive.”

The Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor is available for download here.

LG Donates Kshs6 Million to Charitable Initiatives through Successful ‘Smile With LG’ Campaign

·         The beneficiaries are children’s home, a literacy initiative supporting the establishment of school libraries and a primary school in an underserved community

NAIROBI, KENYA, February 07, 2024… LG Electronics East Africa has today announced the successful culmination of its ‘Smile with LG’ campaign’ which raised a total of Kshs6 million to benefit community projects. The campaign, which ran from November to December 2023, showcased LG’s commitment to making a positive impact on society.

The ‘Smile with LG’ initiative encouraged LG customers to vote for a charitable cause upon purchasing eligible LG home appliances. Voting took place on the LG.Com website through the dedicated ‘Smile with LG’ platform, with each vote contributing Kshs5,000 towards the total donation. This innovative approach both engaged LG customers and empowered them to play an active role in supporting worthy causes.

LG partnered with the Rotary Club of Nairobi Madaraka and the Rotaract Club of the University of Nairobi (UoN) Afya to ensure that the funds raised were channeled towards impactful projects addressing critical community needs. This collaborative effort reinforced LG’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and highlights the brand’s commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact in the East African region.

Speaking about the successful campaign, LG’s Managing Director for East Africa, Dongwon Lee, expressed gratitude to the LG community for their enthusiastic participation.

“We are humbled to witness the generosity and compassion of our customers who actively participated in the ‘Smile with LG’ campaign. Together with our esteemed partners, the Rotary Club of Nairobi Madaraka and the Rotaract Club of UoN Afya, we are honored to hand over the proceeds of the campaign to initiatives that make a meaningful difference in our communities,” he said.

Rotary Club of Nairobi Madaraka President, Rotarian Joel Wandurwa, expressed his gratitude for the donation saying: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to LG Electronics East Africa and all the LG customers who took part in the ‘Smile with LG’ campaign. Your generosity has enabled us to further our mission in addressing critical community needs. Together, we are making a positive impact and creating a brighter future for those in need. Thank you for embracing the spirit of giving and for being catalysts for positive change.”

The funds will be split amongst the following three beneficiary institutions: Gathiga Childrent’s Hope Home (Kshs3,150,000); The Maktaba Project (Kshs582,000), and Oldorko Mosiro Primary School (Kshs2,268,000).

Based in Kenya’s Kiambu County Gathiga Children’s Hope Home is a Non-Profit Organization in Kenya, dedicated to help street children who are orphaned, abandoned, abused or those forced out of their homes due to the inability of their families to cater for their basic needs. 

TheMaktaba Project is a literacy initiative by two Rotary Clubs: Dundas Valley Sunrise and Nairobi Madaraka. The initiative aims to equip needy schools with functioning libraries.

Meanwhile Oldorko Mosiro Primary School provides sanctuary for children escaping early marriages, female genital mutilation, forced labor and parental cruelty.