Nairobi, Kenya – February 12, 2025 ,By Brenda Asugu Faith leaders, economists, and social justice advocates gathered in Nairobi today to launch the Jubilee 2025 Africa Campaign, a bold initiative urging the cancellation of unjust debts that hinder Africa’s development. Led by the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA), in collaboration with Caritas Africa and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the campaign calls for global financial reforms to create a fairer economic system.
The campaign builds on the historic success of Jubilee 2000, a movement that secured over $100 billion in debt relief for some of the world’s poorest nations, including Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania. These cancellations allowed governments to invest in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, dramatically improving lives.
“Debt is not just an economic issue; it is a moral one,” said Fr. Charles Chilufya, S.J., Director of JENA. “The burden of unjust debt undermines dignity, stifles development, and traps nations in cycles of poverty. Our vision for Jubilee 2025 is an Africa liberated from these constraints, thriving within a fair financial system, and strengthened by ethical leadership.”
The campaign is inspired by Pope Francis’s call for a Jubilee Year, which emphasizes renewal, hope, and economic justice. The 2025 theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” reflects the movement’s mission to advocate for a more just and compassionate financial system that protects the most vulnerable.
Africa is at a critical crossroads, with over 22 countries currently in debt distress or at high risk, according to recent data. The COVID-19 pandemic and global economic shocks have worsened the situation, forcing nations to divert scarce resources to debt repayments instead of essential services.
Promoting reforms in the global financial system to ensure fairness, accountability, and sustainability.
Raising awareness about the ethical dimensions of debt through education, advocacy, and media engagement.
Ahead of the campaign launch, a media workshop was held in Nairobi, bringing together journalists and editors from leading media houses. The workshop aimed to equip media professionals with expert insights and actionable data to drive impactful coverage of Africa’s debt crisis.
“Jubilee 2000 showed us the power of global solidarity,” said Bishop Charles Sampa Kasonde, Chairman of AMECEA. “It proved that when faith communities, civil society, and governments unite, transformative change is possible. Now, Jubilee 2025 seeks to reignite that spirit of hope and action.” With advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and global partnerships, the Catholic Church and its allies are determined to push for debt justice, ensuring that African by nations can invest in their people rather than remain trapped in cycles of debt and dependency.
By Dr Miriam Mutebi, Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi
We now have a new theme for World Cancer day for the next three years “United in our goals, unique in our needs”. But what does this mean for patients, caregivers and clinicians?
This stems from the fact that everybody’s journey is unique, and it’s really about understanding the intricacies of that unique journey and supporting them throughout their care. As much as patients may share common medications and common treatment approaches, they still need to be contextualized differently through the individual patient’s lens. The new theme tries to bring the unique face of cancer for each patient undergoing therapy. In line with this theme, we have had many developments coming up as I have pointed out in the below questions.
How has the management of cancer patients evolved over time when it comes to this theme?
The management of patients has evolved over time based on our greater understanding of tumor biology and disease processes. I would also say that as a medical community, we have grown and evolved quite a bit. We have moved away from the paternalistic approach to medicine, where figuratively ‘come down from the mountain’, and give decrees, such a many tablets to take etc. We are now leaning more towards shared decision making, where there is an opportunity to have a discussion with patients around what their treatments options are, to discuss the benefits and risks of treatment and to arrive at a common and agreed on treatment strategy.
What kind of issues do most patients present with and how important is it to consider their interests in managing them?
Everybody’s journey is unique, but some of the most common concerns patients have in our setting are really around financials and the costs of treatment which are often out of pocket resulting in financial toxicity. This is a cause of considerable stress for most patients. We also tend to have younger patients diagnosed in our setting, so future fertility and sexuality concerns, especially for reproductive cancers, are a stressor for many patients. This is because this can be affected by different treatments and it is important to put these in mind when outlining a treatment plan. It is equally important to have candid discussions around some of the effects of therapies on these aspects.
African cancer patients also have to deal with a great number of social cultural concerns. Cancer fatalism; the belief that cancer is always fatal and stigma still persists around many cancers. Patients are constantly dealing with, how will I be perceived in my community and how will I navigate my cultural moors? This is in the setting where explicit discrimination still exists and many patients lose their jobs and livelihoods just because of a cancer diagnosis.
Does considering a patient’s/caregivers interests pose a challenge/dilemma to clinicians, please highlight some of these challenges?
As a community, we have matured. Considering a patient’s or caregiver’s interests does not necessarily pose a challenge or dilemma to clinicians. I think it’s actually integral that clinicians have these in mind when we’re thinking of a treatment plan because sometimes unless we’re able to put ourselves in the patient’s shoes, then we’re not actually able to fully treat the patients because you need to have a sense of what is the understanding of disease for the patient, what are some of the issues that they might encounter, what is their interpretation and understanding of that in order for them to start and continue with their care.
Many patients unfortunately are diagnosed with advanced disease and often do not complete their care. Unless we start to address some of these concerns as to why this happens, then we might not necessarily have patients completing their treatment journeys.
How do you navigate these dilemmas without compromising the quality of patient care?
It is about the approach we use of shared decision making. At the end of the day, irrespective of whatever condition they have, patients just want to be heard. Taking into account some of these considerations and using them in the sort of broader decision making or coming up with a treatment plan goes a long way towards ensuring that patients feel not just seen, but heard, and also that their wishes are respected, as long as it doesn’t compromise their care.
Sometimes young breast cancer survivors on follow-up hormonal treatment may choose not to disclose this when they get into new relationships. What is your take on this?
It is difficult to generalize this response as it needs to be largely contextual. Disclosure is very subjective, and indeed, in other parts of the world there are actually legislatures around the ‘rights to be forgotten’, which basically means that the rights of cancer survivors to resume a normal lifestyle without encountering financial discrimination based on their past cancer diagnosis is preserved, after they have been declared cured of the cancer. Having had a cancer diagnosis shouldn’t necessarily define you and you shouldn’t carry that with you after surviving it.
Part of the reason why it’s difficult to navigate in our setting is because discrimination, based on a cancer diagnosis is still prevalent. Patients still report getting terminated just because of a cancer diagnosis or not being promoted. This really speaks to the need to strengthen the framework needed to support patients through their journey. Of course in one to one personal relationships, it really depends on the context and setting of any disclosure. I think it’s really about safe disclosure to trusted individuals and then sort of thinking about what the implications of that disclosure would be. And so I think it would pretty much need to be on a case to case basis and not a one size fits all approach.
Mental health is critical when it comes to cancer care, yet most facilities may not factor this in their services, how can this be propagated in cancer care?
Mental health is one of the areas where we struggle as clinicians to get patients the support they need. There is still a lot of stigma around mental health. Sometimes when we advise patients that counseling is an important part of their cancer journey, quite a number of them get hesitant because of the stigma associated with it.
Part of the additional concerns have also been around the cost because counseling and psychosocial or psychological support is not just the one off service. Overtime, especially over COVID, there has been some democratization in terms of access to these services, but they still remain economically out of reach for quite a number of patients.
In fact, a number of patients who we recommend these services to, look at the costs and say, daktari si nipoone kwanza?, which literally means ‘can I heal first and then get the (other) treatments’? As clinicians, we try to emphasize that mental and physical healing go hand in hand, as we try from the back end to help improve access to these wellness services.
So I think there’s really an opportunity to one, normalize conversations around mental health and mental concerns. But two, to think about how we ‘mainstream’ these services into regular care as part of the standard of care for anyone with long standing health concerns and conditions like cancers. Any long standing chronic health concern is to have a psychological impact and really changes the quality of life for patients. It is important to recognize this and start to address the long term implications which could include anxiety, depression among others. How we develop sustainable models that work in our setting whether it is through peer support, patient and caregiver education and support etc. are some of the areas that we as a cancer care delivery team are trying to develop.
The Principal Secretary for Mining, Hon. Elijah Mwangi, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to harnessing Kenya’s vast mineral potential to create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, particularly for artisanal miners. Speaking today after hosting veteran soapstone carver Mzee Peter Obegi Onyancha, PS Mwangi underscored the economic and artistic value of soapstone craftsmanship in Kenya.
Mzee Onyancha, who chairs the Kisii Scouts Soapstone Carving Group based in Tabaka township, leads a team of 50 skilled artisans renowned for their intricate sculptures and hand-carved artifacts. Over the years, the group has built a formidable reputation for their creativity and craftsmanship, producing stunning soapstone pieces that have gained local and international recognition.
During their discussions, PS Mwangi and the artisans delved into key aspects of the soapstone industry, including the value chain, mining practices, processing techniques, and market access. A major highlight of the talks was the issue of health and safety for miners and sculptors, with a focus on reducing occupational hazards in soapstone pits.
To support the growth of the soapstone cottage industry in Kisii, the State Department for Mining is deploying officials to train artisanal miners on crucial aspects of the trade. These include the formation of marketing cooperatives, improved safety measures, and strategies for expanding their market reach. PS Mwangi emphasized that equipping miners with the right knowledge and skills will empower them to adopt safer and more efficient mining practices, reducing accidents and injuries in the sector.
Additionally, the government is committed to enhancing the soapstone industry by providing capacity-building initiatives and modern equipment to improve efficiency and streamline operations. PS Mwangi reaffirmed the State Department’s dedication to fostering a thriving, sustainable soapstone industry that not only preserves Kenya’s rich artistic heritage but also boosts economic opportunities for local communities
In a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between Kenya and Jordan, I hosted a team from the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) to explore key avenues for collaboration and expansion of the country’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise sector. The discussions centered on potential areas for collaboration, including trade, investment, technology transfer, and capacity building.
Kenya’s MSMEs play a crucial role in the country’s economic growth, and by leveraging partnerships with organizations such as JEDCO, they can enhance their competitiveness on the global stage.
In 2023 alone, Kenya exported goods worth approximately $25.53 million to Jordan, with agricultural commodities like coffee, tea, and fruits,making up a significant portion of these exports.
Strengthening MSME collaboration between the two countries will further boost these trade relations and create new opportunities for businesses.
JEDCO’s expertise in helping Jordanian SMEs expand into international markets presents a valuable opportunity for Kenyan MSMEs to access Middle Eastern markets. Increased export opportunities and diversified revenue streams will contribute to the long-term sustainability of small businesses in Kenya.
By facilitating access to new markets, particularly in the Middle East, Kenyan MSMEs can scale up their operations, boost exports, and contribute significantly to job creation and economic development. Sharing best practices in policy development could help create a more supportive environment for MSME growth in Kenya.
The ongoing collaboration plans between JEDCO and Kenya’s MSME sector will unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and international trade.
Kenya Breweries Limited has been awarded the 2024 Solenis Sustainability Award for its ground-breaking water recovery project at its Kisumu Brewery, which has significantly improved the facility’s efficiency.
The award was given in collaboration with Diversey, which provides cleaning and hygiene products and helped eliminate the products used in the water recovery project by half.
The award recognizes Kenya Breweries Limited’s efforts to reduce water and energy consumption in production. The project achieved sustainability benefits, including an annual water savings of 624,000 liters, and a reduction in energy consumption by 780 kWh. Additionally, by minimising the handling and packaging of chemicals, the initiative has improved workplace safety and contributed to a lower carbon footprint.
With an outstanding 97 percent recovery rate, the water recovery project aligns with Kenya Breweries’ sustainability strategy by optimising raw material utilisation, reducing waste, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. The plant improves resource optimisation, ensuring that water, energy, and raw materials are used efficiently to reduce waste and improve productivity.
“Sustainability is at the heart of our operations at Kenya Breweries. This recognition underscores our commitment to innovative solutions that drive efficiency while protecting our environment,” said Mark Ocitti, Managing Director, Kenya Breweries Limited.
The water recovery project improves on the previous multi-step Clean-In-Place (CIP) process through the implementation of a single-stage Clean-In-Place (CIP) system using OSA-N (Biocidal Acid). This innovation eliminates the need for separate acid and disinfectant steps while maintaining product quality and safety standards.
The Solenis Sustainability Award is an annual recognition program that honors companies for implementing innovative projects yielding significant, measurable sustainability outcomes.
Kabogo said ensuring online safety is key to achieving the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy.
Mugonyi emphasized collective responsibility in creating a safe digital environment for children and youth.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and secure digital environment for all Kenyans.
Speaking during the Safer Internet Day 2025 celebrations, Information, Communication, and Digital Economy CS William Kabogo said the state will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure online safety for all users.
“Together, we can make the internet a place of empowerment, opportunity, and growth—a space where every Kenyan can thrive without fear or compromise,” he stated.
Delivering Kabogo’s speech on his behalf, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani stressed that online safety is crucial to the success of the Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy.
The Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy is a key pillar of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to leverage technology and creativity to drive economic growth, job creation, and innovation.
Safer Internet Day is observed globally to promote the responsible and secure use of digital technologies, particularly among children and young people.
Kabogo highlighted the importance of ensuring that digital spaces remain safe, inclusive, and empowering, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
Communications Authority Director General David Mugonyi underscored the collective responsibility of all Kenyans in fostering a secure online environment.
“On this Safer Internet Day 2025, I urge all ICT stakeholders, service providers, and institutions devoted to child protection and digital economic development to make an active commitment towards enhancing vigilance and reducing, if not eliminating, the threat of online scams from Kenya’s cyberspace,” Mugonyi stated.
He further urged ICT players to invest in capacity-building measures to bolster online security and safeguard users from digital threats.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has been ranked as the most impactful woman in Kenya.
This is according to a survey released by Microtrak Africa Miano was ranked with 80 percent followed by Vice Chairperson National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) who came second with 76 percent.
The Chief Executive Officer Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation REREC Rose Mkalama came third with 73 percent.
” Kenya has very brilliant women. From our survey we realized that women have been doing extremely well in their various spheres. CS Miano is a phenomenal woman,” said CEO Microafrica.
Miano was the first woman to be appointed CEO Kengen. She was also appointed to cabinet by President William Ruto where she has held various dockets.
Currently Miano has brought in new measures that are geared towards making Kenya a tourism hub.
The Cs recently launched tourism circuits, compensation of victims affected by the Wildlife among other things.
She has also launched the KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028 that charts a clear and accountable framework of engagement for KWS for the next 5 years.
Miano has spearheaded the launch the strategic plan 2023-2027 for the Wildlife Research and Training Institute together with the National Wildlife Training Agenda 2024-2033. The 2 documents are a solid framework for conservation of our national heritage and wildlife research and training in Kenya.
Pushed for digital nomad work permits specifically designed to welcome global digital nomads to Kenya. This initiative underscores that Kenya is open and ready to be a home, allowing one and their family to live here while working online from anywhere in the world. This was announced last week.
On her part, Nyutu has been spearheading peace efforts across the country.
The young but focused lawyer says Kenya can achieve a lot if we remained united and shunned tribalism.
Others ranked is CEC Education and ICT Makueni Elizabeth Ndunge who has been vital in uplifting education for children in the county.
President Law Society of Kenya Faith Odhiambo has been been ranked among most impactful women in Kenya.
Others ranked are PS health Mary Muthoni, Chief Justice Martha Koome among others.
Kabete member of parliament Githua wamacukuru embodies and epitomizes servant leadership at the core of his mandate. This is why he has severally been voted and ranked as the best-performing legislators in the 13th Parliament. This is accredited to his unwavering commitment, prowess and zeal in executing his duties. On Monday, Hon. Wamacukuru joined Kiambu County legislators, MCAs, and grassroots representatives for a Consultative Development forum at Karen residence which Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki hosted. As a people’s representative, Hon. Wamacukuru spelt out key priority projects for Kabete constituency including the completion of Kibiku, Gathiga,Njathaini road , Rehabilitation of Gitaru, Kwa magu, Ndumboini road among others roads, Western bypass compensation, the fast-tracking of the construction of Wangige market and ongoing ESP market projects, Water programs and Job opportunities among others. “We are working closely with the government to deliver maximum, tangible development to our people, “Hon Wamacukuru said.
Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango has been ranked as the most popular senator in the country, according to the latest survey released by InfoTrak. The findings place Murango at the helm with a 52% popularity rating, underscoring his growing influence in national politics.
Murango, who also serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has been actively involved in championing policies that support Kenya’s agricultural sector, particularly in addressing farmers’ concerns, promoting food security, and advocating for better market access for agricultural produce. His leadership in this committee is believed to have contributed to his rising popularity, as agriculture remains a crucial pillar of Kenya’s economy.
The survey also revealed that Murango’s Makueni counterpart, Senator Dan Maanzo, secured an equal 52% popularity rating, making the two the highest-ranked senators in the study. Maanzo, a seasoned legislator, has been vocal on issues affecting his county, including water access, infrastructure development, and devolution matters.
Ranking third in the survey were Murang’a Senator Joel Nyutu and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, both of whom attained a 50% popularity score. Nyutu has been actively involved in legislative reforms, particularly those concerning economic empowerment and infrastructure development in Murang’a. Omtatah, widely recognized as a fierce advocate for human rights and good governance, has used his legal expertise to challenge unconstitutional policies and fight for transparency in government.
Close behind were Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, both earning 49% in the survey. Methu, a youthful leader, has been focusing on youth empowerment, economic development, and improving Nyandarua’s agricultural sector. Onyonka, on the other hand, has been vocal on issues affecting Kisii County, including healthcare and equitable resource distribution.
The InfoTrak survey highlights the growing public approval of these senators based on their performance, engagement with constituents, and their contributions to national and county-level governance. It provides an important benchmark for evaluating political leaders’ effectiveness and influence ahead of future elections.
With Kenya’s political landscape constantly evolving, the rankings serve as a reflection of public sentiment, rewarding senators who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, and policy-driven advocacy. As the 2027 elections draw closer, these popularity ratings could play a significant role in shaping political campaigns and alliances across the country.
For Senator Murango, the ranking is a major boost, solidifying his position as a key player in Kenya’s legislative and political space. His leadership in the Senate Committee on Agriculture will continue to be closely watched, especially as Kenya seeks to navigate challenges such as food security, climate change impacts on farming, and agricultural policy reforms.
The Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Kello Harsama, has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to enhancing drought disaster resilience through strategic partnerships with regional bodies.
Hon. Harsama, alongside Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul Moe, held a high-level discussion with H.E. Mohamed Ware, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The meeting focused on the implementation of the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) in Kenya, evaluating ongoing resilience-building efforts, and identifying new avenues for cooperation.
This engagement aligns with IGAD’s broader strategic efforts to fortify regional resilience against drought-related disasters. The discussions emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and safeguard the livelihoods of communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Kenya, as a key member of IGAD, continues to prioritize regional collaboration and policy-driven initiatives to enhance drought preparedness, response, and long-term resilience. Through IDDRSI, the country seeks to strengthen sustainability frameworks that will benefit both local communities and the wider East African region.
Hon. Harsama reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to working with IGAD and other regional stakeholders to ensure a more resilient future for communities vulnerable to the devastating effects of drought.
