Researchers have published results that show that a new drug has very good potential to prevent malaria during pregnancy for women living with HIV.

Malaria during pregnancy can cause serious maternal and newborn health issues, especially in women living with HIV.

The World Health Organization recommends daily doses of the antibiotic co-trimoxazole to prevent malaria in pregnant women living with HIV residing in areas with high malaria transmission.

However, its efficacy in sub–Saharan Africa is threatened because malaria parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to the drug.

The study christened, IMPROVE-2 by researchers from Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in partnership with colleagues from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and the Malawi University of Science and Technology have just published in The Lancet, suggests that the addition of the antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to daily co-trimoxazole substantially reduces the risk of malaria in pregnancy.

 “We celebrate these findings that propose additional arsenal against a disease that risks about 70 percent of our population, malaria in pregnancy can cause a host of serious health complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term delivery and growth restriction of newborn babies, and co-infection with HIV increases doubles these risks,” said Prof. Elijah Songok, KEMRI Ag. Director General & CEO.

Feiko ter Kuile, Professor of Tropical Epidemiology at LSTM, and the study lead, said: “These are promising findings, and potentially welcome news in the future of prevention malaria among pregnant women living with HIV in areas where prevalence of the disease is high. Our trial showed that the addition of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine to the currently recommended preventative treatment strategy for pregnant women living with HIV reduced malaria by 68%.”

 Dr. Hellen Barsosio, a Clinical Research Scientist from the KEMRI’s Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), and lead author on the new paper published in The Lancet, said: “These findings are very encouraging. Not only did we find that adding dihydroartemisinin–to co-trimoxazole was safe and prevented two out of every three malaria infections during pregnancy, it was also very well tolerated by pregnant women, which is very important when a drug is given for prevention. The study could lead to a muchneeded policy change that could make a real difference in improving maternal and newborn health in Africa”.

Dr. Simon Kariuki, Head of Malaria Program from the KEMRI-CGHR said: “We hope that these findings, along with a similar trial being conducted in Gabon and Mozambique, will inform the malaria prevention guidelines from the World Health Organization and national health policies.”

Controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie will be charged with murder among other offences.

According to a statement from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). there is sufficient evidence to charge Mackenzie with ninety four others with charges of murder, manslaughter, assault causing bodily harm, engaging in organized criminal activity.

Other charges are radicalization, facilitating the commission of a terrorist act, subjecting a child to torture, cruelty to child and infringing a Child's right to education.

"Pursuant to the prosecution guided investigations, the Director of Criminal Investigations forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions inquiry files for perusal and advise." reads the statement

Adding "Upon thorough analysis of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute ninety five (95) suspects with the charges".

In December last year (2023) Mackenzie was jailed for 12 months for the offence of operating a film studio and producing films without a valid license.

Malindi Senior Resident Magistrate Olga Onalo also slapped him with another six-month jail term for showing the films to members of the public, through Times TV, without having an operating license.  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd is set to revolutionise the consumer electronics industry with its unwavering commitment to AI-driven technology.

 Recognising AI as the cornerstone of innovation, Samsung is reshaping the future of its products, embedding AI capabilities across a diverse spectrum of devices.

"At Samsung, AI isn't just a feature; it's the catalyst for transformative experiences. We are reimagining consumer electronics, infusing AI into our products to create personalised, intuitive, and seamlessly connected experiences," said Mr. Sam Odhiambo, Head of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics East Africa.   

Samsung's AI-centric approach aims to transcend traditional device boundaries, enriching users’ lives through smarter, more inclusive experiences.

With a robust portfolio encompassing over 500 million smart devices annually, Samsung is uniquely positioned to democratise AI, integrating it into everyday life.

“Central to Samsung's strategy is fostering an open ecosystem, facilitating collaborations with partners to enrich AI experiences. The SmartThings platform, already hosting millions of devices, exemplifies Samsung's commitment to collaborative innovation,” said Mr. Sam Odhiambo.

The company's decade-long investment in AI technology is evident in its popular products and evolving services.

Samsung is not only enhancing user experiences but also focusing on responsible innovation. Sustainability, accessibility, and reduced environmental impact are integral to Samsung's AI initiatives.

Samsung's AI-led innovations span across diverse categories, such as visual display, digital appliances, mobile experiences, and automotive technology.

 From AI-powered visual displays offering unprecedented clarity to smart home appliances seamlessly integrated with AI for enhanced functionality, Samsung's products exemplify the potential of AI in reshaping everyday experiences.

“Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900D boasts a built-in AI Processor, NQ8 AI Gen 3, equipped with an 8 times greater AI neural network and two times faster NPU than its predecessor. Thanks to the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, Samsung Neo QLED 8K automatically upscales low-resolution content to provide users with up to 8K quality viewing experience and sharpens fast-moving images via AI Motion Enhancer Pro.” noted Mr. Sam Odhiambo.

Adding “ The Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyses voice and background noise by AI to optimise your TV listening experience so you can enjoy various content as if you are in the front row of a stadium or movie theatre. Samsung Neo QLED 8K also features Tizen OS Home, which offers the latest apps, services, personalised content, and service recommendations to upscale your entertainment experience,”

Mombasa’s Bandari Youth and their counterparts Changamwe Ladies have advanced to the regional finals set for tomorrow Sunday, at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa after winning in their respective semi-final matches played today.

Playing against Taita Taveta’s Bahati Juniors, Bandari Youth took the lead in the 35th minute through William Gitamu, who scored a delightful, solitary goal to earn them a 1-0 victory.

They will face The Young Gunners from Tana River County, who advanced by winning 4-2 against King Loyal FC from Lamu on a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regular time, in a tough match witnessed by hundreds of fans from the region.

"I am glad that we have advanced to the finals. Reaching this level is something we don’t take for granted, as in the last edition, we were knocked out at the county level. Today’s game was not easy as King Loyal is also a tough team, but again, I believe our solid defense worked out for us as we denied them a lot of chances." Said Kassim Rhage, Assistant Coach, Young Gunners.

Elsewhere, the defending regional champions Changamwe Ladies’ quest to retain the title in the girls’ category remained alive after silencing Ukunda Starlets from Kilifi 4-1.

Margaret Nafula scored a brace, with Leah Chebet and Diana Mkando each scoring a goal. Ukunda’s consolation goal was scored by Mwaka Grace. 

Coach Benard Owour’s girls will now square it out with their archrivals Bulls Starlets from Kilifi. In the opening match, Bulls Starlets edged out Wenje Secondary from Tana River 7-0 in what seemed like a one-sided semi-final.

Gloria Mupa, in outstanding form, netted five goals for her side with Sarah Grace and Fatuma Tumaini each scoring one goal. 

The winners (boys’ and girls’ team) will take home KES. 250,000 and book a slot to represent the region at the national finals set for March.

The runners-up teams will take home KES. 150,000 each.

The Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player (boys and girls) will each receive KES. 30,000.

In addition to the prize money each player, both winners and runners-up will also get Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphone in Kenya.

The IGAD Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation program, housed within the Division of Health and Social Development, has been a cornerstone of IGAD's initiatives since the 2015-2020 five-year strategic plan. Its pivotal role gained further prominence with the 2017 Djibouti Declaration, particularly emphasizing education for refugees, returnees, and host communities.

In 2018, IGAD embraced essential frameworks like the Regional Education Policy Framework and the Regional TVET strategy, prioritizing quality and inclusive education.

In the pursuit of excellence, IGAD crafted a comprehensive regional qualification framework, endorsed by Member States and partner agencies, awaiting ministerial approval in the first quarter of this year.

Alongside, a regional scholarship scheme was initiated, admitting the inaugural cohort at the International University of Africa (IUA) in Khartoum, Sudan. Unfortunately, due to the 2023 conflict in Khartoum, these students were evacuated. IGAD is guiding them to join universities in their respective countries, submitting admission papers for IGAD's assistance.

Quality education also involves nurturing teachers' professional growth through training and capacity-building, aligning with the Djibouti Declaration.

IGAD actively implemented the Declaration and related tools, conducting teacher training in Pilot Member States: Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda. Between January 2021 and November 2022, 751 secondary school teachers in refugee and displacement settings, including 259 females, underwent training in pedagogical, psychosocial, life-skill, and ICT modules. A regional workshop in June 2021 aimed to share lessons and experiences in teacher training.

IGAD believes teacher training enhances education quality, student motivation, and psychosocial well-being, facilitating smoother transitions to tertiary education and improving teachers' living conditions. Moreover, it fosters social cohesion and mutual understanding, mitigating psychosocial tensions and trauma from conflict and cultural differences among students.

In conclusion, the IGAD Education Program tackles regional education needs by creating policy spaces, fostering political will, and translating the Djibouti Declaration into actionable steps. Teachers' professional development stands central to IGAD's efforts, striving to make learning attractive, sound, and enjoyable, contributing to completing education cycles and fostering peace and stability in the region.

The IGAD Education Program's experiences, particularly on Teacher Training and Djibouti Declaration implementation, are documented on the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) website. Modules are being designed and printed for posting on the IGAD website.

Published papers like "Leading by Example: Translating the Djibouti Declaration into Action through Refugee Teacher Professional Development" and "Processes, Products, and Lessons in Translating Policies into Practice: The Case of IGAD Teacher Training Initiative in Refugee and Host Community Secondary Schools" are available.

IGAD remains steadfast in prioritizing education, science, technology, and innovation at Member State, regional, and international levels in the upcoming years.

Written by:

Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, PhD

Senior Coordinator, Education, Science, Technology & Innovation,

IGAD Health and Social Development Division.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has moved to court to compel the proprietor and security staff of Kettle House Bar and Grill in Nairobi to compensate the journalists injured during a raid conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) at the premises on 6th January 2024.

MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo says the Council will push for compensation for the journalists’ physical injuries and equipment damaged during the incident.

“This time we have decided to go a step further by moving to court to demand compensation for the injuries of the journalists and the equipment that was destroyed during the raid”, said Mr Omwoyo at a press conference with Nyandarua-based journalists.

“As the criminal case proceeds, the Council believes that compensation for injuries and equipment is one way of stopping the threats and injuries and holding people accountable for undermining the work of the media and interfering with press freedom”.

Mr Omwoyo at the same time cautioned proprietors of businesses condoning attacks on journalists, saying that action will be taken against them should accredited journalists be attacked in the line of duty within their premises.

“If you own a space or premise and within your space journalists or the media get attacked, you will be held responsible for compensating them for injuries, trauma caused and the equipment”, he said.

The CEO at the same time advised media workers to exercise caution when undertaking assignments in hostile environments, saying that journalists seeking stories sometimes find themselves in precarious conditions where they are assaulted or denied access to some premises.

“The Council calls upon journalists to remain alert and cautious when engaged in such operations and other events that may have implications on their safety”, said Mr Omwoyo

Korea Marine Transport Container (KMTC) Shipping Line has deployed its first ever vessel to the African continent choosing the Port of Mombasa as the first port of Call.

MV KMTC Hochmihn made a maiden call Thursday with 1000 TEUs for the local and transit market, affirming the strategic position of the port as shipping and maritime hub and a preferred port of call for shipping lines.

The call also signals the growth of the region and the country as the traffic in cargo volumes increases.

KMTC General Manager Mr. Mayur Udyawar noted that the shipping line chose Kenya as the gateway through Africa as it looks to expand its operations and business in the continent.

“We opted for the Port of Mombasa because of its productivity and efficiency since we started operations in 2021,” said Mr. Mayur.

While the Shipping Line entered the market two years ago, it has been collaborating with other shipping lines to move cargo for its customers to the region, with MV KMTC Hochimihn becoming the first vessel under the line to ply the Southeast Asia- East Africa route.

“We are happy with the growth and with the deployment of this vessel, we are positive we will handle more cargo” he added.

According to Kenya Ports Authority this is a welcome development and an affirmation of the consistent initiatives to improve capacity and efficiency at the port.

"KMTC has been venturing too much in Asia, it is the first time now they are venturing in Africa and they have given us confidence that they will be a regular caller" said KPA MD Captain William Ruto.

Adding " For us as KPA what we promise is efficiency and improve whatever service that we will be offering them. This is a new business to us and we appreciate. For any new ship to make a call at a port they must have done their due diligence and satisfied."

On his part KPA board Chairman Benjamin Tayari maintained that the Mombasa port has continue to attract new business due to its best service and performance.

"Our port is one of the best in terms of efficiency and I would like to assure our partners and customers that we will not let them down in terms of service delivery" said Tayari

The ship's next destination is the port of Daresalaam.

With the acquisition of new and modern equipment coupled with expanded capacity through berth no 22 that was opened for business recently, the Port of Mombasa has witnessed an increase in shipping lines operation at the port, with the introduction of new vessels and service lines to operate in the East Africa region.

The longest cruise liner for this cruise ship season, Norwegian Dawn is set to make it's maiden call at the Mombasa port with 2,000 tourists aboard.

 The cruise ship that entered service in 2002 and is in operation with Norwegian Cruise Line will dock at the Mombasa port on Sunday, 14th of January 2024.

The ship is currently in Seychelles.

According to the official website, the ship boasts of the largest suites at sea spanning up to 6,693 square feet, these rooms include king- or queen-size beds, separate living and dining areas, luxury baths and private balconies. All Garden Villas come with a certified butler and concierge services.

It has an overall length of 294 metres, and a guest capacity of 2340 and 1,032 crew members