Kesses Elders, Youth Apologise to Ruto for Heckling Witnessed During His Uasin Gishu Tour
A section of residents of Cheboror in Kesses, Uasin Gishu, has come out strongly to condemn and distance themselves from a group of youths who heckled some leaders during President William Ruto development tour of the North Rift region.
The elders termed the acts as unfortunate and uncalled for. They accused leaders behind the incident of attempting to outshine others in the presence of the president while in his own political backyard.
Who sponsored Kesses heckling incident?
Speaking at Cheboror in Tarakwa where the President held a rally on Friday after launching several projects in the area, the residents led by Stanley Biwot Tololo, Paul Kurgat Tabora and Margaret Kurgat hit out at the leaders who sponsored the heckling.
They have now called upon investigative agencies to probe the matter so that action can be taken against those involved in financing the youths.
“We want to ask our politicians to understand the power of humility and collaboration for a prosperous society. We discourage them from unnecessary competition and acts of trying to overshadow others,” Tololo explained .
“Such acts are barbaric, uncivilized, uncultured and uncalled for. Our youth in this area were not part of that and we would like to encourage our leaders to work together as the only way of strengthening the community, uplifting one another and promoting a unified vision for the future,” Kurgat added.
They further issued an apology to the head of state for what they described as an embarrassing incident.
In addition, they thanked the Head of State for the various development projects initiated in the area.
Last week, Ruto was in the North Rift for a three-day tour that saw him launch several development projects in Soy, Turbo, Kesses and Kapseret sub counties.
He also launched other projects in Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia.
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Nandi County Expands Road Connectivity in Koiyo-Ndurio, Kobujoi Wards
As an overwhelmingly fertile agricultural region with a wide variety of crops to offer and receiving exceptionally high levels of rainfall, maintenance of existing roads and indeed the opening of new ones is critical in ensuring farmers keep transacting their daily businesses with ease.
In this quest, the chief officer for Transport and Infrastructure David Koech, in the company of Aldai subcounty road superintendent Matthew Lagat, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, inspected the ongoing opening of the Ndurio-Kapsumbai-Chepsiria road, the grading of Kapsoiyo-Ainapsigirio and Kapsoiyo-Kapchepkuta roads in Koyo-Ndurio ward.
The team also inspected the ongoing dozing of the Chepsitekwo-Cheptigit, Kimaren-Kamungan, Kibwareng Centre, and Chepturer-Kapinderem-Kimaren roads in Kobujoi ward.
“We have been facing difficulties getting our coffee out of the farms, so the opening of this road is a very welcome intervention. We are grateful,” said David Kemboi, a resident of Kapsumbai.
The chief officer reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to keep all roads in the best state.
“The work continues across the county until we no longer have a single road that is impassable,” remarked Mr Koech.
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Trans Nzoia Residents to Benefit from Free Eye Clinics
Thousands of Trans Nzoia County residents are set to benefit from free eye care services.
Thi is after the Premji Keshra Free Eye Clinic launched a week-long series of screening and surgical camps beginning January 24, 2025.
The initiative, organized by the County Government of Trans Nzoia in partnership with Pankaj Social Service and Laxmanbhai Free Eye Hospital, will run until February 1, 2025, and aims to address eye health challenges across the county.
Speaking on Sunday at the Andersen Medical Centre, Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member for Health, Sam Ojwang, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to improving health services through partnerships.
“Our target is to ensure we collaborate with like-minded stakeholders to boost the delivery of health services in the county,” said Ojwang.
Where will Trans Nzoia free eye clinics be?
The program will feature 21 free eye screening camps in various dispensaries, health centers, and sub-county hospitals.
According to Pankaj Social Service founder, Pankaj Shah, the screenings will be held across all sub-counties, beginning with Cherengany on January 24 and 25, at sites including Situtunga Dispensary and Kapsara Sub County Hospital.
The schedule will then move to Kimilili, Saboti, Kwanza, and Endebess sub-counties on subsequent days.
Key locations include Tulwet Health Centre, Saboti Sub County Hospital, and Kapkoi Health Centre, ensuring accessibility for residents across the region.
The screenings will culminate in a free surgical eye clinic at Andersen Medical Centre, where patients can receive specialized care and undergo surgeries from January 24 to February 1.
“This program is a chance to restore vision and prevent avoidable blindness,” said Shah.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Isaac Ngetich, a representative from Andersen Medical Centre, assured residents that the facility is fully prepared to host the doctors and provide quality eye care services.
The free eye clinic is part of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access in underserved communities within Trans Nzoia County.
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Communications Authority of Kenya Revokes 75 Broadcasting Licenses for Non-Compliance
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has revealed that it revoked 75 licenses of various broadcasters in 2024 for non-compliance with license conditions.
The revocation notices, which appeared in the Kenya Gazette from April to November 2024, saw TV broadcasters, FM radio stations, a broadcast signal distributor, and the Subscription Management Service lose their licences.
In a statement, CA said out of the 75 revocations, 66 were due to non-compliance, while nine (9) were requests from the affected broadcasters to terminate their services.
Which broadcasters’ licences have been revoked in Kenya?
Among the popular broadcasters whose licenses were revoked include KISS TV, Switch TV, Eldoret-based Daystar TV as well as Luhya FM and Njata FM.
Others are Econet Media (K) Ltd, a Subscription Management Service, Kwese TV which holds a Landing Rights Licence, Bamba TV, a self-provisioning Broadcast Signal Distributor, Mwinjoyo FM, KUSCCO FM and Tusmo FM.
Radio Ashe’s licence was also revoked after the management requested for termination of their services.
The television broadcasters cited for non-compliance include Mwariama TV, Miracles TV, Magodo TV, Mugumo TV, Murata TV, Pwani TV, Rescue TV, Sauti TV, RTN TV, Lamu Youth TV, Madgot TV, Misoft TV, Mitume TV, Mugwe TV, Elgon TV, Mwanyagetinge TV, NEP TV, Mt. Kenya TV, CAN Tv, Border TV, Fire TV, Biashara TV, Arimus TV, Health TV, Getu TV, Daesak TV, Ingo TV, Kilunda Television Network, Laikipia TV, Mwananchi TV, Mwamogusii TV, Biz TV, MMS TV and Kwese Free Sport.
Also Read: Communications Authority of Kenya Seeks Views on 3 Key Regulatory Changes
Others include Kilimo TV, Kathus TV, Jubilee TV, Islamia TV, Christian Faith TV, Homeland Television Network, High Life TV, Health TV, Havilah Television Network, Harvest Family TV, Global Vision TV, Go Preach Gospel TV, FON TV, Ifortunes TV, Focus TV, End Time TV, Elimu TV, Dominion Broadcasting Network TV, Design TV, Brandplus TV, Clergy TV, Daystar TV Kenya, Njata TV, Utugi TV, TV Cosmopolitan, and TMN TV.
Radio Luhya FM, Nacex FM, Somal FM, Kihooto FM, Njata FM, and Sky 106.1 FM are the other radio stations that had their licences also revoked.
Details of the affected broadcasters can be accessed here.
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William Ruto Challenges African Countries to Collaborate So As to Build Resilient Food Systems
President William Ruto has called on African countries to implement common strategies to build resilient agricultural food systems.
The President urged African governments to increase their investments in regional agricultural infrastructure, foster research and innovation and accelerate the dissemination of technological solutions.
He also called on international partners to align their support with Africa’s transformation agenda, ensuring that resources reach the areas of greatest need and impact.
“This is our moment to commit to a bold and transformative agenda for Africa’s food systems so that, together, we can build a robust and enduring foundation for sustainable agriculture,” he said.
Speaking during the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) held in Kampala, Uganda, he explained that these measures were the surest path to uplifting livelihoods, safeguarding the environment, and fulfilling the fundamental obligation to feed Africa.
“With the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the vision of an Africa where no child goes to bed hungry, where every community enjoys access to safe and nutritious food, where agricultural practices safeguard the future of our planet, and where agriculture delivers employment and wealth for millions, is within reach,” he said.
Other leaders who spoke at the summit were Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Joào Lourenço (Angola), Évariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia), Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi), Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia) and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, among others.
The summit adopted the Kampala Declaration to succeed the Malabo Declaration, whose implementation period ends this year.
When will Kenya domesticate Kampala Declaration?
President Ruto made a commitment at the summit that Kenya would domesticate the Kampala Declaration within the second phase of Kenya’s Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy 2019-2029, as well as the National Agriculture Investment Plan for 2025-2029.
He said Kenya is focusing on increasing production and productivity, reducing imports, minimising post-harvest losses, providing warehousing support and enhancing export manufacturing in key agricultural value chains.
As a result, he said, millions of Kenyan farmers now have access to essential inputs, leading to significant productivity gains.
“Our cumulative efforts to enhance food security are already yielding tangible results, showcasing the transformative power of implementing strategic agricultural interventions,” he said.
The President noted that Kenya has surpassed the African Union’s target for irrigation development, expanding the area under irrigation by 147% since the Malabo Declaration.
On his part, President Museveni said Africa should embrace modern agricultural practices and reduce fragmentation.
He highlighted other measures, including commercial irrigation and growing disease and drought-resistant crops.
“Uganda has managed to transform its agriculture into a money economy, thus reducing poverty levels,” he said.
He noted that Africa has plenty of water that can be used to eradicate hunger if properly utilised. President Museveni cited the huge water volumes of the River Congo, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean, as a resource that should be harnessed for use in water-scarce parts of Africa.
President Lourenço noted that Africa’s agriculture development programme aims for 6% annual growth, with African Union Member States allocating at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture.
Mr Faki said the disaffection of young people with agriculture and urban migration have contributed to low food production.
