East Africa

Details: East Africa; 05 June 2022; 760

Donkeys being reared at a ranch. FILE

New details have emerged about how Chinese traders in the abattoir industry are cashing in from their trade while leaving tragedy in their wake.

Speaking to Radio France Internationale (RFI), a state-owned International Radio in France, Kenya Society for the Protection of Animals Naivasha Supervisor Raphael Ngome, raised the alarm noting that the Chinese had set up abattoirs for the trade.

The influx kicked off in March 2021 after lifting a ban on the slaughter of donkeys which had been in place in line with the Kenya Meat Act of 1999.

The Chinese abattoirs are often after the donkeys' hides whose materials are used to manufacture beloved cosmetic products.

Some of the Ejiao products extracted from Donkey skin.

FILE

In some instances, the donkeys provide a product called Ejiao - which is also known as donkey-hide glue used as an ingredient for remedies in China. it is often produced from the collagen extracted from donkey skin.

Ngome reckons that the number of abattoirs shot up in Naivasha which has led to a dwindling number of donkeys, an important animal used by locals as a means of transport and provision of labour.

“After the introduction of abattoirs, the number of donkeys went down and also theft among donkey owners and users in these towns escalated.

“The main product we have heard is the donkey skin which is used to make cosmetics...and there’s also another Chinese product called Ejao,” stated Ngome.

It is estimated that over 700,000 donkeys have disappeared in a period of four years catapulted by the lifting of the slaughter ban on them.

The latest available statistics by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) also indicated that in the span of 10 years between 2009 and 2019, the overall population of donkeys declined from 1.8 million to 1.17 million.

While lifting the ban in 2021, the High Court, approved donkeys' slaughter for both meat and its hide was to be used for medicinal values in the Chinese Market.

High demand for the product has led to an extreme reduction in the donkey population, mostly in China, hence forcing Asian countries to look elsewhere to meet their needs.

The donkey skin trade, which is banned in several countries among them Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Ghana, still thrives on social media.

Globally, over 4.8 million donkeys die every year to enable the skin trade with many of the donkeys believed to be as a result of theft.

File image of a gavel on the bench in the courtroom By Derrick Okumbasu, KENYANS.CO.KE

Details: East Africa; 05 June 2022; 764

Photo Courtesy CAF

The Bright Starlets of South Sudan have registered their first win at the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.

After losing their opening Group B match 2-0 to Tanzania a few days ago, Coach Shilene Margaret Booysen’s team came all out to defeat Zanzibar 1-0 in a match played at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, Uganda.

Stephen Debora Luka Alworonga netted the lone goal after 80 minutes when she cleverly placed the ball past Zanzibar’s goalkeeper Yassin Zuwena.

The two teams had attacked from the start of the match, but looked blunt in front of goal. Dawa Vual had a chance to score for Zanzibar earlier in the first half, but shot wide.

Sarah Mathew and Alworonga also failed to convert what looked easy scoring opportunities for South Sudan earlier in the match.

The win sends South Sudan to third on the log behind Ethiopia and Tanzania who each have four points. A win for Booysen’s team in their last Group match against Ethiopia could see them qualify for their first ever knock out stage in the regional tournament.

“I am happy that my players gave their best and managed to get a win. We shall take this positive attitude to our last Group match against Ethiopia on Monday,” said South Sudan’s coach Booysen.

In an earlier thrilling encounter Tanzania and Ethiopia settled for a 2-2 draw.

Skipper Geinore Loza Abera gave Ethiopia the lead after only 8 minutes, but Opa Clement made it 1-1 after capitalizing on a defensive error by Gila Muso Hasabe.

Later Mesay Temesgen Tanga outpaced the Tanzanian defenders to score Ethiopia’s second goal. It was defender Enekia Kasonga Lunyamila who made sure Tanzania picked a point when she fired in a free kick from 40 yards past Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Balcha Tarikua Bargena.

Firew Hailegebral Asefa, the Ethiopian coach said although they drew in the match against Tanzania, they are still determined to take the trophy home. “We want to also win this trophy like we did last year in the Women’s U-20 Championship,” added a confident Asefa.

After South Sudan defeated Zanzibar, the Tanzanian team has also qualified for the semi final stage before they play their last Group match on Monday.

On Sunday Rwanda and Djibouti who failed to qualify for the knockout stage after losing two games each will face off in the first Group A match of the day. Uganda Crested Cranes will later battle Burundi to determine which team will finish top of the group.

Details: East Africa; 04 June 2022; 730

Kenyan presidential aspirants Raila Odinga (second left) and Deputy President William Ruto at Uhuru Gardens during Madaraka Day celebrations in Nairobi on June 1, 2022. PHOTO | NMG

Summary

Away from the campaign trail, the President’s invisible hand looms large in the some of the game-changing strategies by the Azimio coalition that have seen Mr Odinga catch up with or overtake Mr Ruto in recent opinion polls.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over his last ceremony to commemorate the country’s attainment of self-rule from the British on June 1 — Madaraka Day — with a speech defending his legacy and rallying support for presidential aspirant Raila Odinga.

President Kenyatta, whose constitutional 10-year term ends in two months, attributed a number of his administration’s successes during the second term to his political co-operation with Mr Odinga, popularly known as the “Handshake”.

In a not-so-subtle pitch for his foe-turned-friend, he also portrayed the August 9 polls as a historic moment when Kenyans have an opportunity to elect the first woman deputy president, Mr Odinga’s running mate Martha Karua.

The Madaraka Day speech, delivered in the presence of Deputy President William Ruto, also a presidential aspirant, marked the first time the President was publicly campaigning for his preferred successor in the past two and a half months.

The speech also set the tone for the presidential campaigns, which are expected to build up a head of steam in the next two days when the two front runners get formal clearance by the electoral commission to run.

Mr Ruto is scheduled to appear before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for clearance on June 4, and Mr Odinga will do so on Sunday, June 5.

President Kenyatta’s last public campaign appearance with Mr Odinga was in March during the latter’s unveiling as the Azimio’s standard bearer in the August elections, at Nairobi’s Jacaranda grounds.

On hold

The President’s campaign tours that were planned to popularise the Azimio candidate in his Mt Kenya homeland were postponed amid fears of potential clashes between his supporters and those of Mr Ruto.

Mt Kenya, traditionally President Kenyatta’s stronghold, has largely leaned towards the Deputy President in the past four years due to the President’s embrace of Mr Odinga — the region’s longstanding political bogeyman — and the local power vacuum created by his impending retirement.

Away from the campaign trail, however, the President’s invisible hand looms large in the some of the game-changing strategies by the Azimio coalition that have seen Mr Odinga catch up with or overtake Mr Ruto in recent opinion polls.

As patron of the coalition council, President Kenyatta is believed to have played a big role in the negotiations that saw former vice-president Kalonzo Musyoka rejoin the Azimio party on Thursday.

Mr Musyoka, the Wiper Democratic Movement party leader, announced two weeks ago that he was quitting Azimio to launch his own presidential bid in protest to his having been overlooked for the running mate position.

Wiper has a loyal support base in the lower eastern region of the country, and its leader’s return to the Azimio fold could swing the race in favour of Mr Odinga.

After a self-imposed lay-off from active politicking during much of his second term, President Kenyatta stepped out in March to revive the ruling Jubilee Party from the near-shell of an outfit that it was after the defection of a majority of its members of Parliament to Dr Ruto’s breakaway United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Today, the party that lost nearly all by-elections in Mt Kenya to UDA last year is back on its feet and has a fair chance of challenging for a considerable number of parliamentary and county assembly seats in the region.

The resurgence of Jubilee in Mt Kenya coupled with the nomination of Ms Karua, who also hails from the region, as Mr Odinga’s running mate on May 16, has paved the way for the Azimio presidential candidate to campaign with more confidence in a formerly hostile territory.

Pairing up Ms Karua, one of Kenya’s foremost gender equality advocates, with Mr Odinga on the Azimio ticket has also stirred up excitement among women rights lobby groups and the party will be hoping the enthusiasm can translate into votes.

***
Gender card

In his Madaraka Day speech on June 1, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta played the gender card saying, “After 58 years of independence, in May 2021, I had the profound honour of being the first President of the Republic to commence an address with the salutation ‘Madam Chief Justice’, when the Hon Lady Justice Martha Koome assumed office as the first woman Chief Justice."

"In August this year, if it is the wish of the electorate, we have a chance of a woman shattering the glass ceiling by assuming the second highest office in our Republic, the Office of the Deputy President.” By Otieno Otieno The East African

Details: East Africa; 04 June 2022; 757

FUFA has confirmed the latest and improved financial benefits for the Uganda Cranes ahead of the opening two fixtures in the 2023 TotalEnergies AFCON Campaign.

The new figures cater for the match day allowances and bonuses as Uganda prepares to take on Algeria tonight in Algiers and Niger next week.

The latest development was communicated to the team last night by the FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim via zoom.

He addressed the entire contingent currently in Algiers for tonight’s AFCON Qualifier match with Algeria set to kick off at 10pm (EAT).

‘These are our new structures and we believe in motivating the entire team whenever on National team duty. We have improved on the remuneration and let the boys go and deliver for the country and fans. I am sure they will continue representing the Country with a lot of pride when they pull on the Uganda Cranes jersey. The latest figures cater for the two matches against Algeria and Niger’ noted the FUFA President.

The new figures indicate;

An increase of match day allowances from USD500 to USD750 per person on the team

Bonuses: Algeria vs Uganda on Saturday 4^th June 2022

Away Draw: USD 1,000 (Before) to USD 3,000 (New)

Away win: USD 2,500 (Before) to USD 5,000 (New)

Bonuses: Uganda vs Niger Wednesday 8^th June 2022

Home win: USD 2,000 (before) to USD 3,000 (New)

Source: FUFA

Details: East Africa; 04 June 2022; 718

From left: Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, DP William Ruto and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua receive certificate after the Kenya Kwanza presidential pair’s clearance by IEBC on June 4, 2022. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]/Photo Courtesy

“Iam delighted this morning (Saturday, June 4, 2022) to receive the certificate that will allow Kenya Kwanza and myself to participate in the August 9 General Election. I am also happy for my very able deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

“Mr. chairman (Wafula Chebukati), I want to say that Kenya Kwanza has confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). We are confident that you are up to the task. I also want to commit that my team and I will work with you diligently so that we have a credible, free, fair, democratic and verifiable election.

“Anytime you need our cooperation or support, Mr. chairman, I want to tell you that we are available.

“I have appointed responsible and professional people, a lady and gentlemen, to be our liaison [officers] between Kenya Kwanza and the IEBC.

“Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who is here, will be our chief agent assisted by [UDA Secretary-General] Veronica Maina and [Turkana Governor] Josphat Nanok. These are the gentlemen and lady who will work with you, making sure that the communication and the relationship between us, as candidates, and the IEBC is useful and helpful in making sure that we run the length and breadth of this election without hitches.

“I want to tell all our supporters across the country that this is a moment of our lifetime and we must do everything to protect it from violence and unnecessary sideshows. We must keep our eyes on the ball and avoid unnecessary engagements.

“Let the Kenya Kwanza fraternity focus on the imminent win that God will grant us in this election.

“Mr. chairman, we are committed to the [Electoral] Code of Conduct that we have signed to keep this election above board. We are confident in your stewardship and that of the IEBC in the elections of 2022.

“Let me also say that, on behalf of Kenya Kwanza, we don’t want to be favoured. We want to be treated fairly like everybody else. We are not asking for what is more than fair and a right to us.

“Respectfully, we want to request our friends in the Fourth Estate, the media, to be fair. So far, we have been treated unfairly by some media houses. We respect the decision of whatever media house to have a [preferred] candidate in this election. But the media houses should be decent and declare that they have a [preferred presidential] candidate in this election.

“We have raised these concerns [before], and through you, Mr. chairman, we want to raise these concerns [again today]. The IEBC has a duty to ensure that there is a level playing field for all participants in this election.

“When some media houses give our competitors 10 minutes of airtime, and they give us one minute [of the same], it flies in the face of integrity, fairness and balance. We have no problem with them taking sides, but they should be honourable and say: ‘in this election, we have chosen this particular candidate’.

“That will allow Kenyans who are watching their news, reading their headlines or listening to the issues, be informed that ‘this or that particular media house has taken sides’.

“Recently, we were being told about an [upcoming] presidential debate, and we raised concerns. I saw yesterday (Friday, June 3) they told us that ‘this is a podium or platform that is supposed to assist the people of Kenya to understand their candidates, know their issues and ideas so that they can choose on the basis of information and knowledge’.

“If the presidential debate is being organised by media organisations that have taken sides; by people who already have skewed the playing field in favour of one side, what moral authority do they have to ask the rest of us, who are not their [preferred] candidates, to attend a pre-arranged, pre-rigged presidential debate? We are not asking for too much; just fairness.

“If you have chosen to take a side, organise a presidential debate for that side [that you are supporting]. Don’t expect us to come and sanitise a debate that you have already skewed with the coverage of your news. We already have huge challenges that we are facing; for instance, the deep state and the so-called system.

“As Kenya Kwanza, we are going into this election with a lot of clarity, and we will work with all Kenyans. I want to ask the people of Kenya to [responsibly] participate in this election. Whichever side you are [supporting], know that this is our country, and it is our responsibility to keep it safe and peaceful, irrespective of who you vote for. Thank you very much.” By Brian Okoth, The Standard

Page 618 of 848

East Africa

How Chinese Cash In on Donkey-Slaughter Business in Kenya

South Sudan pick first win in CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship

Photo Courtesy CAF

The Bright Starlets of South Sudan have registered their first win at the on-going CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship 2022.

Uhuru rallies support for Odinga, Karua at Madaraka Day ceremony

Summary

On hold

2023 AFCON Qualifiers: FUFA Release New Structures For Allowances And Bonuses

DP William Ruto's full speech after IEBC clearance: 'Be fair to us'

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