Author: staff reporter

By Irene mwende

Today marked significant milestone for Kenya’s economic development as the high-level launch of the National Productive Capacities Gap Assessment (NPCGA) and the Holistic Programme for Fostering Productive Capacities and Structural Economic Transformation . The event brought together esteemed speakers, including representatives from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Resident Coordinator, Chairman Kenya Vision 2030 Board as well as Senior Government Officials, Development partners, Civil Society, and Diplomatic corps.

The Chairman of the Vision 2030 Delivery Board, Hon. Sakwa Bunyasi, expressed gratitude to UNCTAD for spearheading the development of the NPCGA and designing the Holistic Programme for Kenya. He said these initiatives aim to address the key challenges and binding constraints that hinder productive capacities and economic growth in the country.

“The launch of the NPCGA and the Holistic Programme is a vital step towards building an all-inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy in Kenya. By working together, we can position Kenya as a regional and global leader, creating opportunities for all Kenyans to thrive and prosper.” Said Bunyasi

The chairman added that the Holistic Programme aligns with various development frameworks in Kenya, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Fourth Medium-Term Plan (2023-2027) of the Kenya Vision 2030, the African Union Agenda 2063 commitments, and the United Nations Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals

In her remarks Ms. Ada Mwangola, the Acting Director-General of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, expressed gratitude to UNCTAD for collaborating with the secretariat further revealing the partnership aims to identify
Kenya’s competitiveness, address bottlenecks, and foster productive capacities through policy changes.

Mr. Paul Akiwumi, Director of the Division for Africa, LDCs, and Special Programmes at UNCTAD, highlighted Kenya’s impressive development gains despite a few key trade and development challenges , including the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the importance of addressing inefficiencies in logistics supply chains, securing long-term financing, and implementing efficient taxation systems to advance structural transformation.

“The NPCGA provides valuable insights into Kenya’s socioeconomic challenges and identifies key constraints to socioeconomic development,” stated Mr. Akiwumi. “Through the Holistic Programme, we aim to foster productive capacities and achieve structural economic transformation, in line with Kenya’s development aspirations.” he added

The NPCGA and the Holistic Programme represent critical tools for understanding Kenya’s socioeconomic landscape and recommending policy actions to unlock its development potential. With the launch of these initiatives, Kenya takes a significant stride towards a more prosperous and self-sufficient future.

Speaking during the launch Dr. Stephen Jackson, the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Kenya, defined the Productive Capacities Index (PCI), a brainchild of UNCTAD, as a powerful tool to assess and benchmark productive capacities for 193 countries and economies across eight dimensions and 46 indicators. He said that this statistical tool paints a multi-dimensional picture, providing a comprehensive diagnosis that scrutinises policies and strategies.

“It seeks to answer the fundamental question of how developing countries can best confront and overcome the gaps and limitations in their productive capacity development.”said Dr Stephen

He further acknowledged that Kenya, as a beacon of development in
Africa, has significantly benefited from UNCTAD’s preparation of NPCGAs, which have been conducted in several African nations. This assessment is a significant pillar of the ongoing work aimed at fostering productive capacities and catalysing structural economic transformation in developing economies.

“ These are not just numbers and graphs; they are vital for long-term, inclusive growth and development.” said Dr.Stephen.

Founded by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade.
Uganda’s Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE Africa), has been named as a Top 10 finalist for the Africa Education Medal 2023. Founded last year by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade.
Dr. Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, congratulated Martha Muhwezi:

“Congratulations, Martha, on this nomination as a finalist for the Africa Education Medal 2023. This is such a well-deserved nomination. We have worked together for 10 years. The Mastercard Foundation and FAWE have been strategic partners. I’ve seen your leadership in action. And I’ve seen the impact of our work in Uganda. And I know that this recognition will confer even greater influence, and will benefit even more lives of young people as we move forward.”

The Africa Education Medal was established to recognise the tireless work of those who are transforming education across the continent – to celebrate the stories of those who have lit the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch. It is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.

Martha Muhwezi from Uganda is Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), a pan-African NGO working in 33 countries to empower girls and women through gender-responsive education.

Her passion for education began 18 years ago, in a remote village in the eastern part of Uganda where many girls were not able to attend school and others dropped out due to early marriage and pregnancy. She joined FAWE in 2005 as a Technical Advisor, before becoming Executive Director of FAWE Uganda and then going on to head up the organisation across the whole continent.

Under Muhwezi’s leadership, FAWE designed the Higher Education Access Programme (HEAP), a bridging course that has provided young women as well as men an additional pathway into higher education in Uganda. Since its launch, enrolment in higher education in Uganda increased from 250,000 in 2019 to 270,000 students in 2022. The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Uganda has recognised HEAP as a Fourth Pathway to university in Uganda.

In Uganda, she also spearheaded a range of initiatives including Mother Tongue Resource Books, Gender Responsive Pedagogy manuals and the Competence Profile for primary school teachers. FAWE Uganda has influenced the formulation of a gender in education policy in the country.

FAWE runs a range of initiatives including a comprehensive scholarship programme that helps prepare young women to transition to university or the world of work and a number of its alumni have gone on to prominent positions in governments across Africa. Over 6,500 girls and boys have benefited from FAWE’s Centres of Excellence, which were established in 1999 and have led to increased enrolment, performance, retention and completion rates, particularly for girls. A further 80,000 children have further benefited from FAWE’s Tuseme model since 1996, which has led to an improvement in girls’ self-esteem and in their leadership, social and life skills, teachers’ positive attitudinal change towards girls and a significant reduction in sexual harassment. Meanwhile, over 6,600 teachers have benefited from FAWE’s training model, while 15,000 students have benefited from FAWE’s STEM programme which has boosted girls’ participation in STEM subjects.

As FAWE Africa Executive Director, Muhwezi led the organisation to develop the Gender Equality Strategy for the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (GES4CESA), which calls for investment in equal education in Africa. She also gained FAWE the $1 million 2017 Al-Sumait Prize in the field of Education.

The battle for the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) presidency has intensified ahead of June 8 elections.
Incumbent Richard Ngatia is already getting crucial support as Abdi Rahman Abdil has today told the press that he will continue to rally behind Richard Ngatia stating that Richard Ngatia is the right person to lead KNCCI.
While speaking in Nairobi during the Kenya Columbia Business forum Mr.Abdi Rahman who is also the acting Chairman of KNCCI in Wajir County pointed out that Experience is the determining factor in choosing the right leader.
In his manifesto Mr.Abdi Rahman is seeking to get the market in Wajir County outside the world to allow pastoralists get investments from outside world.
He added that in Wajir 80 %of their livelihood in wajiris dedicated towards pastoralism and therefore get a market outside the region will be a big relief in the area.
Speaking today at the Nairobi Serena hotel, Mr.Abdi Rahman told the media that. north Eatsern has the potential to become a breadbasket for Kenya.The area has arable land and therefore attracts investments in the region.
Last year during the economic Business forum Mr.Abdi came out strongly to condemn Hon Kibichonover his claims that he had more intelligence report than the then President William Ruto.
He also cautioned the Current Opposition leader Raila Odinga that his region is not interested in Kitendawili.He urged the Opposition leader to stay away from the region if he intends to destruct normal functioning of the region.
He also pointed out the kind of challenges they face in the north Eastern region saying the issue of getting a passport is a major problem.

by Ronald Njoroge  

Twinkle Hockey Club on Sunday launched its new management and club van. Desmond Boi, club president told journalists in Nairobi that in a  bid to solidify success and passion for the sport, the club has through a competitive and highly consultative process hired a club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

“As a club, we are committed to constantly striving for excellence and growth, both on and off the field, and we believe that these new additions I will be announcing today, will help us to achieve those goals,” Boi said.

He noted that the new CEO, Simon Mwangi. Simon is an accomplished leader with an impressive track record in the sports industry.

“He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our club, and we are confident that he will lead us to new heights of success and achievement. Some of our CEO’s contribution to development of Hockey sport include coaching Kenyatta University hockey team to great success for two successive seasons, founding and providing unparalleled cocktail of media and sport analysis service through the a premier company called HockeyKe, among providing technical support and advice to various Hockey teams in this country,” he revealed.

Twinkle Hockey Club (THC) is a  ladies’ hockey club committed to promoting the growth of women’s hockey in our union and community.

The  team consists of passionate players, 100% college students with the exception of 3 who are have just completed their high school studies.

Boi noted that the players come from different backgrounds and share a common goal of excellence on and off the field.

The new Head Coach is Charity Miller, who is a highly respected and experienced umpire who has an impressive track record of success at both the domestic and international level. “Our Head Coach has honed her skills in coaching over the years and we are confident that she has the vision, leadership, and expertise to lead our team to new heights of excellence and achievement,” he added.

Twinkle Hockey Club (THC) also acquired a new van for sports which   will be a valuable asset to the club, enabling transportation of the   teams, equipment, and staff to games and events with greater efficiency and ease.

This van also provides ample storage space for our equipment and gear, comfortable seating for our players and staff, and the latest technology to ensure a smooth and safe ride to and from our games and events.

Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) is proud to present its first-ever full-length musical, Oliver, which will take place from June 9th-11th. This internationally acclaimed musical takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England, following the story of young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates
London’s underworld of theft and violence in search of a home, a family, and most importantly, love.

Based on the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, the book was adapted for the stage by Lionel
Bart, who also composed the music and wrote the lyrics. The musical premiered in London’s West
End in 1960 and became a huge hit, winning several awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score. It has since been performed all over the world and has been adapted into a successful film and television series. The timeless story of Oliver Twist and his journey to find love and family continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

With live music by Safaricom Youth Orchestra led by Musical Director Levi Wataka, and guest performers like John Sibi-Okumu, David Mwenji, and Njeri Kiereini, Oliver promises to be a must-see show. Cooper Rust directs the show, with Caroline Slot and May Ombara serving as assistant directors.

The lead role of Oliver will be played by Abdoulaye Diebate, with Benji Mudondo as the Artful Dodger, Mazuruni Khan as Nancy, and Alex Stow as Bill Sykes.

DCK is Kenya’s leading dance school, with over 500 students taking classes in three studios and 1,000 more taking DCK-taught classes in 20 schools throughout Nairobi. Founded in 2015, DCK has grown to offer a range of dance classes and performances, including annual productions of The Nutcracker. DCK is committed to reaching into the Kenyan community to find talented students, irrespective of their ability to pay for training, and its sponsorship program has already affected the lives of many future dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Oliver is a show that will inspire all of us to dream bigger and believe that absolutely anything is possible. Don’t miss this exciting performance! Tickets are available for purchase at the DCK studios or online.

For more information, please contact Dance Centre Kenya at info@dancecentre.co.ke or visit their website at www.dancecentre.co.ke

KEPSA is Championing Outsourcing Sector in Kenya.
Davis Waithaka, chair of the Digital skills and values subsector of the KEPSA ICT Sector Board said that KEPSA has been actively involved in advocating for
policies and initiatives that promote the growth of the BPO sector in Kenya.
“This
includes engaging with the government to develop an enabling regulatory
framework, incentives, and infrastructure to attract BPO investments,” Waithaka said.
He added that KEPSA recognizes the importance of developing a
skilled workforce for the BPO sector.
“It collaborates with relevant stakeholders,
including educational institutions, training centers, and industry experts, to design
and implement training programs that equip individuals with the necessary skills for
BPO jobs,” he said.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is one of the partners and
implementors of the great Program by the government, the Ajira Digital Program,
where we link young people to digital and digitally-enabled work while providing
He noted that one sector that the Ajira Digital program focuses on is the Business Process Outsourcing
(BPO) industry.
BPO is a crucial industry that provides a range of
services to businesses around the world. These services are key due to their benefits such
as increased flexibility, reduced costs, and enhanced service quality, allowing businesses
to refocus on their core activities, and hence deliver incremental value to their
customers and processes.
These benefits together with the need by businesses to survive
in the constantly changing business dynamics drive the growth of the business process
outsourcing market.

The Acting managing director of Kenya investment authority June Chepkemei has continued with exemplary work.

“This morning @JuneChepkemei hosted a Korean delegation together with the Baringo County Government lead by @BenjaminCCheboi! KenInvest is thrilled to facilitate investment from Korean companies looking to enter the Kenyan market

The delegation is seeking for investment opportunities in Baringo and have had a longstanding friendship with the people of Baringo County.

By irene mwende

The Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan Nairobi enumerates the latest developments in the
Sudan, following the Rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)after their failed coup d’etat
that they staged on the 15th of April, 2023

After the expiry of a shorter humanitarian truce, a new one for seven days was agreed upon,
starting from the 4th May, 2023. The two sides agreed principally to hold talks in Saudi Arabia on
the humanitarian situation in the country.
The first humanitarian plane landed in Port Sudan on the 30th April, 2023 carrying medicines and
medical supplies from ICRe. Humanitarian assistance from Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait have
been received in Port Sudan.
Consignments of humanitarian
assistance from other sisterly
countries are expected in the coming days
.
On the other hand, the RSFrebels are continuing their flagrant violations of international law and
international
humanitarian
law by occupying 11 hospitals in Khartoum State and the Central

Medical Laboratory.
They are still detaining families of the army officers, senior officials, and
university professors, including women and children, and using them as human shields. Using
the rooftops of houses as sites for snipers, establishing illegal checkpoints, harassment of civilians
and looting their properties
have not stopped.
Looting of universities, banks, companies,
factories, and other institutions is going on.
The rebels continued their violations against diplomatic missions. The recent incidents were in
attacking and looting the embassies of the Republic of Korea, India, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland,
and Turkey. They also targeted a Turkish plane that was evacuating Turkish citizens.
Life for ordinary citizens in the area cleared from the rebels in Khartoum State is gradually improving

The Sudan Government reiterates that the strongest condemnation of the rebels’ heinous crimes
by the international
community
is of importance to achieving peace and ending the

Kilifi County Speaker the Honorable Teddy Mwambire has taken a moment to share with us his thoughts pertaining county government disbursements.

He notes

“County government disbursements from the national treasury should not be pegged on protests from the Council of Governors or public. Timely disbursements will bring effective delivery of services by counties. Let the national treasury be sensitive and do the expected timely.

Hoping that all the challenges are addressed at the Intergovermental coordination level.”

Renowned real estate entrepreneur and CEO of Optiven
Group, George Wachiuri, has urged forward-thinking investors in Africa and the United States of America (USA) to capitalize on the real estate sector for fostering individual and national socioeconomic progress. Speaking at an investment expo in Washington DC, Wachiuri emphasized that real estate presents the most favorable avenue to drive the revitalization of both personal and countrywide growth.

Wachiuri pointed out the fast-tracked infrastructural expansion, high rate of urbanization, favorable government policies as solid factors that continue to solidify real estate sector as the place to place growing bucks.

Casting light on the fast-tracked infrastructural expansion across Kenyan cities, he pointed out the great development that has recently taken place in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, as a development that has further accelerated the real estate potential in Kenya. He also highlighted upcoming developments such as Silicon Savana-Konza Technopolis, as well as booming towns like Nyeri, Nanyuki, Isiolo, and Kajiado. With the urban population projected to increase significantly, reaching 50% of Africa’s population by 2050, Kenya offers enormous opportunities for real estate investors.

“Nairobi, for example has greatly been transformed by the massive expansion of infrastructure, such as the Nairobi Expressways and the dial-carriage by-passes that now form a ring around the city. These infrastructure initiatives, supported by significant investments, are poised to boost economic growth and attract foreign investors to Kenya’s real estate market,” said Wachiuri.

The OVC Business Expo in Washington DC was organized by ‘One Voice Consortium and brought together investors and entrepreneurs from Africa and the United States, with a particular focus on the African diaspora community.

The event was graced by esteemed speakers, including Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant U.S and Trade Representative for Africa; Roseline Njogu, PS Diaspora Affairs, Kenya; and Lazarus Amayo, Kenya Ambassador to the USA.

Wachiuri noted that Kenya’s latest inroads into infrastructural expansion hasn’t been a preserve for Nairobi. Various counties across the country including Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu have also greatly benefited from great new roads networking.

In fact, infrastructure spending in Kenya is projected to reach Kshs 1.7 trillion (approx. USD 16 billion) by 2025, compared to Kshs 1.1 trillion (approx. USD 10 billion) in 2020. This substantial investment aims to create a conducive environment for businesses and facilitate sustainable economic development in the country. This is according to a recent Deloitte report.

Wachiuri emphasized the favorable government policies on land ownership and capital movement, including long-term leases for foreigners. Additionally, Kenya’s skilled population, proficient in English, French, and Kiswahili, ensures access to competent labor and a conducive work environment.

“The real estate opportunities in Kenya span across several areas. Residential real estate stands out with a staggering housing deficit of 2 million units, which translates to a demand for 200,000 housing units annually. Currently, only 50,000 units are being constructed, leaving a housing gap of 150,000 units per year. The demand for commercial real estate, including residential homes, office spaces, restaurants, business hubs, theme parks, and entertainment joints, is simply massive,” said Wachiuri.

The Kenyan real estate market is a ready plug in offering solution to this affordable housing need and the sector must position itself as a critical player in addressing the housing needs of the population. By attracting foreign direct investment, real estate development in Kenya stimulates economic growth and supports the overall development agenda of the country.

Moreover, he noted, land investments present a significant opportunity in Kenya, with 68% of land still untitled, according to the Kenya Land Alliance. This untitled land holds immense potential for development, necessitating the application of advanced technology, such as geospatial planning, to unlock its value.

Real estate development in Kenya plays a vital role in the country’s socio-economic development. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey
2021, the real estate sector in Kenya grew by 3.2% in 2020, contributing 7.3% to the country’s GDP. Although there was a slight decline in employment numbers, with 213,500 people employed in the sector in 2020 compared to 227,800 in 2019, real estate remains a significant source of employment for many Kenyans.

The Kenyan diaspora community has a substantial impact on Kenya’s real estate sector. In 2020 alone, an estimated 3 billion USD in remittances were sent back home, contributing to the growth of the industry. Recognizing the challenges faced by diaspora investors, Wachiuri acknowledged that some real estate developers in Kenya have been involved in fraudulent activities, resulting in financial losses. However, he encouraged investors to conduct thorough due diligence and collaborate with reputable developers and real estate professionals to ensure the security of their investments and contribute to the socio-economic development of Kenya.

By partnering with reputable developers, conducting due diligence, and embracing sustainable practices, investors can contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic growth while ensuring the security and impact of their real estate investments. As Kenya continues to flourish, bridging business opportunities between Africa and the United States remains essential for mutual prosperity and development.