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Monday, July 11, 2016

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ODM YOUTH LEAGUE ON PARTY AFFAIRS

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ODM YOUTH LEAGUE ON PARTY AFFAIRS The ODM is, has been and remains a strong political movement in Kenya, founded on the philosophy of social democracy and equity. It is a party that has strongest roots in every corner of the republic and a powerful ideology that is shared with many people. Since its inception in the run-up to the 2005 referendum on the infamous Kilifi-draft constitution, the ODM has walked through tempestuous times to reach where it is today. It boasts of many successes including having the highest number of legislators in two successive parliaments and controlling majority of County Governments and Assemblies. It however, remains the most stable political party in Kenya, envied by the others that remain seasonal. As we approach the 2017 general election, our political detractors will want to do everything possible, including spending public money to try and destabilize our party. As the ODM Youth League, we say NO to this. Like a locomotive engine, we remain strong. We reaffirm our commitment to our party leader the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga and fully support his bid for the country’s Presidency. He fits the bill. As the youth leaders of the party, we are embarking on an ambitious ‘get the vote’ programme where we shall visit all parts of the country to sensitize, mobilize and educate the youths on the need to register as voters and get out to vote on the election day. Application for Identity Cards for youths who have attained the age of 18 years will be part of this programme. The on-going Kikao County Forums dubbed “Ujana si Hukumu” is one of the activities lined up to have the youth meet and interact with the party leader who is normally invited to grace them. We support this initiative and urge our youths to support it too. In encouraging many youths to go for elective posts in the next general election, the OYL shall propose to the party NEC to consider reducing the nomination fee for the youthful aspirants who want to vie for the various elective positions. This is part of youth empowerment that ODM has always championed for. As young people, our visions are vibrant, and our hearts are open. We believe that the bad guy always loses the focus and that the tooth fairy sneaks into our rooms at night to put money under our pillow. Everything amazes us, and we think anything is possible. We continuously experience life with a sense of newness and unbridled curiosity. As the OYL, we remain focused. We remain steadfast. We remain united behind our party leader. No amount of spending by our antagonists shall dissuade us from resolve to rally the country’s youth behind the Raila candidacy. We shall not be cowed by the self-seeking politicians whose aim is only to satisfy their stomachs and in the end leave us to continue with our day-to-day hustles and bustles. Those who have opted to alight from the journey to a better and brighter Kenya, we will not fault them, we shall not cry for them, the best we will do is to wish the well and tell them these words by Socrates “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have”. Thank you and God Bless Kenya. Orange Democratic Movement, Orange House Kilimani, Box 2478-00202 Nairobi

Thursday, May 17, 2012

BRIEF ON THE CURRENT FLOODS IN KENYA

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT MINISTRY OF STATE FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
1. How many people have died? Been displaced? 66 have died and over 4,360 households have been displaced. 2. What is the Government doing about it? • The Government has provided early warning information through the Meteorological Department on the impending rains, outbreak of diseases in areas prone to malaria and other waterborne diseases. • Government in conjunction with the Kenya Red Cross has also provided humanitarian support of food and Non food Items to the areas affected by floods and landslides such as Magarini, Narok, Mai Mahiu, Kitengela and Budalang’i. Over the past one month, the Ministry of State for Special Programmes has distributed the following amount of food to the floods victims: - 4,500 x 90 Kgs Bags of Maize, 2,450 x 50 Kgs bags of rice, 2,155 x 797 Kgs bags of beans, 500 cartons of vegetable oil and 286 bales of nutropup all valued at Kshs. 51,823,850. This has interfered with the routine monthly distribution. • The Government has advised people living in flood and landslides prone areas to move to higher grounds motorists are advised to exercise caution while driving. 3. Does the Government have arrangements for the displaced? • We’ve advised people to move to higher ground in areas such as Budalang’i and we’ve further set-up Mudere Multi-purpose Centre to host the displaced. • Apart from that we’ve cleared rivers that have been clogged for ease flow of water. • Food and Non-food items have been prepositioned in areas that have been affected by floods and landslides. 4. Any latest prediction on the rain patterns. • The Meteorological Department says in the week ending on the 19th May 2012 areas in Western, Central Highlands and Nairobi will experience rains in less intensity. • Pick up rains will be experienced in North Eastern part of the country • Heavy rainfall expected in South Coast regions. 5. Are there any assessments that have been conducted to evaluate the situation and other hazardous areas? • Yes, there have been evaluation by technical teams from various Government agencies including Ministries of Special Programmes, Provincial Administration, Health, Public Works, Roads and Agriculture in areas affected by the rains. It has been found that damage to infrastructure is estimated at Kshs. 70 billion during the current rainy season. • In addition the Disaster Management Committee has been put on high alert so that they can respond promptly when disaster strikes. • The Hon. Minister, Asst. Minister and PS of MOSSP have all visited the areas affected to coordinate humanitarian assistance. 6. Will the Government compensate the families that have suffered losses i.e. in hospitals and lose of live? The Government is not in a position to compensate those affected by these natural calamities. We are however, helping those affected to quickly resume their normal livelihood. 7. What the Government planning to in order to mitigate this occurrence • The Government packaged precautionary information which contains measures to be taken on imminent threats to help people and institutions respond and cope with effects of disasters. These include production and distribution of standard information booklets on various disasters in the country in Swahili language. • Train District Disaster Management Committees in each district to be able to plan for risks and disasters and manage them should they occur. • We are building capacities of Secondary schools students and other institutions on Disaster Management. • We have developed the National Disaster Management Policy which provides for a clear structure on the coordination of all stakeholders in disaster risk reduction and management. • A Disaster Response Plan has been developed which assigns different stakeholders roles that they are supposed to play in the event of disasters. This enables the Government to utilize disaster management resources held by sector. • Developed the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction which provides for measures that Government should undertake in advance at the community level in anticipation of disasters hence reducing disaster risks.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

NAIROBI:SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DROUGHT SITUATION IN THE HORN OF AFRICA, UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, GIGIRI, 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2011

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted that you all found time to personally participate in this conference on the Horn of Africa crisis.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I warmly welcome you all to our country and to this important Conference.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the international community for supporting this Conference. My special thanks to the United Nations for graciously hosting us in this beautiful complex.
Allow me to also appreciate the World Bank for the financial assistance extended for this Conference, as well those friendly Governments and development partners who played an important role in the organization of this Conference. Indeed, the impressive turn out by world leaders and other dignitaries signifies the international community’s commitment towards helping us resolve the crisis in the Horn of Africa.
This Summit and Conference has been convened against the background of the ongoing drought, which has led to famine and an increased refugee influx that has extended across most of the countries in the Horn of Africa region. You will all appreciate that, apart from the more familiar episodes of the refugee influx and uncontrolled immigration, this Summit has also been called to devote critical attention to the long-term solutions to this problem which has such devastating consequences to the region.
I am sure it is a matter of great concern to all of us that over the last decade, the Horn of Africa has frequently been affected by severe drought. Equally critical, particularly in the recent past, are the effects of Climate Change which pose serious social, economic and environmental challenges, both at the local and global levels.
The recurrence of extreme weather and climatic events in the region, including the on-going drought, is progressively increasing in intensity and frequency on account of
climate change. As a result, a large number of communities have been displaced with grave consequences for their traditional means of livelihood. This has led to increased conflicts for water and other natural resources between communities living within and across national borders. Worse still, climate change has had adverse effects on the key economic drivers, including water resources, agriculture, energy and transport.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last decade or so, a large number of refugees, mainly from Somalia, have continued to cross borders into Kenya and Ethiopia seeking to free themselves from the ravages of hunger and conflict. In Somalia, the situation is aggravated by the country’s ongoing state of violence and general instability. Currently, the influx of refugees into Kenya has risen sharply over the last couple of months, reaching an all time high of over 1,500 per day. The result has been that the modest refugee camp that was built at Dadaab in Northern Kenya over two decades ago to handle about 40,000 people is now home to more than 500,000 Somali citizens, many of whom are fleeing on account of the drought.
This continuous inflow of refugees undermines national and regional security arrangements. With the large number of people arriving at the camps on a daily basis, it has become more difficult to control the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into neighbouring countries. It has also been a challenge to effectively deal with cross-border crimes, illicit trade and other activities, including the entry of undesirable elements.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My Government has been working closely with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development the U.N. system and the World Bank to think through the strategies and possible solutions that we will be discussing today. Let me note, however, that any permanent solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis must be anchored in our respective countries through concrete programmes and action plans with clear timelines to ensure expeditious implementation.
We in the East African Community, an important trading bloc within the region have taken bold steps to create a framework and structures to address issues of food security. The Community has developed an E.A.C. Climate Change Policy, Food Security Action Plan and a Regional Strategy on Peace and Security. I urge my fellow colleagues from EAC partner states to embark on full implementation and coordination of these instruments with a view to mitigating the effects of climate change and improving food security. My Government has embarked on this process, and will fully support any regional initiatives aimed at dealing with drought and its consequences in the region.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I note that the impact of drought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea is particularly grave, I believe the situation in Somalia calls for special attention as the country has approximately 4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. This situation is aggravated by the fact that Somalia remains in the throes of conflict.
The Government of Kenya considers it extremely critical that we collectively find a permanent and sustainable solution to the conflict in Somalia which has persisted for over two decades. In particular, we must devote our attention to a long-term solution for Somalia if we are to succeed in resolving the crisis within the Horn of Africa.
Your Excellencies,
It is gratifying to note that the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia is working with all the countries in the region, as well as the international community, to re-establish a working government and to ensure stability and nationhood. It is my Government’s sincere belief that a firm commitment will come out of this Summit towards supporting the cause of peace and stability in Somalia.
Finally, Excellencies, let me note that resource mobilization efforts to mitigate the effects of the on-going drought situation have, to a large extent, focused on short term emergency needs. It is my Government’s belief that we must now develop a combined regional approach, anchored on comprehensive country programmes, and supported by the international community. Only then can we achieve decisive and long term solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis. I therefore call upon each one of you gathered here to devote yourselves to the task of finding long term solutions to the continental crisis.
Thank you and God bless you all.

Source:State House Kenya

NAIROBI: SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DROUGHT SITUATION IN THE HORN OF AFRICA, UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, GIGIRI, 9TH SEPTEMBER, 2011

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted that you all found time to personally participate in this conference on the Horn of Africa crisis.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I warmly welcome you all to our country and to this important Conference.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to the international community for supporting this Conference. My special thanks to the United Nations for graciously hosting us in this beautiful complex.
Allow me to also appreciate the World Bank for the financial assistance extended for this Conference, as well those friendly Governments and development partners who played an important role in the organization of this Conference. Indeed, the impressive turn out by world leaders and other dignitaries signifies the international community’s commitment towards helping us resolve the crisis in the Horn of Africa.
This Summit and Conference has been convened against the background of the ongoing drought, which has led to famine and an increased refugee influx that has extended across most of the countries in the Horn of Africa region. You will all appreciate that, apart from the more familiar episodes of the refugee influx and uncontrolled immigration, this Summit has also been called to devote critical attention to the long-term solutions to this problem which has such devastating consequences to the region.
I am sure it is a matter of great concern to all of us that over the last decade, the Horn of Africa has frequently been affected by severe drought. Equally critical, particularly in the recent past, are the effects of Climate Change which pose serious social, economic and environmental challenges, both at the local and global levels.
The recurrence of extreme weather and climatic events in the region, including the on-going drought, is progressively increasing in intensity and frequency on account of
climate change. As a result, a large number of communities have been displaced with grave consequences for their traditional means of livelihood. This has led to increased conflicts for water and other natural resources between communities living within and across national borders. Worse still, climate change has had adverse effects on the key economic drivers, including water resources, agriculture, energy and transport.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last decade or so, a large number of refugees, mainly from Somalia, have continued to cross borders into Kenya and Ethiopia seeking to free themselves from the ravages of hunger and conflict. In Somalia, the situation is aggravated by the country’s ongoing state of violence and general instability. Currently, the influx of refugees into Kenya has risen sharply over the last couple of months, reaching an all time high of over 1,500 per day. The result has been that the modest refugee camp that was built at Dadaab in Northern Kenya over two decades ago to handle about 40,000 people is now home to more than 500,000 Somali citizens, many of whom are fleeing on account of the drought.
This continuous inflow of refugees undermines national and regional security arrangements. With the large number of people arriving at the camps on a daily basis, it has become more difficult to control the smuggling of small arms and light weapons into neighbouring countries. It has also been a challenge to effectively deal with cross-border crimes, illicit trade and other activities, including the entry of undesirable elements.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
My Government has been working closely with the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development the U.N. system and the World Bank to think through the strategies and possible solutions that we will be discussing today. Let me note, however, that any permanent solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis must be anchored in our respective countries through concrete programmes and action plans with clear timelines to ensure expeditious implementation.
We in the East African Community, an important trading bloc within the region have taken bold steps to create a framework and structures to address issues of food security. The Community has developed an E.A.C. Climate Change Policy, Food Security Action Plan and a Regional Strategy on Peace and Security. I urge my fellow colleagues from EAC partner states to embark on full implementation and coordination of these instruments with a view to mitigating the effects of climate change and improving food security. My Government has embarked on this process, and will fully support any regional initiatives aimed at dealing with drought and its consequences in the region.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I note that the impact of drought in Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea is particularly grave, I believe the situation in Somalia calls for special attention as the country has approximately 4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. This situation is aggravated by the fact that Somalia remains in the throes of conflict.
The Government of Kenya considers it extremely critical that we collectively find a permanent and sustainable solution to the conflict in Somalia which has persisted for over two decades. In particular, we must devote our attention to a long-term solution for Somalia if we are to succeed in resolving the crisis within the Horn of Africa.
Your Excellencies,
It is gratifying to note that the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia is working with all the countries in the region, as well as the international community, to re-establish a working government and to ensure stability and nationhood. It is my Government’s sincere belief that a firm commitment will come out of this Summit towards supporting the cause of peace and stability in Somalia.
Finally, Excellencies, let me note that resource mobilization efforts to mitigate the effects of the on-going drought situation have, to a large extent, focused on short term emergency needs. It is my Government’s belief that we must now develop a combined regional approach, anchored on comprehensive country programmes, and supported by the international community. Only then can we achieve decisive and long term solutions to the Horn of Africa crisis. I therefore call upon each one of you gathered here to devote yourselves to the task of finding long term solutions to the continental crisis.
Thank you and God bless you all.

Source: State House Kenya

NAIROBI: MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF ZANZIBAR:

At a time we are struggling to come together as an economic unit and a political federation, a tragedy in any of our countries in the East African Community takes the whole region several steps backwards. One tragedy in any of our regional countries is therefore a tragedy to us all.
It is with this in mind that I extend deep felt condolences to the people of Zanzibar and, by extension, the United Republic of Tanzania following the boat tragedy that has left hundreds dead and hundreds of others injured in the island of Zanzibar.
I thank the Zanzibar and Tanzania authorities in general for the response that has significantly ensured that the injured are attended to and families are able to get the information about their loved ones.
Zanzibar is a significant segment of our EAC economy particularly in terms of tourism. I appeal to the region and the international community to stand in solidarity with the people here in helping ease the pain and ensuring quick recovery from the tragedy. We must not allow the pain linger too long and cause too much pain to our tourism economy.
Our prayers go to those who have lost loved ones and the injured and those nursing them.


RAILA A. ODINGA;
10.09.2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

NAIROBI: PRIME MINISTER IN TRANSMARA AND KISII

Prime Minister Raila Odinga tours Transmara and Kisii beginning tomorrow, 10th September, 2011.
The PM will address a Leaders' meeting at the Lolgorian Catholic church at 10 am tomorrow then address a rally at the Kilgoris D.E.B Primary School grounds and in Lolgorian later in the afternoon.
On Sunday, September 11, the PM will attend a church service in Kitutu Masaba then hold a leaders' meeting in Kisii town.

DENNIS ONYANGO.

NAIROBI: MEDIA ADVISORY: ATTENTION NEWS/ BUSINESS EDITOR

ADOPTION OF INTEGRATION REPORT

Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 Minister Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya will today, officially close the Fifth Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAI V) at the Intercontinental hotel.

The Ministers will also adopt the report on integration and sovereignty following their lengthy discussions on the subject.

WHAT: Closing of the COMAIV Conference and adoption of report.

WHERE: Intercontinental hotel, Nairobi.

WHEN: Friday, September 09, 2011.

TIME: 3.00 pm


Kindly provide coverage.

Regards,

Dave Jones Buchere

PRO Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030