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China Focus: China releases white paper on BDS, outlining development in new era

This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2022 shows the Chinese and English versions of a white paper titled “China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the New Era”. China issued a white paper on the country’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) on Friday. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) — China issued a white paper on the country’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) on Friday.

Titled “China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the New Era,” the white paper was published by the State Council Information Office of China.

It said BDS has been built into a world-class navigation system, noting China plans to refine the system by improving its operation management, promoting sustainable development of BDS-based applications, and upgrading its governance in the coming years.

The paper highlighted outstanding batch production capability, saying in less than three years, 18 rockets deployed 30 BDS satellites into orbit, “a pace unmatched by any other country.”

BDS is able to provide a wide range of services, such as positioning, navigation, timing, international search and rescue. It is the world’s first navigation satellite system to provide a global short message communication service, the paper noted.

In building a more powerful BDS, China will create its own smart and distinctive system for operation, maintenance and management, and gain a competitive edge in services such as short message communication, ground-based and satellite-based augmentation, and international search and rescue, said the white paper.

By steadily improving the quality and increasing the scope of services, BDS will build the capacity to provide global decimeter-level positioning and navigation with high integrity, thereby delivering better services to users worldwide.

China has established a set of platforms featuring BDS-3 services including international search and rescue, short message communication, satellite-based augmentation, and ground-based augmentation. It has also developed a series of basic products such as chips, modules and antennas, and realized 100-million-scale manufacturing of BDS products.

By developing standards and norms, intellectual property rights, testing and certification, and industrial assessment in a systematic manner, China has created a sound industrial ecosystem for BDS applications with all necessary factors and a strong innovation capacity, said the white paper.

China has released the first mobile phone in the world that supports the BDS regional short message communication service by incorporating a chip into a mobile phone. Users can send short messages through BeiDou short message civil platform without changing SIM cards or phone numbers, BDS spokesperson Ran Chengqi told a press conference on the release of the white paper.

Meanwhile, the white paper noted that the BDS is dedicated to the world and China will step up international cooperation for better compatibility and interoperability between the BDS and other navigation satellite systems.

The international cooperation and applications of BDS were based on the principles of openness, integration, coordination, compatibility, complementarity and sharing, said the white paper.

The cooperation between BDS and other global navigation systems, including GPS of the United States, Galileo of the European Union and GLONASS of Russia, has made excellent progress, said Ran.

The country continues to promote international cooperation and exchanges of BDS through measures such as strengthening cooperation mechanisms, increasing cooperation channels, and establishing cooperation platforms and windows, the white paper said.

Ran said that China has carried out bilateral and multilateral cooperations and exchanges with countries in Central Asia and Africa, and regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the League of Arab States.

A Chinese delegation recently attended the meeting of the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, which was held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and has received proposals from many countries and organizations for enhanced cooperation with BDS, Ran added.

The country is also making every effort to have BDS ratified by international standards organizations and standards organizations in the industrial and specialized application sectors, such as civil aviation, maritime, search and rescue, and mobile communication.

In conclusion, the white paper said China is committed to “building a comprehensive spatiotemporal system that is more extensive, more integrated and more intelligent on the next generation of the BDS.”

It pointed out that China is ready to share its achievements in developing the BDS, and will work with all countries to promote the development of navigation satellite systems and make an even greater contribution to building a global community of shared future and a better world.

China has explored its navigation satellite system in a three-step strategy.

The BDS-1 project got official approval in 1994 and was completed in 2000. The BDS-2 was completed in 2012.

The completion and official launch of the system in 2020 marks the success of the three-step strategy. China has become the third country in the world to independently own a global navigation satellite system. ■

A press conference on a white paper titled “China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the New Era” is held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 4, 2022. China issued a white paper on the country’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) on Friday. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)
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Feature: Tanzanian woman witnesses growing Tanzania-China cultural ties

Florida Ferdinand Mtani speaks during an interview at the China Cultural Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Nov. 1, 2022. (Photo by Herman Emmanuel/Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) — On the bright afternoon of Tuesday, 32-year-old Florida Ferdinand Mtani who works at the China Cultural Center in Tanzania along the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road in the port city of Dar es Salaam was busy receiving guests to an art exhibition.

The art exhibition that features Tingatinga art, a unique and vibrant style of painting that originated in Tanzania in the second half of the 20th century was being organized by the China Cultural Center.

The exhibition which opened Tuesday and showcased important artworks from both Tanzania and China was held in an effort to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries through art.

In an interview, Mtani said she has been working with the China Cultural Center since 2020. The center was the first of its kind set up in the east African region in 2015, with an aim to enhance cooperation and closer ties between Tanzania and China.

The center, located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, has been well-received by the locals over the years. At the center, a series of cultural activities are held, including Chinese painting and calligraphy exhibitions, martial art courses, Chinese language training sessions, and cooking workshops.

Mtani said after she completed her university studies, she applied for a job as a receptionist and office assistant at the center which she secured.

“I love Chinese culture. I started learning Chinese culture, including Kung-Fu and their language when I was studying at the University of Dodoma,” said Mtani.

“Since I had known that the Chinese have a very good culture, I became interested in working with them. That is how I came to work with the China Cultural Center in Tanzania,” said the soft-spoken woman. “When I was in university, I learned Chinese language and Chinese martial arts like Kung-Fu.”

She said her job as a receptionist and office assistant involves welcoming guests and helping her Chinese colleagues to plan and host events. “I like my job. We have several events here. This year we had the Mid-Autumn Chinese festival which I loved the most.”

She said Tanzanians are interested in learning Chinese Kung-Fu after they had watched and been inspired by movies like Bruce Lee’s. “They always come here to register for Kung-Fu courses. The Kung-Fu courses help them to cultivate discipline and improve their self-defense.”

She added that more Tanzanians also tried to learn the Chinese language because many Chinese companies based in Tanzania prefer hiring Tanzanians who speak Chinese.

She meanwhile said that the Chinese are also learning Kiswahili to make communication easier between them and the local people.

From Wednesday to Friday, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan will pay a state visit to China. Mtani believes the visit will significantly cement the long-time cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries. “The visit will also play a major role in opening wider Tanzania’s investment opportunities to Chinese investors.” ■

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World Insights: How small technologies from China work wonder in Tanzanian fields

Members of the maize and soybean inter-planting project “Small Bean and Big Nutrition” work in a field in Morogoro, Tanzania, on April 21, 2022. (China Agricultural University/Handout via Xinhua)

“This is an area where this cooperation between Africa and China can really be very useful … Especially at a time when the world is facing disruptions in terms of food distribution through supply chains,” said Monique Nsanzabaganwa, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission.

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — Fikiri Kisairo, a farmer from Kitete village of the Morogoro region, west of Tanzania’s economic capital Dar es Salaam, walks with pride as he looks after his thriving corn crop.

“The days of spending sleepless nights thinking about how to pay school fees for my two children are over,” said Kisairo, a beneficiary of the decade-long China-Tanzania agricultural cooperation.

People attend a forum on Achievements of China-Tanzania Agricultural Cooperation: Small Technology, Big Harvest project, in Morogoro region, Tanzania, on Nov. 16, 2021. (Photo by Nurdin Pallangyo/Xinhua)

SMALL TECHNOLOGY, BIG HARVEST

Kisairo joined a maize project in 2019 overseen by China Agricultural University (CAU) in collaboration with Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture in a few villages in the Morogoro region. This project, called “Small Technology, Big Harvest,” aims to reduce poverty in this rural region of Tanzania.

Today, with a family of five, Kisairo has managed to not only pay his children’s school fees, but also build a deep-water cellar to irrigate his about 1.21-hectare vegetable garden throughout the year, including the dry season.

Martine Shigela, regional commissioner of Morogoro, said that with the help of local authorities in collaboration with the CAU, farmers have boosted their maize yield significantly, and 1,667 demonstration farmers have grown at least one acre (about 0.4 hectares) of maize each.

Denis Nkala, regional coordinator for Asia and the Pacific of the UN Office of South-South Cooperation, said the project is a concrete example of China-Africa cooperation for resilience and food security, achieved through a demand-driven, multi-stakeholder approach.

“Through the sharing of good farming practices, the project aims to triple maize production and increase farmers’ incomes, thus contributing to poverty reduction, food security and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Tanzania,” Nkala said.

A local villager drinks soybean milk in Morogoro, Tanzania, on June 23, 2022. (China Agricultural University/Handout via Xinhua)

SMALL BEAN, GREAT NUTRITION

Soy milk, a traditional Chinese drink rich in flavors and nutrients, is gaining popularity among local villagers. “I love it and I hope my friends will like it too. It’s good for our health,” said Tatu Seif, a 62-year-old farmer from Kitete village.

Soybeans were first introduced to the Morogoro region through another China-Tanzania cooperation project, dubbed “Small Bean, Great Nutrition.”

According to Morogoro’s 1991-2018 Nutrition Report, local farmers long suffered from malnutrition due to limited protein, vitamins and minerals with their outdated farming techniques.

To effectively improve their nutritional structure by promoting inter-cropping soybeans, Chinese agronomist Li Xiaoyun and his team at the CAU decided to work with the local authorities to promote the project in four villages, and provided on-site and remote instructions on planting and management techniques.

“Soy milk is enjoyable, especially for children under five, pregnant and lactating women to improve their health, and the project should reach as many people as possible,” said Rozalia Grayson Rwegasira, deputy administrative secretary in charge of the economic and productive sector at the Morogoro regional police station.

Through this project, farmers “will get a substitute for cow’s milk, which is expensive and rarely available,” said Leah John Mwingira, another agricultural extension worker.

FINE EXAMPLE OF CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION

Poverty reduction and agricultural development are among the nine China-Africa cooperation programs announced last year at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The Morogoro region, one of Tanzania’s agricultural bases, is a miniature of such collaboration.

China and Tanzania are good partners in the agricultural sector, said Xu Chen, minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania. Through experience sharing and investments, bilateral agricultural cooperation projects have not only increased crop yields, but also improved the living conditions of many local farmers. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Tanzanian agricultural products are entering the Chinese market, Xu said.

China-Africa agricultural cooperation can help realize Africa’s aspiration for self-sufficiency by harnessing its own natural resources, said Monique Nsanzabaganwa, deputy chairperson of the African Union Commission.

“This is an area where this cooperation between Africa and China can really be very useful … Especially at a time when the world is facing disruptions in terms of food distribution through supply chains,” she said.  ■

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China’s top legislator meets with Tanzanian president

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, meets with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — China’s top legislator Li Zhanshu Thursday met with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Hailing Tanzania as a significant partner of China, Li, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that under the guidance of important consensus between the two heads of state, China would better synergize with Tanzania to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests.

China will continue to follow the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with African countries and other developing countries, Li said.

“By strengthening cooperation between China and Africa, we can safeguard the common interests of developing countries and safeguard international fairness and justice,” he noted.

The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Tanzanian parliament at all levels, said Li.

Hassan congratulated on the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and said that Tanzania adheres to the one-China policy and is committed to further consolidating Tanzania-China relations and working with China to push bilateral cooperation to a higher level. ■

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, meets with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
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Chinese premier meets with Tanzanian president

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Beijing on Thursday.

Commending the development of bilateral relations between China and Tanzania, Li said the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has made strategic plans for China’s development in the coming period, and China will continue to carry forward high-level opening-up.

Li said China stands ready to work with Tanzania to enhance the alignment of development strategies, deepen cooperation in key areas such as economics and trade, energy, health, agriculture and fishery, and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

China is willing to expand imports of marketable Tanzanian products and encourage Chinese companies to increase investment in Tanzania, said Li, adding that the Chinese side hopes that Tanzania will provide necessary support.

On China-Africa relations, Li said China is willing to work with African countries on the basis of sincerity and equality, increase unity and mutual trust, and pursue inclusive and sustainable development.

Hassan thanked China for its support and assistance to Tanzania over the years, saying Tanzania firmly upholds the one-China policy and is committed to carrying forward its traditional friendship with China.

She said that Tanzania will implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promote cooperation on trade, investment, agriculture, fishery, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.

Tanzania welcomes investment from Chinese companies, Hassan added. ■

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
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Xi holds talks with Tanzanian president

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a ceremony to welcome visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Beijing on Thursday. The two presidents announced the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Noting that President Hassan is the first African head of state China has received after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi said it speaks volumes about the two countries’ close ties and the important position of China-Africa relations on China’s diplomatic agenda.

Xi recalled putting forth, while visiting Tanzania in 2013, the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith to guide China’s cooperation with African countries. It has now become the basic policy guiding China’s solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries.

Under the new circumstances, the sound growth of China-Tanzania relations not only advances the common and long-term interests of the two countries, but also carries great significance for building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, said Xi.

Xi briefed President Hassan on the proceedings of the 20th CPC National Congress. He pointed out that starting from now, the central task of the CPC will be to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

“Modernization does not mean Westernization,” Xi said, adding China has already found a development path suited to its national conditions. Chinese modernization is grounded in China’s own realities, with features that are unique to the Chinese context, said Xi.

Xi pointed out both the CPC and the Tanzanian Revolutionary Party (CCM) shoulder the historical mission of strengthening themselves and the country they govern, adding the CPC will expand exchanges and cooperation with the CCM and support the curriculum and operation of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School.

Xi stressed that China views its relations with Tanzania from a strategic perspective and will always be a trustworthy friend of Tanzania. Moving forward, Xi said the two sides should advance friendship and cooperation across the board, in keeping with the China-Tanzania comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China firmly supports Tanzania in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and in exploring a path of development that suits Tanzania’s conditions. China and Tanzania will continue to show firm support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns, said Xi.

Xi also said China will further increase import of specialty products from Tanzania, and support Chinese companies in investing and operating in Tanzania, so as to contribute to the economic and social development of Tanzania. China is ready to exchange experience and best practices with Tanzania on rural revitalization, and support the betterment of livelihood there, added Xi.

Xi pointed out that the Tazara Railway marks a milestone in China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendship. Even when China was poor, it tightened its belt to help its African brothers build this railway. “Now that China is more developed, it is better placed to act on the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, help our African friends achieve common development, and build a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.”

In growing China-Africa relations, Xi said both sides need to remain committed to the overall direction of mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual learning and mutual assistance. Both China and Africa need to build on their time-honored traditional friendship, carry forward the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, and show greater historical initiative in advancing friendship between China and Africa, he added.

Xi went on to point out China’s continuous development will create new opportunities for Africa. China will speed up the implementation of the ongoing nine initiatives for cooperation with Africa. “With a particular focus on infrastructure, we will continue to nurture new drivers for China-Africa cooperation through trade, investment and financing.”

China stands ready to work with African countries to uphold the basic norms governing international relations including the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, actively operationalize the Global Development Initiative, increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, and do more to bring about a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi.

Noting that she was excited and honored to be invited to visit China soon after the successful conclusion of the 20th CPC National Congress, Hassan said that the visit is a testament to the high level of Tanzania-China relations.

On behalf of the CCM and the Tanzanian government, Hassan once again extended warm congratulations on the success of the 20th CPC National Congress and Xi’s re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

Tanzania views China as its top real friend and will always be a trustworthy partner for China, said Hassan, adding that with the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Tanzania will work with China to strengthen practical cooperation across the board, take the relationship to a new height, and turn it into an exemplar for Africa-China relations in the new era.

Hassan stressed that Tanzania will continue to firmly support China on issues relating to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and other core interests of China.

She expressed appreciation for China’s support in the development of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School, and conveyed the hope of southern Africa’s six sister parties to step up experience sharing with China on national governance in order to achieve better development.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has not only boosted the development of African countries in various fields, but also had a demonstrative effect in driving other countries’ cooperation with Africa and helped enhance Africa’s international standing, the president said, adding that Tanzania will continue to take an active part in and support the development of FOCAC.

Noting that the Global Development Initiative put forth by Xi is very timely and conducive to addressing the global challenges of today, Hassan said Tanzania will work with China to operationalize this initiative and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The two heads of state agreed to keep up the momentum of high-level exchanges and dialogue, and enhance exchanges and cooperation at all levels between the localities, legislatures and political parties of the two countries.

They agreed to expand the scale of bilateral trade, boost the level of trade and economic cooperation, deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advance cooperation projects on infrastructure, enhance industrial complementarity and production capacity cooperation, and expand mutually-beneficial cooperation in such areas as manufacturing and processing, green development and digital economy.

The two heads of state reached consensus on strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges, holding a China-Tanzania year of tourism and culture at an appropriate time, encouraging more exchanges between the academics and media organizations of the two countries, and carrying forward the friendship between the two peoples.

The two presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in international and multilateral settings, step up communication and cooperation on climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and jointly uphold international fairness, justice and the common interests of both sides.

At the end of the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents covering trade, investment, development cooperation, digital economy, green development and blue economy. The two sides issued a Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Prior to the talks, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Hassan in the Great Hall of the People.

Upon President Hassan’s arrival at the Great Hall of the People, a 21-gun salute was fired in Tiananmen Square to greet her. Seventeen honor guards lined up the steps on both sides of the red carpet to salute her and trumpeters blew horns to welcome her. The two presidents stepped onto the review stand, after which the military band played the national anthems of the two countries. Accompanied by Xi, Hassan then reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past.

After the talks, Xi held a welcoming banquet for Hassan at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the events. ■

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a ceremony to welcome visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a ceremony to welcome visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 3, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
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Nairobi County’ Adolescent Bill on reproductive health to be implemented

By Jeff Kizzilah and Nicholas Manduku

Adolescent teenage pregnancy is on the rise with peopleliving with HIV Aids.

Nairobi county Assembly leadership has accepted to implement the ‘Adolescent National County policy”the policy will be helpful to deal with issues facing young people including teenage pregnancy.

Speaking during Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Consultive stakeholders meeting forum, Hon.Mark Nugsmbi ,Minority Chief Whip said, we will ensure issues are solved at thr right time,”

Hon. Mugambi said young people are really having many challenges that needs an argent action.

“As county assembly we will do everything to provide platforms and legislation on issues touching on development for adolescent solutions.

According to the latest, Statistics say 1q0,000new adolescent new pregnancy prevalences in Nairobi with Embakasi south is leading at 28% highest pregnancy followed by kibra,Kamkunji and Mathare.

The rising statistics is as a result of lack of health informations and drug and substance.

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PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENT’S LEADERS DEMANDS THE WITHDRAWAL REMARKS MADE BY CS EZEKIEL’S MACHOGU

by Maximilla Wafula

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES PRESIDENT’S LEADERS DEMANDS THE WITHDRAWAL REMARKS MADE BY CS EZEKIEL’S MACHOGU.

Today President of Nairobi University Melvine Thogo led other elected presidents from Public Universities, JKUAT, KU and Daystar in a press conference at Nairobi University demanding the withdrawal remarks made by C’s Ezekiel Machogu on the withdrawal of the public university funding within 48 hours .Failure to adhere to that , all president a cross agreed to call on the strike to all the public universities facilities untill their matters is heard .

The leaders condemned the remarks made by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon Ezekiel Machogu. While addressing the fraternity of Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology over the weekend, Mr. Machogu stated that the State is on the verge of withdrawing its financial support to public universities.

The same State that intends to allocate slightly over 1.4 Billion to political parties for the coming financial year based on the 2nd November, 2022 Gazette Notice by the Registrar of Political Parties. The same state whose Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Hon Aisha Jumwa hinted at increasing salaries for public servants. The remarks by the CS are unsettling considering that he has been appointed to serve in the Kenyan Government that promised to bridge the funding gap and even fund non-tuition needs for the students. Are Mr. Machogu’s remarks to be taken as part of the education agenda of the Kenya Kwanza government? Is that really what was included in their “PLAN”? Were they just campaigning in poetry but intend to govern in prose?

We have gone through the trouble of looking at our Constitution and the Universities Act on this issue that we address you on today. Article 43 on Economic and Social Rights provides for the right to education for all persons. The withdrawal of funding for public universities highly threatens this right. If the state claims it does not have the resources to implement the right to education, then it should seek more guidance from Article 20(5)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of Kenya. The Article states;

(5) In applying any right under Article 43, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, a court, tribunal or other authority shall be guided by the following principles—
(a) It is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available;
(b) In allocating resources, the State shall give priority to ensuring the widest possible enjoyment of the right or fundamental freedom having regard to prevailing circumstances, including the vulnerability of particular groups or individuals.

It is a no brainer that the youth are part of the vulnerable group who are specifically protected under the Bill of Rights. As per Article 55(a), the State is to take measures to ensure that the youth access relevant education and training. It is an open secret that the youth form the absolute majority in our institutions of higher learning.

Mr. Machogu should do the needful and retract his statement on withdrawal of university funding. Other than looking at the above constitutional provisions, we also invite him to look at Part VI of the Universities Act which provides in part for university funding by government. It mandates that the government will fund public universities. i
We want to believe that Mr. Machogu’s remarks were an inadvertent error and that his office will promptly issue a correction. Mr. Machogu should know that the funding of public universities is governed and protected by the rule of law but in case he is not aware, we will lead university students in reminding him that the best way we know how.
Ends ….

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ODM youth lobby groups demand for Hon. Tim Wanyonyi’s recognition

ODM youth lobby group led by Stephen Abwao sitting front row, second from the Left with pink shirt address the media where they gave the party three days ultimatum to send Junet Mohamed home.
They further asked the party to appoint Westlands Legislator Hon. Tim Wanyonyi in one of the Parliamentary committees or else they will demonstrate in the street to seek justice.


By Fred Maingi
A lobby youth group allied to Orange Democratic Movement(, ODM) has demanded for the appointment and recognition of Westlands Legislator Hon. Tim Wanyonyi in one of the Parliamentary committees.
The lobby group led by Embakasi East youth leader Stephen Abwao further demanded for the resignation of Suna East MP Junet Mohamed for being a stumbling block in party affairs.


They claimed Junet is a nuisance in the party and the best reward he can offer to the party is to resign.
“ODM party, Abwao added, must recognise those who stood, fought and sacrificed for the party like Hon. Tim Wanyonyi.He even surrendered his Gubernatorial seat for somebody else to pave way for peace in the party. ODM is as good as dead” Abwao noted.
Charles Ochieng, a youth leader who is the president of the Kenya sufferers reference movement urged party leader Hon. Raila Odinga to consider his decision and reward Hon. Wanyonyi for his great service to the party.

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NAIVAS MAKES A GRAND RETURN TO THE GREATER THIKA ROAD WITH 10TH OUTLET

by Maximilla Wafula

Nairobi leading retailer chain, Naivas Supermarket today opens its doors to its
newest outlet at Kahawa Sukari .

The new store will be the retailers 10th store
in Nairobi . This new development comes barely a week after
the 86th store opening in Meru at Greenwood Mall, Meru Town.
This new store that covers 30,000 square feet of trading space now puts Naivas store tally at 87.

This is the 10th outlet in the greater Thika Road Region and a much-welcomed addition to the vast
neighbourhood of Kahawa Sukari which cuts across both Nairobi and Kiambu Counties.

This area which serves as a bedroom for thousand of Nairobi workers will finally get to experience world-class
shopping as only Naivas can provide served with authentic Kenyan hospitality.
The outlet promises a wholesome shopping experience, right from the excellent customer service
and the fresh offering which is a key focus that promises to satisfy the most sophisticated of palettes
to the fully stocked shelves with a mix of products that will abundantly meet customer needs from
everyday household items to crockery and even electronics.

“We are excited with this new development as it has been a long- standing order by our shoppers , they wanted a store that compliments their lifestyle and as a brand that is comitted to the promise of offering a worldclass shopping epreience, we are delighted that we are able to fulfil this.

We have
done our research and taken learnings to understand our shoppers and come up with a branch that
better fits the residents of Kahawa. We guarantee freshness , quality and affordability as we live up
to our mantra “Naivas saves you money”. As we enter the festive season, the we have our annual
Christam campaign dubbed Team Naivas, Supermarket Kikombe Kikwetu with the taggline Kila Mkenya ni
Mshindi. The campaign ensures that other than the sale promotions, our reward card shoppers
stand a chance of winning ksh. 2000 vouchers, our Iconic goat, 65’’ Tvs from coca cola and they are
awarded ksh.300 vouchers once they tap to pay over ksh. 3000 using their branded Visa card . Top management Naivas , Chief Commercial Officer
Willy Kimani, said

A busy festive season lies ahead for the retailer as it has its eyes set on the next store openings in Ruai.
Ends….