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International women’s day celebrated every March 8th of every year, is earmarked to celebrate
women’s achievements in social, economic, cultural political developments and challenges that
women are undergoing.

Gender Equity

According to research done by UN women, no country has achieved gender equality.

Looking at decades back, women were viewed as housewives and their duty was to fulfil duties
around that concept.

Currently, the view of women as housewives has reduced due to emerging developments in the women empowerment sector that we all need to embrace.

In Kenya, we have seen efforts in achieving women inclusivity through the implementation of the two
_thirds gender rule as per article 177 of the Kenyan constitution, Inclusion of 47 county women
Representatives, paid maternity leave in most companies and women representation in different
sectors of the economy.

The Kenyan government is working effortlessly to achieve gender equality by creating programs such as Uwezo fund, Enterprise fund, and end of Female Genital mutilation.

Gender equality cannot be achieved if the government, institutions, Faith based organizations and companies don’t address on equitable access of resources.

Discrimination

We’re all looking forward to a generation where all voices will be listened to without discrimination(discrimination against race, ethnicity, language, health status, economic,
physical and social weakness), stereotypes, stigma and violence.

Violence Against Women

End of all forms violence against women is the desire of every girl or woman growing up in a very harsh and
stereophonic society.

All genders can deliver the same talent and skills , there is no gender superior than the
other.

Equal Career Opportunities

We have currently seen women greatly taking lead in STEM fields and careers, spaces that the society has always branded them as one Gender course, men.

According to Phumzile Mlambo,the executive director for UN women pointed out that women need to be represented in all their diversities, abilities and across all cultural ,social, economic and political solutions.

International Organizations that have taken lead to empower women are but not limited to United Nations, Ananke Magazine, connected women in Pakistan , Pakistan women in computing e.t.c they have taken the Frontline to empower young girls and women.

Most countries have also set aside positions in for women representation in parliament.

Access To Sanitary Towels

Just in November 2020,the Scottish government was celebrated by the world for implementing free and universal access of period products.

Scotland became the 1st country in the world to move into that direction.

The implementation of free period products has helped to tackle period poverty in Scotland and has also encouraged women to bleed with pride.

If this move is implemented in Kenya ,am certain that it will increase the rate of girls attending classes in schools and boost their confidence in public speaking.

Let’s try to break barriers and embrace gender equality in order to empower women from all spheres of the earth and achieve gender equality.

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Mombasa’s governor Ali Hassan Joho caught the attention of curious Kenyans after photos of him seemingly in a reduced weight than other days.

Besides being popular as a politician, Joho is well known to be a “fashion-killer”.

He has continuously displayed his unquenchable taste of fashion ranging from clothes, shoes and even the style of hair-cut.

The soft spoken governor apart from working in his office also works on his body and the results have been outstanding. He has left ladies drooling over his looks.

Various sites have described him as trendy and the most awoke politician in these times.

Joho has proven that even with older age, and his stomach which some said makes him look ” oldie”, one can still over look with the keen interest of an agent in a polling station, their sense of fashion.

What to wear and what to avoid, diet and physical fitness. Joho has gone a bit higher by even making sure that he wears the most expensive outfits which he displays in his Instagram account.

All these portray that Joho has been enjoying his life without much issues. However, what caught Kenyans unaware sending spasms of worry in their already shaken souls brought by the dilemma of BBI, is Joho’s sudden loss of weight.

In the photos shared online, Joho seems to have experienced a dramatic loss of weight which made inquisitive Kenyans ask questions whether the self-proclaimed sultan is well.

Photo: Joho (Center) with Uhuru Kenyatta/ Courtesy

Here are some of the comments from concerned Kenyans:
@Clement Richu Malikh, “He looks dilapilated…hope all is well.”


@Gilbert Tanui, “The Governor has lost much weight he as to reduce zoezi”

@Julie Wanna, “Kariuki Mwangi amekonda sana😳😳

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Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has dismissed the call from health workers for allowances.

Speaking on Wednesday November 18 when he appeared on Citizen TV’s JKLIVE show hosted by Jeff Koinange, CS Kagwe said that this is not the right time for health workers to say that they want more money.

CS Kagwe said that doctors and all health workers should currently concentrate on their worker, owing to the situation of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

He noted that the health workers should at the moment focus on saving lives.

“This is not the time, in my view, to start saying that ‘I want more money..for now let’s focus on saving lives,” he said.

The doctors through their unions have been complaining of neglect from government.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) had argued that their members have been receiving low quality personal protective equipment from the government, and that their allowances have not been paid.

The union had early this week issued a three week strike notice, if the government will not take any action.

On Wednesday, Members of Parliament sitting in the Parliamentary Health committee were brought to tears when doctors explained to them their plight.

However, CS Kagwe dismissed the issue of allowances, saying that the doctors should understand that the pandemic has hit every organization, and some workers are even taking half their salary.

On the issue of PPEs, CS Kagwe said that they are not currently an issue, since the country has enough of them.

Kagwe indicated that even some of the local PPE manufacturers are exporting them.

He added that counties are free to get protective equipment for their hospitals from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), since the government already allocated them funds.

On the issue of providing a better health cover for health care workers, CS Kagwe noted that it has been already sorted, citing that all civil servants are currently enjoying a better medical cover, effective from October this year.

While addressing the issue of doctors contracting Covid-19, CS Kagwe said that the health care workers are also socialising with others just like any other human being, bringing a possibility of them contracting the disease from elsewhere, not necessarily their work place.

He said that the government is committed to protecting health care workers against getting infected while on their line of duty.

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Controversial Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino is set to try out a new subject in his online classes.

The lawmaker is this afternoon set to take the students who have now overstayed at home following schools’ closure due to covid-19, through Islamic Religious Education (IRE).

Born a Christian, Babu Owino on Saturday September 5, 2020 donned a Sheikh outfit and took to his official social media handles to announce his 1pm IRE class.

To prove that he was not limited to any subject, the first term MP announced his lesson in Arabic language, followed by various quotes from the holy book, the holy Quran.

He then finished his statement with a Takbir, an Arabic statement which is also similar to Allah hu Akbar, meaning God is great and magnificent.

Babu Owino has been recognised by the United Nations and the Voice of America (VOA) for teaching students online amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ODM legislator has been taking the 2020 KCPE candidates through revision lessons.

He started in May with mathematics and taught Chemistry in his second online lessons which are normally live on his Facebook page.

A story done by Voice of America about Babu’s online teaching was posted on the United Nation Swahili website.

The lawmaker is a First Class Honours degree holder in Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi (UoN).

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Mental health is a major concern thatĀ  should be taken seriously andĀ  discussed by experts to help victims trying to deal with mental illnesses as a result ofĀ  covid-19.

Ā Following the outbreak of the global Covid-19 pandemic , many cases of mental instability are being reported by pyschiatrics all over the world .

The numbers of people being affected by the pandemic is increasing daily .The current number of people affected by the virus is 17,727,75 ,according to the results of worldometers .

Recently theĀ  UN secretary General Antonio Guteress expressed his grief concerning mental healthĀ  “unless we act now to address the mental health needs associated with the pandemic,there will be enormous long term consequences for families,communities and societies”.

This means that almost every sector of the economy worldwideĀ  has been affected in one way or another, reducing the number of business activities carried out per day.

The disease brought about heavy precautions such as reduced or no movementĀ  at all in many parts of the world that have made so many people lose their jobs hence so many families are really struggling to put food on their table or they don’t find something to feed their families.

According to President Uhuru Kenyatta, development of any nationĀ  is wholly dependent on the wellness of its people.

Many people are struggling to deal with stress and depression as they try to cope with the economic instability in their regions.

Cases are being reported in the media of how people are dying by suicide and homicides. This shows that there is need on giving people knowledge on how to control their mental health .

Creating awareness will reduce the hopeless state that many citizens are going through.

Research showsĀ  that mental health has led to family break ups and divorce hence many children ending up to be homeless , family violence as many children are being sexually andĀ  physicallyĀ  harassed by their parents, stigmatization of patients testing positive of corona virus and recently pregnancy cases have increased as teenage girls claim to indulge into sexual behaviors due to hard economic times.

The health experts are calling on all religious leaders,family members and the media to help in giving people the right knowledge about mental illness.

It is the duty of everyone to help in improving the state of mental Health in our various nations.

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Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week has taken on government over billions meant to fight the pandemic.

PS Kamau was forced to hand over his duties to political and diplomatic secretary Ambassador Tom Amollo as he went into isolation.

According to a report by The Star on Thursday July 30, 2020, PS Macharia regretted that the government’s contact tracing has collapsed.

The local daily reported that there is no access to proper care and even more tragic is that there is no medical insurance cover for the virus, as per PS Macharia’s observation.

The PS has questioned the country’s management of the pandemic and wondered what the billions spent so far have achieved.

ā€œFor all the billions that have been spent on this campaign, it’s hard to imagine that at the point of contact where the disease actually happens, there is no system to make sure that we have access to proper care and the proper contact tracing is actually done to keep track of those who are not well or maybe infecting others,ā€ Macharia is quoted to have said in a WhatsApp group of top government officials.

Macharia said after he tested positive, he quickly informed his contacts about his condition, but to his surprise, none of them have been contacted by the government.Ā 

The PS said no one has been in touch with him about contact tracing.

He said he has had malaria-like symptoms – hot and cold flushes and intense dizziness as well as disorientation, although he is yet to go to hospital.

Days before the virus arrived in Kenya, Macharia termed as ā€œshort-sighted, careless and xenophobicā€ Kenyans who raised the red flag about the government’s handling of the pandemic.

He hit out at critics saying coronavirus is ā€œnot the first global epidemic and is not the most deadly”. 

This was after a Southern China Airline arrived with 239 passengers in Nairobi from Guangzhou – the then second-most affected region in China – triggering an immediate uproar from Kenyans. 

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Citizen TV journalist Jeff Koinange has tested positive for Covid-19.

Taking to his official social media handles on Monday July 20, 2020, the JKLIVE show host revealed to his fans that his test had turned out positive.

He however, revealed that he was doing good, and that he has not shown any symptoms for the virus.

He said that his family was fine, and that all his close contacts have been informed.

The celebrated journalist said that he is currently in self isolation, thanking the Royal Media Services Management for its Support.

He has urged Kenyans to stay safe.

“Folks, just to let you know, I have tested POSITIVE for Covid-19. I’m doing Good..NO symptoms…and my Family is fine. All my close contacts have been informed. Right now I’m in self isolation. Many thanks to Royal Media Services Management for its Support. Stay SAFE & God Bless!” reads his post.

He is the second Citizen TV journalist to have contracted Covid-19 so far.

His colleague at Citizen TV, Stephen Letoo has also tested Covid-19 positive and is currently in isolation.

He had also revealed that he did not show any symptoms to the virus at the time he did his test at a Nairobi Hospital.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday July 20, 2020 convened the fifth extraordinary session of the National and County governments coordinating summit.

The summit will be held on Friday July 24, 2020.

According to a press statement issued by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, the session has been convened following the surge of Coviod-19 infections across the country.

Out of the 47 Counties, coronavirus has now manifested in 44 counties. The cases started rising after the head of state opened up inter-county lockdowns, allowing Kenyans to travel freely.

The Friday meeting shall assess the Counties’ state preparedness within the wider national response to the Covid-19 pandemic and evaluate Kenya’s overall national response and capacity.

It shall also review the efficacy of containment measures in place and review the impact of the phased easing of the restrictions that were in place.

It shall also consider the evolution of the disease and medical models on how Covid-19 may propagate in Kenya within the months of August and September 2020.

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The Health ministry on Sunday July 19, 2020 announced 603Ā more cases of theĀ coronavirus, raising Kenya’s tally to 13,353.

This number arose from the testing of 5,724 samples, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said in a statement.

The cumulative number of samples tested in Kenya since the first case of Covid-19 was reported in March rose to 243,887.

The ministry further announced 682 more recoveries, raising the total number to 5,122, and nine more deaths, raising the fatality county to 234.

Of the patients who recovered, 562 were under home-based care while 120 were in hospitals.

Mr Kagwe noted infections are still rising so the public must not drop their guard in the fight against the virus.

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The wife to the fallen actor Charle’s Bukeko popularly known as Papa Shirandula has exposed the negligence by the Karen Hospital that led to death of the entertainer.

Speaking during his burial in Funyula, Busia County this morning, Beatrice Andega said his husband would not have died if the doctors at the facility played their part well.

She accused the Karen Hospital of negligence, noting that it may have led to his death given that he died while still seated in the car.

Andega further noted the doctors at the Karen hospital took too long to admit Papa, and they never admitted him until he died.

Furthermore, she alleged that the hospital refused to carry out all the tests that she had instructed it to do on her husband.

She said she had instructed the hospital to carry out three tests, the Covid-19 test, the malaria test and pneumonia test.

According to her, the current weather is too cold, and that the Karen hospital would not have omitted the Pneumonia and Malaria tests.

Shirandula was laid to rest at 8:40am as per the Ministry of Health directives.

He died on the morning of Saturday, July 18 with the family noting that he faced sudden breathing complications before being rushed to Karen Hospital where he passed on.

Representatives from the Royal Media Services as well as his friends and colleagues attended his final journey that was monitored by police as well as medical personnel.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have mourned the passing on of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki’s daughter.

CS Kariuki on Saturday July 19, 2020 lost her daughter, Wendy Muthoni, a second-year law student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Karen Campus.

The head of state sent a message of comfort to the family of the CS following the passing away of her daughter at a Nairobi hospital.

The President wished the family God’s fortitude during this difficult period of grief and assured them of his support as they come to terms with the big loss.

In his message, DP Ruto described Wendy as a determined, diligent and honest lady who will be fondly remembered for her kindness and dependability.

“Our sympathies and prayers to the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Sicily Kariuki following the death of her precious daughter Wendy Muthoni ā€˜Noni’.

“A second-year law student at JKUAT Karen Campus, Noni was a determined, diligent and honest lady who will be fondly remembered for her kindness and dependability. May the family, friends and her college-mates find strength to get through this grief. Rest In Peace,” reads DP Ruto’s message.

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Elgeyo Markwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed how he used to trick his parents to avoid being punished while he was still young.

Taking to his official twitter account on Thursday July 16, 2020, the former senate majority leader narrated how he would disappear from home the whole day, go play and come back later in the evening with a small ‘bribe’ to the parents.

While referring to a meme that he said was reminding him of his past days, Murkomen said that he would come back in the evening after playing the whole day,with a small log of wood which he called in his native language as sipeen, and make sure he throws it to the compound from the top of the fence.

According to Murkomen, the small gate pass could eventually not save him but at least helped in mitigation.

“This picture always cracks me up.Reminds me the days I would come back in the evening after playing the whole day,with a small log of wood (sipeen)&make sure I throw it to the compound from the top of the fence.Eventually it couldn’t save me but at least helped in mitigation,” he posted.

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A total of 4,261 samples were on Wednesday July 15 tested, out of which 461 have tested positive for Covid-19.

This now brings Kenya’s case load to 11,252 and pushes the country’s cumulative tests carried out so far to 225,495.

Speaking at Afya House while giving the daily Covid-19 updates, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman said the positive cases have 432 Kenyans and 29 foreigners.

Out of the new cases, 320 are males and 141 are females. By age, the youngest is a one year old infant while the oldest is 86.

On a positive note 51 patients have been discharged from various hospitals bringing to 3,068 the number of recoveries from the disease in the country.

Nairobi has 248 cases, Machakos County has 97 cases, Kiambu has 20 cases, Kajiado has 15, Migori has 14 cases, Busia has 12, Nakuru has 11 cass, Laikipia has seven (7), Nyeri with seve (7) as well, Kilifi has six (6), Lamu has four (4), Uasin Gishu with four (4) as well, Kakamega has three (3), Kisii has three (3) too, Kisumu has (2), Makueni has two (2), Mombasa has one (1), Taita Taveta has one (1) and Bomet also with one (1) case.

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Kenya has registered 497 new coronavirus cases.

This is after a total of 4,922 samples were tested. Kenya’s total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases now stands at 10,791.

Speaking on Tuesday July 14, 2020 at Afya House during the daily Covid-19 updates, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi noted that the figures will keep rising and should worry Kenyans.

CAS Mwangangi also noted that five more people have succumbed to the virus, raising the total number of fatalities in the country to 202.

However, in the last 24 hours, 71 have been discharged raising the recoveries to 3,017.

Kenya now has 7, 574 active cases of Covid-19.

Acting Health DG, Dr Patrick Amoth had earlier on announced that 41 staff workers at the Pumwani Maternity hospital tested positive for COVID-19.

While assessing the situation outside the hospital, Dr Amoth said out of the 290 staff that were tested, 19 are healthcare workers, while 22 are support staff.

Dr Amoth also stated an isolation centre would be created for staff who would not have met the criteria to self-isolate at home.

However, the acting Health DG assured Kenyans who want to visit the facility that the hospital is safe.

Speaking on Monday July 13, 2020 during COVID-19 daily briefings on Monday, health CS Mutahi Kagwe said that mass testing was being conducted at the hospital after a section of Kenyans raised concerns.

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The government through the Ministry of Health on Sunday July 12, 2020 confirmed 379 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, totaling the number of positive cases in the country to 10,105.

“Today, we have tested 7,050 samples, out of which, 379 people have tested positive for the virus. The cumulative number of tests conducted so far is now 215,037 and the total case load in the country stands at 10,105,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Health.

Out of the positive cases 376 are Kenyans while three (3) are foreigners, with 253 being males, and 126 of them female. The youngest is a two year old child, while the oldest is 97 years.

The 379 positive cases are in: Nairobi (209), Kiambu (49), Busia (38), Migori (19), Mombasa (16), Kajiado (12), Uasin-Gishu eight (8), Lamu six ( 6) Machakos five (5), Nakuru five (5) Narok two (2), Wajir two (2), Kisumu two (2), Garissa one (1), Isiolo one (1), Kericho one (1) Nyamira one (1) Nyeri one (1) and Trans-Nzoia one (1).

Nairobi, cases are in: Kibra (52), Langata (45), Kamukunji (28), Dagoretti North (17), Makadara (17), Embakasi Central nine (9), Embakasi East eight (8), Westlands seven (7), Dagoretti South four (4), Embakasi West four (4), Kasarani four (4) Roysambu four (4), Ruaraka two (2), Embakasi South two (2)Mathare one (1) and Starehe one (1).

Kiambu has 49 case in: Ruiru (16), Kiambu Town (15), Lari seven (7), Kikuyu four (4),Limuru two (2), Thika two (2), Gatundu South one (1), Kabete one (1) and Kiambaa one (1).

Busia has 38 case in: Teso North (18), Matayos (15) and Teso South five (5).

In Migori, 19 cases are in; Suna East seven (7), Kuria East seven (7) and Kuria West five (5).

In Mombasa, 16 cases are in: Mvita nine (9), Jomvu four (4), Nyali two (2) and Likoni one (1). In Kajiado, 12 cases are in; Kajiado East seven (7), Kajiado North three ( 3 ), Kajiado Central two ( 2).

In Uasin-Gishu, all eight (8) cases are in Turbo. Lamu has six 6 cases in Lamu West .Machakos has five (5) cases in Kathiani three (3) and in Athi River two (2).

Nakuru (5) cases are in Naivasha four (4) and Nakuru West one (1). Kisumu two (2) cases are in Muhoroni and Nyando.

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Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho has put up an ultra modern Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

This is a reprieve to for cancer patients in Mombasa and the Coast Region at large as the ultra modern facility is now nearing completion.

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According to an updated posted by Joho on his official social media handles on Sunday July 12, 2020, the facility will also include Radiotherapy treatment.

This is the first centre of its kind in the region and very soon patients requiring radiotherapy from the coast will not have to go to Nairobi to seek the treatment.

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Joho noted that the facility will be readily available at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital at affordable rates.

It will be a major boost to the existing Day Care Chemotherapy Center. The project is a partnership between Mombasa County government and the National Government.

Joho has in the recent past won the hearts of many in his spirited efforts to ensure that Mombasa residents get the best out of healthcare.

From acquiring ventilators to establishing a Sh700 million food kitty and disinfecting spray booths, the governor has put up a spirited fight against the spread of coronavirus.

Governor Hassan Ali Joho. PHOTO/COURTESY

After the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Kenya on March 13, Joho was among the first to call for a total lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.

He argued that China, where the virus was first reported in December last year, contained it through a lockdown of Wuhan city, the epicentre of coronavirus.

But he also reasoned that because a lockdown has socio-economic implications it should only be enforced after putting in place mitigation measures to cushion the poor who live on a daily wage.

Three hotlines were established to report disease occurrence. He also launched food collection centres across the county.

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Bungoma South Sub County youths on Friday July 10, 2020 flooded at the county commissioners’ offices in search of being included in the newly launched ā€˜Kazi mtaani’ initiative.

This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the second phase of the National Hygiene Program (NHP), targeting to enroll more than 270,000 youths.

The second phase is set to apply in the whole of the 47 counties unlike the first phase which involved only eight counties.

Addressing the press, Deputy County Commissioner Michael Yator stated that Bungoma south sub county has been granted 2,407 which will see youths of that number engage in that program.

ā€œas you can see the work flow today, we are registering the youths in the biometric system and the ones present here have been already employed from every village. In every village there is committee that’s in charge of employing this youths aged from 18 years to 35,ā€ he emphasized

He went further to say that the youths will be engaged more in community and infrastructure development projects and they will be divided in groups of 15 each, working from 8am to 4 pm.

The program comes as an employment opportunity and also provides a platform to lessen the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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