Doctor’s strike Cancelled After Making a Deal With The Government

The doctor’s strike that was scheduled to start on December 22, 2024, has been cancelled after the government signed a deal with doctors. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki oversaw the signing of an agreement between doctors and the Ministry of Health that resulted in the strike being called off. According to the deal, intern doctors will receive Ksh 206,000 per month as salaries. KMPDU Secretary General Doctor Davji Atellah revealed that during the meeting, it was also agreed that the basic salary arrears would be paid. “In today’s agreement, the intern doctors can actually check their pay slips to see the confirmations that they will be getting their full salaries,” Devji confirmed. Previously, while giving notice for the strike, Devji expressed frustration that the doctors faced, blaming the government for neglecting the initial 2017 collective bargaining agreement. Kindiki further praised the doctors for taking a selfless move and cancelling the strike, terming it as an important move, especially for Kenyans who rely on them for medical services. “We welcome the selfless decision of the doctors to call off the intended industrial action and their willingness to continue engagement with the National and County Governments in the spirit of collaboration, consensus building, and good faith,” the DP said.

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Kenyan Police Ranked Third Last in African Countries With the Most Professional Police

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According to a recent Report, Kenya is third from bottom in the list of African countries whose police are the most professional. The country has a scorecard of a mere 18%. Kenya was only able to definite Nigeria and Congo-Brazzaville with scorecards of 17% and 13% respectively. Tanzania however leads the line in East Africa, coming inside the top 10 countries whose police force is the most professional. Burkina Faso, Morocco, and Benin lead the line in terms of police professionalism, with scores of 68%, 64%, and 61%, respectively. Kenya’s East African neighbour Tanzania, ranked ninth, with a score of 53%- a stark contrast to many of the African nations. The report further revealed a worrying trend across the continent, with only one in three citizens expressing faith in the police’s ability to uphold the rule of law and maintain order. Among the key issues that emerged from the report which serve as a key hinderance in the police’s ability to effectively conduct their mandate included systemic corruption, police brutality, and an overall lack of professionalism. North Africa recorded the highest levels of trust in their police force with 51% of respondents expressing confidence in authorities. Central Africa recorded the lowest levels at 37%. Talking of corruption, Nigeria, Kenya, and the other countries that ranked lowest in police professionalism were in the top 10 countries whose police were most likely to ask for bribes to serve citizens.

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All Nairobi County employees will wear badges and have their names publicly listed Starting January 2025

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Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced that Starting in January, all Nairobi County employees will wear badges and have their names publicly listed. Sakaja has revealed that the county will launch the programme dubbed Jitambulishe in a fresh initiative to curb rampant corruption and harassment of businesses. According to him, all county employees will wear badges that anyone can scan and verify their identity before conducting any business under the project. He also disclosed that the county will have only one team that will be publicly known. The names will be separated by areas where these officers will operate. “Every staff member of Nairobi County Government, if they come to you, first of all, it’s one inspection team that we are going to publish the names of who comes to Westlands, who comes to Dagoreti North, because there are many imposters harassing business people in the city, and we want business people to focus on their business. Everyone must have a badge, and you check it online, and it brings up your photo. You know, yes, this is a certified staff member of the Nairobi County government and they have come to look at this and that.” This comes as the problem of harassment and extortion by county officials, particularly within the Central Business District (CBD), has been persistent in the capital. Following this, Some business owners alleged that county officials continued to intimidate and extort them, threatening to close their establishments without proper cause. In April 2024, the county government deployed compliance and enforcement teams across all 17 sub-counties to ensure businesses obtain the necessary permits and pay the required fees. Each officer was provided with a legitimate staff ID card featuring a QR code for verification. This initiative aimed to meet the county’s revenue target of Ksh20 billion for the financial year.

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Daystar University Halts Israel Deal After Widespread Criticism Over Gaza War

KAWU issues a Strike notice just a few Days to Christmas

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The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has issued a strike notice with only a few days left to christmas. According to the union, the management has been subjecting them to low payments leaving them with no alternative but to proceed with industrial action against their employer. In the notice, KAWU Secretary General Moses Ndiema announced they would communicate the beginning of their industrial action, warning the government to prepare for a major strike. ”On December 21, we will hold a meeting with our members and if, by bad luck, we have not agreed, we will communicate when the strike will officially begin. This will be the mother of all strikes,’’ Ndiema announced. They further insisted that their efforts to fast-track the completion of issues signed on their return to work formula was met with the government’s unwillingness. KAWU also noted that their meetings have been unfruitful with no meaningful engagement from the government. In their last strike that crippled services at Kenya’s airports management system, the workers union agreed to return to work following an agreement between the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Transports Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.

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Kenyans to start occupying new houses under the affordable housing program beginning January 2025

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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has revealed that Kenyans are set to start occupying new houses under the affordable housing program beginning January 2025. According to the DP, some of the houses under the housing program will be completed and opening doors to Kenyans in January. “From January 2025, some of the housing projects will be ready for commissioning, allocation, and occupation by the new homeowners,” Kindiki stated. Kindiki noted that 550,000 Kenyans have registered for Boma Yangu which will boost them in their journey of becoming homeowners. The DP further revealed that the government is working to ensure that the affordable housing project meets the demand of the houses Kenyans have registered for. “Currently, the national annual demand for housing stands at 250,000 units against an annual market production of 50,000 units. To address this challenge, the government is implementing the affordable housing program that includes the social housing project to cater to low-income earners,” Kindiki revealed. DP also assured Kenyans that there will be more jobs in the coming year with the project being anticipated to create over 200,000 jobs. “100 housing projects in 45 counties that will yield 135,515 units are in various stages of completion, providing job opportunities for more than 200,000 people as part of the government’s job creation initiative,” the DP assured. According to the DP the Affordable Housing project has so far availed more than Ksh 4 billion worth of work for the Jua Kali sector and accelerated growth in the manufacturing of cement, steel, and other construction materials.

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KVA raises concerns over livestock vaccination campaign

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The Kenya Veterinary Association has raised concerns over the ongoing National Livestock Vaccination Campaign. KVA has urged the government to address public trust issues, resource gaps, and stakeholder engagement to ensure its success. One of the major concerns includes Credibility crisis and according to KVA, Public scepticism towards government-led programmes is high. “This administration’s actions have eroded any sense of public trust… jeopardising critical issues reliant on public participation.” The lack of awareness and misinformation among farmers and stakeholders has fuelled resistance is another concern raised. Ending concerns are Devolution challenges and Politicisation of the campaign which KVA condemned efforts to politicise the exercise, warning this could alienate livestock keepers. The association suggests postponing the initiative to allow for adequate public sensitisation, Risk-based approach where Vaccination should target endemic diseases in specific regions rather than blanket strategies. KVA also recommended Public education campaigns to debunk misinformation and outline the benefits of vaccination and also Increasing the number of veterinary personnel. Additionally the association suggested Resource allocation where KVA notes that Increasing the number of veterinary personnel and adequately funding county veterinary departments is critical. KVA moreover urged the government to work closely with veterinary professionals, farmers, and local leaders to ensure the campaign’s success.

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Property Destroyed After Fire Burns Down Modern Furniture Pacific Store in Kiambu

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Property of unknown value at the Modern Furniture Pacific shop in Ruiru, Kiambu County destroyed after a fire outbreak. According to witnesses, the fire broke out on Wednesday at around 7 am inside the furniture store before spreading to other sections and burning several pieces of furniture. The incident area residents initiated a rescue operation to extinguish the fire. However, the flames quickly spread to other parts of the store, making it impossible to contain. A team of firefighters from Kiambu County arrived at the scene and put out the fire which had already burnt down a considerable chunk of the building including most furniture. The furniture shop is owned by a prominent businessman Gibson Murage Gitonga who also owns several other furniture stores across the country. The businessman launched the furniture business in Kiambu in January this year, an event that was attended by several high-profile guests including Kimabu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa. No deaths or injuries were reported, however, the cause of the fire is yet to be established with police officers currently on the scene to assess the incident.

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