Kenya Top Stories

Categories
Uncategorized

Oracle Academy,Innovate UK KTN, Global Alliance Africa recognized during African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation -ASENTI 2022

by Maximilla Wafula

The 8th African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation- ASENTI was hosted at The Boma Hotel in Nairobi Kenya in November 10-11.
The summit brought together 100 physical and 200 online attendees for the two days. The summit was in partnership with Oracle Academy Innovate UK. Mindlands Enterprises and Midlands UK.
The summit brought together delegates from over 10 countries UK, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Benin, Zambia, USA, Italy, Somaliland and Uganda
Oracle Academy was recognize for the exemplary work they are doing in the education sector in Kenya especially with a focus on working with the Universities in Kenya and beyond.
During the conference Ms. Bekere Amassoma, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Sub Saharan Africa shared on how partnerships with both the Institution of higher learning will be key in advancing digital learning
Blending Education and Technology; enhancing digital learning for higher education in Africa.
Moderator by Sofina Merinyo Education, ITF- Kenya
Panel speakers:
• Bekere Amassoma – Oracle Academy Program Manager, Sub Saharan Africa
• Mr. John Ngila-Social Entrepreneurship Lead, Africa Nazarene University-Kenya
• Helen Donnellan- Prof Vice-Chancellor Regional Business and Innovation
De Montfort University, Director Midlands Enterprise Universities (MEU)
• Dr. Jeremy Hague Nottingham Trent University, Director of Knowledge Exchange

The The Agripreneurship session youth specific efforts to enforce the role of young people in African agricultural transformation for sustainable food systems.
Presentation; Sheila Birgen Country Lead- Innovate UK-Kenya
Moderated by Wafulla T. Nekesah – Business Development Manager, Crop Nutrition Laboratory services (Cropnuts), Kenya
Panel speakers:
● Noah Nasiali- Kadima, CEO A farmer Media
● Stephen Mwongela, the Founder & CEO, Plusfarm Kenya.
● Lynn Odiwo- Co-founder-Nature’s Best Green Culture-Kenya
Sheila Birgen focused on the need for more youth to get involved in agribusiness and the role of Innovate UK KTN in Kenya’s agribusiness space.

Next year’s African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation-ASENTI 2023 will be hosted in South Africa.

Categories
Uncategorized

Two illicit brew traders nabbed in Nairobi’s Umoja 1 estate


The long arm of the Government caught up with two traders at Umoja 1 Area E at the famous peacock stage red handed with over 40 gallons of illicit brew.

By Fred Maingi
Two traders in Umoja 1 estate will spend the long festivities in tears after they were arrested with over 40 gallons of illicit brew suspected to be the dreaded Ethanol stuff.
Acting on a tip- off, the duo a man and a lady were caught unaware at Umoja one Peacock stage Area E by a high powered security team led by KRA County officials, BuruBuru D. C. I Inspector Koech, and Assistant county commissioner, a one Celestine.
Others who were in the crackdown team included area chief Shaban Juma, Ass. Chief Veronica Mueni, ward and Administration officers and public health officials.
The suspects were also caught with fake KRA stamps.
A KRA official said they will tighten surveillance in Nairobi County.

The crackdown at Umoja 1 caught residents unaware . The two suspects were taken to Buruburu Police Station for further interrogation and subsequent arraignment in court.
Area chief(Shaban Juma) clarified that the incident was perhaps the first one to occur in the area. He urged area administrators to be vigilant and thanked residents for availing the information.


A combined security team involving Buruburu D. C 1,KRA officials and Umoja local administration led by area Chief Shaban Juma led the team in flushing out the two suspects.


Neighbouring residents said they were not aware illicit brew trade was rampabt in the area.
One mother who did not disclose her name said of late their cars ave been vandalised during the night only to wake up and realise sidemirrors, tyres and car lights were missing.
The residents thanked the combined effort of BuruBuru and Umoja local administration for the crackdown which they said will eliminate crime and mantain peace and security in the area.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been in the forefront fighting against local pubs for playing loud music and stamping on illegal illicit brews.

Categories
Uncategorized

Cheers as Opera Mini storms Google Play Store to settle at the top


By Fred Maingi
Opera Mini followers will celebrate the looming festivities in great style after their favourite browser was nominated as the top downloaded Application in the country.
Their top position was determined by the success of the
Opera’s “Shake and Win” campaign.
The
Opera Mini – the data-saving browser already boasts over 100 million users across Africa.
Dedicated to football’s greatest celebration, the World Cup, “Shake and Win” offered Opera fans the chance to win over $300,000 in prizes.
Users needed only to shake their phone to potentially win airtime from popular providers, cash prizes, or brand-new phones.
Africans responded enthusiastically to the excitement of this year’s Workd Cup unforgettable tournament: Over 13 million people participated across the continent, shaking their phones over 1,000,000 times a day. More than 200,000 prizes have been won, with many grateful users taking to social media to comment on how much fun they’ve had with “Shake and Win.”
Kenyans were especially caught up in the spirit of the fun, with daily shakes peaking at over 1,000,000 shakes in the app for the entire campaign across markets, and over 53,000 prizes given away in Kenya alone.
According to the organisers, New Kenyan users downloaded Opera Mini immensely whereby it was not a surprise to cruise to number one in the Google Play Store.
Opera Mini is a unique, data-saving browser built with the needs of Africans in mind.
In recognition of the extremely high data costs on the continent, it allows users to save up to 90% of their data. Moreover, Opera always adds new features to the browser to craft the best online experience possible: there’s an integrated messenger, regular campaigns offering free data, and now live scores of football games and news about the latest matches, to name just a few.

“The ‘Shake & Win’ campaign was a huge success. Football fans in Kenya should continue to keep their eyes on Opera Mini, since we plan to continue bringing amazing user experiences to football fans there, especially with the return of the Premier League just around the corner,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera.
Opera Mini is an important component of Opera’s Africa First strategy. Announced in December 2017, the company has pledged to develop mobile products and services tailored first and foremost to the needs of the African consumer.
“We’ll keep the ball rolling in 2023 as we continue to bring Kenyans updates and products that are fast, efficient, and focused on our users. “noted Arnesen.

Categories
Uncategorized

Geopolitical Competition: Why Africa Must be Strategic and Proactive

by Josephat Juma


The ongoing fever-pitch global tension and fear occasioned by competition among major political and economic powers of the world is not new. It dates back to naval wars to control sea trade routes, control global resources and flaunt power.
This was observed by policy makers, academia, lawyers, political analysts, business and Foundations during the 20th IREN Africa Resource Bank Forum that was held in Nairobi on 14th December 2022. The forum themed: “A New Game? Situating Africa in Strategic Geopolitical Competition;” was co-sponsored by The Friedrich Naumann Foundation – a German political Foundation.
Geopolitical competition in Africa is as old as the continent. Global powers have competed to tailor Africa’s social, cultural, political, and economic landscape in an effort to secure their geopolitical interests. The Scramble for Africa, which took place between the years 1881 and 1914, represents the single most consequential illustration of geopolitical competition playing out within the African continent. The process, which culminated in the rapid invasion, annexation, partitioning, and colonisation of most of Africa by Western European powers, inspired African states to appreciate the need for strategic geographical alliances to stand up to exploitation and further their shared interests. The Cold War era (1947 – 1989) also saw the Union of Social Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R) and the United States fiercely compete for geopolitical influence across Africa in the wake of the conclusion of World War II.
The participants noted that the unipolar World is fast receding as liberalism and Western hegemony comes under increased scrutiny for failure to guarantee delivery of good socio-political and economic outcomes. Further, global upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; climate change; democratization of access to information by use of digital technology and the raw narrative wars by big powers place Africa in a precarious position.
Consequently, there is a litany of geographic alliances across Africa formed specifically to shore up nation states’ bargaining power and standing within the international community even as China, Russia, the United States, Europe, and Gulf states seek to strengthen their influence across the region.
The just concluded 20th IREN Africa Resource Bank Forum resolved that no new game is at play, rather, new players are actively displacing old ones on the African scene.
A contest between new players whose activities range from investments, trade, finance, technology, and education and display of power are rapidly gaining ground against the 500-year-old West’s grip on Africa. The short run impact of this contest on Africa is disruption of supply chains, inflation, turmoil in financial markets, energy crises, food insecurity, reversal on skills gains and ultimately socio-political tensions.
Participants observed that due to inherent fear of displacement by new actors in the arena of big power politics, Africa has become a battlefield of clashing systems.
The forum participants proposed a number of measures that Africa should take in the ongoing geopolitical contest.
To begin with, it is urgent that African leaders, intellectuals and academia, take time to reflect and develop a position from which Africa can navigate the ongoing strategic geopolitical competitions. A joint foreign relations strategy that draws from Africa’s experience in history and an eye on Africa’s own interests should be of the continent’s top priority.
Second, it is important that Africa crafts a strategy to convert the rational fear by global powers into a geopolitical advantage for the continent. Uganda, for example, is strategically using the refugee crisis to leverage its bargaining position globally.
Third, Africa ought to use its natural resource ability, intellectual resource, and multiple players courting the continent as a bargaining tool for a win-win deal for Africa. The question should be, who has better strategic offers that address Africa’s long term interests? Africa should not rely on single partners. In the ongoing predator-victim contest, Africa must strategically avoid being the victim.
Fourth, it is crucial that Africa takes its agency to another level, stop thinking along colonial formations and pursue its agenda 2063 roadmap.
Fifth, Africa must learn from history to comprehend what makes the big powers tick. Whether it is a mixture of bandwagoning, neutrality, power balancing or hedging, Africa must choose a strategy that works for it.
Sixth, nearly 80% of global trade and transactions is dominated in United States of America dollars. Due to sanctions occasioned by the Russia-Ukraine war, many nations are rethinking the use of the dollar. The dollar’s share is currently falling gradually as evolution of markets and technology weaken its market share in global payments. Can Africa cash in on the rise of central bank digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, and other innovations to shore up an African currency?
Seventh, Africa should capacity build and position its bulging population projected to be 2.5 billion by 2050 to be strategic players in the comity of nations.
Eighth, Africa should not isolate itself from the world. However, it should look inward, enhance intra-Africa trade, and strengthen the “morning economy” that draws inspiration from Africa’s production rhythm and culture to proactively plug into global markets.

Categories
Uncategorized

Taxi saccos vow to unite under new Ridehail Transport Association

Ridehail Transport Association Secretary General Wycliffe Alutala addresses the media at a Ngong Hotel during an end year party cum AGM. He is flanked by top brass officials that included National Chairman Daniel “Mamba ” Manga, Vice chairman David Muteru among others.


By Fred Maingi
History has been made in Kenya’s digital taxi ailing industry after the Taxi drivers and car owners agreed to unite and work together under the newly formed Ridehail Transport Association.
Over 12 driver led saccos drawn from various counties who met at a Ngong Hotel entered into partnership to work under the Association.
Through Ridehail Transport partnership, members felt they will benefit alot and in the process clear all the huddles which existed before.
The 12 saccos that attended the meeting were drawn from Mombasa, Kajiado, Machakos, Naivasha,Nairobi and Mombasa among others.
Ridehail Transport Association Chairman Daniel”Mamba” Manga termed the new partnership as a game changer. He blamed App companies for taking advantage of their disunity to undermine and torture members with low payment and poor working environment.
The Ridehail association spokesperson Wycliffe Alutalala said members have agreed to work together under Ridehail Association for the benefit of their members.
Despite licensing seven firms, Alutalala appealed to the National Transport Authority(NTSA) to move with speed and act on Apps which are not licensed to be switched off.

Yego Mobility CEO Karani Vir Singh says his firm is excited to work with drivers and car owners in Kenya.


Vice chairman David Muteru said the Industry has a bright future under the new umbrella body.He urged other saccos to join the movement which he noted will listen, accomodate and address all issues facing their members.
A member Lance Marley expressed confidence that members will benefit alot from the new partnership. He accused foreign Apps for divide and rule tactics that targeted to deal with drivers individually
“Our rights as drivers, he added, will be respected under the new partnership .We want to work together under the new Association so that sanity can be achieved. All our complains previously landed on deaf ears but now we have a road map that will guide us”
A member Julius Adongo who is the chairman of Magadi Road online sacco from Kajiado noted with pride that members will benefit alot aiming to make the Industry vibrant and accomodative.
The meeting was also graced by Karani Vir Singh who is the CEO Yego mobility. He said he was excited to work with drivers and car owners in Kenya for the betterment of their lives. Yego mobility is one of the licensed application companies that started in Rwanda 12 years ago and has been in Kenyan market for the last 7 weeks and has a driver workforce of 12,000 drivers.

Categories
Uncategorized

Beauty Brand, Body Shop Opens a New Store


By Njeri Irungu

Global beauty brand, The Body Shop, has opened a new store in Village Market Mall along Limuru Road Nairobi.Tge entrance into the Kenyan market aims to meet the growing demand for ethically and sustainably produced beauty products.

The British-founded, change making beauty brand which retails over 800 products opens its first outlet in Nairobi at the Village Market through their exclusive franchisee, The Mask Retailers. The Body Shop has also disclosed plans to launch an e-commerce platform in 2023 to enable consumers in the East Africa region easier access to their products.

Sarah Jackson, The Body Shop EMEA & LatAm Franchise Business Director said about the launch: “Kenya is a fast developing economy which is well positioned to attract global brands aiming to strategically have a share of this market. The Kenyan consumer deeply cares about how ethically and socially conscious a business is across its entire value chain and also value for their money. The Body Shop is bringing the consumer over 800 products that meet their need for high-quality, naturally-inspired skincare, hair care and make-up, produced ethically and sustainably”.

Famous for its high-quality naturally-inspired cosmetic and toiletry products, The Body Shop is known all over the world for pioneering the philosophy that business can be a force for good, for launching new standards of ethics in business and for its consistency in campaigning for change on behalf of those without an effective voice. Some of their products are locally sourced from Mt. Kenya and the East Coast regions in Kenya.

Ms Jackson added: “The Body Shop Kenya store has been designed around the brand’s strategy to minimise its environmental footprint. It has been built with reclaimed wood and recycled plastics destined for landfill. The facade is made from zinc/aluminium-low energy metal that is infinitely recyclable and worktops are 100% recycled wood. Customers can also purchase a refillable 300ml aluminium bottle and fill it up with any of 12 brand’s best-loved shower gels, shampoos, conditioners and hand washes”.

In 2020, The Body Shop started sourcing tea tree oil from the foothills of Mount Kenya and the east coast region working with the Kutoka Ardhini (‘from the ground’ in Swahili) group which supplies the key ingredient from a network of over 1,000 farmers. This is implemented through The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade programme that helps producers gain market access and invest in social and environmental projects that benefit their communities. Over 13,500 farmers, producers and artisans are part of the Community Fair Trade programme globally.

Besides supporting farmers in the community, The Body Shop, as part of its Christmas community support, is running an activism campaign dubbed ‘Be Seen. Be Heard’, to amplify young voices in the halls of power. Each purchase over the Christmas period will help The Body Shop donate a minimum of £500,000 to organisations across the globe that support young people who are contributing to their communities to make the world a fairer, more wonderful place.

Categories
Uncategorized

Forum on on RPL for Solar Skills held in Nairobi

Forum on recognition of prior learning (RPL) for Solar Skills was held in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.

The event brought together more than 50 stakeholders in the education and energy sectors.

The half day conference was organized by Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) in collaboration with the International Labour
Organization (ILO), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Habitat for Humanity (HFH), and the Toolkit
iSkills (TTI) under the theme: “Unlocking Job Opportunities for Youth in Solar Energy Kenya”.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) means a person gets their skills
recognized, assessed and certified. In the case of solar energy, RPL enables the youth engaging in solar work to get licensed and comply with the law which requires all solar installers to be certified and licensed. As such, solar companies can only give job opportunities to solar technicians who are certified.

Dr Alice Kande (Ag. Director General- KNQA), Caroline Njuki (Officer in Charge & Chief Technical Advisor – ILO), Jane Muigai-Kamphuis (Director/Founder – Toolkit iSkills) and other key
stakeholders attended the event.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has spearheaded the roll out of Kenya’s RPL Policy and key successes include assessment of youth in construction trades and more recently, assessment of solar skills.

During the event the stakeholders proposed the inclusion of the Solar Energy Sector in the Recognition of Prior Learning Process.

Categories
Uncategorized

Ian Mutwiri appeals to Kenyans to invest and use herbal products



By Fred Maingi
Meru born Ian Mutwiri has appealed to Kenyans to invest in herbal products which he believes are effective in containing chronic diseases.
Mutwiri who operates from Redhill in Kiambu has been supplying and distributing his herbal pastes to various supermarkets, individuals according to orders.
His products which are approved by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) include herbal juices which are ready to drink.
His products are effective in treating chronic ailments like Blood Sugar, heart related diseases, blood pressure, cancer, and containing covid pandemic among others
Mutwiri feels all treatment, vaccination, examination and services should be provided free of charge or at a very low cost since the Government collects taxes from Kenyans.
Ian Farm House, a processor of tamarind fruit products was founded in 2018 purely for value addition purposes.
He began his business in a tiny kitchen in lower kabete where he started by making 250 grams Tamarind paste.
He owned only a meko and small cooking pots. Mutwiri was not sure that people would buy his products.
Mutwiri started by selling it to his neighbors and friends.
Three months later, more people started requesting for the product, as demand increased, it made sense to brand and commercialise the product.He did his labels and migrated to glass jars.
Mwaniki said his business was boosted in 2019 when KEBS approved the Tamarind Paste ready for market.The feedback from his clients gave him confidence to progress.
He delivered samples to big stores in Nairobi and succeeded in penetrating the Healthy U stores which deals with quality organic products.
He went on to add “We sold 350 grams jars, during the onset of the pandemic. Coincidentally, people realised our products were good for boosting the immune system”

Ian Mutwiri – has done wonders with his herbal products. His juices are effective in containing chronic disease like blood pressure and diabetes among others. He can be reached on 0720 864 659

“Early 2021, mutwiri added, we simplified the product to expand our reach and appeal.
Business grew and we launched a premier product,our ready-to-drink Marisha juice which has different exciting flavours. It is ideal for road trips, post workouts, kids, office and as a whisky accompaniment”he noted

Categories
Uncategorized

Samchi Group CEO to sponsor 10,000 trees


Samchi Group of companies CEO Dr. Esther Muchemi helps young boy Emmanuel Kerr in planting seedlings at the Nairobi City park

By Fred Maingi

Samchi Group of companies is targeting to plant 10,000 tree seedlings by end of the year 2023
Samchi group CEO Dr. Esther Muchemi further disclosed that she will personally spear head the tree planting exercise.

The CEOs attention was captured by a 5 year old Environmentalist, Emmanuel Kerr who has so far planted 450 trees in various parts of the country.
“My team and I will continue to support Emmanuel. I pledge our resources to see to it that Emmanuel realizes his dream.
My company will sponsor 700 trees for Emmanuel to continue with his dream. And as part of our 2023 CSR, we will plant 10,000 trees by December” Said Muchemi.
The CEO was Speaking at City Park where she had joined other passionate Environmentalists to celebrate Emmanuel’s graduation to grade 1.

Emmanuel’s father, Mr Caleb Otieno lauded his son saying, My son’s future looks bright. I can only play my part as a Father and support my sons dream.”

Categories
Uncategorized

Rahab urges women to be custodian of their families

Maendeleo ya wanawake National Chairperson Rahab Muiu Mwikali addresses members during a consultative meeting to mark the 16 day of activism against gender based violence at Maendeleo ya Wanawake House in Nairobi

By Fred Maingi
Maendeleo ya Wanawake women organisation (MYWO) has urged women
to be custodian of their families.
Mywo National chairperson Rahab Muiu Mwikali urged women not to run away from their responsibilities when faced with domestic misunderstanding and leave children behind s with their father.
“If the marriage is unbearable, there is no need to kill one another. Immorality has gone up while integrity has gone down. Let women be the custodian of their families” observed Mwikali.
She spoke during a consultative meeting to mark the 16 day of activism against gender based violence(GBV) held at the Mywo headquarters.


She was flanked by the entire Executive led by CEO Isabella Ndolo, National Secretary General Elizabeth Mayieka,National treasurer Susan Owino and Commisioner Purity Muthoni Ngunjiri among other county representatives. The National Chairperson while lauding the Government for advocating zero tolerance against FGM and gender based violence issues attributed Poverty as the major issue affecting many families.
“We shall work, and support the Government led by President Dr. William Ruto, churches including Sheikhs, and stakeholders from all sectors”she noted. Speakers urged members to be on the frontline by leading the war against violence against women and remain firm in their decision s.

Mywo CEO Isabella Ndolo addressing the gathering.