Category: Uncategorized

By Eric Ogott

Maritime administrations,  play pivotal roles in driving economic development by serving as a catalyst for safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable shipping.

Xiaojie Zhang, Director, Technical Cooperation Division, IMO said that a well-functioning maritime administration is an incentive for growth of shipping and ancillary services which enhance trade that drives socio-economic development.

“Africa is lagging behind in economic growth because it has not made the necessary human capital and financial investment in maritime transportation, and this accounts for the lowest level of intra-continental trade,” Zhang said during the opening ceremony of the 6th AAMA Conference & IMO Conference on Low Carbon Shipping in Africa

Zhang observed that the coming into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seen as a potential game-changer for Africa and could boost intra-African maritime trade by up to 33% and cut the continent’s trade deficit by 51%.

According to available statistics, Africa accounts for just 2% of global trade and only 17% of African exports are intra-continental, compared with 59% for Asia and 68% for Europe.

Zhang noted that the potential for transformation across Africa is therefore significant. The agreement, that is the AfCFTA, aims to reduce all trade costs and enable Africa to integrate further into global supply chains and will eliminate 90% of tariffs, focus on outstanding non-tariff barriers, and create a single market with free movement of goods and services. Cutting red tape and simplifying customs procedures to bring significant income gains.

Zhang said that the challenge for Africa is to ensure and optimize benefits from shipping and maritime economy, being an island continent, by repositioning Africa’s maritime administrations and making them the pillars of economic revival they ought to be.

“It will require future interrogation on the relationship between safety culture and attraction of investment in shipping, environmental stewardship in shipping and economic growth, global shipping standard, politics, commerce and integration, economics of maritime 2 regulation and the challenge of poverty. The way and manner Africa overcomes these existential challenges will go a long way in determining whether Africa can compete favourably in the 21st century globalized world,” he added.

The Government is on record outlining it’s commitment in respect to the implementation of the pillar of affordable housing.

In line of this, the Government has been forthright in availing at least 500,000 units of houses per year.

Out of this ambitious project, private sector players have joined the project in a bid to ease the pressure on housing in the country.

MIZIZI Africa Homes Limited is one such player led by the very sharp George Mburu, the Founder and Managing Director.

He was on Saturday gracing the handover of Heritage Phase 2 along Kenyatta Road.

“We as Mizizi are alive of the need to bridge the housing gap in the country. This is why we are very committed to building affordable houses for our clients. We would like to urge the Government to also facilitate us with land which we can develop through the initiative and spirit of the Public Private Partnerships. We are eager and ready to utilise the land availed to us by the government.” George noted.

MIZIZI Africa Homes has also rolled out the buy we build initiative whereby a client is able to pocket his title deed in advance. This is important in many respects the main one being the ability to access credit to develop his or her property,” Mizizi concluded

Honorable Harrison Bundi Kariuki is a nominated Member of county assembly representing the differently abled in the floor of the House.

Hon Harrison Honors and indeed takes with great interest the welfare of the differently abled whom God has endowed with different talents.

Hon Harrison notes,

“During the 4th Kenya Deaf Handball championship, at the finals for the team that will represent Kenya Deaf men at the world Deaf Handball championship in Denmark.
Congratulation team I wish you all the best.”

PIUS MASAI MWACHI, the CEO GLOBSED with other parents were given opportunity to Speak and raise parents concerns and challenges.

The meeting started well, went on well, as we approached the end, some parents wanted the declared toxic maize in the school store to be destroyed immediately, following the court order. The Administrators accepted but wanted to have a proper plan in identifying the suitable place and time for destruction.

At the same time, parents wanted the maize to be destroyed immediately in their presence, before the students re-open the school.

Politicians and some parents were of the view that parents should witness the maize destruction before they leave the school today.

The Regional Commissioner, provided the School students return formula as it had been proposed by the Multi-agency Committee.

The meeting ended without a common agreement due to demands from some parents and Politicians to do immediate maize destruction.

The Regional Commissioner and some leaders left after releasing the reopening formula.

Hon. Senator Khalwale led parents to cause the store opened but Since there was no order, police intervened and restored order.

Otherwise the meeting was so peaceful.

The Multi-agency team, have done commendable work.

The Government has offered to buy new food stock for the school before the students re-open.

Issues of water and other challenges have been solved.

We believe the issue of bad food destruction will be successful before resumption of learning.

Parents are dense due to the situation that resulted to loss of life of 4 souls and early closure of the school.

I believe everything shall be well.

PIUS MASAI MWACHI, EMS-I, EMT, OGW

CEO & OVERALL CHIEF COORDINATOR GLOBSED INITIATIVES, PIMAC INTERNATIONAL AND ASSOCIATES CONSORTIUM

Local manufacturers in the country are making an appeal to the government to facilitate them with incentives in a bid to enable them enhance their production and consequently contribute to bottom up economic growth.

Catherine Kathure is the Managing Director of Homelink Mabati Factory which is the Market leader in the production and delivery of all your roofing solutions.

‘we have lipa pole pole plan for all our clients because we are Cognizant of the hard economic times and therefore we try to ease their construction hustle. We have also created direct employment to many others, therefore we hereby asking for support and incentives that support local manufacturers. Taxation is usually a challenge and our prayer is favorable taxation that speaks to the day to day realities of our businesses. The rising cost of electricity and foreign exchange have also contributed to increased costs of production.

The Managing Director expressed optimism with the administration of His Excellency The President Dr William Ruto for the elaborate plans he has put in line to boost local manufacturers. The push for affordable housing as a government agenda will also go a long way in enhancing the sustainability of Smes in the construction sector.

“What gives me the greatest satisfaction is to see over fifty employees under my care earning a decent livelihood and supporting families behind them through the employment we have provided. “she added.

Homelink Mabati Factory offers free delivery country wide and they are reachable on the telephone contact 0794800000.

Kiambu Woman Representative Ann Muratha has shown commitment to save the boy child especially in the Mount Kenya Region.

Her efforts correspond to the Governments initiative to stem illicit brew in the counties of Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Kiambu.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua established a 20-member committee to steer drafting of a law to regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol in the five counties.

Upon adoption, it will provide a legal framework for ending illicit brew and drug abuse in the Region, which is the most affected in the country at 14%.

Wa Muratha Thursday morning met some religious leaders from Kikuyu, Ndeiya and Kamangu who sought the help to boost the boy child from their respective areas.

The core of the community revolves around the Africa man.

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. Hence

The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special exertions but by his habitual acts.

Kenneth Wangari who is the Senior Vice Chairman for Association of Professional Societies of East Africa on Tuesday the 25th April 2023 met with the Majority Leader in National Assembly Hon Kimani Ichungwa.

They discussed on the need to mainstream the Professional Associations legislative AGENDA into National Assembly in a bid to fast track such legislations and afford the Professionals opportunity to perform Professional duties in a duly regulated environment.

Majority leader applauds APSEA for remaining as the EPITOME of PROFESSIONALISM and urged APSEA to be at the forefront of ensuring Professionalism is upheld across the spectrum of Governance in Kenya and the region.

Senior Vice chairman Mr Kenneth reiterated the commitment by APSEA to focus on utmost professionalism as a recipe to good governance both in a private and in government circles.

The discussion also highlighted the role Professional bodies can play in the ongoing and expected bipartisan deliberations within political circles where APSEA presents its professional infrastructure as key towards this process if talks where to include non parliamentary participation.

APSEA Professional Association MIX includes the below Professional bodies:-
. Architectural Association of Kenya – AAK

2. Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya – ACEK
3. Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch) – CIARB
4. Environment Institute of Kenya – EIK
5. Geological Society of Kenya – GSK
6. Institute of Certifted Investment and Financial Analysts ICIFA
7. Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya – ICPAK
8. Institute of Certified Secretaries – ICS
9. Institute of Clerks of Works of Kenya – ICWK
10. Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya – IQSK
11. Institution of Engineers of Kenya – IEK
    Among others.
    The senior Vice Chairman mentioned plans in place to expand the scope and the MIX by inviting other Professional bodies to join APSEA after a rigorous vetting process is undertaken.

Majority leader welcomed Professional bodies to work with parliament towards achieving desired Professional involvement and conduct moving forward.

This meeting happened in a day where National Assembly was discussing in the floor of the house the appointment of an Auditor to the Auditor General. The requisite Professional body ICPAK who is a member of APSEA featured prominently in the debate it its role towards vetting and licensing auditing firms.

This meeting therefore is timely as it will become increasingly Necessary to embed and interlace Professional bodies into the accountability and governance processes moving forward.
[8:53 AM, 4/26/2023] James Waithaka Media Safaricom: Bishop Thagana views on Shakahola Massacre

Bishop David Munyiri Thagana is the Secretary General of the Federation of evangelical churches of Kenya. He is also the founder and Presiding bishop of Glory Outreach Assembly. He shares with us his thoughts pertaining the shocking events of massacre in Malindi.

“We need to have the conversation because the things we are seeing now are not new to us. Only the magnitude is much higher. One of the things we as Kenyans we are very reactive instead of being proactive.

If we were more proactive in looking at things before they happen, we could save a lot of lives.

I want us to go beyond the conversation and go beyond the system and structures. Not just religion but we have other agencies .

About regulation this is an overdue.

The question has been how. And not just churches or religious organizations.

Accountability structure. If someone deviates then you have a redress mechanism. I guess our major concern as churches is for us to be regulated by the government .

Some of them may not draw the line between regulation and curtailing the freedom of worship. The church should clearly be heard championing self regulation under their umbrella.

“in my view there is corporate blame starting with the whole system of internal security all the way from nyumba kumi, to the chief to the entire system..parents are to blame. The church is to blame

But above all, the government is the one that should be taking care of all of us.”

Newly unveiled new Boxing promoter Maurice Odera(, second from left) addresses the media after being unveiled at a Nairobi Hotel. He is flanked by KPBC president Reuben Ndolo and Director Ben Bottelberg sitting right

By Fred Maingi
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) has licensed Ultra Fight limited founder Maurice Odera as a fully accredited promoter.
Odera who has been promoting martial arts is the first boxing promoter to be licensed this year.
He was officially unveiled by the KPBC president Reuben Ndolo where he was officially given his license in a function held at a Nairobi hotel.
While welcoming Odera in the ring, Ndolo said they gave him the nod since he has promoted 9 fights since 2018.
Above all, Ndolo credited Odera for having a fully functional Gym at Kilimani and a Boxing ring
“As a commission, we are looking for good promoters. We shall protect both the boxers and promoters since they are capable of putting Kenya on the right track” Ndolo observed.
Odera promised to take Boxing to another level adding that Kenya has talented boxers both locally and internationally.
Odera said he is targeting 3-4 high profile fights in a year and thanked KPBC for maintaining and keeping Boxing active and vibrant.

By irene mwende

WPP Scangroup PLC has today released its results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Speaking during the event
Miriam Kaggwa, Chief Financial Officer, said they have recorded improved performance in 2022, with YoY profit after tax up by 298% per cent across their WPP agencies and delivered
increased value to their shareholders with an EPS growth of 450%. While market pressures led to relatively reduced client margins, we navigated these challenges by leveraging on our
footprint and our expertise to build our client portfolio, recording net new business of KES 386 million in 2022

Kaggwa added that they are making strides in driving bottom up growth by transforming their capabilities and investing in technology

Speaking during event chief executive officer Patricia Ithau noted that macroeconomic shocks are likely are impacting business growth and they have invested in tools and effected strategies that aims at cushioning the group while providing share holder value

” We recorded increased pass-through costs but still delivered strong
fundamentals with KES 2.2 billion gross profit.’’ said
Patricia Ithau, Chief Executive Officer, said: “WPP Scangroup PLC continues to deliver high client value driven by innovative, inclusive and impactful creative work across all our
agencies adding that this year their agencies win top industry awards regionally and globally including
the Cannes Lions where Ogilvy Africa was named Creative Agency of the Year.

“We have strong momentum for 2023 backed by exceptional talent, world class technology and supportive clients who continue to inspire and channel our creative drive. ” Said CEO

She further added that they will continue to
implement their strategy, invest in technology and to deliver superior value to their clients,
employees and communities.
Summary financial performance

The following figures are in comparison to the year ended 31 December 2022.
· FY reported gross revenue KES 7.3B, – 3.67 %
· FY gross profit KES 2.2B, -6.7%
· Operating expenses increased by 3.3% per cent owing to provision against old Value
Added Tax receivables deemed not recoverable.
.
Profit after tax KES 75m, +297%
· Reported EPS up 450% to KES 0.14
· KES 386 million of net new business won in FY22.
· The company’s board has recommended no dividend payout shareholders

Empower New Energy, a leading renewable energy investment company, in partnership with Corks Energy Ltd, a Ghanaian company in the energy sector, is pleased to announce the opening ceremony of their recently commissioned fourth solar investment in Ghana. The 600KWp ground-mounted solar PV installation was developed in partnership with Corks Energy as project lead developer and Stella Futura as the EPC was installed on the premises of Ghana Nuts Company Limited, Techiman, a leading agro-processor in Ghana.

Ghana Nuts is a major manufacturer and exporter of a wide range of edible oils, including shea and soya value chains and animal feed meals. The new solar installation will help the company to reduce its energy costs and cut carbon emissions, while also providing a reliable source of clean energy.

The new solar installation built in 6 weeks, will help Ghana Nuts reduce its energy costs and cut carbon emissions, while also providing a reliable source of clean energy. The solar PV system is expected to generate 738.096KWh electricity in the first year, offsetting approximately 22% of the factory’s total energy costs. The energy generated is equivalent to supplying grid electricity to 992 local households. The PV plant is estimated to avoid 9 864 tonnes of lifetime CO2 carbon emissions. This reduction in carbon emissions is equivalent to planting over 2,500 trees, which would take 20 years to absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide. The solar PV system has enabled the company to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and decrease its energy costs, making the company more competitive in the market.
The installation of the solar PV system  also enabled Empower New Energy and Stella Futura be part of women empowerment and “women in solar” by creating 40 job opportunities for men and women in the local community during the construction phase and will continue to provide employment during the operation and maintenance of the system.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana H.E Ingrid Mollestad, representatives from the European Union delegation in Ghana, the Norfund team, Empower New Energy, Corks Energy, Stella Futura, Ghana Nuts, and other local dignitaries. The event marked an important milestone for the project, which is expected to generate significant benefits for the factory and the local community.

“We are proud to be partnering with Corks Energy Limited on this important project for the Ghana Nuts factory,” said Terje Osmundsen – CEO at Empower New Energy.  “Empower New Energy’s investments aim to support businesses across the region transition to sustainable and affordable energy, and today’s commissioning is an important step in achieving that goal.”

“We are excited for the commissioning of this solar installation, which will significantly reduce our energy costs and carbon footprint. This project is an important step towards achieving our sustainability goals. We look forward to continuing to work together with Empower New Energy and her partners to deploy renewable energy in Ghana” said Obed Asante, Founder and CEO – Ghana Nuts Company Limited.

“We are pleased to see a Norwegian company working with companies in Ghana deploying renewable energy, and we hope to see more projects like this in the future. Norway remains committed to supporting Ghana in its efforts to transition to a low-carbon, sustainable economy.” – H.E Ingrid Mollestad – Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana.

“This solar investment project in Ghana is a great example of how renewable energy can benefit both the environment and the local businesses. We are proud of the positive contribution to the increase of renewable energy part in Ghana, thanks to our EU ElectriFI initiative”, says Paulina Rozycka – Head of the Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Section of the EU delegation to Ghana.

“As the lead developer, we are excited to see this project take shape right from origination to execution and operation phases. This project is a testament to the potential of partnerships created to harness the renewable energy in driving sustainable development and economic growth in Ghana.”, said Prince Awudu – Executive Chairman of Corks Energy, the developer of the Ghana Nuts project.

” This project is an important example of how renewable energy can help transform Africa’s industrial platforms, such as Ghana Nuts, to be sustainable, competitive, and environmentally responsible.” Francis Asante – CEO of Stella Futura (Africa), the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner.

Empower New Energy is backed by a unique blend of public and private impact investors. Following the initial fundraising in 2019, the largest shareholders were ElectriFi, Norfund and 12 private mostly Norwegian impact investors. In November 2022, Empower New Energy completed its Series B capital raise, with Climate Fund Managers representing Climate Investor One becoming our lead investor.