Author: staff reporter

By Maximilla Wafula
Nairobi, 15th March 2024 – In the serene town of Ekero, nestled under the golden rays of the setting sun, a community gathered to celebrate the life of Benjamin Wanzetse. Born on the 14th of July, 1967. Benjamin’s journey began with a sparkle of curiosity and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.

From an early age, Benjamin’s passion for learning was evident. His educational odyssey was marked by milestones of academic excellence, fueled by a relentless dedication to broaden his horizons. His community admired him not just for his achievements but for the humble, compassionate soul he was.

Upon the canvas of his professional life, Benjamin painted a masterpiece of perseverance and determination. Rising through the ranks, he became a beacon of inspiration for aspiring minds, embodying the values of hard work and integrity.

But amidst his professional triumphs, Benjamin’s heart found its true joy in the embrace of love. In the warmth of companionship, he met his soulmate, and together they wove a tapestry of love, laughter, and cherished moments. Their bond was a testament to the enduring power of love and commitment.

Life, however, often presents challenges, and Benjamin faced them with a courage that inspired all who knew him. When sickness cast its shadow, he stood tall, his unwavering spirit a beacon of hope and resilience. His strength became a source of strength for those around him, a testament to his indomitable character.

As the sun set on Benjamin’s earthly journey, tributes poured in from every corner of his life. His wife spoke of his unwavering love and support, his brothers of his guidance and wisdom, his mother of his kindness and filial piety, his daughters and sons of his enduring presence and laughter, and his nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law of his warmth and generosity.

A solemn mass at his home brought together family and friends, where prayers and hymns filled the air, honoring a life lived with purpose and love. And as night descended, a vigil was held under the starlit sky, candles flickering in remembrance of the light Benjamin brought into their lives.

Benjamin Wanzetse’s journey may have reached its sunset, but his legacy of love, strength, and faith will forever illuminate the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. In Ekero, by the grace of Christ the King, his spirit lives on, a testament to a life well-lived.

By Stephen Musyoka

Lawmakers risk missing a golden opportunity to save lives
and reduce the public health burden caused by cigarette smoking if they launch an indiscriminate
and ill-informed offensive against safer alternatives, harm reduction specialists warned today.

The experts were responding to an announcement by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary
Muthoni that she intends to “wipe out” nicotine products

Dr Michael Kariuki, secretary-general of the Harm Reduction Society, said: “Alternative
nicotine products like regulated vapes and oral pouches are scientifically proven to be far less
harmful than cigarettes and are the most successful method for helping smokers to quit.
“Regulation of these products is, of course, necessary, to protect children and the youth. However,
that regulation should be evidence-based and proportionate to the risks posed, after taking into
consideration the smokers who need these therapeutic products.”

Joel Sawa, spokesperson for Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), said: “If smokers can’t or
won’t quit, we need to help them switch to safer alternatives. The best way to save lives is to
ensure that tobacco-free products like regulated nicotine pouches and vapes are affordable and
accessible.

“Wiping them from the market leaves smokers with no option but to keep smoking. It’s
unthinkable that policymakers are even considering indiscriminate, ill-informed and non-
evidence-based actions against them without any heed to this potential mishap.”
The experts, speaking at a joint press conference in Nairobi, pointed to the growing weight of
international evidence showing the beneficial impact of alternative nicotine products:

Researchers at the University of Nairobi have found that there was little or no quality
control in terms of levels of toxicants or psychoactive ingredients of oral stimulants such
as khat and smokeless tobacco products such as pan, tambu, gutkha, Kuber, toombak,
sniffed and chewed tobacco in Kenya, which put their users at considerable health risks
and that regulated oral nicotine products carry similar levels of toxicants and risks as
nicotine replacement therapies which feature on the WHO’s list of essential medicines.

The US Food and Drug Administration says Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTPs)
“will significantly reduce harm and the risk of tobacco-related disease to individual
tobacco users and benefit the health of the population as a whole”1
.Such MRTPs are
regulated nicotine pouches and vapes which are largely used in countries such as Swede

Founder and secretary-general Harm Reduction Society

By Benard Mulwa

The government has been called upon to seek safer alternatives to save lives and reduce the public health burden caused by cigarette smoking. This comes even as Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the government proposes to “wipe out” nicotine products.

Dr Michael Kariuki, secretary-general of the Harm Reduction Society, said: “Alternative nicotine products like regulated vapes and oral pouches are scientifically proven to be far less harmful than cigarettes and are the most successful method for helping smokers to quit.

Harm reduction is a public health strategy that has been used successfully for years to address various health-related behaviours, including drug abuse, alcohol consumption, reproductive health and smoking. A good example locally are the methadone clinics for opioid users.

The purpose of tobacco harm reduction is to minimize the health risks associated with smoking by offering pragmatic alternatives that carry a lower level of risk. WHO’s FCTC Part 1 Article 1 (d) defines “tobacco control” as a range of supply, demand and harm reduction strategies that aim to improve the health of a population by eliminating or reducing their consumption of tobacco products and exposure to tobacco smoke.

“Regulation of these products is, of course, necessary, to protect children and the youth. However, that regulation should be evidence-based and proportionate to the risks posed, after taking into consideration the smokers who need these therapeutic products.”

Joel Sawa, spokesperson for Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), said: “If smokers can’t or won’t quit, we need to help them switch to safer alternatives. The best way to save lives is to ensure that tobacco-free products like regulated nicotine pouches and vapes are affordable and accessible.

“Wiping them from the market leaves smokers with no option but to keep smoking. It’s unthinkable that policymakers are even considering indiscriminate, ill-informed and nonevidence-based actions against them without any heed to this potential mishap.”

The experts, speaking at a joint press conference in Nairobi, pointed to the growing weight of international evidence showing the beneficial impact of alternative nicotine products,

Researchers at the University of Nairobi have found that there was little or no quality control in terms of levels of toxicants or psychoactive ingredients of oral stimulants such as khat and smokeless tobacco products such as pan, tambu, gutkha, Kuber, toombak, sniffed and chewed tobacco in Kenya, which put their users at considerable health risks and that regulated oral nicotine products carry similar levels of toxicants and risks as nicotine replacement therapies which feature on the WHO’s list of essential medicines.

The US Food and Drug Administration says Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTPs) “will significantly reduce harm and the risk of tobacco-related disease to individual tobacco users and benefit the health of the population as a whole”1 .Such MRTPs are regulated nicotine pouches and vapes which are largely used in countries such as Sweden and the UK to assist cigarette smokers to quit.

In countries worldwide, from the UK and France to the USA, Pakistan and New Zealand, innovative alternative products are already helping smokers who had despaired of ever being able to give up their deadly tobacco habit.

Non-Tobacco Nicotine products do not contain tobacco and extensive international research has found them 95% less harmful than traditional combustible cigarettes.

 Studies show that regulated modern oral nicotine products carry similar levels of toxicants and risks as nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), which are on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) list of essential medicines.

 Sweden is about to achieve the status of being the first country in the world to become officially smoke-free after making safer alternatives acceptable, available and affordable to adults. It now has the lowest smoking and tobacco-related disease rates in Europe.

Eng. Dr. Elisha Akech Ochungo has embarked on a campaign with a bold vision for the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), as he vies for the position of Honorary Secretary for the term 2024-2026. Central to his manifesto are three key agendas, the first of which is Distributive Equity, aiming to ensure fair opportunities and recognition for engineers.

In outlining his plans for distributive equity, Dr. Akech emphasized the importance of building team spirit within the engineering community. “With a common purpose, we shall increase our visibility and earnings,” he asserted. He intends to leverage the professionalism of engineers to showcase their value to the public, fostering closer collaboration and mutual benefit.

“We are the most disciplined profession after the military,” Dr. Akech stated, highlighting the dedication of engineers to their calling. He stressed the need to communicate this professionalism effectively to the wider society to ensure that engineers receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

Drawing from his 22 years of experience in business, Dr. Akech expressed his desire to mentor younger engineers and instill in them the confidence that opportunities are within reach. “My desire is to impact the younger engineers to have this confidence that opportunities are made,” he affirmed, emphasizing the potential for collective success.

Furthermore, Dr. Akech pledged to champion the debate on opening up new opportunities for engineers, addressing concerns about engineers being edged out of development projects. “People are building and companies are in development but engineers are being edged out. This must be corrected,” he asserted.

In conclusion, Dr. Akech urged engineers to support his candidacy, stating, “Vote me in on 21.3.2024 as your next Honorary Secretary in the 2024-26 IEK Council.” He believes that through distributive equity and collective action, the engineering profession can thrive and contribute significantly to the advancement of society.

By Stephen Musyoka

Women facing land injustices can now report their grievances through a mobile application.

Haki Ardhi App, a women land rights reporting tool, was launched during the International Women’s Day in Nairobi on Friday.

The App, which was piloted in Kakamega and Taita Taveta counties last year, is an initiative of the Kenya Land Alliance (KLA) and other partners.

The tool also has a toll-free text function which has been effective in helping women report land rights injustices in a timely manner.

KLA chief executive Faith Alubbe said the effectiveness of the App and the data collected has made it possible for the courts to accelerate the prosecution of some of the stalled land rights violation cases where women are victims.

“It was important for us to launch the App because we noticed that there is a big gap in terms of access to remedy for most women, most women face a lot of challenges yet they do not understand or they do not know where to get their justice,” Alubbe said.

Alubbe said the App documents women’s land grievances in order to catalyse response while avoiding risks associated with in-person complaints.

With Haki Ardhi, women will be able to report abuses and violations in a safe way that will also enable faster access to support and local organisations supporting them will be able to digitise the case files that are currently on paper.

This will in turn enable a close follow-up on cases and the centralisation and display of data to identify trends and push for systemic policy change.

BY NJOKI KARANJA

In a landmark move, the East African Community (EAC) has unveiled plans for a transformative Science and Technology Innovation (STI) conference aimed at driving sustainable socio-economic development in the region. Aligned with the EAC Vision 2050, which recognizes STI as a key catalyst for progress, the conference will focus on four critical thematic areas: Agricultural Productivity, Resilience and Food Security; Health and Nutrition; Natural Resources Management; and Information Communication Technology and Digital Economy.

Papers submitted for the conference undergo a rigorous peer-review process, with accepted works set to be published in the prestigious East African Journal of Science, Technology, and Innovation (EAJSTI). This initiative aims to enhance the dissemination of valuable research findings, ultimately boosting regional visibility and competitiveness.

Prof. Walter O. Oyawa, Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI) representing the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, Kenya Hon. Ezekiel Machogu at the official opening of the 3rd EAC Regional STI Conference today in Nairobi.

The conference was opened by the Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Dr Walter Oyawa, on behalf of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu. Other notable dignitaries present included the Executive Secretaries of IUCEA and EASTECO, Prof Gaspard Banyankimbona and Dr Sylvance Okoth, respectively, and donor

Dr. Sylavance Okoth, Executive Secretary, EASTECO at the 3rd EAC Regional STI Conference in Nairobi. Under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC), the conference is being held in collaboration with various STI stakeholders in the region and globally.

Recognizing existing challenges such as fragmented collaboration and underutilized research, the conference strives to bridge gaps by fostering networking relations among researchers, technology developers, and innovators. It further seeks to establish a collaborative platform for stakeholders to collectively set agendas and priorities, promoting effective linkages between academia, industry, and the public sector. The conference’s overarching goal is to enhance capacity and create meaningful partnerships, providing a catalyst for the much-needed advancement of research, extension services, teaching, and learning in the East African region.

By Dianah mutunga

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has said it will initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Kenya Revenue of Authority commissioner general over alleged illegal deduction of housing levy.

Addressing the press Monday, LSK president-elect Faith Odhiambo said there was no legal basis for the taxman including other state agencies to deduct the funds from employees.

It has also called on Kenyans who may have fallen victims to volunteer the information to the LSK.

“We call upon all employees who have suffered this illegal deduction to get in touch with the LSK through the email address lsk@lsk.or.ke and share their payslips,” said Odhiambo.

This, she pointed out, is to facilitate the filing of the application seeking a refund of the illegally deducted dues.

“The payslips will be redacted to conceal identity details that can be used to identify and possibly punish any employees that share the details with us,” she added.

Outgoing LSK president Eric Theuri said The statement by the society comes in the wake of an advisory by Attorney General Justin Muturi asking KRA to stop collecting housing levy from salaried Kenyans saying it lacks legal basis.

In a letter to KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, the AG said the Court of Appeal’s January 26 decision declining to stay High Court orders that declared the levy unconstitutional still stands.

“The upshot of this is that there is no legal basis on which the Housing Levy as provided in section 84 of the Finance Act, can be implemented,” Muturi said.

He was responding to a letter from Wattanga dated February 12 seeking guidance on the government’s position on the matter.

The High Court on November 28, 2023, declared the Housing Levy illegal citing various reasons including that it was discriminatory as it secluded workers in the informal sector.

The three-judge bench, however, stayed the execution of the orders until January 10, 2024, pending the filing of an application for conservatory orders to stay the decision and allow the government to continue collecting the levy.

But on January 26, the Appellate court dismissed the application and reaffirmed the High Court’s ruling that the 1.5 per cent Housing Levy which is meant to finance the affordable housing programme is illegal.

By Musyoka

The Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the United
Nations Programme of Action is to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms
and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA) and its International Tracing Instrument (ITI)

Speaking during the event principal secretary ministry of interior Raymond Omollo stated Small arms and light weapons continue to wreak havoc in
communities, fuel conflicts, undermine peace and stability,
and hinder socio-economic development across East and
Southern Africa and the continent at large.

“This Regional Preparatory Meeting presents a valuable
opportunity for us to take stock of our achievements,
assess the challenges that lie ahead, and chart a courseof action that will enable us to effectively address the root
causes of SALW proliferation.
Kenya stands firm in its commitment to fully implement the
Program of Action and the International Tracin instrument.” Said Omollo

High Representative to the Regional Preparatory remarks stated
Meeting for the Fourth Review Conference on the Programme of Action on The objective of the gathering is to create a platform to enable exchange of
views on the challenges and opportunities.

It will also allow to discuss the
lessons you have learned in the implementation of the PoA/ITI since the last
RevCon3 in 2018. It is also an opportunity for you to acquaint yourselves with the
global developments and dynamics in the small arms and light weapons (SALW)
domain, including new technologies, development of national targets and action
plans, and the recent adoption of the New Global Framework for Through-life
Conventional Ammunition Management. Finally, it is an opportunity for us to
assist you in the preparation for the deliberations at RevCon4.

by Ronald Njoroge

The Blockchain Association of Kenya (BAK) on Monday submitted the draft Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) bill to the National Assembly.

Michael Kimani Chairman of the Board and acting  CEO of BAK said that the absence of a legal regime has led to the defrauding of Kenya via cryptocurrency scams.

“We believe that it is a timely Bill and hope that it will be given priority as it has the ability to create a licensing mechanism for players in this field, provide consumer protection mechanisms, require reporting by the players to aid in combating Anti-Money Laundering and attract foreign direct investment,” Kimani said.

The bill when put in place provides for the licensing and regulation of virtual asset service providers; issuance of tokens to the public via digital platforms and exchanges and to provide for matters connected, incidental and related thereto for purposes of promoting investment in virtual assets, ensuring consumer protection, preventing market abuse and preventing or mitigating the risk of money laundering and financing of terrorism and proliferation activities.

Kimani added that the proposed law will establish the Joint Virtual Assets Regulatory Sandbox which shall be an operating framework managed by the office of virtual assets to facilitate and support the development of an efficient and globally competitive virtual assets sector in Kenya.

The types of license under the bill include class A for the virtual assets exchanges for  persons who provide services related to a virtual assets exchange while class B is for custodial services and wallets.

BAK hopes that the new law will curb capital flight and money laundering via digital assets.

Addressing the media on Sunday 3rd March, Jimi wanjigi said that Kenyans have created challenges before and they have continued to, stating that situations the government has put Kenyans into continuously ignoring court rulings on unconstitutional projects, failing to deliver on its own promises
He continued to say that the government has failed to provide adequate security, subjecting its own to extreme high costs of living, and the list goes on and on.
“In regards to Public debt on February 27th the national treasury submitted a report to parliament indicating that Kenya had borrowed 223 Billion shillings from September to January. In just February alone Kenya has added 545 Billion shillings to that borrowing making the total for six months 768 Billion shillings, which is more than Uhuru Kenyatta’s highest borrowing spree in the year 2022/2023. “Read his statement

“Parliament has only approved borrowing of 341 Billion, this is purely illegal. Where is it allowed to borrow more in order to pay back an existing loan or where in the budget can we take an infrastructure bond to fund infrastructure?
This is a debt driven economy and we are becoming slaves to it.
Add to that on February 29th usable foreign exchange plunged by 259 million shillings which left us at 3.7 months of Import cover. This confirms that people are still buying USD and have no confidence in the Shilling. “
He further noted that it’s a sad state of affairs that even as Kenyans continue to suffer, the conversation has completely shifted from the people to power, control and positions due to the latest conversations about the AU chairmanship position.
“A few weeks ago, my very good friend, the Rt.Hon. Raila Odinga expressed his desire for the African Union Chairmanship position, and honestly given his many years of impactful leadership in this country and beyond, I can confidently say he is the right man for the job.
What I don’t understand however, is why since his declaration, the people’s agenda, which we were made to believe, his coalition was championing has been put on hold, and now the focus is on; if and when he takes the seat, who is going to benefit and how.” Continued to say
Wanjigi added that The Azimio coalition is dredging the political landscape and pulling out people who have been part of Kenya’s problem and presenting them as solutions, as the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition is busy scheming on how to take credit on Mr Odinga’s candidacy and how to reap from it.
“We have one problem in kenya, it is William Ruto, he is status quo. He is continuity of the same problems he help create that has brought us here. The same people who created the problems cannot get us out of it.He offers no hope nor real change.
Fellow Kenyans, I understand and share in your pain. We have got a lot of challenges in our great Country. But equally, we got enormous strengths. We are optimistic people. We beam daily with hope. We are known for unrelenting fights for change. We have always shown a greater togetherness. We are going to win our economic and financial security future. Don’t doubt we won’t throw our hands and give up. We will not quite, I will not quite until real change is achieved in Kenya.” He noted
Jimi Wanjigi is a Kenyan businessman, entrepreneur, and political figure. He is known for his involvement in various sectors including real estate, telecommunications, and media. Wanjigi has also been involved in Kenyan politics and has been associated with various political parties and figures.