East Africa

Details: Julius Mbaluto; East Africa; 27 July 2023; 392

The government is planning to allocate Sh50 million to every sub county for water development projects across the country.

The new funding program is set to be rolled out by the Ministry for Water and Sanitation and is aimed at addressing the scarcity of the resource.

The details emerged during a meeting between the Ministry of Water officials and the Departmental Committee on land environment and natural resources.

Water PS Dr Paul Kipronoh Ronoh said the new model will gear up medium and long term water projects and sustainable water supply of the commodity.

He said the funding program is inclined at complementing the government's water projects.

“This programme is meant to address the immediate need for water in the country and spreads across a number of initiatives embedded in the ministry’s ‘water 10,000 programs rolled out in the country,” he said.

Dr Ronoh said that their engagement with the MPs and other stakeholders is to seek buy in of the program’s rollout.

“We have arrived at critical initiatives in terms of mileage on how to take forward this programme on the framework of funding and ensuring equitable distribution to all the sub counties,” Dr Ronoh.

Departmental Committee on land environment and natural resources chair David Kangogo said that they will mobilise members of the parliament to support the program in its implementation and meet the set goal annually.

“We are going to support this program in terms of budgeting it, budgeting allocations and making sure that every Kenya has access to water as envisaged in the constitution,” added Kangogo.

Dr Rono said that they will look at the accountability of the resources to ensure that all the projects are catered for and the synergies between the big programs and the minor ones are upheld.

The PS added that they are aiming to ensure the program is financed fully.

“We are still looking at a sustainable model of funding to make sure we reach every Kenyan, especially connecting every household to a source of water,” he said.

According to Dr Ronoh, the funds will also cater for the projects that are dormant and that have challenges to ensure successful implementation to help the citizens.

“Close to 95 per cent of the projects are on course and only a few had challenges in land acquisition and unsuccessful funding model which we have highlighted to deal with in the next 6 months,” Dr Ronoh said. - Wesley Koech, The Standard

Details: Julius Mbaluto; East Africa; 26 July 2023; 388

Nairobi, July 25, 2023 – In response to news reports that Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye is suffering respiratory distress and her health has deteriorated behind bars, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

“Imprisoned Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye’s worsening health is alarming, and authorities have demonstrated negligence in their failure to ensure that she receives adequate medical care,” said CPJ’s sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities are responsible for her well-being and should ensure that she receives appropriate treatment. Even more importantly, Irangabiye does not belong behind bars and should be released unconditionally.”

On the night of Monday, July 24, Irangabiye suffered severe breathing difficulties and chest pains, symptoms that persisted as of late Tuesday and made it difficult for her to speak, according to news reports and a person familiar with her case who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation.

Irangabiye, who has been detained since August 2022, has suffered from asthma since childhood, but her condition has worsened over the last three months, that person said, adding that, despite seeing a doctor at least four times during that period and being prescribed the use of inhalers, Irangabiye remains ill.

The person familiar with her case said Irangabiye is exposed to smoke from a nearby prison kitchen and that the humid weather had possibly contributed to her health issues. Two months ago, Irangabiye’s family formally requested that authorities transfer her from the northern Muyinga Prison to a prison in the capital city of Bujumbura due to those health concerns.

Irangabiye is serving a 10-year prison term following her January 2023 conviction of undermining the integrity of Burundi’s national integrity, charges that stem from her work with the online news outlet Radio Igicaniro. - Committee to Protect Journalists, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Details: Julius Mbaluto; East Africa; 25 July 2023; 319

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta believes that he delivered for Azimio leader Raila Odinga in Central Kenya in the last election.

Uhuru, who chairs the Azimio Council, backed Raila (pictured) against his then deputy William Ruto in the election in which his Central Kenya backyard pro- vided the decisive vote in favour of Kenya Kwanza.

It was hoped in the Azimio fraternity that with the backing of Uhuru and the choice of Martha Karua as running mate, Raila stood a high chance of winning the presidency.

But the region threw its support behind Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, triggering debate that Mt Kenya had not heeded Uhuru’s advice. The Jubilee party leader rejects the narrative.

“I did my best for Raila Odinga in Cen- tral Kenya. I managed to deliver 1.2 million votes in Mt Kenya. He had never got such votes before in the region. People did not reject me. They were lied to by people who peddled propaganda,” he told editors in a wide-ranging interview.

According to Uhuru, he was not keen to be the Mt Kenya mantle noting that he is no longer in competitive politics.

He, however, maintained that he will not allow the takeover of his Jubilee Party by “puppeteers and coup plotters in the Kenya Kwanza administration”.

Empty coffers

The High Court overturned the over- throw of Uhuru’s allies, secretary general Jeremiah and vice-chairman David Mu- rathe who were kicked out by a faction led by East Africa Legislative Assembly member Kanini Kega.

“I had planned to leave the leadership to other people including my role as the Azimio council chairman but I can’t leave the party to coup plotters,” he said.

The retired President also denied claims by Kenya Kwanza leading lights including Gachagua and Prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi that he left behind empty coffers.

Uhuru says he should be allowed to enjoy his retirement and bond with his family.

“I have never taken a holiday for the past ten years. I want to pursue my other passions,” he said.

Uhuru has been brokering peace ef- forts in the Horn of Africa as well as supervising elections on the continent.

“We want to concentrate on peace efforts in Ethiopia, South Sudan and the DRC. I want to dedicate my time to the Pan-African project that I am really passionate about. I believe that Africa’s stability depends on the unity of its people. By Emeka Mavaka, People Daily

Details: Julius Mbaluto; East Africa; 25 July 2023; 369

Zimbabwe has nothing to hide in its conduct of elections and welcomes all observer missions and diplomats to observe the forthcoming polls slated for August 23 and make their recommendations in an impartial manner, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Frederick Shava said yesterday.

Dr Shava said this while briefing foreign observer missions and diplomats on the country's state of preparedness ahead of the elections.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Kindness Paradza and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Dr Gerald Gwinji also addressed the meeting.

"On August 23 2023, the electorate will choose its leaders at both local and national levels. All observer missions and diplomatic missions are welcome to observe the elections, and I wish to underscore that you are free to make your observations and recommendations in an impartial manner. I assure you that we have nothing to hide as we have conducted free and fair elections since attaining independence in 1980," Dr Shava said.

He added that the Government valued the role played by observers in the elections especially in its engagement and re-engagement efforts.

"I wish to say to you all, that you are an important part of us, as a country, and therefore, it is imperative that you participate in every stage of this important process, guided by mutual respect. These elections are vital to us and the world, in the context of our agenda on engagement, re-engagement and reaffirmation," he said.

The minister expressed confidence that the peace and tranquillity that is prevailing will continue during and after the election period adding that Zimbabweans were law-abiding and peace-loving people.

"It is our sincere hope that no trouble makers will try to damage our good reputation as a peaceful and democratic nation," he said and urged all observers to familiarise themselves with the Code of Conduct for election observers and all requirements for accreditation with ZEC, before embarking on their missions.

In his remarks, Minister Ziyambi briefed the observer and diplomatic missions of the legal framework governing the elections including the constitutional amendments to extend the women's quota system in the National Assembly, which was supposed to end this year, by a further 10 years.

He also detailed the electoral steps that have been taken so far by Government and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission that include the delimitation of boundaries, voter registration and education, the proclamation of the elections date by the President, the sitting of the nomination courts, ZEC's engagements with various stakeholders including establishment of various statutory sub-committees like the media monitoring and observer accreditation and political parties' liaison sub-committees among other issues.

"The Republic of Zimbabwe is committed to these harmonised elections and that we go through the process in a transparent, peaceful and free and fair manner. The Republic of Zimbabwe is committed to leading the process and is proud to take ownership of this process thereof," Minister Ziyambi said and urged all political players to carry out their activities in a lawful and peaceful manner and ensure life remains normal during and after the elections.

Deputy Minister Paradza said Government had opened up the media space through repeal of repressive laws like the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and licencing of new television and radio (including community) stations.

"This election comes after the repeal of this draconian law, AIPPA and also the Public Order and Security Act. We now have the Freedom of Information Act, which is more than friendly and in addition we have opened up the airwaves. We go into these elections with six additional television stations which are ready to deploy crews across the country to cover this election and in addition to that we have a television station from East Africa, Azam TV which is operating in this country.

"This has brought diversity in the media sector and a wider choice in terms of news consumption," he said.

Deputy Minister Paradza also said ZEC was also using the 14 community radio stations licenced to carry out voter education in local languages and added that as Government they implored the media and journalists to report in a factual, fair and credible manner.

He also told the observers and diplomats that various media houses in the country had established elections desks to solely focus on the harmonised elections.

He said Zimbabwe Newspapers Group, the largest integrated media group in the country and the public broadcaster ZBC, were also offering political parties free airtime through their television and radio stations.

"Coming to Zimpapers, they are giving free airtime to political parties to say out their manifestos, they are giving four hours during prime time for that but some are not taking up that time and it's not our problem as a ministry but we are saying come and utilise that time," he said.

Deputy Minister Paradza said apart from the free airtime, Zimpapers had also reduced its advertising rates for the elections and was also carrying out in-house training of its reporters on elections coverage.

Turning to ZBC, Deputy Minister Paradza said the public broadcaster had set up internal committees to ensure fair and credible reportage of the elections but again said some political parties were declining to use the free coverage airtime from the broadcaster.

"Most of these opposition parties do not want to utilise this free airtime, they refuse. Where the reporters are saying please we need to interview you, the parliamentary candidates, the local authority candidates, ‘come and say out your manifestos', only a few have come through and its something we are encouraging the political parties to come and utilise the airtime," Deputy Minister Paradza said. Source - The Herald/Bulawayo News

Details: Julius Mbaluto; East Africa; 25 July 2023; 290

Azimio la Umoja Coalition has postponed its upcoming countrywide protests slated for Wednesday, July 26.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga-led coalition instead directed its supporters to light candles in honour of colleagues who lost their lives during past protests.

Azimio estimates that at least 50 deaths were recorded during the protests while hundreds of other people are still admitted to hospitals after sustaining injuries.

"Azimio has made the decision that on Wednesday, rather than go to the streets for a peaceful demonstration as earlier announced, we will hold solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country.

"We are calling Kenyans to come out and light candles and lay flowers in remembrance of and respect for the victims," read the statement in part.

The opposition directed its supporters to light candles, lay flowers, say prayers, and read out the names of the individuals it claims were victims of police brutality.

"We have visited hospitals and morgues and we have established that police and hired gangs have shot and killed or wounded scores of people at close range," added the statement

The postponement came a few hours after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki promised to deploy police officers as early as 1:00 am to apprehend protesters caught stealing or destroying infrastructure.

The CS emphasised that the police deployment done in the previous week was a warm-up to the plans laid out for the coming protests.

"Two Wednesdays ago, we wanted to see if Kenyans can conduct peaceful protests. But three hours later, a lot of damage was done in various parts of the country and by the time we deployed police, it was too late.

"That is last week. We decided we are not going to the same criminals to do the same. We will remain firm," he told the press on Monday.

In an earlier statement read by former Murang'a County Governor Mwangi wa Iria, Azimio noted that it was ready to hold protests again but reduced the number of days from three to one.

That was after Amnesty International confirmed that over 30 people had lost their lives in the hands of the police since the protests began in March 2023. By Derrick Okubasu, Kenyans.co.ke

Page 173 of 648

World

Technology

Sport

Travel

East Africa

Sub Counties to get Sh50 million for water projects

Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye’s health deteriorating in prison

Ex-President says he won votes for Raila in Mt Kenya

Empty coffers

Local Zimbabwe has nothing to hide, Govt tells election observers

Raila Calls Off Wednesday Protests

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