The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Dr Margaret Ndung'u has called for the expedited review of media laws to address the evolving challenges facing the media sector in Kenya.

Speaking when she hosted the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) management at the Ministry headquarters in Nairobi , Dr Ndung'u emphasised the need for sound legislation around media operations, saying it will guarantee press freedom and responsible media consumption.

“The media’s role in informing, educating and entertaining their audiences is vital. Reviewing the media laws, including the Media Council Act 2013 is essential to strengthening media ecosystem”, noted Dr Ndung'u.

The CS at the same time urged media industry players to work together, adding that emerging dynamics in the media landscape calls for enhanced collaborations with various duty bearers.

“ I urge the media to unite and operate in a responsible manner and help in disseminating information and encouraging conversations on matters of national interest. This unity will also be critical in addressing various industry challenges”, said the CS.

Dr Ndung’u at the same time urged the media to utilise their power to educate the masses on the power of information technology and its attendant benefits as Kenya treads the digital superhighway.

Principal Secretary at the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Prof Edward Kisiang’ani commended efforts towards reviewing the media laws, saying it will ensure a robust media for Kenya.

“I am pleased with the ongoing efforts so far, including the formation of the taskforce to review laws governing media and ICT sector, which was a big step towards realising this objective. What remains is to agree and align the recommendations accordingly”, said Prof Kisiang’ani.

He commended the Media Council for its efforts towards promoting responsible journalism in the country, saying such efforts should be enhanced for the good of the industry and country at large.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo highlighted the Council’s achievements and future plans, he underscored the strategic importance of legislative review of media laws and affirmed the Council’s commitment to engaging media stakeholders.

“This review presents a strategic opportunity to invest in the growth of the media sector and the broader Kenyan economy. The Council remains at the forefront in setting media standards and ensuring compliance as outlined in the Media Act of 2013 and the Constitution of Kenya”, said Mr Omwoyo.

“There is an urgent need to reform and reinforce the legal frameworks governing media operations in Kenya. Outdated or restrictive laws must be aligned with international standards to ensure they do not infringe on press freedom”, noted Mr Omwoyo.

Newly appointed Chairperson of the recently reconstituted Media Complaints Commission Demas Kiprono said the Commission will remain steadfast in supporting efforts to ensure accountability in the media.

By Bryan Hamman, Regional Director for Africa, NETSCOUT

As Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, the continent is also becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberthreats, particularly Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

These incidents, which disrupt the availability of networks, applications and services, are becoming a favoured tool among hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities for malicious purposes.

Why do hackers use DDoS attacks?

DDoS attacks are emerging as a common and disruptive tactic across the continent, with several nations recently targeted by cybercriminals and hacktivist groups aiming to disrupt essential services and sow chaos. The motivations behind these attacks can vary widely.

In many cases, they are driven by financial gain, with attackers extorting businesses by threatening to sustain an attack unless a ransom is paid.

Cybercriminals often launch attacks with the intent to extort money from their targets, and these businesses, fearing the potential for brand damage, loss of reputation and significant revenue loss, often feel pressured to meet the attackers' demands. In some instances, these cybercriminals may also aim to sabotage competitors by disrupting their operations, giving themselves an unfair market advantage.

At other times, these DDoS attacks are apparently motivated by political or ideological beliefs, launched by hacktivist groups or state-sponsored actors to advance their goals or geopolitical interests. These attacks are designed to disrupt society's functioning, whether by disabling essential services or undermining public trust in institutions.

Last year, several Kenyan, Djiboutian, Ugandan and Nigerian organisations felt the wrath of hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan, with telecommunications, education and government organisations, amongst others, being heavily targeted.

After attacks in both Uganda and Kenya, Anonymous Sudan claimed that it was targeting the countries because of their alleged support of one of the groups in the civil fight against the Sudanese Armed Forces, a conflict that has raged in Sudan since April 2023. 

DDoS attacks can also be motivated by a desire for revenge. Cybercriminal groups may target organisations that they perceive as having acted against their interests or beliefs.

This type of cybercrime is not just limited to large corporations; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa are also increasingly becoming targets. The cost of downtime, coupled with the potential ransom demands, can be devastating for these businesses, many of which may not have the resources to mount an effective defence against sophisticated cyberattacks.

The smokescreen effect

One of the most dangerous aspects of DDoS attacks is their ability to serve as a smokescreen for other cybercrimes.

While IT teams are focused on restoring service after a DDoS attack, hackers may be exploiting the chaos to breach other parts of the network, stealing sensitive data or installing malware.

This dual threat underscores the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that can safeguard against DDoS attacks while also protecting other areas of the network.

Defending against the DDoS threat

For businesses and governments across the globe, the threat of DDoS attacks is real and growing. And as the digital landscape across the African continent continues to evolve, so too must our strategies for safeguarding it against those who would seek to exploit its vulnerabilities.

The best defence is a proactive approach to cybersecurity that includes robust DDoS protection. By investing in advanced cybersecurity solutions, local organisations can better protect themselves against the financial, operational and reputational damage that DDoS attacks can cause.

In a groundbreaking initiative to combat crime and social deviance in Kawangware, Rockey Africa Foundation has partnered with Crossover Basketball Ambassadors (CBA), a Kenyan non-profit Christian ministry, to sponsor a locally held basketball tournament.

The tournament held yesterday 24th, August 2024 at Gatina Primary Grounds in Kawangware, was a resounding success, drawing participation of 120 children and youth as low as 11 years old.

This partnership, supported by a KES 150,000 sponsorship from Rockey Africa Foundation, is part of a broader mission to create positive change in the community through sports and mentorship.

The tournament showcased intense competition across four categories: Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 (Boys and Girls), and Seniors. In the Under 11 category, Team Shaddy dominated Team Gitau with a 4-0 victory. Team Gitau bounced back in the Under 13 category, securing a 24-14 win over Team Shaddy.

The Under 15 Girls' match saw Team Gitau overpower Team Shaddy 45-29, while the Under 15 Boys' game ended with Team Gitau triumphing 40-19. However, in the Senior division, Team Shaddy took command, routing Team Gitau 94-64.

“This program, which we initiated last year, aims to combat crime and social issues like drug abuse in the slums. We have witnessed tremendous growth, with overwhelming support from the community as they continue to bring their children to participate. Today’s tournament drew over 120 kids and youth, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to our key partner, Rockey Africa Foundation, for their support in making this initiative a success.” Said Danniel Ochieng Omondi, Coach, CBA

The event not only showcased the athletic talent of the youth but also emphasized the role of sports in steering young people away from crime and deviant behaviors.

Crossover Basketball Ambassadors, founded in 2023, is dedicated to transforming lives in the slums through a holistic approach that combines sports, Bible study, and community service. Since its inception, CBA has seen encouraging growth, with 185 children currently enrolled in its basketball facility in Kawangware, next to Gatina Primary School.

The organization’s mission is to empower children and youth to become positive influences in their communities, breaking the cycle of crime and deviance that often plagues underserved areas.

Robert Kamau Wachira Rockey Africa’s CEO underscored the significance of this partnership: “By supporting Crossover Basketball Ambassadors, we are investing in a future where the youth of Kawangware can rise above the challenges of their environment and build a brighter, safer community.”

The partnership goes beyond just one tournament. CBA’s programs include basketball camps, which offer a week-long immersive experience combining basketball training with Bible study, as well as regular tournaments held during school holidays.

Additionally, CBA conducts Bible study sessions and community service initiatives such as clean-ups and tree planting, all aimed at fostering a sense of responsibility, discipline, and faith among the youth.

As CBA continues to make strides in reducing crime and promoting positive behavior in Kawangware, partnerships like the one with Rockey Africa Foundation are vital.

This collaboration is a powerful example of how community-driven efforts can create lasting change, giving young people the tools they need to lead lives of purpose and integrity.

Click on Rockey Africa to learn more about the foundation.

Kenya Tong -IL-MooDo national team Jasiri is in good form ready to defend this year's Mombasa open championship tittle.

Kenya officials confirmed on Saturday that team Kenya has intensified training at the AgaKhan Academy complex ready to face-off with opponents.

Team Kenya coach Ibrahim Mchumba said his charges are in good form ready to face off against foreign teams from USA,India ,Turkey and Nigeria who joined the Mombasa camp on Saturday.

The competition was scheduled to kick off this weekend but has was postponed till next weekend due to delays in the release of sponsorship funds by the government.

Foreign teams led by India have already arrived in Kenya and joined the seminar in anticipation of the competition.

Kenya Tong IL Moo Do team captain Elvis Malipe expressed hopes that team Kenya will reign despite funding challenges orchestrated by delayed funding.

"We take the rescheduled game on a positive note so that we can train harder,we have opponents,we have been in camp for the last two weeks and we hope for good results,"said Malipe.

World Tong IL MooDo federation president Takamitsu Hoshiko who has arrived in the country confirmed the postponement of the competition.

This is as more foreign teams continue to arrive in the country to take part in the annual competition.

"The sport is growing too fast,and it's our hope that various governments will continue to support it so that we can advance and feature in the Olympics,"said Master Hoshiko.

USA team include Ericka J De Sequeira a first time player participant,while India has Master Reunak Sighn an official.

Sighn confirmed that more players will join the team in the coarse of the week.He expressed hopes of a successful tournament.

Jasiri, is among the top two best teams in the world and has propelled Kenya in the world standing bagging World Tong-IL- Moo-Do Federation Awards .

The martial arts sport in Kenya has a great future potential, and the sport can bring in more Olympic medals for athletes once it is listed in the IOC games, Commonwealth games as well as and games.

This growth has inspired many African countries to join this sport, and African countries see Kenya as Tong-IL Moo-Do powerhouse.

According to Master Clarence Mwakio Ingalwa Chairman Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation despite the delays and challenges facing the start of the championship.

The chairman that the new Cabinet Secretary shall heed to the call for assistance to ensure the event is held to world class status.

"We have engaged the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, and we are optimistic that he will intervene to inspire our athletes to win more medals for the country this year," Master Mwakio said.

Youth  have been challenged to rise up and take up the role of oversight in their respective counties.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki said the role of oversight of the county governments cannot be left to the County assemblies and National assembly alone.

Speaking during the launch of the Mombasa International Republican Institute (IRI) youth cohort, Faki said the youth are at a better position to play the role of oversight.

"The role of oversight begins with the citizens themselves and it is very encouraging to see our youth as witnessed today coming out to also take that role." said Faki.

The Senator called on more donors and non- governmental organisations to come out to train and build capacity on the youth on the role of oversight.

"We need to train more youths and encourage them to take the role of oversight, we should not leave that role of our County assemblies and the Senate alone. This will help alot in preventing corruption and losing funds meant for development"

His sentiments were echoed by Mombasa youth leader and Kenyatta International conference centre (KICC) Director Mgeni Mboto who challenged the youth to also take charge of leadership.

"We have the potential and strength to bring change in our counties, let us not wait for someone to give us that opportunity, lets get out create and take the opportunities" argued Mboto.

On his part Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights Chairman Zedekiah Adika called on the National government to ensure that funds meant for development projects are disbursed to the counties on time.

"The allocation to counties should follow the law. Counties should get their funds, they should delay money to counties and start looking for excuses. The national government should release all functions meant for counties and release their funds." said Adika

Adding "As civil societies we will support and walk with the youths who have been trained on oversight"

Speaking at the same forum, Mombasa county secretary Jaizen Farouk challenged the youth from the county to put the county government on check and play their oversight role with no fear.

"As the county government we have been involving members of the public in our projects through public participation and budget making and we believe now that we have this group of youths our work will also be much easier and I believe we will all work together with the aim of making our county great."

Mombasa IRI youth cohort Chairman Hassan Athman said they will soon be working on their masterplan .

"We will be working with all the youths from our county, encourage my fellow youths to welcome and take up this project. I believe we have what it takes to perform the task of oversight" said Athman.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has noted that Kenya plans to construct its first nuclear power plant by 2034.

Mudavadi said that a research reactor will also be commissioned by the early 2030s in an initiative that begins in 2027 and aims to increase energy capacity, reduce CO2 emissions, and create significant job opportunities, boosting economic growth.

“Kenya is committed to leading in clean energy. Kenya focused on advancing nuclear technology as part of Kenya's sustainable energy strategy,” said Mudavadi.

Speaking after meeting with William D. Magwood, IV, Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) at his Railways office, Mudavadi appreciated NEA’s mentorship of young Kenyans in STEM. He highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration.

Their discussion focused on advancing nuclear technology as part of Kenya's sustainable energy strategy and aligns with NEA’s leadership goals to integrate atomic energy into our clean energy mix.

Key areas include deploying Small Modular Reactor technology, enhancing research, and building institutional sustainability.

Mudavadi said the government was keen to Strengthen partnership with NEA for Kenya’s long-term energy and development goals.
“As we move forward, this collaboration will play a vital role in the successful implementation of our nuclear energy program, contributing to the nation's prosperity and sustainability,” said Mudavadi.

In addition, Kenya will host the 2nd edition of the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) from August 27-30.

The summit will assess the industry’s readiness for nuclear energy adoption in Africa and seek to address concerns hindering nuclear power adoption in the region.

It aims to bolster existing relationships and establish new ones to reinforce cooperation in the nuclear energy sector while underscoring the opportunities nuclear power presents to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Participants will include policymakers, technical experts, and industry leaders, engaging in educational workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions, and multilateral discussions on topics such as financing, workforce development, and supply chain preparedness.

The first summit was held in Ghana by the US Department of Energy (DOE) in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

The Accra summit focused on fostering international cooperation on nuclear technology, sharing innovative solutions, and shaping policies.

President William Ruto, during his state visit to the US in May,  and his counterpart President Joe Biden held discussions centered on partnership on clean energy and resilience, including deepening US-Africa nuclear industry cooperation.

By Jonathan Duncan, technical director for Africa at Vertiv

The future of IT thermal management is here… and it’s a hybrid of air and liquid cooling technologies.

Enterprises across the globe are adopting high-performance computing (HPC) for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) model training and inference, causing a swift rise in chip, server, and rack power consumption, thus increasing heat dissipation levels.

Traditional air cooling alone within a data centre is not able to accommodate hot-running HPC equipment effectively, meaning that many data centre teams are strategising how best to design their cooling strategies future-ready in support of evolving business requirements.

Data centres must continue to be run efficiently, in a manner that addresses potential infrastructure risks. One such solution is the combined use of both air and liquid cooling options.

Anticipated growth of liquid cooling technology

According to a “MarketsandMarkets” ‘Data Center Liquid Cooling Market’ report, the global data centre liquid cooling market is projected to increase from USD 2.6 billion in 2023 to USD 7.8 billion by 2028; that’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4 percent during the forecast period^[1].

This development is primarily being driven by the requirements for increased cooling efficiency, energy savings, scalability, sustainability and higher performance.

In Africa, where climate and infrastructure issues loom large, there are additional pressing reasons to look at the efficiencies of liquid cooling technologies in data centres.

Fighting water issues with… water?

One of the main challenges when considering cooling solutions for data centres is the fact that servers need to be kept within certain temperature and humidity limits to function optimally.

As a case in point, Africa is the second-driest continent behind only Australia with two thirds of it classed as arid or semi-arid.

The 2023 / 2024 El Niño weather phenomenon has had a devastating effect on large parts of the region, creating extreme weather effects, including drought and heatwaves, which scientists say are becoming increasingly frequent and severe because of climate change.

At the same time, infrastructure issues around water availability and usage is another concern that must be constantly addressed within the data centre arena across the continent.

Using liquid cooling solutions within the data centre system offers one way to avert issues – if they are using ‘closed loop’ liquid cooling technology, which means that once the system pipes have been filled with water, there is no water waste.

Moreover, a closed water loop is capable of capturing heat to utilise it to warm nearby offices, homes or farms, supporting the circular economy.

Getting ready to deploy liquid cooling in the data centre

For African organisations preparing themselves to deploy liquid cooling, they must be aware of the fact that this is a significant initiative that requires careful planning and consideration of – among other factors - the existing facility’s footprint, current thermal management strategy, workloads, and budget.

A roadmap to kicking off this type of cooling strategy should include the following steps:

Determining current and future workflow requirements: IT and facility teams must decide how much space to allocate to new AI / HPC workloads to support current demand and growth over the next few years. Some will convert a few racks at a time, while others could allocate entire rooms for these workloads and supporting the addition of liquid cooling systems.

Conducting a site audit: Before developing a business case, teams need to know if retrofitting a facility with liquid cooling systems is technically and economically feasible. The IT and facility team should work with partners to conduct a thorough site audit, including the following steps:

• Performing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of existing airflows in the facility.
• Analysing existing air-cooling equipment to see if it provides enough capacity to be leveraged in the new hybrid cooling infrastructure and if current piping can be reused.

• Performing a flow network modelling (FNM) analysis to evaluate the ability of the liquid cooling system to support server liquid cooling requirements.
• Executing water and power usage effectiveness (WUE and PUE) analyses to determine how efficiently they are using water and power resources.
• Carrying out a total cost of ownership (TCO) study to optimise operations by replacing old or inefficient equipment to lower operational costs.

• Examining infrastructure to see if it can be adapted for use with more power-intensive workloads, such as AI.
• Reviewing physical space to see if raised floors can support the combined weight of new power and hybrid cooling systems, and determine access routes for piping.
• Checking the facility for potential required maintenance of existing infrastructure.
• Reviewing the on-site water supply, to determine if it is suitable for use in planned liquid cooling systems.

• Addressing any safety regulation compliance concerns.

 Modelling new infrastructure in the desired space: With this data and partner support, IT and facility teams can model the desired hybrid cooling infrastructure in the data centre and identify obstacles to overcome, such as weight restrictions, a lack of on-site water, the need to install new piping, access route concerns, and other issues.

Once all issues have been addressed, it is a good idea to contract with a vendor to construct a digital twin replica of the new design to explore new systems and processes in 3D.

Considering budget and site impacts: The audit and modelling exercise provides the IT and facility team with insight into how extensive the liquid cooling deployment will be to develop a business case for executive consideration.

The IT and facility team will also want to consider how on-site construction will disrupt current operations and what impact adding extra heat loads on site will have on current workloads and service-level agreements (SLAs).

Factoring in efficiency and sustainability gains: Since liquid cooling removes heat at the source, it can be more efficient than air cooling alone and lowers facilities’ PUE metrics. By using water or fluid to cool systems and allows teams to recapture and reuse heat, reducing wasted energy and supporting the circular economy.

These gains can reduce indirect or energy-regulated emissions for enterprises. As a result, liquid cooling can be an essential part of enterprises’ sustainability programmes.

Designing the new solution: With this information, a new solution customised for site requirements can be designed, whereafter a design with a bill of materials and required services, issue quote requests and select the manufacturers to build and integrate the liquid cooling system.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has asked education professionals to address critical issues affecting education, including conflict, climate change, and the impact of technology.

Mudavadi noted the alarming situation in the Sahel region and other parts of Africa, where approximately 100 million students are out of school due to ongoing conflicts.

He urged education leaders to develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges during the official opening of the 2024 International Confederation of Principals (ICP) World Convention.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mudavadi questioned how educational leaders can navigate the complexities of providing quality education in such challenging environments. “What will happen to the lives of these young people, given that the effects of conflict can last for up to 40 years?” he asked.
“We are on the brink of creating a lost generation, and we must find ways to ensure their futures are not bleak,” he added.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary also addressed the severe impacts of climate change. He cited recent events in Kenya, where the worst drought in 40 years destroyed over 4,000 classrooms, alongside critical infrastructure such as bridges and roads that provide access to schools.

“We must recognize that climate change is not just an environmental issue, it directly affects our educational systems and the opportunities available to our children,” Mudavadi stated.

Mudavadi emphasized the importance of economic empowerment for the youth. He noted that Africa is home to 1.4 billion people, 70% of whom are young. However, only 30% of intra-business is conducted within the continent, while 70% occurs outside.

PCS challenged education professionals to think critically about how to improve local economies and ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive. “How fast can we integrate language and communication skills into our curricula so that we can engage more effectively with each other?” he asked.

Mudavadi raised concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. He questioned whether AI serves as a tool for positive change or whether it risks creating scenarios that could be detrimental to society.

“How are we harnessing AI? Are we using it to enrich education, or are we allowing it to create negative consequences?” Mudavadi posed.

Mudavadi also warned about the dangers of social media, which can be weaponized to incite hate and violence. He referenced recent global incidents where social media played a significant role in spreading misinformation and division.

“Education must play a crucial role in moderating these issues,” he asserted. “We need to equip our learners with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital age.”

In a related initiative, Mudavadi visited the newly built Mama Ngina Girls High School, where he participated in planting trees as part of the Jaza Miti initiative. This initiative is a presidential directive aimed at increasing Kenya’s forest cover. In partnership with Safaricom and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forest ICT, the initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees.

In closing, Mudavadi urged education leaders at the convention to collaborate and innovate in response to these challenges. He reiterated the importance of transforming education systems to better prepare young people for the realities of a changing world.

“As we engage in these discussions, let us work towards a vision where every child has access to quality education, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities,” he concluded.

The International Confederation of Principals (ICP), established in 1990, continues to serve as a vital platform for school leadership organizations globally. It promotes the development and support of education leaders across diverse educational contexts.

Mombasa county leadership has endorsed the construction of the multi-million state of the art Santana housing project nestled at Kwa Sonko area, in Kisauni.

The ground breaking ceremony of the sh 4.5 billion project on Tuesday was attended by a host of Mombasa leaders who endorsed the project terming it as a game changer to the economy of the area.

Megna Homes, the company implementing the project says the 816-unit housing project sitting on a 12 acre piece of land will change the landscape of the subcounty.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad asked investors of the project to employ locals around noting that the huge investment shows investor confidence and a good environment for multi-million investments in the county.

Nassir who was the official guest during the official groundbreaking said the project is a game changer to the economy of Mombasa.

"Magogoni people must be lucky, the young people here have a change to change their lives forever, by the time the project ends, hundreds of young people will be employed," said Nassir.

On his part area Mp Rashid Bedzimba noted "This project is a game changer because it will create jobs, we ask the developers to consider employing the local youth from here so that they can earn a living,"

Jomvu member of Parliament Bady Twalib expressed hopes that a majority of young people will have opportunity to earn a living.

"We are happy for the investors confidence to open a big project in an area that has had a record of insecurity, this project must bring down crime as it will open an opportunity for investment," said Twalib.

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed asked young people to form groups and access funds from the women representative office to empower themselves through sustainable projects.

"The ah 2.5 million shillings per unit is affordable, we ask young people from Kisauni to form groups so that they can start projects and get money to buy units," said Mohamed.

Megna Homes CEO Ahmed Badawy said the flagship project will feature modern amenities such as an olympic-sized swimming pool, modern multi-purpose community centre, children’s playground, a football pitch, jogging tracks, green spaces, food courts, parking spaces and a police post.

Already, the Kwa Sonko neighbourhood where the project is located, has started benefiting. Street lights have been put up along the 400-metre road that separates the project into two equal portions