Author: staff reporter

by Maximilla Wafula

Deputy Executive Secretary Ambassador Amb .Yasir Ibrahim Ali Mohammed at the youth forum general assembly in the Republic of Kenya , to address distinguished youth delegates from the 12 ICGLR Member States. Today he is seeing a much, much, brighter future for the Great Lakes region.

He thanked the Government of the Republic of Kenya for their warm hospitality. He also recorded his deepest appreciation to all Partners, the United Nations agencies in particular UNFPA for their strong and unfettered support over the years. Furthermore, he welcomed all to the Youth Forum General Assembly. bringing to all warm greetings from H.E Amb Samuel João Caholo, the Executive Secretary of the ICGLR.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The great Lakes Region is home to young people, who make up close to 75% its the population. The region has the largest youth generation in history. However, many of the young people face many socio-economic challenges. The majority of the young people are living in poverty. Youth unemployment is unacceptably high and reaching alarming levels in several Member States. This situation is leading many of our young people to fall victim to exploitation, violence and radicalisation.

These political and socio-economic challenges facing the region and its people are surmountable. They can be resolved. We should never fall to the illusion that we cannot overcome these challenges if we work together. If you, the youth, work together with determination and discipline, these challenges could be resolved in your generation. I have full confidence because young people are full of innovative ideas and energy.

Thus, as a region, we hold a strong view that we have a duty not only to recognise this reality but also to understand that in such demographic realities, the youth hold enormous potential for change and positive action. Thus, as ICGLR, we believe that we will not attain stability, security and peace as well as sustainable development if the young people are not fully and meaningfully involved in all processes of decision-making. However, our young people will not fully and meaningfully influence decisions if the region does not invest in their education, health and security.

The holding of the General Assembly is a testimony that your leadership matters and is needed now more than ever before. As a region, we have prioritised youth issues and matters. This could be attested by the decision of the Heads of State and Government to establish the Youth Forum and to establish a physical Youth Forum Secretariat in the Nairobi, with the signing of the Host Country Agreement early this year. Join me to applaud the Republic of Kenya for offering to host the Youth Forum Secretariat and operationalise it for next two years.

In order to concretise and operationalise the Youth Forum Secretariat, this Assembly has a role to vote in a new Executive Committee, in accordance with the Youth Forum Accord signed by the 12 Member States. You also have a duty to consider and finalise the Youth Forum Secretariat Strategic Plan (2022 to 2026), which will serve as a blueprint to guide the secretariat and young people in driving its agenda in the next 5 years in tandem with the Pact on Security, Stability and Development.

In attendance was Honourable Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Republic of Kenya.
Representative of the UNFPA,
Representative of the Office of Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region.

He thanked the outgoing executive committee for steering the Forum from its infancy to this point where it’s able to walk. As we go into electing new leadership, we need to learn from the of the old executive, to remain united and be on the same page for growth and development. It is through dialogue and consensus in our decisions that we are going to contribute to attaining the overall ICGLR mandate. As your Secretariat, we remain committed to facilitating your activities. However, we call upon you to continue to build and respect ICGLR image.

In conclusion, it is my hope that this Assembly of great minds will provide a platform to enhance discourse while ensuring that we share lessons and experiences. I therefore wish you all fruitful deliberations and look forward to receiving the outcomes and more importantly, the continued engagement on this matter.
Ends

By Fred Maingi
The Akurino na Hussler movement have vowed to support and work with President Dr. William Ruto’s Government to realise their vision and target.
Led by their Chairman Jeremy Mburu and Secretary General Shawn Francis, the Akurino members said they are fully behind the Hussler Government adding that they ave confidence the Kenya Kwanza Government will achieve their promises and be accountable to Kenyans.
Addressing the media at the Blue Springs Hotel, Thika road, the group appealed to the National and County Government to consider employing the Akurino members since they ave the skill, knowledge,and experience in good Governance.
The chairman ( Jeremy Mburu) who vied for the MCA seat at Githurai/Mwiki ward said they ave confidence with the President he will deliver and give Kenyans a new path of development.
The secretary General (Shawn Francis) who aspired as an MCA for the Kitsuru Ward lauded Nairobi Governor Hon. Johnson Sakaja for his endeavor to cleanup Nairobi while pleading with him to include Akurino members in their administration
Other officials in attendance were Priscilla Irungu who is the National Treasurer, Johnson Nderi(cordinator) from Matopeni ward, John Mwangi and Simon Waweru among other members.
Priscilla Irungu urged the Government to intervene and address Water scarcity, in draughts stricken counties that has resulted with death of livestock.

By Maximilla Wafula

Today the Leading retailer Naivas Supermarket makes a grand maiden entry into Meru town. The retailer opens its door to this 86th outlet at Greenwood Mall in Meru Town.
The new outlet foodmarket and the first Naivas outlet in Meru County, covers 34,000 square feet
of trading space. The foodmarket concept guarantees an aesthetically pleasing shopping experience
in line with Naivas mission of offering a world class shopping experience.
“You requested, we heard you and we are finally here. They say good things take time, this branch
has been a long-standing request by our shoppers, and it is for this reason we had to take our time to deliver an outlet that not only speaks to the needs of Ameru people but one that will exceed each one of their expectations. For us, it is not just about providing a platform for retail trade but complementing the lifestyles of those who seek our services by offering an experience through our excellent product selection delivered with a touch of authentic Kenyan hospitality,” said Willy
Kimani, Naivas Chief Commercial.

“This opening comes at a very exciting period and at just the right time to join the Kikwetu
Campaign dubbed Kikombe Kikwetu . The campaign will see to it that as we mark the FIFA World Cup 2022 and approach the festive season our customers are well stocked and set to host the sherehez with friends and Family.

Chief Commercial Officer Naivas Willy Kimani – recognizes the presence of Executive Director Real estate, Fusion Capital , James Maclean, Supplier representative Mwenda Thuranira and the Chief Guest Kenneth Gitonga , CEO Meru Central Diaries LTD.

The retailer Naivas Supermarket has amazing offers across all its stores for all our
shoppers and for our Reward Cardholders , we have amazing giveaways including vouchers ,World
cup merchandise and of course the signature Naivas G.O.A.T,” concluded Willy Kimani.
The next store in line of being opened include; Kahawa Sukari, Ruai and Ojijo
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by Maximilla Wafula

Today Naivas Supermarket launched its annual Festive Season Campaign referred
to as Kikwetu. This year’s Kikwetu is the 12th edition since its inception in 2011.

Over the years, the retailer has endeavored to remain authentically Kenyan while delivering
memorable experiences to customers through thematic campaigns during the festive season and this year is not any different. This is the first festive season where Kenyans can host events and congregate with loved ones without any restrictions whatsoever since 2019 and to top it all we have the Fifa World Cup 2022, a major sporting event that drives global excitement and you can bet that
this year’s Kikwetu is going to be bigger and better!

The campaign this year is dubbed “Team Naivas” with the tagline being “You Will Never Kula Choma A lone”. The campaign this year is also phased out and today we go to market with the first phase,
“Kikombe Kikwetu” which pays homage to a global football event. Both phases of the Team Naivas Campaign will be unified by the clarion call “Kila Mkenya Ni Mshindi” because we truly believe
everyone deserves a win, especially with the economic hardships ravaging Kenyans.

The campaign, as has been in the past, is anchored on the Naivas Reward Card program. Naivas has committed hundreds of millions to ensure Kenyans have a jolly festive season by offering marketing-
leading sales promotions throughout the entire campaign which will be enjoyed by every Naivas
shopper.

Further to sales promotions which are open to all, Naivas Reward Card holders stand a
chance to win gift vouchers each worth Kshs. 2, 000 and the iconic Naivas Mbuzis every time they
shop while still earning their points. You can register for the Naivas Reward Card any time at any of
the branches’ Customer Service desks and all you need is your national I.D.

This year, we are excited to welcome on board VISA and Coca-Cola through Coca-Cola Beverages
Africa who are official World Cup Sponsors and area broadening our pool of offerings. Through VISA
shoppers get to win gift vouchers each time they tap to pay with their branded visa card. From Coca-
Cola Beverages Africa there will be fifteen 65” Hisense TVs up for grabs by Naivas Reward Card
holders who also purchase 22lt, 1.252lt Multipack or 6-pack can of either Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite of
Fanta.

“ We are pleased to be a part of the 12th Annual Kikwetu Festive Campaign with Team Naivas.Coca-
Cola Beverages Africa ambition is to refresh Africa every day.This festive season is an opportune time
where we can live up to our purpose and give our consumers something exciting to look forward to.

As a sponsor in the 12th Kikwetu Campaign, we will be rewarding lucky Naivas Customers a magical
opportunity to win 15 65′ TVs. We believe the Prizes are extremely befitting given the season, with all
eyes glued on screens and people coming together during the biggest football sporting event of the
year! We look forward to creating mini stadiums at home. Along with Team Naivas, we believe that
everybody deserves to win and believing is magic! “ Said Miriam Mutyanziu, National Key Accounts
Manager Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
“Despite the hard economic times, Kenyans have remained resilient and cautious optimism rings in
the air as we have bid goodbye to the COVID- 19 restrictions, the electioneering period and the school calendar will go back to normal in the new year. As a business, we have remained committed
to our mantra that says we exist to make other people’s lives better and the festive season provides
us with another opportunity of doing exactly that.

We are exceptionally excited because we have
kicked off the campaign earlier compared to the previous years thus giving shoppers reprieve for longer,” said Peter Mukuha, Naivas Chief of Operations.
“ We promise all our shoppers that we have a fantastic and exciting festive season planned and for
the 13 weeks they will enjoy sales promotions thanks to the support from our partners, who have seen to it that our customers enjoy great value across all categories ranging from fresh produce,
groceries, non-food FMCG products, general merchandiser and eleven electronics and home
appliances, concluded Peter Mukuha.
Ends ..

On Friday the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) & Regional Development, Rebecca Miano, MBS participated in the Ministry’s handover ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi.

In attendance was the immediate former Acting Cabinet Secretary for EAC & Regional Development, Betty Maina and the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens and Special Programmes, Prof. Margaret Kobia.

During the ceremony, the former CS Betty Maina handed over the EAC & Regional Development dockets while Prof. Margaret Kobia handed over the ASAL docket to CS Rebecca Miano.

by Ronald Njoroge

Debt Holding system has launched in Kenya and has vowed to revolutionize the local industry.

Jeremiah Kayago, CEO East Africa Debt Holding system said in Nairobi that they intend to inject and develop professional debt collection practices in Kenya.

“Our goal is to reduce the level of toxic assets in Kenya’s financial institutions,” Kayago said.

East Africa Debt Holding is part of Debt Holding Group, an international network of professional collection agencies headquatered in UAE-Dubai.

Nikolay Melnikov founder and group CEO Debt Holding Group said that his company will improve the reputation of the industry in Kenya.

“We want to take away unfair debt collection companies that harass when collecting money owned,” Melnikov noted.

By Njeri Irungu

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, sent a message of congratulations to H.E Mr. Ulf Kristersson, following his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden.

In his message, President Ramkalawan, stated: “Your appointment as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government and the People of Seychelles join me in extending our most sincere and warmest congratulations. It is my hope that, during your tenure of office, we can further strengthen our bilateral cooperation and friendship for the mutual benefit of our two countries.”

“I take this opportunity to wish you every success in the discharge of your duties” conveyed the President.

Atheists have called for equality in Kenya among those who believe and God and those who don’t.

Harrison Mumia President Atheists in Kenya Society said that is a nation of people with diverse religious beliefs.

“We are concerned that the current government seems to privilege Christianity against all the other religions,” Mumia said.

” We expect atheists to be invited to all government functions where religious organizations are represented,” he added.

He also called upon the CBC committe to abolish CRE, IRE and HRE in our education curriculum.

Kenya has launched a mobile application that sees to boost the participation of youth in elections.

Ngatia Muhoya CEO of Badilico said that the app seeks to improve the interest of youth in elections through use of an gaming format.

“Youths have been ignored for that long time and Badilico will change that,” Muhoya said.

Muhoya urged youths should come out and run for political positions.

Also in attendance was Karen Ward MCA Hon. Antony Maragu and Maina Karobia UDA Youth Leader .