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NAS catering services are the overall winners of this year’s Hospitality & Tourism Sports Organisation(Hotoso) games after garnering 164 points.
Tribes Hotel finished second after collecting 118 points. Kenya Utalii College(KUC) came third with 74 while Move NPick and Four points followed each other in that order with 56 and 50 points respectively.
Due to the uncertainty facing the hotel Industry where several hotels were closed while others are making a comeback following the Covid pandemic invasion, this year’s Hotoso games attracted few teams compared to previous years.
The event that featured Football, Athletics, Volleyball, Tug of war, pool Table and Badminton among others attracted five teams and three guest clubs.
The guest teams were Machakos county based Maanzoni Lodge, Kenya rural(KERA) and Kudheiya.
In football, Four points Hotel emerged the new champions after edging out stubborn Moven N pick 2-1.The winners who were a joy to watch scored through man of the match Japhet Mzungu who scored a double in the first half before MovenN pick exploded in the second half with their consolation goal coming in the 75th min through Victor Muchina. The goal came barely a minute after their goal scored by former Tusker FC midfielder Fred Ojuang was disallowed for offside.
Hotoso Games chairman Julius Koech lauded participants for honoring the event during a short notice and exhibiting high level of discipline despite the two years absence owing to the Covid pandemic.
He promised a better tournament next year. He said the event was hampered by low turn-out as several hotel s like Hotel Intercontinental were closed while others are making a comeback after they resumed work following their closure.

by Maximilla Wafula

Ambassador of Hope , Okoa Maisha Initiative, Brother Reuben Kigame today launch an emergency response to the dire hunger crisis in Kenya , whereby he
called attention to the severe hunger situation and the serious humanitarian crisis that our dear country is grappling with.

The Arid and Semi-arid counties of Kenya (ASALs) are experiencing a fifth consecutive season of severely depressed rainfall. This has led to acute water shortages, livestock deaths, crop failures and serious mental health challenges. According to the Humanitarian Network and national disaster reports, over 4.5 million Kenyans in ASAL counties are experiencing acute food insecurity.

Over 2.5 million animal deaths have been reported. An estimated 54,500 children are at the risk of dropping out of school at a sensitive time of national examinations. Over 942,000 children under the age of five years are severely affected as malnutrition levels in some of these counties such as Marsabit, Turkana and Kajiado hit three times the global average. Weather experts are already predicting a gloomy outlook of a sixth failed season for March to May 2023.

It is against this background that we, Kenyans of diverse faiths, political persuasions, private and non-state actors hereby launch the ‘Okoa Maisha’ Initiative. Through this initiative, we are mobilising humanitarian support from Kenyans of goodwill – the private sector, individuals, Kenyans in the Diaspora and humanitarian actors – to cushion our severely affected brothers and sisters who are at a dire risk of starvation. The initiative is targeting to reach over 1,000,000 severely affected Kenyans from ASAL counties in the short term and millions more in the long-term.

We therefore request you to support us with dry food stuff, nutritional supplements to malnourished children, money, water, logistics support such as transport among other emergency needs. A dedicated pay bill number – 188668; Account Number: Okoa Maisha, has been set up for the same. Please help us to spread this message as widely as possible.

We appreciate the support that we have received so far from the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group (PPG), non-profit actors such as Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Group, Juhudi Mashinani and Christ is the Answer (CITAM), ministries. We also appreciate the in selflessness of Brother Reuben Kigame who has agreed to be our Ambassador of Hope in this initiative.

As an initiative, we appreciate the ongoing humanitarian efforts by the Government of Kenya, county governments, non-state actors, faith-based organisations, private sector players and other Kenyans of goodwill. We call on the Government of Kenya to accelerate emergency interventions to the level of a National Disaster that this crisis is.
Ends…..

by Jeff Kizzilah

Director, Economic Development and Regional Integration Dr. Paul Otung when addressing distinguished youth delegates from the 12 ICGLR Member States during the international conference of the grate lakes region in the Republic of Kenya .

He emphasized on promoting regional learning in agricultural and industrial for job creation for youths , opportunities through the establishment and promotion of cooperatives .

Through the project promotions of youth employment in GLR is a capacity building project for the youth by IGLR . Prioritized eight ICGLR member states based on unemployment and poverty rate . Targeted countries includes : South Sudan , Republic of Congo, Sudan , CAR , DRC, Burundi, Zambia, Angola, Kenya , Rwanda , Tanzania and Uganda .

To benefit from the regional research and learning , the project will cost about USD10M , over a period of 5 years in pertneship with Development Partners like AfDB, UN agencies and UN Office of the Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region according to Dr. Paul Otung.

The three components project will includes : project management and institutional capacity building, Regional research and Regional learning. The project will help train in the field of cooperative to eight Ms of ICGLR, support the national empowerment framework and the gender empowerment in GLR MS.
The project outcome will enhance knowledge a mong the youths management cooperative, lessons and shared experience and technical capacity in the areas of establishing and running agricultural and industrial cooperatives . Due to the a bove the project incur several challenges including social cultural factors, time and budget .
Ends ..

Staff Reporter

Women suffer in business because of lack of sustainable market.

Dr. Jennifer Riria CEO Kenya Women Holding Group has said women should be bold and think of What is competition everyday,our problem we copy each other in business.

“There are too many policies in kenya,we must lobby too much,over 90% are with small women in business, we need to be recognized in the financial sector ,”Dr. Riria

From different perspective of business.

She says, women should focus on one business,get your role model in business.

“Don’t assume your passion mold it and get network enough,” she adds

She was speaking during the Annual KCB bank Women Proposition Networking forum.

 Launched in 2011, the Orange (www.Orange.com) Social Venture Prize (OSVP) in Africa and the Middle East recognizes the best tech start-up projects that make a positive impact on society or the environment in their region or align with sustainable development goals.

The competition reflects the Group’s drive to further socioeconomic progress in its operating countries, support social and environmental innovation and encourage entrepreneurship.

A 12^th edition that exceptionally recognized five winners

This year, nearly 1,400 applications were submitted from across the 17 countries involved in the competition.

The OSVP is split into two awards:

• The International Women’s Prize, which awards €20,000 to the winner whose business venture is led by women entrepreneurs or with the primary purpose of improving women’s lives by developing solutions to specific obstacles or issues they face.
• The International Grand Prix, which recognizes three projects that harness tech to make a positive social and environmental impact. The three winners receive the following:

• 1^st prize: €25,000
• 2^nd prize: €15,000
• 3^rd prize: €10,000

For the second time in 12 years, the panel decided to award the Judges’ Choice prize – €10,000 given to a project that is expected to make a particularly significant impact.

Winners of the international competition

At the Mobile World Congress Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 25 to 27, 2022, Elizabeth Tchoungui, Executive Director CSR, Diversity and Philanthropy and Deputy Chair for the Orange Foundation, and Brelotte Ba, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Orange Middle East & Africa, held a ceremony during which the winners were announced.

The winner of the International Women’s Prize is:

• iRole ! (https://oran.ge/3W2Qiy8) (Jordan) – iRole! is a digital platform that connects women looking for remote work with organizations seeking to fill such vacancies.

The winners of the International Grand Prix are:

• 3^rd prize: Kamioun (https://oran.ge/3gMI3G4) (Tunisia) – Kamioun has developed an e-commerce platform to supply local convenience stores in Tunisia.

• 2^nd prize: Biomass4GLC (https://oran.ge/3swU9Gk) (Mali) – Biomass4GLC produces and distributes biogas suitable for cooking in Mali by renting out connected systems.

• 1^st prize: LifeBlood (https://oran.ge/3SF2FNX) (Sierra Leone) – LifeBlood is a digital health platform designed to solve the acute shortage of blood products available in the country’s healthcare system.

The winner of the Judges’ Choice prize is:

• Abana (https://oran.ge/3TUUyOj) (Democratic Republic of the Congo) – Abana is a marketplace through which clothes designers can sell their creations to shoppers.

A long track record of supporting entrepreneurship, responsible innovation and empowerment of women in Africa and the Middle East

Across the continent, which is enjoying vibrant population growth and considerable economic momentum, young African entrepreneurs find themselves more in need of support than ever. As a long-standing driver of progress in Africa, Orange seeks to support young people by giving them the possibility to raise their profile, through the Orange Social Venture Prize. Orange puts in place tangible action to promote and improve gender equality, an area that has long been identified by the Group as a priority, for example by creating the International Women’s Prize and including it in the OSVP. Part of the competition for three years now, this prize acknowledges projects designed to improve women’s lives.

Since the OSVP was launched in 2011, Orange has awarded €600,000 in prize money to over 30 winners and has financed mentoring and support for nearly 90 entrepreneurs from experts at Orange or its partners.

Social entrepreneurship in Africa and the Middle East is more deeply rooted than ever in the lives of people, especially women. This trend is confirmed by the number of female candidates collected under the OSVP 2022 which is in line with the continental average, which is nearly 30% according to World Bank.

 Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s (www.Marriott.com) award-winning travel programme and marketplace, is proud to announce its exclusive multi-year partnership to become the official accommodation partner of Orlando Pirates Football Club. The partnership will offer fans incredible opportunities to experience football in South Africa at a whole new level through unrivalled and exclusive access.

“The partnership with Orlando Pirates is an exciting opportunity for us to provide Marriott Bonvoy members and football enthusiasts with VIP access and money-can’t-buy experiences,” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, EMEA, Marriott International. “Orlando Pirates is one of South Africa’s biggest sporting brands and together, we look forward to creating some unforgettable moments for Marriott Bonvoy members, inspired by the thrill and excitement Orlando Pirates games.”                                         

Since their formation in 1937, Orlando Pirates have been a fixture in the history and heart of the South African sporting landscape. Brought to life through this partnership, Pirates fans can experience their team and community through unique and shared opportunities.

“We are very excited as a Club to be associated with such an iconic worldwide travel programme that is Marriott Bonvoy. Orlando Pirates is proud to become Marriott Bonvoy’s first sports Club partner on the African continent, and to be joining a list of renowned sports brands that are already associated with programme.  We will strive to unlock some great experiences for the Orlando Pirates fans throughout this relationship,’’ said Joseph Bertrand, Brand and Sponsorship Manager, Orlando Pirates Football Club.

Marriott Bonvoy members and Orlando Pirates fans who follow the Buccaneers by attending their games across the country will be rewarded with access to exclusive hotel offers.

Through this partnership, Marriott Bonvoy members will have the opportunity to experience South African football like never before with rewards such as grandstand seats, VIP suite access and extraordinary content, as well as with money-can’t-buy experiences through Marriott Bonvoy Moments. 

Ex Buccaneer striker and TV analyst, Phumudzo Manenzhe, has been named as the Official Ambassador of the partnership. With a successful football career including a stint at the Bucs, Manenzhe will provide Marriott Bonvoy members with unique insights into the inner workings of the team and offer valuable strategic opinions on upcoming fixtures both online through a series of filmed opinion pieces, and face-to-face at member exclusive events.

By Jeff Kizzilah

The Atheists in kenya have called on President William Ruto to include them in the government activities.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi ,President of Atheist Kenya Society Mr Harrisson Mumia said ” last month we served with a petition before the high court of Kenya seeking to have our society suspended on the ground that our registration is unconstitutional”.
He said we are coming from a history where government officials refuse to obey court orders.

Mr. Harrison said governments must respect court orders in order to preserve the fabric of our constitutional democracy.

by Ronald Njoroge

Kenya has launched a mobile application that sees to boost the participation of youth in elections.

“Youths have been ignored for that long time and Badilico will change that,” Muhoya said.

Muhoya urged youths should come out and run for political positions.

Also in attendance was Karen Ward MCA Hon. Antony Maragu and Maina Karobia UDA Youth Leader .

By Ronald Njoroge

Nairobi West Hospital has performed the first bone marrow transplant procedure in Kenya.

Professor Andrew Kanyi Gachii, Chief Medical Director at the Nairobi West Hospital said patients no longer have to travel abroad for the advanced medical procedure.

“An effective bone marrow transplant unit backed by world leading specialists could make Kenya a medical tourism destination,” Gachii said.

Gachii said that the hospital is committed to provide access to bone marrow transplants as a possible cure for patients with complex blood disorders.

Dr Guarav Dixit the head of the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at the Nairobi West Hospital observed that a bone marrow transplant is the only hope of cure in treating blood cancers like acute myeloid leukaemia that would otherwise be difficult to treat with conventional chemotherapy alone.

Dixit said that a bone marrow transplant is usually a safe procedure for patients with sickle cell disease.

by Ronald Njoroge

Health reforms in Nairobi County has garnered momentum following the hosting of the Nairobi County Health Reforms Stakeholder Engagement Forum.

Dr. Githinji Gitahi, the Chairperson of the County Taskforce and Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, pointed out that the team prioritises consultations with various stakeholders in Nairobi County in the quest to improve health systems in the county.

Dr Gitahi said that the taskforce needed a unique strategy to accomplish its mandate within the given timelines.

“It is not the first time that Nairobi County has established taskforces for health reforms, what we need is to come together and identify what we need refocus on to achieve equitable health services in the face of the changing landscape including effects of health and mitigation and adaptation on climate change” he added.
The Amref official called on stakeholders to reflect on achieving an enabled and efficient mixed health system that does not distinguish the quality of services offered in public or private hospitals.

“While there are existing challenges in the health systems, we must also identify the possible solutions to the system bottlenecks and opportunities for achieving universal health coverage in Nairobi County,” Gitahi added.

Dr. Jairus Musumba Acting County Secretary and Head of public service said that health is one of the pillars of the county and the taskforce has a responsibility to ensure that the health and wellbeing of the people of Nairobi are upheld.

He further called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to boost health care systems through investment, dedication and planning for resources, coordination, oversight, awareness creation and advocacy.
Some of the areas of discussion for the forum included Health infrastructure and facilities, sustainable health financing, strengthening health workforce, health products and technologies, health service delivery, health information and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems; research and development Investments, enacting enabling policies, streamlining the legislative and regulatory environment; improved accountable leadership, governance including intergovernmental relations and stakeholder coordination.