Following recent blames to engineers on collapsing of building nationally due to neglection of Bill of Quantities an emphasis has been made by the Engineers Board of Kenya for government to fastrack on the implementation of engineers scale of fees 2022.
The Engineers (Scale of Fees for Professional Engineering Services) Rules, 2022 was gazetted on 18th May, 2022 and commissioned on 19th July, 2022. Thereafter, on 2nd August, 2022 the circular on implementation from the Ministry was issued to all consumers of professional engineering services that from 15th August, 2022, the Scale of Fees were effected.
According to schedule 6 it state that engineers should be paid on preparation of BQs Bill of Quantities since it’s the work of Quantity surveyors and architects.
Engineer Matalanga who sits on the council of world federation engineers proffesionals has called for the government to help in cubbing challenges that is facing engineers nationally and across the region.
“There is inadequate technical capacity in engineering in the counties to carry out approval of engineering documents and provided oversight to the projects under construction. ” Says Eng Matalanga.
The engineers have proposed a multiagency approach on collaboration that will reduce the collapse of buildings. Currently there are 3000 professional engineers and the Board aims to increase the capacity to 10,000 professional engineers in the next 5 years to be at par with the UNESCO ratio 1:5000 to realise National Development Agenda in KenyaCooperation among government agencies and implementation of the engineers scale of fees for professional engineers will fast track the pace in enhancing professionalism in regulation and implement key policies for transformation and national development.
President to the engineers Kenya Erick Olaga has taken note of the approach by the Government which is consultative for increase on efficiency. The goal of digitizing government services in the next 6 months is commendable. The Board is also developing the Engineers Project Registration Portal and will be commissioning in 2023. In the short-term, County Governments are encouraged to come up with panels of professional engineers to offer the servicesairman.
“Our 10 years journey will help on planning to the county agenda and also for the budgeting purpose .The scale of fees is a plus to the public’s”President Olaga.
The Kenya National Engineering Board of Kenya has urged government argencies to work closely together in order to build a strong collaboration.
During the first stakeholders meeting in Nairobi, the board highlighed and agreed that several developers do not engage professional engineers during the entire projects.
EBK chairman Erustus Mwongera said the board has taken note of the approach by the government which is consultative and terms of increasing efficiency.
However the board has urged the county governments to come up with panels of professional engineers to offer the serviceman.
The EBK also is planning to increase to number of professional engineers from 3000 to 10,000 over the next 5 years to meet the UNESCO recommendations.
Africa ‘s largest sacco in patnership with Kenya Mortgage financing company unveils affordable housing loan for all.
The mortgage facility will assist members acquire ready houses for a long term facility repayable up to 308 months.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro Medium enterprose speaking during the launch said this is a big milstone to the people of kenya and the sacco members.
He said,as government the sacco is leading by example towards the government plans target of 250,000affordable houses.
According to the Mwalimu Sacco CEO Mr. Kennedy Odhiambo with the expanding membership this product will go a long way in changing the lives of the sacco members at a competative rates.
“The affordable housing mortgage loan facility is at a competitive single digit pricing from an amount of 500,000 to 8 million to own your home across the county,” Mr Odhiamo has added.
Mr. Odhiambo said that they are many opportunities and game changer product.
The Chief Justice Hon. Lady Martha Koome has today urged the new members of the Commission on Revenue Allocation to keep in mind Kenya’s history of marginalisation as they take on the task of ensuring equitable sharing of national resources.
“In your hands now lies the protection and realisation of one of the most transformative features of the 2010 Constitution: devolved governance… You must therefore strive to work towards making ours a socially just state and society,” she said.
The new members who took their oath of office are Benedict Muasya Mutiso, Wilfred Koitamet Olekina Nchoshoi, Hon. Fatuma Gedi Ali, Dr. Jalang’o Midiwo, Ms. Hadija Juma, Dr. Isabel Nyambura Waiyaki, Mr. Jonas Misto Vincent Kuko, and Dr. Chris Kiptoo (PS, The National Treasury). These members were appointed by H.E President William Ruto in the Gazette Notice No. 15376 to serve for a period of six years.
While welcoming the new members of the Commission, the outgoing CRA Chairperson Dr. Jane Kiringai urged the new Commissioners to cultivate good stakeholder relationships, including the National Treasury and the two houses of Parliament to succeed in executing their mandate.
“Sharing of revenue is very technical but also a highly political process. You must strike a very good balance between the two and have a very competent Secretariat to support you. What matters most is how you will interact with the Senate and National Assembly. Ultimately, you will make very technical and solid recommendations but you have to convince them to adopt those recommendations. The Council of Governors also matters a lot because they are the recipients of the funds shared. She further encouraged the Commissioners to strategize and negotiate with the National Executive, Council of Governors, and other key stakeholders while maintaining the Commission’s objectivity and independence,” she said.
While swearing in the eight new Commissioners at the Supreme Court Offices, the CJ further advised them to stick to their oath and never depart from the law in executing their mandate.
The new team is to serve from January 2023 to December 2028 and take over from the second group of commissioners who served from January 2017 – December 2022.
The new members take over from the second group of commissioners – Humphrey Wattanga (Vice-Chairperson), Prof. Peter Kimuyu, Fouzia Abdikadir, Kishanto ole Suuji, Dr. Irene Asienga, Peter Gachuba and Dr. Julius Muia whose term of service ended on December 31, 2022. The term of the current Chairperson, Dr. Jane Kiringai, expires at the end of February 2023.
Sarah Jackson,the body Shop EMEA and LatAm franchise business has said, “Kenya is a fast growing and developing economy which is well positioned to attract global brands’.
In 2020, the company started sourcing tea oil from the foothills of Mount Kenya across the eastern coastal areas.
She said the Body shop Kenya store has been designed around the brands’strategy to minimize it’s environment footprint.
Ms Jackson said say the Kenyan consumer deeply cares about how ethically and socially conscious in business across the entire value”.
Founded on 1976 in Brighton, England,the Body shop has attracted almost 1000 farmers and producers across the country.
Renowned airline, Fly 748 has extended another Ksh 6 Million in sponsorship to Kenya Police FC following a stellar performance on their debute year in Kenya Premier League. During the Cheque signing ceremony in Nairobi, Fly 748 Managing Director Moses Mwangi said the airline is extremely elated by the performance that saw the Football club finish 9th position out of 18 in their first year. “Its only last year that Kenya Police FC managed to enter Premier League and you cant believe the kind of work they have done and this is what actually brings us here. I have to tell you the truth. We see this is a group that we can work with, they are people committed and there is alot of committement in the team,” said Mr. Mwangi. The airline is optimistic of even better performance this season when Kenya Police FC play the remaining three matches starting January 2023. Mr. Mwangi has also promised to review upwards the current sponsorship ceiling on condition that the fotball club also performs even better next year. “If you do better we are also going to do better,” said Mr. Mwangi. Deputy Inspector General, Edward Mbugua also expressed satisfaction with clubs performance and the support it has received from the airline. “I want to appreciate Fly 748 for the support they have been giving us over the last one year we have been together. You have supported us very well and we have agreed you will also support us in the coming season,” said Mr. Mbugua. The signing and hand over of the cheque was done at Vigilance House, Nairobi. 748 Air Services Chairman, Ahmed Jibril an ardent supporter of local football clubs wished the Kenya police club the best in their forthcoming matches and missions of promoting community policing.
State officers at a consultative security meeting in Nairobi photo by Grace Mwende
Grace Mwende
The Ministry of Interior and Coordination has announced that they will be working with NACADA and police officers to regulate alcohol and drug abuse in the country during this festive season.
Through chiefs, the ministry will carry a thorough crackdown on illicit brews dens.
Speaking in with media in a Nairobi hotel, where the ministry held a consultative meeting with relevant state officers in upscaling alcohol and drug abuse across the country,the Interior PS Raymond Omolo said the government of Kenya is committed to ensure the youths do not get lost in drugs and illicit brews.
Inspector General Mr. Japheth Koome said that he congratulated Nairobi County police officers for a wonderful job for bringing order in the city and it’s environs but he added more should be done.
“it’s unfortunate that drunk drivers have killed so many people, we want to ensure that we reduce those deaths these season,” said Inspector General
Mr.Victor Okioma , NACADA CEO noted that, they are working on various regulations that will ensure illicit and counterfeits alcoholic drinks are out of market.
Mr.Victor said they are planning for several activities and sensitization to our youths during festivities season.
Xi Jinping visits an industrial park that produces high-end auto parts and molds in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, March 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) — For the past nearly three years, President Xi Jinping has been leading China in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.
Xinhua reporters recounted some of the key moments and stories of how Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has led the nation through the most challenging moments all the way toward victory.
SLEEPLESS NIGHT
In early 2020, central China’s Hubei Province bore the brunt of the epidemic. The provincial capital Wuhan was particularly hit hard.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the most important holiday for the Chinese people, Xi had a sleepless night, with COVID-19 clouding festivities.
The next day, Jan. 25, Xi convened a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on epidemic control. He told his six colleagues on the standing committee that the situation was pressing and they needed to study the issue together. “I could not sleep well on the eve of the Lunar New Year,” Xi said.
Xi Jinping inspects Beijing Ditan Hospital in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
“LET’S NOT SHAKE HANDS”
On Feb. 10, 2020, when the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beijing reached 342, Xi, wearing a mask, visited a residential community, a hospital and a district disease prevention and control center.
He held out his wrist to have his body temperature checked upon entering every location. Xi chatted with residents in a street, asking them about the prices of vegetables.
“Let’s not shake hands at this unusual time,” Xi said. “We must have confidence that we can prevail over the epidemic.”
“We can absolutely beat it,” the residents responded.
ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT WUHAN PEOPLE
On March 10, 2020, Xi visited a residential community in Wuhan. On that day, the daily number of new confirmed cases on the mainland dropped to 24, but Wuhan still had 14,514 COVID-19 patients. The task of containment remained arduous.
Walking between apartment blocks, Xi looked up and waved to residents under lockdown who stuck their heads out of their windows and balconies to greet him.
“Let’s keep it up! Hold on for a little longer!” Xi said.
Speaking at a symposium in Wuhan, he made a special request for officials to supply more fish, a favorite food of the Wuhan people.
Combo photo shows Xi Jinping waving to residents who are quarantined at home and sending regards to them at a community in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
“I AM REALLY IMPRESSED”
In May 2020, at the annual session of the National People’s Congress, Xi talked about an interview of a local hospital president that impressed him.
Luo Jie, a national lawmaker from the hard-hit Hubei, told reporters how medical workers in his hospital spent 47 days saving an 87-year-old COVID-19 patient.
“So many people worked together to save a single patient. This, in essence, embodies doing whatever it takes (to save lives),” Xi said. “I am really impressed.”
“MOST BEAUTIFUL ANGELS”
In March 2020, Xi lauded medical workers as “the most beautiful angels” when he inspected the command center of Huoshenshan Hospital in virus-hit Wuhan.
Xi noted that medical staff, including military medical personnel, rushed to Hubei and Wuhan without hesitation after the epidemic outbreak, and have made important contributions to curbing the epidemic.
Xi Jinping speaks with a patient and medical workers by video link at Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
COORDINATING EPIDEMIC CONTROL WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Xi has been emphasizing the need to balance epidemic control and economic development over the years.
On March 29, 2020, when he inspected coastal Zhejiang Province, Xi visited Ningbo-Zhoushan Port whose throughput had recovered to normal levels due to the timely measures it adopted to resume production.
He called for efforts to blunt the adverse impact on cargo shipping brought by restrictive measures adopted by various countries to fight the coronavirus. He also urged facilitation for the country’s smooth trade flow.
During the epidemic, he went to places including Zhejiang, Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces to oversee production resumption and poverty reduction.
In 2020, China was among the first countries in the world to resume work and reopen schools and businesses. In 2021, China registered a GDP growth rate of 8.1 percent, among the fastest in the world’s major economies.
HONORING HEROES
On Sept. 8, 2020, a national meeting honoring heroes in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
“Are you keeping well?” After having a photo taken together with the honored, Xi stood up and greeted then-84-year-old epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan.
“Great!” said Zhong, expressing his willingness to continue working at the front line of combating respiratory diseases and handling public health emergencies.
Zhong was one of those who had been awarded by Xi in person the Medal of the Republic or the title of the People’s Hero for rendering meritorious service and making outstanding contributions in the COVID-19 battle.
A SLEW OF LEADERSHIP MEETINGS
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Xi chaired more than 30 meetings of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee or of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss virus response measures.
Under Xi’s leadership, the nation was quickly mobilized and took a myriad of containment measures in accordance with various epidemic situations. This made it possible for China to curb the spread of the virus and protect the lives and health of the Chinese people to the greatest extent.
GOLD MEDAL FOR CHINA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE
When the COVID-19 pandemic continuously wreaked havoc across the world, China came into the global spotlight with the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics culminating with fruitful outcomes.
Under the leadership of Xi, China fulfilled its promise to deliver streamlined, safe and splendid Games to the world.
China’s COVID-19 response policy has once again withstood the test, contributing useful experience for the world to battle the virus and host major international events, Xi said at a commendation gathering for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
“As some foreign athletes said, if there were a gold medal for responding to the pandemic, then China would deserve it. I would say that this gold medal belongs to all the staff involved in hosting the Games,” said Xi.
Xi Jinping meets with Imran Khan, then Pakistani prime minister, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
CONTRIBUTING TO GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
In the strenuous fight against the virus, China has been committed to safeguarding people’s lives and health. Meanwhile, it has taken due responsibility for the public health of the international community.
Under Xi’s leadership, China initiated the country’s largest global emergency humanitarian assistance since 1949. It sent medical experts and anti-virus materials around the globe. It provided over 2.2 billion doses of vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.
Meeting with Xi in Beijing in February 2022, then Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for helping his country fight COVID-19. “The vaccines offered by China have not only saved our people, but also our economy,” he said. ■
The strategic Nairobi West branch of Naivas the 90th newly opened outlet. Picture By Tum David
by Tum David
Just a day after opening the Ojijo Road Store on Friday December 9, 2022, the Naivas Supermarket continues to accelerate its expansion spree with the Nairobi West branch being the latest to be unveiled. Speaking to the media immediately after the new outlet opened its doors to an excited throng of customers, Mr Willy Kimani who is the Naivas Chief Commercial officer said the Nairobi West branch occupies a very strategic place and thus making it an iconic and magnificent outlet in that it occupies the very initial place where the former original and famous retailer store in the country operated from. ” For us this is indeed monumental that we can be able to occupy a special space which was very well designed as a big express estate neighbourhood shop that was able to serve the larger Nairobi West and greater region” Mr Kimani said. In line with the festive season, Naivas opens the Uthiru branch Thursday 15.
