COUNTY FOCUS
Information for Development
Directorate of Information
Ministry of Information, Communications
and the Digital Economy
MAY 2025
Health professionals and Stakeholders drawn from the East Africa Community (EAC) pose
for a group photo during the closing of the East Africa Community (EAC) workshop on
health professions harmonization of regulation conference at the Kenya School of
Government (KSG), Mombasa
Duale flags off vaccine cold chain equipment
CS Aden Duale Addressing the media during the inspection of vaccine cold chain
equipment on display at the Ministry of Health, Afya House, Nairobi. Photo: Eric
Bosire/ Nairobi
CS Aden Duale was joined by UNICEF
Representative Mr. Mahboob A. Bajwa,
World Health Organization (WHO)
Representative Dr. Abdourahmane
Diallo, Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma
Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms. Mary
Muthoni (Public Health), Director
General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth,
along with other senior officials from the
Ministry of Health during the flagging
off vaccine cold chain equipment
procured by UNICEF on behalf of the
Ministry of Health.
"Immunization is one of the pillars of
primary healthcare and a powerful
driver of public health and yet for
vaccines to work, they must be kept at
precise temperature from manufacture
to administration,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale
said the government has invested USD
16 million in the KeNVIP initiative in
the primary healthcare sector.
By Wesley Omondi and Seif
Ndung’u/Nairobi
Duale, who was flagging off cold chain
vaccine equipment at Afya House, added
that the government has partnered with
the World Bank and the United Nations
International Children's Emergency
Fund (UNICEF), and this has not only
been strategic but transformational.
The equipment will be delivered to all 47
counties to improve access to
immunization services, which are a vital
part of primary health care and a
cornerstone of Universal Health
Coverage (UHC).
The government has today launched the
Kenya Electronic National Vaccine and
Immunization Portal (KeNVIP)
electronic management platform.
The 2000 solar and electric cold chain
refrigerators and additional equipment
like cold boxes and monitors are an
investment in health security and
resilience, Duale further stated.
The platform will increase decision-
making, visibility, traceability,
accountability, and effectiveness in
service delivery as well as prepare to
migrate to the government data center.
"I urge every parent and caregiver across
the country to take full advantage of the
expanded access to vaccines that are safe
and more accessible than ever before.
Together, let's protect our children and
secure a healthier future for our nation,"
the CS said.
The CS thanked the World Bank and
UNICEF, developing partners, for
walking the journey with them in
s t r e n g t h e n i n g i m m u n i z a t i o n
infrastructure for a healthier nation.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
“
Equipment to enhance health services
CS Aden Duale, flagging off vaccine cold chain equipment at Afya House, Nairobi.
Photo: Eric Bosire/ Nairobi
I urge every parent
and caregiver across
the country to take full
advantage of the
expanded access to
vaccines that are safe
and more accessible
than ever before.
Together, let's protect
our children and secure
a healthier future for
our nation,"
"Immunization is one of the pillars of primary
healthcare and a powerful driver of public health
and yet for vaccines to work, they must be kept at
precise temperature from manufacture to
administration,”
USD 16 million
Money the Government has
invested in the KeNVIP
initiative in the Primary
healthcare sector
~ Aden Duale ~
~ Aden Duale ~
“
A publication of Kenya News Agency
Editorial
John Kahuthu
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Editor
Joseph Kipkoech
Dennis Makori
Brenda Oluoch
Sadik Hassan
Kibe Mburu
Melechezedeck Ejakait
Peter Gitonga
Seif Ndung’u
Diana Meneto
Patrick Nyakundi
Abigael Cherono
Wangari Ndirangu
Kipngetich Mutai
Brenda Wabwire
Samuel Maina
Wesley Omondi
Joseph Ng’ang’a.
Mabel Keya Shikuku
Hamdi Buthul
Esther Mwangi
David Mutwiri
Samwel Waititu
Hussein Abdullahi
Ekuwam Sylvester
Esther Otieno
Daniel Kamau
Elizabeth Omondi
Eric Bosire
Christine Ngitari
Wangari Mwangi
Andrew Hinga
Finally, a streamlined regulatory
environment, supported by targeted
incentives, will attract domestic and
international investments, enabling
growth in key industries such as
automotive, textiles and electronics.
Kenya's ability to leverage regional and
global trade agreements will strengthen
its role as a regional hub and deepen its
integration into global value chains.
In Africa, Egypt emerging as a notable
success story in creating and executing
an effective export-oriented strategy
whose impact over the last few years has
been tremendous. Kenya too through
several initiatives can elevate exports to
catalyze growth and achieve
development goals.
Secondly, eco-friendly practices and
green technologies will enhance Kenya's
global competitiveness by aligning with
evolving international market demands.
Thirdly, the adoption of technological
advancements will drive the next phase
of Kenya's economic trajectory.
Innovations such as precision farming
advanced manufacturing technologies,
and digital solutions in sectors like
financial services and business process
outsourcing will enhance productivity
and efficiency across the board.
Firstly, there is a need for value addition.
Kenya's key export sectors should shift
from raw exports to value-added goods
to command premium prices in global
markets. Additionally, expanding into
non-traditional and niche-markets will
diversify revenue streams and cut back
reliance on limited set of export
destinations.
In an increasingly globalized economy,
developing nations like Kenya have come
to rely heavily on international trade,
particularly with economic powerhouse
like the United States (Us). The 10 per cent
traffic imposed on Kenyan exports to the
US – though temporarily suspended for 90
days – marks a potentious development,
with far – reaching ramific actions for the
country's industrial growth and broader
economic trajectory if enacted.
In 2024, Kenya's exports to the US
amounted to about Sh95.6 billion, down
17.5 per cent (Sh20.3 billion). Kenya's top
exports to the US include textiles and
apparel (under the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act – (AGOA), tea, coffee,
flowers and nuts. A 10per cent traffic will
undermine the competitive of these
products in the US market, engendering a
traffic induced drop in export volumes.
This will hurt dollar inflows, weakening the
shillings and increasing inflationary
pressure on Imports.
Diminished earnings from key exports
could shrink tax revenue and strain public
finances, compromising the government's
ability to invest in essential social services.
The significance of Kenyan exports is
enshrined in vision 2030, which recognizes
international trade as critical driver of
economic growth, while the National Trade
Policy aspires to transform the country into
a competitive exports – led economy.
China has also invested heavily in research
and development, particularly in high –
tech sectors to improve its exports and
reduced reliance on foreign technology.
Data from the General Administration of
Customs of China reveals that total goods
trade hit an astounding Sh774.8 trillion,
meaning that it was, by far, the country with
the highest export worldwide last year.
The export of good and services represents
an important source of foreign exchange
income that can ease pressure on the
balance of payments and create jobs.
Export trade is crucial in meeting the
foreign exchange gap, reinforcing the
country's import capacity, and cutting
dependency on foreign aid. Exports can
further expand intra – industry trade, help
Kenya to fully integrate into the word
economy, and mute the impact of
exogenous shocks.
Historically, exports have propelled the
transformative growth of industrialized
nations. China, a global economic giant,
harnessed remarkable exports strategies to
fuel its economic engine, which has
become the benchmark for other aspiring
nations. China shifted its focus away from
agriculture, apparel, and textile towards
cutting – edge industries in electronics and
machinery. This shift, along with
processing trade (assembling duty – free
inputs), led to more sophisticated and
diversified exports.
EDITORIAL
BOARD
Ejidio Maina
Unlocking Kenya's Trade Potential
Kenya's Trade Potential in Fluid World
“The initiative also targets the assessment
and certification of at least 700,000
informal sector workers, including Jua Kali
artisans and MSMEs, up from the current
5,170.” She added.
The government has launched a regional
training workshop for Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL) practitioners in the South
Rift region as part of efforts to formalize
skills in the informal sector and expand
access to certified qualifications.
The workshop, held at Holy Trinity ACK
Church in Kericho Town, was officially
opened by Kenya National Qualifications
Authority (KNQA) Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) Dr. Alice Kande, who
represented the Principal Secretary (PS) for
the State Department for Technical and
Vocational Education and Training
(TVET), Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria.
In a speech read on her behalf the PS said
the training aims to equip TVET trainers,
master craft persons, and workshop
technicians with competencies in assessing
prior learning, in line with the government's
plan to roll out RPL nationally.
She noted that inclusivity is a key
objective, with this round of training also
involving industry-based master craft
persons and TVET workshop technicians
adding that this broader inclusion was
designed to build a stronger ecosystem of
assessors drawn from both the training and
industrial sectors.
“With support from development partners,
including the African Development Bank
and the MasterCard Foundation, an
additional 1,850 artisans and 1,250 workers
in the Blue Economy sector will be
assessed under programmes such as the
K e n y a B l u e E c o n o m y S k i l l s
Transformation (KBEST) initiative,” she
explained.
The government aims to increase the
number of trained RPL practitioners from
400 to 7,000 by the end of 2025 adding that
all 245 functional TVET institutions are to
be converted into RPL assessment centers.
Dr. Muoria explained that RPL provides an
opportunity for individuals with skills
acquired outside the formal education
system to attain formal qualifications,
stressing that RPL was especially vital for
over 15 million Kenyans employed in the
informal sector, many of whom have no
academic certification despite years of
practical experience.
“Through RPL, they can earn full, partial,
or micro-credentials that improve their
employability and social mobility.” Dr.
Muoria said
By Kibe Mburu&Abigael Cherono/
Kericho
She further noted that the government was
implementing modularization and
unitization of TVET programmes to offer
flexibility and allow for easier integration
with the RPL framework.
The PS pointed out that to enhance the
credibility and visibility of qualifications
awarded through RPL, the government was
registering all certified individuals in the
Kenya National Qualifications Database to
allow employers, institutions, and
international bodies to verify qualifications
easily and improve global recognition.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
“
“
“
Technical training to boost skills recognition
in South Rift
Photo:Elizabeth Omondi/Kericho
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr.
Alice Kande (at the middle) with Principals from various TVETs within the South Rift
Region and trainers during the regional training workshop for Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL), at Holy Trinity ACK Church in Kericho Town.
“The initiative also
targets the assessment and
certification of at least
700,000 informal sector
workers, including Jua
Kali artisans and MSMEs,
up from the current
5,170.”
- Dr. Esther Muoria -
- Dr. Esther Muoria -
“With support from development partners, including the African
Development Bank and the MasterCard Foundation, an
additional 1,850 artisans and 1,250 workers in the Blue
Economy sector will be assessed under programmes such as the
Kenya Blue Economy Skills Transformation (KBEST)
initiative,”
Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL)
Ÿ
Tropical Spring Youth Group chairman
Clinton Imbwenya appreciated KeLCoP
for kick-starting their beekeeping
commercialization journey which targets to
have 3500 beehives by 2027.
“For the Kenya Bureau of Standards license
I will link you up with four county directors
who have a direct link to them so that they
can fast track the certification process of
your honey products,” she stated.
He said their beekeeping initiative faced a
myriad of challenges before the coming in
of KeLCoP with the main one being low
honey production.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait/Brenda
Wabwire/ Lugari
She said there is a need to accelerate
improvement in the execution of the
various projects, by identifying and
addressing the existing gaps through
adoption of innovative approaches to
allocation of funds, implementation and
monitoring for maximum benefit.
She lauded the youth group for choosing to
engage in agricultural activities, shunned
by a majority of the youthful population
noting that their main idea is to attract most
of them into the agriculture sector.
KeLCoP is a Government of Kenya funded
program through a loan from IFAD, aimed
at enhancing the commercialization of the
country's livestock sector and improving
the livelihoods of small-scale livestock
farmers.
Kakamega County Chief Officer for
Livestock Jessica Wesonga lauded IFAD
for the KeLCoP initiative saying it is
already transforming the livelihoods of the
benefiting communities.
“When you have a program that is running
for six years, at the midpoint, it is always
important to check whether what you are
doing is the right thing, whether the
communities are being supported well,
whether what we had agreed at is what is
being achieved or whether we need to
change certain things just to ensure we have
maximum benefits to the community,” she
said.
She lauded Tropical Spring Youth Group
for opting to venture into commercial
beekeeping for maximum benefits.
She said her department will take stock of
the mid-term review process to identify and
build on what is working and adopt better
strategies where challenges have been met.
The Country Director Mariatu Kamara who
spoke during a visit to Tropical Spring
Youth Group in Lumakanda location, in
Lugari Sub County, acknowledged the
support and commitment of county
government officers at the grassroots level
towards implementation of KeLCoP
activities.
“As a group you have done so well and the
future is bright. Please keep up. We shall be
delivering to you an additional 170
beehives through KeLCoP by August.
The International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) has conducted a mid-
term review on the Kenya Livestock
Commercialization Project (KeLCoP) in
Kakamega County to identify and address
challenges and gaps in its implementation.
She said: “We are on a mid-term review
mission to see what KeLCoP has done over
the years since its inception and how to
strengthen the program.
He added: “Initially we had 120 beehives
but now we have moved to 412 after
KeLCoP imparted us with beehive making
skills. Currently, we have two apiaries
capable of holding 120 and 375 beehives
respectively,”.
He appealed to KeLCoP to offer them
benchmarking opportunities where they
can learn from other successful groups
practicing apiculture in readiness for large
scale production.
The 20-member group which started in
2019 following the Covid-19 outbreak also
practices aquaculture, poultry farming and
vegetable growing aimed at community
transformation through sustainable
agribusiness.
Imbwenya said: “Initially our output was
very low because we lacked the technical
know-how in regards to beekeeping.
However, after we heard about KeLCoP we
decided as a group to engage it,”.
“They took us through the initial process of
coming up with an action plan and how to
boost honey production. After the training
they gave us 30 beehives, the harvesting
gear and the processing equipment,” said
Ibwenya.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
“
“
Honey production to improve farmers
livelihoods
Part of the 412 beehives belonging to Tropical Spring Youth Group apiary in Lumakanda
location in Lugari Sub County. Photo: Melechezedeck Ejakait/ Lugari
For the Kenya Bureau of
Standards license I will
link you up with four
county directors who
have a direct link to them
so that they can fast
track the certification
process of your honey
products,
- Jessica Wesonga -
Kenya Livestock Commercialization
Project (KeLCoP)
They took us through the
initial process of coming
up with an action plan
and how to boost honey
production. After the
training they gave us 30
beehives, the harvesting
gear and the processing
equipment.”
“
- Clinton Imbwenya -
By Wangari Ndirangu/ Nairobi
Kenya is known for the production of
quality flowers and is among the top five
globally producers and exporters of fresh
cut flowers, especially roses at 70 percent.
In Africa, Kenya leads in both production
and exports, with the main destination
being Europe, mainly the Netherlands
which takes up 47 percent of the flower
exports while the UK and Germany takes
15 and 7 percent respectively and Middle
East and Kazakhstan are among other
emerging markets.
The director however noted that, following
the adoption of the systems approach in
April, 2025 which was a requirement of the
European Union regulations in managing
the False Code Moth (FCM) pest, it
continues to export to the European Union a
big plus for the country.
Kenya, she added, is not immune to these
challenges but has been setting and
monitoring compliance with rigorous
standards under the internationally
benchmarked certification scheme, the
KFC Flowers and Ornamentals
Sustainability Standard (KFC FOSS),
which covers environmental sustainability,
social responsibility, and good agricultural
practices.
“The systems approach is proving to be
very effective, a challenge that we are
surmounting, which can only help us to
increase our production and exports to
Europe and to other parts of the world,” she
said.
Furthermore, Chesaro noted that the
government was very much aware of the
issue of freight capacity and that there was a
national horticulture standing committee
that has been tasked to look into the
challenges facing the horticulture sector in
general and the flower sector in particular,
and one of the key things is looking at how
to address the issue of capacity for exports.
“Through our strategic partnerships, both
local and international, we continue to
invest in knowledge transfer, capacity
building, and market access for growers,
especially small-holders,” she said.
Speaking during a media briefing on the
upcoming International Floriculture Trade
Expo (IFTEX) 2025, scheduled for the first
week of June, Director of Horticultural
Crops Directorate (HCD), Christine
Chesaro, said that in 2024, the export
earnings in total for horticulture were
Sh136 billion and out of this, 53 per cent
was from flowers.
Chesaro added that 17 per cent were from
vegetables and 30 per cent were from fruits,
and this shows that flowers were still the
leading export value of all horticultural
exports, thus playing a critical role in the
economy of this country.
She acknowledged that the country still had
challenges including effects of climate
change, cost of production, logistical
challenges and pests and diseases.
Through such trade promotions as the
IFTEX 2025, the Chesaro said Kenyan
exhibitors will not only be looking at an
increase in the produce but also looking at
the green light given on exports to Europe
and will be able to increase their exports.
The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) Chief
Operations Officer (COO), Catherine
Mukoko, said, for instance, this year's
IFTEX comes at a critical moment for both
the industry and the planet, with the global
floriculture sector facing numerous
challenges, from climate change and rising
production costs to increased demand for
sustainable practices and transparency in
the supply chain.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
290
“
Nairobi to host International Floriculture Expo
From L-R: International Flower Trade Exhibition (IFTEX) organizer Dickon
Raamsdonk, Christine Chesaro. Director of the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD),
Isaac Macharia, General Manager of Phytosanitary Services at the Kenya Plant Health
Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Kenya Flower Council (KFC) Chief Operations
Officer (COO), Catherine Mukoko, during a press briefing on the upcoming IFTEX
expo. Photo: Wangari Ndirangu/ Nairobi
The systems approach is proving to be very effective, a
challenge that we are surmounting, which can only help
us to increase our production and exports to Europe and to
other parts of the world,
- Christine Chesaro -
“Through our strategic
partnerships, both local and
international, we continue to
invest in knowledge transfer,
capacity building, and market
access for growers, especially
smallholders,”
- Catherine Mukoko -
International Floriculture
Trade Expo (IFTEX) 2025
Ÿ
According to Ms. Kamau, the facility
served 525 outpatient clients in the Month
of April this year alone, pointing to the need
for the County Government to upgrade the
facility with utmost urgency.
Furthermore, the vice chair noted that drugs
and substance abuse continue to complicate
the war against mental illnesses hence the
need for concerted efforts to break the
menace.
“I do not understand why the CPSB went
ahead to recruit drivers instead of replacing
medical personnel who have exited service.
They should have recruited medical
personnel to bridge the gap currently being
experienced at our medical facilities,”
Gakuru noted.
“Substance abuse continues to worsen the
mental landscape in Kirinyaga. According
to the 2022 NACADA National survey, use
of alcohol and Cannabis among youth and
young adults, is on the rise. These trends are
clearly observable in Kirinyaga hence the
need for coordinated substance abuse
response at the community level” Ms.
Kamau noted.
Kiini Ward MCA who is also the Budget
and appropriation Chair, Geoffrey Gakuru,
noted that the situation in most health
facilities is yet to improve despite passage
of the Kirinyaga County Health Facilities
Improvement Fund Act, which ordinarily,
sanctioned health facilities to spend money
collected to improve services. He was also
concerned that the County Public Service
Board (CPSB), which has the sole
responsibility of recruiting personnel, is yet
to replace 60 medical personnel who have
since left service.
“I note with concern that we have allocated
a total of Sh. 400 Million towards the
upgrade of Kimbimbi and Kianyaga Sub
County Hospitals, yet nothing has been
allocated towards refurbishment of the
Mental Health Unit. I wish to urge the
Concern committee to see to it that there is
money allocated towards refurbishment of
the Mental Health Facility,” Migwi said.
Kanyekine Ward Member of County
Assembly (MCA), Moses Migwi, noted
that the motion was timely hence the need
to incorporate the recommendations in the
upcoming budget.
By Mutai Kipngetich/Kerugoya
Members of the Kirinyaga County
Assembly have directed the County
Executive Committee Member (CECM) in
charge of Medical Services, to allocate
additional resources towards refurbishment
of the only Mental Health Unit in the
County at Kerugoya Referral Hospital.
Through a Motion, which was tabled by the
Health Committee Vice Chairperson Grace
Kamau, Members were apprehensive that
failure to allocate additional resources and
personnel at the facility would be
detrimental to hundreds of patients who
visit the facility monthly.
Similar sentiments were aired by Mutira
Ward MCA, David Kinyua, who regretted
the sad state of affairs at the mental health
unit in the County.
“We will stamp our voices and ensure that
we include a budget towards the mental
health unit; joblessness and drug abuse are
some of the major causes of mental health
illnesses thus the reason why Government
must prioritize prevention which is better
than cure, ”Kinyua said
Beatrice Mitaru, who represents the
interests of People living with disability,
urged the County Executive through the
health department to increase access to
mental health clinics in remote parts of the
County.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
A publication of Kenya News Agency
300
Number of people
suffering from Cerebral Palsy
in Kericho County
More resources recommended for mental unit
at Kerugoya Hospital
Entrance of Kerugoya Referral Hospital. Photo: Kipngetich Mutai/ Kerugoya
“Substance abuse continues
to worsen the mental
landscape in Kirinyaga.
According to the 2022
NACADA National survey,
use of alcohol and
Cannabis among youth and
young adults, is on the rise.
These trends are clearly
observable in Kirinyaga
hence the need for
coordinated substance
abuse response at the
community level”
- Grace Kamau -
I do not understand why the
CPSB went ahead to recruit
drivers instead of replacing
medical personnel who
have exited service. They
should have recruited
medical personnel to bridge
the gap currently being
experienced at our medical
facilities,”
~ Geoffrey Gakuru ~
Refurbishment
“
Speaking on the sidelines of a field
verification visit on various projects in
Nyeri County, Principal Administrative
Secretary in the Office of the Prime Cabinet
Secretary Juliana Yiapan said the such
coordination will ensure implementation of
projecst not only run seamlessly but also
averts unforeseeable risks like leakages
that can turn tragic to both learners and
workers.
“Liquified Petroleum Gas is a hazardous
product but also a useful product. We need
guidelines as we roll out the program for the
rest of the schools to ensure the safe of the
learners and the users and this can only be
done when the two ministries work
together.”
By Samuel Maina/ Nyeri
The National Government Coordination
Secretariat (NGCS) has called for synergy
among players involved in the
implementation of the Accelerating Clean
Cooking Access (ACCA) project for
schools.
Yiapan spoke after her team toured
Karatina Girls in Mathira where the
Government has installed a 2,000-kilogram
LPG facility as one way of promoting clean
cooking energy at the institution.
She similarly promised to raise the matter
with the relevant state organs and the
Principal Secretaries concerned to ensure
the recommendations are implemenetd.
“The problem with the projects we have
inspected today is not funding. I think there
are gaps and I would point at the Liquified
Petroleum Gas project for schools where
we have recommended that the Ministry of
Education and the Ministry of Energy work
together and come up with guidelines for
the learners,” she said.
Among schools that have already
benefitted from the ACCA project in Nyeri
include Naromoru Girls' Secondary school
where the Government commissioned a
2,000 capacity LPG tank in February last
year.
The team also visited the Affordable
Housing Project (AHP) at Blue Valley
where the Government is constructing 381
housing units.
The Government is targeting to install
energy efficient cooking LPG tanks in at
least 11,000 schools across the country.
The initiative which is jointly funded by the
State Department for Energy, the United
Nations Development Programme, the
Embassy of Japan and Community Road
Empowerment will now see schools shift
from the use of firewood to LPG as its main
source for cooking fuel
This project is currently at 32 per cent
completion stage and is set to be completed
by February next year.
The entire project is expected to cost the
Government Sh877 million once complete.
Government plans to construct at least 1
million housing units by 2027 with an
average of 250,000 houses each year under
the Affordable Housing Project (AHP).
The multi-billion project aims to not only
provide decent homes to deserving
Kenyans at low cost but also trigger
economic transformation, job and wealth
creation.
Earlier on, the team had been briefed on the
progress of Universal Broadband
Connectivity (UBC) in which the Ministry
of Information, Communication and
Digital Economy is partnering with Kenya
Power to lay 100,000 kilometres of Fiber
Optic cable across the country to enhance
internet connectivity.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
Implementation of LPG Programme for schools
requires coordination
/Wangari Mwangi
Photo: Wangari Mwangi / Nyeri
Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Juliana
Yiapan (centre) leads a multi-agency team from the National Government Coordination
Secretariat on a tour of the Affordable Housing Project at Blue Valley in Nyeri town.
“The problem with the projects we have inspected today is not
funding. I think there are gaps and I would point at the
Liquified Petroleum Gas project for schools where we have
recommended that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of
Energy work together and come up with guidelines for the
learners,”
- Juliana Yiapan -
- Juliana Yiapan -
Liquified Petroleum Gas is a
hazardous product but also
a useful product. We need
guidelines as we roll out the
program for the rest of the
schools to ensure the safe of
the learners and the users
and this can only be done
when the two ministries
work together.
Affordable Housing
Project (AHP)
Ÿ
“
Ÿ
Ÿ
“These initiatives reaffirm our pledge to
uphold constitutional values of equity,
integrity, efficiency, and access to justice,
as outlined in our institutional vision of
Social Transformation through Access to
Justice (STAJ),” Koome said.
Koome stated that the need for physical
presence in courts has been removed by this
innovation, marking a turning point,
especially for the elderly, persons with
disabilities, and those in remote areas that
will improve service delivery.
The Chief Justice made the remarks when
she launched the 2023/2024 Performance
Management and Measurement Evaluation
(PMMU) Report, the Judiciary Service
Delivery Innovations Report, and the E-
Judiciary Mobile App being key initiatives
geared towards efficient service delivery in
the municipal courts.
By Brenda Oluoch/ Nairobi
Chief Justice, Martha Koome, has
underscored the commitment by the
Judiciary to continuously innovate in order
to provide better services to Kenyans across
the country.
The mobile app, described as a "virtual
courthouse," allows users to access court
services such as virtual hearings, court
filings, and document verification
remotely, said the Chief Justice at the
Supreme Court building during the event.
The newly launched E-Judiciary Mobile
App, now available on Google Play and the
Apple App Store, is designed to transform
how Kenyans interact with the justice
system.
Litigants across Kenya can now verify
court orders, review probate and
administration matters, consult cause lists,
join virtual hearings, and confirm fee
payments without setting foot in a
courthouse, dismantling many of the
geographic and physical barriers that have
long hindered access to justice.
Koome lauded judicial staff for their
dedication and emphasized the need for
continued innovation and collaboration to
ensure accessible, fair, and efficient justice
for all.
The “Mahakama Popote” virtual court
system will advance justice delivery and
reduce case backlogs by allowing judicial
officers in less-burdened courts to assist
busier stations remotely.
Koome however took note of challenges
such as staffing shortages, underfunding,
and high caseloads and urged increased
support from Parliament and the Executive
to meet the Judiciary's goals.
The PMMU Report showed significant
progress with a 9% drop in case backlog
and a 99% clearance rate, reflecting strong
performance across 337 courts and units.
“Mahakama Popote has enabled the remote
handling of 7,665 cases, with 6,269
successfully concluded thus demonstrating
its effectiveness in improving access to
justice,” Koome reiterated.
The judiciary also resolved over 2,200
cases via mediation and alternative justice
systems.
Among the milestones achieved were the
establishment of new courts and the
expansion of virtual services through
programs like “Mahakama Popote.”
A publication of Kenya News Agency
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Geoffrey Ruku, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development;
Lady Justice Martha Koome-Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya;
and Lady Justice Agnes Murgor-Chairperson of the Administration of Justice and
Performance Management Committee during the launch of the Judiciary Performance
Evaluation Report 2023/2024, the Service Delivery and Innovation Compendium, and
the e-Judiciary Mobile App. Photo: Daniel Kamau/Nairobi
Launch of Judiciary Performance Evaluation Report
a game changer
‘virtual courthouse’
These initiatives reaffirm our pledge to uphold
constitutional values of equity, integrity, efficiency,
and access to justice, as outlined in our institutional
vision of Social Transformation through Access to
Justice (STAJ),
Mahakama Popote has
enabled the remote
handling of 7,665 cases,
with 6,269 successfully
concluded thus
demonstrating its
effectiveness in improving
access to justice,
~ Martha Koome ~
~ CJ Martha Koome ~
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Ÿ
Amnesty International has called on the
Kenyan government to ensure that its
bilateral labour agreement with Saudi
Arabia is rights-based and includes clear
protection guarantees for domestic
workers.
The organisation made the appeal during
the release of its new extensive report,
“Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of
Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi
Arabia." The report documents the
experiences of over 70 women who
previously worked as domestic workers in
the Gulf nation.
“Whereas the story may be familiar to
many Kenyans, this is a significant piece of
research that documents the testimonies of
up to 70 women regarding the grueling,
abusive, and discriminatory working
conditions,” said Amnesty International-
Kenya Executive Director Irungu
Houghton in Mombasa.
The protections should align with
international standards and address key
areas such as ethical recruitment, the
employer-pays principle, working and
living conditions, fair payment of wages,
non-discrimination, dispute resolution, and
access to justice.
He said most of those who testified in the
report were deceived by their recruiters,
made to work under brutal conditions,
denied a day off and prevented from
leaving the house.
“They lived in awful living conditions,
suffered inhumane treatment including
sexual, verbal and physical assault,”
expounded Irungu, adding that the
employers confiscate passports, phones
and withheld the wages of the workers.
By Sadik Hassan/ Mombasa
“Much of what we have described in this
report can amount to forced labour and
human trafficking. In many cases we have
seen signs of what we would call modern
slavery,” he added.
They are further calling upon the Saudi
Arabian government to accord migrant
workers equal protection under labour
laws.
“Kenyans are not second-class citizens.
They are similar to every other human
being on the planet, and they deserve the
kind of protection that Saudi workers
receive under the labour laws,” stated
Irungu.
Amnesty International wants Kenya and
Saudi Arabia to protect the lives of Kenyan
women who work in the Gulf nation. The
organisation emphasised the need for
Kenya's Labour Migration Policy to
include a comprehensive protection
framework to safeguard migrant workers.
They want the government to ratify the
International Convention on the Rights of
Migrant Workers and their families, as well
as the International Labour Organisation
Convention 189 on Domestic Workers, to
enhance accountability.
He went on: “We are calling for the
unequivocal dismantling of the Kafala
Sponsorship System that binds foreign
workers to employers, that fosters
exploitation, and perpetuates racism.”
Additionally, the organisation urged the
Kenyan government to invest more in safe
houses and responsive complaint
mechanisms. Legislators were also called
upon to expedite the passage of the Kenyan
Migrant Workers Welfare Fund, aimed at
providing financial resources for the
protection and support of migrant workers.
The Government was lauded for setting up
a toll free number for Kenyans in distress to
call for assistance.
Amnesty Researcher May Romanos says
that the experience of Kenyan women in
Saudi Arabia is not unique, as it is one of the
many challenges that migrant workers face.
A publication of Kenya News Agency
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Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia rights
be protected
Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton (Third L) presents
the report on Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia to Mombasa County Government
represented by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Tourism Mohamed
Osman (Second R) at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Mombasa.
Photo: Andrew Hinga/ Mombasa
Much of what we have
described in this report
can amount to forced
labour and human
trafficking. In many
cases we have seen signs
of what we would call
modern slavery,
Whereas the story
may be familiar to
many Kenyans, this is a
significant piece of
research that documents
the testimonies of up to 70
women regarding the
grueling, abusive, and
discriminatory working
conditions,
- Irungu Houghton -
- Irungu Houghton -
‘Modern slavery’
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