Day: March 21, 2024

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in Oshikoto Region Region have opened a case of rape against an unknown cattle herder who allegedly raped a seven-year-old girl on Tuesday.

According to NamPol’s Crime Investigations Coordinator for the region, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Wednesday, the incident happened at an unknown time at Uuntyaye village in the Omuntele Constituency.

The victim is a Grade 1 learner at Amen Combined School and resides with her grandmother at Uuntyaye village.

‘It is alleged that the suspect came to the victim’s house, where he found the minor victim with her cousin, an eight-year-old boy,’ said Ekandjo.

He added that the minors were alone at home since their grandmother had gone to Onandjokwe State Hospital.

‘It is alleged that the suspect started calling the victim by her name and then held her by the hand, before going with her in the nearby bushes, where he undressed her and started touching the victims’ private parts before having sexual intercourse with the minor under
coercive circumstances,’ he added.

He further reported that the suspect is unknown to the victim and her cousin, but according to the victim’s cousin, it was not the first time that the unknown man came to the house and picked up the victim while the grandmother was away.

Ekandjo reported that after the incident on Tuesday, the victim rushed to Oniihandhila location and informed a woman about what had transpired, after which the police were informed and a case opened.

No arrest has been made as the suspect is unknown.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL), Tamarind group and Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement to empower youth with training skills that will make them competitive in the job market.

The MOU whose aim is to transform lives of the students in the community will also ensure the Youth Agenda is realized through partnership and collaborative strategies by presenting good opportunity to pool resources to uplift the lives and dignity of the disadvantaged in the society.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held at Carnivore in Nairobi, the Regional Coordinator-State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy-Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports (MOYACES) Daniel Kirui observed that young people encounter socio-economic hardships due to lack of employable skills, exposure and employment opportunities.

Kirui noted that the government is cognizant that the youth are valuable resources with substantial energy, innovation and digital knowled
ge which can foster national development, and propel Kenya to unprecedented economic growth.

He cited that INUA Jamii program aligns with the government’s commitment to uplift young Kenyans through establishing careers that contribute to the nation’s social-economic development and reduce unemployment and underemployment among the youth.

Kirui lauded the partnership terming it a collaborative effort that address youth’s issues especially those in informal settlements of Mukuru in Nairobi.

‘The parties involved will be able to leverage on resources, build synergies and harness technical expertise as a strategy to address youth unemployment through skills development, internship and mentorship,’ he stated.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has rolled out projects through State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy to promote skills development that target business development services for startups, growing and expanding enterprises which will contribute to job and wealth
creation.

Other areas of focus are improving youth employability through entrepreneurship trainings, developing labour export and local markets for youth’s products and supporting the youth savings and investments to enable them earn decent incomes.

The Regional Coordinator also acknowledged Tamarind Group of hotels, an international brand in hospitality for providing apprenticeship to the trainees in hospitality industry.

‘With Tamarind on board, the youth will have the opportunity to get quality exposure to the real-world dynamics of the hospitality industry and life-changing job opportunities attained through professional coaching to become efficient and competent personnel in the labour market globally,’ he stated.

Kirui also acknowledged KWAL for directing their corporate social responsibility to skill development for the hospitality sector which creates opportunities for youths, noting that the sector stimulates growth and broadens services in the tourism industry.

‘We laud Mukuru Promotion Centre
for its endurance spirit in humanitarian work, promotion of education and health services, the Centre’s selfless giving has made it a household name in the informal settlements,’ said Kirui.

He at the same time encouraged the 40 beneficiaries to make their benefactors proud through excellent performance and to demonstrate award with impeccable discipline, hard work and self-less service.

‘Possession of skills alone is not adequate for success in any career and indeed in life, however, excellent you may be, one needs communication, interpersonal skills, passion and positive attitude to captive and maintain loyalty among clients,’ he said.

KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka said that INUA program provides technical holistic nature to the youths, helps them to find voice and have confidence and esteemed to what the students have within them to power and shape their future.

Githuka added that the goal is to create a more prosperous and sustainable future for the youths by reaching more people and offer commi
tment to make it have a greater impact.

She noted that the government through its commitment, has expanded and enhanced advancement to honor the youth Agenda and promote youth activities.

In his remarks, the Tamarind Group Operations Director Joseph Gacheru said that greater emphasizes needs to be placed in mentoring and training of the young generation of hoteliers in order to secure the future of culinary industry which will make students stronger before securing their livelihoods and be able to compete in the global arena.

Gacheru revealed that Tamarind has open up apprenticeship program to exceptional students from MPC which empowers over 200 young people who are now professional chefs in and out of the country, standing out as key players of the industry.

‘Apprenticeship program will not only give practical experience but also give a front foot in the door of the hospitality industry to train and strengthen career,’ he stated.

The Director of Mukuru Promotional Centre (MPC) Sister Mary said that the
mission offers a life line by providing education and environmental change through a brighter path to the future of the young people.

Sr. Mary said that the partnership aims to bridge the wide gap between the available jobs and skill to professional workers especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

‘Partnership will provide a comprehensive fraternity training to the selected youths from Mukuru slums, through the vocational training schools run by MPC, dreams are achieved, skills are sharpened and futures are built,’ she disclosed while citing that the training will cover culinary arts, customer service and management among others.

She declared that the MPC vision is to see graduates excels and become glitters in the hospitality industry within the community.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Any beer manufacturer found distributing adulterated alcoholic drinks risks paying a fine of up to Sh 10 million or serve an imprisonment term not exceeding ten years or both.

This is according to the revised Nyeri Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2023.

The new act which was assented to by Governor Mutahi Kahiga into law last week is an amended version of the Nyeri Alcoholic Drinks Control and Management Act,2014 which stands repealed.

Article 7(b) of the act also spells out that any person who knowingly distributes an alcoholic drink that is adulterated shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh 2 million or an imprisonment term not exceeding two years or both.

The law also prohibits the undertaking of any form of promotions or advertisements for alcoholic drinks and spells out a fine of up to Sh 500,000 for an offender or an imprison term not exceeding three years or both.

Notable in the new act is a provision limiting the time of operation for those running wines and spirits shops.

The 11th schedule st
ates that ‘a licensee shall not sell any alcoholic drink for consumption in the premises any time not earlier than 2 pm and not later than 8.30 pm’

Local Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KNCCI) chair Mr. Ibrahim Maina says they are still analysing the new act and could not therefore comment on its contents.

Maina however says as an entity that advocates for the welfare of traders, they will not hesitate to support the government in weeding out unscrupulous persons who have infiltrated in the alcohol sector.

‘I would not wish to comment anything about the new legislation but I am still studying the provisions therein. The issue of alcoholism is a real problem in this country and therefore one needs caution before commenting on the subject to avoid being labelled as an impediment to the war against its consumption,’ he told KNA.

But Patricia Njeri who operates a wine and spirit retail outlet within Nyeri town says while the act is entirely not bad, a directive by the County government not
to license new licenses could be counterproductive.

She has admitted that proceeds from the wine and spirit business are quite good nowadays and therefore limiting the number of outlets in operation may not be to the interests of those intending to venture into the business.

‘This new order by the County government to limit the number of wine and spirit outlets may not be in good faith as far as we are concerned. When the government freezes the licensing of new alcoholic outlets what happens to those who wish to expand their business?’ she poses.

‘If no new outlets will be allowed to come on board, we shall have shut out very many people who wish to venture into this trade and earn their living,’ pointed out Njeri.

On his part Harrison Kingori a matatu driver who plies the Nyeri-Ihururu route has welcomed the new law which he says will boost the war against uncontrolled drinking in the county.

He has however disagreed with a provision that limits the transfer of an alcoholic business outlet from one loca
tion to another terming the order discriminatory.

‘What we are all fighting against is consumption of illicit alcohol in this country. But when doing this we need to be careful not to kill the legit businesses that have met the required standards. We cannot restrict the transfer of existing businesses to other areas if that is to the advantage of the trader and as long as he has followed the due process of the law. The government should in the meantime close down all liquor outlets being operated by their employees to avoid a conflict of interest,’ he said.

Simon Maina Mwangi, a bodaboda rider in Nyeri town has welcomed the new measures to curb the manufacture, sale and consumption of alcohol in the county saying the vice had threatened the very fabric of the society to the core.

He has also supported the regulation on the number of new liquor outlets which he said would help control the uncontrolled mushrooming of unlicensed drinking dens.

Mwangi also claims that some of the backstreet drinking joints ar
e safe hiding dens for drug addicts since they are shielded from law enforcers and said he was in full support of a plan by the county government to take an audit of all bars and restaurants operating in the county.

‘Let the County Government go ahead with its plan of undertaking an a census on all licensed and operational bars with a view of rationalizing their growth. By doing this, it will be possible to weed out rogue traders who have turned the liquor business into a conduit to traffic drugs and other illicit substances,’ states Mwangi.

Both the national and county governments have launched a sustained war against rampant consumption of illicit alcohol in the country which has been termed as a security concern for the nation.

Last month Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced the government’s commitment in the war to curb illicit brews in the country.

Gachagua revealed government plans to roll out multi-agency and multistakeholder measures to decisively deal with illicit brew, drugs and substance
abuse in the country days after more than 20 people died after consuming illicit liquor in Kirinyaga.

‘The government will not allow merchants of death to continue with the illegal business of illicit brew, drugs and other substances,’ Gachagua stated.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, has embarked on a review of functions of six Regional Development Authorities, to align them with the 2010 Constitution.

This follows a Cabinet decision to assess and review the roles, impact and effectiveness of the agencies in light of devolution.

EAC Cabinet Secretary (CS), Penina Malonza, said the review targets to relook at the services being offered with a view of identifying those that can be transferred to the counties.

Malonza said the RDA’s were not being moved to county governments, adding that the Cabinet decision was meant to avoid duplication of functions.

‘Since devolution started, in 2013, there are still functions we are looking at to see whether they fit in the National government or in the county governments,’ she said.

Speaking during the commissioning of water projects at Oriwo Primary School in Homa Bay County and St. Peter’s Kogola Primary School in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Malonza said t
he move targets to strengthen operations of the six RDA’s to foster development in the regions.

The RDA’s which include Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA) and Coast Development Authority, she said play a critical role in national development and would be supported to fulfill their mandate.

The two water projects done by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), she said, will collectively support over 11, 000 households, including learning institutions in the two counties.

‘The communities here used to trek for long distances to search for water. These projects are indeed a great relief,’ she said.

Her Ministry, she added, was working with the Ministry of Interior, to gazette more Arid and Semi – Arid areas, which have been on the waiting list for long to ensure they benefit from ongoing government programs.

Source: Kenya News Agency

State and non-state entities have been urged to embrace joint planning and execution of peace building interventions.

Speaking during a forum to evaluate past interventions and chart a path toward enhancing peace and security in the county, Director for Peace and Reconciliation Titus Lokorikeju said pooling resources would enhance emergency response and improve reactions to early warnings of conflict escalation.

The forum was supported by the International Organization for Peace Building (INTERPEACE), whose objective is to coordinate all actors working to promote peace building in the county.

He highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving peace. His call for coordinated efforts, inclusion of all stakeholders, and effective use of resources were echoed by others working towards peace in the region.

Turkana central Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Siele expressed the National Government’s commitment to combating insecurity issues in Turkana South and Loima Sub-counties.

He stressed
on the importance of involving local Administrators, elders, and communities to create effective homegrown peace solutions.

He added that the National Government had beefed up security capacities in the most disturbed and dangerous crime zones along the Riverine.

The forum brought together participants from various sectors, including the national government’s administrative wing, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and civil society organizations.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Pastor Dorcas Ntinyari of the Gospel Outreach Church, Mitunguu, noted that many parents have neglected their children’s education, transferring the responsibility to house help and teachers. She emphasized that children are gifts from God, hence should be properly nurtured.

The cleric warns parents to take their role seriously as children are now begging around Mitunguu market, a trend that was rare years ago. She noted that due to hard economic times contemporary parents hardly have adequate time to spend with their families, as they are busy looking for money.

Parents need to be more vigilant to prevent their children from falling into drug abuse traps due to lack of time for guidance. Hence, as schools close for Easter, parents are advised to be more vigilant to prevent drug abuse and other vices.

Ntinyari further urged parents to always monitor their children’s movements, to ensure that they keep good company and protect them from predators, this is because, Many school-going children, are falling prey
to drugs such as Bang alcohol, which have significantly impacted their dreams.

She noted that cases of child abuse, abductions and even killings have been on the rise in the recent past thus parents must be extra vigilant. ‘Let’s set extra time for our families to nurture them and show lots of love and discipline as they are key in fostering development projects in our community’ she noted.

The Church and other religious organizations play a crucial role in mentoring and guiding young people through spiritual nourishment, and lastly, Pastor Ntinyari, urged parents to ensure their children always go to church so as to receive guidance and spiritual nourishment which will help mold them into responsible adults.

Source: Kenya News Agency