Wednesday, 21st August 2019 KCA University Wester Campus launched the MSC Commerce Program, in the presence of County Minister Dr. Obiero Ogone who represented Kisumu County Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o in the celebrations.
In his speech Governor Nyong’o applauded the University stating that it is a step in the right direction.
“commerce is a great driver of our economy and there is no better way to achieve this if not by instilling the right knowledge and skills in our students by offering them the relevant courses that adequately prepare them for the fast advancing technological and competitive economic environment.” Said the Governor.
According to the Governor, Kisumu County being the gateway to the Lake and Eastern African region opens up a huge market for goods and services and thus offers limitless opportunities for entrepreneurs and industrialists. Thus, the need to developed a workforce armed with the right knowledge and skills to offer the requisite human resource that the industry desperately needs.
The new Program launch took place the Aga-khan hall in Kisumu and was also graced by Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi, and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda.
The new Masters degree programme will allow graduate students in the region enrolled at KCA University to obtain an MSC degree from the University.
KCA University Western Campus VC Prof Noah Midamba (left), Deputy Governor Vihiga, H.E Dr Patrick Saisi,Kisumu County Education CEC Member Dr John Obiero Ogone and Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda cut a cake during the launch of Masters Degree Programmes of MSC Commerce, MBA in Corporate Management and MBA -HR, Procurement and Marketting at the Aga-Khan Hall in Kisumu.
“You the media, are powerful. You reach millions of people, you have the tools to challenge rigid gender roles and empower both men and women”, remarked Atienon Otieno the County Director of Communications when she joined DW-Akademie and two of Kisumu’s esteemed radio stations for the launch of their gender policies.
Sky FM and Radio Lake Victoria on Wednesday made history when they launched their Gender Policies at a ceremony attended by radio journalists from Kisumu, Bungoma, Webuye and Nakuru. The policies are a set of guidelines for the stations to guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all ; tools to advance gender parity in radio programming.
The launch was organized by Deutsche Welle Akademie who are the supporting partners in media development in Kenya.
In attendance, the County Director of Gender and Youth Affairs Ms Adah Omedi said that Gender policy is developed out of the recognition that there still are disparities among men and women in various spheres of life. She announced that the County Government was at an advanced stage in the development of a Sexual Gender Based Violence policy and a Gender mainstreaming policy.
In her remarks, Sigrid Thomsen, DW-Akademie’s project lead applauded the two radio stations for fostering an Integrated Policy Agenda which is a big step towards bridging the gender gap.
Also present was the Managing Director of Sky FM, Mr. Daniel Kirathe, Mr. Arthur Okwemba a media consultant for DW-Akademie, Association of Media Women in Kenya representative Josephine Wareta, station managers, among other stakeholders.
The policy is in line with the Kenya National Policy on Gender and Development (NPGD), which clearly states that it is the right of women, men, girls and boys to participate in and benefit equally from the development process including appropriate affirmative action at all levels.
“Getting women in front of the camera or the microphone is only half the battle; we also need fundamentally to change the way we interact and the language that we use,” concluded Atieno.
Representative of Sky FM and Radio Lake Victoria together with Deutsche Welle Akademie representative Sigrid Thomsen (Centre) Displays the newly launched Gender Policy in an event held at Mills View Hotel in ( Picture by Jacob Owiti)
Kisumu is set to introduce malaria vaccine across the county as an additional intervention to other existing malaria control measures following the introduction of the vaccine in Kenya.
During a workshop that brought together stakeholders at the Vic Hotel in Kisumu, the County malaria unit plans to implement the malaria vaccine exercise in the county.
According to Fredrick Oluoch, Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator, Kenya joined two other African countries Ghana and Malawi, who are already implementing the vaccine in the continent. The vaccine is the first ever malaria vaccine to be introduced by World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Oluoch stressed that the Malaria vaccine provides additional intervention to other existing malaria control interventions in Kenya and should be used together with other existing malaria intervention as it provides partial immunity.
The Vaccines targets older children between 5 -17 months of age and infants receives the vaccine together with other routine childhood vaccines at 6,10 and 14 weeks of age. Mr. Oluoch also emphasized the need to for children to receive all other vaccines to protect them from other illnesses.
The other interventions are regular use of mosquito nets which is the most effective method in malaria case management, testing and treating at hospitals, community case management for malaria at households’ level through community health workers, use of indoor residual sprays and use of malaria prophylaxis.
He noted that children are at high risk of malaria due to the fact that they still lack immunity(protection) against malaria.
The vaccine targets around 360000 children in Kenya per year and will be of public health impact given the large number of malaria cases in children it will avert.
Kisumu East Sub County Malaria Coordinator,Mr.Fredrick Oluoch, making a presentation during a stakeholders workshop in at the VIC hotel
A bout 30 new cancer cases are reported monthly at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) indicating very high incidences, this is according to report by the health directorate, following the current intervention strategy programs and services put in place to increase screening among undeserved populations in Kisumu.
It is on the basis of the rising cases of cancer that the Counties First Ladies Association (CFLA ) in partnership with Roche, Women 4 Cancer and Africa Cancer Foundation visited JOOTRH earlier this week in a fact finding mission intended to establish the facts and circumstances of the cancer scourge in eight counties, including, Kisumu, Makueni, Bungoma, Kakamega, Meru, Laikipia, TaitaTaveta, and Nakuru.
Mama Kisumu, Dorothy Nyong’o played host to H. E Nazi Kuvutha together with the partners who pledged commitment to support the fight against cancer through implementation of an Enabling and Motivating Partnership Owned by Women to Engage and Reclaim their lives (EMPOWER).
On their tour to Kisumu’s JOOTRH, the partnership sought to understand facts, challenges and recommendations towards Cancer intervention strategies that will inform the EMPOWER project which seeks to contribute to the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment with standard care and education of women in the community on cervical and breast cancer.
Speaking during stakeholders meeting that brought together, Radiation Oncologists, oncology nurses, specialist and county health officials, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni County expresses her commitment towards the fight against cancer through establishing EMPOWER projects in the Counties in order to prioritize cancer care and treatment as well as strengthening the health care systems for treatment in the counties.
In her remarks, Mama Kisumu pledged support from cancer diagnosis to availability of treatment, adding that in order to kick cancer out of Kisumu, screening must be perfected through treatment.
County First Ladies, H.E Nazi Kivutha of Makueni, Mama Dorothy Nyong’o of Kisumu togethet with CEC member for Health Prof. Judith Attyang’ taken through breast cancer screening process.
In observance of the August annual World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), the County health department in collaboration with the Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) organized the celebrations at KMET Complex Railway ward, Kisumu central Sub County.
The 2019 WBW theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding,” encourages exclusive breastfeeding and promotion of improved health for babies. The theme aims at championing for gender equitable parental social protection, parent-friendly workplaces in both formal and informal sector and parent-friendly values and gender-equitable social norms to advance breastfeeding.
Speaking during the event County Minister for Prof. Judith Attyang noted that there are barriers to creating an enabling and supportive environment for women to breastfeed. Prof. Attyang called on public private partnership to promote the importance of family-friendly policies to enable breastfeeding and help parents nurture and bond with their children in early life, when it matters most.
“Concerted actions are thus needed to coordinate actions to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.” Said Prof. Attyang. The County minister applauded KMET for supporting breastfeeding mothers through the launch of the lactation center.
KMET executive director, Dr Monica Ogutu encouraged young mothers to give children the best start in life through exclusive breastfeeding, adding that increasing breastfeeding promotes better health for mothers and children alike as well as decreasing the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
During the event, the County Nutrition Coordinator, Rael Mwando appreciated this year’s theme for having addressed women’s productivity and employment while underscoring the health Act 2017. Madam Mwando also emphasized the need to have work place lactation centers adding that this will ensure productive workforce as a result of less absenteeism, increased loyalty and staff turnover.
August 1st to 7th WBW, the World Health Organization, (WHO) actively promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. According to WHO, breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
Access to a parent friendly workplace to protect and support their ability to continue breastfeeding upon return to work by having access to breastfeeding breaks; a safe, private, and hygienic space for expressing and storing breast milk and affordable childcare.
The 7-day celebration is to inform the public on parental social protection and breastfeeding while anchoring on parent-friendly values to support breastfeeding. The WBW also seeks to engage individuals and organizations to advance breastfeeding by galvanizing action on gender-equitable parental social protection.
By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for Health and sanitation, Prof. Judith Attyang issuing gift packs to breastfeeding mothers during the annual world breastfeeding week held at KMET Complex in Kisumu
Demonstration on the correct breastfeeding position
County Nutritionists led by Rael Mwando encouraging young Mothers on the importance of breastfeeding
Pupils of Kolwa Central ward, Kisumu East Sub-county had a reason to smile following the commissioning of new ECDE classrooms and furniture to Four centers including Oyolla, Ragumo, Kunya and Mbeme.
A total of 200 chairs and 100 tables were officially handed over to the Centers in an event presided over by County Minister for Education, ICT and Human capacity building, Dr. Obiero Ogone.
This is in line with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s agenda on Education which is keen on improving ECDE centers across the County.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Ogone emphasized the department’s commitment to improving education standards and assured teachers and parents on the plans to construct more ECDE centers across the County. The County Minister also assured the ECDE assistants on the plans to review their terms of service.
The area MCA Hon. George Olwa promised to allocate more ward development funds towards education.
Ag. County Director for Education Madam, Magret Apondi restated the mandate and priority areas of the Directorate, which include infrastructure developments, community sensitization and providing ECDE learning materials.
Madam Apondi also stated that the directorate is committed to ensuring successful Education sector in Kisumu.
By Matilda Atieno
County Minister for, Education, CT and Human resource capacity building Dr. Obiero Ogone (center) flunked by Kolwa central MCA Hon.George Olwal ( right) and Ag. Director ECD. Madam, Magret Apondi during the commissioning of the ECDE class rooms (David Wadulo)
The annual 2nd term Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), National games kicked off today in Kisumu with Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili joining Nyanza Education Director Richard Chepkawai in flagging off the championship at Moi Stadium.
Kisumu Day and Nyakach girls will represent the County as the hunt for new champions begins in the football and volleyball categories. Nyakach girls will open their account against Karugwa as Kisumu day take on newbies Ebwali.
The games will be played out at Kisumu Day and Kisumu Boys with more than a hundred participants lined up ready to be crowned champions.
Dr. Owili was joined by County Ministers,
Richard Ogendo, Dr. John Ogone,Protocol Director Bob Madanje, County government officials among other representatives from Coca Cola and the KSSA.
Winners of the U-16 football games will represent the country at the African championship as other category winners proceed to Tanzania for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSA) in Arusha.
By Collins Owuor
Midfield battle as rival players sweat it out in the opening game of the KSSSA term 2 games ( picture by Collins Owuor)
