By Lameck Baraza 

The County Government of Busia, in collaboration with the British High Commission, launched the Community Action Plan and Agriculture Digital Platform, valued at Kshs. 390 million, benefiting both Busia and Mandera counties.

Busia County Governor, Paul Otuoma, emphasized the transformative potential of the digital program, which aims to empower farmers, particularly youth, women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. 

This initiative provides real-time updates on markets, farm inputs, and outputs, thereby monetizing the rural economy and improving livelihoods.

“We celebrate the collaboration with the UK Government to revolutionize our agricultural ecosystem and resource management,” Otuoma said.

The governor added that the initiative will unlock opportunities for young people and marginalized groups, enhancing their livelihoods through increased agricultural production.

Deputy British High Commissioner, Ed Barnett, while addressing Busia residents during the launch, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to this partnership. 

He emphasized the provision of digital skills and training opportunities as a key component of the initiative.

“I urge our young people and marginalized groups to embrace this digital program. It will revolutionize agriculture and provide a pathway to supply raw materials to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Nasewa, Matayos Constituency,” Barnett said.

Barnett highlighted that the projects are expected to create over 5,000 job opportunities in the county.

The innovative platform will not only connect farmers to markets but also provide access to essential agricultural services across the county.

Otuoma reminded farmers that the initiative will offer real-time weather updates, market information, and growth management advice, positioning them to make informed decisions and thrive in a competitive agricultural landscape.

The governor mentioned that the platform’s emphasis on inclusivity and digital literacy aims to bridge the gap for marginalized communities, driving sustainable economic growth and fostering resilience.

By Daniel Dembede 

Africa's youth are being encouraged to embrace engineering as a crucial driver of development and innovation across the continent.

Speaking at the 10th annual UNESCO Africa Engineering Week High-Level Workshop held in Nairobi, Eng. Maureen Mwaniki, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at Huawei Kenya, expressed concern over the shortage of engineers in Africa and the rest of the world.

“There has been declining interest in the profession from the youth, with the enrolment of young people, especially women in the profession dwindling. The continent is facing a situation where there are a lot of older more experienced engineers, but not enough young candidate engineers entering the profession. Our ability to sustain the profession lies in the number of young people choosing engineering as a career,” Eng. Mwaniki said.

She noted that Africa’s future depends on its youth embracing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly engineering, which lies at the core of solving the continent’s most pressing challenges.

Eng. Mwaniki explained, “The growing need for infrastructure, clean energy, and climate resilience offers a unique opportunity for engineers to shape Africa’s path toward sustainable growth.  But more efforts need to be put in attracting younger people, especially women, to the profession.”

She continued, "Women, in particular, need to step out of their comfort zones and grab the opportunities that are offered by companies such as Huawei. Programs like Seeds for the future, ICT Competition and Women Collaboration programs with our partners will help expose the Women Engineers to advanced technologies that can enable them to create solutions for their country."

The Africa Engineering Week provides a platform for government representatives, industry leaders, and academia to discuss policy frameworks and partnerships that can accelerate engineering education and innovation on the continent.

This year’s event was themed, “Engineering and for Sustainable Development’, highlights the urgent need for technical solutions to address challenges such as climate change, infrastructure development and digital transformation.”

Celebrated across the region every year, UNESCO Africa Engineering Week promotes engineering solutions and awareness among students, society and policy-makers. It aims to inspire and educate youth and the public on the vital role of engineers in societies. 

This year's edition was hosted by the Ordem dos Engenheiros de Angola in Luanda, Angola, and organised jointly by UNESCO, the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO).

Na Jabali Media

Rais William Samoei Ruto, ametishia ‘kuwashtaki’ wakaazi wa eneo la Kondele jijini Kisumu kwa kinara wa chama cha ODM Raila Odinga, ikiwa wataendelea ‘kumsumbua.’

Akiwahutubia waakazi wa Kondele mnamo Jumamosi kwa mara ya kwanza tangu alipolazimika kuondoka eneo hilo kwa kasi ya farasi wakati msafara wake uliposhambuliwa kwa mawe mwaka 2021, wakati wa kampeni za kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2022, Ruto amesema kuwa wana-Kondele wamekuwa mwiba kwenye kidole chake kwa mda mrefu.

Wakati huo, Ruto alikuwa naibu wa rais akipasha misuli moto kumenyana na Odinga kwenye kinyang’anyiro cha urais mwaka 2022, ambapo aliibuka mshindi.

"Watu wa Kondele, kumbe ni nyinyi? Niko na kesi kubwa na nyinyi watu wa Kondele. Mmenitesa sana,” alisema Ruto mnamo Jumamosi.

Amesema kuwa ikiwa ‘usumbufu wa wana-Kondole hautakoma, hatakuwa na budi ila kuwashtaki kwa Baba (Raila Odinga).

“Mkiendelea kunitesa nitawashtaki kwa Baba na mkizidi nitawashtaki kwa Mungu.”

Amewapongeza wakaazi hao kwa kumkaribisha kwa shangwe, nderemo na hoi hoi, kinyume na ilivyokuwa miaka mitatu iliyopita.

“Wacha nichukue nafasi hii kuwashukuru sana kwa kunibarisha hapa Kisumu pacho,” akasema kiongozi wa nchi.

Ruto alianza ziara yake katika eneo la Nyanza mnamo Jumatano, ambapo alizuru Migori, Homabay na Siaya kabla ya kutua Kisumu kwa uzinduzi wa miradi mbali mbali ya maendeleo.

Alifunga safari ya Nyanza siku moja baada ya kuongoza hafla ya uzinduzi wa mchakato wa Odinga, kugombea nafasi ya mwenyekiti wa Tume ya Umoja wa Bara Afrika (AUC).

Uchaguzi wa mwenyekiti mpya wa AUC, kuziba pengo la raia wa Chad Moussa Faki Mahamat anayeondoka, utaandaliwa mwezi Februari mwaka ujao, jijini Addis Ababa, nchini Ethiopia.

Odinga anamenyana na wapinzani watatu, akilenga kuwa mkenya wa kwanza kushikilia wadhifa huo.   

By Oliver Ochieng 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, led Members of Parliament (MPs) in paying tribute to Kenyan athletes for exemplary performance during the just concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, in France.

Kenya was ranked position 17 in the world and number one in Africa, after managing a total of 11 medals, consisting of 4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze.

Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon were the top performers, winning a combined 3 golds and 1 silver, in the 5000m, 10000m and 1500m races.

Wetang’ula said the National Assembly celebrates the athletes’ tenacity and dedication.

“It is worth noting that Faith Kipyegon who was also the team captain made history by becoming the first athlete ever to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500m race. No other human, male or female has achieved that success,” said the former Bungoma Senator.

The 30-year-old ‘Queen of 1500m’ hattrick of Olympic Games started in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in 2016, followed by Tokyo, Japan in 2020, and now France.

It is a matter of wait and if she will make Team Kenya’s Olympics Team to the United States of America (USA) in 2028.

“I wish to commend all the gallant sports men and women for holding out our flag high and exhibiting inspiring patriotism,” added the Speaker.

Legislatures in one minute, thumped their feet in acclamation as a sign of acknowledging Team Kenya’s brave performance.

Kenya has participated in the Olympic Games since 1956, and has always been among the top performing teams in Africa, if not the world. 

By Jacktone Okongo

The Kisumu Day Secondary School football team is widely known across the country, having been the breeding ground for several top players, including striker Benson Omalla, who features for record Kenya Premier League Champions Gor Mahia.

KD as the team is known in football circles was a dominant figure in the Nyanza region school ball games, making waves at the national level, but the bond that once held the playing unit together, has seemingly lost its ability to hold.

Kisumu Day announced its entry on stage with a regional title in 2007, before adding four other titles between 2014 and 2022. However, challenges galore have left the team at a near standstill.

According to coach Ben Oyoo who joined the team recently with the sole mandate of returning KD to where it belongs – the top, having a solid game plan is one of his priorities, going forward.

"I want to see these young players return to their top. We must put more effort into training and ensure we always have a solid game plan."

"Changes are needed, and we need everyone's cooperation to restore our prestige," he added.

One of his strategies towards KD’s journey back to the top is to establish extra training programs, and engage players in more friendly matches against stronger teams.

"I want to see our players get opportunities to play in major leagues and even represent the nation in major football tournaments," coach Oyoo added with great hope.

However, KD days opponents Kisumu Boys High School are basking in glory due to their dwindling fortunes.

During a recent friendly match staged at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo, Kisumu Boys (KB) thrashed KD 3-0.

The KB coach declared that the days of Kisumu Days are over.

“The Days of Kisumu Day are over.”

Amidst numerous challenges, Coach Oyoo maintained that they keep believing and working towards their return to the top.