Home Blog Page 125

Rotary Club of Milimani Launches Groundbreaking Tele-health Project to Revolutionise Rural Healthcare

By
-
0

By Reporter

The Rotary Club of Milimani, Nairobi, in a historic partnership with the Rotary e-Club of Silicon Valley, California, and the Global Tele-health Network (GTN), has officially launched a revolutionary tele-health project aimed at transforming healthcare access for underserved communities.

The high-end software system, which went live on Friday, 1 August 2025, promises to bridge the critical gap in specialist medical services, bringing expert care to remote corners of Kenya and beyond.

The initiative, a culmination of a five-year journey, was funded by a substantial Rotary Foundation global grant of $98,000. It is anchored at the Matibabu Foundation in Ukwala, Siaya County, which serves as a central hub. From this base, the project connects remote clinics to a global network of medical specialists, ensuring that patients in areas with limited access to doctors can receive expert consultations.

For its pilot phase, the project has connected two health centres in Narok County, within the Maasai Mara National Park: Talek and Sekenani health centres. Patients visiting these remote clinics can now be attended to by a local clinician who, through a robust tele-health platform, can facilitate video or text-based consultations with specialists across Kenya and worldwide. The system, which operates 24/7, allows doctors to volunteer their time and access patient information, including test results, for informed diagnoses and treatment plans.

The successful launch was a moment of immense relief and celebration for the Rotary Club of Milimani. The project, which faced a prolonged and at times anxious development period, was a testament to the club’s resilience. Led by the current president, Otieno Paul Peter, the initiative was championed by Rotarian Dan Ogola, founder of the Matibabu Foundation, whose extensive network was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.

Dr Jack Higgins, President of GTN and a member of the Rotary e-Club of Silicon Valley, was present to witness the launch, underscoring the international collaboration behind the project. Dr Belinda, the Ukwala Sub-County Medical Superintendent, hailed the initiative as a significant stride towards achieving the government’s and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goals of universal health coverage. Other notable attendees included officials from the Ministry of Health and the county government, all of whom expressed high hopes for the project’s impact.

Moving forward, the focus will be on monitoring the project’s success by tracking patient numbers, registering more clinicians and specialists, and reporting its progress to the Rotary Foundation. The ultimate goal is to expand the programme to include more health centres nationwide. The community, leaders, and stakeholders have unanimously praised the project as a “game-changer” that will save lives, reduce medical costs, and prevent disease a core tenet of the Rotary agenda.

Repositioning technical and vocational training for the future

By
-
0

By Alfred Miluge Gogi

The success of any technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution is directly linked to its capacity to attract, retain, and successfully graduate students in programs that are both market-relevant and aligned with national development goals.

The government has placed more emphasis on technical training and this explains the upsurge of the vicational and technical training institutes in the country in the recent past.

The preference of students to study in the technical institutions is as a realization of the impact the trainings have in the economy and job market

That is why Ngeria Technical Training Institution (Ngeria TTI), as a young and growing TVET centre, must strategically position itself to respond to Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Kenya TVET Act, 2013, which emphasize skill development for industrialization and self-employment.

This strategy paper presents a comprehensive roadmap for improving student enrolment by introducing market-driven programs, supported by clear policies that ensure stakeholder buy-in from the Ministry of Education (State Department of TVET), local communities, and industry partners.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

To achieve sustainable growth in student enrolment, Ngeria TTI ought to pursue the following objectives:

Introduce market-driven programs that align with current and projected labour market demands.

Strengthen institutional visibility through branding, marketing, and community outreach.

Enhance stakeholder engagement and support, tv including government, industry, and the local community.

Establish enabling policies to guide curriculum development, student recruitment, and partnerships.

Foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that appeals to youth seeking practical skills for self-employment.

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

3.1 Internal Environment

Challenges:

Limited enrolment in existing programmes

Inadequate awareness of the institution’s potential among prospective students

Limited linkages with local industries

Competition from established TVET institutions

Limited infrastructure

Limited workshop equipment

Strengths:

Strategic location near Eldoret

A dedicated Board of Governors (BoG) and management

Government support

Availability of land for expansion

3.2 External Environment

Kenya’s labour market demands competency-based skills in:

Renewable energy

Digital technologies

Agribusiness

Automotive engineering

Construction

Tailoring and clothing

Beauty and cosmetology

MARKET-DRIVEN PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

4.1 Labour Market Needs Assessment

Conduct tracer studies and market surveys

Collaborate with KNBS and NITA

Engage industry associations

4.2 Introduction of Innovative Programmes

Proposed programmes:

Renewable Energy and Solar Technology

Digital Skills, Cybersecurity, Software Development

Smart Agriculture and Agro-Processing

Automotive Mechatronics and EV Maintenance

Construction Technology and Green Building

Hospitality and Culinary Arts

Beauty and Cosmetology

Tailoring and Clothing

4.3 Flexible Delivery and Short Courses

Evening/weekend classes

Short professional courses

Modular certification

4.4 Marketing and Branding

Digital marketing

Career talks

Open days and exhibitions

POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE ENROLMENT

5.1 Programme Development Policy

Market validation

Compliance with CBET and KNQF

Annual curriculum review

5.2 Student Recruitment and Admission Policy

Gender balance and inclusivity

Partnerships for bursaries

Grassroots awareness

5.3 Industry Partnership Policy

Industry Advisory Boards

Mandatory attachments

Curriculum co-design

5.4 Community Engagement and Buy-In Policy

Skills fairs and free workshops

BoG inclusion of local leaders

CSR initiatives

5.5 Monitoring and Evaluation Policy

Enrolment and employability tracking

MIS implementation

Programme refinement

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

6.1 Ministry of Education and State Department for TVET

Ensure regulatory compliance

Seek capitation and support

Align with national priorities

6.2 Local Community and Parents

Awareness forums

Community liaison officers

Targeted skills training

6.3 Industry and Development Partners

MoUs for training and employment

Funding support

Industry forums

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Phase 1 (0–12 months):

Labour market survey

Align current programmes

Launch marketing/outreach

Phase 2 (1–3 years):

Introduce 3–5 new programmes

Establish advisory boards

Increase enrolment by 50%

Phase 3 (3–5 years):

Regional skills hub

Centre of Excellence

Self-sustaining growth

MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

20% annual enrolment growth

Approval of new programmes

70% graduate employment rate

Industry partnerships

Community participation

Reporting:

Quarterly reviews

Annual strategic reports

Mid-term review (Year 3)

CONCLUSION

Ngeria TTI is well-positioned to become a beacon of technical skills development in Uasin Gishu County and beyond. Market-driven programmes, supportive policies, and active stakeholder engagement will drive enrolment and national development. With the right strategies, Ngeria TTI can become a trusted regional Centre of Excellence.

The writer is PhD Student in Project Planning and Management, MSc Project Planning and Management.

The views expressed here are personal

Gor Mahia seeks success from west Africa

By
-
0

By Phillip Orwa

After a tumultuous season, that left the mighty K’Ogalo coming second in the Premier League, a new order was created.

The management returned to the drawing board by first disbanding the entire technical bench, the medical staff, and releasing the Chief Executive Officer.

It was a clean sweep to give the mighty Gor Mahia a rebirth.

And now the club has begun rebuilding the team to stake its claim not only locally, but regionally and on the continent.

That is why, a month after Gor Mahia FC disbanded its technical bench and the medical team, the club has announced the appointment of a new Coach, Assistant, Goalkeeper Trainer and Video Analyst from West Africa — Ghana.

K’Ogalo disbanded its entire technical bench, including the coaching staff and supporting personnel, on July 2nd following a trophy-less season that saw the team fail to secure a trophy for the first time since 2016.

Acting Head Coach Zedekiah Otieno “Ziko”, Assistant Michael Nam, Goalkeeper Trainer Boniface Oluoch and team doctors were shown the door after K’Ogalo failed to secure a trophy after nine years of commanding the Kenya Premier League.

They have won the Kenyan Premier League a record 21 times, and have also won the FKF President’s Cup a record 11 times. It is the first and only team from Kenya to win an African continental title to date, having won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987 after previously reaching the final in 1979.

After a search for a technical bench for about a month since they sacked the bench, the side has now officially announced the appointment of Charles Akonnor as their new Head Coach on a two-year contract.
The 51-year-old Ghanaian tactician takes over from Zedekiah Otieno, who took the helm as a Caretaker Head Coach after Siniša Mihajlović left over poor performance.

Akonnor, a former Ghana Black Stars captain and head coach, earned 51 international caps and scored 13 goals during his playing career.

The former Black Stars Captain had a five-year appearance in the Bundesliga, whereby he played for VfL Wolfsburg between 1998 and 2003.

As a Coach, he managed some of Ghana’s top clubs that include Ashanti Kotoko, Ashanti Gold, Ghana National Team, Hearts of Oak, bringing a rich wealth of experience to the Kenyan side.

Akonnor said while taking over, “I have set my goals for the club and I will be working with all stakeholders to have the success needed.

We need to set up a solid team that can achieve the best and we will work together towards a common goal to achieve what we want as a club.”

The Ghanaian will be assisted by fellow countryman Kobi-Mensah Bismark, who previously worked with Bechem United, Accra Shooting Stars Academy, Great Olympics, and Karela United. He has also been handed a two-year deal.

Another Ghanaian, Owu Ben, a former Ghana U-17 and U-20 international goalkeeper, takes over as Goalkeeping Coach, alongside Joshua Kofi Boafo, a Video Analyst tasked with performance review, tactical breakdowns, and providing data-driven insights to enhance team strategy.

Brian Odongo has been appointed the Team Doctor, Brian Odongo, a certified sports medicine specialist with extensive experience working with elite athletes across multiple disciplines both locally and internationally.

650 youths from Nandi county graduates from a training partnership between KCB Foundation with the county government

By
-
0

By Remmy Butta

In a landmark event symbolizing hope and progress, Governor Stephen Sang recently presided over the graduation of 650 young Nandi residents empowered with life-changing skills, poised to transform their livelihoods and significantly boost the county’s economy.

The celebratory ceremony marked the successful culmination of training for two pivotal cohorts: 350 Graduates: use Trained under the KCB Foundation’s flagship “Tujiajiri Program” within Nandi County’s Vocational Training Centres and, 300 Graduates: Recruits passing out from the newly invigorated Nandi County Youth Service.

Governor Sang, addressing the graduates, dignitaries, and proud families, declared, “These young men and women standing before us today represent the vibrant promise of Nandi. They are now skilled, empowered, and ready to drive tangible transformation right from the grassroots level. This is not just about individual success; it’s about building a more resilient and prosperous county for all.”

The graduation served as a powerful testament to the strength and vision of the partnership between the County Government of Nandi and the KCB Foundation. Through the Tujiajiri Program, graduates gained practical, hands-on expertise in critical economic sectors vital for development, including masonry, carpentry, hairdressing, electrical installation, mechanical work, and various other technical trades.

“These are far more than just certificates,” emphasized Governor Sang. “They represent pathways to self-reliance, the seeds of entrepreneurship, and the foundation for greater economic resilience for our youth and their communities. Skills are the currency of the future, and today, 650 of our young people are richer for it.”

The Governor extended profound gratitude to the KCB Foundation, represented at the event by Joblin Omari, Head of Programs. “To the KCB Foundation, we express our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support, invaluable partnership, and crucial investment in the boundless potential of Nandi’s youth. Together, we are laying the essential groundwork for a self-sustaining and prosperous generation.”

Reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, Governor Sang outlined concrete future steps:

Scaling Partnerships: Expanding collaborations with institutions like KCB Foundation to increase training opportunities.

Institutionalizing Youth Service: Solidifying the Nandi County Youth Service as a permanent pillar for community-driven development.

Prioritizing Youth in Planning: Ensuring youth innovation and enterprise are central to county planning and budgeting processes.

In a significant move signaling continued momentum, Governor Sang, alongside Mr. Omari, members of the County Executive, and the County Assembly, officially launched the second cohort of the Tujiajiri Program immediately after the graduation. This launch underscores the shared commitment to significantly scale up skills development initiatives across Nandi County.

The atmosphere was charged with optimism as the graduates, clad in their ceremonial attire, received their certificates. Governor Sang concluded with a resounding message: “Congratulations to all 650 graduates! Go forth with confidence, apply your skills, create opportunities, become employers, and be the change agents Nandi needs. Your success is our county’s success. The future is bright, and it starts with you.”

MPs Must Know the Constitution Fights Back

By
-
0
Billy Mijungu

By Billy Mijungu

The clock is ticking on the National Government Constituency Development Fund. It is not just a matter of legality anymore. It is a matter of principle. And this time, the Constitution is not just watching, it is fighting back.

A bold petition now before the High Court may finally be the door that shuts this controversial fund for good. The argument is as clear as daylight. You cannot sneak past the architecture of the Constitution and expect it not to respond.

The 2010 Constitution envisioned a clean, structured, and devolved government, not scattered personal projects and political fiefdoms masquerading as development funds.

The proposed Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2025 is the latest Trojan horse. It seeks to anchor not one but three funds into the Constitution itself: the National Government Constituencies Fund, a Senate Oversight Fund, and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund. On paper, it may sound progressive. In practice, it is the slow poisoning of our governance structure.

Turning constituencies into a third governance unit under the national executive is a direct attack on the two tier structure, national and county. Anchoring budgets for these funds within the Constitution undermines both revenue sharing and the spirit of parliamentary oversight. In essence, it gives MPs and Senators a budget line but not the responsibility or transparency that comes with it.

The Constitution did not stumble into place. It was designed. It was fought for. And it has safeguards. Article 255 demands that any amendment affecting the sovereignty of the people, the structure of devolution, national values, or the functions of Parliament must go through a referendum. The drafters of this Bill appear to have either overlooked that fact or deliberately ignored it.

The petitioners have asked the court to intervene now, before the damage is done. They want the High Court to declare that creating these funds falls under Article 255 and therefore must face the people in a referendum. It is a vital legal checkpoint, one that may well preserve the soul of the Constitution.

In truth, this case is not just about funds. It is about the future. It is about protecting the dream of devolution from being eaten alive by the claws of centralized patronage. In our lifetime, we may just witness the final burial of the National Government Constituency Development Fund. Not because Parliament woke up but because the Constitution fought back.

A Nation’s Unforgettable Night

By
-
0

By Clifford Derrick

Episode 1: The Grand Deception: Unveiling the 2007 Betrayal and the Hypocrisy of Martha Karua

The chilling memory of December 30, 2007, remains etched in Kenya’s collective consciousness—a night when the nation witnessed a clandestine swearing-in, a crime scene masquerading as a constitutional rite. The air was thick with the dust of stolen democracy, and the echoes of a fractured nation reverberated through every corner. At the heart of this unfolding tragedy, Martha Karua stood unwavering. As the then Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, your voice was loud and clear, defending the “under the darkness coronation” of Mwai Kibaki as constitutional. Calls for dialogue, for a moment of national reckoning, were summarily dismissed as “dangerous insubordination.” The message was unequivocal: obedience, not reconciliation, was the order of the day.

Fast forward to 2025, and the political landscape presents a stark, almost absurd, contrast. Today, you position yourself as a moral compass, the guardian of democratic ideals, and vociferously condemn Raila Odinga for engaging in dialogue with the very government you deem illegitimate. You scold him, label his actions a “betrayal. “

Perhaps it is you who needs Plato’s counsel—“You don’t change the system by becoming its enemy. You change it by refusing to let it define what’s real for you.”
Unlike you, Raila has internalised this Socratic wisdom. He has returned again and again to the battlefield of politics, guided by a moral compass you never seemed to acquire. You weaponise indignation now not in defence of truth, but as theatre to obscure your history.

You align yourself with a fresh wave of youthful outrage. What changed, Wakili? It wasn’t the constitution, nor the fundamental needs of the Kenyan people. It was, rather, the theatre of power—the shifting roles on a stage where convenience is dressed as principle. Your script, Martha, appears to be one of deep, convenient amnesia.

The Architect of Betrayal: Karua’s Role in 2007 Post-Election Violence

Your role, Martha, was not merely that of an observer. As the then Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and a prominent figure in Kibaki’s re-election team, you actively helped legitimise the theft of that election. Your unwavering defence of the results and your public dismissal of any evidence to the contrary did more than just sanitise a fraudulent victory; it helped to normalise the violence that tragically followed. International concerns were scoffed at, and overwhelming evidence of electoral manipulation was rubbished. The consequence of this stance was devastating: over 1,400 lives were lost, and more than 650,000 Kenyans were displaced in the ensuing post-election chaos.

A critical moment came when the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reportedly told Kibaki directly that he had lost the election. Your own memoir, if accounts are true, reveals not a shred of indignation at the massacre of your compatriots, but rather a focus on Rice’s “tone.” This chilling detail lays bare a disturbing disconnect: your concern was for the perceived slight to power, not for the unfolding human catastrophe.
This aligns chillingly with Frantz Fanon’s warnings about the post-colonial bourgeoisie. Fanon cautioned that such an elite often mimics their former colonisers, seeking to “inherit, not transform,” the systems of oppression. They weaponise liberation rhetoric while meticulously preserving the old structures of control. In this context, Martha, you became precisely that – a figure who, by defending an indefensible act, helped perpetuate a cycle of injustice and violence that has plagued Kenya for generations. You were instrumental in laying the groundwork for a system where truth is negotiable and power is paramount, even at the cost of human lives.

The Convenience of Amnesia: Karua’s Shifting Stance on Dialogue

Dialogue, Martha, is not a concept alien to Kenya’s democratic journey. In fact, it has been the very midwife of our most significant constitutional and political breakthroughs. It was dialogue that produced the minimum reforms of 1997, creating space for multi-party democracy. It was dialogue that birthed the visionary Bomas Draft constitution, which laid the foundation for the transformative 2010 Constitution. And it was dialogue, specifically the Kofi Annan-brokered talks in 2008, that pulled Kenya back from the brink of civil war, a conflict ignited by the very electoral theft you so vigorously defended.

Yet, you fiercely opposed that Annan-brokered dialogue. The irony, then, is palpable: the democratic gains you now frequently cite to justify your disdain for talking to President Ruto were delivered by the very method you condemn. You only showed up to defend your power, never the people. This stands in stark contrast to Raila Odinga’s consistent willingness to enter hostile rooms for the sake of the Republic, repeatedly choosing peace and national cohesion over personal ambition.
Today, you scorn any notion of dialogue with a government you deem “illegitimate,” chastising Raila for daring to engage with William Ruto, labelling it a “betrayal.” But your current position rings hollow, for you, Martha, were once the very face of Kenya’s greatest democratic betrayal. This is not about principle; this is about a tribal desire to never relinquish the monopoly on state power, a convenience dressed in the garb of consistency.

A question for reflection:

Given that Kenya’s current fight for accountability centers on curbing the executive’s unchecked power—a power that fuels impunity and could be addressed through dialogue leading to a parliamentary system—what does it reveal about the principles of leaders like Martha Karua, who vehemently opposed dialogue to resolve past electoral injustices, yet now condemn calls for dialogue that aim to strip the presidency of the very powers they hope to wield?

Coming Up in Episode 2: The Echoes of Impunity

In the next episode, we delve into the shadowy history of state-sanctioned violence, political assassinations, and the pervasive culture of impunity that has haunted Kenya. We’ll examine the chilling 1969 secret oath, the infamous Artur Brothers scandal, and the tragic events of 2017, questioning the strategic silences of those in power.

(Clifford Derrick is an investigative journalist, strategic communicator, and documentary filmmaker whose work examines truth, power, history, and justice. He writes at the intersection of politics, culture, decolonisation, and human rights.)

Gachagua’s Presidential Hype is a Tactical Game of Survival and Disruption

By
-
0

By Billy Mijungu

The political arena in Kenya is never short of strategy and surprise. The recent subtle pronouncements by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hinting at a presidential run are not merely wishful ambition. They form a well calculated move aimed at realigning his political relevance, safeguarding his freedom after being booted out of office, and influencing the 2027 election matrix in favor of his.i interest.

It is public knowledge that Gachagua is entangled in legal and ethical complications that may bar him from contesting any public office. His announcement therefore cannot be taken at face value. It is a move to force the conversation about his eligibility back to the national stage. The moment he is perceived as a presidential contender, any decision barring him from running morphs into a national issue. It is no longer just about corruption allegations or integrity questions. It becomes political suppression. This gives Gachagua the leverage he needs to negotiate his way back into public service, or at the very least, out of legal trouble.

President William Ruto may have little political need for Gachagua at the national level anymore, but he remains critical to Ruto’s 2027 strategy, just not in the way people think. By allowing Gachagua to position himself as a presidential aspirant and even run, Ruto stands to benefit in a more indirect and destructive way, by dividing the Mount Kenya vote.

Ruto knows that his main threat in the next general election lies not in Gachagua but in a united opposition bolstered by Mount Kenya support. If the opposition remains intact, especially with the emergence of credible alternative candidates from the central region, then Ruto’s chances of reelection diminish significantly. However, if Gachagua runs and pulls even a fraction of the region’s votes, it scatters the numbers just enough to tip the balance in favor of Ruto Especially when backed by Odinga.

Gachagua may not necessarily win the presidency. He likely knows this. But by running, he positions himself as the voice of a disenfranchised Mount Kenya, a figure with unfinished business, a man sacrificed by the system. He turns into a regional martyr of sorts, increasing his political capital and relevance even in defeat.

This strategy works only if Gachagua still commands loyalty in the region, and therein lies the bait. Mount Kenya leaders eying national stature know that Gachagua is a vessel with diminishing fuel, but they also know he holds state secrets, political alliances, and perhaps more importantly, control of financial and administrative networks.

Every political hyena, whether in government or opposition, is watching closely for when he drops off the race, they benefit and he knows as much.

So if the opposition is smart, it must not just focus on who they will front as a candidate. It must prepare to counter any state sanctioned sabotage disguised as ambition. The moment they begin to treat Gachagua’s candidacy as legitimate without dissecting the intent behind it, they play into the game of statecraft.

The real concern is not whether Gachagua will run or not. The concern is how his name on the ballot serves a larger scheme, to fracture the opposition, neutralize Mount Kenya’s voting power, and render the 2027 contest a three way split that favors the incumbent.

Politics is a game of interest. In this game, Gachagua is not just seeking the presidency. He is seeking immunity, relevance, and redemption. The presidency is merely the cover story. The real play is survival, and he is playing it like a man who understands that in politics, you do not need to win to win. You only need to cause enough confusion to be invited back to the table.

The opposition has been warned. The hyenas are circling. And the man with the meat knows exactly what he is doing.

Jesca Magufuli, A Daughter Rises Where Her Father Stood

By
-
0

By Billy Mijungu

There are moments in a nation’s story when the past returns not to haunt us but to heal and guide us. Jesca Magufuli is not just a name returning to the Tanzanian political fold. She is a flame rekindled, a rhythm resumed, a quiet drumbeat from the era of her father John Pombe Magufuli now finding a new confident echo in her stride.

When she stepped forward in Geita on that cool June morning, nomination papers in hand, it was more than a political act. It was poetry in motion. A daughter reclaiming not just a seat in Parliament but a space in the national soul. Her candidacy is not simply about UVCCM or CCM. It is about a legacy carried gently but firmly into the future.

Jesca is not loud. She does not grandstand. She does not need to. Her power lies in a different register, in a calm spirit, a studious mind, and the long patience of those who know that greatness is not grabbed but grown.

We are witnessing a phenomenon not of chance but of choreography. Crafted, deliberate, quiet. President Samia Suluhu’s silent hand in her emergence is as graceful as it is strategic.

This is not just mentorship. It is motherhood in statecraft. In Suluhu, Jesca finds both a political guardian and a compass, much like Moi did for Uhuru. And in Jesca, Suluhu sees a bridge between generations, a voice that echoes the firm legacy of Magufuli and the openhearted future she herself envisions.

Let the cynics watch in doubt. Let the veterans step aside. The winds are changing in Tanzania. The daughters of yesterday’s titans are not just mourning their fathers, they are rising in their image, yet not bound by their shadow.

Jesca Magufuli’s name will be sung in schools, printed in papers, whispered in party corridors and shouted in youthful rallies. She is unmarried, yes. But she is wedded to purpose.

Her path is not cluttered with scandal or noise, but cleared by service and soaked in the tears of communities she has served quietly in health, in education, in dignity.
So when Tanzanians murmur “Wagombea wengine wakae pembeni” it is not mere flattery. It is a plea. A recognition. A handing over of hope.

And one day perhaps not too far we may speak her name alongside the greats. Not as a daughter of a president but as a leader in her own right. A flame not borrowed but lit from within.

Eugene walks into Wamalwa Kijana troubled waters as Natembeya takes after Raila in the battle for DAP-K leadership

By
-
0

By Anderson Ojwang

After two decades, history is about to make a repeat, Kenya is about to watch what could turn out to be a seismic battle.

A battle reminiscent of the power struggle in Ford-K after the death of the doyen of opposition, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, that left his party into a shell and currently confined only in Bungoma county and pocket of places in Western Kenya.

The lion that roared every corner of the country is today toothless and can no longer hunt away from the home and faces a battle of survival with the emergence of other players in the den.

The battle over Jaramogi party that involved his deputy the late Wamalwa Kijana and his son Raila Amolo Odinga, whittled down the once a popular movement party to a community and to now a county party.

The battle was over party leadership and a possible 1997 presidential contest and candidate.

Wamalwa had the leadership instruments while Raila had the people. The endless battle forced the latter to jump ship, resigned from the party and Langata parliamentary seat, sought a re-election on his new vehicle National Development Party (NDP), now defunct after the merge with Kanu, to re-engineer his political journey to the current status.

Currently,  DAP-K leader, Eugene Wamalwa, the younger brother of the late Vice President, is facing a historical repeat.

He holds the instruments of power for the party but he has least control over the people and the support base of  the party.

 He is rightly walking into his late brother’s footsteps. He is right in the mix and the question, will he wriggle himself out and retain the power, or will he lose it altogether?

In the context is the Trans Nzoia governor George  Natembeya, could be viewed as a re-incarnation of Raila and is following the footsteps of the leader of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the letter.

Natembeya is implementing every detail of Raila’s script, copying and pasting in his journey to take over the Luhya leadership and that of DAP-K.

Just like Raila, Natembeya have the people but lacks the house, the political party that deny him the opportunity to be at the table of power matrix and run for presidency.

Without a political party, he remains  stranger in the high table and this explains why there are disquiet and discontent in the DAP-K, with some sections urging him to take over the party leadership.

During the last Friday’s DAP-K meeting in Karen, Nairobi, a the highly kept secret of power struggle in the party was laid bare by a faction of youths allied to the two camps and nearly confronted one another, akin to Wamalwa-Raila era.

After the meeting, Eugene said that a dispute resolution committee will be formed to resolve the emerging issues in the party.

In a press address read to the media said “The National Management Committee has deliberated and found out that there is therefore a serious dispute in the between members of the party.“

  National Executive Council shall be called soonest to appoint dispute resolution committee.

Wamalwa said  “ We have heard of a party called Cord, if there is evidence that he (Natembeya) has registered that party and even promoted  the ideals of the party, and not of the party that elected him , the consequences are clear legally . We are a democratic party, in fact we have said anyone who wishes to run for any seat in our party can do so.

And we can chew the gum and we scale the stairs the same time,”

Eugene also wrote in his X handle “  My brother , Peter Salasya, both you and my brother George  Natembeya do not have to leave or cause  a coup in our party in order to become party leaders or presidential candidates, you are welcome to face me for the presidential ticket in free and fair nominations as our is truly a democratic party that can allow  us all to realize  our political aspirations through internal democracy  without recking our party or washing our dirty linen in public.”

Natembeya ‘  there is no need to go to a party meeting where you speak one vernacular language. What kind of nonsense is that? I want to expand the party to make it big. If some said Natambeya has formed a party. If you form a party, you go and have your name in the party leadership. If they claim of my proxies, who are my proxies.

But Natembeya denied the accusation and allegations of forming a new political party.

“I am happy that the National Management Committee has agreed that in the next two weeks, we shall have National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting , it is the decision making organ of the party and it will be able to deal with the emerging issues in the party.“

We do not want to give lip service to democracy. We want any members in DAP-k, who wants to contest for the presidency not be denied the opportunity.

The party does not belong to two or three people, it is for the masses. By the way, you can form a party and the people can come and take over from you. It is within the provision of the law.

We want to brand the party, make it bigger  and open it up and remove the notion that it is a party for Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties. We want it to be competitive nationally.

MP Kakai Bisau, said “ These types of behaviors or  primitive takeover of parties, coups have caused troubles  across the continent . We cannot have a party whereby  the  name itself it supposed to be democratic but the tendency, the way it is being driven from the George Natembeya perceptive is not democracy,”.

Salasya  said “ There are a lot of issues that are happening in the party , the forceful take over  and we have decided as the parliamentary group to call order in the party,”

Who will blink first, will Wamalwa retain the party or will Natembeya go Raila’s way?

A security firm partners with Electric Transits Africa (ETA) to introduce Electric Vehicles (EVs) to its Security Alarm Response fleet.

By
-
0

By Reporter

In a strategic move towards enhancing sustainable operations, SGA Security Kenya has acquired electric vehicles to support its rapid alarm response services while contributing to a measurable reduction in the company’s carbon emissions, underscoring SGA’s commitment to its sustainability agenda, aligning operational excellence with environmental responsibility.

“We are proud to be the first security firm in Kenya to adopt electric vehicles in our fleet operations,” said SGA Kenya Country Manager, Lucas Ndolo. “This collaboration with Electric Transits Africa is more than just a fleet upgrade; it is a meaningful step in our long-term goal of building a more sustainable, eco-conscious future for our business and the communities we serve,” added Ndolo.

Electric Transits Africa (ETA), an electric mobility company in East Africa, will provide the vehicles as well as technical support to ensure a smooth integration and performance.

“We are very proud to support SGA in its ambition to reduce its climate impact and to position it as a frontrunner in sustainability. The deployment of these electric vehicles is a pilot initiative, with plans to scale in the future as part of a broader strategy to shift towards clean, energy-efficient mobility solutions across all SGA operations,” said Electric Transits Africa, Co-Founder and CEO, Wout van Blommestein.

By integrating electric vehicles into daily security operations, SGA Security Kenya aims to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower its carbon footprint and encourage innovation in green mobility within the private security sector.

“SGA Security Group has adopted ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) principles as part of its strategy. Therefore, I am very proud of this excellent initiative as it fits into our sustainability goals and contributes to a cleaner, more resilient future,” said SGA Security Group, Chairman & CEO, Jules Delahaije.

“We celebrate the successful partnership between SGA Security and Electric Transits Africa—two innovative Dutch affiliate companies—whose collaboration marks a significant step toward a greener future with the integration of electric vehicles into the SGA fleet,” said Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Henk Jan Bakker.

“The successful unveiling of electric vehicles as part of SGA Security’s fleet is a remarkable milestone in the journey toward net-zero carbon emissions. This initiative not only reflects a strong commitment to sustainability but also demonstrates how green innovation can be seamlessly embedded into core business operations,” said Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Peter Maddens.

According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the number of electric vehicles in Kenya in 2024 rose by 41.1 per cent compared to 2023 due to national and private sector efforts to decarbonise the transport sector. This growth can be attributed to government initiatives such as the frameworks and policies guiding e-mobility and favourable incentives on electric vehicles, and an increase in private sector e-mobility companies, as well as strategic efforts to incorporate sustainable mobility in business operations.

“The integration of electric vehicles into SGA Security’s fleet is a powerful demonstration of how private sector leadership can accelerate the shift toward sustainable mobility and a cleaner, healthier future for all,” said UNEP, Head of Sustainable Mobility, Mr. Rob de Jong.

The transport sector accounts for approximately 25 per cent of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions, which is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the transport sector in Nairobi alone contributes to about 60 per cent of the city’s air pollution.

1...124125126...193Page 125 of 193