President Samia Suluhu Hassan could not attend Kenya's Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) celebrations because she was preoccupied with overseeing the recovery process of the recent flash floods and landslides, said Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi Tuesday.

"At the moment, President Hassan is leading government efforts in dealing with the deadly deluge," Mwinyi, who represented the president at the Jamhuri Day celebrations, told Kenyan President William Ruto in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. 

Jamhuri Day, observed on December 12 each year, is one of the most important national holidays in Kenya.

Kenya obtained its independence from the British on December 12, 1963.

Read: Kenya @60: Britain's brutal colonialism, cover-up

The flash floods and landslides that occurred on December 3 in Hanang District in the Manyara region in northern Tanzania have killed 89 people, injured 139 more people, left 5,600 other people homeless, destroyed more than 750 hectares of farm crops, and killed many livestock. Xinhua/The East African

A new research by TIFA has shed light on the financial challenges faced by Kenyan citizens due to the soaring cost of living.

The report discloses that a significant 87% of Kenyans have been compelled to reduce their personal expenditure in response to these economic pressures.

The report further breaks down the categories where Kenyans have had to cut back on their spending. Transportation stands out as one of the most affected sectors, with 15% of respondents reporting reductions in this area.

Additionally, clothing and entertainment have also seen expenditure cuts, accounting for 9% and 8% of the reductions, respectively.

According to the TIFA report, food is the primary category where individuals across different income groups have had to trim their expenses due to inflation. This trend holds true for Kenyans in various income brackets, with those earning above Sh. 20,000/- reducing their food expenditure slightly less than those earning below Sh. 5,000/- (79% vs. 88%).

The report highlights that a staggering 84% of Kenyans now perceive their current economic situation as worse than it was a year ago, irrespective of their political affiliations. Interestingly, supporters of the Kenya Kwanza government are reported to be four times more likely to feel better off compared to opposition supporters (11% vs. 3%).

The Kenya Kwanza administration faces the challenging task of addressing a declining economy and the sharp increase in the cost of living, which has compelled Kenyans to dig deeper into their pockets, particularly when purchasing essentials like fuel. By Phidel Kizito, Capital News

Philippine Ambassador to Rwanda Marie Charlotte G. Tang (with residence in Nairobi) and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Establishment of General Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda in Kigali, Rwanda.

During a tête-à-tête prior to the signing ceremony, Ambassador Tang hailed the agreement as a milestone in Philippines-Rwanda relations, as it will provide direction and structure for cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Biruta noted the longstanding and cordial ties between Rwanda and the Philippines, and expressed the hope that the MOU would open doors for the two countries to have a more vibrant engagement across different sectors.

Under the MOU, the Philippines and Rwanda will collaborate in the fields of human resources development, scientific and technological exchanges, education, health, agriculture, gender, youth, environmental issues, and security.

During her visit to Kigali, Ambassador Tang also took the opportunity to meet with Rwandan officials from the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the Rwanda National Police, and the Rwanda Development Board, initiating discussions on specific collaborations in support of the newly-signed MOU.

Rwanda, a small landlocked country in central Africa, has emerged from the ashes of the 1994 Rwandan genocide to become one of Africa’s most dynamic and fastest-growing economies. Rwanda, known as the “land of a thousand hills”, is also recognized for its conservation success of the critically endangered mountain gorilla. By Bob Koigi, African Business Community

JUBA – South Sudan marked a historic moment in its educational landscape by participating in the African Spelling Bee for the first time.

Held in Kampala, Uganda, from December 6^th to 10^th, 2023, the competition witnessed eleven countries vying for the coveted title, including Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

While the South Sudanese team did not claim any awards, their debut proved crucial in gaining valuable experience and insights that will shape their future participation.

As newcomers, they observed and learned from seasoned competitors, laying the groundwork for potential success at the next edition scheduled for Nigeria.

The South Sudanese delegation, a collaboration between the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan and Juba Primary Schools Mini Competition winners, comprised adult representatives Daniel Oleke Opio and Gabriel Majok Ajang-Amal, along with three youthful spellers: Habiba Mui Jacob, Deng Majak, and Akoy Lual Dual.

Ranging from 12 to 16 years old, these young minds showcased their dedication and spelling prowess on the international stage.

Emmanuel Bida, Project Lead of the South Sudan National Spelling Bee, expressed his pride in the team’s performance, highlighting the immense learning opportunities and joy they experienced throughout the event.

“The team did its best and I’m impressed by Spelling prowess they showcased at a continental stage including learning from other African children how things are done in their home countries,” Bida, also a news factchecker, told Sudans Post today in Juba.

“It was tight, but they managed to walk away with some gold medals and certificates of participation,” he added.

Habiba Mui, 14, echoing this sentiment, expressed her immense pride in representing South Sudan at such a prestigious gathering.

“I am full of joy and had unforgettable pleasant experiences during my participation at the African Spelling Bee 2023 in the name of my country, South Sudan,” she said.

“I want to thank the organizing team for the opportunity they gave to us as children to participate in this event, and I want to appreciate the support from the teachers and to teacher Daniel who travelled with us,” she added.

However, the competition also presented challenges. The spellers faced initial nervousness performing before a new international audience.

Additionally, pronunciation differences and variations in spelling masters’ accents posed hurdles due to varying linguistic backgrounds.

Despite these challenges, the participation yielded several key takeaways. It emphasized the importance of engaging in international academic competitions for enriching learning experiences and broadening horizons.

The event also underscored the need to nurture a vibrant spelling culture within South Sudanese schools, raising awareness and fostering a love for language.

Looking ahead, the South Sudan National Spelling Bee aims to solidify its presence at the African Spelling Bee and expand its reach beyond Juba.

Deng Majak, one of the young spellers, described his experience as intense yet enlightening, recognizing the power of reading and book knowledge as crucial tools for success and future opportunities.

The African Spelling Bee is a continent-wide competition that gathers young participants from various African countries to showcase their spelling skills.

Similar to spelling bees in other parts of the world, this event tests contestants’ abilities to spell words accurately and competes to win by correctly spelling the most words.

It’s an educational platform aimed at promoting literacy, language skills, and friendly competition among students across Africa. - Sudans Post