First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for a renewed commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV and Syphilis in the country.

The First Lady emphasized the need for concerted efforts to accelerate the progress made towards achieving eMTCT through promotion of stronger partnerships.

“I am convinced, that our successes rely on harmonized efforts from both the public and private sectors.

“I believe that our targets are achievable because of the solid partnerships we have built with you,” she said.

The First Lady spoke on Tuesday when she virtually addressed a partnerships meeting on accelerating the progress towards achieving validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2021.

Available records show that Kenya has made progress on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and curbing maternal mortality with new HIV infections reducing by 47 percent from 12,826 in 2013 to 6,806 in 2020.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta in 2017 during a Beyond Zero Summit launched the Kenya Framework for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis 2016-2021 that contributed to the achievement.

The First Lady commended the innovative implementation of the Kenya eMTCT Framework adopted by counties through the county business plan model.

“So far, we have successfully launched 11 county business plans.  It is my hope that we, as partners, will commit to resourcing and supporting the remaining county governments on their respective journeys,” the First Lady said.

The county business plans provide for the sustainable and timely implementation of activities for counties to meet their unique eMTCT circumstances.

As the national patron and champion of eMTCT, the First Lady said her overall mission is to end preventable deaths of women and children as well as to eliminate new cases of HIV infections from mothers to their children.

She applauded the existing partnership between her Beyond Zero initiative and other health stakeholders including the national and county governments for working together in promotion of maternal and child health.

“Since I began my own journey in 2013 with the Beyond Zero initiative, we have depended on partnerships with the national and county governments and other health stakeholders.

“As partners, we remain inspired to do what we can to realize a world free of HIV and syphilis transmission to newborns. A world with zero maternal deaths,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

She observed that it was through the support of partners that the Beyond Zero initiative was able to deliver 52 mobile clinics across the country, adding that the initiative extended its resolve to increase access to healthcare through the Beyond Zero medical safaris.

“Our work is driven by our understanding that access to decent and affordable healthcare plays a huge role in saving lives.

“So far, we have conducted successful medical safaris in Nyanza, North and South Rift, Central and Nairobi regions,” she said.

Noting that there are still significant healthcare gaps affecting Kenyans – particularly underprivileged women and children – which require urgent attention especially during the COVID-19 pandemic times, the First Lady said a lot of work needs to be done to curb the spread of HIV infections in the country.

“This is why the Government of Kenya has committed, through universal health coverage, to scale up its efforts to improve access to HIV treatment to improve the health and well-being of women and children living with HIV,” she said.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, in a statement read on his behalf by CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi, commended First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for using her Beyond Zero initiative to rally the entire country behind the noble agenda of stopping new HIV infections among children and preventing mothers from dying while giving birth.

Other speakers at the hybrid meeting that drew both physical and virtual participants from the public and private sectors as well as development partners included Chief of Staff in the Office of the First Lady Ms Constance Gakonyo, National Aids Control Council CEO Dr Ruth Masha and National AIDS and STI Control Program Head Dr Catherine Ngugi among others

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has become the second Governor from the Coast region to take the coronavirus vaccination.

Joho was vaccinated on Tuesday afternoon at the Coast general hospital just few days after his Taita Taveta counterpart Granton Samboja taking the jab at his Mwakishima home in Wundanyi.

Joho urged health workers and frontline officers to take the jab in order to control further spread of the virus currently on it's third wave.

On monday, Joho decried the slow uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine saying only 1200 individuals had received the jab, including five police officers and one journalist

Joho noted "We willl have no any other choice but to  allow communities to come forward and be vaccinated if the health care workers, teachers and police continue shying away from being vaccinated. The good news is that we have a bigger number of communities coming out to ask for the vaccines".

http://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/2088-mombasa-county-steps-up-fight-against-covid-19-travellers-from-tanzania-among-those-targeted

The Governor also announced that he was taking a one month leave from political activities.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu made history last Friday when she was sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president. She is also the first Woman President in the East Africa region.

This attracted alot of excitement  especially from Women leaders globally, among them is US first female Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kamala Harris sent congratulatory message to President Samia Suluhu Hassan upon her swearing in.

“Sending best wishes to @SuluhuSamia following her swearing in as Tanzania's new President - the first woman to hold the office. The United States stands ready to work with you to strengthen relations between our countries,” wrote Ms Harris on her twitter handle.

Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee has also added her voice to this new developement.

Taking to social media Vanessa noted "I am elated that even in the midst of sadness, hope is in the face of a strong and able woman. We salute you, we welcome you Madame President Samiah Suluhu. We are honored to witness the day our nation has its very first female president. We wish you courage and strength".

On Monday  during the state funeral for the departed President John Magufuli, Suluhu stamped her authority as the 6th President of the United Republic of Tanzania, saying, “To those that doubt that a woman can be President of Tanzania, I say to you that the one standing before you today is a woman, and President!”

President Uhuru Kenyatta today joined thousands of Tanzanians and visiting leaders, among them eight other African Heads of State, at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma for the State Funeral of former President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.

The President, who was accompanied by EAC Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, attended the sombre ceremony alongside Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Felix Tshisekedi (DR Congo) and Felipe Nyusi (Mozambique).

Also present were President's Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), and Mogkweetsi Masisi (Botswana).

In his address, President Kenyatta eulogised the fallen former Tanzanian Head of State as a hardworking and transformative leader whose rich legacy of success within a very short time earned him recognition and respect the world over.

"We mourn the loss of our friend, our brother, a hardworker, the Honorable John Pombe Magufuli. The President who was respected not only here in Tanzania but also in the entire East Africa, the whole of Africa and the entire world.

"He showed us that, as Africans we have the potential to liberate ourselves from dependence on foreigners. That we have potential as Africans to manage our economies and ensure that our people get justice," he said.

The President, who is also the current Chairperson of the East African Community, said the late Dr Magufuli was a close ally with whom he spoke regularly, exchanging ideas on the relationship between Kenya and Tanzania, and the progress of the regional bloc.

He wished President Samia Suluhu success as she takes over the leadership of Tanzania, assured her of Kenya's and the regions backing, and rallied Tanzanians to fully support their new leader.

"My sister Samia, and now my colleague President, you've been shown the way by our brother, the late Magufuli. You have the mandate, now go forth and serve the people.

"The people of Tanzania are behind you. Ours is to urge you to continue with the unity you have, work together and support your new President so that she completes the work started by our departed brother," President Kenyatta told his Tanzanian counterpart.

In her address, the new Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the late Dr Magufuli was loved by many in Tanzania and the region, and regretted the passing away of the former Head of State.

"It is difficult to reconcile with the fact that Dr Magufuli is nolonger with us," President Suluhu said, adding that the late leader was her mentor who helped lift the political profile of Tanzanian women.

"Forever, I will thank him (the late Dr Magufuli) for my success and the success of the women of Tanzania. Through him, Tanzania got its first woman Vice President who is now the first Woman President," she said.

Beneath his no-nonsense approach to the management of public affairs, President Samia said Dr Magufuli was a loving fatherly figure with a playful streak that was only known to those that worked closely with him.

"To many Dr Magufuli was known as a no-nonsense person but for those of us that worked with him, he had a jolly side. He loved to see results and expected nothing but results. He had no time for hatred and sideshows," President Suluhu recalled.

She assured Tanzanians and the region that she had what it takes to step into the shoes of Dr Magufuli, who was nicknamed 'bulldozer', and lead the East African country into a future of prosperity.

"For those in doubt, this woman will be an effective President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Whoever is standing here is the President. I want to repeat that whoever is standing here, is the President of Tanzania whose gender is female," President Suluhu affirmed.

President Suluhu assured Mrs Janeth Magufuli, the widow of the former President, that her administration will continue looking after her and the family of the departed leader.

In their speeches, the visiting Heads of State eulogised Dr Magufuli as a brave, progressive and firm leader who served with great dedication.

President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union described the late former President as a "nationalist and a great defender of the economic freedom of Africa".

The Congolese leader said Dr Magufuli will forever be remembered for his relentless fight against corruption, and assured Tanzania's new President Samia Suluhu of the Africa Union's support as she steers her country forward.

South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa mourned the late Dr Magufuli as a forthright and bold leader who advocated for the adoption of Kiswahili language in African countries.

The Mombasa county emergency committee on COVID-19 has proposed that SGR night travel and taxis from the airport be reviewed as the third wave of the virus hits the country.

According to the committee this affects the set curfew period thus hindering the fight against the spread of the deadly virus.

This is among the resolutions made during the county COVID-19 prepardeness and response committee meeting held today (Monday) and chaired by the county governor Hassan Joho and county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo.

The committee also called for the enforcement of social distancing in SGR coaches.

"Social distancing should be enforced on SGR especially from  the second coaches. We have also proposed that the SGR arrives on time before curfew time" said Kitiyo.

The committe wants all travellers from Tanzania without COVID-19 negative certificate to undergo 14 day mandatory quarantine. All mandatory quarantine centres for international travelers in the county will now be reactivated.

"There are some people who have started assuming that COVID-19 is no more yet we are on the third wave which is very dangerous. We are going to enhance enforcement of the protocols. Public transport, ferry and tuktuks are among the high risk areas so we are going to put more effots here" said Kitiyo.

Kitiyo also cautioned religious leaders against flouting the protocols saying they have already started witnessing several cases especially from churches and mosques.

Addressing the media at his office after the meeting, governor Hassan Joho regretted that the county has recorded low turn out in terms of COVID-19 vaccination.

"We have so far managed to only vaccinate 1,200 people , the police are the ones who have been stuborn, only 5 of them have come out to be vaccinated" said Joho.

Joho noted that they now be forced to shift their focus to communities if the targeted groups for vaccination continue shying away.

Joho noted "We willl have no any other choice but to  allow communities to come forward and be vaccinated if the health care workers, teachers and police continue shying away from being vaccinated. The good news is that we have a bigger number of communities coming out to ask for the vaccines".

The county chief further stated that he is taking one month leave from political activities.

"I'm taking a one month leave from politics to avoid the spread of this virus, I call upon the police to arrest me if they find me in any political meeting." he said.

Joho further challenged the Kenya ferry services and the Kenya ports authority to develope a strategy that will see most pedestrians from Likoni use the floating bridge to avoid congestion at the ferry.

Among the six smartphones that the world's fastest-growing smartphone maker realme introduced in the Kenyan market, realme C11 seems to have struck a code in the hearts of many Kenyans as it emerged top as the most purchased in 2020.

While announcing the news, realme reiterated its commitment to supplying the Kenyan market with pocket-friendly smartphones that incorporate all the current trendy features, including AIoT that has revolutionized the tech world.

“realme C11 has been our best performing phone since we landed in the Kenyan market. We believe the phones hit home in terms of meeting the needs of the consumers in terms of beauty, affordability, the power of the battery among others,” said Mildred Agoya, Marketing Director realme Kenya.

The phone comes equipped with a 6.5”, mini-drop full screen that gives a sense of belonging and ownership.

It has a 5000mAh Massive Battery, and a Nightscape Dual Camera. Its affordability makes it ideal for the majority of consumers in Kenya.

“realme C11 brings a larger field of view, provides the excellent game, audio, and video experience, allowing one to enjoy a wider field of view brought by the large screen and less visual disturbance while giving you an experience of the near-full screen,” Marketing Director realme Kenya added.

In 2020, realme introduced realme C3, realme C11, realme C15, realme C12, and realme 6, and realme 7i, realme band realme Buds Q all within four months. It was during the same period that the brand topped the world as the only company that had managed to ship over 50 million smartphones globally with Kenya being among major destinations.

As 2021 takes shape, realme says it is targeting increasing its market share in Kenya by 30 percent banking affordability and the evolving technology.

Colgate announced today, in support of World Water Day, an extension of its partnership to drill water wells to provide clean and safe drinking water to Kenyan communities and extended an invitation to consumers to support the effort by purchasing Colgate products. 

For the past 2 years, Colgate has supported 60 water wells at schools in 5 counties (Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Migori and Kwale) working with WellBoring, a UK NGO.

The partnership has benefited approximately 60 000 lives. Due to the severity of the water challenge across rural communities, in 2021 Colgate aims to donate a further 30 Water Wells where thousands of pupils, their teachers, and their families may all gain access to clean drinking water. 

Colgate has long supported schools in Kenya through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program.

Colgate’s BSBF program delivers oral health education as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste to millions of kids across the African continent. The BSBF program in Kenya started in 1968 and has reached well over 7 million kids in Kenya. 

“The Colgate brand is in more homes than any other, so we can and we will create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Creating access to clean water is critical to this mission." said Vijay Ameta, General Manager of Colgate-Palmolive East Africa Ltd.

Adding "We are delighted with our collaboration with Wellboring NGO and the opportunity to build these 30 boreholes, as a step towards providing pupils with clean and safe water, not only for their drinking but also for their learning environments and overall quality of life ”.

Adding “People in Kenya can make a donation through a purchase of any Colgate product at their nearest Naivas store; and via Mpesa on the WellBoring website (www.Wellboring.org/Colgate). All the donations will help towards drilling the 30 water wells”. 

“Clean water for hundreds of school children and teachers, reduces water-borne diseases including cholera, dysentery and typhoid among children and increases the school enrolment as most children won’t spend their time scouting for water. We urge Kenyans to support the initiative as it not only, in the long run, reduces water-borne diseases but also helps in keeping the children in school.” explains Lucy Njoroge, WellBoring Project Engineer.

This water Initiative delivers on Colgate’s brand promise that everyone deserves a future they can smile about. The Campaign will run from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2021. Consumers can visit Colgate-Palmolive Kenya Facebook page or Wellboring/Colgate.com for more information.

Tanzanian singer AliKiba tried reaching departed President John Magufuli to verify reports on his illness and wellbeing, the artist has revealed.

He however could not reach him only to be announced 10 minutes later that he was dead.

Speaking to a local radio station in Daresalaam, the 'Mshumaa' hitmaker revealed that he became concerned following reports on social media  that Magufuli was sick.

"I was concerned following the reports on his health, I tried calling his number but it went unaswered. I remember even posting him on instagram and people started wishing him quick recovery" he said.

Adding "We used to communicate that's why I called him though his phone went answered, after ten minutes my younger brother followed me downstairs to inform me that mama Suluhu has just announced that Mgufuli is dead. It was indeed very sad"

Kiba further went ahead to state that Magufuli's death has also affected his mother.

"This death has affected my mother very much, she has always said that she is the one who predicted that Mgufuli will lead this country and I remember telling him this too" he revealed.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has attributed Kenya's growing profile as a top sporting nation to strong partnerships between the Government and actors in the private sector.

Speaking when he presided over the closing ceremony of this year's Magical Kenya Open Golf tournament at Karen Country Club in Nairobi County, the President called for more partnerships across all sporting disciplines.

“I also thank the corporate world for joining hands with my administration, which has made this event possible. Indeed, it is this spirit of partnership with the private sector that has made us, as a country, make good progress in the fight against Covid-19," the President said.

The Head of State vouched for the decentralization of golf to the grassroots saying involvement of junior and amateur golfers will help the sport to grow much faster.

“It is my hope that this collaboration will continue to enable the growth of golf throughout the country, from the junior and amateur ranks to the professional ranks," the President said.

He thanked tournament sponsors Kenya Tourism Board, Absa Bank, Hemingways, Coca-Cola and EABL for making the 2021 Magical Kenya Open a success despite disruptions caused Covid-19.

“Indeed, Madam Jane Karuku leads our efforts at the Kenya Covid-19 Fund, a private sector led body. Her organisation, EABL, is here as co-sponsors of this event alongside the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.

“I would also like to thank the Kenya Tourism Board, Absa Bank, Hemingways and Coca-Cola for their support,” President Kenyatta said while applauding the 156 participants from 30 countries among them 13 Kenyans.

The President wished participants in next week's Savannah Classic, also part of the PGA European Tour, success and congratulated Kenya Open Golf Limited led by Chairman Peter Kanyago for Kenya's growing profile as a golfing destination.

He said Kenya is proud to have successfully hosted the high profile sporting event despite it’s cancellation last year due to Covid-19.

Cabinet Secretaries Najib Balala (Tourism) and Amina Mohamed (Sports) also spoke at the closing ceremony hosted in strict compliance with the established Covid-19 containment protocols.

Mr Balala said that by successfully hosting the Magical Kenya Open and the forthcoming Savannah Classic, the country had started earning the benefits of its investments in sports tourism over the last three years.

The Tourism Cabinet Secretary lauded the President for his continued support for sports saying it is because of Kenya's strong golfing profile that this year's Magical Kenya Open attracted participants from across the globe.

On her part, Sports CS Amina Mohammed said 2021 is a major sporting year for Kenya and listed the Safari Rally which will be hosted in the country in June and the Tokyo Olympics as some of the key events to look forward to.

The 2021 Magical Kenyan Open was won by South African Justin Harding while American Kurt Kitayama and Scotland's Connor Syme took first and second runners-up positions respectively.