East Africa

Details: East Africa; 14 November 2024; 121

Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has criticised President William Ruto’s administration over allegations of rampant corruption, over-taxation, and unkept promises.

Addressing the press in Ruaraka Sub-County, Nairobi County on Thursday, November 14, the bishops accused the government of failing to heed its initial promise of repaying the debt owed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to faith-based organisations.

In their statement, the church leaders also faulted the government’s decision to hike the missionary work permit. According to them, despite efforts to contact the president over the issue, the Head of State was yet to intervene.

The bishops also took a swipe at the Kenya Kwanza administration over its reluctance to constitute the Independence Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) despite several calls by different stakeholders over the same.

During the presser, the bishops similarly lamented over the agenda to extend the term limit of the president from five years to seven years. According to them, there were plans to rush the bill through Parliament for approval.

“We recall the pertinent issues we have raised recently with the government over taxation of Kenyans, the hiking of the missionary work permits, youth unemployment, and regulations of the education system including the Competency Bed Curriculum (CBC) and the education funding,” noted the bishops.

“This culture of lies, unkept promises, and misplaced priorities is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with. We believe that genuine consultations of all concerned stakeholders is necessary beyond the casualty public participation,” the statement added.

While addressing journalists, KCCB also criticised the government over the violation of human rights such as denial of the freedom of speech. According to the bishops, they were shocked by the government’s failure to resolve the recurrent cases of abductions forced disappearances, and extra-judicial killings.

The church leaders further noted that the decision by the government to remain silent on cases of abductions and murder particularly of young girls and women resulted in great consternation, anger, and disgust among Kenyans.

“Many families are grappling with the loss of their children who were brutally killed and went missing following what is referred to as the Gen Z demonstrations in June 2024. Many of them had raised concerns about rampant corruption, who is behind these abductions?” the bishops noted.

To resolve the menace, the catholic bishops advised President Ruto's administration to put into good use the collected revenue and put in place austerity measures to avoid over-expenditure.

"We thank God for holding our country together, despite the social and political upheavals. We pray that our leaders guided by the values of justice, mercy, humility, selflessness and honesty provide good leadership and governance to our nation," the bishops stated. By Timothy Cerullo, Kenyans.co.ke

Details: East Africa; 14 November 2024; 131

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has made significant progress, reaching 47.1% completion, as announced by Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Coordinator Asaidi Mrutu.

The remarkable progress brings the pipeline project closer to becoming operational, facilitating the transportation of Ugandan oil to international markets via Tanzania's Port of Tanga.

The EACOP, is joint venture between Tanzania, Uganda, TotalEnergies, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is a strategic project aimed at capitalizing on Uganda's substantial oil reserves, estimated at 6.5 billion barrels.

Since its conception, the project has faced multiple regulatory and financing hurdles, which have delayed its implementation. Reports of environmental concerns and human rights violations further caused a backlash among the international community, with nearly all major financiers abandoning the project, prompting Uganda to reach out to China for the project’s funding.

During the announcement, Mrutu highlighted the project's positive impact on local communities, including job creation, business opportunities, and infrastructure development. Over 9,858 Tanzanians have received compensation totaling 35.1 billion Tanzanian shillings, and the project has generated significant revenue for the government.

Additionally, the EACOP has improved the water supply, upgrading the Muheza-Tanga pipeline and providing water to schools and communities. The project has also expanded electricity access by upgrading power substations and constructing new transmission lines.

As the EACOP continues to advance, it is poised to contribute to the economic growth and development of Tanzania and Uganda while strengthening regional energy cooperation. Source: PTJ

Details: East Africa; 14 November 2024; 99

Members of Parliament are concerned over the chaotic transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA), which is denying patients access to critical healthcare.

There was uproar in the National Assembly as members questioned the “ineffective” rollout of the new scheme. The debate was introduced through an adjournment Motion by Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), who noted that whereas the objectives of SHA were commendable, the transition faced serious challenges.

“How much has this particular programme allocated to the purchasing of equipment? How much has this programme allocated for the training of healthcare workers? As much as money is being drawn from my salary, the concern that I have Mr Speaker is, does this money reach a poor woman who is going to deliver at Rangwe hospital?” she said.

“Another concern is that there should have been a smooth six-month transition which should have been sensitised but because of the trust deficit (with this administration) citizens are refusing to register.”

Gathoni Wamucomba (Githunguri) called for a return to NHIF until the issues surrounding the rollout were sorted out.

“We must tell it as it is. This new programme is a total confusion. It’s a total mess. Our people don’t know what to do and we must go back to the drawing board. But for now let us withdraw these processes and go back to the original program until we are right,” she said.

The MPs noted that since the transition on October 1, many patients are still being turned away from hospitals.

“As a former chair of the Health committee, yes NHIF had many challenges but when patients visited hospitals, they knew what to expect. A patient who was to go for dialysis, for chemotherapy and any other treatment knew what to pay and if they were to top up when they went to hospital,” said Nominated MP Sabina Chege.

“I would urge the chair of the Health committee that its high time that members conduct a public participation exercise.”

Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo urged the committee chairman, Robert Pukose, to call for a Kamukunji for members to be properly briefed on SHA so that they could educate their constituents.

“The cries we are getting from our own constituencies and from ordinary Kenyans is telling you that there is a huge problem with transition and this transition was not done efficiently…I am a lawyer and I was here when this SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) was passed and a lot of us would want to sit here and pretend that we understand and know. There are a lot of things I don’t understand about this and I passed this law here. What about ordinary Kenyans?”

A section of the lawmakers, however, supported the change, claiming that what was being experienced were teething problems that would be addressed over time.

“The mean premium out of the 710,000 people who have registered is Sh525. Out of the service providers, 7,802 hospitals have signed up for this programme. There are a further 8,118 healthcare providers who have successfully registered to offer services and out of these, 7,965 have offered services under SHIF to Kenyans,” said Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah.

“I know that we may have failed in our communication strategy, we may have failed in how well we communicate and educate our people but let us use this opportunity on this floor to educate our people and let them know.”

Pukose argued that within a month of its launch, 39,000 Kenyans attended renal care visits, 81,000 had admissions, 12,000 cancer care visits were made and 49,000 consultations done at the primary care facilities.

“The impact of this has been that we have had renal and rheumatology Sh430 million approved for live-saving dialysis care over the past five weeks. We also had more than Sh300 million approved for cancer care. The average turnaround time for pre-authorisation has now improved. We initially had issues but turnaround time now is two hours,” he said. By Josphat Thiong'o, The Standard

Details: East Africa; 14 November 2024; 133

Security agencies personnel intercepted a consignment of smuggled mining explosives at a border in the Volta Region The explosives are said to have been made in Nigeria and transported by road through the Kpoglo border. The seizure of the explosives was made back on May 29, 2024, after intelligence gathered by the security agencies. Security agencies have impounded a consignment of mining explosives smuggled into the country through the Kpoglo border at Aflao in the Volta Region.

The explosives arrived from Nigeria by road and have since been secured with Buckdorn Company Limited in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region. Police are said to be investigating the circumstances under which the explosives were smuggled into the country. Source: UGC The Chronicle reported that the seizure was made on May 29, 2024, after intelligence was gathered by the security agencies at the Segbe Border Post, about 18 kilometres North of Aflao.

Though the truck was supposed to be carrying home consumption items, during the examination, some quantities of packages suspected to be explosives were found. Take our Survey Now and See Improvements at YEN.com.gh Tomorrow After the assessment, the security agencies at Aflao provided details of High Explosive Solar Prime items.

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority directed that seized explosives be escorted to the Military for safekeeping. The police are also investigating the incident, according to The Chronicle’s sources. US Army personnel convicted for smuggling Earlier in 2024, a Ghanaian in the US Army, Kojo Owusu Dartey, was found guilty of smuggling guns into Ghana.

The smuggled guns were concealed within blue barrels of rice and household goods, according to court files. The conviction followed a joint effort between US law enforcement agencies and Ghanaian authorities. Recent instances of illicit smuggling YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana Airports Company Limited interdicted all staff allegedly involved in a narcotic smuggling incident at the Kotoka International Airport. The incident was discovered after the smuggler was apprehended by Brussels police in Belgium. By Delali Adogla-Bessa, Yen

Details: East Africa; 13 November 2024; 128

A photo collage of party leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Raila Odinga (ODM), and Martha Karua (NARC Kenya).

Kalonzo Musyoka has revealed that plans are underway to expand the opposition. While speaking on November 13, the former Vice President announced that the Azimio coalition is looking forward to engaging with like-minded individuals and political parties in a bid to solidify the opposition.

“There is a need to consolidate the opposition in Kenya. We will talk to everybody going forward so that we build a strong coalition,” Kalonzo claimed.

The Azimio co-principal also disclosed that the coalition will kickstart the process of validating the membership of parties and individuals to strengthen the opposition. He added that this will also make it easier for parties to join or depart the opposition as they please.

ODM

“A time is coming when we will ask everybody to validate their membership in Azimio and expand. Others come, others leave,” he added.

In July, Martha Karua, a principal in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, with her NARC party, left the coalition.

Kalonzo’s remarks came in the wake of Moses Kuria’s comments that a national coalition was brewing in the run-up to the 2027 General Elections. Kuria, a senior advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) made the comments at a thanksgiving ceremony of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chair Gladys Wanga.

“What I can see is that in 2027, a new nationalist movement, same as the 2002 rainbow movement, is loading and those with brains should join because they are people who will weep from outside,” Kuria predicted.

On the other hand, ODM leaders denied claims that it had entered into an agreement with the ruling Kenya Kwanza government. Led by Wanga, they claimed that ODM was still an opposition party.

“Let me make it clear that we have no coalition agreement with Kenya Kwanza. For you to merge, there must be an agreement, a memorandum saying who will do what,” she asserted.

The same sentiments were shared by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who recently announced that ODM has neither joined nor entered any political alliance with Ruto.

Raila dismissed rumors suggesting that ODM had aligned itself with the government, calling them baseless misinformation. “I want to be on record. There is no such alliance, as ODM has not entered into any political coalition with President William Ruto’s government,” Raila reaffirmed.by Walter Ngano, Kenyans.co.ke