First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Friday held talks with her visiting Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) counterpart Mrs Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi during which the two leaders discussed programs they're steering in their respective countries. 

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta informed Mrs Tshisekedi that her Beyond Zero initiative will continue with its charity work beyond President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure.

“Beyond Zero will continue to run independently because we have local support as well as international partners willing to walk with us in championing the welfare of children, girls and women in the country,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

On the recently unveiled Margaret Kenyatta Institute for Gender and Social Development, the Kenyan First Lady said the institute's focus is empowerment of women by providing them with resources, education and healthcare services. 

Asked by Mrs Tshisekedi on how she has managed to achieve tremendous progress in women empowerment within a short time, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said collaboration with partners led by the Ministry of Health, County Governments, local and international stakeholders were the main drivers behind Beyond Zero's success.

As part of their meeting, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta took her visitor on a tour of a Beyond Zero mobile clinic stationed at State House, Nairobi.

Mrs Tshisekedi, who runs an initiative similar to Beyond Zero in her country, informed her host that her charitable work involves offering support to vulnerable children, girls and women in the expansive nation.

Mrs Tshisekedi is accompanying her spouse President Felix Tshisekedi who is in the country for the signing of the treaty of accession to the East African Community (EAC) by DR Congo, hosted by President Kenyatta in his capacity as the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit. 

Chief of Staff in the Office of the First Lady Constance Gakonyo as well as Director of Administration and Beyond Zero Co-ordinator Angella Langat also spoke at the meeting held at State House, Nairobi. 

Mombasa ODM gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has urged party’s National Election Board (NED) to conduct nominations for governor, senator and MPs.

The aspirant while voting at Tononoka Social Hall urged the party to desist from forcing aspirants to step down for others and instead should give members opportunity to elect their leaders and not use fake opinion polls.

 “What I can tell my party, I will not go for anything less than nominations,” said Mr Shahbal.

The businessman maintained that he will be on ballot come August 9 since he is the most popular ODM Mombasa gubernatorial candidate dismissing rumors that his competitor was recommended to be handed over the ticket.

The businessman urged NED should not interfere with party’s democracy by giving direct ticket to some preferred candidate.

Mombasa ODM senatorial aspirant Hisham Mwidau echoed Mr Shahbal sentiments saying he will not accept to be rigged out by fake polls which were doctored to suit few individuals.

“I am one of the party founders and I am shocked to learn some people were recommended for direct nomination including senatorial position. I will not accept that is why I am requesting for the exercise to be conducted in other elective positions as we have witnessed in the ward representative positions,” said Mr Mwidau.

He added, “We know ODM is a democratic party hence we should let members select their leaders and not through few leaders endorsing who they feel they can work with. I am asking NED to conduct nominations since we still have time before the nomination deadline.”

Last week, the party officials led by Director of Elections Junet Mohamed, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen and National Elections Board chairperson Catherine Mumma released a list of aspirants proposed for direct tickets on the power of opinion polls.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir was recommended for governor’s position,  Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib were proposed for direct tickets.

Others in Mombasa who were recommended for direct ticket are Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, Senator Mohammed Faki and Nyali parliamentary hopeful Said Abdallah.

Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Felix Tshisekedi today at State House, Nairobi, signed the treaty of accession of the DR Congo into the East African Community (EAC).

The signing of the treaty of accession follows the admission of DR Congo into the EAC as the seventh member of the regional bloc during the virtual 19^th Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State chaired by President Kenyatta on March 29.

Welcoming DR Congo into the EAC, President Kenyatta said the coming of the new member into the Community will open doors of opportunity for expanded trade and cooperation. 

“With the accession of the DRC, our Community's population now stands at about 300 million and our combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will now stand at $250 billion,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State added that the accession of DR Congo as a member of the EAC will also strengthen the economic muscle and competitiveness of the regional economic bloc in the continent as well as globally.

“To my brother and friend President Tshishekedi and the people of the DRC, we welcome you to the EAC Customs Union and the EAC Common Market. 

“These two are the signature pillars of our community and the foundation upon which the social, political, trade, investment and economic interests stand,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta, who is also the chairman of the EAC, pointed out that the accession signature immediately brings DR Congo into the realms and provisions of all the protocols and regional policies of the EAC.

He said the signing will be followed by the immediate removal of all existing Non-Tariff Barriers as well as limitations on the movement of capital, goods, services and people, saying with time this will lead to a major increase in inter-EAC trade.

In this regard, President Kenyatta urged DR Congo to conclude the remaining domestic processes as per its constitution and deposit the instruments of ratification within the stipulated six months period.

The President assured that the Community shall also develop a mechanism for the speedy ratification by DR Congo of the admission of submissions of the Community to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) processes.

“As agreed by the EAC partner states, the joint submission by EAC will strengthen our voice in the AfCFTA,” President Kenyatta said.

He commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda for the zeal with which he galvanized support from member states for the DR Congo to join the EAC.

On his part, President Tshishekedi said the admission of DR Congo into the EAC was a fulfilment of dreams held by his country’s ancestors more than 60 years ago, adding that it marked a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policy.

“DR Congo will actively play its role within the community so that it can become more stronger and more prosperous,” President Tshishekedi said.

Presidents Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda as well as EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki and Kenya’s Industrialization and Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who holds the East African Community docket in acting capacity also spoke during the ceremony.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of integration, saying it accelerates prosperity through the provision of a broader market for goods and improves regional strategic security.

The Ugandan leader added that the integration of African countries is easier because they share common social infrastructure including language unlike in Europe where language barrier is a big problem.

President Kagame congratulated DR Congo for joining the EAC and pledged to work more closely with all member countries to deepen integration.

The EAC Heads of State wrapped up the ceremony, also witnessed by development partners and representatives of the private sector, by unveiling the new map of the East African Community.

Chaani ward MCA aspirant Nancy Wanjala Mashumbe died in a road accident in Voi , on Thursday.

According to reports Mashumbe was travelling for her brother's funeral scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 9th April, 2022.

The news of her death was shared by former Mombasa senator and UDA gubernatorial candidate for Mombasa governor Hassan Omar on Friday morning.

"I received the news of the passing away of my dear sister Nancy Wanjala Mwashumbe through a tragic road accident with profound shock and sadness." tweeted Omar.

Adding " On my behalf and that of my family, and on behalf of the UDA fraternity, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to her family, friends and supporters and more particularly her husband George Kachumbo Mbogholi and their children."

Omar described her as a a kind and loving person, a teacher to many, a mentor, a leader and an exceptionally good soul whose impact on our society will live forever.

Nancy, a teacher by profession resigned from her position as Deputy Headmistress of the Coast Girls High School in Mombasa on 9th February, 2022 to contest for the Chaani Ward seat in Changamwe Constituency through the UDA.

Interior cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’I has once again reiterated that unnecessary Night vigils remain banned countrywide.

The cabinet secretary said night Vigil’s like burials and weddings should remain banned because they have been blamed for contributing to teenage pregnancies saying administrative actions will be taken to violators.

The night vigil ban was imposed by health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe as a measure to control the spread of Covid-19 and according to Cs Matiangi the laws remain active.

“I don’t know whether the ministry of health has lifted restrictions on night vigils, this nonsensical thing is pure nonsense, we should discourage this, because you and I know that this activity has affected our young girls” said Matiangi.

Matiangi asked county commissioners and chiefs to share information with relevant government agencies so that the society can be streamlined in line with countries' laws.

 “We will not allow our girl child to be violated in exchange of cows and camels at a tender age, we want to warn those chiefs that perpetrate that will be taken to action,” said Matiangi.

Matiangi also said the culture of initiating young girls for exchange of wealth is against the law that protects underage age teenage girls in the country.

According to the CS, chiefs are in a better position to know people responsible for teenage pregnancies as they come from their villages. He said the vice was facilitated by culture of disco matanga’s that encourages indulgence in sex to replace the deceased during the funeral.

“As a government, we cannot sit and watch our young girls being defiled at the expense of culture. I want all those involved to be arrested and taken to court

One in every five teenage girls between the ages 15-19 has had a live birth or is pregnant with their first child.

According to the 2019 global childhood report by Save the children Resource center, Kenya has the third highest teen pregnancy rates worldwide.

According to the report 13.6 percent of adolescent girls find themselves in forced early marriages. Last year 2021,320,152 girls of ages 10-19 years presented with pregnancy at first antenatal visits at health facilities countrywide.

 “We want to ensure that we work with our partners and ensure we don't allow us to slide back, because those actions by the ministry of health have not been lifted,” said Matiangi.

In 2021 for example, statistics show that 96 percent (12,512) of Gender Based Violence GBV cases reported among young females aged 12-17.

“Furthermore one in every 3 girls in Kenya and one in every 7 boys are sexually assaulted in childhood, “said Matiang’i.

Matiangi made the remarks in Mombasa when he addressed a national dialogue with regional and  county commissioners on their role in ending new infections, teenage pregnancies and gender based violence in Kenya.

The meeting held at the English point Marina hotel in Mombasa brought together officials from the National Aids control council, national council for population and development among other stakeholders.

Matiangi warned chiefs who neglect to take action against perpetrators of teenage pregnancies that they risk appropriate disciplinary action.

This happens as the country continues to grapple with nes HIV infections, with research showing that economic, cultural, legal and social inequalities are barriers to the fight against HIV/Aids.

“Alcohol and drug use predispose young people to HIV infection, teenage pregnancy and GBV,'' said Matiang’i.

On her part, health ministry Principal secretary Susan Mochache said the country is still facing a lot of challenges in regards to the war on GBV and HIV aids.

“Between 2013 and 2021, HIV programmes has yielded a 67 percent decline in annual AIDS-related deaths. This encouraging performance reflects an increase of 83% in the number of people living with HIV that are on life-saving antiretroviral treatment, from 600,000 people in 2013 to 1.2 million people in 2021,” said Mochache.

According to Mochache, the government will continue to engage in the fight against teenage pregnancy in the country.

“While the Ministry of Health has embarked on a journey to ensure that every Kenyan has access to quality health services, securing the health of young girls must remain a key priority. We will not win if one in every five girls continue to bear a child before their 19th birthday,” said Mochache.

On her part, national aids control council (NACC) C.E.O Dr Ruth Laibon - Masha revealed that the country spends around 25 billion shillings every year to manage and prevent HIV/AIDS.

" Over the years we were being supported by our partners. Right now we are struggling to see where do even get physical space to begin to ensure that we put everyone on treatment" said Dr Masha.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday commissioned an ultra-modern Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) regional hospital, underscoring the Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of the country’s security sector for better services to Kenyans.

The state-of-the-art Isiolo Regional Hospital, with a capacity of 105 beds, is a level 4 facility that will address the healthcare needs of service personnel, their dependents and veterans in the upper Eastern region which includes Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Meru, Nanyuki and Samburu counties.

Speaking during the launch at Isiolo Barracks in Meru County, President Kenyatta said the new hospital marks an important step in the healthcare reforms for the disciplined forces that are in tandem with the Government’s agenda on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which has witnessed improvements in the services offered to the civilian population as well.

“The facility before us will provide Level 4 specialized services including surgical, internal medicine, obstetric/gynecological services, pediatric services and critical care to service members and their families within this region. This will reduce the time taken and resources used to travel all the way to Nairobi as was the case previously,” the President said.

President Kenyatta emphasized that the hospital is also part of the modernization of institutions of state and security organs that his administration has been implementing since 2013.

“Over that time, we have undertaken modernization of our institutions of state and security organs to an extent that is unparalleled in our nation’s history,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State said the KDF Isiolo Regional Hospital also adds to the Level 4 hospital already opened at Kahawa Garrison and the Trauma and Counselling Centre at Manda in Lamu County. 

He pointed out that three other modern health facilities are in various stages of construction in Eldoret for the KDF, in Ruiru for the Prisons Service and at Mbagathi for the National Police Service.

“In addition to the facilities highlighted, the upgrade of the Forces Memorial Hospital to a Level 5 facility is on course, as is the ongoing construction of the Level 6 Hospital for the defence forces located off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi,” President Kenyatta said.

Besides healthcare, the President said the Government has also boosted the welfare and social support of the disciplined forces by securing the dignity of service members and their families through provision of decent and affordable housing.

In addition to ongoing initiatives to improve police housing, President Kenyatta recalled that last December he presided over the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of 3,500 new houses at Roysambu in Nairobi County for the KDF.

President Kenyatta once again commended the KDF for their courage, duty, service and sacrifices in defending the country, responding to natural disasters as well as contributing to international peace, security and stability.

He challenged political leaders to emulate the military in the delivery of development projects, citing the revamped Kenya Meat Commission and the work done in Nairobi by the Nairobi Metropolitan Service as examples of the KDF’s efficiency in service delivery.

President Kenyatta was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Eugene Wamalwa (Defence), Mutahi Kagwe (Health) and Peter Munya (Agriculture) as well as Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.

CS Wamalwa said the Ministry of Defence has invested heavily in health facilities strategically across the country in line with the UHC pillar of the Big 4 Agenda.

“In this regard, the Isiolo Regional Hospital is the latest to join the list of military hospitals. This facility will contribute immensely healthcare access not only for the serving but also the retired military personnel and their families through the Defence Forces Insurance scheme and other members of security service through NHIF,” CS Wamalwa said. 

Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi said the new hospital will serve a felt need in the KDF as it caters for a region that was previously not well covered in terms of provision of healthcare services.

"Therefore we are very grateful that this hospital that you have just commissioned is going to benefit a lot of our officers and their families. And also as the policy that we recently adopted, those who have been enrolled with the Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme including the veterans will also be part of the patients who will be coming into this level 4 hospital,” General Kibochi said.

Former Chiefs of Defence Forces Generals (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe, Julius Karangi, Jeremiah Kianga and Joseph Kibwana joined other serving and retired senior military officers at the event that was also attended by senior Government officials.

The United democratic Alliance UDA party is demanding thorough investigations into an alleged assassination attempt of Ali Mwatsahu who is vying for the Mvita parliamentary seat.

The deputy president party members led  by Mombasa county coordinator Hassan Omar Sarai say they will not relent until perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to book.

They now want Director of criminal investigations DCI George Kinoti to take up the matter and ensure justice to the aspirant and his family.

“This incident must be fully investigated, we want answers, we don’t want side shows of the police, what we are asking the DCI director George Kinoti is to look into this matter and have the perpetrators punished,” said Sarai

This is as it emerges that the 17 bullets were removed from his body while three are in his stomach according to Sans and X-ray conducted. Omar said the matter should be taken seriously because it is likely to spark fear among the people of Mombasa.

“We pray to God to give him strength and life so that he can come back and serve the people of Mvita,he is progressing well with treatment and he has asked me to ask the people to pray for him as he undergoes surgeries to remove bullets lodged in his body,” said Sarai.

Mwatsahu, who was heading home from a mosque, was ambushed by gunmen in two vehicles who shot 22 times on the right side of his vehicle.

"I talked to Mwatsahu yesterday before he went into surgery and he informed me it is a political matter. He has undergone surgery and he is now in recovery in the Intensive Care Unit. 17 bullets were removed while three are in his stomach according to Sans and X-ray conducted," said Sarai.

According to Omar the incident happened at around 10pm near JCC Buxton as he was enroute to his Tudor home. He sustained gunshot wounds on his arms and legs and was rushed to a Agha Khan hospital for treatment.

Mvita constituency is among the congested positions in the August 9 polls as both ODM and UDA aspirants are set to battle for the parliamentary position. Omar says the act is a move to spark fear among the UDA fraternity.

Annaniah Mwaboza,a close friend to Mwatsahu condemned the incident and asked authorities to take the matter serious. Mwaboza said it’s unfortunate for someone to be sprayed bullets and police fail to net perpetrators.

Speaking at a press conference in Mombasa on Wednesday Omar continued to castigate Mombasa leadership saying it has failed to deliver to the people of Mombasa. Omar is eying the Mombasa governor post through the UDA party.

A panel of judges has commenced evaluating more than 1,200 entries submitted for the Media Council of Kenya’s 10th Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA).

The panel is made up of veteran journalists and media experts; Betty Dindi, Dr Rosemary Nyaole, Mwendwa Kiogora, Dr Jared Obuya, Eric Shimoli, David Okwemba and Owino Opondo.

The submitted stories will be subjected to a judging criterion premised on ethics and journalism principles by a seven-member panel drawn from seasoned editors and journalists as well as academics.

The judging process will take place in two phases. Phase one will have the nomination panel who will evaluate stories on the criteria of professional journalism ethics, creativity, diversity and public interest.

They will shortlist outstanding stories that will proceed to the second and final judging phase.

“The entries received this year show a remarkable increase compared to last year. We have received 340 for print, 308 for television, 346 for radio and 246 in the digital category”, said Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo.

The Council has also noted the changing trend in the of submissions of stories where gender, health, and environment categories have the highest number of entries compared to last year.

“The increase is attributed to the grants programme offered under the Media Council’s Africa Media Academy which has enabled journalists to access mentors who have guided them on areas of focus when reporting on such stories”, said Mr Omwoyo.

The Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) is a signature event of the Council which celebrates journalistic excellence and achievements in Kenya.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the awards to be held on the evening of 4th May 2022 as the culmination of the World Press Freedom Day 2022 activities.

Nairobi-born, Adelaide-based singer, rapper and producer, Elsy Wameyo has released her debut EP ‘Nilotic’ out now via Music in Exile. 

A bilateral journey of spirituality and personal growth, Elsy’s debut collection, Nilotic attempts to claim back, fix and uproot the world’s evil while processing frustration and sadness through her music.

Hailing from the Nilotic tribes of Kenya, and informed by an Adelaide upbringing and singing in church choirs from an early age, Elsy poses questions to heritage and the equity of societal structures as she unravels her self-identity across six self-produced tracks.

In a voracious effort to understand and educate herself through years of relentless research, in-depth conversations and dedicated learning, Elsy has applied her self-taught creative talents across production, songwriting and singing, to unravel her feelings and thoughts on what it means to be a Nilot in 2022 on tape.

Opening Nilotic, is the low slung bass melody of the EP’s second single, “River Nile”. Swiftly added to triple j, double j and community radio across the nation, Elsy’s self-assured swagger hits hard with fire-speed raps and choral shout-outs taken from a chopped out sample.

The track signifies the beginning of Elsy’s Nilotes journey. Next up, “Promise” is Nilotic’s latest single, jazzier in nature and led by trumpets that mark Elsy’s arrival. Comfortably scatting across the melody, Elsy speaks to knowing your own worth, and paving a journey that is never defined by the external influences of this world.

Third track, “Sulwe” was written in Elsy’s mother tongue Luo and translates to ‘star’. Taking inspiration from Lupita Nyong’o’s book of the same name, Elsy delves into defining the star that lives inside everyone.

Low end bass and flourishes of horns accompany hazy layers of production, as the track’s swinging and intoxicating mood sinks in. Next, spoken word track “The Call” is Elsy’s ad-lib introduction to fifth eponymous EP track “Nilotic”. Written from a first take in the studio, “The Call” is an ululation, tone-setter and call to Elsy’s warriors and Nilotes to gather round.

The EPs first single, “Nilotic” is an assertive and telling story of both how Elsy sees the world and the spiritual journey she embarked on to arrive there. Sampled shout-outs are interspersed throughout, as the track concludes with the resounding final words, ‘never forget who you are’.

The track received triple j and community radio additions soon after its release, alongside the support of tastemakers nationwide. Final track, “Hunger” Elsy claims as the most difficult of the EP to write.

Deeply personal, introspective and built from hours of pain-staking research, the finale is the last puzzle piece to complete the EP’s journey of self-identity and strength. Beautifully written, “Hunger”s grand chorus and choir-led vocals are a triumphant and climactic finish, with stampeding drums punctuating its power.

Elsy Wameyo says of the EP: “Nilotic is the byproduct of God’s grace in my life. What you will hear is the journey of a confident, frustrated and sad Elsy trying to claim back, fix and uproot the evil of this world. However, what you won’t see is the spiritual journey I took with my Father, where I learnt, through obedience and true faith, that alone I am a mere mortal, but with him I can do ALL things. This EP was never the point. God, in his full grace, chose to bless me with a product I can use to showcase his works in my life.”

Elsy Wameyo embraces her beliefs and life experiences to forge an insightful wisdom that is shared via flawlessly soulful rhythms in her music. Self-producing her own work and exploring new production techniques has led to Elsy finding her own style and control in sonic direction.

This approach compliments a fusion of gospel and traditional sacred sounds that shape Elsy’s musical vision, alongside a force of contemporary hip-hop and R&B influences.

Elsy’s comfort in her own voice is evidenced through her poetic verses woven with stories, metaphors and hard-fought questions to challenge perceptions and detail lived-experience.

Elsy has shared stages with artists such as Grammy award-winner Printz Board, Maségo, Sampa the Great, Adrian Eagle and Hilltop Hoods.

She adds to this with festival appearances at Groovin’ The Moo and St Jerome's Laneway Festival, after being awarded Young Kenyan of the Year by KASA at the annual Madaraka Day Gala in 2018, and winner of people's choice Best Hip Hop at the annual South Australian music awards.

Most recently, Elsy performed to crowds from her city of upbringing, Adelaide’s WOMAD and SANAA festivals, and Red Bull Melbourne Unlocked. Next, she’ll be taking her 7-piece band to Strawberry Fields, followed by a special VIVID LIVE show alongside Mo’Ju in May.

Elsy has been featured on numerous ‘Ones to Watch’ lists, including Red Bull and triple j Unearthed, and to date, named triple j’s Unearthed Feature Artist, scored Feature Video on Rage, and applause from the likes of Acclaim, Sniffers, NME, Purple Sneakers, Pilerats, Complex and more.

From a refusal to be passive, and a beckoning to tap into an emboldened energy, the multi-talented Elsy Wameyo has come to create a beautiful and scene-defining body of work with her first ever EP, Nilotic available to listen now via Music in Exile.

 NILOTIC EP IS OUT NOW VIA MUSIC IN EXILE

BUY/STREAM HERE

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday at State House, Nairobi signed into law five parliamentary bills among them the 2022 Supplementary I Appropriation Bill (Supplementary Budget).

Others were the 2021 Copyright (Amendment) Bill, the 2020 Kenya Deposit Insurance (Amendment) Bill, the 2022 Industrial Training (Amendment) Bill, and the 2019 Employment (Amendment) Bill.

The newly signed Supplementary Budget unlocks a total Shs 139,752,936,287 exchequer funds for use in drought-related interventions; security operations; election preparedness; fuel stabilization; and settlement of pending bills among other pressing public needs.

A sum of Shs 34,446,813,295 from the Supplementary Budget has been allocated to the Government fuel stabilization programme aimed at cushioning Kenyans from high cost fuel prices occasioned by the worsening global energy crisis.

On security operations, an additional Shs 950 million has been set aside for police recruitment to boost the number of the security enforcement officers in the country ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Based on IEBC's submissions, the Supplementary Budget has allocated an additional Shs 8,813,903,557 to the electoral body to enable it to sufficiently prepare for the August 9th polls.

On drought mitigation, the Supplementary Budget took into account the various ongoing Government interventions and allocated additional resources as follows: Shs 1.4 billion to the Ministry of Defence for the Kenya Meat Commission's livestock uptake program; and Shs 1.2 billion to the State Department for Devolution for direct mitigation efforts.

Other drought related allocations include Shs 2.4 billion to the State Department for Social Protection, Senior Citizen Affairs and Special Programmes to cater for relief food to support families affected by drought; and Shs 0.9 billion to the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands for drought management activities.

To augment the ongoing roll out of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC), the Supplementary Budget allocated Shs 6.9 billion to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to cater for teacher remuneration, training and related expenses.

The Ministry of Education was assigned Shs 2 billion in the Supplementary Budget for the construction of additional classrooms to ensure a smooth transition from 8.4.4 to the new system.

Additionally, the Supplementary Budget allocated Shs 4.9 billion to the NG-CDF so as to ensure that ongoing infrastructure projects in the Constituencies are completed as scheduled; and other social programs such as issuance of bursaries continue uninterrupted.

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill, also signed into law by President Uhuru Kenyatta today, introduces a new formula in the sharing of revenues collected from ring back tunes.

Section 30(c) of the new Copyright law provides as follows: premium rate service provider shall be entitled to 8.5%; telecommunication operator 39.5%; and the artist or owner of the copyright shall be entitled to not less than 52% of the revenue.

On its part, the new Employment (Amendment) Act gives reprieve to job seekers by requiring employers to only ask for clearance or compliance certificates “upon granting an offer of employment to a prospective employee.” Previously, prospective employees were required to avail such documentation during job application.

The Bills were presented to the President for signature by Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto at a brief ceremony attended by Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, Attorney General Paul Kihara and Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi.

 Also present were Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Amos Kimunya, Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly Kanini Kega and Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai.