Author: staff reporter

BY NJOKI KARANJA

The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities The Honourable Dato’Sri Haji Fadhillah bin Haji Yusof above.

Deputy prime minister and minister of plantation and commodities, the Honourable Dato Sri Haji Yusof in his keynote speech during the Malaysia Palm Oil Forum MPOF East Africa 2023 highlighted the importance of the malaysia -kenya trade relationship and emphasized the signifance of kenya as a vital market for Malaysian Palm Oil in the East African Region.

MPOF 2023,an event organized by Malaysian Palm Oil Council was held today in Nairobi,Kenya and was officially inagurated today by Dato Sri Haji Fadillah Bin Haji Yusof. The event gathered industry players and stakeholders from both Malaysia and Kenya to explore opportunities and foster trade relations in the palm oil industry.

The forum featured prominent local industry players and international expert’s from Malaysia,Europe, and Kenya as speakers. In his keynote he emphasized the mutual business relationship between Malaysia and Kenya,highlighting the increasing bilateral trade which reached USD. 1.19billion in 2022.

Under the theme ” pioneering sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow..” the Minister empasized Malaysia’s commitments to providing affordable and sustainable palm oil products to Africa. He acknowledged Kenya’s vital role as the 5th largest destination for Malaysianpal Oil exports and stressed the importance of sustainable practices and partnerships to ensure a better future for both countries.

FADILLAH addressed the challenges faced by the industry,including market across barriers and negative anti- palm oil campaigns and emphasized the need for a level playing field for fair competition.

Highlighting Malaysia own sustainability certification standard, the Malyasia Sustainable Pal Oil, the Minister emphasized its mandatory implementaion since 2020. The MSPO ensures that Malaysian industries produce Certified Sustainable Palm Oil in accordance with international consumers requirements.

Dato highlighted the significant role of palm oil in Malyasia’s economy, being the highest -valued agricultural commodity exported in 2022. Generating a revenue of RM 137.8 billion. He encouraged participants to explore new avenues for expanding the edible oil and palm oil business,particularly in downstream higher value added palm derivatives.

In conclusion, the Minister encouraged the private sectors of both Malaysia and Kenya to seize the numerous opportunities in downstream higher value added palm derivatives . He called for partnerships and strategic alliances to explore new avenues for expanding the edible oil and palm oil business,particularly in area such as oleochemicals, pharmaceutical , processed foods, speciality products and consumer brands. By fostering direct interactions between Malaysian palm oil suppliers and buyers, the MPOF aims to establish relationships the lead to enhanced business opportunities for all stakeholders involved.

By Edna Okoth

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) in
collaboration with Kenyatta University opened the third Nairobi Summer School of Climate
Justice (NSSCJ) cohort in Nairobi Kenya.

The official opening symposium was held at
Kenyatta University and attracted over 500 participants featuring over 250 students globally.

Speaking during the event, Executive Director of PACJA Dr.Mithika Mwenda described Nairobi Summer School on Climate
Justice as a unique and innovative initiative that aims at equiping young leaders and activists
with the knowledge, skills, and tools to advance the cause of climate justice in their
communities and beyond.

Defending the historical idea of starting the Nairobi Summer School, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, said that the mobilization,
policy engagement, and other engagements that PACJA has been undertaking is a teameffort
and hence the Nairobi Summer School was a quick idea bearing solutions.

“We have been engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to influence and shape policies
and actions that are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. We have built
alliances and partnerships with other actors and movements that share our vision and
values. But we cannot do this alone. We need you, the young leaders and activists, to join us
in this struggle.” said Dr Mithika.

Regarding the theme of the Symposium, “Connecting Ideas and shaping narratives for
Climate Justice, ” Amb. Ayele Kabede, the Program Manager of the Swedish International
Development Agency (SIDA) pointed out that the program is invaluable in building
intergenerational knowledge in the context of Climate Change.

“I am glad to hear that this edition of Nairobi Summer School brought together over 600
hundred physical and virtual students to be equipped with knowledge on Climate Change fo this
is a big achievement, “said Amb. Kabede before he encouraged youth to think of the
valuable contribution because they are actors of change in climate action.

The Netherlands is one of the developed countries that has been supporting Climate action
and was represented by HE Amb. Maarten Brouwer, the Dutch Ambassador in Kenya who
appreciated the initiative which he qualified as the groundswell of youth climate activists.

“Climate change is indispensable in addressing the existential threat posed by Climate Change.
The voices of people and communities need to be heard to influence decisions and policies that
will impact their lives for the years to come”, said HE Amb. Maarten Brouwer before adding
that the Strengthening justice contribute to the 2030 agenda and leaving
No One Behind and time for incremental change is over.

The Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education said that Climate Change has been
destroying infrastructures, schools, and other learning materials, and hence mainstreaming
climate change in all education systems is important to build the capacities of the young
generation.

“The Ministry of Education aims to inspire students to take action in advocacy and action on
climate change through environmental clubs, tree planting initiatives to implement
environmentally friendly initiatives in their communities, intimated Hon, Ezekiel Machogu, the
Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Kenya.

End..

by Ronald Njoroge

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) plans to develop a Digital Media City within its facility.
John Paul Okwiri, Ag. CEO Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) noted that the Konza Digital Media City is envisioned to provide an ecosystem that promotes training, research and innovation in the digital media and entertainment industries in Kenya and the African region. 

Okwiri made this remarks during the Konza Technopolis Creative Economy Conference that took place in Nairobi,
KoTDA noted that they are supporting creative startups at their National Tier Data centre with one year free hosting in view of building a sustainable media city project. 

He observed that the youth are asking for opportunities.
“With our state of the art data centre, we are providing an opportunity for the youth in creative economy with storage,”.

Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani said that the government will spend Kshs 15.1 billion in developing the digital superhighway in a bid to position Kenya as a unique creative economy hub destination. 

BY NJOKI KARANJA.

At the official WRC Safari Rally flag off, Cabinet Secretary for youth affairs sports and arts assured Kenyans that there will be sherehe in Vasha. Nations had raised concerns on various social media posts, as to the state of this year’s after party, since no news has been forthcoming .

Therefore, Dubbed Hustla village, the official party for WRC Rally will be held at Bufalo Mall with an exhibit area where innovative youth enterprise will get a chance to display their startups. The three day festival will feature mix of established upcoming artists in an effort to promote new talents.

” Sherehe is part of rally culture ,you can’t go to Vasha without sherehe. We are calling it spoti,bizz and sherehe where we’re providing opportunity for our youth enterprise.” Ababu Namwamba said.

With the world’s attention focused on Kenya as the competition takes off ,kenyan youths are staking their claim on the WRC Safari Rally. Speaking to the media during the flag off, founders of Youth enterprise called upon stakeholders to stop sidelining them when opportunities for growth arise.

“Last year we funded ourselves and provided coverage for WRC Rally, but this year through Talanta Hela we’ve gotten an opportunity to actually make money. As young people, we don’t want handouts we just want an opportunity to earn honest living, it’s been extremely frustrating to try and get help from stakeholders but at least now there’s hope.” Eugene Patrick founder of Live Wire Mashariki  concluded.

1:Rev David Leting, Moderator of RCEA
2:Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui General Secretary.

3:Bshp Dr John Okinda, head of PEFA and NCCK Vice Chairman

BY NJOKI KARANJA

The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has held a meeting at Jumuia Conference and Country Home, Limuru, over the last two days to transact statutory business and reflect on matters of national concern.

The  meeting reflected on the centrality of justice and fairness in society, a reality that our fathers captured in the words of our National Anthem: “Justice be our shield and defender”.

Having considered the state of our nation, the following message was shared:

     1. Control of religion

“We in NCCK share our heartfelt condolences with all the affected families following the Shakahola Holocaust. It is saddening for so many Kenyans to die yet the deaths could have been prevented. We demand accountability by the government for dereliction of duty
that led to the deaths of hundreds of people yet reports were made to relevant offices and agencies” Said Rev Kinyanjui, General Secretary.

Further, the NCCK is extremely concerned that the government seems determined to use the unfortunate Shakahola incident as an excuse to control the practice of religious freedom in the country. While we condemn the loss of lives occasioned by the activities of the Good News Church, we find that this was criminal action that was wholly facilitated by the failure of the criminal justice system to deliver on its mandate.

   2. Let Us Live Within Our Means

The Executive Committee has taken time to review the 2023/2024 national budget and the attendant Finance Bill that were presented to the National Assembly by the government. We are extremely concerned that contrary to expectations, the budget does not explicitly present strategies to deliver Kenyans from the suffocating high cost of living.
It is our view that the budget proposals are likely to make the lives of Kenyans worse.

  a) Living Beyond Our Means

Despite a projected revenue collection of KShs 2.6 trillion, the government has planned to spend KShs 3.7 trillion in the year. This is unfortunate as it means that the country intends to live beyond its means by borrowing locally and internationally without clear strategies
of how the funds to repay the loans will be raised. Our sincere expectation was that the government would cut down on expenditure to match the income.

  b) Understated Expenditure

We do note that the projected expenditure of KShs 3.7 trillion does not include debt servicing, which is currently estimated to require upwards of KShs 1.63 trillion per year.
This implies that the country will have only KShs 970 billion to finance everything else. We reiterate our call for the government to engage the people in a genuine public discourse on debt management and taxation.

  c) Wastage and Corruption

The NCCK remains cognizant that the greatest challenge facing the fiscal health of our nation is an unmitigated culture of wastage, fraud and impunity in government. We are thus concerned that the policy statements in the national budget and attendant laws do
not address this problem. We urge His Excellency the President to spearhead a national attitude transformation within the civil service to end the mentality that public resources are there to be wasted. This will enable us live within our means as a nation, and actually reverse the negative economic state we have been in for a long time.

3. Food Security, the Grounding of Society

The NCCK recalls that before God created human beings, He first planted the Garden of Eden to ensure there would be adequate food for the people. It is therefore a major concern to us that 2023/2024 budget did not allocate adequate resources to turn around
the agriculture sector.

As the church, we are making every effort to support food security by promoting
Conservation Agriculture in all parts of the country, and urge the government and other partners to join us. Let us work to ensure that every Kenyan is food secure.

4. Address Climate Change

The NCCK has taken time to review the progressive destructiveness of climate change across the globe. The prolonged dry spells followed by floods and unpredictable rains has devastated Kenyan households, leading to loss of lives and food insecurity.

We in NCCK find the tree planting initiative redemptive for the nation, and are committed to play our part. We will continue to plant trees in our church compounds and personal farms, in addition to passing messages to promote mitigation and adaptation to climate
change.

Therefore, we will be planting trees in all NCCK events. We invite development partners and the government to support these initiatives.

In conclusion, we thank all Kenyans for the continued determination to live peaceably with each other. Let us fix our eyes on bettering our individual and corporate lives, being inspired by the words of our National Anthem:
Let all with one accord, in common bond united; Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya, the fruit of our labour, fill every heart with thanksgiving
And let us all endeavour to follow the instructions God has given us in Deuteronomy 16: 20
Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
May God enable us all to play our part in ensuring justice and peace for a better
tomorrow.

BY NJOKI KARANJA.

ActionAid International Kenya is un-apologetic in advancing women’s rights and ensuring that women living in poverty and exclusion are at the center of our work in Kenya.

Therefore working to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. We commit to working with Women, Children and Youth to claim and realize their constitutional rights through working within three main pillars; empowerment, solidarity and campaigning.

The Finance Bill 2023, which is set for the committee of the whole house stage, have proposals that crosscut several sectors of the economy and therefore are bound to affect the operation of different sectors of the economy.  Here are the highlights of our key takeaways from our today’s townhall meeting;

  1: The government has not highlighted inclusivity of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the housing project.

2: The proposed taxes on the importation of machinery for recycling plants should not be adopted.

  3: The government to address issues of corruption and wastage in government.

  4: The taxes on imported cement should not be uniform. Affordability of basic (food) commodity should be addressed through incentivizing farm input. The tax on fuel should not be 16%.

In conclusion, tax on vaccine and malaria kit should be dropped. The above statement is undersigned by community members from Nairobi as signed in the attached list.

Philip Kilonzo

BY NJOKI KARANJA

June 20, 2023.

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has declined the invitation to meet with the COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber in Nairobi on the grounds of his oil ties. We believe that Dr. Al Jaber’s position as the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) poses a serious conflict of interest and undermines his credibility as the leader of the global climate negotiations.

  We have previously called on Dr Al-Jaber to step down from his position as President Designate of COP28. We reiterate this call for the following reasons:

     As the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), we believe he represent the interests of the fossil fuel industry, which is the main driver of the climate crisis. We find it unacceptable that you hold such a prominent role in the COP process, which is supposed to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C. 

Therefore,his involvement in the COP process raises serious questions about the integrity and legitimacy of the UNFCCC. We are concerned that he will use his position to influence the outcomes of the negotiations in favor of the oil and gas sector, and undermine the efforts of developing countries and civil society to push for more ambitious and equitable climate action. 

In addition, his invitation to meet with us in Nairobi appears to be a public relations stunt to improve his image and credibility as the COP president. We do not wish to be used as a token of your engagement with civil society, while you continue to pursue policies and projects that are detrimental to the environment and human rights.

We urge Dr. Al Jaber, in good faith to step down from COP28 Presidency  In this regard, we reiterate the following:
 
   A. Accessible participation:  As a minimum, call on COP28 Presidency and UNFCCC to ensure processes in COP28 and in build up to COP28 are accessible to all and promote, to the greatest extend possible participation by all, including dissenting voices.  Co-create processes of participation with all parties, taking into account cost of participation and timelines for expanded and inclusive participation.

    B. On Global Stock Take:  While the temperature goal under Article 2 is very key, we call on UAE as the host of COP28 to drive a GST process that lays emphasis on parameters of assessment that are most important to Africa and in regard to adaptation, loss and damage, response measures and most importantly means of implementation  We emphasis for a people driven, people centered GST process with scope and parameters of assessment being determined in a inclusive manner and with peoples’ voices. COP28 Presidency must provide the required stewardship for Parties to fast- track the discussions on the scope and parameters that are useful in delivering a meaningful GST

    C. On mitigation Cutting on emission is not an option, but an urgent call to all developed countries and big polluters. COP28 presidency must raise demonstrable bar of ambition in cutting emissions and oil producing countries, including UAE must demonstrate leadership on this.  The GST process should not a decoy for delaying action as credible evidence from IPCC is already with us and so we call upon developed countries parties to be more decisive on emission reduction, characterized by clear plans of action that are specific and time bound.

  D. Global Goal on Adaptation: Adaptation is the priority for Africa and must be framed at COP28 as a broad agenda and with the Global Goal on Adaptation being framed in an all-inclusive manner taking into account clear priorities and indicators of progress on sectors like health, water and agriculture.  COP28 must prevail on Parties to consider linking the adaptation goal to the temperature goal because rising temperatures has a huge implication on the adaptation needs in the continent.

COP28 must move us from the business-as-usual approach of topics and workshop to have a firm on ground implementation framework on 4-year Sharma-El- Sheik Joint work on Implementation of Climate Action on Agriculture on Food Security because agriculture for our people is a source of livelihood

  E. On loss and damage: We strongly assert that all funding related to losses and damages must be delivered within UNFCCC framework for accountability, and COP28 Presidency must resist attempts by developed countries to commercialize measures to alleviate peoples’ miseries or even place them under mercy of philanthropists. That is not the architect of the Paris Agreement!  Call on COP28 Presidency to sustain political pressure sufficient to secure institutional arrangements and funding mechanisms for loss and damage and inaugurate the Loss and Damage Fund this December in Dubai.

   F. Climate Finance: Our priority is nested on overhauling climate finance architecture to make funding accessible to African countries and communities at the frontline of climate crisis. COP28 must provide us with the means to achieve this while addressing the growing corporatization of the means of implementation.

  We are optimistic that COP28 will address the inertia among political leaders from developed countries to deliver decisive financial commitments that will unlock all streams of negotiations.

In conclusion, as a cross cutting issue, we continue to root for broad based reform processes in UNFCCC to make processes and institutional outlook fit for purpose and meet immediate response needs and resilience measures for communities at the frontline of crisis.  –          END  – 

by Mathew Ndeti

African Governments have been challenged to invest more in research and innovation to enhance food security in the continent.

Speaking during a food conference in Nairobi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said although a lot was being done in the region, it is not captured in the Biennial Review Reporting on food insecurity because of lack of accessibility of data and information and not because of lack of performance.

“As a continent, we need to coordinate better and implement innovative digital tools for the collection of data, Food Security is a big priority for the National Government in Kenya, However the biggest gap is that there is very little or no research being done and I am confident that at the end of this forum, stakeholders will come up with ideas and solutions to ensure food security in the continent.’” he said in he said in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Director at the State department of Agriculture Phyllis Njane.

Linturi noted that Science, technologies, and innovations are increasingly becoming key, with less land available to produce food and declining water levels. The focus must therefore be on how to produce more food, with less land and water, while conserving the environment at the same time. The scenario has played out in the World before. In the 1960s, the world was under the spell of Malthusian theory, with rising concerns that agricultural growth will not be able to keep up with population growth. What the Malthusian theory did not consider was the power of science and technology to break yield barriers. The green revolution, with high yielding varieties of wheat and rice, transformed Asia. India – which a Nobel Prize economist once considered a “basket case” – soon became a major exporter of food.
The assembly of African Heads of State and Government during the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2022, launched a report on 10th March 2022 that captured Africa’s agricultural progress on the implementation of the June 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods. 
From the reports being churned out, he noted with concern that the challenge we have experienced with Biennial Reporting is not so much a lack of performance, but more about accessibility of data and information which means, as a sector, we need to coordinate better and implement innovative digital tools for the collection of data, moving forward.
Looking to the future, the Cabinet Secretary reiterated Africa subsidies are inevitable in the early phases of agricultural transformations to guarantee food security. This, he said, will ensure that the poor, especially women, and smallholders benefit from technical change. On this front, Kenya has done very well. The government has since spent about Sh6 billion on fertilizer subsidy and according to the National Cereals and Produce Board, 2. 3 million farmers have been registered by the Ministry of Agriculture. The ready-made database will give farmers managed access to government programs and enhance openness, accountability, and traceability in the operation of fertilizer subsidy schemes.
He called on all governments, stakeholders to team up and build prosperity through inclusive, innovative, collaborative, and dynamic food systems, that are based on data-driven decisions to ensure access to diverse diets from climate resilient production in every region of the country.

On his part, Climate Resilient Food Systems Division, IDRC, Director Mr. Santiago Alba Corral said, the conference will provide a platform for delegates to learn, share information and build strategic partnerships with the overall objective of identifying effective interventions to reduce food loss waste on the continent as well as push for research and funding.

“Africa has the potential to not only feed itself, even with a growing population, but to become a net exporter of food – rather than an importer as it is now, he said.”

Speaking on the same, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Eleanor Dean said by investing in cutting-edge research and technology, CultiAf is developing and disseminating innovative farming practices tailored to Africa’s unique conditions.

The progamme is pegged on four research themes which are increasing productivity and reducing post-harvest losses, linking agriculture, nutrition and human health, gender equality and climate change and agricultural water management.

The two-day conference on innovation, research and how funding can improve food security, productivity, and profitability in Africa has attracted over 200 delegates.

The conference is being hosted by (International Development Research Centre) IDRC and (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) ACIAR. The two organizations have sponsored a programme christened Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund (CultiAf) and funded programs in selected countries in Eastern and Southern Africa such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

by Edna Okoth

The conference whose theme is dubbed ‘ Enabling resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems brings together policy makers, research teams, private sectors, farmer representatives, donors, non- governmental organisations, policy makers and eminent persons engaged in research, innovations, agriculture and food security in Africa.

The two phased five- year food security project named Cultivate Africa’s Future ( CultiAF) was founded ten years ago by International Development Research Centre (IDRC) that is based in Canada and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) which is based in Australia.

The main aim of the partnership is to fund applied research to develop and scale up sustainable climate resilience and gender responsive innovations for smallholder producers.

Through the program,nine projects have tested 19 innovations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe and have been provided with grants and some notable success of the project include increased food and nutrition security in Eastern and Southern Africa through research and developing sustainable climate resilient and gender responsive innovations for smallholder farmers.

Speaking during the conference, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program Director, Susan Kaaria noted that the persisting rural gender inequalities are brought by some factors including employment, explaining that women’ working conditions are likely to be worse than men’s, land rights, food insecurity, financial services, excessive work burden and social-cultural norms.

She also highlighted that some ways to fostering inclusive value chains include gender analysis at community level and of value chains, increasing women’s and youth’s access to resources, services and opportunities, enhance women’s and youth’s participation and leadership in value chains and generating better data at the individual level.

Some resolutions from the conference included shared understanding of the results and outcomes of the projects and the program as a whole, networking and learning from the stakeholders, celebrating the achievements of the program, funding matters as well as conversations around what the future systems will look like in the Eastern and Southern Africa.

Ends..

By irene mwende

International development research center (IDRC_CRDI) has today hosted a cultivate Africa’s future food systems conference at safari park hotel as a nation’s desire improve food and nutrition security to transform the food system to secure better livehoods for farmers and communities

The two organisations international development research center and Australian center for international agricultural research have partnered with select countries in Eastern and Southern African regions to fund applied research to develop and scale up sustainable climate resilient and gender responsive innovations for smallholder producers

Through the program nine projects have tested 19 innovations in Ethiopia,Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique,Uganda among others have been provided with grants and four projects rolled over from phase one and started in October 2018 were closed in 2021 hence the four projects made significant contributions to increasing productivity and incomes improving human and livestock nutrition and the remaining five projects are focusing at the climate smart agricultural technologies such as insurance, drought tolerant and irrigation technologies

Speaking during the conference Ms Eleanor noted that the conference bring global movement that recognises the undeniable power of agriculture to shape societies economy

“The theme of this conference cultivate Africa’s future food systems is enabling resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems encapsulates the urgency with which we must unlock the vast untapped potential within our agricultural systems”said Ms Eleanor

She further added that Australia center for international agricultural research has been instrumental in addressing agricultural challenges faced by developing countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region by emphasising collaborative partnerships, research and sustainable practices

“I am incredibly proud of the numerous achievements portrayed through the portfolio of the nine research projects that have created such a remarkable ripple effect across the twelve countries” said Eleanor adding that from drought resistant crops to precision agricultural techniques and gender responsive innovations for smallholder producers that significantly increase production and resilience in the face of climate change

In conclusion she highlighted cultivate Africa’s future food systems conference represents a beacon of hope for a continent poised for agricultural transformation by embracing innovation, empowering farmers and fostering collaboration.