Day: March 17, 2024

Chief Justice Martha Koome has assured that the recruitment of all judges will be done by an independent bodies in a fair and transparent manner that will also involve public participation.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Presiding Judge for Environmental and Land Courts Justice Oscar Angote during a Multi-Agency Good Governance Summit held at the Nairobi’s All Saints Cathedral,The CJ said the Judiciary had put up measures in place to make the recruitment process fair and transparent.

The Summit organized by Public Service Governance (PSG) attracted key stakeholders in the justice system including officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Director of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission , Police Service among others .

The summit themed ‘Roadmap to Good Governance-Come Let us reason Together’ aims to bring the agencies together to discuss the reforms they are undertaking towards realization of Good Governance multi-agency summit to discuss the road map
to good governance to foster accountability, responsibility and transparency.

She said the Judiciary has taken members of the PSG summit through the reforms that the judiciary has put in place to meet the requirements of Article 10 which requires all state organs to abide by the principal of good governance and value.

Koome announced that the Judiciary performance is conducted annually to monitor the performance of judicial officers in their duties, adding that the Judiciary’s blueprint ensures that the citizenry easily access to justice.

‘The Judiciary resolution is to have a country that is able to run by the rule of law. We will be able to roll the PSG engagement to the county level,’ she stated.

Speaking at the event, PSG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Esther Waringa said that PSG has embarked on a collective journey towards a future that is characterized by sustainability, progressiveness and realization of the governance solution for the nation under the banner of ‘Come let us reason together’.

She
noted that good governance revolves as a pivot that sustains development, economic stability and a country’s moral standards where education to all, affordable energy for home and business, affordable health care and food surplus, peace and security can only be achieved when the principles of good governances becomes a guiding light in all governance interventions.

Waringa said that United Nations considers good governance to be participatory, consensus oriented, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, as it stresses the rule of law which should be practiced to make public service excellent.

‘Public service is about serving and ensuring that public service governance gives the people a conducive environment to live in their great country of Kenya,’ She stated.

She said the summit brings the fore gaps that exist in governance structure across multi-sectoral agencies with a view to charting a path to better governance and envision a governance framework that not only serves
the interests of the governance but also lays a substantial foundation for generations to come.

‘PSG is guided by the principles of integrity, inclusivity, responsibility, accountability and the rule of law in navigating the intricate terrain of good governance,’ added the CEO.

Waringa urged the stakeholders to strive in building bridges of understanding and cooperation, and to transcend the boundaries that divide and unite PSG under the common purpose of serving the greater good.

The CEO added that transparency requires leaders to carry out their functions in an open manner in public, an issue she said gives an opportunity to scrutinize leadership decisions and enhance transparency as a check to good governance.

She encourage leaders to be accountable for the decisions they make during governance and also need to communicate within the law in order to safeguards against mal-administration and breach of fundamental rights of the citizens.

Waringa announced that PSG will reward champions of good governanc
e from various sectors in public and private sectors who will demonstrate absolute upholding of the principles of good governance in entirety.

‘PSG is ready to go an extra mile to introduce good governance awards at the end of every year to appreciate heroes of good governance, ‘she disclosed.

The CEO said state officers serving in the Public Service are appointed based on merit and capacity to deliver and are not dependent of the political dynamic of the nation in their development, noting while offering services they must be guided by their ministries policies on public service delivery.

The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit said that in religion teaching and preaching good governance is a management of resources and people of which it ensures that the outcome of governance is harmony, progress and development.

‘If PSG tampers with good governance, the loss will be enormous,’ he said.

Ole Sapit noted that Kenyans will only prosper when those governing the citizenry and managing reso
urces ensure that there is equity and fairness across every sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A 19-year-old allegedly raped a 24-year-old woman after buying her and two other friends alcohol at Omuntele village in the Oshikoto Region.

The Namibian Police Force crime investigations coordinator in the region, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Sunday said the incident happened on Friday around 20h00.

‘It is alleged that the suspect was with the victim at the Omuntele location together with her two other female friends, then the suspect bought alcohol and they drank together and while drinking, one of the ladies told the victim that the suspect wanted to talk to her,’ reported Ekandjo.

He said that after a short while the victim went to the toilet, and the suspect followed her into the toilet where the victim was rescued by two men who were present there.

‘After that, the suspect, victim, and two female friends went on their way home till they reached the victim’s house and the victim went into the house and collected cooked beans and gave them to the suspect and friends,’ reported Ekandjo.

He sai
d the two friends left but the suspect remained behind, after that he grabbed the victim but she overpowered him and fled and the suspect chased the victim up to the neighbours’ mahangu field.

‘The suspect grabbed her again, stripped off his clothes, and laid her on the ground and the victim screamed for help but nobody came to her rescue and the suspect managed to have sexual intercourse with the victim under coercive circumstances,’ reported Ekandjo.

The victim afterwards ran into the neighbour’s house to report the matter.

It is further alleged that the suspect offered to pay her N.dollars 200 to have sex with her.

It is also alleged that the suspect bit her on the cheek and arm whereby she sustained open wounds.

The suspect was arrested and he will appear before the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of rape and assault as the investigation continues.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Chief Justice Martha Koome has assured that the recruitment of all judges will be done by an independent bodies in a fair and transparent manner that will also involve public participation.

In a speech read on her behalf by the Presiding Judge for Environmental and Land Courts Justice Oscar Angote during a Multi-Agency Good Governance Summit held at the Nairobi’s All Saints Cathedral,The CJ said the Judiciary had put up measures in place to make the recruitment process fair and transparent.

The Summit organized by Public Service Governance (PSG) attracted key stakeholders in the justice system including officials from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Director of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission , Police Service among others .

The summit themed ‘Roadmap to Good Governance-Come Let us reason Together’ aims to bring the agencies together to discuss the reforms they are undertaking towards realization of Good Governance multi-agency summit to discuss the road map
to good governance to foster accountability, responsibility and transparency.

She said the Judiciary has taken members of the PSG summit through the reforms that the judiciary has put in place to meet the requirements of Article 10 which requires all state organs to abide by the principal of good governance and value.

Koome announced that the Judiciary performance is conducted annually to monitor the performance of judicial officers in their duties, adding that the Judiciary’s blueprint ensures that the citizenry easily access to justice.

‘The Judiciary resolution is to have a country that is able to run by the rule of law. We will be able to roll the PSG engagement to the county level,’ she stated.

Speaking at the event, PSG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Esther Waringa said that PSG has embarked on a collective journey towards a future that is characterized by sustainability, progressiveness and realization of the governance solution for the nation under the banner of ‘Come let us reason together’.

She
noted that good governance revolves as a pivot that sustains development, economic stability and a country’s moral standards where education to all, affordable energy for home and business, affordable health care and food surplus, peace and security can only be achieved when the principles of good governances becomes a guiding light in all governance interventions.

Waringa said that United Nations considers good governance to be participatory, consensus oriented, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, as it stresses the rule of law which should be practiced to make public service excellent.

‘Public service is about serving and ensuring that public service governance gives the people a conducive environment to live in their great country of Kenya,’ She stated.

She said the summit brings the fore gaps that exist in governance structure across multi-sectoral agencies with a view to charting a path to better governance and envision a governance framework that not only serves
the interests of the governance but also lays a substantial foundation for generations to come.

‘PSG is guided by the principles of integrity, inclusivity, responsibility, accountability and the rule of law in navigating the intricate terrain of good governance,’ added the CEO.

Waringa urged the stakeholders to strive in building bridges of understanding and cooperation, and to transcend the boundaries that divide and unite PSG under the common purpose of serving the greater good.

The CEO added that transparency requires leaders to carry out their functions in an open manner in public, an issue she said gives an opportunity to scrutinize leadership decisions and enhance transparency as a check to good governance.

She encourage leaders to be accountable for the decisions they make during governance and also need to communicate within the law in order to safeguards against mal-administration and breach of fundamental rights of the citizens.

Waringa announced that PSG will reward champions of good governanc
e from various sectors in public and private sectors who will demonstrate absolute upholding of the principles of good governance in entirety.

‘PSG is ready to go an extra mile to introduce good governance awards at the end of every year to appreciate heroes of good governance, ‘she disclosed.

The CEO said state officers serving in the Public Service are appointed based on merit and capacity to deliver and are not dependent of the political dynamic of the nation in their development, noting while offering services they must be guided by their ministries policies on public service delivery.

The Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit said that in religion teaching and preaching good governance is a management of resources and people of which it ensures that the outcome of governance is harmony, progress and development.

‘If PSG tampers with good governance, the loss will be enormous,’ he said.

Ole Sapit noted that Kenyans will only prosper when those governing the citizenry and managing reso
urces ensure that there is equity and fairness across every sector.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The quest to ensure sustainable management of sanitation for the informal dwellers went a notch higher after a youth organization invented an affordable and modern eco friendlier toilet.

Vera Adhiambo Okumu, Director and Operation Manager at Sunwise Technologies said the eco-toilet was made using a set of plastics. The walls are made using 60 percent of crashed glass bottles and mixed with 40 percent sand to minimize the exploration of the already dilapidating natural resources like sand mining which has become a menace.

She told KNA that the youth organization was formed with the objective to research on simple and affordable sanitation Management practices to promote ecological sanitation saying

‘The tray collects human waste and inside it, we load it with Black Soldiers Fly (BSF) larvae which is a non-pest insect. The maggots we get when keep the BSF colony that lays eggs that are used to feed into the toilet to hatch and process the waste matter’ She explained

She said the BSF maggots were strategical
ly placed to eat and sterilize human waste to produce crass. After 14 days of their life cycle, we harvest the maggots before they turn into a fly, then we cede again as a continuous process,” clarified

Okumu who holds a degree in Public Health and a Masters in Sanitation both from Meru

University expressed fears that lack of employment among the youth and poor sanitation motivated the group to explore such avenues.

‘We developed the eco toilet concept waste management which is a bio-converter toilet; with a container just below the substructure which has a tray. We understand our needs and technology converts waste into a resource and a source of income,’ he added.

Okumu in an interview at the organizations Incubation Centre offices located at the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO) Plant in Kasagam-Kisumu East attests that the by-products are beneficial and environmentally friendly.

She said based on their piloting and research, they know how much they should load the larvae and how long they
should check the progress because the byproducts are a cell conditioner and produce rich biomass of the larvae which can be used as animal feed formulations.

‘They have come to see our prototype toilet here and checked how it works. There is no smell in our toilets using this technology because the black soldier fly doesn’t give room for fermentation which promotes the smell. You can even relax beside it without smelling any bad odour,’ Ouko clarified.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Residents of Chasimba location in Kilifi South sub-county are divided over the proposed plans for multibillion Mashujaa Cement Company in the area which some arguing proper public participation was not undertaken.

A section of the villagers claimed that they were denied a chance to make informed decision saying the proposed 12.8 billion cement production project in Chasimba area lacked adequate public participation

Speaking during a public hearing held by the National Environmental Complaints Committee (NECC) at Chasimba , the residents asked for community engagements and the provision of adequate information regarding the project for consensus purposes.

‘There is still so much that needs to be discussed especially matters to do with the environment. We have seen many instances where a project is brought into an area and ends up causing a lot of adverse effects to the residents in the area’, Bishop Ronald Nzai a resident of Chasimba said.

He added that there was a need for the investors to consider all po
ssible critical environmental impacts that will be brought about by the project, and come up with adequate mitigation measures to counter those impacts.

Talking about the recently released Environmental and Social Impact (ESIA) report, the cleric pointed out that the residents were not consulted before the preparation and release of the report, stating the need for transparency from the company.

He further noted that the project had the potential to disrupt peace in the area because of the conflicted opinions on the subject and disputes over selling land to the company.

‘We need to sit down and identify parts of this project that need to be rectified, once they are rectified we can then decide as a community whether the project can proceed or not’, he said.

Tindai Mtana a resident of Chasimba while citing the effects that Mombasa and Bamburi Cement factories had caused in their respective locations, asked for Mashujaa company’s assurance that all possible environmental effects would be considered before s
etting up the cement plant in that area.

‘We are not refusing investors, what we are asking is you give us an investment that will improve our livelihoods; that will do more good than harm to the people in this area’, Mtana remarked.

Former area Chief Rachael Dzombo however urged the residents to support the project stating that it would bring more developmental benefits to the area and create job opportunities for the many unemployed youths in Chasimba.

‘Poverty and other problems facing this area will not come to an end if every time a new project is proposed that will bring benefits into this area, you reject the investors and send them away’, Dzombo said.

‘Let us look at both the pros and cons of this project, and if in your view the pros outweigh the cons, then it will be wise to welcome the project’, she added.

NECC Secretary Mary Njogu said that they will use the grievances gathered from the residents to generate their report, especially focusing on the positive and negative impacts that the proje
ct will pose on the environment.

She added that Mashujaa Cement Company will hand over their reports and minutes from previous meetings held with the people to NECC for review and feedback.

‘We have also agreed with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) that they will hold a meeting with the people to ensure that the Environmental Impact Assessment and public participation was done in the right manner’, Njogu stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Principal Secretary Arid Lands and Semi-Arid Lands Mr. Idris Salim Dakota has directed state departments in Tana River county to offer vehicles to transport relief food to needy cases in remote locations.

Speaking yesterday at Lisa Hola School for the deaf Mr.Dakota however challenged local residents to fully exploit the potentials of River Tana waters through farming activities to reduce the cases of perennial food insecurity in the county.

Speaking at the same event Shekhe Obute Musa head of SUPKEM in Tana River County commended the National government for donating 320 bags of rice, 800 bags of beans,10 carton of cooking oil,one box of meat and fish respectively to the vulnerable families .

Shekhe Musa said the Organization has planned a program that each sub county to receive 64 bags of rice, the sub counties are Bangale, Tana River, Tana Delta, Tana North and Galdyetu.

However, Shekhe Musa said they are facing challenge when it comes to transport since the vehicles that are to be used for distribu
tion of food are broken down adding that they also lack enough funds to carry out the program.

He also said that the SUPKEM of Tana River County will ensure that all vulnerable families accessed the needed food to avert possible cases of hunger and starvation.

Tana River County Commissioner David Koske at the same time announced that all the sub counties were set to receive relief food especially during this holy month of Ramadhan

The Women representative Tana River County Ms. Amina Dika expressed her gratitude to the government saying, that good gesture was also witnessed when floods wreaked havoc in the area.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Plans to set off Kazi Mashinani youth empowerment initiative in Trans Nzoia are complete.

This follows distribution of tools to all the 25 wards in the County which in turn will be issued out to service providers.

The distributed tools among them wheelbarrows, spades, slathers, hoes, reflectors, rakes are expected to enhance service delivery and ensure success of the program.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Chief Officer in charge of Gender Jane Wachwenge reiterated Governor George Natembeya’s desire to enhance service delivery and ensure living standards are uplifted.

This, she stressed will ensure the public gets value for the money spend.

The Kazi Mashinani Initiative falls under the larger umbrella of Ukombozi Empowerment Programme launched by the County Government last week, which aims to uplift vulnerable groups.

The initiative has seen 2500 youth from informal settlements being recruited.

They will be getting a monthly stipend of Shs 5000 each, after working for 10 days in shifts.

Be
sides, the youth stand a chance to access essential resources after undergoing vocational training.

Source: Kenya News Agency