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No mask, No voting, IEBC says ahead of 5 by-elections

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 14:30:01 +0000

No mask, No voting, IEBC says ahead of 5 by-elections admin Mon, 12/14/2020 - 14:30

Monday, December 14, 2020

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No mask, No voting, IEBC says ahead of 5 by-elections

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 14 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned voters in five by-elections set for Tuesday that they will not be allowed at polling stations without facemasks.

Commissioner Boya Molu said the protocols that entail the use of face masks, social distancing, disinfecting surfaces among others must be adhered to in all polling stations to curb the spread of COVID-19.

He said the COVID-19 protocols were developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health and had been circulated to all election officials for strict compliance.

“We shall have an officer who shall have a thermo-gun to check the temperature, we have water and sanitizers at every polling station, and gloves and masks for all our officials. So we are asking the public to strictly comply with these requirements,” he said.

This comes a month after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a “No mask, No service” public sensitization campaign to encourage adherence to COVID-19 containment measures.

The by-elections will be held in Msambweni constituency, new MCAs in Kahawa-Wendani in Kiambu County, Kisumu North in Kisumu and Lake view in Nakuru County, Dabaso in Kilifi County and Wundanyi/Mbale wards in Taita Taveta County.

Msambweni Returning Officer Yusuf Abubakar Mohamed said there were no major incidents reported during the two-month for campaigns and expressed optimism of an incident-free election.

“Voters are expected to come to the polling stations masked. We are trying our bit as a Commission to contain the spread of Coronavirus,” Abubakar said.

He said 60 polling centres with a total of 129 stations across the constituency had been fumigated as part of the COVID-19 containment measures.

MSAMBWENI

The Msambweni seat fell vacant following the death of ODM legislator Suleiman Dori in March 2020.

Key candidates in the by-election are Wiper Democratic Movement’s Sheikh Abdurahman Mahmoud, Omar Boga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Deputy President William Ruto’s ally Feisal Bader.

The other candidates are Marere Wamwachai of The National Vision Party, Hassan Mwakulonda of Party of Economic Democracy and independent candidates Charles Bilali and Mansour Kumaka.

The candidates are scrambling for the 68,621 registered voters in Gombato/Bongwe, Ukunda, Kinondo and Ramisi Wards.

KISUMU NORTH WARD

Meanwhile Returning Officers who will be overseeing the mini-polls confirmed that preparations were complete as the Commission finalised the dispatch of voting materials to the various polling stations.

Kisumu North Ward Returning Officer Dennis Omare announced adequate security within the polling stations and outside to ensure peace prevails during the exercise.

“We have organised with the security teams so that they can be going around conducting patrols. They will be checking on any kind of mischief,” Omare told a news briefing Monday ahead of the polls.

The Kisumu North Ward seat fell vacant when the MCA Elisha Oraro was elected Kisumu Count Assembly Speaker.

The Commission cleared nine candidates to contest the ward representative’s seat, with three candidates vying on independent tickets while the rest are sponsored by various parties.

DABOS

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President Kenyatta says BBI constitutional review seeks to resolve negative ethnicity

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:50:02 +0000

President Kenyatta says BBI constitutional review seeks to resolve negative ethnicity admin Mon, 10/26/2020 - 19:50

Monday, October 26, 2020

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Kenya – Capital News

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President Kenyatta says BBI constitutional review seeks to resolve negative eth…

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 26 – President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday defended the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional review report he launched at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi saying it seeks to address negative ethnicity.

The Head of State said the law review process under BBI will culminate in an inclusive governance structure that will enhance unity and cooperation among Kenyans.

The report launched a week after it was jointly presented to him and his BBI co-partner Raila Odinga proposes the expansion of the national executive by adding the position of Prime Minister and two deputies, all appointed by the President from among the parliamentary membership of the majority party.

President Kenyatta defended the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional review report he launched at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi saying it seeks to address negative ethnicity/PSCU

The Head of State said there is need to manage the youth carefully, not by inciting them but by including them in decision making processes.

He urged Kenyans to support the BBI because it will end the tribal divisions that have characterized the successive elections in the country.

President Kenyatta also thanked his handshake partner Raila Odinga for agreeing to the 2018 Handshake which he termed as a watershed moment that has redrawn the country’s political architecture.

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Raila says uncontested BBI referendum ideal as Kalonzo urges consensus

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:50:02 +0000

Raila says uncontested BBI referendum ideal as Kalonzo urges consensus admin Mon, 10/26/2020 - 19:50

Monday, October 26, 2020

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Kenya – Capital News

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Raila says uncontested BBI referendum ideal as Kalonzo urges consensus

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 26 – Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Raila Odinga and his Wiper counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka on Monday underscored the need for a national consensus to achieve an uncontested referendum on constitution review proposals captured in Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.

Odinga said the 2010 constitution was a ceasefire document and the time has come for the country as a whole to look at outstanding issues that may not have been addressed when the constitution was originally framed.

While quoting the Bible and the Quran, Raila said the proposed constitutional amendment should be a unifying factor.

He quoted Isaiah 1:18: “Come now let’s reason together.”

“The Quran says those who listen to all statements and then follow the best of it these are the ones whom Allah has guided and these are the ones possessed of minds, so that’s why we are saying let us come and reason as a people of Kenya and let’s talk together and not talk at each other,” Odinga further outlined.

He also dismissed claims that he was pushing for BBI for him to become President, saying he was yet to declared his interest on the seat.

Kalonzo who spoke ahead of Odinga at the event had urged for consensus building to ensure a non-contested constitution review process under the BBI/PSCU

Odinga said the Jubilee government should be given time to complete deliver on its Big 4 agenda before the next General Election.

Kalonzo who spoke ahead of Odinga at the event had urged for consensus building to ensure a non-contested constitution review process under the BBI.

Kalonzo noted that unity is paramount even as the country gears to a possible referendum to make crucial amendments.

“For once I think we have a God given opportunity to have a non-contested Referendum, let’s listen to everyone and the church so that we build the consensus,” he said.

L – R: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto during the launch of the BBI report at Bomas of Kenya on October 26,2020/PSCU

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276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averages 13pc

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 19:50:02 +0000

276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averages 13pc admin Mon, 10/26/2020 - 19:50

Monday, October 26, 2020

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Kenya – Capital News

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276 COVID-19 cases reported from 2,126 screened samples, positivity rate averag…

NAIROBI, Kenya October 26 – The health ministry announced 276 more coronavirus cases on Monday picked from 2,162 samples analyzed over a period of 24 hours.

This represents a 12.98 per cent positivity rate with the five-day mean standing at 13.1 per cent, a figure that is almost triple the five per cent threshold stipulated by the World Health Organisation.

The new figure brings to 49,997 the total reported cases out of the 662,046 cumulative tests conducted since March.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, through a statement sent to newsrooms also announced that eighteen patients had succumbed to coronavirus raising the national death tally to 920.

Kagwe said that there are ninety-two patients who are on emergency care including twenty patients under Intensive Care Unit (ICU), fifty-two on supplementary oxygen and twenty on High Dependency Unit.

The Ministry of Health noted that 220 more patients were cleared including 150 who were under Home-Based Care Program and seventy who were discharged from various hospitals.

The the total number of patients who have been cleared after recovering from the virus since April 1 rose to 34, 429.

Another 1,191 patients were said to be hospital-based care while 1, 406 were being monitored under the home-based care protocol.

The new cases reported include a two-year old baby and are distributed among 179 males and 97 females.

Mombasa, Machakos and Nairobi accounted for the highest cases with 71, 58 and 50 cases respectively while Kilifi and Busia followed with 21 cases each.

Other cases were distributed in Kwale (19), Kajiado(13), Garissa (6), Nakuru (5), Narok(4), Makueni(3), Kiambu(3), Taita Taveta(1) and Tharaka Nithi (1).

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LSK asks Treasury to suspend MPs’ salaries over dissolution advise

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:50:01 +0000

LSK asks Treasury to suspend MPs’ salaries over dissolution advise admin Thu, 09/24/2020 - 12:50

Thursday, September 24, 2020

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Kenya – Capital News

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LSK asks Treasury to suspend MPs’ salaries over dissolution advise

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 24 –The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) wants the National Treasury to suspend payment of national lawmakers’ salaries effective October 12.

LSK President Nelson Havi announced the decision on Thursday saying the measure was intended to safe-guard public resources in the event that President Uhuru Kenyatta does not dissolve Parliament within 21days.

“Mindful of the impunity that have been perpetuated by Parliament and the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, we have written to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury, to cease the remittance of salaries and allowances to members of the National Assembly and Senators of the Twelfth Parliament with effect from October 12. Man shall not eat what he has not laboured for,” he told a news conference held at LSK Offices.

Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) whose chair is National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi already gave an assurance that the 419 legislators will continue receiving the remuneration until their term of office expires after the 2022 general election.

LSK latest demand is premised on Chief Justice David Maraga’s decision advising President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve Parliament for failure to enact a law to operationalize the two-third gender constitutional principle.

Under the two-thirds gender rule, the dominant gender should only occupy 66.66 per cent of public offices. Currently, men dominate the National Assembly as only 59 out of 349 MPs are female.

Havi said the LSK also petitioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission stating that Parliament shall be not conduct lawful business beyond the said timeline.

The lawyers’ lobby group also asked Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to withdraw security detail attached to the Members of Parliament.

“We have written to the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government as well as Inspector General of Police to withdraw all police officers designated to guard these, who will be former parliamentarians.”

“We have also asked the Parliamentary Service Commission to ensure that the two Houses are closed because these individuals will no longer have the authority of the people of Kenya,” The LSK President stated.

The PSC, which ensures smooth running of both the Senate and the National Assembly, has already announced its intent challenge the CJ’s advice in court.

The Commission on Tuesday claimed that the Chief Justice jumped the gun by issuing the advisory despite two impending petitions before the High Court.

While issuing the advisory on Monday, Justice Maraga cited Article 261 (1) and the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides that the enactment of the two-thirds gender principle was among the things Parliament was to do within five years after the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010. This has not happened 10 years later.

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DCI’s KRA unit looking for Mary Wambui, Purity Njoki after dramatic escape from Weston hotel

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:20:01 +0000

DCI’s KRA unit looking for Mary Wambui, Purity Njoki after dramatic escape from Weston hotel

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 14:20

Thursday, December 9, 2021

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DCI’s KRA unit looking for Mary Wambui, Purity Njoki after dramatic escape from…

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 9 – Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) attached to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have intensified the hunt for directors of Purma Holdings who are wanted over Sh2.2 billion tax evasion.

This follows a dramatic escape from Weston Hotel in Nairobi last night where detectives had laid wait.

“The two, Mary Wambui Mungai & Purity Njoki Mungai escaped from their hotel rooms a few minutes before the police and officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) arrived to arrest them. Upon searching the hotel premises, KRA officers and the police found personal belongings of the two including cash, bank cards and car keys; a clear indication that the two were residing at the hotel,” KRA said in a statement.

They are wanted in court to face charges of tax evasion.

UPDATE: Purma Holdings Directors Escape at City Hotel

2 directors of Purma Holdings Limited being sought over Kshs. 2.2 billion tax evasion court case, this evening escaped a police dragnet at a local city hotel where they were residing.

— Kenya Revenue Authority (@KRACorporate) December 8, 2021

The two directors of Purma Holdings are wanted following a warrant of arrest issued against them in a Sh2.2 billion tax evasion case.

The warrant on the two was issued after they failed to appear in the Anti-Corruption Court to answer 8 counts of “knowingly and unlawfully omitting taxes due in the Income Tax returns submitted to the Commissioner for Domestic Taxes between 2014-2016.”

They had attempted to obtain orders to suspend the warrant but were not successful.

It was not immediately clear how the two managed to escape from the hotel despite the presence of detectives who had been waiting to arrest them.

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Biden nominates Margaret Whitman as America’s ambassador to Kenya

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:20:01 +0000

Biden nominates Margaret Whitman as America’s ambassador to Kenya

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 14:20

Thursday, December 9, 2021

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Kenya – Capital News

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Biden nominates Margaret Whitman as America’s ambassador to Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 9-US President Joe Biden has nominated former Hewlett Packard (HP) Chief Executive Officer and president Margaret Whitman is popularly known as Meg as America’s ambassador to Kenya.

Whitman is listed as a major donor to Biden’s campaign having contributed $500,000 to his victory fund last year, according to reports in CNBC which describes her as a “big money political donor.”

Once the nomination is confirmed, Whitman will replace Kyle McCarter who served under the tenure of former president Donald Trump. He left in January this year.

Whitman is a Member of the Board of Procter & Gamble and General Motors, and National Board Chair at Teach for America.

She is also listed as having supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race against Donald Trump.

The former tech executive has also been politically active for years having ran in 2010 as a Republican for governor in California but lost to Democrat Jerry Brown.

Whitman spent decades in high-level corporate roles as she is the former CEO of Quibi, a streaming content platform for mobile devices.

She has held senior leadership positions at Hasbro, Stride Rite Corporation and the Walt Disney Corporation, and she is a former partner at Bain and Co.

Whitman received a B.A. from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Among numerous honors, Meg has been inducted into the Bay Area Business Hall of Fame and the U.S. Business Hall of Fame.

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Purma Holdings update: Mary Wambui and Purity Njoki present themselves in court

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:10:01 +0000

Purma Holdings update: Mary Wambui and Purity Njoki present themselves in court

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 14:10

Thursday, December 9, 2021

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Kenya – Capital News

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Purma Holdings update: Mary Wambui and Purity Njoki present themselves in court

NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 9 – Directors of Purma Holdings Mary Wambui and Purity Njoki presented themselves in court Thursday after escaping a police dragnet on Wednesday night.

They have wanted over Sh2.2 billion tax evasion and a warrant of arrest was issued against them last week when they failed to appear in court and instead sent their accountant.

The two arrived in court on Thursday morning, covering their faces, while accompanied by lawyer Nelson Havi.

This follows a dramatic escape from Weston Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday night where detectives had laid wait.

UPDATE: Purma Holdings Directors Escape at City Hotel

2 directors of Purma Holdings Limited being sought over Kshs. 2.2 billion tax evasion court case, this evening escaped a police dragnet at a local city hotel where they were residing.

— Kenya Revenue Authority (@KRACorporate) December 8, 2021

The two directors of Purma Holdings were wanted following a warrant of arrest issued against them in a Sh2.2 billion tax evasion case.

They had attempted to obtain orders to suspend the warrant but were not successful.

It was not immediately clear how the two managed to escape from the hotel despite the presence of detectives who had been waiting to arrest them.

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Not an inch more or less, Kenyatta says of Kenya’s border

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:20:01 +0000

Not an inch more or less, Kenyatta says of Kenya’s border

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 08:20

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

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Africa – Capital News

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Not an inch more or less, Kenyatta says of Kenya’s border

Nairobi, Kenya, Nov 30- President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed that his administration will do everything to ensure Kenya’s borders remain intact with no encroachment.

Speaking Tuesday when he delivered his 2021 State of the Nation Address in a joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate, Kenyatta maintained that Kenya won’t relent in its resolve to protect its borders.

“On territorial integrity, I want to go on record in this House that our forefathers bequeathed us our homeland and nation. The Government of Kenya will do everything possible to preserve the territory of this our great Republic and ensure that generations after generations of Kenya dwell in it, as it is – intact and encumbered. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, Not an Inch More: Not an Inch Less,” he said.

Kenyatta’s comments follow a ruling by the UN-backed International Court of Justice (ICJ) that there is no agreed maritime boundary between Kenya and Somalia, handing the war-torn country most of the sea zone claimed by Kenya.

ICJ judges ruled there was “no agreed maritime boundary” and drew a new border close to the one claimed by Somalia, although Kenya kept a part of the 100,000 square-kilometre (38,000-square-mile) area, chief judge Joan Donoghue said.

Kenya has remained adamant that it won’t recognize the October 12 ruling by the ICJ.

President Kenyatta stated that his administration has been at the forefront in steering the transformation of security since he took the helm of the country in 2013.

“To give one example, the police to population ratio is at its highest level ever and is even higher than the U.N. prescribed standard. Our police complement has an additional 47,000 new recruits who have joined the Service from the year 2013 to date,” Kenyatta said.

The Head of State further said that his government has undertaken the most consequential and expansive modernization of the military over the last eight years, the reforms he said are “unparalleled in our nation’s history,”

“We have invested substantially in military manufacturing capabilities that have not only resulted in the spurring of previously dormant sectors, but the creation of jobs for our young people both directly, and through ancillary services. For the first time in Kenya’s history, we are producing our own light weapons and military uniforms – equipment and supplies that were previously imported,” he added.

He added that over 600 young people have secured employment in these industries adding that it has saved the country’s foreign exchange reserves, and achieved knowledge and technology transfer for growth and anticipated future development.

“And this is because I am determined to tool and re-retool our security resources to the highest standards attainable. This is the only way we will guarantee ‘freedom from fear’ for our people and secure our territorial integrity,” he said.

Kenyatta stated that his government had invested in the social welfare of the security personnel including reviewing their remuneration, allowances, benefits, housing, and insurance.

He added that the government has also increased the capacity of the health facilities used by the security organs in the country.

“In particular, we have established a Level 4 Hospital in Kahawa Garisson, and soon plan to open another Level 4 facility in Isiolo. I recently commissioned a Trauma and Counselling Center at Manda in Lamu County. We shall also be breaking ground on three additional Level 4 Hospitals – Eldoret for the Defence Forces, Ruiru for Prisons and Mbagathi for the Police,” he said.

“The upgrade of the Forces Memorial Hospital to a Level 5 facility is set to begin early next year, in addition to the ongoing construction of the Level 6 Hospital for the Defence Forces, off Waiyaki Way in Nairobi,” Kenyatta added.

The Head of State added that in addition to ongoing initiatives to improve on police housing, the government will later this month break ground on a facility to build 3,500 houses for the military.

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Kenya’s nuclear energy agency to host secretariat for East and Central Africa

admin — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 08:10:01 +0000

Kenya’s nuclear energy agency to host secretariat for East and Central Africa

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admin Sat, 12/11/2021 - 08:10

Thursday, December 2, 2021

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Africa – Capital News

Original Article

Kenya’s nuclear energy agency to host secretariat for East and Central Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – Kenya will now host the Regional Secretariat for Eastern and Central Africa which will be responsible for mitigating risks posed by the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) materials in the region.

The secretariat which will be hosted by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) will also be tasked with strengthening capacities to prevent and respond to threats ranging from crimes such as terrorism, illicit trafficking, theft, sabotage, to industrial accidents and infectious disease outbreaks among others.

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of a regional secretariat, Prof Erastus Gatebe, the KNRA Board Chairperson, said the initiative which was approved by the government in 2015 is meant to promote national security and public safety.

“You have seen that these materials or chemicals have the good use and bad use. if they are in proper hands and regulated, they can be of good use to us as humanity, but if they are in other hands, they can also be misused and that is where legislation is also important,” said Gatebe.

He stated that the center which comprises of 11 partner countries will play a critical role in the regional coordination pointing out that security is a shared responsibility.

Gatebe added that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the CBRN COE, Regional Secretariat for ECA was executed on November 9, 2021 in Turin, Italy between the United Nations (UN) represented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) represented by KNRA.

The EU Centres of Excellence on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation (CBRN CoE) is an initiative of the European Union which was launched in 2010. The Initiative addresses the mitigation of and preparedness for risks related to CBRN material and agents.

United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya, Stephen Jackson emphasized the need for cooperation saying no country or region can stay safe in isolation from the risk of CBRN threats.

“This is why, from 2010 onwards, UNICRI has worked with the European commission to create and implement the CBRN Centers of Excellence around the world… and that initiative is shaping new comprehensive international cooperation models and standards based on a universal understanding of risks and the global commitment to share and pool representatives,” he said.

Jackson stated that from the UN perspective the initiative is pushing towards the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He noted that during the COVID-19 crises the decentralized network around CBRN in the region proved its resilience.

Henriette Geiger, Head of European Union Delegation Kenya called on countries to pay keen attention on matters of security and to be well prepared to handle issues of national importance.

“We don’t know what the future holds, we only know that the threats of CBRN are not going away…The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us what a biological risk can do globally,” she said.

She added that the initiative has 62 partners countries pointing out that all countries have national focal points and focal teams adding that she will support the project to ensure its success.

The national focal points are supported by a regional secretariat which is hosted by one partner country in the region.

Isaac Masinde from the interior ministry stated that the security organs are very concerned with the CBRN issues adding that they have started developing the strategic goods control bill which he said is currently at the cabinet level

“Issues concerning CBRN are very critical, given that we are living in an era whereby we have so many people who may be having bad intentions. We have terrorists who may want to maybe kill or use it to achieve their objectives a government we are moving forward to ensure that this people do not access these materials,” he added.

He added that the government will continue creating awareness to the public on how to handle CBRN materials

Dr Francis Kuria from the Ministry of Health stated that COVID-19 has taught the region the need for collaboration on various issues.

He called on the secretariat to streamline training curriculum on CBRN pointing out that the area is still lacking.

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