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Think tanks release report on China’s outlook on human rights

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) — A report examining contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights was released on Monday.

Jointly released by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development and the New China Research under Xinhua News Agency, the report said China’s outlook on human rights has been continuously enriched and improved in practice, with its own cognitive perspective and ideological connotation based on the actual conditions of the country.

It has formed a contemporary Chinese outlook on human rights with “people” as the center, “development” as the driving force and “a life of contentment” as the goal, read the report titled “For a Life of Contentment — The Rationale for China’s Human Rights Development.”

Noting that human rights protection in China means concrete actions, rather than lip service, the report said the country has made achievements step by step, raising the living standards of its people from poverty to bare subsistence, and from moderate prosperity in general to moderate prosperity in all aspects.

Embarking on a journey toward a higher goal of common prosperity, China is committed to providing a “happy and dignified life for some one-fifth of the world’s population,” said the report.

China’s novel ideas, measures and practices in terms of how to respect and protect human rights may also offer inspiration for the rest of the world, especially for developing countries, noted the report.

It attributed China’s success in promoting human rights protection to the determined leadership of the Communist Party of China, down-to-earth approach, being development-oriented, legal guidance, and open-mindedness.

China advocates enhanced exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, addressing the “governance deficit” of human rights, promoting fairer, more equitable, reasonable and inclusive global governance of human rights, and working together to build a human community with a shared future.

https://english.news.cn/20221205/be1e99b6c871492cbd50cc7bfebe9289/c.html

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Relief as five more critically endangered Mountain Bongos are released into Kenya’s programme


The five critically endangered Bongo Mountain species

By Fred Maingi

The wildlife Industry got a massive relief after five Mountain Bongos were released into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary for rewilding at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy .
This brings total number of the Mountain Bongos released into the sanctuary to 10.
The Local Kenyan rewilding programme, according to stakeholders, is on track to have re- introduced 40-50 fully rewilded Mountain Bongos by 2025.
In addition, Five more critically endangered Mountain Bongos have been successfully released into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary.
In March 2022, the first five mountain bongos to have ever been rewilded were successfully released into the sanctuary. The new release brings the total number of rewilded Bongos in 2022 to 10.
The Bongos were released between Friday 25th November and Thursday 1st December, in an intricate procedure that involved selection, capture and translocation, and post-release monitoring to ensure their safe welfare in this sanctuary.
Rewilding is a process of providing suitable conditions that allow the wildlife originally under human care or degrade to regain their wild instincts (for animals) or for an area to regain its natural vegetation cover through succession. Therefore, translocation is a step to rewild, but does not necessarily mean that animals translocated have been rewilded till they completely regain their wild instincts for free survival.
Since the release of five Bongos in March 2022, the sanctuary has already registered one wild bongo birth providing further incentive that the first animals have fully settled in their new home in the wild since the programme began –
The translocation was overseen by Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), who are the government agency supporting the Mountain Bongo Breeding and Rewilding programme.
In line with the Government of Kenya’s Mountain Bongo National Recovery and Action Plan (2019-2023). According to last year’s National Wildlife Census in Kenya, less than 100 Mountain Bongos are left living naturally in the wild.
The International Union of Nature action is taken to address these threats.
The Mountain Bongo is associated with the montane forests in the Kenya highlands and is recorded to have become extinct in Kenya in 1995; critically endangered.

Through the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy’s dedicated conservation work spanning over two decades, Kenya now provides global] leadership in efforts to prevent the extinction of this special antelope. This entails, among other activities, ecosystem restoration work in close
Dr Isaac Lekolool, Head Veterinary Services at KWS, said
“At Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, we have the Bongo program. Currently we are doing the Bongo rehabilitation having set up the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary which was officially launched in the year 2022. For this program we are trying to see how to rewild the semi-captive Mountain Bongo which currently exist within MKWC.
“We currently have 10 Bongos within the Sanctuary and our plan is to introduce 5 individuals after every 6 months until we get a good population in the rewilding Sanctuary.*
“We have teams that are well trained, and we have set up camera traps to do remote monitoring so that we don’t interfere with the animal’s natural movements to monitor these animals are doing well after translocation” he noted.
Ends.

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Tobacco Control & health promotion Alliance urge Government to protect the Industry


Joel Gitali, chairman of Tobacco Control Alliance & Health addresses the media at a Nairobi Hotel where he urged for teamwork to contain the tobacco menace.

By Fred Maingi
The Tobacco control & health promotion Alliance has expressed fear that the number of Kenyans killed by Tobacco through cancer related disease is increasing at an alarming rate.
Joel Gitali, chairman of the Tobacco Control Alliance & Health lauded the Government for banning consumption of Shisha in 2017 but felt the vice is still rampant in some isolated pubs.
He said Kenya is set to lose all the gains of fighting cancer & related disease if remedial measures are not taken by stakeholders to tackle the vice.
Addressing the media at a Nairobi hotel, Gitali flanked by several stakeholders in the Industry, said the fight against Tobacco menace must be taken seriously. He lauded president Dr. William Ruto for showing concern and highlighting the dangers posed by overdrinking.
“Lets support the president,we know he means well for us, “
“When President William Ruto took the oath
of office on September 13,Gitali added, he promised Kenyans the highest
standards of health.
We intend to give full support to the President and his government
to make this a reality.”
“However, he added, we are concerned because despite the promise by the
President, it is likely the number of Kenyans killed by tobacco
through diseases such as cancer will increase.
By the end of this year, exposure to tobacco smoke and other
tobacco products will have killed more than 9,000 Kenyans.
At least 40,000 Kenyans will have been diagnosed with various
forms of cancer, many of them caused by tobacco use. These
estimates come from Kenya’s Ministry of Health and have been
ratified by the World Health Organization.
Ladies and gentlemen, these deaths are preventable.
The country began efforts to fight tobacco use 30 years ago in 1992
when Kenya first participated in the World No Tobacco Day
campaigns. The first tobacco control bill was drafted in 1998.
In 2004, Kenya made history by being the second country (after
Norway) in the world to sign and ratify the WHO Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control on the same day.
After that, Kenya passed the Tobacco Control Act in 2000 “he noted.

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Smart Applications Launches Smart Access: The Customer Virtual

Leading ICT and biometric giant, Smart Applications International Ltd, fondly known as, Smart, today launched a virtual mode of medical access, aimed at enhancing patient experience, providing health on-the-go, and providing instant onboarding support to medical insurers, for enhanced provider transparency in healthcare administration.

The virtual access will be available on both a newly developed app dubbed Smart Access and through the short code *891# for Safaricom subscribers.

Smart has been providing biometric smart cards to all its clientele as the mode of identification for access to medical services installed in over 6,000 healthcare facilities across Africa. With the growing adoption of mobile technology globally the Smart Access will be a timely upgrade from physical biometric smart cards to virtual access.

Through the app, patients will be able to access healthcare insurance, view utilisation of their covers instantly, read informational articles about their health, and geolocate their healthcare providers of choice at the tap of their screens. This service will be available in the 11 countries that Smart currently operates in.

Speaking during the launch, Smart Applications International, Managing Director, Mr. Harrison Muiru, noted that, “millions of Smart customers will now be able to use virtual access to pay for services across all lines of healthcare. We are cognizant of creating transformative patient centric solutions that address current needs in such economic times”.

Mr. Muiru further noted, “Our team has worked on the Smart Access App to ensure that this unique and comprehensive solution offers accurate users an opportunity to manage access health education on various topics of interest, check for closest medical providers with specified services These features will go a long way in the promotion of trust within the healthcare ecosystem”.

“With our newly launched app, a customer traveling through the 11 countries covered by Smart can access healthcare by using the app across all lines of healthcare without having to worry about pre-authorization or even coverage,” said Esther Muiruri, Sales & Marketing Director, Smart Applications International. Smart Applications is committed towards pioneering digitization across Africa and beyond through provision of World Class Technology Solutions

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Cheers as Chumz brings smile to football fans with a milestone plan


L-R Chumz Operations Analyst Velma Cherotich, CEO Samuel Njuguna and Software Engineer Evans Munene during the launch of #SuperFans Challenge feature on Chumz App

By Fred Maingi

Football fans will get a rare treat after Chumz, a mobile app came up with a plan that will enable football fans to save money incase their team win, lose or draw. during the ongoing World Cup.
The App will allow Kenyans to invest as little as Ksh 5. The App launched comprise of in-app feature that will enable football fans save money while cheering on their favorite teams.
Dubbed #SuperFans Challenge, football fans can decide what amount of money they want to save should the team they are supporting win, lose or draw throughout the World Cup and Premier League season.
“We are excited to launch this functionality in the Chumz App especially around this time when the World Cup is ongoing and people are investing more time and money to follow the world’s biggest sports event,” noted Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Moneto Ventures Ltd, Chumz App developers.
“As part of discouraging consumerism and encouraging a saving and investment culture especially among the youth, we are challenging Kenyans to enjoy the game but also save a dedicated amount of money on the Chumz app which will earn them interest whilst creating lasting memories,” he added.
The launch comes in the midst of the ongoing Fifa World Cup which is being watched by billions of people across the world.


Teams that have already qualified for the round include African champions Senegal, reigning World Cup champions France, record winners Brazil, European champions Portugal as well as England and the Netherlands. African teams are still in with a shout with Ghana and Morocco placed second in their groups while Cameroon will advance to the knockout stages should they win their final group encounter against Brazil.
“We are rooting for our African brothers and hoping they go far. We hope Kenya will get there some day but until then, we want help put down an efficient saving structure for sports lovers,” said Njuguna.
The Chumz App allows anyone with a mobile money account to be able to create financial goals as an individual or as a group, invest their money towards the goals, and to track progress and earn interest.

Chumz Software Engineer Evans Munene, CEO Samuel Njuguna and CFO Titus Marenye during the launch of #SuperFansChallenge
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INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT HONORS & CELEBRATES THE SUCCESS OF CS ELIUD OWALO

Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy Hon. Eliud Owalo

by Maximilla Wafula

Mr. Philip Dalmas of Institute of Human Resource Management led other Fellows of the Institute of Human Resource Management, CEOs and Business men during the congratulatory breakfast meeting in honour of Hon. Eliud Owalo , Cabinet Secretary Information , Communication and Digital Economy at Safari Club Towers Nairabi . This opens the path for more people to access opportunities and in this case it raises the profile of the HR professionals in the Country .

This occasion provided a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the growth of the profession, 35 years since this wonderful institution was established and 10 years since the enactment of the HRMP Act No. 52 of 2012. We stand on the shoulders of great men and women who have devoted themselves to the growth of the HR profession and I am pleased to see some of them in this room. Said Mr.Philip Dalmas.

Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo is a vastly experienced HR professional, Management Consultant, Economist, and Strategy expert. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Management, from the University of Nairobi and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Human Resources Management, from the same University

The Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo appreciated the leadership of the Institute of Human Resource Management, led by the National Chairman CHRP Odero Phillip Dalmas. “I do not take for granted the honor you have bestowed upon me by hosting this breakfast in my honor” . I am a proud HR professional who has consulted and advised organizations and governments on matters of people management.
I will be calling upon many different categories of professionals to support the effort to migrate into the digital working space, CS said.

We must reimagine the future and reengineer ourselves for it. We must be predictive and create our own spaces, into and in, that future. We must also develop the right attitudes towards technology and not resist change. with people

From the development of the digital infrastructure to digital skills we need the human resource. It is important for us that this resource will be home-grown. I call upon HR professionals to reimagine the jobs and the competencies that are required for the new digital world.

I encourage us to embrace the opportunities that technology and the digital economy present in supporting the youth through coaching and mentorship using available technology platforms. As a Ministry, we will endeavor to engage HR professionals through the professional body as we design, develop and implement initiatives for the benefit of our beloved country.

I call upon the leadership of the institute to create a pool of HR professionals who can advise the state and non-state actors on matters of people management, productivity and skill development for the digital economy. I will gladly spearhead the initiatives where IHRM can collaborate with other stakeholders in an effort to transform the development and management of our workforce in order to remain competitive in the global scene .
Ends …

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Highchem Pharmaceutical company opens the biggest Manufacturing Unit for Veterinary products

By Jeff kizzilah

Highchem pharmaceutical company has been in the healthcare business since 1999.

“As a company our customers are our priority through ups and downs we have always devoted to improve health and productivity in veterinary and home care,”According to Mr. Wachira Maina ,E.A MD for HighChem group.

Speaking when he presided over the grand opening, Mr. Wachira said this is big milestone for us and to the customers,” he added

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Zamara Group Kicks off Discussions on The Road to Universal Health Coverage


By Steve El Sabai

Nairobi, Kenya… 29th November, 2022…. Stakeholders have been urged to build from the basic primary healthcare level in the journey to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during a stakeholder’s breakfast meeting to chart the way forward on Kenya’s road to UHC, Samantha Weya, the Healthcare Consulting Lead at Zamara Actuaries said that there was a need for an increased engagement at the grassroot level to aid in developing healthcare systems that best address population needs. “Our systems as industry players should be built with patients at the center and focus on data driven solutions to improve primary health challenges”.
Speaking during the panel discussion, Dr. Elizabeth Wangia, UHC secretariat, Ministry of Health said, “the journey to achieving universal healthcare is a significant component of our 2030 sustainable goals thus merits our attention and participation as key stakeholders. The journey is not easy, as we have heard, but we are taking steps in the right direction, and the country’s leadership is committed to delivering UHC.”
Dr. Wangia urged the private sector to put an emphasis on primary healthcare and come up with solutions to aid patients to take care of their health concerns.

“There is no way to accelerate healthcare solutions other than digitization which is a government priority. This is achievable through collaborations with private healthcare players, she said, adding that there was a big role for private health insurers to play in the pursuit of UHC in the country.

“With regulatory support from the government, there is space for insurers to provide more affordable products that cater to the mass market by providing benefits beyond the essential benefits under UHC,” she added.

The NHIF (Amendment) Act 2022 was created as a result of the 2021 NHIF Bill, which established the legislative foundation for Kenya to achieve UHC, becoming law in 2022. The Kenyan UHC program began in 2018 as a pilot program in four of Kenya’s 47 sub-national governments (Ministry of Health of Kenya 2018).

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Nairobi bar owners ask for forgiveness

Nairobi bar owners on Tuesday asked for forgiveness from  President William Ruto, Governor Johnson Sakaja  as well as residents of Nairobi.

Boniface Gachoka, secretary general of National Bar Owners Association (BAHLITA) said that most of their members have complied with the noise regulations in residential areas.

“Today  we have come to ask forgiveness from the  president,  governor and Nairobi residents,” Gachoka said.

He called on the governor to establish a taskforce to investigate clubs that are   breaking the noise regulations.

He noted that the bar closure has affected 3900 bars and 256,000 people has lost their jobs directly and indirectly so far.

BAHLITA said that their short term measure is to appoint an environmental expert so that bars can follow the law.

“We want to concentrate on friendship with Nairobi residents,” he said.

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OPERATION LINDA UGATUZI LAUNCH A NATIONWIDE SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Dr. Fed Ogola Governance Expert

by Maximilla Wafula

Governance Expert Dr. Fred Ogola , today led other learned professional, prof. Charles Oloo , Dr. Churchil Saoke , Amorell Juliana and Dr. Baba Zuri of Kenya University Students Organization President and other Stakeholders during the Launch of Nationwide Signature Collection for the proposed constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill , 2022 at the Bomas of Kenya .

This Bill is a culmination of nationwide consultations and deliberations through forums as “Bunge LA Mwanachi “and town hall meetings with professional bodies , private sectors players , Civil Society and the Media . The discussions culminated into proposals for constitutional changes structure into the following thematic areas and spread across .

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The proposed changes span across the following key thematic areas , namely accountability, youth and persons living with disability , leadership and integrity , representation of the people , Devolution and Public Finance . Food security , healthcare , education and other fundamental rights , and not for individual enrichment . We have entrusted some people , the public servants to look after these billions for the benefit of you and me feeling of pinch which comes when Kenyans sleeps hungry and not managed to pay school fees .

Operation Linda Ugatuzi believes that together we can form the Government of the people for the people, and not for the wolves , it is common knowledge that those who tried entering the government through the BBI and those who managed to enter the government by blocking BBI both used public resources. Fortunately for both parties they got positions with which to comfort themselves , while we , the common people of Kenya , went home with higher taxes , heavy bills and more and more debt to pay .

This proposed amendment bill will ensure that even the common man and woman comes comes out of election with something to divide rather than leaving divided .

Following the nationwide consultations and deliberations through forums of Bunge LA Mwanachi and town hall meetings with professionals , we therefore proposed the following amendments .

Ends .