As the world celebrates the Cervical Cancer Week, Kenya has taken a leap of faith by launching universal distribution of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, expected to treat cervical cancer- the most dangerous disease among womenfolk worldwide. - Tuesdays launch in Kitui County is good news to Kenyan women, who like most African countries, die annually from the third most common type of cancer among women. High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 75 percent of cervical cancers, 70 percent of vaginal cancers, 40 to 50 percent of vulvar cancers and 80 percent of anal cancers. Cervical cancer kills an estimated 275,000 women every year and 500,000 new cases are reported worldwide. This en…

Replacing the millions of kerosene lamps, candles and flashlights used worldwide with modern solar lighting can provide an increasingly low-cost solution to reducing carbon emissions, indoor air pollution and health risks, and boosting green jobs, according to new studies from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). - UNEP also announced today a new strategic partnership with the private sector to facilitate a market shift towards energy-efficient, off-grid lighting and to reduce the estimated 74 million tons of annual carbon emissions from fuel-based light sources commonly used in developing countries. The collaboration with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) will …

Traditional and faith healers are among informal health sector personnel who shall greatly aid Kenya in closing human resource gap in mental health service delivery, preliminary findings from a study show. - Under the study, Task Shifting In Mental Health: Innovative Approaches funded by Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) and headed by Dr. Victoria Mutiso of Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF), the team has trained faith and traditional healers, community based health workers and health facility personnel to perform basic psychiatric tasks, such as identifying symptoms, diagnosing conditions, and most importantly, referring patients to mental health services. In a period of one y…

After a good military outing in Mali, France has once again flexed its diplomatic muscle in African affairs, this time warning that Paris will respect European Union (EU) position of essential contact only if an inductee of International Criminal Court (ICC) is elected Kenya's president in March 4 general elections. - French Ambassador Etienne de Poncins on Friday said Kenyans have a right to elect a president of their choice, but expounded that the electorate should not to expose the country to undue consequences. Jubilee coalition's presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto are facing charges of crimes against humanity following the post election vio…

The 2013 Barclays Kenya Open Golf Championship moves from the traditional Muthaiga Golf Club to Karen Golf and Country Club. - The four day tournament to run from February 13- 17, 2013, kicks off on February 13 with the Pro-Am, attracting approximately 150 players. The tournament will once again attract players from around the globe-with competitors expected from East Africa region, Africa and Europe, Americas and Asia. Barclays Kenya Open draws players and spectators from around the region and has had the privilege of showcasing the skills of famous players in years past. Expected to play this year is the cream of talent from the young professional ranks that are seeking to transit to th…

As confusion persists over the procurement of electronic voter registration system for Kenya's general elections scheduled for March 2013, several organizations have urged Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) to revert to manual voter registration. - On Monday, IEBC cancelled and soon after reinstated the procurement for Biometric Voter Registration kits following a row in the tendering process. IEBC Chief Executive Officer James Oswago had announced the cancelation but was overruled the commission’s Procurement Manager Bernard Nyachio. This follows a controversy that emerged after the IEBC failed to award the tender for the Biometric Voter Registration kits .Th…

The troubled Horn of Africa nation begins the journey towards a new constitutional dispensation with the convention of the nine-day National Constitution Assembly from Wednesday, paving ways towards the end of the transition period. The milestone conference will discuss, vote on and probably adopt the draft constitution, which will enable governing of the country's federal institutions after the term of the current Transitional Federal Government ends in August. - It will also provide the basis of further constitutional discussion before finally adopted at a referendum later. The meeting will be officially attended by about 825 delegates, painstakingly selected form all the Somalia clan…

Prior to 19th African Union (AU) Head of State and Governments Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African civil societies have urged the forum to adequately address issues of international criminal justice. Led by South Africa, the over 20 civil society organization has no kind words for efforts for AU and African states to fight impunity, despite commitment to ending it. - Beyond the AU forum, individual African states have independently reaffirmed their commitments to ending impunity. This includes requests by Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Côte d’Ivoire to International Criminal Court to investigate crimes committed in their countries. Notably,…

A year after achieving independence, there is more work for Republic of South Sudan to do to ensure democratic stability and progress for the nascent country. As President Salva Kiir, in office since July 9, continues along the path of building a sustainable democracy, the African nation faces significant economic and political challenges. - Despite almost going to war with Sudan in April, South Sudan government has also been working to establish key foundations, including a permanent constitution and administrative institutions to ensure effective governance. Sudan and South Sudan almost got into full-scale conflict only nine months after the country split in two. Sudan People’s …

The Kenyan national team has strong warning to other competitors as the country's countdown to 2012 summer Olympics games due kick off in London next month. Kenya, which has dominated middle and marathon events in nearly all major athletics competitions, received the country's flag from President Mwai Kibaki signalling the government's support the nation's team at the forthcoming Olympics. - Kenya’s Prime Minister Dr Raila Odinga hosted the country’s team to dinner and the Premier challenged the team to surpass their best performance recorded in Beijing four years ago. At a farewell dinner for the team hosted by Proctor & Gamble, Odinga confirmed the c…

One and half year after the popular Arab uprisings blew away Hosni Mubarak from power, Egyptians have elected bearded 60-year-old Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood as the country's new president. The new president, to be enthroned early July, assumes office following the controversial divisive and tightly contested general elections. - The victory also comes a time when his predecessor Mubarak is reported in a coma suffering from stroke while in detention. The situation is made farcical by uneasy tension and shadow-boxing between the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) and the new political party in power-the Muslim Brotherhood. Despite historic victory in which Murs…

Kenya launched the second phase of its national deworming programme at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012, aiming to treat 5 million children annually for the next five years. - The programme is supported by Deworm the World, a cost-effective initiative treating school children for parasitic worms, which stunt development and impair education. The programme was developed by the World Economic Forum’s community of Young Global Leaders and has treated 37 million children worldwide to date. Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga of Kenya increased his commitment to the scheme during the Annual Meeting, outlining the importance of grappling with the issue. “Many people in …

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine P. Mahiga has moved the office of the SRSG back to Mogadishu after an absence of 17 years. Ambassador Mahiga, who was welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Somali Officials and foreign diplomats, said he was delighted that the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) would now be working from the capital. - “I sincerely hope that the arrival of the UN Political Office will mark the start of renewed hope for the future of Somalia,” said Ambassador Mahiga. “Being in Mogadishu will allow us to work far more closely with the Transitional Federal Institutions, th…

Kenyans must jealously guard the various gains the country has achieved since the promulgation of a new constitution a year ago. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan told an international conference in Nairobi that the government must encourage conditions for sustained progress and prosperity. - The meeting also called Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation is organised by Kofi Annan Foundation and Pan African Panel of Eminent Personalities to help more enduring legal, administrative and electoral institutions. Annan lauded President Kibaki and Premier Raila Odinga for steering the reform process, and urged the two Principals to ensure Kenya is ready for credible electio…

Several Human Rights Groups want Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) to ensure Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's humane treatment and to promptly surrender him to International Criminal Court (ICC) in line with their obligations under UN Security Council resolution 1970. - Led by Human Rights Watch, the organizations urge Libyan authorities to uphold its international legal obligations and promptly surrender the son of former president Muammar Gaddafi to ICC. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who was reportedly apprehended on Saturday in southern Libya, is subject to an ICC arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in an investigation authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 19…

While campaigning for presidency in 2002, Mwai Kibaki singled out employment creation as the major plank of his manifesto. He said youths constitute two thirds of the economically active population. Without training rather than the formal education, this significant segment of the society lacked not only jobs, but skills for the market. - True to his promise, the President Kibaki launched Youth Enterprises Development Fund on February 1, 2006 to offer employment to the youths, who were suffering from unemployment or under employment. Officially gazetted in December 8, 2006, the Fund is proving to be a bold and ambitious investment. Youth Affairs and Sport Minister Paul Otuoma today relea…

Eritrean has denied claims that his country was arming Somalia militia al-Shabab, after Kenya claimed that planes were secretly flying weapons to Somalia with Eritrean involvement. Instead, Asmara accuses her neighbour Ethiopia of waging disinformation campaign to undermine Eritrea and frustrate its constructive regional and international engagement. - Furthermore, Ethiopia is accused of the main cause of destabilization in Horn of Africa. Earlier, Eritrean envoy Beyene Russom met Kenyan Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula, Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi and Diplomatic and Political Affairs Secretary Patrick Wamoto in Nairobi. At the meeting, the Kenyan government expressed …

As information technology experts meet at AfricaCom from November 9-10, 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa, the latest technology solutions redefining Africa economic growth and wealth potential will dominate the event. - Terms like Broadband, Cloud Computing, Rural Connectivity, and Connected Device will dominate the meeting coming at a time when the people in sub-Saharan Africa today connect to Internet using a mobile device than those using a fixed connection. This implies that future access to broadband Internet in the region will be driven by wireless broadband services. Of all the IT buzzword, cloud computing is the in thing. The term means a multitude of things to telecom operators, …

Deep seated cultural beliefs and stereotypes are hindering Kenyan efforts to effectively enact the recently passed Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill. Kenya has moved ahead in fighting the nauseating cultural practice that has stunted girl growth, because with the new legislation, there will be established a body to advise the government on policy formulation, resource mobilization and coordinating. - The body will also take decisive steps to abolishing the practice only continues to exacerbate the suffering of women and children. The Female Genital Mutilation Bill 2010, submitted by Mount Elgon legislator Fred Kapondi provides for punitive penalties including seven year jail …

As Liberians go to the polls to elect a new President, the African Election Project (AEP) is providing leadership in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for media coverage of the elections. The election, which has been scheduled for Tuesday would also elect Members of Senate and House of Representatives. - According to African Elections Project Director, Mr Jerry Sam, the project has been designed to facilitate the work of journalists and citizen journalists by actively using ICT tools such as twitter, facebook and youtube in disseminating election information and knowledge. Dubbed “Incidence Monitoring Platform”, a modern fully equipped call centre has…

The East African Court of Justice has torpedoed Tanzanian Government plan to the suit seeking to stop construction of 800km road across Serengeti National Park. Justice John Mkwawa delivered the much awaited EAC Court judgment that dismissed Tanzanian's government objections to the application filed by Africa Network for Animal Welfare (Anaw). - Tanzanian Attorney General objected EAC Court jurisdiction and arguing the country has sovereign right to develop infrastructure within its boundaries. Dismissing the objection, the judge agreed with Anaw lawyer Saitabao ole Kanchory that whereas Tanzanian government has a right to develop infrastructure, the court has the power to determine …

United Nations Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict has expressed concern over continuing violations of children's rights in Central African Republic (CAR) and urged all armed groups in the country to immediately halt the practice. - Speaking after the Working Group’s 31st visit to the country, the chair of the United Nations body urged all the groups to develop time-bound action plans on the removal of children armed groups, in line with the Council’s previous resolutions. The Working Group specifically wants the group known as Armée Populaire pour la restauration de la République et de la Démocratie (APRD) to remove children from its ranks and …

Up to 100,000 internally displaced people have arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, over the last two months in search of food, water, shelter and other vital humanitarian assistance after fleeing famine-hit areas, the United Nations refugee agency has announced. - “The number is growing by the day, with daily arrivals averaging 1,000 in July,” Vivian Tan, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said. Severe drought has plunged communities in the southern region of Somalia into famine and sent thousands fleeing both to Mogadishu and to neighbouring Ethiopia and Kenya. The UN and partner aid agencies are seeking approximately $1.6 billion in aid…

The Zambian parliament has been officially dissolved, paving way for the September 20, 2011 presidential and national assembly elections, which analysts says will be a close call. President Rupiah Banda dissolved the country's parliament Thursday and will be defending his seat on Movement for Multi Party Democracy ticket. The election comes at a time when alliance between two opposition forces had collapsed. - Opposition leader Michael Sata of Patriotic Front and Hakainde Hichilema of United Party for National Development parted ways, giving Banda essay opportunity to retain power in Africa’s biggest copper producing country. Efforts to create an opposition alliance to challeng…

A Kenyan national, Dr. Adnan Zahir Amin has been appointed the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The elections were held during the 5th Preparatory Commission of IRENA on April 3, 2011 in Abu Dhabi. He was elected by more than 2/3 of the votes cast. - Amin obtained 76 votes against 36 votes by the other candidate, Pedro Marín (Spain), a former Spanish Secretary of State for Energy. Prior to his appointment, Amin was the interim Director General of the Organisation, a position he has held since November 2010. The appointment has been hailed as trailblazing and historic by Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. “We join the rest of the wo…

Burundi finally appended its signature to water usage from Nile River, providing the Nile Basin Countries with the sixth endorsement which was mandatory to exploit waters from the mystic river. The agreement signed in Kampala, Uganda effectively paves way for the ratification of the long standing Nile Accord, a move likely to strip Egypt of its veto power over rights to the flow from the world's longest river. - A 1929 treaty brokered by former colonial power, Britain, granted Egypt a veto over projects that may alter the flow of the Nile. Another 1959 accord between Egypt and Sudan claimed 90 percent of the Nile’s flow for the two countries. . After a decade of talks, five Nil…

A senior United Nations official has welcomed today's verdicts by a military court in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which mark the first time that a high-ranking commander and several other army personnel were arrested, tried and sentenced for conflict-related sexual violence in the conflict-prone nation. - According to media reports, the military court in Baraka sentenced Lt. Col. Kibibi Mutware to 20 years in jail. He was found guilty of crimes against humanity for sending his troops to rape, beat and loot from the population of Fizi on New Year's Day. Judges also sentenced three officers serving under the commander to 20 years and five soldiers to between 10 and…

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has finally thrown in the towel, after weeks of violent protest against his leadership. World leaders including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had called for a transparent, orderly and peaceful transition in Egypt that includes free and fair elections, adding that it is for the people of that country to determine their future. - Mubarak had announced on Thursday that he will hand over some powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman but that he will not leave office, as demanded by thousands of protesters over the past several weeks. Egypt did its parliamentary elections in November 2010 and since then, the world has been focused on African count…

Newly elected chairman of African Union (AU) President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea has this year's dairy almost full as he seeks to guide his fellow African leaders in resolving myriads conflicts ravaging the continent. Mr. Obiang, the President of Equatorial Guinea, assumed the AU chairmanship on January 30 at the organization's annual summit, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. - President Obiang was nominated by the Central African region and approved by the other AU members under a regional rotation system. He succeeds the Head of State of Malawi, Bingu Wa Mutharika. This is the first time that Equatorial Guinea, the only Spanish-speaking member in Africa, h…

The 41st World Economic Forum Annual Meeting closed today on a note of hope, progress and optimism. On the final day of the meeting, the Co-Chairs of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011 expressed broad optimism that the global economy will grow, but not without some volatility. - Taking place at the same time with African Union the AU Summit, the two fora discussed some of the recent social, political and economic developments taking place in the African continent, especially the Arab peninsular. Egypt was discussed widely at the meeting. The main point of the discussion was whether Egypt would follow Tunisia or take a different path. Discussions focused on the broader implicati…