KENYA – KMAUPDATES

Jul102020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: President Kenyatta has Ordered Registration of All Pregnant Teens for Natal Care

AFRICA, KENYA

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that all pregnant schoolgirls be registered to ensure they access free pre and post-natal care, Education Chief Administrative Secretary Zack Kinuthia has revealed. He told the Nation the directive is contained in a presidential directive issued recently, including an order that the national crime research centre come up with a report on high incidence of child abuse in the country. "All the chiefs and their assistants have been directed to register all the pregnant schoolgirls and ensure they do not fail to access maternal healthcare," he said, adding that the presidential communication to that effect has since been relayed to all County Commissioners. Mr Kinuthia said the president is worried that due to the social stigma most of girls in t...

Jul92020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

KENYA: President Kenyatta signs six Bills into law

AFRICA, KENYA

NAIROBI, 9th July 2020 (PSCU) –President Uhuru Kenyatta today at Harambee House, Nairobi, signed six Bills into law. The Bills, from the Senate and the National Assembly, included the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill of 2020, the National Drought Management (Amendment) Bill of 2019 and the County Governments (Amendment) Bill of 2017. Also signed into law by the President were the County Attorneys Bill of 2018, Petition to County Assemblies (Procedure) Bill of 2020 as well the County Governments (Amendment) No. 2 Bill of 2017. The signing ceremony was attended by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka. Also present were the Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio, his National Assembly counterpart Amos Kimunya and State Hou...

Jul92020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: More Kenyan frontline health workers test positive for COVID-19

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

More than 71 frontline medical workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kenya in the past one week, bringing the total tally to 257 since the outbreak of the disease in March. NAIROBI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 71 more frontline medical workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in Kenya in the past one week, bringing the total tally to 257 since the outbreak of the disease in March, the country's health ministry said on Wednesday. Health secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that the rise in numbers shows the vulnerability of the workers due to the nature of their work. A week ago, the number stood at 186, according to the Ministry of Health. "We will ensure that all health workers are protected by providing the necessary protective equipment because they are our frontline defende...

Jul92020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

BUSINESS: Survey shows 37% of Kenyans were unable to pay their May rent.

AFRICA, KENYA

More than a third of Kenyans were not able to pay their rent for the month of May according to a government survey. The Survey on Socio Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Households Report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 37 per cent of Kenyans were unable or would not be able to pay their May rent. The survey which was carried out in June involving 14,616 respondents, showed that the virus has ravaged the economy, affecting Kenyans across the board. According to the survey, almost 30.9 per cent of tenants who usually paid rent on the agreed date with their landlords before the pandemic were unable to pay on time for May. The report shows that only 31.6 per cent of households paid rent on time for May. The survey shows that 61 per cent of those who did n...

Jul82020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

KENYA: Schools to remain closed until 2021 due to the Pandemic.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

All schools in Kenya will remain closed until next January because of the coronavirus pandemic. Final year exams, usually taken in October and November, have also been cancelled. Education Minister George Magoha said students would repeat a year as schools had closed in mid-March, three months after the school calendar had begun. But colleges and universities are to reopen in September if they abide by strict guidelines. The East African country has confirmed more than 8,000 cases of coronavirus with at least 164 deaths – and there has been a recent surge in new infections. On Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a phased reopening of the country, including the lifting of travel restrictions in the main cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. However, he did extend a nation...

Jul82020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

KENYA: President Kenyatta outlines Government Development Priorities for the 2020/21 Financial Year

AFRICA, KENYA, TECHNOLOGY

President Uhuru Kenyatta today at State House, Nairobi held a virtual meeting with Senior Ranks of the Executive that included Cabinet Secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries during which he outlined Government development priorities for the 2020/21 Financial Year which kicked off on 1st July. In his address, the President said Government's focus this Financial Year will be the implementation and completion of ongoing Priority Projects and Programmes as set out in his Administration's Transformative Agenda for the Nation. These Programmes, the Head of State said must be strictly implemented within set timelines and budgets. The President reiterated his earlier directive that no new Projects will be initiated except with his express authority....

Jul72020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

AFRICA: USE cautions on Kenya Airways stock amidst government takeover

CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

Michael Joseph, the KQ chairman noted in a statement shared by the USE that the airline has been in discussions with the government of Kenya. The talks led to the National Aviation Management Bill 2020. AVIATION It's known as the pride of Africa, but Kenya Airways (KQ) financial performance is nothing short of shameful. The Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) has issued a cautionary notice over trading KQ shares.Michael Joseph, the KQ chairman noted in a statement shared by the USE that the airline has been in discussions with the government of Kenya. The talks led to the National Aviation Management Bill 2020.The bill sets out the legal framework for the nationalization of Kenya's national flyer. As is the norm, whenever a firm is nationalized, the private shareholders receive compens...

Jul72020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

KENYA: Over 20 arrested during Saba Saba match in Mathare, Kayole.

AFRICA, KENYA

Over 20 protesters have been arrested during a Saba Saba match in Nairobi's Kayole and Dandora areas on Tuesday morning. The protesters who were marching from Kayole and the Eastlands areas were teargassed by police as the arrests took place. Protesters in Mathare and Kiamaiko areas were also not spared during the arrests. Mathare, Kariobangi, and Dandora areas where civil society groups had designated as starting points were sealed off early on Tuesday. The leaders of the groups who included Kayole SJC's Faith Kasina, Maryanne, Lena Anyuolo, Habil Omar, Kibera Social Justice Centre's Editar Ochieng were also arrested and taken to Kariobangi police station on Tuesday morning. Nine others are said to have been arrested and are currently being held at the Kayole Police ...

Jul62020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Kenya: Distribution of Cases by County as of 5 July 2020

CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 5, 2020/ -- Distribution of positive cases by counties:- Nairobi (193)- Kajiado (22)- Kiambu (20)- Mombasa (18)- Makueni (17)- Busia (11)- Machakos (9)- Nakuru (8)- Nandi (3) - Turkana (3)- Narok (2)- Nyandarua (1)- Kakamega (1)- Kilifi (1)

Jul42020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus: Kenyan communities taking the lead in curbing COVID-19 spread

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

WHO is capitalizing on 21 community radio channels throughout the country to relay COVID-19 messages and conduct debates and discussions on the disease and its spreadBRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), July 3, 2020/ -- By the time the public health officials reached a Maasai community not far from Nairobi, Julius Oloiboni had already mobilized everyone to protect themselves and others against COVID-19.Mr Oloiboni, a Maasai elder, and the 30 members of his community periodically move with their cattle between Nairobi and Kajiado counties for grazing. But when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Kenya, the government put the city on a lockdown, including semi-nomadic groups like Mr Oloiboni’s, thus curtailing their movement to new grazing areas.Mr Oloiboni and his family had been ...

Jul32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus: Kenya records highest Covid-19 cases at 307 Nairobi, Wednesday July 1, 2020

CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 3, 2020/ -- The Ministry of Health has recorded 307 confirmed cases of COVID-19 from a sample of 3,519, the highest number in the last 24 hours.This pushes the country’s number of confirmed cases to 6,673. Cumulatively the government has tested 173,355 samples, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Health, Dr. Rashid Aman disclosed yoday while briefing the nation on the daily COVID-19 situationOut of the 307 cases, 298 are Kenyans while 18 are foreigners. The youngest is a one-year-old while the oldest is 81.The new cases are distributed in the counties of Nairobi 154, Mombasa 3...

Jul22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

AFRICA: Kenya looks for 400 coronavirus vaccine volunteers

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

Researchers in Kenya are calling for 400 volunteers to take part in a trial of a potential coronavirus vaccine pioneered by the University of Oxford. The Kemri-Wellcome Trust says all participants must be health workers living in the coastal city of Mombasa and nearby town of Kilifi, where the trial will take place. The same potential vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is already being tested on more than 1,000 volunteers in the UK. Hoping to drum up enough support in Kenya, the Kemri-Wellcome Trust has enlisted the Kenya Medical Research Institute to help with the search for participants. There has been controversy around the testing of vaccines in Africa, but the researchers stressed that regulatory approval will be sought before any trial begin. They also said that Kenyan ...

Jul22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

KENYA: Mombasa sex workers warn clients of higher prices after ‘lockdown’ is lifted

AFRICA, KENYA

Commercial sex workers in Mombasa have warned their customers to prepare for higher “service” charges should the Government lift the intercounty travel restrictions. This comes after Mombasa County approved the reopening of eateries, hotels and guest houses. Millicent Auma, a commercial sex worker in Bombolulu, told K24 Digital that the last three months “have been the toughest in my career, which has spanned many years”. “After the shutting of nightclubs and entertainment joints in Mombasa by both the national and county governments, the number of my clients reduced significantly!” she said. “My colleagues and I have been unable to feed our families,” added Auma. “We are now grateful to the County Government for reopening eateries and tourism sites as that would make it ea...

Jul22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Kenya: Distribution of Cases by county as of 1 July 2020

CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 2, 2020/ -- Nairobi 154, Mombasa 38, Machakos, 33, Kiambu 20, Narok 20, Kajiado 14, Busia 10, Kericho 4, Makueni and Nakuru 5 cases each, Kilifi, Kisumu, Kitui and Uasin Gishu (1) case each.

Jun292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

KENYA: Deaths in Kenya amid mask enforcement protest.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

Enforcement of virus containment regulations turned deadly in Lessos, a small town in Kenya’s Rift Valley where a witness confirmed that three people were killed during a confrontation between police and residents over the wearing of face masks. Angered by the death of a cobbler, residents set fire to the house of the local police chief and attacked a police station with stones. In the chaos two other people were shot dead, the eyewitness said. Peter Korir, protester and Lessos resident: “This is the second time when an individual is gunned down by a police officer. We are very saddened. “We are law abiding citizens and we cannot see why police brutality should be meted out on the commoners. We seek for justice, nothing short of justice,” he stressed. Human rights activists fo...

Jun32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

UGANDA: Four shot dead in a cattle raid attempt, Kaabong District.

AFRICA, CRIME, KENYA, UGANDA

KAABONG – At least four Kenyan Turkana pastoralists have been killed in the fight with the UPDF soldiers in Kaabong district. While addressing journalists on Wednesday morning at the division headquarters in Moroto, Major Peter Mugisa, the UPDF 3rd division Spokesperson said the raiders were killed on Tuesday, June 2 at 11pm as they attempted the steal animals in one of the protected kraals in Kamion Sub County in Kaabong district. He said the army failed the raid and one gun was recovered from the rustlers. “We had got intelligence information about their coming to raid animals in Kamion, so they came knowing the UPDF was not aware of their coming, they reached near the kraal but after noticing that UPDF had taken cover one of them shot one bullet which did not get our solider prom...

May312020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

EAST AFRICA: Kenya, Uganda scramble to clear Malaba border crisis.

AFRICA, COVID-19, EAST AFRICA, KENYA, UGANDA

Despite an agreement arrived at on Wednesday by government officials from Kenya and Uganda on the process of Covid-19 testing for truckers at the common border, an association for Kenyan truck drivers on Thursday advised its members to suspend services until both governments address stigma and harassment. Secretary-general of the Kenyan truckers union Nicholas Mbugua said on Thursday: “There is no safety agreement between Kenya and Uganda and yet drivers are being coerced by police officers to cross over to Uganda. We demand to be guaranteed the safety of our drivers in Uganda.” Speaking at the union’s offices in Mlolongo, Mr Mbugua said the drivers were tired of ‘’unbearable humiliation drivers were subjected to in Uganda”. The truckers had blocked the Kenyan side of the border ...

May302020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

EAST AFRICA: Kenya records one of the highest single-day COVID-19 cases, numbers stand at 1888.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19, HEALTH, KENYA

NAIROBI — Kenya’s Health Minister Dr Rashid Aman has confirmed that 143 more individuals had tested positive for COVID-19 after 2,959 samples were tested within the last 24 hours. Aman stated that the total number of COVID-19 individuals in the country stood at 1888. All the 143 cases are Kenyans, with the youngest patient being one month and the oldest being 88 years old Aman further stated that 26 individuals from hospitals around the county had been discharged, bringing the total number of those who had recovered to 464. At the same time, the ministry recorded the loss of a 59-year-old, bringing the total number of those who had succumbed to 63. The Health CAS further insisted that Kenyans should continue to follow measures that have been set by the government including;...

May222020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

Each Kenyan to Pay KSh 200 monthly to the Housing Fund

AFRICA, KENYA, Nairobi

NAIROBI, KENYA --- Kenyans will have to part with 200 shillings per months to beef up the National Housing Development Fund, if new proposed regulations published by the State come into effect. The regulations set to be tabled in parliament are contained in the National Housing Development Fund Regulations 2020. salaried workers will however not be coerced into contributing 1.5 per cent of their gross salary as housing levy had earlier been proposed. “Every member shall contribute a minimum of two hundred shillings per month to the National Housing Development Fund and the contributions shall be immediately credited to the member’s individual account as provided for under regulation 9,” the regulations read in part. A few months ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta asked the National...

May222020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Kenya: The Cabinet secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe receives mobile labs equipped with modern equipment

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, EAST AFRICA, KENYA, Nairobi

The Labs are capable to support 2,000 tests per day The Cabinet secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe yesterday received mobile labs equipped with modern equipment including PCR and ELISA machines that are able to diagnose most pathogens causing communicable diseases such as Ebola and COVID 19. The Labs are capable to support 2,000 tests per day. The Labs will complement existing laboratory network in the country. One lab will be stationed in Namanga at the Kenya Tanzania border while the other one will be at Naivasha dry port. The donation was made by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the Germany Development Bank and the Bernardt Nocht Institute of Tropical Medicine. The Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC) coordinated the project The handover event ...