Kenya on Thursday urged Africa to strengthen its health care systems in order to patient safety.
Nakhumicha Wafula, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health said in speech read of her behalf by Dr Francis Kuria Head of the Directorate of Public Health in Nairobi that health care systems are complex and patient safety requires robust and effective regulation so that the health care system can provide the necessary resources and infrastructure.
“The challenge for medical regulators is to create relevant and fit for purpose effective systems that can respond to the rapidly changing environments in the health sector,” Kuria said during the opening of the association of medical councils of Africa (AMCOA) workshop.
The three day forum brought together regulatory and professional associations from Africa to review ways to harmonize their standards.
The conference was held under the of “Strengthening Governance of Health Regulation”.
Simon Nemutandani, President, Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) said that there is no reason to deny Africans global quality healthcare as the continent has the relevant talent to provide world class healthcare.
Nemutandani urged the African elite to seek the services of the local health facilities instead of going abroad for medical services.
“I wish to see our leaders to utilize public hospitals in order to inspire confidence for African hospitals,” he observed.
He added that harmonization of health training across the continent will allow the free movement of health personnel across the vast continent.
The Government has vowed to partner with KISM in order to boost businesses in the country.
Felix Koskei, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service told journalists in Nairobi that the KISM has been in the forefront of enhancing professionalism in the Kenyan supply chain sector.
” The government will partner with KISM to spearhead compliance with the prevailing laws in the supply chain sector in adherence to the provisions of Article 227 of the Constitution of Kenya on ensuring that procurement and disposal systems were fair, equitable, transparent competitive, and cost-effective,” Koskei said during a working tour of Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) and the Kenya Institute of Supplies Examination Board (KISEB).
Koskei was received by the KISM Chairman John Karani accompanied by the Ag. CEO Serah Okumu. They were also joined by Dan Ajele representing the KISEB Chairman.
Serah Okumu on her part committed to ensure that the supply chain sector enhanced government procurement.
Mwea based Afya Bora Foundation Hospital CEO Dr. Wachira Wagioko addresses the media outside the Belleview Baptist Church in kieni West where he accused some fake doctors of using their brand to benefit themselves.
By Fred Maingi Several “fake doctors” who have been treating residents of Kieni West County through their free medical camp have been arrested. Acting on a tip-off and printed fliers, the said “doctors” ave been using another name of Afya Bora foundation Hospital which is based in Mwea County to deliver their services The said ” fake doctors” according to Afya Bora Hospital CEO Dr. Wachira Wagioko have been operating without a valid license from the Kenya Medical & practioners Board. Further, they ave been accused of using another name Afya Bora that belongs to Mwea based hospital facility. “We didn’t know them. We used google map to trace this people who have been using our name and brand to benefit themselves. We finally got them” noted Mr Wachira.
The CEO Dr. Wachira Wagioko addressing the patients where he averred that they value them but urged them to be careful with the fake doctors since they don’t ave proper documents.
The CEO said their action of treating innocent patients without a valid license and using someone’s name and brand is a criminal offense. “This is pure impersonation “Wachira noted. However residents of Kieni West County, Gatarakwa Location, Kamariki sub location , Mugunda ward were caught by surprise at the Belleview Baptist Church venue when they saw their doctors being held captive. The sick residents mainly women who came from neighbouring locations defended the said fake doctors running the free medical camp claiming they ave saved the life’s of many sick patients since their arrival. Mary Wanjiru-one of the sick patients absolved the accused doctors from any blame saying they ave benefited immensely from their free medical services. Nevertheless , The patient called for the two feuding parties to iron their differences amicably and reach for a common ground so that the free medical camp no is not disrupted . The CEO while addressing the sick patients however insisted they were not against the free medical camp but were against their name and brand being used to benefit some individuals .
Last year,President Ruro gave an executive order No.1 of 2022 that the National Biosafety Authority which made it easy for the ministry to push the implementation.
The NBA has assured the nation that all researchers are ready to creat a good platform and therefore as the Authority we will ensure every kenyans understands the meaning and how its helpful to their lives.
The government is setting aside 2% of the GDP to the National Biosafety research.
With the theme:”Harnessing Agricultural Biotethrough Effective Biosafety Management Systems “how to advance the Biosafety.
Speaking to journalists ,Dr. Roy Mugira,Chief Executive Director has said the authority has decided to carry public awareness about the biotechnology.
He said lack of accurate information on GMO has led to panic and mistrust to governance actoss the country.
The GMo has been approved by UN convention and the law also approves it.
“The fear of the unknown is a natural reaction,and we will ensure we have a packaged information to the public,”he added
Remember in 2008 , the then ministrer was Hon Ruto currently the president of Kenya was the one who launched the agenda to kenyans.
“We are going to partner with all leaders including MPs,MCA and County governments for effective dissemination of the GMO.”he said
Kenya and Morocco on Tuesday signed an agreement to boost cooperation on combating trans national crime.
Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Noordin M. Haji, and the Morocco’s King’s Attorney General, and President of Public Prosecutions of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Moulay El Hassan Daki inked the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance understanding and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Haji said that the pact is founded on the principles of respect, equality and mutual benefit in compliance with parties’ respective legal systems and international treaties.
“The MoU will strengthen networking and cooperation in combatting trans- national organized crimes such as cyber crimes, corruption, money laundering, trafficking in drugs and persons, terrorism, and violent extremism,” he added.
The two parties shall cooperate on a number of areas ranging from the exchange of official working visits at all levels to maintain and strengthen mutual understanding, the strengthening of cooperation in prosecutors’ training, to the organization of conferences, thematic seminars related to the professional skills of the parties.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Richard Ngatia has continued with his efforts to bolster the trade environment with a series of meetings with different stakeholders.
Yesterday, Ngatia held talks with the senior leadership from Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) who paid him a courtesy call even as the Chamber president continues with his efforts to ensure the trade environment in Kenya has been propelled.
Ngatia hosted Dr. Kennedy Nyakomitta, the Diamond Trust Bank Director of Sales, and Ms.Joan Keke who is the Bank’s Business Development and Asset Finance Manager.
The visit follows the recent event where DTB hosted a delegation that traveled to Kinshasa, DRC for a Pre-briefing breakfast session.
The deliberations centered on areas of collaboration and partnership between the KNCCI and DTB Group Bank that will include among others Investor Inbound missions, Special Tailored Programs that will target MSME, SME, and Women as well as the area of Sponsorship of Signature Events, and Business Networking Forums.
The key sectors which were identified for collaboration include the health sector infrastructure, equipment, education, agribusiness including manufacturing, Processing, farmer solutions, and value and ICT and technology.
Working teams will be created to support the implementation of activities to ensure the realization of benefits to entrepreneurs countrywide.
Earlier in the week, Ngatia led the KNCCI top brass in holding trade talks between Kenya and Bangladesh.
Accompanied by the KNCCI second Vice President Ms. Fatma Elmaawy, the chamber leaders were hosted by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh H.E. Tareque Muhammad at the High Commission of Bangladesh.
The purpose of the visit was to boost the existing trade relations between the two countries whose trade statistics indicate that for the past years, the exports of Kenya to Bangladesh have increased at an annualized rate of 21.3% from $ 31.3k in 1995 to 3.9m in 2020.
The trade gap can be achieved by improving the export capacity of horticultural products from Kenya to Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is today one of the world’s largest garment exporters, with the ready-made garment (RMG) sector accounting for 84 percent of Bangladesh’s exports. This comes on the back of the sector’s rapid growth and modernization over the past decade as well as the strides it has made in improving conditions for the country’s approximately four million garment workers,” Ngatia said.
The key sectors of collaboration between the two countries are; pharmaceuticals, textile, agriculture, education, ICT, and the blue economy.
KNCCI is keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) to establish a working relationship to promote business in both countries by organizing industrial delegations, seminars, symposia, trade fairs, exhibitions and to receive any business delegation from both countries together with the undertaking of research.
“We look forward to engaging the high commission in facilitating and coordinating the business community in trade development,” Ngatia added.
Meanwhile, Ngatia also hosted a delegation composed of leaders from the Asian- African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) led by the President of its Kenya Chapter Ms. Selamawit Zemene Mwewosha.
The meeting between Ngatia and the AACCI was aimed at building sustainable cross-cultural collaborations for Africa.
The Asian- Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry officially launched its Kenyan chapter in December 2022 with a vision to be recognized as an essential driving force for international business between Asian and African organizations.
KNCCI and AACCI will collaborate to support businesses especially start-ups through capacity building in terms of training and joint ventures.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is integrated with a market size of $2.3 trillion and 600 million people through regional economics.
Crown paints Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Rao, Headteacher Kibos School for the blind Caroline Templer and Jambo Jet Chief Executive Officer Karanja Ndegwa engage in a conversation during a press briefing announcing partnership of Crown Paints and Jambojet CSR project for Kibos School for the blind.
By Bernard Mulwa
A Kenya Airways owned subsidiary airline company, JamboJet have come into partnership with a major paint manufacturer Company, Crown paints to give support to Kibos School for the blind in Kenya Kisumu, Kericho County as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
The two giants have invested over Sh.1million with an aim to transform the lives of 183 visual impaired children in this institution through a donation of 3 brail machines at a cost of Sh. 90,000 for each machine, brail papers for writing and food stuffs.
The buildings of this institution have remained without painting for the last six years but since these two companies came up with this program, have managed to give it a new face through painting.
At a news conference today in crown Paints Company, the Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rakesh Rao told journalists that blind people have a “sixth sense” that, in some ways, could function similarly to sight and this will give them energy and a positive outlook. “Many people don’t see the need to paint an institution for the blind” both Dr. Rakesh Rao and his counterpart Mr. Karanja Ndegwa the CEO Jambojet said are focused on children and youths who are disadvantaged for some reasons, “we want to look at things we can continuously give back to the Society” Mr. Ndegwa said this is a long term program and they both want to make sure that the students are able to learn.
In a joint statement, Dr. Rakesh said they will give support to these needy children and they will take care for children who cannot afford to pay their school fees and wherever job opportunities are available they will give them.
The head Principle Kibos School for the blind Mrs. Caroline Templer who was also present, thanked both the CEO Jambojet Mr. Ndegwa and CEO Crown paints Dr. Rakesh even as they plan to move to other Schools giving support.
Prof. Njenga Munene Vice Chancellor ZETECH University addresses participants of SME empowernment training
by Ronald Njoroge
ZETECH University on Friday conducted training for Gatongora ward based businesses in a bid to improve the financial literacy in Ruiru constituency.
Prof. Njenga Munene Vice Chancellor ZETECH University said that the day long event attracted small and medium size entrepreneurs who gained knowledge in business management.
“One of the things that we have seen is that most businesses start and collapse within a year or two,” Munene said.
He revealed that the reason for the capacity building is to empower different business groups in the immediate neighborhood of ZETECH Ruiru campus.
“We want to ensure that when Kiambu County extends funds to SMEs, they don’t collapse,” Munene added.
ZETECH is collaborating with the central government and the Kiambu county government to ensure that businesses in Ruiru are not disadvantaged in terms of not having knowledge on running an enterprise.
“We have a strong department from ZETECH to ensure that businesses can thrive,” the Vice Chancellor said.
He noted that the Ruiru area like the rest of the country is facing a serious people.
“We have a lot of compassionate borrowing where people don’t use loans for businesses and a lot of people are money listed on CRB and so financial management is critical area,” he observed.
About 2 week ago ZETECH held a similar event in its Mang’u campus to empower SMEs.
Felix Kosgei, the Head of Public Service and Chief of staff on Monday urged ministries and , parastatals to develop procurement plans in order to eliminate corruption.
According to Kosgei, consolidated annual procurements plan will have to be approved by respective boards of directors in order to enhance transparency of procurement by government.
“These are areas that must be enforced by KRA. We will hold officials accountable for each and every mistake that is made intentionally with motives o to misdirect government funds to other uses not planned for,” Kosgei said during a working tour of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Offices in Nairobi.
Kosgei noted PPRA’s overarching role in relation to public procurement, makes it a critical entity in supporting the government’s good governance objectives through facilitating policy and administrative intervention oriented measures, to secure ‘quick wins’.
The chief of staff that PPRA needs to implement appropriate strategic preventive actions that will catalyze the anti-corruption efforts that are required to curb the vice in the prevalent procurement sector, with a cascaded effect across the government.
Andrew Musangi Chairman of PPRA said that government is prioritizing the transition from manual procurement systems to e-procurement.
“E-procurement will also make auditing of procurement of public bodies much easier,” he added.
Three people dead following the collapse of two neighbouring goldmine shafts that happened yesterday on Thursday, 9th February, 2023 in Shinyalu Sub-County, Kakamega County. The first shaft is alleged to have collapsed at 1:00am while the second shaft collapsed at midday. On receiving the sad news, the County’s Disaster Multisectoral Team led by two Executive Members in charge of Natural Resources and Health Services quickly converged at the sites and immediately started rescue operations. The concerted efforts by this team managed to rescue nine (9) people alive and rushed them to our health facilities; six (6) at the County General Hospital and two (2) at Shieywe Hospital and one (1) at Mukumu Mission Hospital. Addressing the media, H.E Fernandes Baraza, Governor Kakamega county stated that three (3) fatalities have been confirmed, two at the shafts’ sites and one (1) at the General Hospital while receiving specialized medical attention. It is believed that there were at least thirteen (13) people inside the two shafts at the time of the accidents, with the main shaft holding eleven (11) people. Only one (1) person was rescued from the shaft that had two (2) people as the other artisan succumbed while inside the tunnel.
Two (2) people are feared to be still trapped in the main mine adit, however rescue efforts are ongoing. So far seven (7) people have been treated and discharged from the health facilities while two (2) who were critically injured are still under examination. “It has been observed that buildings adjacent to the main shaft have developed notable cracks and pose further risks to people as well as property.” Said Baraza “It has also been brought to my attention that artisanal mining activities in Ikolomani and Shinyalu Sub-Counties have not been licensed and therefore inspection of shafts has not been undertaken by the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy.” He added In a view of this unfortunate tragedy, the governor directs as follows:
The Artisanal Mining Committee together with the County Disaster Multisectoral Team, within 14 days, to conduct an audit on the status of shafts and adit and inform on all artisanal mining activities in Ikolomani and Shinyalu Sub-Counties for further deliberations with the Cabinet Secretary for Mining on issues licensing of Artisanal mining activities in the said areas and the entire County;
Multi sectoral enforcement and compliance operations to ensure strict adherence to this directive; and
The County Departments for Public Service and County Administration; and Water, Environment, Natural Resource and Climate Change to immediately upscale sensitization and capacity building of Artisanal miners on health, environmental and occupational safety.
