Come to our rescue, peasant parents tell government

A notice board at Bridge International Academy Mshomoroni showing the pupils who scored over 300 marks in 2019 KCPE

BY PETER KOMBE

Parents whose children performed exceptionally well in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education 2019 have appealed to government, donors and well-wishers to come to their rescue.

According to the parents school fees remain a challenge towards the education of their children.

 One of the parents who spoke on condition of anonymity hailing from Mshomoroni Junda ward Mombasa County says he cannot afford to pay for his son’s education.

He says he is a casual laborer living from hand to mouth.

His son scored 406 marks at Bridge International Academy in Mshomoroni Kisauni sub County Mombasa County.

His son Alex wants to become special chemical engineer.

He however admits that the brilliant performance of his son came to him as a surprise.

 “It is due to the efforts of teachers parents and even the students themselves that we managed to get good marks. My son had been ill just before the examination day. He was still unwell” he noted.

He explained that he sat his examination after being discharged from hospital

Another parents Everlyn Mshai, could not conceal her joy after her daughter in the school scored 404 marks.

She notes “despite the challenges at last my daughter has finally excelled”

The school produced a total of 12 pupils who scored above 300 marks.

The chairperson of the school George Ouma noted that despite the school being situated in a slum area it has continually pressed to the top.

“This is quite an achievement for a school like this. We are very happy now that we have been able to produce some of the best pupils” he said.

He cites cooperation between parents, teachers and pupils in the school as the reason for the goods results.

The school produced two pupils who scored over 400 marks with 8 of them scoring over 350 marks.

Only CEC's who excelled will retain their positions- says Joho

Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho image (FILE) 

  BY PETER KOMBE

Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho says only county executives who delivered during their two years tenure in office will be considered for re-appointment.

According to the governor some county executives performance are wanting.

The contracts of the CEC's began two years ago on November 13 2017 to 13 November this year.

He however disclosed that that some members of his outgoing cabinet will not return to office over non-performance.

This disclosure comes four days after all the county executives were sent home at the end of their two-year contracts.

Joho said “I have constituted a team to investigate and gauge public expectation and views on the outgoing cabinet and possible replacements.”

The county chief noted that some of the outgoing county executives are lobbying for reappointment but insists that  Mombasa locals will also have a hand in their re-appointment.

According to Mr Joho his manifesto and master plan indicated some of the key projects that the executives were supposed to execute.

The master plan would would be used as a parameter of social economic impact  to the locals.

Joho said “I have done evaluation on what each county executive has achieved in the past two years. There are some who have done well and others are wanting.”

He promised to make an official statement on the appointment of the CEC's in the next three to four days.

He said “The CECs role is to provide policy guidelines and ensure chief officers and staff below them implement them. We have all measures in place to ensure that there is no vacuum within the county government.”

    

Some of the members of the outtgoing cabinet include deputy governor William Kingi (Education), Hazel Koitaba (Health),  Munywoki Kyalo (Youth and Sports) Maryam Mbaruk (Finance) and Godfrey Nato (Environment and Waste Management)

Others include: Devolution CEC Seth Odongo), Fawz Rashid (Trade and Tourism), Hassan Mwamtoa (Agriculture and Fisheries), Taufiq Balala (Transport) and Edward Nyale (Lands)

Meanwhile, Mr Joho nominated Mr Dennis Lewa for county secretary.

The approval hearing of Mr Lewa is slated for November 21.

Mr Lewa the county secretary if approved will replace Mr Francis Thoya, whose term expired in February.

In July, Thoya turned down the governor’s job 'owing to personal commitments.'

The former county secretary has been the governor’s longtime ally and campaign strategist.

He once served as Mombasa Lands executive and county secretary for a period of seven years.

The former journalist has declared an interest in the 2022 gubernatorial race and has already started campaigning.

SME's contributes 85 per cent of the county's employment opportunities- says Invest in Africa country director

Invest In Africa logo Image (file)

BY PETER KOMBE

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SMEs directly contributes 85 percent of employment opportunities throughout the country, Invest In Africa country director Wangechi Muriuki has confirmed.

According to the director over 7.5 million SME’s operate informally.

She adds that due to this challenge SME’s cannot compete with big business entities.

“This forum is aimed at enhancing information in order to create awareness. This is a platform to showcase businesses and engage,” she said.

Speaking at the sidelines of an SME engagement forum in a Mombasa hotel on Wednesday Ms Muriuki said their informal nature makes them locked out of vast economic opportunities.

The forum was attended by over 40 SMEs across the six counties in the Coast region.

“We have several SMEs from Tana River, Kwale Taita Taveta Mombasa and Kilifi.”

Mombasa County executive in charge of Trade and Investment Fauz Rashid says the department is intending to conduct a research study of the SME’s sector.

He noted that the study will assist in developing business policies geared at enhancing economic growth.

“We have been working closely with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote local products,” he explained.

The CEC pointed that the county government has digitized most businesses to facilitate service delivery.

He says the digitization of businesses has not only lessened the cost to SMEs but also deterred corruption.

Said Fauz “SMEs have contributed to creation of employment opportunities not in Mombasa County alone but the entire region as a whole,”

Mackson Mwango, Base Titanium Finance and Administration Manager lack of information still remains a challenge for SMEs in accessing finance.

He however says for any business to thrive communication is paramount.

According to him the company is committed to venture into business with focused and determined small and medium sized entities.

He says the company has jointly partnered with other business entities with a view of boosting economic growth.

He noted “We want how best we can work with SMEs. Communication is vital,”  

Women and Girls Empowerment Team leader Linda Shume says most SME’s work in monopoly.

According to her this hinders information sharing between various organizations.

“There is need to create linkages and partnerships as business entities. Some take too long repay the funds,” she noted.

She adds that the period between application and access of finance by SMEs is too long.

Johnson Nzai, an entrepreneur from Watamu cites a locked mindset, lack of finance and capital as a major setback amongst Coast locals.

He says the business environment in unconducive for a good number of SMEs.

“How shall we stem down the bureaucracy that has been existing. This is a major hindrance when we want to get into business,” he said.

Nzai further alleges existence of bureaucracy and elaborate business policy before one ventures into business.

Stop use of excessive force-lobbyists tell police

From right Sisters for Justice Centre Executive Director Ms Naila Abdalla centre Haki Afrika rapid response officer Mathias Shipeta and Pwani Social Justice Centre chairperson Simon Kazungu photo by Peter Kombe

BY PETER KOMBE

A section of activists attached to a social justice lobby group operating within the Coast region have expressed accusing the police on claims of using excessive force while on duty.

The activists were reacting to Monday’s conflict between the police and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology students some were brutalized and arrested during a peaceful demonstration to address their concern.

In a video that went viral on social media on Monday, police officers are seen attacking peaceful JKUAT students and tear gassing them.

In a joint statement at Haki Africa offices on Tuesday, Pwani Social Justice Centre Working Group chairperson Simon Kazungu called on the police to focus on investigating the cause of the killings in the area.

He also wants the culprits to face the wrath of the law.

The lobbyists are accusing the police on claims of infringing them on their right to demonstrate and picket as stipulated in article 37 of the constitution.

“The student’s voices should not be silenced by those in authority especially on matters touching on their security,” he noted.

The activist further point out that the action taken by police tantamount to silencing their voices.

The lobby’s Secretary General Mathias Shipeta who also doubles as Haki Africa rapid response officer accused the police on claims of using excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations.

He further urged the university students throughout the country to maintain sobriety even when provoked by police.

Shipeta said “Why should the police harass peaceful demonstrators. This is their constitutional right as Kenyans,”

The activist says it is clear that the students were addressing their concerns following the death of their colleagues.

Uhaki na Usawa Social Justice Centre executive director Salim Suleiman wants interior cabinet secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i to take action.

The human rights defender pointed that police deprive Kenyans on their constitutional rights.

“The Cabinet secretary in charge of interior Dr Fred Matiang’i should take action on this. We want justice prevail here,” he said.

He says it is ironical to see the police after having gone through a thorough training become the first people to break the law.

Sisters for Justice executive director Naila Abdalla asked the police to exercise professionalism while on duty.

“The demonstration was aimed at addressing their concerns. This an act that as activists we cannot put up with,” she noted.

The university has been closed indefinitely following students unrest on Monday.

   

The students took to the streets to protest the rise of insecurity around the institution.

Entebbe- Mombasa flight will enhance connectivity and boost tourism trade.

Uganda Airlines landing at Entebbe airport image (file)

BY PETER KOMBE

The Republic of Uganda will on Monday 11 launch direct flight from Entebbe to Mombasa Uganda, the Ugandan ambassador to Kenya Katureebe Tayebwa has confirmed.

The flight is expected to touch down at Moi International Airport at 1 pm on Monday 11.

Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Thursday the consul said the launch of the airline will not only ensure connectivity but also boost trade.

“Uganda is joining other countries in coloring our air pace the airline will touch down at Moi International Airport on Monday 11 at 1 pm,” the ambassador said.

He further says it will facilitate tourism industry between the two countries.

He said "To begin with the airline is slated to fly three trips every week."

The consul noted that previously there has been no direct flights to Entebbe.

“I want to thank our leaders who have made it easy. For the first few months we shall have promotion rates to our expected users,” he noted.

According to the ambassador the airline will give an opportunity to Uganda students to fly in and out of the country with ease.

Lenny Malasi Uganda airlines Kenya sales manager says the two countries have had close trade ties.

He says following the launch of direct flight from Entebbe to Nairobi two months ago there has been a hike in the tourism industry.

“We have flights in Nairobi, Juba, Mogadishu, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Kilimanjaro and now Mombasa,”

He pointed that Uganda has chosen Mombasa as their destination of choice due to its strategic location.

Uganda airlines is a flagship carrier of Uganda based at Entebbe international airport. 

It is fully owned by government and managed by Uganda Development Corporation with shares to be subsequently offered to the private sector.

Reinforce implementation of school health policy in schools –lobbyists tell government

African Gender and Media Initiative Trust programs manager Gladys Kiio addressing health stakeholders at Reef Hotel on Reinforce implementation of school health policy in schools –lobbyists tell government Friday Photo by Enos Opiyo

BY PETER KOMBE

Lobbyists working around sexual reproductive health have urged the government to strengthen the implementation of the national school health policy in schools.

The National School Health Policy was officially launched in Kilifi County in June this year.

Speaking at the sidelines of an official launch of the Mombasa County Technical Working Group TWG in a Mombasa Hotel on Friday African Gender and Media Initiative Trust programs manager Gladys Kiio said once implemented the policy will address some of the challenges facing learners across the country.

She noted mental health, sanitation, HIV, teenage pregnancy and non-communicable diseases as some of the teething challenges facing learners.

“As activists we want to see a full implementation of the school health policy. We shall continue to support the government so that the implementation can be realized.” She noted.

The human rights activist also wants the county governments to coordinate the implementation of the policy.

She called on a collaborative approach amongst various stakeholders in the implementation of the school health policy.

On the issue of the TWGs, Mombasa county school health coordinator Austine Odaba said they will be of tremendous help to the health department in the implementing Comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

The county health official adds that they TWGs will assist the department in mobilizing resources noting the fact that there are few partners on board.

He said “It will further offers learners an opportunity to access health care services without prejudice and discrimination.”

Odaba says there is need to capacity build learning institutions in order to address some of the health concerns.

Dream Achievers Youth Organisation Executive Director Seif Jira at Reef Hotel on Friday facilitating through a session. Image Enos Opiyo

Dream Achievers Youth Organization executive director Seif Jira says as far as health is concerned the organization focuses on four projects.

He however says the programs are being implemented in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.

Said Seif “Recently the director of health confirmed to us that there is a total of 14 youth friendly centres in Mombasa County. Again we are beneficiaries of Right Here Right Now.

The director further adds that they organization has been steering peer education in schools to educate young people on health matters.

The Technical working group aims at enhancing school health activities within the county.

It also seeks to among other functions advice both the national and county government on priority issues related to the school health policy.

Some of the principles of the NSHP include access to health and nutrition services, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, access to education, non-discrimination, and access to information among others.

The policy seeks to among others develop safe health environments and school infrastructure that are conducive to learning.

DAYO Sexual Rights and Reproductive Health officer Gaetano Muganda, looking on is ED Seif Jira image by Enos Opiyo.