Archives July 2020

Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh on Monday 20th held community barazas engaging women and elders of three villages that had been identified as hot spots for Female Genital Mutilation in Taita Taveta County namely; Mata, Kimala and Bura Ndogo.

This meetings were convened as a result of the issues that had emerged of a new trend that targets young girls as young as a week old baby girl being subjected to the harmful practice of FGM.

In her address to the residents, Hon. Rachel Shebesh affirmed that the law is clear and amplifies punitive obligations on violators. She reiterated that, all administrators and stakeholders have an obligation to ensure that the perpetrators of FGM are brought to book.

Taita Taveta County has an FGM prevalence rate of 22% among the 22 Hotspot counties where the vice is being practiced. Worrying has been the trend on the acts aforementioned.

“Female Genital Mutilation and any other form of Gender Based Violence can no longer be tolerated this time round, we must concentrate on empowering our girls by educating them. FGM must stop and the time is now,” said Hon. Shebesh.

The CAS also presented dignity kits donated by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to several girls during the barazas to sustain them during the COVID-19 period.

During her visit, Hon. Shebesh made stop overs to inspect the ongoing Kazi Mtaani programme at Voi Airstrip and Taveta town where she called on the young people under the programme to make good use of the earnings for their economic empowerment.

The CAS was accompanied by Taita Taveta Women Representative Hon. Lydia Haika, former Governor, H.E Samwel Mruttu, Anti-FGM Chairperson Agnes Pareiyo among other National and County officials.

Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia today welcomed the Professional Criminologists Association of Kenya into the coalition of organizations that have been implementing programs to fight Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.

The criminologists’ association brings together professional practitioners who assist in the detection, prevention, and investigation of criminal activities in the country, under the clarion call “Crime must Fall”. Prof Kobia welcomed the association into the fold as she officially launched the Association’s Report on SGBV during the Covid-19 pandemic period titled “Trapped within a lockdown: Understanding Sexual and gender Based Violence During the Covid-19 Period.” The association commissioned the research following His Excellency the President’s call for focused research to inform and address the escalation of SGBV in the country in the recent past.

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Professor Kobia noted that the report would not only inform mitigation measures during the Covid-19 pandemic but would also contribute to the general body of knowledge on the causes and effects of SGBV, which would benefit future programs. She commended the association for taking a front seat and being proactive in the fight against SGBV.

Noting the importance of research in informing policies and programs, the Cabinet Secretary called for studies to inform best practices in mitigation, noting that counties such as Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi and Marsabit had recorded low numbers of SGBV. She called on researchers to commission studies on SGBV forms that affect the boy child noting that studies had shown the boy child equally suffered from SGBV. “Our programs to assist and protect the girl child should not leave out the boy child who suffers in a similar manner. Our mitigation programs must not be counter-productive,” she noted.

The Cabinet Secretary also welcomed KIRK Television into the coalition of SGBV fighters and praised them for producing and broadcasting programs that sensitize communities on the negative effects of SGBV. Prof Kobia at the same time asked communities to dialogue and provide community-based solutions to the SGBV problem noting that communal action is needed to return social morality to a society that seems to have slid away from the wishes of God. She noted that the multi-dimensional basis of the problem called for multipronged solutions that address significant factors such as education, customs, beliefs, and socio-economic empowerment of SGBV survivors.

Present at the launch was the Deputy Inspector General of National Police Service Mr Edward Mbugwa, PCAK Association legal advisor Gitobu Imanyara, Gender Secretary Ms Faith Kasiva and Anti FGM Board CEO Bernadette Loloju. The Cabinet Secretary also welcomed Ms Caroline Chepkorir Tegeret the first female lawyer from the Ogiek community, who is a member of PCAK and has committed to serve as an advocate of the FGM campaign in the Ogiek community.

Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh on Thursday 16th July, carried out an inspection tour of the recently launched Phase two of the “ Kazi Mtaani” project in Mombasa County. The National Government project which is meant to engage jobless youth across the country in income-generating activities has seen more than 200,000 youth enrolled into the programme.

The National Youth Service, a state agency under the Ministry of Public Service and Gender is tasked with supervising the programme across the country.

The CAS carried out inspection visits at Ziwa la Ng’ombe in Nyali, Kaa Chonjo in Mvita and Bangladesh in Jomvu. She called on the youth to make proper use of the earnings for their economic empowerment.

Hon. Shebesh also held a meeting with Mombasa County Government officers led by the Deputy Governor H.E Dr.William Kingi to deliberate on Ministry projects within Mombasa County and other possible areas of collaboration between the Ministry and the County Government of Mombasa before presenting Affirmative Funds cheques namely Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) worth over Ksh 32 Million to various youth, women and People Living with Disability groups in Mombasa County.

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Thereafter, the CAS presented dignity kits donated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to school going girls drawn from Kisauni Sub County, Mombasa.

Speaking to the girls, Hon. Shebesh urged them to be vigilant and report any person who tries to lure them into sexual activity.

The dignity kits consist of sanitary pads, soap, underpants among other items meant to sustain the girls during the Covid 19 period.

The CAS was accompanied by Mombasa County Women Representative, Hon. Asha Hussein among other officials.

Chief Administrative Secretary, Hon. Rachel Shebesh has condemned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice being undertaken in Taita Taveta County especially on infants as young as a day old baby.

In her address to the local administration officers in Taveta County on Tuesday 14^th, Hon. Shebesh affirmed that the Law is clear and has punitive obligations on such gross practice on children and called on the administrators and stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators of FGM are brought to book.

Taita Taveta County has an FGM prevalence rate of 22% among the 22 Hotspot counties where the vice is being practiced. Worrying has been the trend on the acts aforementioned.

“We can’t have our innocent baby girls subjected to FGM, it’s not worth discussing, the recourse is, we must arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and safe guard our girls,” said Hon. Shebesh.

Meanwhile, she directed the Anti FGM Board to come up with amendments to the law so as to include sections that will address FGM being practiced on infants. Coming to further offer support towards the drafting of a County Bill that further enhances the ANTI-FGM.

The CAS wound up her working itinerary by presenting Affirmative Fund Cheques from Women Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund worth over Ksh 20 Million to various groups in Taita Taveta County before visiting Wundanyi Huduma Centre to assess its level of service delivery where she presented Certificates of recognition to staff members who have been on duty since Covid-19 first case was announced by the Government.

The CAS was accompanied by Anti-FGM board Chairperson, Agnes Pareiyo, UNFPA Country Representative Mr. Ademola Olajide, Taita Taveta Women Representative Hon. Lydia Haita and Taita DCC, Mr. David Kiprop.

Cabinet Secretary Prof Margaret Kobia today joined leading global entrepreneurs in the virtual launch of an application that will connect women businesses with partners across the globe. The App will act as an empowerment tool to support women in online learning, access to business skills and business partnerships. The App aims to ultimately expand business access and cushion women led businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, and beyond.

“HerVenture”, the app, was launched jointly by leading global courier DHL and Cherie Blair Foundation. In her contribution during the launch the Cabinet Secretary noted that the pandemic had affected women globally in that it had led to loss of incomes, and increased their work load as caregivers in the homes. Socially, the pandemic had contributed to the escalation of Gender Based Violence, particularly in intimate partner abuse. 

Prof Kobia shared Kenya’s experience and actions in mitigating the effects of the pandemic noting that the country has made institutional, policy and programmatic interventions aimed at cushioning the most vulnerable and marginalized members of the community. She underscored the importance of affirmative action funds in cushioning the effects of the pandemic on women. 

She singled out creation of partnerships between government, private sector and other stakeholders as one of the most effective ways of mitigating the effects of the pandemic. The Cabinet Secretary praised the joint launch of the App by the DHL and Cherie Blaire Foundation as one of the partnership creation strategies that has proved effective in addressing other women empowerment programs.

Other speakers during the launch included the foundation founder Cherie Blaire and the CEO of DHL Worldwide John Pearson, among others.   

Following H.E the President’s directive on ease of movement restrictions, State Department for Public Service Principal Secretary, Mrs. Mary Kimonye on Friday 10^th July called on all public servants to resume official duty with strict observance of the Ministry of Health guidelines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs. Kimonye visited Laikipia and Meru Huduma Centres to take stock of the safety measures in place as part of the phased approach and the preparedness of the centres for resumption of normal services and officially announced resumption of all services at all our Huduma Centres countrywide.

At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya, the Government scaled-down services in all the centres from 112 services to 2 services: collection of ID’s and Birth certificates, as part of the Government’s Strategy in curbing the spread of the Coronavirus.

However, the centers have continued to serve customers online via the Huduma contact center and social media channels and rolled out at least 25 end-to-end services online in a bid to ensure that wananchi can access services virtually during the Covid-19 period.

To allow for continuation of critical services and highly sought-after services by the citizens, Huduma centres have resumed: Application of Duplicate ID, Application of Birth Certificates, Police Abstract services, NHIF Services, Police Clearance Certificate (Certificate of Good Conduct), KRA Services and NTSA-Smart Driving License.

These services will be offered whilst adhering to all safety protocols directed by the Government, including wearing masks, providing sanitizers and installing hand washing stations for customers in the centres across the country.

The Principal Secretary applauded the Centre Managers and the Huduma Centre Staff for the excellent work done during the Covid-19 Pandemic in ensuring service delivery to the citizens is satisfactory.

Mrs. Kimonye emphasized the need to prioritize customer and staff safety. “All staff will strictly adhere to WHO and Ministry of Health guidelines as they discharge services at all times. Online services continue through the contact centre: 020 6900020 and through social media,” she said.

She noted that Huduma Kenya Secretariat will be working with Agencies under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to establish mechanisms to clear the backlog for the following services: National Identity Cards and Birth Certificates.

The PS handed over Huduma Centre Guidelines, Labels for Social Distancing in the Centres, sanitizers and received donations of 104 hand-washing basins from Silverspread Hardware, a local business in Meru that will be distributed to all 52 Huduma Centres countrywide.

During her visit, Mrs. Kimonye was accompanied by Huduma Kenya CEO, Mr. James Buyekane among other Huduma Kenya Secretariat officials.

Cabinet Secretary, Prof Margaret Kobia on Thursday 9th, July handed over food and non-food items to COVID-19 Response Committees in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties to cushion vulnerable households during this period.

Addressing residents while  accompanied by the respective county commissioners, Prof. Kobia noted that the impact of Covid-19 global pandemic is affecting every part of our society and a partnership approach is needed to respond to the emerging challenges.

She lauded partners from the County Government, the National Government, the private sector, and NGOs for providing donations to cushion the vulnerable households from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Cabinet Secretary commended Maendeleo ya Wanawake for providing the national network that will ensure the donations reach the most vulnerable women in our society.

“National Government has put in place various interventions to combat Covid-19 pandemic and the National Emergency Response Committee has been coordinating efforts to mitigate the pandemic together with other state and non-state actors,” said Prof. Kobia.

She appealed to the communities in FGM hotspot Counties to support H.E the President’s call to end FGM in Kenya by 2022. She urged for expedited prosecution of the perpetrators of GBV who continue to violate the rights of innocent girls and women.

On her part, Principal Secretary, Mrs. Mary Kimonye called on all public servants to continue discharging their mandate while strictly observing the laid down protocols on combating the Covid-19 global pandemic.
She said in the post-Covid paradigm, public service delivery is going digital which opens up opportunities for youth to serve.

Maendeleo ya Wanawake National Chairperson, Mrs. Rahab Mwikali challenged parents to pay keen attention to their responsibilities now that children are squarely under their care.

She called on religious leaders to teach right morals to repair the broken social moral fabric which has led to unprecedented teenage pregnancies.
Mwikali nostalgically recalled that Tharaka Nithi County was the first one to introduce alternative rite of passage to FGM in the 1990s. She challenged county leaders to upscale the rite and use it to achieve H.E the President’s commitment of End FGM by 2022.

The items handed over included kits, buckets, masks, bar soaps, lessos, rice, beans and fortified health foods. Donors included UNFPA, WEF, UWEZO Fund, Kenya Pipeline Company and Ministry of Devolution and ASALS.

The Cabinet Secretary also presided over the issuance of Affirmative Action Fund cheques from the Women Enterprise Fund worth Kshs.34.15 million to 135 women groups and Uwezo fund worth Kshs. 19.19 million to 238 groups in Meru County. In Tharaka Nithi County Women Enterprise Fund disbursed cheques worth Kshs. 11.45 million to 38 women groups and UWEZO Fund disbursed Ksh 5.9 million to 93 groups to cushion women businesses and their families during this time of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Other leaders present included Tharaka Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki, UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Ademola Olajide, and Bishop Silas Mugambi among other local leaders.

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Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia on Wednesday 8th officiated the handover of food and non-food items donated by various organizations to women leaders at the NYS Headquarters, Ruaraka.

The women leaders have been entrusted with the distribution of the items to the most vulnerable families across the country, with special focus on women.

In her remarks, Prof. Kobia lauded the women leaders for providing support to women and girls who are faced with a crisis during Covid-19 pandemic.

She noted that the Government has announced policy measures including the establishment of Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Programme which targets the vulnerable groups and called on women leaders to take action in order to cushion and protect women and girls at this time when they are most vulnerable.

“The caring role in society falls upon us as women and mothers. Women are the primary caregivers to communities and families in times of crisis,” said the Cabinet Secretary.

Prof. Kobia applauded H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta for directing action on  Gender Based Violence and the rising cases of teenage  pregnancies arguing that it will make the domestic space safer for all, including women and girls.

Also, read: NYS Launches Strategic Plan and Unveils Innovation Projects

Further the CS, indicated that the Ministry through the Affirmative Action Funds has fast tracked release of funds to cushion women enterprises since the month of March, whereby Ksh. 694 Million loans have been processed from the Women Enterprise Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.

The institutions who have given the donations flagged off today include: Kenya Pipeline Company, National Youth Service, UNFPA, Women Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund.

Among leaders present during the event were Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh, Director General – National Youth Service, Matilda Sakwa, UN Women Representative, Anna Mutavati, Chairperson, NGAAF Prof. Wanjiku Kabira, Chairperson, WEF Ms. Njoki Kahiga and MP, Kandara Constituency Hon. Alice Wahome among other women leaders and partners.

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On Tuesday, the Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia hosted her cabinet colleague for ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Mr. Joe Muhceru during the unveiling of the National Youth Service (NYS) innovations and launch of Strategic Plan 2019/2020-2023/2024 at the NYS Headquarters Ruaraka, Nairobi. 

In her remarks, Prof. Kobia congratulated the NYS leadership for their efforts in the realization of the Strategic Plan. 

She urged the Council and Management to ensure that the implementation of programmes is carried out in accordance to the strategic plan.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that the establishment of a commercial arm within the NYS, affords the Service the opportunity to engage in various enterprises as a source of revenue generation needed to enhance the sustainability of NYS programmes and projects.

Also, read on: Chief Administrative Secretary Inspects Ministry Programs and Disburses Affirmative Funds in Seven Counties

Prof. Kobia observed that the current challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic has seen NYS taking the frontline role in responding to the pandemic. 

Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru in his address lauded the NYS smart innovation of an electric tuk-tuk and handcart which he termed environmentally friendly. The innovations will provide a low-cost individualized transport alternative for SMEs and those who do not own private vehicles.

He said African economy depends on countries’ entrepreneurs being able to absorb and creatively adapt technological knowledge and innovation since entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst in industrialization and economic growth.

“The uniqueness of this innovation we are launching today is that it brings together key ecosystem actors that lead to successful growth of start-ups globally,” said CS Mucheru.

Mr. Mucheru maintained that the Government will always focus to create an enabling environment that supports innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers to step out and explore.

During the occasion, various partners gave donations to assist the vulnerable groups affected by Covid-19. Among these were Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Kenya Pipeline Corporation, UNFPA, and Ministry of Devolution among others.

Leaders present included Chief Administrative Secretary Hon. Rachel Shebesh (Public Service and Gender), Principal Secretaries Mary Kimonye (Public Service), Prof. Collette Suda (Gender), and Julius Korir (Youth Affairs); Director General – National Youth Service, Matilda Sakwa and UNFPA Country Representative, Ademola Olajide among other government officials and partners.

Past event: Public Service Prepares For Africa Public Service Day 2020

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