The government has appealed for more partnerships in order to empower female inmates in the country's correctional facilities.

According to State Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome M-Beacco, there is need for more partnerships especially from the private sector in training and empowering female inmates with different skills.

Speaking in Mombasa during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Chandaria Shimo La Tewa Women prison workshop, PS Salome said already there are different programmes and initiatives from the government in conjuction with stakeholders aimed at empowering the inmates.

"I'm happy to report we are also collaborating with mama Rachel Ruto through her Carakana project which involves crotchet which is a whole new ground which we are taking this year to train our inmates and it has been very succesful in Langata Women prison where we also have another Chandaria foundation project. Our female inmates have gained alot of skills and money, in Langata some of them have earn upwards of kshs 48,000 in a very short while and therefore we see this as a way of increasing the scope of vocational programmes taht we are giving this Women, because Women are very important in the stability of the society" said PS Salome.

Adding " We need more people and volunteers to come out and partner with us in these initiatives which are aimed at equipping our inmates with the necessary skills that they will use even after leaving the facilities."

The workshop at Shimo La Tewa  will encompass a bakery, tailoring and an ICT hub section. It will also hold the 'Karakana Project', an initiative by H. E the First Lady, Rachael Ruto where the female inmates will be trained on cross crocheting.

The workshop is a partnership between the State Department, Chandaria Foundation and Safal Building Solutions Ltd. At the Shimo la Tewa Borstal Institution, the PS handed over Ksh. 350, 000 worth of paint donated by Kansai Plascon East Africa.

PS Salome noted "We are hoping this workshop will go along way in training our inmates in the skills of bakery as well as tailoring and IT hub which is a new frontier we are exploring."

"We are hoping that we will be opening this workshop by mid or end next month (February). It is an initiative of Chandaria foundation and we are encouraging more foundations come out and do the same."

Carakana is a Mama Doing Good project under the Women Economic Empowerment pillar in the Office Of The First Lady. The program seeks to facilitate the transfer and preservation of indigenous skills, in the production of quality handmade items, for sustainable livelihoods and the well-being of vulnerable groups. 

Since 2016, the project has trained over 1,500 women and 537 women have produced quality artefacts that have earned them Ksh 5.15 million.

Raha Fest, a dynamic festival that celebrates the diversity and richness of African music, art, and culture, is thrilled to announce its inaugural event at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 30th and 31st, 2024.

The biggest festival in Africa, Raha Fest aims to unite people from diverse backgrounds, fostering connections and shared passions through a harmonious blend of music, arts, and cultural activities. Raha Fest will offer attendees an unforgettable experience set against the iconic backdrop of Uhuru Gardens.

The festival's lineup will feature a unique blend of local talents and renowned African artists - Samidoh, Nadia Mukami, Hart the band, Nviiri the Storyteller, Femi One, Otile Brown, and Congolese sensation JB Mpiana. More International acts will be unveiled later. 

"We are thrilled to bring Raha Fest to Uhuru Gardens and offer a platform that celebrates the vibrancy and creativity of African music, art, and fashion," said the organizers of Raha Fest. "We believe that this festival will not only be a celebration of our cultural heritage but also a testament to the richness of African celebration that contributes to the global festival experience."

Raha Fest is proud to announce Zuri Health as the official Healthy Partner for the festival, bringing a focus on wellness to this year's celebration.

Additionally, Radio Africa is our esteemed Radio and Print Partner, helping us spread the word and excitement about the festival to a wider audience.

Tickets for Raha Fest are available at Ticket Sasa and Ticket Yetu, allowing you to secure your spot at this unforgettable celebration of African music, art, and culture.

By Faith Waithaka, Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead: Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric

The prefabricated modular datacentre is not a new concept by any means, offering a fast and scalable alternative to brick-and-mortar.

However, it is only the last five years that its adoption has enjoyed some major growth, with companies regarding it as a bona fide route to deploying datacentres.

In Africa, prefabricated modular datacentres are enjoying some exciting growth; the continent’s increasing demand for data storage, processing and connectivity is driving innovation in the sector.

These modular structures offer a dynamic response to the need for rapid deployment, standardisation and sustainability.

Unpacking the benefits

Prefabricated datacentres, as the name suggest, consist of pre-built modules that house various components critical to datacentre functionality. The modules fall into categories such as power, cooling, and IT.

Due to its modular nature, organisations can then choose a combination of these modules to create a tailored solution that best meets their specific requirements.

One of the major advantages of prefabricated data centres is the efficiency and predictability it brings to the construction process.

Unlike traditional datacentres, where one must contend with the variability of numerous contractors and handling material and availability, prefabricated datacentres are produced in a controlled factory environment.

This controlled setting ensures higher quality and consistency in construction, enabling precise timelines and outcomes.

When one considers the varied materials and standards across different regions in Africa, prefabricated solutions offer a viable path to standardisation and predictability. Organisations operating across the continent can expect the same level of quality and materials, whether in South Africa, the DRC, Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya.

This consistency simplifies project management and allows engineers to work on a standard basis, facilitating smooth expansions and upgrades.

 Sustainable expansion

Africa’s adoption of prefabricated modular datacentres is also rooted in lessons learnt from our global peers. In countries such as Germany, some brick-and-mortar hyperscale datacentres are reaching its end of life which creates a conundrum of sort, how do you shutdown these facilities in sustainable manner?

In fact, according to various research papers, datacentres are become obsolete fast due to the technologies incredibly fast paced advancements.  With a lifespan of around 15 years, these massive facilities become technology graveyards reminiscent of an eerie Sci-fi movie.

Prefabricated data centres offer a more flexible solution, allowing these facilities to be quickly disassembled and relocated to other regions which will have use for some of the modules, thereby preserving infrastructure integrity and extending its lifespan.

At Schneider Electric, our prefabricated datacentres are built sustainably; we fabricate 90% of the parts to mitigate waste, optimise efficiency, and reduce the footprint of the datacentre. Furthermore, we drive sustainable practices throughout our supply chain to ensure that products are produced and transported in a responsible manner.

Lastly, where possible, our local partners are responsible for building the prefabricated datacentres, thus reducing transport costs whilst investing in the local marketplace.

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.

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