Category Archives: Kenya

Kenya will host the 2nd edition of the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit (EAIES 2017)

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from: News Release – APO
News Release – APO
PRESS RELEASE

East Africa’s Islamic Economy Summit – Nairobi 2017

Tapping into the potential of Islamic Economy for the East Africa Market: Kenya will host the 2nd edition of the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit (EAIES 2017)

LONDON, United Kingdom, January 3, 2017/ — The Islamic Economy has seen tremendous increase in recent years transcending its traditional geographic boundaries, its entrance into East Africa could revolutionize the region’s finance & banking sector, Tourism, and Hotel sector and Fast moving consumer goods.

To explore how East Africa can tap into the Islamic Economy, with an estimated global value of $2.3 trillion, Kenya will host the 2nd edition of the East Africa Islamic Economy Summit (EAIES 2017) on the 10th & 11th April 2017 (www.EAIFS.com).

Another platform endorsed by East Africa’s Private and public sector leadership with speakers drawn from Governments, international experts on Islamic Finance and Economy, Banking sector leaders, regulatory authorities etc.

The summit comes at a time when East Africa’s traditional Investor and FDI sources are faced with changing political dynamics, uncertain global markets and divergent monetary policies hence making it the right moment for the region to diversify its investor portfolio.

Discussion points will focus on Islamic Finance & banking looking at its development within the East Africa; East Africa’s Halal Economy – a lucrative but invisible market – Opportunities for EAC;Takaful & Retakaful sector opportunities for East Africa.

‘’East Africa like the rest of Africa face a severe infrastructure deficit, with governments’ budgets under pressure due to low commodity prices and changing geo politics from the region’s traditional development and investment partners in Europe and America, Sharia compliant bonds or Sukuk must be an alternative to finance East Africa’s projects but their issuance are hindered by technical and legal hurdles, limited knowledge by end users and policy makers, making this summit an important platform to hear from experts in Islamic Finance instruments ‘’ Agnes Gitau – GBS Africa speaking about the conference

Halal Economy; Lessons for East Africa from South Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa regional spend on halal food was about $114bn in 2013 based on Thomson Reuters data. Emphasis has been mainly on halal meats and meat products, but over the past few years, the trend has been shifting to the introduction of halal franchises, prepared meals, canned, frozen and instant foods.

A great example for East Africa is South Africa which inspite of its small Muslim community has emerged as one of the five largest producers of halal products worldwide largely due to its access to the rest of the Continent and the presence of highly advanced halal certification programmes (60% of all products in SA’s retailers are certified halal) worth approximately ZAR1billion ($71.7m), according to MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation).

East Africa member states must explore opportunities to grow its Halal Food sector, given its growing Muslim Population and its shared cultural values where Halal food is not only consumed by the Muslim community but most people in the region.

Another sector the summit will cover in detail is Halal Tourism and how the region’s struggling tourism sector can get a slice of Halal tourism, one of the fastest growing areas of global tourism estimated at $219 billion. Tourism stakeholders will discuss what infrastructure our region requires to tap into this market.

The summit organisers GBS Africa in partnership with Anjarwalla & Khanna and IsFin – Emerging Markets Advisors are delighted to bring this forum to East Africa for the second year.

Distributed by APO on behalf of GBS Africa.

More information please visit www.EAIFS.com Email: info@gbsafrica.co.uk

SOURCE
GBS Africa

Kenya: MONEY LOOTING IN HIGH SCHOOLS TO BLAME FOR SCHOOL UNRESTS

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News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Several suggestions have been made to end the burning of schools in Kenya. One particular suggestion is that schools must have a school discipline policy which is developed in consultation with school community members containing four components:

1. The discipline code or school rules

2. Strategies and practices to promote positive student behaviour, including specific strategies to maintain a climate of respect

3. Strategies and practices to recognise and reinforce student achievement

4. Strategies and practices to manage inappropriate student behaviour.

In order to achieve this goal they suggest that the school discipline policy must:

1. be consistent with legislation and reflect government and departmental policy

2. Incorporate the principles of procedural fairness

3. Be developed within a strong student welfare context

4. Reflect the identified needs of the community

5. Outline expected standards of behaviour

6. Define the responsibilities of teachers, students and parents.

The other suggestion is that all students and staff to be treated fairly and with dignity in an environment free from disruption, intimidation, harassment, victimisation and discrimination. To achieve this, all schools are expected to maintain high standards of discipline.

Principals must ensure that students, staff and parent(s) and carer(s) are provided with opportunities to contribute to the development of the policy and that staff are provided with training and development opportunities in behaviour management.

There are some who suggest that students’ welfare, whose function is to ensure that any need arising from the students, is catered for and must be attended to accordingly. The need may arise from lack of school fees or lack of necessities. The welfare must ensure a comfortable environment for the students.

There are others who want schools to be closed immediately to enable stakeholders to investigate possible links among principals, teachers, students, residents, politicians, local suppliers and exam leaks cartels in arson areas.

While others are suggesting that students’ views should be included in key decision making bodies such as the Board of Managements, Parent Teacher Associations and special management committees. In addition, preferred channels of harnessing students’ views included notice boards, prefect body, assemblies, and class meetings.

In Many High schools in Kenya communication is disproportional and unfair as communication was one way- a form of telling and instructing students – rather than encouraging dialogue and open discussion between student and school administrators. Further, communication channels that fostered dialogue and open discussion were unpopular and little used. These included the baraza system, student council, open forums and student parliaments. In other words, student participation in secondary schools is still wanting and needed to be expanded to include issues beyond student welfare issues.

Determine the influence of school location on head teacher management of student welfare services and how home-school partnership of head teacher influences student welfare services and also to establish the extent to which gender, academic qualification, administrative experience and age of the head teacher influence management of students welfare services.

Other Kenyans think that lack of parents support and delayed government funds, which make planning and acquisition of essential materials difficult is to blame. Therefore this commends that the head teachers look for ways of educating the parents on their roles in providing services for their sons and daughters. The government should also to stick to specific time line for disbursing the supporting funds to the schools in order for them to better provide welfare services to the students.

Since high quality teaching staffs are the cornerstone of a successful education system in Kenya, some Kenyans suggest that teachers should be motivated. Although in many schools in Kenya school fee structure includes motivation fees for teachers, in most cases teachers are not motivated. Many studies have associated motivational factors to enhanced job performance, positive work values, high levels of employee motivation, and lower rates turnover and burnout.

While these ideas are good, one thing which is not is about money looting in High schools. According to recent survey by the Auditor General Edward Ouko on financial statements from the Ministry of Education, the Government is losing millions of shillings of capitation funds in public schools through inflated enrollment figures.

Ministry figures indicate that the State remits Sh28 billion annually to all public secondary schools to benefit 2.2 million students. Another Sh14 billion is sent to primary schools to benefit about 10 million children annually. The survey revealed that secondary school heads collect another Sh116.6 billion in school fees from parents annually. This is despite Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich increment of Sh32.7 billion set aside to cater for free day secondary schools. Another Sh14.1 billion, Mr Rotich said, would facilitate free primary education.

The report reveals that 36 schools awarded tenders worth Sh26.1 million through indirect procurement instead of open tendering as required by the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005. It also indicates that some schools awarded tenders to suppliers who were not vetted by the tender committees. And the queries did not end there. A scrutiny of financial records of 24 schools revealed that funds were transferred from one account to another without requisite authority.

A total of Sh15.7 million in four schools was transferred irregularly as at June 30, 2014. A review of the position in March, 2015 revealed that some schools had refunded Sh13.7 million to the original accounts, leaving an outstanding amount of Sh1.9 million.

In most cases school bursars are the beneficiaries. You get a bursar earning ksh 30,000 and he or she is able to build decent house, taking his children to academy schools from baby class to high school. Ministry of education auditors are part of the system, unless private auditors are involved.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@omolobeste

 

Kenya: Eurobond billions held in US bank accounts

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To: Jaluo Dotkom jaluo@jaluo.com
From: Joachim Omolo Ouko

News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xVYqj4T-ZK0/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAABk/-Z8hKQauBIc/s120-c/photo.jpg

FOUR SMOKING GUNS IN EUROBOND SAGA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016

Victor from Webuye writes: “Fr Omolo your article you wrote sometime last year on Eurobond scandals and what the Standard wrote today on how Eurobond billions held in US bank accounts and bogus letters is matching well with your analysis.

In your article you had mentioned Mr Jacob Juma. Who is he and what does he know about the Eurobond? In today’s article in Standard Director of Prosecution seems to doubt the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) findings, why do you think the commission is in favor of the government?”

Thank you for this important question Victor. Jacob Juma is a renowned business man who was among the first to release part of how Eurobond money was embezzled: the Government of Kenya he says raised Sovereign bond in Irish Stock Market and used Lawyer client accounts to move the money. No bank to bank was used due to money laundering constraints.

He argues that when the money hit the lawyer’s accounts, they moved the money based on instructions by Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mr. Henry Rotich and his Principal Secretary, Mr. Thugge. In-fighting among the lawyers handling Kenya’s Eurobond began immediately pay-outs began.

Part of Eurobond money he says was transferred to Commercial Bank of Afica owned by Uhuru’s family. About US$200-$300 of Eurobond money he says was used to refund all campaign money for 2013 elections. Some money was transferred by the lawyers directly to the Office of the President and out the back in gunny bags. A Sheikh in the Gulf was refunded unspecified amount advanced just before the elections (US$20 million) as well using Eurobond.

Juma also claims that they also paid Std Chartered Bank Syndicated loan of about US$600 million and pocketed a massive chunk of it. He has not mentioned the lawyer in connection with the Eurobond but promised he will publish complete list of the lawyers involved and the movement of Eurobond money.

Yes, the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has refused to close the investigative file in the Sh250 billion Eurobond scandals until the anti-graft agency explains “some” gaps in their report. The reason why the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is trying to do its finding in favor of the government I cannot say. But remember this is Kenya.

The DPP said he had summoned investigating officers from the EACC and from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to give the answers, but they had failed to answer satisfactorily, and thus, he ordered them to go back, look at the files and provide missing information. Tobiko did not say exactly what the nature of the missing information is. The EACC wants the case closed.

I also read with shock how Standard reported the four smoking guns in hazy figures how Eurobond billions held in US bank accounts and bogus letters. The Eurobond $2 million — actually US$1,998,997,763 — was paid into the JP Morgan Chase account on June 24, 2014.

At the time, JP Morgan Chase had received no advice as to who the signatories to the account were. These were eventually sent, but then, despite the fact that June 30 is the end of the financial year in Kenya, it took more than a week before there was any action on the account. We were now into the next financial year, which posed a number of problems.

The question is, why would someone authorise the transfer to Kenya of the apparently random sum of US$395,439,262.50? That exact figure of one billion dollars provides the FIRST SMOKING GUN. Why wasn’t, for example, a round figure such as US$400 million transferred? Why not US$500 million? Why was money kept in the US in a holding account when it was apparently badly needed in Kenya?

Unlike in the case of the other sums of money transferred, there is no evidence whatsoever that any part of this money ever came to Kenya.

The account at JP Morgan Chase was closed – but, far from being transferred to Kenya, the money was moved to another US bank! This is the SECOND SMOKING GUN. The Treasury has put on its website a document showing the transfer from JP Morgan Chase to the Federal Reserve Bank. But the document does not show the name of the holder of the account at the Federal Reserve Bank or any other details – unlike other documents that relate to the money when it was at JP Morgan Chase.

This brings us to a bigger question: What are they hiding? Who owns the account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York? It is now 18 months since that money was transferred. Where is any statement from the Federal Reserve Bank showing the balance in that account, and details of any transactions made on it during those 18 months, in particular the transfer to Kenya of this money? Why hasn’t the Treasury posted any such documents on its website? What are they hiding?

Another very curious document posted on the Treasury website is a statement of account from JP Morgan Chase for the period June 15 to June 30, 2014, a couple of months prior to the transfer to the Federal Reserve Bank. This is the THIRD SMOKING GUN. The money was not waiting there at all. The letters are not worth the paper on which they are written. They are just so much hot air and deceit.

The letters are purportedly dated September 15, September 19, October 28 – all in 2014 – and January 21, March 16, June 2 and June 26, all in 2015. They purportedly ask respectively for the seven sums of Sh25 billion, Sh25 billion, Sh15 billion, Sh25 billion, Sh25 billion, Sh30 billion and Sh17,268,281,131.75 to be transferred from the GoK/CBK Sovereign Bond dollar account to the Consolidated Fund.

The figures all add up to Sh162 billion, which is presumably the shilling equivalent of the nearly one billion dollars still held in the US – at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (that is, as far as we know), together with the Tap Sale proceeds of US$815 million that we accounted for earlier.

The letters are meant to show that the one billion dollars was received in Kenya. They actually show no such thing. These letters are a blatant cover-up. There is not one single document, as would be expected in the normal course of banking procedures, to show any correspondence whatsoever with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concerning our remaining nearly one billion dollars, let alone any instruction to transfer the money to Kenya.

These bogus letters and tables combine to make the FOURTH SMOKING GUN. Every senior person in the CBK and the Treasury and every lawyer advising either organisation must be able to look at these facts and figures and letters and tables.

If this nearly one billion dollars was transferred to Kenya, we need to see very clearly when and how. We need to see all the documents and whatever else is available that can constitute accurate, authentic and irrefutable proof that our money is safe. Without these documents, we can only say that this money is not “missing” or “lost”, or “unaccounted for”, as it is often politely described, but STOLEN.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Raila Odinga had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government and all companies that were involved in transactions that led to the Euro Bond scandal. CORD, through letters to the institutions, are now demanding the release of an official statements and clear accounts explaining to the public how the scandal occurred.

CORD has written to Mr. Henry K. Rotich, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury; Dr. Kamau Thugge, Principal Secretary for National Treasury, Barclays Bank PLC; London, United Kingdom, J.P. Morgan Securities, London, United Kingdom, QNB Capital LLC, Doha, Qatar and Standard Bank PLC, London, United Kingdom.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@omolobeste

Sepp Hasslberger: UN & WHO Sterilizing Women in Kenya, Covertly, Via Tetanus Vaccines

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from: cynthia lee
from ; octimotor

According to LifeSiteNews, a Catholic publication, the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association is charging UNICEF and WHO with sterilizing millions of girls and women under cover of an anti-tetanus vaccination program sponsored by the Kenyan government. The Kenyan government denies there is anything wrong with the vaccine, and says it is perfectly safe.

Follow the link to
http://www.phibetaiota.net/2015/11/sepp-hasslberger-un-who-sterilizing-women-in-kenya-covertly-via-tetanus-vaccines/

Historic priceless Kenyan images

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From: Mundia Kamau

Subject: Historic priceless Kenyan images of e.g. Princess Elizabeth’s historic 1952 Kenya visit and the triumphant Kenya Team to the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games

Historic priceless images of Colonial Kenya and Independent Kenya, very likely never seen before by quite literally all of us, this writer included i.e. & e.g.

(i) Images of Princess Elizabeth’s visit to Kenya of February 1952, where she came as Princess Elizabeth and left as Queen Elizabeth II, following the demise of her father King George VI on the night of 5th February 1952. Notice from the images how Princess Elizabeth’s 1952 visit quite literally brought life to a standstill throughout the entire expanse of the then Kenya Colony, including no doubt neighbouring Tanzania (then Tanganyika) and Uganda, and also including very likely British colonies then further down south of Kenya like Malawi (then Nyasaland), Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia), and Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia). Also see images of the now iconic TreeTops Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya, which Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor ascended as a Princess on 5th February 1952, and which she descended as a Queen on the morning of 6th February 1952, following the demise of her father King George VI, as mentioned

(ii) Images of the triumphant return back home of the Kenya Team to the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, quite a number of which are colour photographs

(iii) Images of the legendary Thomas Joseph Mboya in his days as a trade unionist, including one colour photograph

(iv) Images of ordinary day-to-day life in Colonial Kenya

Thirty-one (31) of the 426 priceless images courtesy of the Kenya National Archives (KNA), and 395 of 426 priceless images, courtesy of LIFE

Check them out at

http://kenyapostcardsandkenyaphotos.wordpress.com/

Kenya: Daher ngeyo

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From: Joshua Otieno

An pod wach mar gund Luo ema Chanda. Ka wachako gi pinje luo, ma anyalo temo ndiko kaka Kadem, Kanyamkakago, Kwabwai, Kanyada, Kanyamwa, Karungu, Sakws, Kamagambo, Kanyidoto, Karachuonyo, Kano, Nyakach, Imbo, Alego, Ugenya, Gem, Kisumo, Seme, Suba, kod maok aketo.

Adwaro ngeyo kaka ne giwuotho ka gi ayo Sudan. Agombo ngeyo ni
– wach mane darogi en ango?
– to ne far ebwo tello aina mane?
– negikao thuolo Maromo nade mondo gichop

Kenya: A Brief Open Letter to Mutahi Ngunyi

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from: Ooko John

First and foremost, following your recent comments, you ought to resign from any public office, direct or through any influential affiliation, NYS or otherwise. That is what every professional worth his salt, and has a love for his nation is expected to do.

Second, are you really ready to take on this rather complex topic of who is actually poor, poor in or poor at what, what exactly that constitutes, and how much of it, you particularly, your tribesman or your tribespeople are evidently culpable of?

Third, do you have what it takes for the ultimate personal sacrifice for the sake of what you deem as your community’s high placement in the Kenyan society? In some delirium quest to portray their tribal base as possessing a self-perceived form of superiority over others in their respective locales, the world has so far given us Adolf Hitler of Germany and the likes of George Wallace in the US. Should we start believing that you are on some self-proclaimed warpath to martyrdom?

Fourth and ironically so, we need a few more twisted minds like yours to help us dismantle this tyranny in our midst. Of course I’m aware that you refer to it occasionally as a different form of tyranny! The history of humanity has shown us that your kind of ebullience is what brought past empires to their knees, the Egyptian not particularly so, but the Roman yes!

Fifth, as for Raila Odinga, he is not a saint! But then again, have you ever wondered as to why the many multi-millionaires dotting the central Kenyan corridor who seamlessly exhibit the same adjectives you casually employed on Raila, have somehow remained obscured to the general Kenyan public? In case you have lived the perceived community privilege for too long, to the extent that its reality has come to be oblivious to you, let me remind you of this fact. It’s all because of the massive state machinery that over the years has, and still operates in that same corridor. Your tribe folks, the poor and derelict especially, have also conveniently overlooked this, simply because the grand economic spill-over effects from that state machinery, has had most of them busy, at least churning a life from its crumbs. Supplementary to all this, is the propaganda mechanism that has effectively rendered meaningless the numerous state scams as the Goldenberg scandal. And so, Raila may be a multi-millionaire living amongst some of the poor in Kenya, but then again, he didn’t create their current status. The state mechanism that has been wielded against some sections of the country from the onset of the Jomo Kenyatta reign did it!

Ah yes, in my desire to relieve you of this rant even though you started it, I almost forgot the sixth item! Have you recently taken a look at the ethnic composition of the Kenyan civil service? Oh my, what am I saying, this composition has been more or less so for decades. In fact, it’s been so since a Luo was the president of Kenya! And the same civil service influence has been used as a gateway to personal business enterprises, those that are being flouted in our faces today as consequences of pure individual efforts of which only the Ngunyi’s are capable of.

By the way (this one has no item number assigned to it), I may have missed it and I intend to learn from you! Was it ever inscribed in some Kenyan Bible that only a Kikuyu would be the governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (of course you know what I mean)? This question is even more significant given that Duncan Ndegwa (a former governor himself), and his commission of 1971 opened the floodgates of our form of corruption (refer back to the sixth item).

Lastly, as a professional, I invite you, – yes, invite you following your implication of having apologized to the Luo community over your recent comments – to read a chapter in my book on the story ofhumanity from an African’s perspective. Well, if you care, you can read the whole book, the full five-hundred plus pages to fully absorb the root meanings of this very letter. Still, the chapter is entitled – Discussing the Kikuyu Factor in Kenyan Politics and Economics. Should you decide to be a sport, drop me a note in the various communication channels as to where you think I’m wrong, as that is expected, but then again, don’t forget to say where you think I’m right , or simply, maybe right!

Yours truly, an electronics engineer and a self-trained political scientist.
Ooko John

Kenya: IBM Research – Africa and RTI International forge partnership for data-driven development

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From: News Release – APO (African Press Organization)
PRESS RELEASE

Launch project in Mombasa County, Kenya using technology to improve understanding of educational challenges in schools

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 15, 2015/ — RTI International (http://www.rti.org) – a leading nonprofit research institute – and IBM’s (NYSE: IBM) Africa research lab (http://www.research.ibm.com/labs/africa) have announced a partnership to deploy big data analytics and cognitive technologies to help transform development approaches in Africa and around the world. In one of the first projects, IBM and RTI are developing and testing intelligent systems to capture data about schools in Mombasa County, Kenya.

Capture.PNGLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ibm.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/150715ibm.jpg (IBM Research Scientist, Dr Kommy Weldemariam with pupils from Riara School, Nairobi exploring how technology can help improve educational outcomes)

Through the partnership, RTI and IBM Research – Africa will explore ways of using advanced technologies to capture accurate data about challenges in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, water and education. Drawing on the power of big data analytics, researchers will provide insight to governments, aid agencies and other organizations who are looking to make more informed decisions about investment and development while having greater visibility of results.

“A dearth of data on Africa in the past has led to misunderstandings or misrepresentations of the continent’s history, economic performance and potential. Over the past few decades, even simple facts have been misrepresented – the size of a country, its economic performance, the amount of poor people, the volume of exploitable resources,” said Dr. Kamal Bhattacharya (http://www.apo.af/H4zBuh), Vice President IBM Research – Africa. “The latest advances in mobile, big data and Internet of Things technologies have the potential to change that so that we have an accurate and dynamic understanding of Africa’s challenges, rising opportunities and incredible potential.”

The partnership comes as a rapid rise in mobile and Internet of Things technologies are producing unprecedented amounts of data. In developing countries, mobile phones, digital devices and low-cost sensors connected to improving cellular networks are reaching previously disconnected communities with the potential to produce new insight about how people live and the challenges they face.

“Rapid advancements in technology and open data initiatives mean more data is available now than ever before, offering significantly greater insights to improve lives through smarter development programs,” said Aaron Williams (http://www.apo.af/k4Eob4), executive vice president at RTI. “By combining our expertise in data science and development, RTI and IBM will apply the information newly at our fingertips to accelerate improvements in literacy, respond rapidly to the spread of infectious diseases, and discover and apply new innovations for improving the human condition in the developing world.”

Big Data for Education in Mombasa County

In one of the first joint projects, RTI and IBM are developing and testing intelligent systems for data capture and decision support to improve accountability and transparency in more than 100 schools in Mombasa County, Kenya. The project is designed to support the Kenyan Ministry of Education Science and Technology data collection initiative.

Teachers, head teachers, school principals and administrators will be equipped with tablet devices to capture data about students, classrooms, and school resources. IBM and RTI scientists will use big data analytics and cognitive technologies to analyze the data and provide indicators that establish school profiles and progress and provide actionable recommendations about the county’s education system at a granular level. The activity is part of the United States Agency for International Development’s Education Data for Decision Making (EdData II) project.

“In the past, head teachers, government officials and aid agencies across Sub-Saharan Africa have struggled to make informed decisions about how to invest in and improve education,” said Dr. Kommy Weldemariam (http://www.apo.af/9QGTiv), Research Scientist, IBM Research – Africa. “Often education data is incomplete, inaccurate and sometimes even deliberately misreported. Using analytics and cognitive technologies, we are creating a school census hub which will minimize the effort, expense and error in collecting valuable data about attendance, performance and resources at schools. It has the potential to completely change our understanding of the situation on the ground and what needs to be done to improve it and improve the outcomes for children.”

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Applying insights and actionable evidence from data will be key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ambitious universal targets that will be confirmed by a United Nations Summit in September 2015. They include ending poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.

“By adding analytical value and insight to data production, curation and integration, RTI and IBM will help lay the paving stones for the ‘data revolution for development’ to lead the way in achieving the sustainable development goals,” said Dr. Luis Crouch (http://www.apo.af/BHpam6), vice president and chief technical officer in RTI’s International Development Group, who has worked with various UN processes on the formation of these goals.

The sustainable development goals raise numerous global challenges for which innovative data science solutions, such as predictive analytics, sifting of massive amounts of evidence, and more agile use of citizen-sourced information and citizen feedback could help provide solutions. For instance, in the education sector, initiatives can provide insight on building early childhood development programs that predicate success in later education and life; design early grade reading and math programs using the best instructional approaches and curricula; and inform policymakers on policies needed to support sustainable improvements in education and the data systems needed to track progress in systemic reform. In the health sector, initiatives can help track the spread of infectious diseases faster and more efficiently; provide a better understanding of the underlying causes of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer; and improve the knowledge management, oversight and accountability needed to strengthen health systems.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of IBM.

Contacts
Jonathan Batty
IBM Research – Africa
jonathanb@uk.ibm.com
+44-7880-086571

Brad Goehner
RTI International
bgoehner@rti.org
+1-919-541-6963

About RTI
RTI International (http://www.rti.org), a leading nonprofit research institute with expertise ranging from laboratory sciences to international development, has more than 50 years of development experience worldwide. Specialties include global health, international education, governance and economic development. The Institute’s work on more than 70 current development projects is supported by regional offices in Kenya, Indonesia and El Salvador.

About IBM Research – Africa
IBM (http://www.ibm.com) Research – Africa (http://www.research.ibm.com/labs/africa) is IBM’s 12th global research lab and the first industrial research facility on the continent of Africa. With facilities in Kenya and South Africa, IBM Research – Africa is driving innovation and socio-economic development by developing commercially-viable solutions to transform lives and enable new business opportunities in key areas such as water, agriculture, transportation, healthcare, financial inclusion, education, energy, security and e-government.

SOURCE
IBM

You’re invited to 2015 KENYA DIASPORA CONFERENCE – ATLANTA GA USA (Sep 17, 2015 – Sep 19, 2015)

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From: David Ochwangi
To: jaluo@jaluo.com

Hello,
You are invited to the following event:

2015 KENYA DIASPORA CONFERENCE – ATLANTA GA

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:
Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 8:30 AM
– to –
Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 10:00 PM (EDT)

Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel
One Hartsfield Centre Parkway
Atlanta , GA 30354

This year’s conference is for and by Kenyans in the Diaspora and features Business, Government and Kenyans in the Diaspora to address key issues of common interest and to advance our common welfare such as a) Diaspora Policy, Representation and Voting in the next general elections, b) Investments c) Governmental role in protecting the Diaspora, d) Disability, e) Technology, f) Kenya Diapora’s…

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
David Ochwangi

HIGH COST OF LIVING IS THE CAUSE FOR SUICIDE IN KENYA

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from: Joachim Omolo Ouko
News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

Samuel from Eldoret writes: “Father Omolo Ouko thank you for your input on this year’s budget. You well put it that ordinary Kenyans are the ones suffering most due to massive corruption in Kenya. In your opinion, why do you think the government of Kenya is unwilling to fight root causes of corruption?
In one of your articles I read recently online is that the government is just going after people who eat meat on bones the actual looters have thrown to them. The government’s fight on corruption does not target real people who go with meat. In this was Kenya will never succeed on fight against corruption.
The country has continued to perform poorly in the fight against the problem because they just focus on people struggling to eat meat in between bones. Global watchdog Transparency International has ranked Kenya lower than her eastern Africa neighbours. This is despite being the largest economy in the region.
At the grassroots, corruption has been devolved to the counties with the local leaders engaging in a vociferous spending spree on largesse. In other words, corruption is everywhere in Kenya. It affects all sectors.
I wonder whether Kenya will one day get good leaders who will not only improve the cost of living, but also eradicate the endemic problems of insecurity and corruption. Thank you Father and keep on sharing with us matters pertaining to our country Kenya I love dearly.”
Thank you for your sentiments Samuel. When Hon Martha Karua was asked on what her leadership as the 4th President of Kenya would offer Kenyans, her first answer was to improve the cost of living in Kenya which had become almost unbearable with inflation rates rising by over 10percent just that year (2012) alone.
Karua referred to an editorial cartoon that best illustrated the conditions facing many Kenyans. It showed five characters, three adults labeled maize, sugar, rent and one child labeled salary. Off the side of these four was another character asking the ‘child’, while pointing to the three adults, why haven’t you grown up like your ‘friends’?
Although there is nothing humorous about what many Kenyans are facing today, the painful reality of increasing costs according to Karua is one that needs to be urgently addressed and one that she would prioritize in her administration.
Whereas the cost of living has in general risen around the globe, she believes that the levels of corruption and impunity in Kenya significantly contribute to the high costs in certain items. For instance, the maize industry faced a huge corruption scandal and maize prices had not come down since.
Sugar, another commodity riddled with corruption, has increasing high prices. Therefore, addressing the increased living costs would include a component of addressing corruption given its adverse effect on the prices of basic commodities.
The high cost of living is directly correlated to the inefficiencies brought about by cartels that collude with government to act as middlemen thus driving commodity prices sky-high. Some of the money made will be used for campaigns. That is the corruption we need to address urgently and decisively. These are the actual people who go with meat and throw bones to poor ‘dogs’.
Had it not because of corruption and poor leadership, investment in our farmers – Kenya can and should feed itself. Investing in irrigation to water our farms, bringing the cost of fertiliser down, bringing the cost of seed down, facilitating funding for mechanisation and modernisation, will enable us to do so and bring the cost of food down.

With the government heavily taxing oil imports, the cost of petroleum in Kenya has risen from around $1 per liter to over $1.30 in just the past few months. Kenyans have also been hit from all sides by rising inflation, government tariffs, import mismanagement, and insecurity.
Fuel shortages are not just happening because there happens to be no product. The reason is probably because to sell the fuel at the price that has been regulated by the government is really not a viable option.

All of these factors have in turn triggered inflation, which threatens to strengthen the rise in prices. Workers are becoming increasingly fed up and organized labor is beginning to demand higher wages to cope.
The majority of Kenyans or 81 per cent rely on government health institutions for medical care. These institutions have become too expensive because patients are to buy medicines from chemist.
Significant departure of medical staff from the public service as has been recently seen in the resignation of a number of doctors has a detrimental impact on the nation’s health.
As millions of youths have no jobs while millions of workers are living on starvation wages that cannot now enable them to live from hand to mouth, cases of suicides have increased. Kenya comes 65th out of 192 countries according to the World Health Rankings on suicide prevalence.
Frustrations about money and jobs can lead to depression, drug abuse and alcohol addiction. When the young people feel inadequate and powerless they may be tempted to commit suicide.
Loss of job is one leading cause of suicide among young people; an individual is left hopeless and may sink low with demands of living day to day without means of providing for themselves and their dependants.
Girls generally attempt suicide more often than boys, but boys are about 4 times more likely to die from the suicide attempt. This is because the methods that boys choose – often using firearms or hanging – are more lethal than those chosen by girls, namely drug overdoses or cutting themselves.
Almost half of 14- and 15-year-olds have reported feeling some symptoms of depression. These are mainly pupils in Standard 8 or form ones. The cause of their depression is too much worries on whether they can be able to go to Secondary school or continue with their studies.
They see their parents are not able. Most of these children are either left with mothers alone because their fathers died, or both parents have died and taken care with grandmother who is not able to educate them.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

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Kenya: Philips rehabilitates the Intensive Care Unit department at Machakos Hospital by undertaking a complete refurbishment and installing lifesaving innovations

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From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE

Philips rehabilitates the Intensive Care Unit department at Machakos Hospital (Kenya) by undertaking a complete refurbishment and installing lifesaving innovations
Capture.PNG
• Collaboration with Machakos Hospital (the “Hospital”) is part of a tender contract awarded to Philips by the Central Government of Kenya, which will entail the transformation of eleven ICU departments in level 5 hospitals across the country;

• The project is testament to Philips commitment to advancing the delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in Africa;

• Inauguration of the refurbished ICU department at the Hospital coincides with Philips’ week-long visit to Kenya as part of its sixth consecutive Cape Town to Cairo roadshow (http://www.philips.com/C2CAfrica).

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29, 2015/ — Philips (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) (http://www.philips.com) today unveiled an entirely refurbished Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Hospital (Machakos County) Kenya. This is the first of eleven ICU departments in hospitals across the country that Philips is transforming as part of a tender contract awarded to Philips by the Central Government of Kenya to support healthcare revitalization across the country.

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2042 (President Kenyatta tours ICU at Machakos with Roelof Assies, General Manager, Philips East Africa Limited)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2044 (Philips unveils refurbished ICU at Machakos Hospital)

Logo Royal Philips: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpg

Logo “Philips’ Cape Town to Cairo roadshow”: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1927

The radical transformation of the ICU department at the Hospital has consisted of a complete overhaul of all facilities in the ICU department. Prior to this development the ICU department at the Hospital had an existing three bed ICU ward, which was very basic and not adequately equipped to care for patients. Philips has adopted an approach to the project with the Hospital known as Managed Equipment Services (MES). This approach means that Philips has taken full responsibility for the entire renovation, and has sourced and provided all required facilities, not just the technology and equipment. By adopting this ‘MES approach’, Philips has worked with external third parties to deliver all necessary solutions for a world-class ICU.

To ensure that the renovated ICU department at the Hospital meets international standards, a complete redesign was necessary. This has resulted in various civil works being initiated to create an isolation room, a sluice room, a nurse’s central desk, installation of piped medical gases from a new central oxygen plant, as well as access control to the department etc.

Philips also installed brand new high quality LED lighting in the ICU department; LED lighting enables rest and recovery, as it’s not as harsh as conventional fluorescent lighting, it requires minimal maintenance and also helps to reduce energy consumption.

Expanding the view at the bedside and beyond

Philips has installed a clinical network via the Philips IntelliVue MX series (http://www.healthcare.philips.com/main/products/patient_monitoring/products/intellivue_mx600_mx700) of bedside patient monitors, configured to simplify clinical workflow and allow easy access to relevant patient information from various hospital applications and systems. Patient monitors play a critical role in an ICU, by providing accurate, real-time physiological information that is needed to determine a patient’s status. The Philips IntelliVue MX series of monitors feature a best-in class ECG algorithm to reduce the number of false alarms, providing immediate, seamless access to clinically relevant patient information at the bedside and also at the central nurse’s station.

In addition to the monitoring solutions, Philips also provided the Hospital with Philips acute (V680) ventilators to enable therapeutic care, as well as Philips (DFM100) defibrillators to allow resuscitation of the heart. Also non Philips equipment like ICU beds, syringe pumps, pulse oximeters, infusion pumps, neonatal ventilators etc have been installed to ensure a fully functional ICU environment for various patient categories. Philips has also installed a piped medical gas plant in the unit which will support patient management by provision of oxygen eliminating the need for external supply of bottled oxygen.

To ensure that clinical staff fully utilise these state-of-the-art technologies in their new environment and that patient’s get maximum benefit from the latest therapies available, Philips will undertake application training on a regular basis as part of a continuous medical education (CME). Similarly, to support product uptime and service availability in the ICU department at the Hospital, biomedical engineers from the Hospital will also be trained on troubleshooting techniques.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Roelof Assies, General Manager, Philips East Africa Limited, said, “I’m delighted to announce the extensive development that is already well underway at the Hospital. We have worked with the Hospital to understand their needs, and to ensure that once the project is completed, the facility is fully equipped to adequately and sustainably care for patients admitted to the ICU department. The Hospital serves a wide ranging area, but prior to this refurbishment, it was unable to care for trauma patients, and so they had to be transferred to Nairobi which is at least an hour and a half away by car. This obviously could have devastating consequences for many patients, not to mention the increasing burden on the tertiary facilities in Nairobi, like Kenyatta National Hospital”.

“This initiative is part of a wider contract which will see Philips provide eleven hospitals across the country with lifesaving facilities. We will not only deliver our medical technologies and solutions to the hospitals, but we will also provide clinical training. Over the past decade, Philips has developed a model for turnkey healthcare projects in Africa; what makes this work successfully is a comprehensive project design and implementation that takes the bigger picture into consideration.”

Mr Assies concluded, “It’s not enough to simply supply and install equipment. Comprehensive project management is essential – from evaluating the infrastructure to training and maintenance. We must build capacity that enables the local clinical teams to continue their work. Our commitment to Kenya is unwavering, and we are very proud to have been selected by the Government of Kenya for this project; we will continue to strive to advance healthcare infrastructure across the country.”

Cape Town to Cairo Roadshow 2015

The announcement of the collaboration with the Hospital coincided with Philips’ weeklong stopover in Kenya, as part of its sixth consecutive pan-African Cape Town to Cairo roadshow. The annual roadshow kicked off on 11 May 2015, in Cape Town, and Nairobi is the third stop on a journey covering 12,000 km across 11 cities and 8 countries over a period of 4.5 months. The roadshow has gained significant momentum over the past five years, allowing Philips to get to the heart of some of the key issues facing Africa – including Mother and Child Care, the rise of non-communicable diseases, energy efficient LED and solar lighting solutions, as well as shining a spotlight on the need for clinical education and training.

Follow the Cape Town to Cairo journey via Twitter @PhilipsKenya (https://twitter.com/philipskenya) or visit www.philips.com/C2CAfrica.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Royal Philips.

For further information, please contact:

Radhika Choksey
Philips Group Communications – Africa
Tel: +31 62525 9000
E-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com

About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of EUR 21.4 billion and employs approximately 108,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE
Royal Philips

Fencing kenya-somalia border WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY AND TIME.

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Writes Bob Aeum-Tidi.

ORANGE Democratic Movement officials in Nyanza have faulted the jubilee government plan to fence the entire 750 kilometers porous Kenya-Somalia borderline as a waste of money, energy and time. Instead the government should withdraw thousands of KDF soldiers currently idling inside Somalia and re-deploy them along the two countries common international border to curb the frequent intrusion nd incursion by Al-Shabaab jithadist terrorists.

MIgori County branch chairman ODM Eng Philip Makabong’o said to be spending millions of taxpayers money fencing the borderline the government will not be able to build iron sheet roof on the top of the fence to deter terrorists from jumping over. He said the plan could be another Anglo Leasing scam in which someone somewhere wants to ripoff millions of shillings from the government and must be stopped at once.

Makabong’o advised President Uhuru Kenyatta to make the entire North Eastern Provence of Kenya inaccessible to foreigners by way of declaring a state of emergency and impose dusk to dawn curfew in the region.

Under the state of emergency all he people of Somali origins Aden Duale the leader of the majority in the National Assembly should be compelled to wear a special identification tugs. This measure should include the Somalis who are Kenya citizens and non-citizens alike.
The residents of the region have no cooperated fully with the government I its efforts tl eradicate terrorism and banditry in the region.

“Our soldiers serving as peace keepers in Somalia should be recalled home and re-deployed along the Kenya-Somalia border to help the battle hardened Kenya police in keeping an eye non the border to stop any intruders. Somali refugees living in Dadab Refugees camp and other refugees camp in Kenya should be asked to go back home. There is no point for one to live in another country as a refugee for over twenty years. It makes no sense. These people should be repatriated across the border to their country.

Akabong’o said, although the concerted efforts by President enyatta to stamp out terrorism on Kenya solid ground should be appreciated by all and sundry, Somalis leader who are holding key government position In the Kenya government appeared to be giving only lip services, but nothing tangible to bring the endless massacre of Kenyan people to an end.

Makabong’o scathingly attacked the DP William Ruto who he said of late has made it a point to call the name of CORD leader Raila Odinga whenever he opened up. “uto is using aila’s name derogatively as a punching box in his political war with his detractors and steady rising numbers of his opponents in the Rift Valley, This must stop. Moreover Ruto is not of Rala’s caliber either politically or academically snd even status wise in the society.

BY calling names of innocent people in public everywhere he going, this unbecoming behavior will not propel him to the presidency“, said Makabong’o. He told Dn Ruto to emulate his political mentor, the retired President Daniel Moi who served Kenya diligently as the Vice President and was always at peace with everybody until he succeeded his boss the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta without offending any body. He should take a critical note from the famous Swahili proverbs of ‘Haraka Haina Baraka”

“Ke nya is not running away. The country will be here for another hundreds of years to come, and if the DP play his card peacefully and strategically nothing will stop him from being the future President of Kenya.” said Makabong’o adding that ODM official and followers are under strict instruction not touse provocative words or comments against Ke nyan leaders fro other competing parties and to exercise respect to all.

ENDS

KENYA: THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN BATTLE FOR SUNA EAST PROMISES TO BE THE TOUGH; CHALLENGERS HAVE LINED UP AGAINST JUNET

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MOHAMMED JUNET FACES ELECTION DILEMA IN 2017 IN MIGORI
News Analysis By Leo Odera Omolo In Migori Town.

The next bilection campaign battle in Suna East constituency is expected to be the touch stone of the entire Southern Nyaza region. THe constituency is a cosmopolitan in the true sense of the word. The residents are people of mixture tribal background.

He Luos are arguably the majority,but other In ethnic groups such as Luyhias, Maragolis, Kisiis and Somalis makes this electoral area a true cosmopolitan in the real sense of the word.

The incumbent MP is the controversial and outspoken Mohammed Junet, a man of Somali origin whose leadership style appeared to have been weaken by his links with political goons and hirelings. The MP who has been bragging to be the eyes and ears of the ODM and CORD leader Raila Odinga in Migori is full of political antics and gimmicks, which has so far made his popularity to wane as fast as he had won the seat in 2013 elections..

The residents accused the MP of being fond of making political rhetoric in Nairobi, but doing absolutely nothing tangible in helping the electorate overcome myriads of problem at the constituency level. On several occassions the youthful legislator has been in brawls in public, and even at one time wrestling with his perceived opponents while scrambling for microphone or address system before the huge crowd of mourners.

The man who is giving Junet sleepless is Patrick Odipo a business magnate in Migoritown who is running chain of businesses including transport and estate agency. Odipom hails from Suna Kadika in Wasweta East in Suba East Division of Migori district. Is a member of the indigenous Jo-Suna sub-clan

Another Junet’s challenger is Hezron Ondigo who is a Maragoli. His parents are living in Uriri sub-County also withi Migori , but he lives in Kakirao area. He is a former school teacher-turned businessman.

During last week burial of a retired teacher the late Angira Angira, at Nyabisawa village, it was Ondigo who turned the heat on MP Junet when he bravely challenged as the legislator to account for what he has done to to his constituents ever since he was voted into parliament two and half years ago.

His sentiments infuriated the MP prompting him to grab and switched off the micraphone as the hundreds of mourners chanted “Junet Must Go”. Sensing the danger the priest conducting the burial prayers moved in and grabbed the microphone and took it to the graveside. He then asked the mourners to move to the graveside and to leave the brawling politicians to fight on.

It was one of Junet’s opponent Patrick Odipo who calmed the situatiion and saved it from getting worse as youths supporting the waring parties were getting ready for a fight, while many mourners scampered and fled the funeral home for their safety.

Suna East is one of the richest constituencies in Migori County. The County has seven parliamentary constituencies, namely Rongo, Awendo, Nyatike, Uriri,una East, Suna West, Kuria East and Kuria West. Its economic dynamic are minerals, highly valued cash crops, which included Tobacco and Sugar cane residents of the lower parts like Nyatike and parts of Uriri sub county, but he is a resident of Kakirao on the Suna-East constituencysde.

Speaking to this writer in his Migori townm Oatric Odipo said that every generation in this country faces unique challenges. Obkthuiatory is able to judge how well they respond to it. Many residents of Suna East were raised in the context where underdevelopment and poverty were pervasive.

Odipo said, “almost every year we faces unique hard economic times. THe population in the area comprises of majority with only primary education or “O” level school dropouts with many seeking manual jobs. Their parents are left to the mercy of nature as they deliver far from the safety of hospitals.

The business tycoon went on saying, ”there is leadership, apathy and the Suna East residents must now question the circumstances and demand leadership to account for their responsibilities and resources utilization.

He added, “changing the course of history is never easy task and only the brave and committed men like myself, he said adding that there will always be some elements of antics who will say how it cannot be done and give million reasons as to to why it would be possible to achieve this. If men listen to them we would have not set foot on the mont, Odipo said philosophically., adding we “We would only pride ourselves for having walked to the next village. The great leaders not not only ask the question why but also why not.

HE said the electorate I Sua East constituency have asked him to rise up and lead them to the next level of development, and in response to the numrous requests he has accepted the challenge and decided to change the course of the constituency’s development trajectory.

Odipo said he was sure of besting the incumbent legislator and his mai agenda would be to create the wealth. He intend to launch wealth creation programme which will transform Suba East into the hub wealth and business activities to be envious to other constituencies in the region. The area lacked fresh water for heath and sanitation. It needs serious youth economic empowerment programme, major healthcare programs, introduction of new method and technology in agriculture, increase in livestock, especially graded dairy cows to increase milk output.

SUNA East constituency is partly in Migori town which it shared equally with Suna West constituency. The town’s proximity to border trades makes it a major hub for business acclivities that attract customers and business people from across the Kenya-Tanzania border

He said the current MP has been sleeping on the job. He lacked commitment to poverty eradication and has been threatening the electorate while using the name the CORD leader Raila Odinga as his protector, and his performance is lukewarm. His performance is dismal and reads zero.

Ends

TRIBUTE POEM IN MEMORY OF GRACE OGOT

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THE RARE BEACON OF HOPE:-

LETS CELEBRATE GRACE OGOT

O, the rain has come for our icon,

Yawa, let’s

Celebrate Grace Ogot

Our rare multi-multi

Talented icon

Let’s celebrate this ever

Smiling lady of thrift

With the gift for philanthropy

The rare beacon of hope,

During dark days of illiteracy

The rare lily in the Luo universe

Ever

Exuding intellectual fragrance

Let’s celebrate nyar Asembo

Mama Grace Ogot

Who cherished Christian values

This delineated her life

As the only nominated and elected women M.P

For Gem

Gem the home of the legends

Odera Akang’o and CMG Argwings Kodhek

You championed

Education for the girl child.

Let’s celebrate Grace Ogot

The rare beacon of hope

Let’s celebrate this kind hearted

Mulago trained nurse and BBC Radio Journalist

Who inspired by Luo culture,

mythology and folklore

Aspired matured into

A renowned writer

Articulating the role

Of women in

Patriarchal society

We celebrate the life

Of an extraordinary

Mother and wife to an

International historian:

Prof Bethwel Alan Ogot.

Let’s celebrate a great

Personality,always

Elegant in her distinctive headgear

And mono-tone flowing dresses

The rare beacon of hope

The rain has come for our icon

The care beacon of hope

Let’s celebrate Grace Ogot

Born in rural Asembo

This great African writer

Educated at Ng’iya and Butere Girls High Schools.

Government Assistant Minister for Culture in 1987.

We celebrate Grace Ogot

The politician, the nurse, the broadcast Journalist, the diplomat and P.R .practioneer

Besides being a mother and a wife.

We celebrate a nurse, while studying at St James Hospital, England in 1962

She presented B.B.C Radio program

‘’London Calling East Africa’’

We are Celebrating an inspired author

0f nine books

The Promised Land, The Rain Came, The Year Of Sacrifice, Island Of Tears, Ward Nine,

The Graduate, The Other Women, Miaha and Days Of My Life

We celebrate the founder of Writers’ Association of Kenya

One among 570 authors of the 20th century, featured in the 4 volume

Of Modern Women Writers published in 1996

W e celebrate a gold hearted matron

Who selflessly donated her School Jubilee High School to facilitate the Odera Akang’o Campus

In honour of

The legendary Gem Chief.

O WE MOURN A GREATE AFRICAN MATRON

BY

AKECH OBAT MASIRA AND

OMAR NASSER

IN KISUMU, KENYA ON 3RD APRIL 2015

MISANGO ARTS ENSEMBLE

KENYA: UHURU’S CORRUPTION LIST NOT INCLUSIVE

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From: Joachim Omolo Ouko
News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015

Willies from Koru writes: “Fr Beste I think you did not answer Richard’s question from Ruiru. I agree with him that you are biased because other news you rush to dispatch but the one of Kisumu you are dodging. You need to do something.”

Nabwire from Bumala writes:”Fr Beste opposition leader Raila Odinga has termed President Uhuru Kenyatta’s list of top officials accused of corruption and whom State House has pressed to leave office to pave way for investigations as a game of musical chairs.

Raila insists that Uhuru has omitted many names in his list. Can you guess who could these people Uhuru has omitted be? Charity Ngilu is saying that she is the target on this list, they want her out of Land’s office- does it mean that the rest will be reinstated? Can you also say something about Isaac Ruto and William Ruto’s politics- is it true that William Ruto is behind his impeachment plan?”

Thank you for the reaction Willies. I don’t think I am biased. Priests from Kisumu Archdiocese have defended Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth against allegations of corruption, arrogance, intimidation among other transgressions.

The priests stood firmly with Archbishop Okoth who they described as their shepherd and father. So if the priests have defended him, what more do you want me to report contrary to this? Unless you have evidence that you want me to report you can send and the News Dispatch will definitely run it.

The priests dissociated the archbishop from the contents of the exposé that aired on KTN prime time news on March 26. Contrary to what was exposed, the priests commended the archbishop for having initiated many projects in the archdiocese, including schools, hospitals and other social facilities and therefore the priests urged the press to be responsible in its reporting.

Thank you for the question Nabwire. I am not aware which list Uhuru has omitted. What is very clear is what some opposition politicians are saying that if President Uhuru Kenyatta was very sincere in dealing with the fight against corruption his list would have included his deputy William Ruto who has been adversely mention in many corruption scandals, especially land.

Raila Odinga said Mr Kenyatta had deliberately left out “sacred cows” in the Office of the President. He also wanted to know why Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officials were not on the list.

On Charity Ngilu it can be possible that she is the target. If this is true then it means the rest will be reinstated. Mwai Kibaki reinstated former finance minister Amos Kimunya after an official of inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing in the sale of a luxury hotel that triggered a political storm and forced him to step down.

On Isaac Ruto, you cannot rule out any possibility of William Ruto’s involvement in Isaac Ruto’s impeachment by members of the Bomet County Assembly who have now threatened to begin impeachment proceeding against Governor Isaac Ruto.

One wonders why Mr Ruto’s call for impeachment comes only after he has defied a presidential directive to step aside so that he may be investigated on corruption allegations against him. One also wonders why the impeachment campaign comes only after Ruto accused William Ruto of undermining him in his Bomet County.

Sunday, William Ruto issued a withering broadside at a rally in Kapkatet, Kericho, saying that Kalenjin politicians not singing his tune will be kicked out in the next election. Isaac Ruto has time and again accused the Deputy President of funding his political rivals, who include MPs and a number of Ward Representatives, to destabilise his administration with a view to having him impeached.

The Deputy President he says is sponsoring chaos and wrangles all over the place, including the disagreement over the location of a public university to be built by Moi University in Bomet County.

The fact that Isaac Ruto has said that he will run for presidency  in 2022, contesting against William Ruto who is also expected to take over from President Kenyatta after the expiry of his two terms in office, can also give some hints why William Ruto would love to see Isaac dying politically.

Speaking Monday during a fundraiser in aid of boda boda riders at Olengurone shopping center in Kuresoi south constituency, Rutto said he has already started preparing the ground and that nothing will stop him from gunning for Presidency in 2022.

William Ruto’s Hague case is also fuelling campaigns in Rift. Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has launched campaign in Rift Valley to weaken Ruto’s fame in the region. Moi has also declared his interest of standing for presidency in 2017. They have already begun a Kanu membership drive and their first target will be URP members.

The Moi family is understood to be uncomfortable with the idea of Ruto succeeding Uhuru in 2022. The plan is that Moi replaces Ruto as the DP, therefore filling the Kalenjin equation gap of the DP position. Then after he retires, Moi takes Kenneth as his running mate.

City businessman, Jacob Juma, who is also related to Moi’s family because of his marriage to Daniel Moi’s daughter June Moi has also urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to cut ties with his Deputy, William Ruto, if he wants to be re­elected in 2017’s Presidential Election.

Sharing his sentiments through social media, Juma, who is also the Managing Director of Cortec Kenya said Uhuru should “divorce” Ruto and move forward because Ruto and his URP crew are the ones who are tainting his administration by engaging in corruption and graft activities.

Jacob Juma has also filed a case to reclaim the land grabbed by Renton Company which is believed to be owned by the Deputy President but registered under the names of proxies. The case has been certified urgent by Justice Weldon Korir.

The court wants the company, Nairobi City County, National Land Commission, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney General to explain how the prime land, valued at 1.5 billion shillings, changed hands from public to private.

Juma has also given the owner of Weston Hotel believed to be owned by deputy president a 14-day ultimatum to surrender the land to the government. He said at the expiry of the notice he will begin proceedings to have the “illegal title cancelled” and the land returned to the rightful owner.

Juma says the parcel on which the hotel stands is public land grabbed between 2001 and 2002. He says the land originally belonged to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. William Ruto has not held a one-on-one meeting with retired President Daniel Moi one and half years since the Jubilee government came to power.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578

IN KENYA YOU MUST BE CORRUPT TO BE APPOINTED IN PUBLIC OFFICE

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From: Joachim Omolo Ouko News Dispatch with Omolo Joachim SUNDAY, 2015

Victor from Webuye writes: “Fr Beste something must be very wrong with this government, how can President Uhuru appoint former Nambale MP Chris Okemo who together with former Kenya Power and Lighting boss Samuel Gichuru is wanted in Jersey over money laundering?

Chris Okemo (right) and Samuel Gichuru when they appeared in court July 2011. The two are facing money laundering charges in a UK court. A Nairobi magistrate February 5, 2013 ruled that an extradition case against them goes to full trial. Photo/FILE http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/2661718/medRes/972535/-/4fbo2/-/Cartoon+22-03.jpg

Chris Okemo in court July 2011- The two are facing money laundering charges in a UK court. A Nairobi magistrate February 5, 2013 ruled that an extradition case against them goes to full trial.

Thank you for this important question Victor. In Kenya you are only honored when you are corrupt. So don’t blame President Uhuru, he is just fulfilling the policy of the government. Despite chapter 6 of the constitution on the guiding principles of leadership and integrity which requires that anyone appointment in public office is done so on the basis of personal integrity.

This chapter states that such a person must be free of corruption, honesty in the execution of public duties, transparent, discipline and commitment in service to the people, not for his own benefit.

It explains why, even though the civil society organizations have given President Uhuru Kenyatta a seven-day ultimatum to call for a national crisis meeting to tackle what they called runaway corruption, Uhuru may not honor this call because he is just following the policy of the government he inherited.

This country is used to mass action, so even if the President fails to do so as per their demand nothing can scare him. Uhuru owns all the security he will spread them on the street to shoot, even to kill if you persist on your demonstration.

Uhuru laughed when the group demanded that he should address the country within seven days. The group led by Inuka Kenya CEO John Githongo wants the President to convene a national conference that will provide an inclusive platform for discussion on how to reconstitute the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

It is quite disturbing indeed that in two years of Jubilee reign, Kenya “has witnessed a return of corruption to levels comparable to the one-party era, when corruption was part of everyday experience of citizens.

Okemo has been appointed board member of the Kenya Seed Company at the time the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Keriako Tobiko is still seeking his arrest. Okemo is wanted in Jersey Island to face charges relating to offences allegedly committed between February 1998 to June 2002. Okemo vied for the Busia senator seat but lost to Amos Wako because of his bad integrity.

This is not the first time Uhuru has made similar appointment. Last December he appointed 26 individuals, including 15 politicians who lost in the March 4, 2013 general election. Some of the politicians include Jebii Kilimo, Agnes Ndetei, Peter Kiilu, Philip Kaloki, Onyango Oloo and Julius Kones.

Others are Abdul Bahari, Edwin Yinda, Titus Ibui, Mohammud Mohammed, Matu Wamae, Geofrey King’ang’i, Daniel Wamahiu,Taraiyia ole Kores and Samuel Nyangeso.

Mr Okemo has been appointed to the board of the Kenya Seed Company as a member for a period of three years with effect from March 23. Dr Noah Wekesa will serve as the chairman of Bukura Agricultural College for a period of three years with effect from March 16.

Mr Okemo faces 15 counts of money laundering and misconduct in public office, while Mr Gichuru faces 40 counts of money laundering, fraud and misconduct in public office.

Government has been incapable of tackling corruption, not only because its members are beneficiaries, but also many appointments have been done on political favor, no matter how crook you are.

So for President Kenyatta to sound a warning to inept and corrupt public officers saying they will be fired is just to please International bodies and investors. When he says he cautions laziness and graft would not be entertained and that those not willing to work hard were free to go home is just the opposite.

Uhuru sounded the warning after the members of the private sector had raised concern with him that corruption had increased the cost of doing business in Kenya. In Kenya investors must bribe members of the Executive for award of tenders.

Members of key House committees must be bribed by forces in the Executive to stop investigations into the theft of taxpayers’ money. All the sectors must be bribed, especially the police that are just taking bribes openly in day light when people are watching.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ  Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578  E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

Omolo_ouko@outlook.com            Facebook-omolo beste  Twitter-@8000accomole

POLITICAL INHERITANCE IN KENYA

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From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014

Peter from Bomet writes: Fr Beste how can ODM claim to be democratic when its leaders including Raila Odinga forcing Moses Kajwang’ to electorates in Homa Bay simply because he is a brother to Otieno Kajwang, yet they blame Uhuru that he is tribal. I am sure if Raila becomes the president today he will favor all his nephews, nieces, sisters, and sons.

See what he did to his brother Oburur Odinga after he tried to force him to be the governor of Siaya and when he was defeated he forced him to be nominated. He wanted also to force his sister Ruth governor of Kisumu until people protested, but still he forced her to be deputy governor. This is very sill.”

I can see your reaction Peter. I always said on this blog that Raila is no better than Uhuru Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki or Moi. These people are the same. In Homa Bay County Raila had force Otieno Kajwang’ to be the senator.

Returning Officer John Mulehi was forced to agree to have Otieno Kajwang’ as the Senate ODM flag bearer. Raila also wanted Philip Okundi forGovernor, and Roselyne Onyuka for Women Representative. He forced party leaders to agree on consensus that Kajwang’ be the ODM flag bearer for Homabay

According to Robert Alai, a blogger and cyber activist, Raila had insisted that Kajwang’s brother must be the ODM flag bearer because his father said if his son does not take the seat he would commit suicide.

This is what Alai wrote in Luo: “Awinjo ni baba Nyiso contestants ni oket owadgi Kajwang’ nikech wuon Kajwang’ nowacho ni odhi dere ka wuode ok omi kom. Apenji, ka ng’ato odere to otho gi ng’a? Ok otho kende? Wek uru tugo kodwa. We need democracy in our party. This is sad!!! I would have loved any other direct nomination but giving it to a relative of the deceased is not convincing to me.

The ODM party must not be so selfish that they listen to no advice. Direct nomination is not democratic. And Moses Kajwang’s only communication now is that he is brother to Otieno Kajwang. We must never allow this.

Otherwise all of us who have never had relatives in politics might never get party nominations because it is now only sexually transmitted. My case is tired but I am yet to rest it”.

Since Moi Kenyans have been forced to politicians in what is known as political inheritance. Moi forced Musalia Mudavadi to succeed his father Moses Mudavadi, Oburu Odinga succeeded his father, Gideon Moi the same, Mutula Kilonzo Junior the same and so the story continues.

Political inheritance is an issue that has the potential to cripple the country’s democracy and erode all gains made thereof. With nomination of Kajwang it is now emerging that you have to belong to the right family or the right party for you to have any prospects of being a leader in Kenya.

This is despite the fact that political inheritance blocks potential leaders by the mere fact that they do not belong to the “right” family. And since politics has been used as a platform for accumulating wealth, the main goal of the inheritor is the security of the family coffers as well as accumulating more.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole

KENYA: GOVERNMENT REQUESTED TO TO INSTRUCT KWA TO CONDUCT MASS CULLING OF HIPPOS

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NYATIKE MP PLEADS WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE HIPPOS POPULATION IN LAKE VICTORIA.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

A member of parliament has appealed to the central government of Kenya to instruct the Kenya Wildlife Service’s {KWS to conduct what he termed as mass culling of Hippo population in Lake Victoria in order to reduce the numerous attacks by these beasts which have resulted in the deaths of fishermen.

Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga Also decried of the increased population of the dreaded Nile Crocodile in River Kuja, which has become dangerous to the people and their livestock.

The MP comment came in the wake of report that a 28 old fisherman was killed by a rogue bull of hippo.The incident occurred near Muhuru Bay.The 28 year old man whose name was given as Kennedy had gone fishing with a companion when the beast attacked and hit their fishing boat and overturned throwing the two into the deep side of the water, His companion swam to the safety, while Kennedy was thrown into the water and the beast bite him savagely killing him instantly.

His badly mutilated body was later retrieved. There has been several incidents along the shoreline of the lake which have all resulted in deaths caused by hippos stretching from Sindo beach in Suba South constituency following an alarming increased in hippo’s population. The situation now calls for mass culling in order to reduce the population of these dangerous beasts .Hippos are also destructive in a way destroying food crops causing hunger and famine to the communities living along the lake shorelines.

In another unrelated incident a woman was devoured by the Nile crocodile in River Kuja near wath Ong’er trading in north Kadem location also in Migori County.

The MP pleaded with the government to come to the rescue his constituents before more people are killed by These dangerous creature. In the case of crocodile attack the body of the woman a mother of three who had gone to the to wash her clothes in the river was retrieved after three days of search, but thebeast had cut her body into two halves and the reptiles had already swallowed the other half.

ENDS

KENYA: WHY KURIA WILL GO FREE OVER HATE SPEECH

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from: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 14

Joan from Nairobi writes: “Fr Beste what do you say about Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria. He has been taken to court over hate speech via social media. Do you think the government will succeed in controlling social media because I believe it is not only Kuria who has been accused there are many people using social media for propaganda.”

Thank you for this important question Joan. Although the Kenyan government has said it will be monitoring users of social media and taking action against anyone found inciting violence or using hateful or ethnic language, controlling social media is one of the toughest missions the government can tame.

Much of the ‘violence’ shifted to the online space, especially Facebook and Twitter following the post-election violence in 2007/08. In November 2012 alone, 28 per cent of a sample of 792 online statements contained one or more examples of “dangerous speech” – a term contain direct threats.

According to Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, the investigating cases, collecting evidence and prosecuting offenders requires both legislation and technology that are not yet available in Kenya.

His suggestion that the police might now need a dedicated “cyber crime unit” to monitor social media can also not be possible. One challenge has also been the reluctance of judges to accept electronic evidence in court, and some cases have been dismissed as a result.

There is a need to amend Kenyan law to be in tandem with technology to enable admission of electronic evidence. As per now it very difficult to monitor and collect evidence on social media, this is because the authors of such stories in most cases are anonymous and post hate messages from discrete sources.

Examining the content of internet posts suggested that a lot of these conversations you are seeing on social media are not really hate speech if you apply the law. That is why going after everyone who posts threatening messages is almost impossible. You cannot even remove them.

But even if police were to be to investigate what is written on social media, they are not always going to be there to investigate every small conversation that turns abusive. You should also know Joan that the current climate favors hate speech because Kenya is struggling with many problems at the same time.

While Innocent Kenyans have been killed, the government is only dealing with the interests of members of their own ethnic group. This creates a situation where people find themselves in a difficult situation they then become responsive to propaganda.

It explains why the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which was set up in 2008 as an independent institution to prevent a repetition of the post electoral riots, has not been able to stop propaganda and hate speech on social media.

Again Joan, you should also know that it is not only on social media that propaganda and hate speech are being used. You are ware that since the Lamu attacks, hate leaflets have been distributed warning specific ethnic groups to leave the area, with the latest one in Naivasha.

Just yesterday two bloggers have been accused of calling for the killing of Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, triggering fierce debate, with the House demanding their prosecution. Mr Omar had raised the matter, saying that Willy Omosa and Mugo Wa Wairimu had posted messages on social media calling for his killing in a way similar to that of controversial Muslim cleric Sheikh Abubakar Sharrif alias Makaburi.

One fact must be accepted that both the Twitter and Facebook episodes mark what appears to be a shift in online culture, not only in Kenya but global. Globally, throughout the Web’s history, a certain amount of bad behavior has come to be expected, be it intentionally provocative online trolling or earnest hatred spewed more freely because of the ability to do so anonymously.

Hate speech online can be understood as antisocial oratory that is intended to encourage persecution against people because of their race, color, religion, ethnic group, or nationality, and has a substantial likelihood of causing harm.
Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
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Twitter-@8000accomole