EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION LAUDS SUSPENSION OF TEACHERS' STRIKE BY COURT

The Federation of Kenya Employers has welcomed the ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court to suspend the teachers' strike and for public schools to be reopened by Monday September 28th.

FKE said that the ruling would provide for negotiation between Teachers Service Commission TSC and  teachers' unions; therefore get a lasting solution as it suggested there be dialogue between the parties.


'This has been one of the longest strikes in the country and had confined millions of school going children to miss out on their rights to get an education. The impact of this strike on the future of these children has been felt by everyone as it relates to the quality of our future workforce,' Gilda Odera Deputy National Chairperson FKE.

Ms. Odera reiterated FKE’s position that all avenues of resolving the dispute using alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for mediation have not been exhausted.

'FKE welcomes the call for dialogue by the Court and has already been in talks with the highest levels of government and the TSC with a view to mediate in this dispute',  she continues.

During an exclusive interview Baraka FM Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo said she was angered by the fact that issues of pay raise and strikes would adversely affect children's opportunity to get an education.

'We insist that those who will lead these mediation talks should take responsibility of bringing wholesome solutions so that teachers do not go back to strike after 3 months. Th talks should start immediately to avoid any time wastage.  This will also reduce  chance of the parties going back to court to resolve their issues, Ms. Mugo told Baraka FM.

On Friday morning the Employment and Labour Relations Court has ordered teachers to suspend strike for 90 days and report to duty.

During the ruling Justice Nelson Abuodha also ordered the government to pay teachers their September salaries.

KENYANS GEAR UP FOR THE NEW SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Hundreds of citizens have participated in a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi dubbed ' Light The Way' as a way to sending a message to the leaders that the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs should be achieved by 2030.

The Civil Society in Kenya has taken leaders to task to involve its citizens in order to achieve the yet to be unveiled SDGs.

Led by Action 2015 a consortium of NGOs and Government Agencies, Co-ordinating Chair Stephen Cheboi has insisted that the Millennium Development Goals MDGs were not achieved in 2015 as stipulated because of alienating citizens  during development projects.

'Leaders did not give priority to MDGs Goals. May be the citizens also did not take these targets seriously also.Poverty and social injustices are still a problem in the community.So leaders need to embrace more action and less talk,' continues Cheboi.

Head of Policy from HelpAge International Jamillah Mwanjisi has blamed thee leaders for contributing in the failures to reaching the MDGs targets.

'They lacked political commitment. They did not evaluate much the strategies to be taken to achieve the set targets. I urge the leaders tostep up and not let us down in this SDGs journey,' she advises.

Senior citizens also do not want to be left out in this post 2015 Development Agenda.

"Not much emphasis is not given to older persons. Stakeholders should remember that we are still alive and we are still pushing the wheel of life. We are the ones who gave birth to the youth of this country.We are the ones who teach our children life skills. Leaders should set aside funds for us to take our children to school,' says 69 year old Mary Wanjiru.

In 2000, the Millennium Summit of the United Nations adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration requiring all United Nations member states and partner organizations to implement the global Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Today, progress towards the goals remains uneven. Some countries achieved many goals, while others are not on track to realize any. Dr Prafulla Mishra, HelpAge International Regional Director, East, West and Central Africa said subsequent reviews of the progress resulted in the adoption of a global plan to achieve the eight MDG’s by their target date. 

According to the United Nations On September 25th, countries will have the opportunity to adopt a set of global goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of anew sustainable agenda.

15000 families in Taita Taveta benefits from Barclays Eco Energy Entrepreneurs’ program 21st September, 2015 Wundanyi, Kenya

Over 15000 families in Taita Taveta County have benefited with renewable clean energy project from Barclays Bank of Kenya in partnership with Center for Environment Action (CEA) dubbed Barclays Eco Energy Entrepreneurs’ (BEEE’s) program.  Under the partnership, CEA has been training households in the county on the benefits of solar based products; not only to provide lighting but also as a business opportunity. 

The partnership that started two years ago has created job opportunities to over 145 youth and women in the county. The youth and women traverse the vast county selling the solar based products such as lantern lamps, solar jikos and solar phone chargers. 

The program has also seen families embrace the usage of solar lantern lamps and reduce reliance of kerosene lamps for lighting. 

Speaking in her home in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, Glady Mwangea a beneficiary said, since her switch to solar lantern lamp, her children health has improved. 

“My last born child was unwell. When we sought medical help, we were advised that she had a lung and chest infection due to inhaling Kerosene lamp smoke. Today, she is fine and healed,” she explained. 

The small kerosene lamps that light millions of home in Kenya have a dark side; black carbon-fine particles of soot released into the atmosphere. The black carbon is a harrzad for human health and the environment, affecting air quality both indoors and out. 

Speaking while visiting the families, Barclays Head of Community Investments, Regina Gichuhi said, “As a bank we want to give youth and women a fairer chance. We have partnered with manufacturers to provide solar based products to budding start-ups at a discounted rate in order to boost job creations.” 

Ms Gichuhi added, "Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity and a healthy environment."

In 2015, access to affordable and clean energy became the 7th of 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders will adopt next week at a special summit at UN Headquarters. These Global Goals are intended to stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance towards building a more equitable and sustainable world for all.

Via Agencies

TECNO UNVEILS THE FLAGSHIP PHANTOM 5 DEVICE– A PERFECT MIX OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR CONSUMERS

·         4G LTE enabled

·         Fingerprint identification sensor

·         DOLBY surround Digital and HIFI 2.0 sound effects

·         Superior 13.0MP back and 8MP front low light performance cameras

Tecno Mobile Limited has today delivered on the promise of optimized smartphone innovation by introducing its flagship device, the Phantom 5 that provides 4G LTE capability coupled with entertainment features that offer consumers an opportunity to experience more on the go.

With many consumers looking for a fashionable smartphone that they can use both for work and leisure, the Phantom 5 provides a perfect balance of features, power, build, while providing the best Android experiences with the Android 5.0 and access to the latest apps.

Phantom 5 is a powerful Octa core smartphone that offers consumers a premium design, 32GB inbuilt memory, a 3000mAh battery giving more talk time, 3GB RAM that makes the device faster and a spacious 5.5 inch Super IPS screen display with an intelligent second generation fingerprint identification sensor.

Available for a premium price,the Phantom 5 marks a new milestone for Tecno Mobile being the first 4G LTE enabled smartphone and epitomizes the brand values of the company; experiencing more out of life, exactly what a consumer desires out of a smartphone.

Making the announcement in Nairobi, Mr. Livingstone Migwi, General Manager TECNO Mobile Kenya said that Tecno will maintain its brand philosophy by unveiling high quality devices to meet the growing needs of consumers across the region and globally. 

·         Experience the full capability of 4G LTE networks with the Phantom 5

·         Fingerprint identification sensor - Using the second generation fingerprint identification algorithm of Swedish FPC company enjoy 360 degree no dead angle recognition with a false acceptance rate of as low as 1/100000, a false rejection rate at 1% and fingerprint identifying speed of just 0.7 second.

·         Superior low light performance camera - Capture photos quickly and easily with the 13.0 MP back camera with dual restore natural color flash and F2.0 large aperture, 8.0 MP front camera with natural light level lights flash with a super stack sensor ISOCELL and Finland Visidon extraction algorithm that brightens you photos up to 50% and reduce noise reduction up to 75%.

·         Superlative music reverberation effects based on HIFI 2.0 and DOLBY Surround Digital - Enjoy music and videos with ultra-low noise, high output density on Dolby surround digital technology with smart music analytical chip TFA9890 and high capability loudspeakers (AAC181).

·         Keep your photos, videos and documents safely backed up with 32 GB free inbuilt memory

·         Handle multiple processes faster on your device with the 3GB RAM.

·         Enjoy longer technology and entertainment experiences with the powerful 3000mAh Battery

·         View videos, photos interact with apps and browse the internet optimally with the 5.5 inch FHD Super IPS screen displaywith 404 PPI.

·         Octa Core with the latest Android 5.0 platform

“Tecno Mobile is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction and with the launch of Phantom 5 in Kenya today, we are setting a benchmark of what the public desires in an evolving mobile technology space and a highly competitive market. We will continue providing world class quality products that deliver positive change in customers’ lives” added Mr. Migwi.

On her part, TECNO Mobile Public Relations Manager, Karroumi Hanane said, “Tecno Mobile is the fastest growing mobile brand in Africa we have continued to prove this with innovation in design, quality and product pricing. By making quality a core focus for continuous improvement in the sector, we have won global awards and are now leaders within just the 5 years we have been in Africa.”

The Phantom 5 will be available across the country starting today in all Tecno and Tecno official distributor shops in black and gold at a retail price of KES 39,999. 

Via Agencies

Using Google Maps to safeguard elephants for future generations

For the first time in Kenya, Google, in partnership with Save the Elephants - and with the support of the Samburu County Government - has launched GoogleStreet View in Samburu in a bid to create awareness and applaud efforts geared towards the conservation of elephants in Kenya.

The newly launched Google Maps feature that enables users to explore places around the world
through 360-degree, panoramic, and street-level imagery, will now feature the S amburu National
Reserve, L ewa Wildlife Conservancy and the D avid Sheldrick Wildlife Trust a s well as Save the
Elephants; bringing people around the world closer to the majesty and beauty of the remaining
elephant population in Kenya.

“Samburu is an elephant paradise. Thanks to the culture of the Samburu people the elephants
here are unusually tame and trusting, and that’s allowed us to study them as deeply as anywhere
in Africa. It’s exciting to be joining hands with Google to open a window onto Samburu, and to
help us better protect its elephants,” said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants.

The Samburu street view special collect is part of Google Earth Outreach’s commitment to
bringing knowledge and resources to nonprofit organizations like Save the Elephants. The platform
will not only serve to educate people about the recurring threat to the elephants but also provide,
for the Samburu County Government, a platform from which they can spread awareness on the
importance of elephants to the community.

“We hope that by bringing street view to Samburu, we will inspire people around the world to
gain a deeper appreciation for elephants and complement the efforts of organisations such as
Save the Elephants. Today’s launch not only b rings us closer to our ultimate goal of creating the
world’s most comprehensive, accurate and usable maps, but also brings the beauty of Kenya to
the world ,” said Google Kenya Country Marketing Manager, Farzana Khubchandani.

Samburu is, currently, home to one of the best-studied remaining elephant populations in the
world. The reserve is used by approximately 900 elephants - which may not exist in the next 20
years if they are not protected. The reserve is at the heart of a growing community conservation
movement that is seen as a model for elsewhere on the continent. For more than a decade Save
the Elephants has been using Google Earth as a platform to display the movements of the
elephants they track, assisting rangers in defending elephants and training local people to become
wildlife experts.

“Giving people a virtual tour of the Samburu National Reserve through Google Street View will
bring the Samburu to the world and inspire the world to come to Samburu. The more people
experience our culture, our people and the majestic elephants and other wildlife with which we
co-exist, the more we are able to conserve and sustain the Samburu culture and its fragile
ecosystem for generations to come ,” said H.E. Moses Lenolkulal, Governor, Samburu County .

The launch of Google street view in Samburu is part of Google’s on-going effort to create the most
comprehensive, accurate and easy to use map. Google street view is available in 57 countries
around the world, a nd Kenya is the 10th country in Africa to have the feature available and
functional.

Google street view is free for all and available on Google Maps in the web browser, as well as
Google Maps for mobile on Android and iOS platforms. To take a virtual tour around Samburu’s
reserves and conservatories visit: www.google.com/maps/streetview/# maps.google.co.ke

Via Agencies

TSC DECLARES DISCIPLINARY ACTION ON STRIKING TEACHERS

Teacher's Service Commission TSC has reiterated that teachers will not enjoy the court directive of receiving a 50-60% pay increment.

TSC Chairperson Dr. Lydia Nzomo has added that sh. 174 billion shillings was set aside for their salaries and allowances in the 2015/2016 budgetary allocations and there is no way more funds will be added to that kitty.

'There are no additional funds to implement the 50-60% raise which would require an extra sh. 99.8 billion in the period 1st July 2013 and 2017,' says Dr. Nzomo.

However Kenya National Union of Teachers KNUT has disputed this saying the government is able to raise this amount.

'We will continue with the strike till the expected amounts reflect in our bank accounts.They will explore every avenue to dissolve this strike but we will not give in.We are even ready to strike for a year if our demands are not met,' said an agitated KNUT Chairman Mudzo Nzili.

The TSC chair has also threatened to take disciplinary action on teachers who have boycotted work.

'We have sought court intervention. The employee and labour relations court has declared the strike  unprotected. The process of preparing the September payroll has begun and details of teachers who have been performing their duties have been captured. They will be paid fully. Therefore any teacher who has not who has been on duty for the last 14 days is deemed to have deserted duty  ,' says the  TSC Chair.

'The payroll will be closed on 18th September 2015 and those who wish to report for work may do so but will only be paid for the days worked. Teachers who will not have heeded the call by that date will be removed from the pay roll.Consequently, their salaries will be stopped and their names struck out of the TSC payroll,' she continues.

According to the teachers' employer at least 22% of primary schools and 54% of secondary schools are operational.

'12 million school going children in this country  have a right to be taught and this boycott has adversely affected their education, 'says Dr. Nzomo.

TSC has already appealed the salary increment ruling of the Employment and Labour relations Court and the appeal is due for hearing on 22nd September 2015.





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East Africa Tourism operators report up to threefold increase in business, with the launch of the Single Tourist Visa

East African Tourism players have pledged to support and continue marketing the region as a single tourist destination with a view of reaping maximum economic value from the initiative.

Speaking at a forum put together by the East African Tourism platform (EATP) on the side-lines of the recently concluded Kwita- Izina gorilla naming ceremony in Kigali, the players committed to targeting to tap into at least 10 percent of the 140 million population in the region.

Bonita Mutoni, the Managing Director of Uber Luxe Safaris, a Rwandan tour operator says the introduction of the Single Tourist Visa has increased her tourist client numbers by  threefold, barely two years since it was introduced.

“The growth has been huge given the short period of time. The Single Tourist Visa and National ID use has made it easier for tourists and traders to travel around the three countries encouraging more of them to come,” she noted.

EATP, which comprises of private sector tourism umbrella bodies of the East African Community countries and tour operators, had its members convene at the Kigali Serena Hotel in a networking session where they discussed opportunities and challenges in the region’s tourism sector.

“We are moving into packaging our region as one destination, celebrating flagship tourism events and finding solutions to challenges together, which wasn’t happening before,” said  Carmen Nibigira, the EATP Regional Coordinator.

The meeting came on the back of celebrating over a year of the operationalization of the Single Tourist Visa that has allowed easier travel and trade between the three member countries Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

With the Visa, foreigners can visit attractions in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda on paying a fee of $100(Ksh 10,600)

“The idea here is to sell the region as a one destination with 3 unique attractions that any visitor to the East African region can enjoy,” Ms Nibigira explained.

An estimated 4000 Single Tourist Visas have been issued since the launch of the same in February 2014.This represents a month on month improvement from an average of the 156 Visas sold in the 10 months to December last year, to 305 this year.

Kenya Tourism Federation Acting CEO Susan Ongalo reported an increased interest by members of the private sector umbrella body to participate in these regional forums with a view of partnering and working with other players in member countries to develop unique East African Products.

“I came along with a delegation of 12 Kenyan tourism private sector players and County Ministers for tourism who were keen to travel using their National Identification cards in order to better understand the process while cross selling products within the region,” Ms Ongalo said.

The Three countries have picked Flagship products to cross sell within the region. Kenya will host the Magical Kenya Expo, Rwanda Kwita Izina and Uganda, Martyrs Day.

“For us as stakeholders in Kenya, the most important thing is that we are now taking this step. We started with Magical Kenya in October as an anchor flagship program to market the three destinations and we have so far got quite a lot of interest from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi as well as a bit of interest from Tanzania,” said Mike Macharia CEO of Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and a Board Member of the Kenya Tourism Federation

Mr Macharia revealed that processes are already underway within the joint marketing initiative to streamline hotel classification within the East Africa region with a view of harmonising the product by 2016.

“This is necessary so that if a visitor stays in a 5 star hotel in Kenya, the standards are the same as a hotel in Kigali or Uganda and otherwise,” he explained

Macharia observed that though there have been questions raised as to when Burundi and Tanzania were coming in; there was a contingent from Burundi attending the Kwita Izina events, showing the region’s commitment in integrating their tourism sectors.

“The whole idea is to enhance tourism for the countries and not just promote three countries and leave out the rest. Hopefully we can move into Southern Sudan and Ethiopia at some point,” he noted.

Ms Nibigira reiterated EATP’s commitment to seeing a vibrant and diverse single tourist destination that provides exceptional experiences to domestic, regional and international tourists.

The networking session served as a beginning of a series of events EATP will be holding across the region to encourage the tourism private sector to look at the EAC as a growing tourism market and a destination with multiple products and service offerings.

Some of the noted progress made so far in the region include the introduction of the East African Single Tourist Visa and the use of national identification cards (IDs) for travelling within the three countries; Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

Via Agencies.

MENTOR MOTHERS

The bond between the mother and baby is evident as she fondly holds and suckles on to her mother’s breast.

The baby gets destructed as the mother gets close to the voice recorder.

‘I knew my HIV status in 2012 when I was pregnant with this baby. I was shocked. I know my husband infected me with that virus. When I came back from my rural home to Nairobi rumour had it that he was having an affair with a sugar mummy. One day I I tried to ask him about his health status but he almost hit me. I even contemplated suicide’, says Dorina Aswani mother of 3 as she tries to fight back tears.

According to the National AIDS indicator Survey 2012, she represents one of the 1.6 million people living with HIV and AIDS in Kenya. 

UNAIDS estimates that in 2010, 57.5% of this population constitutes of women, meaning was more women are HIV+ as compared to their male counterparts.

‘I have been living with HIV and AIDS for 12 years. I had syphilis and gonorrhea and the doctors decided to take blood samples and undergo a HIV test. I wanted to abort the pregnancy because I knew the baby and I had no future. I thought I would give birth to a dead baby because I was HIV+.I had lost hope,’ narrates Esther from Mathare slums in Nairobi.

These two ladies have been able to have children who are HIV- even when these mothers were HIV+, something unheard of years ago.

‘Nearly 80% of HIV+ pregnant women have been provided with services to prevent them from passing the virus to their babies,’ says Cabinet Secretary for health James Macharia.

A 2012 report from Non Governmental Organization Mothers to Mothers says that approximately 800 children become HIV+ daily.

90% of these cases are from Sub Saharan Africa.

These transmissions occur during pregnancy, child birth or during breastfeeding.

Communication Officer Rehema Kahurananga says that HIV+ pregnant women do not get adequate attention from health workers due to the volumes of people streaming in these institutions.

‘However I cannot blame the public officers because they have a heavy workload so they have to attend to numerous clients. Mentor Mothers came on board to cushion this pressure. We believe in the power to eliminate paediatric AIDS ,’ explains Kahurananga.

‘We give the HIV+ pregnant women counseling so that they may be able to live positively. We counsel them when they are alone when they are with their husbands. We give advice on nutrition and we also offer a conducive environment for them so that they support their children. Stress is not a good thing for these women. A mentor mother is a HIV+ woman who helps a pregnant HIV+ woman carry her baby to term, says Julie Obiero who is a mentor mother.

Ironic enough Julie confesses it took time for her to accept her status when she was told she is HIV+ before she became a Mentor Mother.

‘I was in denial and I did not take my baby to the clinic. He turned out to be negative. I just thank the Almighty for protection my young one. However, I advice mothers in my situation not to follow my actions. It is very risky and you can easily pass the virus to your baby if you do not seek medical attention, advises Julie.

Aswani says that the mentor mother sessions gave her hope and she was happy to realize that there are many other women who are living positively even after realizing they have been infected.

‘When I was pregnant I received counseling from the mentor mothers. During their sessions I met fellow women who were in my situation. This brought a breath of fresh air into my life. We freely revealed our HIV statuses with no fear of discrimination and stigmatization. I learned that with good nutrition and proper intake of medication in a disciplined routine one can live a positive life,’ narrate Aswani.

Esther adds that she was able to learn that a HIV+ woman can give birth to a HIV- baby.

Mentor Mother program aims at achieving Millennium Development Goals of empowering women, improving maternal and child health and combating spread of HIV and AIDS virus.

 By 2012 Mentor Mothers project had reached 1.2 million pregnant HIV+ women across Africa.

In South Africa these figures have reached 800,000, Lesotho 60,000, Malawi 74,000, Rwanda 18,000, Zambia 47,000, Swaziland 100,000, Tanzania 4,000, Uganda 8,000 and Kenya 92,000.

Government of Kenya statistics reveal that more than 3 million mother-baby transmissions have been averted around the globe.  

‘Between 2010 and 2012, 15% of HIV prevalence amongst children under 5 had been reduced.  ‘, says the Ministry of Health report.

Without intervention the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV is 20-45% with the highest transmissions being seen in populations with prolonged breastfeeding patterns.

‘However this risk reduces 2-5% when comprehensive interventions are provided. An estimated 32,000 child infections have been averted since 2004, with much more work to be done,’ the report states.

According to the 2010 National HIV indicator for Kenya 87,000 HIV+ mothers and their infants were in need of Prevention from Mother To Child Transmissions Services in Kenya.

‘HIV+ mothers have to breastfeed the 1^st 6 months exclusively to boost their immunity. Breaking this nutritional requirement puts the baby at risk of being HIV+,’ says Ruth Masha from UNAIDS.

Aswani says that her husband knows her status but her spouse refused to be tested.

She expresses her fear that she almost thought that she would infect her baby because she never used to consistently take her ARV drugs. 

She adds that she did not want her husband to realize she was on ARVs because she was scared she would be divorced if the husband realized she realized she was HIV+.

The Millennium Development Goals MDGs adopted in 2000 designated empowerment of women, maternal and child health  and combating spread of HIV and AIDS as four of the eight priorities for advancement of global health and development.

By 2015, goals three, four, five and six aim to: eliminate gender disparity in education, reduce global under-five mortality rates by two-thirds, decrease maternal mortality ratios by three quarters and halt spread of HIV and AIDS.

PMTCT has come into focus to help achieve these four goals.

The Global Plan released in2011 by UNAIDS refocuses on reaching these MDGs goals by refocusing effort to prevent Mother-to-Child transmission.

The plan aims at reducing by 90% reduction of childhood HIV infections and reducing HIV related maternal deaths by 50%.

The Global Plan in which Kenya is a signatory state calls for use of Mentor Mothers to achieve this.

We are in 2015 and many experts have predicted that many nations, Kenya included will not reach the set targets of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

This is an important year whereby MDGs expire and there is need to achieve the post 2015 development agenda of Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.

There is need for governments which have not reached the MDGs to embrace the new SDGs to achieve development across different sectors of the societies.

Some of SDG targets include achieving gender equality, social inclusion and Human Rights an element the Mentor Mothers initiative sets to achieve.

The SDG targets will be finalized this September at a summit in New York.