President William Ruto on Wednesday held consultative meeting with Water sector stakeholders. He noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration agenda to transform the water sector is anchored on building 40 to 45 mega dams in the next decade through innovative financial mobilisation. The Head of State said the move will enable the State to enhance agricultural production through irrigation of between two million and three million acres. For that to be achieved, the country must make the existing dams and the provision of water for domestic use and livestock sustainable. The meeting was attended by among others, chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of water agencies, including water agencies boards and the Water Services Regulatory Board. Also present were Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa and Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira yesterday met with Nakuru County leadership led by Governor Susan Kihika where they deliberated on the implementation of the Last Mile Connectivity Programme in the county. The discussions focused on the programme’s critical role in expanding electricity access, enhancing socio-economic development, and improving the quality of life for residents. The collaboration between the National and County Governments remains essential in ensuring equitable access to energy and advancing the national development agenda. Among the leaders present were MPs Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Joseph Kipkosgei (Kuresoi South), Alfred Kiprono ( Kuresoi North), Paul Chebor, (Rongai), Samuel K. Gachobe ( Subukia), Charity Kathambi Chepkwony (Njoro), Martha Wangari (Gilgil) and Irene Njoki (Bahati).
Community involvement in environmental projects fosters ownership, utilises local knowledge, builds trust, ensures fairness, and enhances sustainability. The Mau Forest Complex Integrated Conservation and Livelihood Improvement Programme (MCF-ICLIP) technical team held discussions with the local leaders at Source Marindas and Gacharage of Bararget and Kuresoi Forest Stations Stations respectively in Nakuru County. The meeting discussed the forest-adjacent community livelihood improvement component of the programme and ways to improve value chains with the aim of reducing the pressure and overdependence on the forest and its products. The meeting, which brought together chiefs and village elders, discussed the improvement of potato, milk, pyrethrum and avocado value chains as well as agroforestry and land use to maximise the productivity of farmlands. It was facilitated by technical officers from MFC-ICLIP, including Andrew Machora, Sylvester Maithya, and Eunice Wanjiru, among others. MFC-ICLIP is a ten-year programme aimed at restoring and sustainably managing the Mau Forest Complex through an integrated conservation and livelihood improvement strategy that enhances ecosystem functionality and strengthens climate resilience.
The government is finalizing construction of the East African Kidney Institute (EAKI) in Nairobi, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s journey toward accessible, specialized healthcare. Located next to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the state-of-the-art facility will be the region’s first centre of excellence for kidney and urology care, offering 160 beds; including 10 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 9 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds and 28 dialysis machines. The institute will provide advanced treatment, including kidney transplants, and serve as a training and research hub for the University of Nairobi, nurturing future nephrology and urology specialists. During an inspection visit yesterday, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, commended the project’s steady progress and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its timely completion.
Pacifying regions is required to effectively prevent and respond to violent extremism. With less than two years to the 2027 General Elections, early planning and capacity building especially around election security are critical. Principal Secretary for Internal Security, Dr. Raymond Omollo yesterday hosted a Needs Assessment Mission led by UN’s Electoral Assistance Division’s, Principal Electoral Advisor, Mr. Akinyemi Adegbola, to align on both immediate and long-term priorities for electoral preparedness.The Electoral Assistance Division is part of the UN Department for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs based in New York.