- According to World Bank reports 2008 it is documented that “In the 21st century, agriculture continues to be a fundamental instrument for sustainable development and poverty reduction. Three of every four poor people in developing countries live in rural areas – 2.1 billion living on less than $2 a day and 880 million on less than $1 a day – and most depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.” Sugar cane farmers are having a raw deal in Kenya .a crop that is harvested after 14 month pays peanuts that is not worth waiting for 14month and in other cases 18 month. Many are in dilemma between sugarcane and maize. It should be noted that sugarcane farming is fully fi…

- COUNTIES SHOULD EMBRACE PUCOUNTIES SHOULD EMBRACE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVES. EVANS OJIAMBO AKELO, The availability of infrastructure facilities is imperative for the overall development of any country. Today, there is a need to focus on enhancing the quantity as well as improving the quality of existing and new infrastructure services provided in Kenya, as such counties will soon become the driving force to enable this policy a success. Roads constitute an important part of infrastructure of a country. India has the third largest road network in the world. But the growth of road network has not kept pace with the growth of road traffic. Due to existing funds constraints…

The international community is failing over 1.5 million internally displaced persons in Somalia at a time when the humanitarian crisis is deepening, Walter Kaelin, the Representative of the UN Secretary General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, said at the end of his mission to Somalia in Nairobi, Kenya. - Many of the Somali IDPs interviewed during the mission had fled the climate of violence and impunity in Central and South Somalia, including Mogadishu. “I am shocked by the degree of violence facing the civilian population in Central and South Somalia. Serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular indiscriminate attacks an…

- Ojiambo Akelo. Nairobi African cities are set for transformation into sustainable habitats that will deal with major challenges currently affecting them is ranging from rapid population growth to environmental management-all placing an enormous strain on existing infrastructure and resources. Mr Lazarus Angbazo the CEO, GE East Central and West Africa said that, for African cities to be sustainable places of growth and livelihood. They must find solutions to these current challenges and GE is ready to partner with the governments and private sectors to make this a reality. Nairobi as a leading capital in East Africa has the opportunity to become a world class African metropoli…

An $18,000 (Ksh.10 Million) is up for grabs for African developers and innovators in a competition from world leading mobile phone manufacturer - Nokia. - The competition targeting local content, challenges mobile and web application developers to submit entries for content in any category within the Ovi Store. They range from applications, widgets, video, personalization, games, and audio flash to active idle widgets. Announcing the competition last week, Agatha Gikunda, Nokia Head of Messaging for East and Southern Africa said Nokia’s Calling All Innovators Africa competition has been specifically launched to enable developers create locally relevant best-of –breed mobile a…

- Development of Confucius Institutes in Africa By Evans Ojiambo Akelo Africanews Reporter in Nairobi. The Confucius Institutes in Africa have grown to over 17 in a span of four years making Chinese language one of the most important foreign languages in Africa. This was revealed by the Xu Lin the CEO of Confucius Institute Headquarters Hanban during the Joint Confucius Institute conference in Nairobi today. Speaking during the launch of the conference Kenyan Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Kileri Mwiria said that, China continues to make meaningful contribution on the African continent and the language barrier will now be a thing of the past with the growth and development of Co…

- Over 100 million people in East Africa are set to experience a revolutionary enhancement of banking industry with the launch of the two mobile banking products by different organizations. The enhancement of Zap from Zain in partnership with Stanchart Bank and the New KCB connect from Kenya Kommercial Bank customers will quickly and safely send and receive money using their mobile phones. The news zap services has been configured so that users can receive funds from anywhere in the world directly to their handset as well as send funds directly to their bank accounts around the clock. This service is available in Kenya Uganda and Tanzania, allows one to manage their accounts. Pay f…

- By Ojiambo Akelo Africanews reporter in Nairobi Kenya. The quest for reforms in Kenya is still a long way from the Waki to UN rapporteur Prof. Aliston reports. The recommendations continue to gathers dust on shelves at President Harambee office while Kenyans will continue bickering over the rot of police officers without considering they as individuals are responsible for the latters putrefy. The judiciary has been in the last few decades also been hounded with serious allegations of ineptitude, but through the GLOS programme initiated by development partners the Judiciary is not the former palace where one was advised to hire a Judge than a lawyer though alot remains to be done. It…

- Argues Ojiambo Akelo Africanews reporter in Nairobi Kenya The UN has put out a fancy website called "Seal the Deal" to try and drum up support and galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement in Copenhagen in Copenhagen December. It is obvious key challenges face the economies of East and the horn of Africa region including climate change (recurrent droughts) which leads to massive negative impact on food security and Hydro-power. These impacts are expected to be come even stronger in the consequent years hence their consequences are likely to be come more serious. It is certain that Kenya’s GDP is approx…

The eight forum of African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) has ended in Nairobi, Kenya with a call for improved and extension of AGOA Act to enable more African markets access and continue to flourish with US trade ties. Top African entrepreneurs and political leaders attended the forum. - Kenya’s Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka called for a paradigm shift toward intra- Africa trade since trade within the continent remain a pitfall despite huge market of a population of more than 850 million people. He urged African governments, policy makers, the private sector and the civil societies to address existing barriers of trade that Africa export strategies need to be reoriented to f…

- Writes Ojiambo Akelo in Nairobi Kenya. The overseas private corporation (OPIC) and the African trade Agency (ATI) Africa’s only multilateral trade and political risk insurer today signed an Memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will provide underserved micro-small and medium sized companies in Africa access to increased technical assistance and foreign direct investment. “This partnership will help increase and boot capacity building among entrepreneurs n eastern Africa.” Says Mr. Stewart Kinloch acting ATI CEO. He added “I an economic climate that has seen upwards of a $30 billion drop off in investment into Africa we believe that this initiative to increa…

Key energy regulatory frameworks are needed to reform the energy sector in the COMESA region, according to the COMESA Executive Committee of the Regional Association Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA). - “These key tools are needed to materialize energy reliability in the region,” said the Chairman of RAERESA Eng. Kaburu Mwirichia. He explained that the association will aim to promote and nurture good governance of resources in the energy sector in order to stimulate direct investment both national and regional and to improve the services of the existing sector. The meeting in Nairobi is being held to facilitate development of guidelines of terms of r…

- writes Evans Ojiambo Akelo Aricanews Reporter Nairobi. Intellectual Property rights are new tools for increasing African s trade competiveness this was reveled during the on going AGOA deliberation forum. There is need for Sub-Saharan countries to recruit more investment. Countries need to work to strengthen the rule of law Mr. Rick C. Wade Senior adviser US department of commerce, led other panelist; Fernando dos Santos Director General Mozambique Industrial Property Institute (IPI). Sarah Walumbisi a legal consultant from Uganda, James Lennox CEO Southern Africa Federation Against copyright theft and Anthony Carrol from U.S in delivering the message that all business in the world find i…

- Writes Evans Ojiambo Akelo NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 5 US Secretary of state Hilary Clinton has requested African countries to focus on remove trade barriers among themselves, focus on development, establish and improve governance institutions and empower the African woman who has a big role in the growth of the continent she made the remarks during her address to the AGOA forum delegates Similar sentiments were echoed in a videotaped message from from US President Barack Obama who says “I see the growth of Africa today and I pledge to you the full support and partnership of the United States," he said. The president reiterated to the theme of his Ghana speech and Mrs Clinton…

- Writes Evans Ojiambo Akelo-August 5, NAIROBI: Standard Chartered Bank today announced a record performance for the first half of 2009 with income rising 24 per cent to Kshs. 6 billion and operating profit before tax of 43 per cent to Kshs. 3.3 billion. The Bank has seen substantial income momentum across both businesses during the first half of the year. This after its parent company Standard Chartered Group announced a record performance for the first half with income rising 14 per cent to US$7.96 billion and operating profit before tax of 10 per cent to $2.84 billion this growth has been attributed on Information Technology venture since 2006 of over Ksh 4billion. Speaking at the p…

- Evans Ojiambo Akelo Kenya Police announced on Tuesday that traffic flow would remain interrupted in Nairobi until Thursday following the ongoing AGOA Conference. A statement from Police headquarters said Parliament Road from the junction of Harambee Avenue roundabout to the City Hall Way near the Intercontinental Hotel would remain closed. Other affected roads include Parliament road to Kaunda Street junction. “We wish to announce that the stated roads will remain closed from 9am Tuesday until late Thursday,” Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe “said. Where possible, he said, motorists should avoid the city centre to avoid being inconvenienced.

Kenya Police announced on Tuesday that traffic flow would remain interrupted in Nairobi until Thursday following the ongoing AGOA Conference. A statement from Police headquarters said the measures are being taken to ensure smooth security operations ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit. - The statement said the Parliament Road from the junction of Harambee Avenue roundabout to the City Hall Way near the Intercontinental Hotel would remain closed. Other affected roads include Parliament road to Kaunda Street junction. “We wish to announce that the stated roads will remain closed from 9am Tuesday until late Thursday,” Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe said. …

- Writes Africanews Reporter Evans Ojiambo Akelo Nairobi Kenya. Congressman Jim McDermott has been a staunch supporter of AGOA for over a decade attending all forum , but he still insist that as the US administration has done more to remove trade barriers to African imports; more support is needed to facilitate the growth of Africa’s Small and Medium Enterprises. In his speech during the opening of AGOA exhibition he stated firmly that the engines of every economy are small businesses and they too will drive Africa’s development,” he stated. He added that is how African governments can curb unemployment by empowering it people. To establish ‘Small Business De…

- Writes Ojiambo Akelo in Nairobi. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to land in JKIA airport on Wednesday as Over 2000 delegates drawn from 38 countries and the US checked into Kenyatta International Conference Center yesterday and today to mark the opening of eighth forum of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) The delegates will spend three days discussing the opportunities the AGOA initiative which was launched by President Bill Clinton in 2000 presents to the African continent. They will further delve into the challenges and on going and envisioned reforms by sub Saharan African governments. This is the first time both civil society and private sector are…

Two young Germans who landed in Cape Town in April for an adventurous cycling journey covering more than 10,000km from Capetown- South Africa to Nakuru Kenya have arrived in Nairobi. They hope to raise funds for Salama Malaika Children Home in Nakuru. - Greet Shroeder and Immanuel Shulz were received from Namanaga with a group of Kenyan cyclist and joined the Minister of Gender and Children Services. They were congratulated for their initiative. The German Ambassador’s representative reaffirmed the consular support in helping the vulnerable people in Kenya society. For the four months trip from Cape Town through Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania up to Nairobi-Kenya the group passed tough t…

- Writes Evans Ojiambo Akelo. Nairobi Kenya. The African continent continues to show potential as a leading foreign direct investment destination for American and European businesses, despite the economic downturn nations around the globe are currently experiencing. Policymakers are expected in Nairobi Kenya from 29th -31st July for the East African Investment conference dubbed “Invest in East Africa where global challenges are opportunities.” Then meet again in early August for the AGOA forum at the same venue. According to the IMF, Africa is still expected to maintain a positive growth rate of 3.4% for 2009, an impressive achievement for the continent. Investments in Af…

- By Evans Ojiambo Akelo Africanews Reporter Nairobi. Kenyans from all walks of life gathered in homes, towns any place that they could watch or hear live the proceeding in Ghana as President Obama delivered his speech a subject of debate in Kenya today. I put right that President Obama came to inspire Africa by urging them that their destiny lay in their own hands if only they could get their act together; We can fight disease nature agriculture for the starving , end conflict and shun tribalism and nepotism which fuels corruption. But his criticism on Kenya has eroded his message according to Dr. Levi Koyio a Management Lecture at the University of Nairobi says” I cant…

A $23 million joint programme between some UN agencies and the Kenya Ministry of Gender has been launched. Experts and stakeholders termed it as a big milestone in the gender equality and women empowerment circles. - It is a great partnership aimed at improving the government’s efforts in achieving economic development and empowerment in Kenya, noted Kenyan Minister for Gender, Esther Murugi. The Regional Director of UNIFEM East and Horn of Africa, Meryem Aslam, said the programme comes with enormous advantages - capacity building and system improvement to quality assurance around gender specific issues. The joint initiative will be a model of success and bring direct benefit to th…

- African News Reporter Evans Ojiambo in NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 29 - A Briton Student on a field trip has confirmed the first case of Swine Flu in Kenya Public Health Minister Beth Mugo broke the news on Monday, saying that the patient may have had contact with the initial suspected case that turned negative on Saturday in Nairobi. Throwing panic into the country due to lack capacity controlling and prevention at the country airports. “The patient has been quarantined at a hotel in Kisumu,” she told a press conference at her Afya House office. On Saturday a suspected case of Swine Flu in Kenya tested negative after momentarily spreading panic across Nairobi.

- By Evans Ojiambo Akelo African Reporter in NAIROBI Africa need to increase capacity and funding that can stimulate Research and development on Drugs for Neglected Diseases, this was revealed during the 2nd international Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) stakeholders conference organized to stimulate greater regional research partnership to fight the most neglected diseases such as sleeping sickness, kala azar, malaria and chagas disease. Two projects were highlighted depicting proof of how global and south-south collaboration are strengthening Africa capacity to conduct clinical trials and to develop new treatments for diseases. A new treatment for a most neglected dis…

- Africanews Reporter Ojiambo Akelo in Nairobi Kenya. In Nairobi Kenya up to two Million people live in a human rights black hole; denied services denied security, denied a say. This was reveled by Amnesty International in a damming report on Friday, into the dire conditions and gross human rights abuses endured in Nairobi's informal settlements. The Unseen Majority: Nairobi's Two Million Slum Dwellers describes how half of Nairobi's population live in informal settlements, but are crammed into only 5 per cent of the city’s residential area and just 1 per cent of all land in the city. The report is the first launched under the organization's groundbreaking new…

- NAIROBI African News Reporter Evans Ojiambo Akelo Amnesty International on Friday demanded Kenyan authorities to urgently tackle the culture of impunity and bring about essential reforms. "Kenya has a long history of serious human rights violations but it now has an opportunity to turn the page," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, concluding the high-level mission to Kenya. "Successive Kenyan governments have been good at establishing Commissions and Taskforces and poor at implementing their recommendations. This government must not repeat that pattern." She added. She emphasized that time is running out and the government must act u…

The African Union has provided an amount of $1 million to help restore peace and stability in Somalia and also to strengthen its security forces. The AU signed an agreement with the Somali government as part of the recently signed Djibouti agreement leading to the formation of the new unity government. - Under the agreement, security forces from the former transitional government would join forces with those from the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) to enforce peace in the capital, Mogadishu as well as in other parts of the nation. Ambassador Nicholas Bwakirah, the AU special envoy to Somalia signed the agreement with the unity government. "I signed with the prime …

Microsoft has donated USD$137,379 (Kshs. 11 million) to three non-profit local partners training youth in ICT, entrepreneurship and life skills in a bid to hasten its focus of contributing towards creation of more job opportunities and realizing Vision 2030 in Kenya. - “Microsoft contribution aims at complimenting Kenya’s Vision 2030 which identified ICT industry as key role in crating wealth and employment for the youth, not withstanding the global financial crisis in US and Europe,” said Loise Otieno, General Manager Microsoft East and Southern Africa. The beneficiaries are African Center for Women and Information and Communication Technology (ACWIT), Ugunja Community …

Patients in seven East and Central Africa countries face imminent death because of lack of access to essential medicine in public heath facilities. Essential drugs are available in only 50% dispensaries and health centers and in about 65% of the country population. - “Access to essential medicine is a human right and a cornerstone of an effective primary care system of any nation. It determines people to live or die, suffer pain and discomfort or have their ailments cured, recover from illness or endure life long disease,” said Eve Odete the Oxfam Policy officer. Partick Mubangizi, coordinator of Health International Africa (HAI) laid the blame squarely on the governments of t…

Members of Parliament of Kenya have been blasted for exempting themselves from paying taxes on their allowances. The German Ambassador to Kenya Walter Lindner said German MPs pay taxes like other employees and does not see the reason behind the move. He said it is their civic duty to serve as example. - Speaking during a German Business Community luncheon in Nairobi, the Ambassador said “MPs in Germany pay taxes and are proud to pay taxes. They pass many Bills that require sacrifices by tax payers, so if they will not pay taxes, it will not be justifiable to the electorate.” He said MPs in his country also earned salaries similar to the salaries paid to the middle class, addin…

A new firm has joined the outsourcing industry of Kenya as the construction of the undersea fiber optic cable nears completion mid-next year. South Africa's Direct Channel Holding has landed through a partnership with local firm Simbatech to form Direct Channel Simbatech K Ltd. - Simbatech is a Pan African company and leading a system developer and integrator in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Direct Channel is one of South Africa’s leading outsourcing companies. Currently the company has invested over $750,000 equivalent of Ksh 60million in the 36 seater call center and plans to expand to over 200 seats within a year. The bulk of this investment is its back office systems consist…