NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 23 — President William Ruto has appointed the former Chief of Defence Forces Gen (Rtd) Julius Karangi, who served during President Mwai Kibaki’s reign, as the Chairperson of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) Board.

Karangi who was the CDF from 2011-2015 will take over from David Ngugi who had been appointed to the position by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 21, 2021.

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 5 (2) (a) of the National Council for Population and Development Order, I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya, appoint— GEN. (RTD.) JULIUS WAWERU KARANGI to be the Chairperson of the National Council for Population and Development Board, with effect from the 23rd December, 2022 up to 20th July, 2024. President William Ruto, Gazette Notice No. 15794.

The NCPD is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency under the National Treasury and Planning, State Department for Planning, charged with the responsibility of promoting and coordinating population and development activities in the country.

The Head of Sate also named the immediate former Army Commander Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Koipaton as Chairperson of the Kenya Wildlife Service Board for a period of three years.

During his service, Koipaton held a number of Command, Staff and Instructional-related appointments in various Kenya Defence Forces establishments.

He served as Officer Commanding Cadet Wing between 1994 -1995. In Staff, he has served as Staff Officer at Headquarters Kenya Army, Military Assistant to Army Commander, Military Assistant to Chief of General Staff and later as the Provost Marshall.

He was the Commander 6 Brigade in 2012 and was instrumental in the formative stage of the Brigade which later deployed in Somalia between 2013 and 2014.

Koipaton also served in United Nations and African Union Peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world including the United Nations mission in Yugoslavia as adjutant, Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) where he was the Commanding Officer of the Kenyan Battalion.

Other appointments included that of Walter Nyambati who will serve as the Chairperson of the Board of Geothermal Development Company for a three-year term and Faith Boinett who will lead the board of directors of the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited for a similar period.

Boinett replaces Rita Achieng Okuthe.

President Ruto also named Noah Wekesa who served as minister under Kibaki and assistant minister in President Daniel Moi’s government, as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Forest Service for three years replacing James Karugu.

I have always been a car enthusiast since my childhood. My father Bishop Kalua had a short stint as a pioneering owner of a matatu plying the Nairobi West route. Back in the late seventies, he owned a Volkswagen Kombi van that ferried people from Nairobi CBD to Nairobi West. This Kombi gave me an opportunity to acquaint myself with the mechanical workings of a car from an early age.

Recently as I was driving home, I reflected on the many parts of a car that must efficiently work for the car to function. Chief among them are the engine and gearbox. While an internal-combustion engine converts energy from the heat of burning fuel into the force that turns wheels, a gear box transmits that force. In essence, a gear box enables the car to move. It provides varying amounts of energy as per the need of the moment. It does the heavy lifting.

In the Executive Arm of Government, Cabinet Secretaries are like engines of the Ministries while Principal Secretaries are like gear boxes. While Cabinet Secretaries are the centers of ministerial power, Principal Secretaries transmit that power into meticulous technical action that delivers results.

Last Friday, 51 Principal Secretaries (PS) were sworn into office. They included 12 honorable women. These individuals are now tasked with a constitutional responsibility that is spelt out in Section 155 of our Constitution ‘Each State department shall be under the administration of a Principal Secretary.’

As State departmental leaders, Principal Secretaries turn the wheels of a Ministry forward. They hold Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE). That’s a hard nut to crack because managing money is one of the hardest tasks in any institution.

As the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman famously said in 2016, Kenya loses one third of its budget to corruption. Given their critical roles as AIE holders, PSs can provide the first lines of defense for State funds. If they do so, the State will increasingly get full value for State resources and this will change Kenyans’ lives. There is need therefore for the new PS’s to support and become permanent friends to the Office of the Auditor General and other constitutionally established agencies including the Parliament because there they will consistently access valuable reports that will guide them away from grave mistakes made by their predecessors.

It was remarkable to hear President Ruto reminding the PS’s about the prominence of Kenya’s human capital as he reassured them of his unwavering support. Clearly, their work optimizes service delivery. It follows that optimal service delivery from State Officers makes the lives of people better.

For instance, Eng. Joseph Mungai Mbugua, the new PS, State Department for Roads can ensure unprecedented construction and maintenance of roads in Kenya taking a cue from President Kenyatta’s administration to transform the lives of Kenyans through ease of movement of people and goods. Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui the new PS for ICT and Digital Economy on the other hand has a tremendous opportunity of using his vast experience to fast-track digitization of Government services to ensure better collaboration between institutions and convenient access to services. On his part the PS for sports and arts Jonathan Mwangangi Mueke can transform lives through tapping talents even as he gets Kenya to the next World Cup. The most experienced Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang through his education docket can streamline our children’s education and grant then hope for the future.

The same applies to all other PS’s because everything stands and falls on their shoulders.

Indeed, the 51 Principal Secretaries are not just technocratic State Officers. They fix the nuts and bolts of the Government. Just like the gear box, they should transmit the force that powers the Government engine so that Kenya can keep moving towards success. Think green act green!

Dr. Kalua Green is the Founder and Chairperson of Green Africa Foundation, an organization that was founded in the year 2000 that champions Sustainable Development in Africa.

President William Ruto’s government is now fully constituted following the swearing in of 51 Principal Secretaries yesterday.

Their appointments were gazetted on Thursday after the National Assembly concluded debate on their vetting reports. The exercise had been delayed following a petition that sought to bar MPs from vetting them.

Ruto presided over the fete at State House where he issued a stern warning to the officials, demanding that they must deliver.

“The jobs and responsibilities and positions you have been given are not private, family or community position but opportunity to serve the entirety of the people of Kenya. I expect every PS to diligently work to the best of their ability to serve the 53 million Kenyans,” he said.

Ruto laid bare the fact that Kenyans had high expectations of his administration and the burden of delivery squarely lay on the shoulders of the PSs who must work as a unit.

“We must work in a manner that creates the synergy to build around the strengths of each and every one of us. I want to promise that as team leader that I will work with each and every one of you to deliver to the people of Kenya,” observed the Head of State.

However, appointment of Chief Administration Secretaries is still awaiting a decision by the courts.

“I am happy that we are seeing the trend of payment even as Kenyans borrow. We are starting the journey as a country to a single digit credit regime that will ensure that citizens have access to affordable credit so we can use it to drive the economy of our country and the progress of our nation,” said Ruto.

The President also delved into the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) promising to lower its cost.

“We must however not dump our children in school and leave them to teachers. They are our responsibility and we should follow through, “he added.

Kalua party, keen on environment, eyes independent candidates in 2022 race

Environmentalist Dr. Isaack Kalua Green has founded the Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP). The party is set to hold its inaugural National Delegates Convention (NDC) tomorrow (February 22) and launch campaigns for the 2022 General Election.

Dr. Kalua, who is also the founder of the Green Africa Foundation, says GTAP, which will hold its NDC at the Bomas of Kenya, is a political party founded on the principle of sustainability and espouses “Green Thinking” as its primary philosophy.

“The party seeks to realize a people-centered government through transformative leadership that empowers Kenyan households as the primary drivers of National Development and Growth,” he told Nation. Africa in an interview on Monday.

Sustainable growth

 G-TAP, he noted, advocates for viable, sustainable, and green growth policies in the spheres of governance, finance, and political leadership.

“The party’s vision revolves around three pillars namely; ethical and effective governance, sustainable wealth generation, and the dignity of the household,” said Dr. Kalua.

“This new party hopes to appeal to the youth and other Kenyans with leadership capabilities with a strong desire to change the status quo.”

Dr. Kalua pointed out that the party will, however, not produce a presidential candidate in the August 9 polls, but will have candidates vying for other positions.

New platform

“We want to give Kenyans a new platform and an alternative outfit that understands their needs at the grassroots level and enables them to have leadership that understands their problems at the lower level and effectively addresses them,” he said.

G-TAP, he noted, adopts eight policy positions that it seeks to shape to improve the lives of Kenyans.

The policy positions include alignment with vision 2030, macro-economics, inclusive growth, ease of doing business, cost of energy, manufacturing-led development, draw-down and effective utilization of public debt and agriculture.

“The party’s economic policy aligns with the country’s vision 2030 and its activities will seek to ensure that Kenya is transformed into a new industrializing middle-income economy providing a high quality of life to all citizens,” Dr. Kalua said.

Public investments

On inclusive growth, he said the party shall promote public investments that are catalytic in nature and in particular, those that seek to facilitate the inclusion of underserved segments of Kenya’s population, including youth, women, and the geographically marginalized areas.

“Seeing that the private sector is the engine of growth, and hence G-TAP shall promote policies aimed at easing business registration,” he said.

“The party seeks to continually promote the reduction of the cost of energy through adoption of green alternatives and renegotiation of current energy contracts to align them with market standards and ensure that the public gets value for money,” he added.

On manufacturing-led development, he revealed that G-TAP believes that Kenya must pursue a manufacturing-led development pathway to ensure that it carries along the majority of its citizens.

“G-TAP will require effective drawdown of all public debt instruments entered into, and shall not at any point allow delayed timelines in the implementation of the projects. The technical service offered by the civil service shall be fully aligned to this requirement, and a derogation shall attract sanction, including dismissal. On Agriculture, the party shall seek enhanced investments into Agriculture, at least equivalent to 10 percent of the GDP.

 “It shall also seek the creation of 10 million jobs along priority agricultural value chains. This will be supported by reforms in agriculture policies and the strengthening of the county governments in offering extension services and promotion of sustainable use of land,” added Dr. Kalua

Source: Nation.Africa

  

The Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) has waived nomination fees for women aspirants seeking elective posts for the 2022 General Election.

A move the party leadership says will give be an open window for as many women as possible to come out and vie for various elective seats and increase the number of women in political leadership.

Yesterday, the party also received a defector from UDA and maintained that it would empower women and seek to minimize violence meted against women mainly during party primaries.

The defector, 22-year-old Anita Soina, who is vying for Kajiado North MP seat, said GTAP had the interests of women at heart and seeks their growth across the country. She urged more women to come up and vie for seats under the party and not allow them to be discriminated against.

“Namibia and South Africa have previously elected Emma Theophilus at the age of 23 and Itumeleng Ntsube at the age of 21 respectively and this is proof that young people are not too young to lead,” said Anita.

The party targets to field 500 candidates during the August 9 polls and are confident of attracting the best candidates from all counties, especially women and youth.

“The Constitution guarantees equitable opportunities to all Kenyans regardless of background, ethnicity, race, social status, and gender. However, the political structure over the years has been skewed to favor men and those of wealthy backgrounds due to the influence of money in Kenya’s politics today,” said party leader Isaac Kalua.

He said GTAP would seek to empower women leaders and the Kenyan households at large.

Kenya’s renowned environmentalist Anita Soina on Tuesday decamped from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA party) led by Deputy President William Ruto to Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) where she is hoping to fly the party’s flag in the Kajiado North MP race in the coming elections.

In a press statement, Soina called on other youths to back her so that they can solve environmental issues affecting society.

The youthful leader further expressed confidence that she would win the elections despite her young age. Soina said, despite her age, she is ready to fill the void that was left by former Minister and Kajiado North MP George Saitoti.

“Namibia and South Africa have previously elected Emma Theophilus at the age of 23 and Itumeleng Ntsube at the age of 21 respectively and this is proof that young people are not too young to lead”, Anita said.

If elected MP, Soina said that her priority will be sorting to curb the challenges of climate-related issues including water shortage, food security and sanitation.

“I am compelled by the significant role that politics constantly plays in international environmental governance, economic and social prosperity of communities, I contemplated on fighting The Green War from the corridors of power while representing young people, children and women who are highly underrepresented in the active political arena,” she said.

On its side, GTAP noted that said that it is open to welcoming new members – mostly youths and women – who are seeking elective seats in the coming elections.

Dr Isaac Kalua, the party’s official, said that in the move to attract more candidates into the party, it has decided to waive the nomination fee for all female aspirants seeking elective seats. Kalua said that the move to waive the fee is to minimize violence during the primaries.

“The decision by GTAP to waive the nomination fees for women candidates will try to minimize the violence meted against women during party primaries,” Kalua said.

Isaack Kalua launches new party, promise hope for independents

What you need to know:

• In 2017, a record 4,002 independent candidates, compared to just 350 in 2013, presented themselves for election as non-party hopefuls.
• Dr. Kalua said the party will champion environmental conservation, restore the dignity of households and prioritize food security.

Celebrated environmentalist Dr. Isaack Kalua Green has launched a new political party – the Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP), which he termed as an alternative vehicle to leadership, with an eye on environmental conservation. 

Addressing the party’s inaugural National Delegates Convention (NDC) at the Bomas of Kenya on Tuesday, Dr. Kalua said the party will provide an alternative platform to those who have a dream of contesting as independent candidates due to tough conditions by other parties and unfair primaries. 

“For aspirants who are thinking of running as independent candidates, this is a party that brings hope,” Dr. Kalua, who is also the founder of the Green Africa Foundation, said.

In 2017, a record 4,002 independent candidates, compared to just 350 in 2013, presented themselves for election as non-party hopefuls, a number analysts say could rise significantly in the 2022 elections.

Some analysts have argued that the independent candidates could be as many as half of the party-backed candidates in the 2022 elections if parties do not address the issues that pushed hopefuls to run as independents.

Chaotic primaries

“The high number of independent candidates was a direct result of Kenya’s chaotic nomination process and the fact that nearly 20 percent of incumbents and party candidates failed to win their political party nominations. Prohibitions on party hopping, or candidates switching parties after they lost their primary race, contributed to this dynamic,” says an analysis of the 2017 election by the US-based Carter Centre.

Dr. Kalua said the party will champion environmental conservation, restore the dignity of households and prioritize food security.

“The party will work towards ensuring universal access to primary healthcare thus reduction in disease and affordable healthcare services and promote green housing and transport systems as well as revamp agriculture by making it climate-smart.

Dr. Kalua also said GTAP will provide a safe haven for politicians but will not field a presidential candidate in the August election.

“Your president could be the area MCA, the MP or the Women’s Rep, the leader closest to you with the keys to unlocking the solutions to your needs,” he said.

“However, many Kenyans continue to live in despair in spite of the Constitution that was passed to bring essential services. We want to change that by restoring the integrity of service delivery to the citizens of our people. 

“Which is why as a party, we have decided to run the 2022 elections differently by divesting energies from the presidential race and focusing, instead, on other elective seats.

“We believe that leaders must provide servant leadership that constantly prioritizes households. As servants of the people, leaders must work tirelessly with the people and not separately from the people.”

Dr. Kalua further for the revival of the spirit of service in the country and ensure the provision of services to all Kenyans indiscriminately. 

Green scorecard

“A kindness economy will be the fuel to providing servant leadership to Kenyans. Dear Kenyans, this is GTAP’s promise to you in pursuit of the integrity of service delivery,” he said.

GTAP, he said, will groom and develop competent leaders who will provide decent choices for Kenyan across the country; MCAs, MPs, Women Reps, Senators, and Governors.

“We shall launch and execute a green scorecard to hold the government accountable for every decision and every expenditure incurred on behalf of Kenyans across all government functions,” he said.

“To promote access to affordable tools of justice, I am happy to note that we have the vibrant energy of the youth, who have refused to accept the status quo and demanded to have a party that represents their values and vision for our country. As you have seen and heard in the speeches earlier by some of our representatives, a new sun is indeed rising in Kenya.”

The NDC adopted three policy statements on the economy, eradication of poverty and eradication of corruption in the Country.

Source: Nation.Africa

Green Africa foundation Chairperson Dr. Isaac Kalua planting trees during a past event in Makueni County ahead of today’s devolution conference.
[Courtesy]
The Green Thinking Action Party has opposed the proposed Forest Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
The National Assembly’s Procedure and House Rules Committee wants MPs to repeal a section of the Forest Conservation and Management Act 2016.
The Act protects forests from actions that endanger rare, threatened, or endangered species. The committee wants to do away with section 34(2) of the law that compels petitioners seeking variation of boundaries or excision of public forests to get a nod from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

If passed into law, KFS will lose powers to permit variation of boundaries of a public forest or excision of a public forest.

Yesterday, the Green Party warned that the new Bill would expose public forests to arbitrary boundary changes and excisions, which would harm them and affect water catchment areas.
‘‘If this happens, the critical ecological services and economic activities that rely on the water will suffer heavy blows,’’ GTAP leader Isaac Kalua Green said in a statement.
He said if section 34(2) is repealed, we risk sliding back to days when public forest land was subject to political whims. Dr Kalua said the Act has stopped the destruction of forests as was seen in the 1990s and 2000s. Repealing the section will water down the gains, he said

The party argued that while the current Act requires KFS to ensure Local Forest Conservation Committees approve proposed variations of forest boundaries and that any such proposals undergo Independent Environmental Impact Assessment and full public participation, if the repeal succeeds, it will not allow that. ‘‘We can read political opportunism in this memorandum. The procedure as currently constituted does not need streamlining. In fact, it needs further tightening,’’ said Kalua.

The loss of powers by KFS, he said, will render it toothless in ensuring forest sanctity. “If passed, the proposed amendment risks leading to deforestation,’’ he said. The conservationist also warned that the planned repeal of section 34(2) will render public forest land vulnerable to politically connected land grabbers.
‘‘We are opposed to the silent political undercurrents that are driving this proposed amendment.”