The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has condemned the assault of journalists in Nairobi during the Finance Bill 2024 protests.
AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori emphasised the importance of upholding Kenya’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press and peaceful assembly.
She called on the government and security forces to provide necessary security and respect the rights of journalists and protestors.
Mbori commended the efforts of various organisations, including NGOs, CSOs, HROs, the Law Society of Kenya, and the public, for securing the release of journalists and Kenyan protestors arrested on Tuesday.
AMWIK remains committed to advocating for the safety and protection of journalists in Kenya.
The government is focusing on intensifying marine and freshwater research to guide the exploitation of untapped aquatic resources.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), aims to develop scientific data and information to guide sustainable exploitation of resources.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the ministry has rolled out a roadmap towards the realisation of the sector’s full potential through the development of policies and research to harness the resources.
The government will implement the recommendations of the Aquatic Resources and Blue Economy Conference (ARBEC II) to develop a robust and sustainable blue economy.
KMFRI Board Chairman Juma Safari Mumba said the research body has developed a five-year strategic plan (2023-2027) to achieve research projections, aligned with the Vison 2030, Medium Term Plan IV, and Bottom-Up Economic Transformation (BETA) agenda.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o emphasised the importance of research in guiding investments in the sector and praised the national government for allocating Sh. 1.5 billion to support various blue economy programmes in Kisumu.
He also urged the government to open the refurbished port of Kisumu to the public to unlock the region’s potential.
The Wajir County Inter-Ministerial Policy Steering Committee, under the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), has met to address population and development issues.
The committee, led by Moses Auma, the NCPD Regional Population Coordinator for North Eastern, underscored the importance of having an inter-ministerial policy steering committee to advise county governments on pressing population matters.
“Our role at NCPD is to convene these committees so that members can deliberate, decide, and agree on key priority areas that both state and non-state partners can implement over a given period,” he said.
Key issues discussed included insecurity, illiteracy, fertility rates, female genital mutilation, early marriages, and teenage pregnancies.
Auma emphasised the urgency of tackling these problems, urging investment in young girls to safeguard the future.
The committee’s efforts are expected to improve the county’s development and population quality.
Underit Youth Group, a USAID implementing partner, has partnered with the Nandi South registration bureau to register youths for national Identity Cards to enhance their participation in democratic processes.
The group has been running this project for two years in the Aldai constituency, supporting youth and women in democratic processes.
During their assessment, they discovered that many married women in rural areas had no Identity cards, and cases of late registration were rampant.
The group has been moving to villages where people lack access to these services to support women and youth participation in governance issues.
The Nandi South Sub County registrar of persons, Josphat Musuli, praised UYG for initiating a mobile registration programme, which has reached more people, especially youths and women who underrate the importance of having an Identity Card.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has contributed Ksh 1 million to the Githurai Kimwi Bodaboda Transport Cooperative Society’s kitty, fulfilling his promise to bolster the kitty.
He praised the cooperative members for their foresight in establishing a savings society to enhance economic opportunities among bodaboda operators.
Wamatangi expressed satisfaction with the cooperative’s ambitious investment plans, including acquiring land, establishing a spare parts shop, and initiating an affordable housing scheme.
He urged other bodaboda operators to follow the cooperative’s example by organising similar savings and investment groups.
He also distributed bursary cheques to beneficiaries of the scholarship programme in Kiuu and Mwiki wards, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and promote access to quality education.
