EAST AFRICA TIMES

By James Mutua NARC Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has said that the Kenya Kwanza government, led by President William Ruto, is mishandling the education system, which is now on the brink of collapse. Karya argues that the government's actions, marked by poor planning and a disregard for the needs of students, are jeopardizing the future of Kenya's children and youth. When the Ruto administration came to power, it promised to use education as a tool for economic equality, offering ambitious reforms aimed at better aligning the curriculum with labor market needs. However, two years into its tenure, the country has witnessed a chaotic and poorly executed series of reforms that have left the education system in disarray. “What we are seeing is a hotchpotch of half-baked policies, coupled with a refusal to address the systemic failures that threaten to derail Kenya’s educational progress,” said Karua.  At the heart of the crisis is the government's handling of the university f...

 By James Mutua  Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security & National Administration, addressed regional and international leaders today at the launch of the Regional Programme on Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism in East Africa in Nairobi. The event, attended by officials from Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed to bolster regional cooperation and foster a more robust approach to countering violent extremism in East Africa. A Collective Commitment to Address Violent Extremism Dr. Omollo opened his speech by expressing gratitude to all participating countries, regional organizations, and international partners for their shared commitment to confronting violent extremism, which remains one of the most pressing security threats in the region. He noted that the launch of the program marked a significant step toward lasting peace and stability. "Your prese...

 By James Mutua  Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura Updates on Economic Plans, Tax Reforms, and Social Initiatives. Picture : Courtesy  Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura has today provided an update on Kenya's economic status, outlining key strategies aimed at strengthening the country’s fiscal position and improving the well-being of its citizens. For the past two years, the Government has been actively implementing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA PLAN), which prioritizes job creation, equitable income distribution, and long-term economic stability. “Our commitment is to build an economic environment where all Kenyans can thrive,” said Mwaura, emphasizing the importance of sound fiscal policies that support sustainable growth. A core component of the BETA PLAN is managing Kenya’s growing public debt. Mwaura highlighted that the Government is focused on reducing reliance on foreign debt by increasing domestic revenue generation, ensuring fi...

By James Mutua  Government Spokesperson, Dr Isaac Mwaura at the Kenya Society for Deaf Children. Kenya will host the Africa Conference on Deafness  from 27th to 29th in Nairobi.  Kenya is set to host the Africa Conference on Deafness  from 27th to 29th November, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the rights, empowerment, and inclusion of Deaf individuals and persons with disabilities. The conference, which will take place  in Nairobi, will provide a platform for policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to collaborate and advance solutions for better inclusion and accessibility. Speaking at the launch event, Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura emphasized Kenya’s commitment to leading the continent in championing the rights and leadership of persons with disabilities. He noted that the conference aligns with the theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, “Amplifying the Leadership of Person...

By Kelvin Malick  Youth leader and environmentalist Mr. Collins Lungongo. He is requesting global leaders to  implement the Global Biodiversity Framework to save the planet. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will play host to the 29th session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held from 11th-22nd November 2024, at a time when the planet is assuaged by a myriad of challenges occasioned by climate change.  The upcoming climate summit presents another great opportunity for leaders and policy makers to take another keen look at mechanisms of addressing this existential threat whose effects are already being felt across the world.  Collins Lungongo, an environmentalist and youth leader, asserts that leaders have a genuine opportunity to move from talk to real action. While commenting on the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP16) held in Cali, Colombia from 21st October to 1st November, the avid environmentalist stre...

By James Mutua  A recent survey conducted by the Caucus of Patient-Led Organizations of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has uncovered significant barriers to patient access to essential health services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). The survey, which took place between October 24 and 25, 2024, included responses from healthcare facilities across Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, and Bomet Counties. The findings reveal that the rollout of the SHA and SHIF has faced systemic challenges, leaving many patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, struggling to access timely and affordable care. One of the most pressing issues identified in the survey was the delay in access to essential services due to systemic inefficiencies in public hospitals. Major institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Referral Hospital reported frequent technical failures and system malfunctions, which led to prolonged waiting times for...

Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura  The Kenyan government has reported significant strides in reducing the cost of living for citizens, as outlined in THE BETA PLAN. Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura, the Government Spokesperson, announced that through targeted initiatives under President William Ruto’s leadership, Kenyans are beginning to see real changes in their daily expenses. Fuel Prices Drop In a notable development, fuel prices have decreased without the need for subsidies, leading to immediate savings for Kenyans. This shift is especially beneficial for small businesses and transport operators. For instance, John Odongo, a boda boda operator in Kisumu, has reported daily fuel savings of KSh 200, allowing him to better support his children’s education while offering more affordable rides to customers. Food Prices Decline The government’s fertilizer subsidy program has also played a crucial role in enhancing food security. Farmers in regions like the Rift Valley and Central ...