The Regional Zizi Afrique foundation conference the Africa Evidence forum opened on Tuesday in Kenya to boost foundational learning, numeracy in Sub Saharan Africa.
John Mugo, the executive director of Zizi Afrique foundation said that the two forum is hosted with the aid of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – What Works to discuss about Foundational Learning & Numeracy in Sub-Saharan Africa in association with the British Council, the Education Development Trust, Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP), and Education Evidence for Action (EE4A). According to organizers, academics, data producers, decision-makers, and scholars from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, and Sierra Leone will be among the participants. Numerous representatives from African education ministries will also be present at the conference.
The Coalition of Church and Alliances Ministry led by Bishop Langat has call on two political leaders to sit down and agree.
Speaking in Nairobi,Church leaders Coalition has said its time the two leaders sit down and agree on serious proposals for the better of the Nation.
“We plead and ask our President to follow through with his promise to sit with and listen to Mr Odinga and other leaders and come out with reasonable proposals to address the main plights in our country. We also invite Mr Odinga to accept dialogue for the good of the country,” said Bishop Langat
They added that the injuries and loss of even one life is way too expensive. Kenyan lives matter. We urge restraint of the police in such occasions and urge them against use of live bullets and excessive force that might cause injury to the people.
Residents from Samburu East led by former Nominated Hon Maison Leshomo has demand eviction to stop or people will go to the street.
The residents blame government specifically Interior Cabinet Secretary Hon. Kithure Kindiki over uninformed decision to evict there families from the area.
Members of the Samburu people said most of the 200 Samburu families are living in makeshift squats, while 1,000 others were forced to relocate,they said.
Speaking in Nairobi almost 20 students and residents from Samburu have complained to government to fasttrack the relocation of the evicted families.
The situation has been really bad for a long time,” “The Samburu people ] have nothing. Things like bedding and utensils were burned.”they said
Former Nominated Mp Hon Laisomo Leshomo who led the students said government has an hidden agenda apart from evictions of the people and she has ask government to come out clear. She also said the eviction going on in Samburu is ill intention and plans to take over samburu land.
The community has lost huge sacks of land to the bandits.They also added that most of the schools are about start exams.
Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN’s) movie, Finding Diana, has won the Best Human Rights Film Award at this year’s Berlin Shorts Award.
The international recognition comes five months after the movie was premiered and after securing more than 175,000 views on the organisation’s YouTube Channel, ParadigmHQ.
Ms. Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu, the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, lauded the win saying the movie is significantly contributing to Paradigm Initiative’s effort towards ensuring the continent is rights-respecting.
“We are keenly aware of the need to mainstream digital rights conversations and are always exploring new and innovative ways to do so. We are thrilled that our films continue to introduce new audiences to digital rights issues, including access to technology, freedom of expression, press freedom, digital surveillance, and other key issues that we passionately advocate for on the continent,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to PIN partners, Ford Foundation, Internews, Internet Society (ISOC) Foundation, Luminate and United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour (DRL) for supporting the movie production.
On his part, Idiare Atimomo, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Up in The Sky, which was PIN’s movie production partner, welcomed the win, saying it was satisfying.
“We are delighted by the news of this award! Being able to take pressing African human/digital rights issues and turn them into engaging cinematic content that can win in such a contested category is very satisfying. We have always trusted in the power of storytelling to mainstream these issues for wider consumption and appreciation,” he added.
Finding Diana is executive produced by Paradigm Initiative in partnership with Up In the Sky Films. The film was directed by Tolulope Ajayi and produced by Benjamin Adeniran.
The lead actress, Uzoamaka Onuoha plays 28-year-old Aisha Coker, a down-on-her-luck journalist. Also starring in the movie is Mike Afolarin who plays Izuore Duke, Rotimi Adelegan as the Governor, and Bade Smart in the role of James. The film follows Aisha as she investigates a story of debauchery in her state government. Will her dive into the underbelly of conspiracy finally put Aisha on the map, or will it serve a bigger purpose? Finding Diana is inspired by PIN’s 2021 Digital Rights and Inclusion Report- Londa. The report highlights the state of digital rights and inclusion in 22 African countries. This is the third short film released by Paradigm Initiative following the success of Training Day (2020) andFocus (2021).
Londa 2021 examines privacy, freedom of expression, access to information, segmentation and execution, digital transformation, affordability, gender, and others within existing legislative frameworks and against the backdrop of a widening digital divide.
It also assesses the state of digital rights and inclusion on the continent and provides recommendations on what each country must do to move towards realizing gains that rights-respecting and inclusive digital practices bring. Besides providing recommendations, the report also highlights gaps existing in the featured African countries.
The rapidly expanding Naivas Supermarket has kicked off its annual seasonal campaign coming barely a week after Kenyans took to the streets to protest over the high cost of living. Naivas, a dependable home grown retailer and supermarket of choice for the Kenyan populace, has on Friday March 23, 2023 stepped up a campaign that is truly going to live upto its slogan of ” Naivas Saves You Money”. Speaking to the media during the launch ceremony, Mr Willy Kimani said that the second edition of the annual seasonal campaign is dubbed ” Naivas Kikapu Kibonge” adding that the Food Chain understands the shrinking basket of its customers and thus the reason of the campaign. ” As a brand, Naivas understands the needs of our customers and this is our small bidding in making the long holiday a little more adorable, affordable, and memorable” Willy Kimani said. The campaign promises 9 weeks of the very best of prices and exceptional sales and promotions by Naivas Supermarket during the Easter, Ramadhan, Eid ul Fitr, Labour Day, back to school and Mother’s Day.
A Women’s lobby groups under the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and the Women Mediation Network in Kenya have called for the nation to pull together in the wake of the heightened political temperatures in the country. Speaking to the press in their offices in Nairobi, the Women leaders said there was an urgent need for the country to address the critical issues facing the nation. ” We speak with agony as mothers and womb bearers of the country because as always, women and children stand to suffer the most when the nation is at pain” they said. In a statement which they jointly read to the media, the women leaders stressed three points which they said it was of more concern to them as the women of Kenya. They said their firstly concern as mothers of this country is to urge for a cease fire about the ongoing grandstanding between government and the opposition. They also said they were deeply concerned about the safety and security of thousands of families especially women and children whom they say were currently displaced from their homes and are camping in tents mostly in the bandit stricken counties. ” We urge the government and the humanitarian agencies to move swiftly and provide decent accommodation, food, medicine and other critical services to curb further suffering on these families” they stated. Lastly, they appreciated President William Ruto’s leadership and specifically in the appointment of women into top leadership in his government. They however urged for more inclusion in government of women with disabilities some thing they noted was missing in the list of appointments and they implore that the matter be looked upon with urgency. The lobby group urged the government to continue listening to the voices of Kenyans and move quickly to address the cost of living in the country.
In kenya, almost 70% are unable to access credit and have been locked out.
Ms.Susan Mangeni PS for Medium and Small Enterprises ministry has said that Hustler fund was launched to cusion borrowers who were locked out.
She said government is not and doesn’t have a space to compete or locked other lenders out of business.
Speaking during the 6th Africa CIS Conference theme :Harnessing the Power of Alternative Data” in Mombasa the PS for MSES has request financial organisations to engage the small vulnerable businesses to bring them up.
She added that innovation for small enterprises is key to economic growth.
The conference is coming at an oppotune time when the world economies are seeking credit for individuals and Medium small enterprises at an affordable rates.
She said that financialInclusion famously known as “Hustler Fund” has grown for the last 5 monhhs to correct business failure at the bottom of the pyramid as now almost 19.4million borrowers are benefiting from the HF.
” Everyone is aligning to the growth of the economy and all private sector has woke up to rewrite the market growth as well as providing more opportunities for SMEs “,She said
SMEs 90% of business and 50 percent of the employment worldwide.According to world bank 600million will be needed to create more opportunities in 2023.
The Ps also encourages markets actors to form engagement groups to create more inclusive credit systems.
The Pan African Climate Justice partnership with Kenyatta University on Friday launched the third cohort of Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice Cohort 3. The launch was held at the Kenyatta University that hosts the program.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said that introspecting on the two years the program has been on, it’s worth jubilation.
“Two years back we commenced this noble initiative on the NSSCJ. To us it was a bold dream to see young people being in the stewardship of climate justice efforts in this continent. It was a dream that has become a reality”, said Dr. Mithika.
Mithika said that the achievement would not have been possible without Kenyatta University partnering with PACJA as a hosting institution of the initiative.
“We appreciate the effort put in by Kenyatta University over the planning process for the NSSCJ that we have enjoyed for the last 2 years that has made the NSSCJ a premier process of strengthened pan African mobilizations and organizing of young people to drive bold, continental wide transformations”, Dr. Mithika added.
Dr. Joseph Kurauka, the Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development at Kenyatta University affirmed that University partnership with PACJA yielded results by equipping young generation with skills and knowledge of issues pertaining to climate change, environment and Climate Justice.
“To affirm our commitment, I am glad to share with you that Kenyatta University’s Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development is processing accredited certification and master’s studies in areas of climate Justice”, disclosed Dr. Kurauka.
Prof. Wanjohi who represented the Vice Chancellor emphasized the role of young generation in carrying forward awareness and commended the importance of equipping them with skills and knowledge on climate change and climate justice.
“I believe that Climate Change is everywhere and is affecting all of us. I hope that the applicants to be selected will be in that dynamism of bringing change because climate change has become a global Challenge we are currently facing”, said Prof. Wanjohi
Nancy Githaiga, Country Director, African Wildlife Foundation reminded participants that Climate change has hit Africa and Kenya in particular, hence joint efforts are needed to address the challenge. She said that youth equipped with knowledge will drive the change.
“We have responsibility because our action or inaction on matter of climate Change will definitely speak. Voices of young people must be heard but also there must be solutions through action,” reiterated Nancy.
At the launch of the third cohort, several alumni of Nairobi Summer school of Climate Justice shared their experiences and knowledge they have earned from the last cohorts.
About Nairobi Summer School of Climate Justice
NSSCJ is conceptualized as an intergenerational platform to share, learn and network the disruptive ideas needed to catalyze economy-wide transformation in a climate-catastrophic world. The school adopts a society-wide focus, targeting sectoral and thematic experts and frontline activists irrespective of formal education and cultural backgrounds. Since its inception, the school has trained over 900 youth from diverse background anddiverse countries and continents.
Over two Years in action Nairobi Summer school Alumni, are contributing in shaping narratives around climate Justice across Africa and beyond through campaigns, Climate Change negotiations, and other advocacy processes at national, regional, continental and global level.
Kirinyaga woman representative the Honorable Njeri Maina has demonstrated the zeal and strong will not to mention the enthusiasm with which she undertakes her duties.
In her social media page she noted:
“I am humbled to represent the Kenyan Parliament at the 2nd conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, in Manama, Bahrain, where over 65 countries have converged to forge a way forward in regard to global security and post- pandemic recovery.
The National Assemblies play a critical role in legislating the future. Which is why these conversations and consultations are an integral part of progressive approaches required to counter the challenges.
Now more than ever, we must find strength in unity of purpose so that we can face the challenges of the 21st century together.”
Bahati Member of Parliament Irene Njoki has extended gratitude for a House Committee’s kind gesture to benchmark in her Constituency. She notes
“Special thanks to the National assembly ICT committee for choosing Bahati Constituency to benchmark on Ajira digital program.
Hon Irene Njoki has set in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure bahati residents acquire digital skills to help reduce the high rate of unemployment . The digital skills are offered without any charges at Bahati Mp’s office in Kiamaina
Mps present were ,Hon.Joseph Tonui MP For Kuresoi South,Hon. Bernard Kitur MP for Nandi Hills, Hon. Kakuta Ole Maimai MP for Kajiado East,Hon. Bensouda Woman Rep for Homabay County and Hon.Reuben Kiborek Mogotio for Mogotio Constituency”
