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  • President William Ruto tries out virtual reality headsets at the Jamhuri Tech and Innovation Summit at KICC, Nairobi, on December 11, 2022.
    TWITTER   WILLIAM RUTO 
  • There was confusion at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, December 12, after the majority of Kenyans who attended the Jamhuri day celebrations failed to access the free scholarships announced by President William Ruto.

    The scholarship that offered a sixteen-module course was promised by Ruto to suit entrepreneurs and innovators.

    While unveiling the project, the president directed those in attendance to scan a Quick-Response code to access the scholarships.  

    Shortly after the announcement, a section of Kenyans who did not have smartphones found it difficult to access the online course.

    Kenyans follow proceedings at the Nyayo Stadium during Kenya's 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations.
    Kenyans follow proceedings at the Nyayo Stadium during Kenya's 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations.  KENYANS.CO.KE

    They explained how difficult it was to log in and register which made them give up, a process they lamented did not favour people without smartphones. 

    “I would love to know where these scholarships are being accessed, we heard it on television but I have not seen it,” a disgruntled Kenyan quipped.

    “I have heard about the course but I have difficulty accessing it,” another complained.

    On Sunday, December 11, the head of state urged Kenyans to attend Jamhuri Day celebrations in huge numbers so as to enjoy the free University of Arizona scholarships.

    "Every citizen who will come to Nyayo Stadium tomorrow will go back with a course paid for by the University of Arizona," the president revealed.

    During the Jamhuri celebrations, in the middle of his speech, Ruto intimated that he was now keeping his promise by announcing to Kenyans attending how to access the course.

    “As promised, everyone present in this stadium today will get a free scholarship on global entrepreneurship and innovation from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.” 

    “It is now time to keep the promise. There is a QR Code near you. Scan and access the scholarship now,” the president announced.

    Each Kenyan who had attended Jamhuri Day celebrations received free access to a 16-unit course valued at Ksh100,000.

    The courses are provided by the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University which offers programs designed to prepare students to navigate the dynamic digital world.

    President William Ruto during Jamhuri Day celebration at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, December 12, 2022.
    President William Ruto during the Jamhuri Day celebration at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, December 12, 2022.  TWITTER  WILLIAM RUTO  By ANZUGIRA PEREZ , Kenyans.co.ke

Benin Bronzes - University of Cambridge© University of Cambridge

The Charity Commission will allow the University of Cambridge to repatriate its Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, despite fears about the future of the artefacts.

The university’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology pledged to return its 116 Bronzes, sparking concerns the artworks would fuel a row between rival Nigerian claimants, and end up in the hands of communities which had historically profited from slavery.

The commission was urged by campaigners to reject plans to repatriate the Benin Bronzes, but the regulator has now given Cambridge permission to fulfil its “moral obligation” by returning them to Nigeria.

A statement from the regulator, responsible for charitable organisations including UK universities, said: “We have granted the required consent allowing Cambridge University to transfer the title of 116 artefacts (Benin Bronzes) to the Nigerian National Commission for Museum and Monuments.

“The trustees (of Cambridge) made the decision to transfer the artefacts, concluding that they were under a moral obligation to take this step.”London museum repatriates looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria/

  • London museum repatriates looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria Dailymotion
  • Former culture minister supports return of Benin Bronzes/
     
    Former culture minister supports return of Benin BronzesITN/ITN/Photo Courtesy 

Tribal leaders of the Benin ethnic group insist that the Bronzes should only be handed to their Oba (king), despite the Nigerian government also laying claim to the artworks, leading to concerns about who will ultimately care for them when they are repatriated by Cambridge.

 
Benin Bronzes: A brass commemorative head in the Udo style - University of Cambridge
Benin Bronzes: A brass commemorative head in the Udo style - University of Cambridge© Provided by The Telegraph

As well as fuelling an internal row in Nigeria, repatriation has also proven controversial for the descendants of African slaves, who have argued that the Kingdom of Benin created the Bronzes with wealth derived from the slave trade, and therefore its modern-day successors should not be rewarded for this by returning the artworks.

Deadria Farmer-Paellmann, a US lawyer who runs legal campaigns to secure reparations for the descendants of slaves, wrote to the Charity Commission urging it to reject Cambridge’s plans on these moral grounds, and is disappointed with the regulator’s decision. 

‘A step backward’

She said: “Cambridge recently took a bold step to atone for its slavery benefits by addressing the ‘legacies of enslavement’.

“Now they take a step backward by discriminating against descendants of enslaved people by ignoring our role in the making of the Benin Bronzes, and giving them away to slave trader heirs. This is tragic.”

While the trustees of Cambridge have cited a moral obligation, the commission has not made a judgment on the right and wrong of this pledge, and has only assessed whether the university’s plans accord with UK charity law.

The decision comes from Cambridge’s museum, which agreed with Ugandan authorities to return traditional charms and clothing from its collection.  By Craig Simpson, Telegraph

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.[Kelly Ayodi,Standard]

 At least sixteen locally produced films and documentaries are set to showcase during Nairobi Festival  inaugural fete at Uhuru Park. 

The annual festival is set to take place  between December 12 and December 16, 2022.

Speaking during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, December 12, 2022, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said festival will provide an opportunity for Kenyans to appreciate the city's diverse food, culture and art. 

“Our young people have talent. We are showcasing sixteen films from today and documentaries shot by young people in Nairobi over this week period,” he said, adding, "Our creative economy has potential of being a mega employer. We are in a global village and we must give our young people tools they require to compete not just locally but globally.” 

Kenyans wishing to attend festival will be required to pay Sh100 per day. 

The proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the vulnerable in society.

At least fifty [50] artists and forty [40] DJs will perform at the event, which will mostly feature upcoming and established artists. By David Njaaga, The Standard

 

 

Muscat: Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion received in his office on Monday Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The meeting reviewed areas of cooperation between the two countries in commerce and investment sectors.

It also touched on means of boosting the bilateral relations and augmenting volume of trade exchange.

The two sides also discussed the potential of establishing direct shipping lines between the ports of the two countries to import agricultural and animal products from Tanzania, as well as exporting iron and aluminium products from Oman.

The meeting was attended by Pankaj Khimji, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Adviser at Ministryof Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Saud Hilal Al Shithani, Ambassador of Oman to Tanzania, Abdullah Kilima, Ambassador of Tanzania to Oman and a number of officials from both sides. - Times of Oman

  • Photo collage between a plane and Prince William of Wales.  PEOPLE 
  • Prince William of Wales penned an emotional message following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of a father and son at the Tsavo East National Park on Thursday, December 8.

    In a statement dated Friday, December 9, Prince eulogised the plane's pilot, Mark Jenkins, who he stated was his personal friend.

    He added that Mark had dedicated his time to protecting and conserving nature in Kenya and other East African countries.  While extending his condolences to Mark's family, Prince William stated that he admired his efforts in climate activism.

    File photo of Prince William of Wales
    File photo of Prince William of Wales  YAHOO

    "Yesterday, I lost a friend, who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in some of East Africa’s most renowned national parks. Mark Jenkins, and his son Peter, were tragically killed when flying over Tsavo National Park while conducting an aerial patrol," Prince William wrote. 

    "Tonight, I’m thinking about Mark’s wife, family and colleagues who’ve sadly lost a man we all loved and admired," he added.

    The Prince of Wales met Mark after graduating from Eton College in 2000. Reports indicate that the deceased and Prince William remained in touch.

    Mark reportedly took over from Prince William, who had made a name for participating in charity and conservation in 2005.

    According to the Frankfurt Zoological Society's obituary, Mark and his son, Peter Jenkins, were conducting surveillance in Tsavo when their plane crashed.

    However, it was not immediately established why the plane crashed.

    "Passionate, principled, and strong-willed, Mark was never afraid to speak his mind and stand for what he believed in. He was a commanding presence and made an indelible impression wherever he went," the obituary read in part. 

    It continued, "those of us who worked alongside him remember him for his determination, thoughtfulness, his energy, his mischievous smile, and his deep love of wildlife and wild places."

    Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) pilot Roan Carr-Hartley, who rescued a 4-year-old boy stranded in Tsavo for six days, also mourned the duo. The pilot of the ill-fated plane was his cousin.

    "They had a heart for people, very kind-hearted and committed...it's very unfortunate they have died such a painful death," Hartley wrote.

    A collage of pilot Roan Carr-Hartleyand an aerial view of the four-year-old who was found six days after disappearing into the Tsavo wilderness.
    A collage of pilot Roan Carr-Hartley and an aerial view of the four-year-old who was found six days after disappearing into the Tsavo wilderness.  SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST, By Geoffrey Luta, Kenyans.co.ke

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