Tag: KENYA

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Over 400 bodies of Kenya cult members found

ICJ ruling on border dispute draw opposing reactions from Kenya, Somalia.(Xinhua/IANS)

Mackenzie, a former taxi driver-turned-preacher, has been in police custody since mid-April. On July 3, a court in the port city of Mombasa extended his detention by a month pending investigations…reports Asian Lite News

The death count in an investigation linked to a Kenyan cult that practised starvation to “meet Jesus Christ” has exceeded 400 after 12 more bodies were found, a senior official said.

“Total death Toll – 403,” Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said, following the latest round of exhumations in the Shakahola forest, where cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie allegedly urged followers to starve to death.

“Exhumation continues tomorrow,” Rhoda Onyancha added, as investigators search for more graves in the forest, where the first victims — some dead, others alive but weakened and emaciated — were discovered on April 13.

According to government autopsies, starvation appears to have been the main cause of death, although some victims, including children, were strangled, beaten or suffocated.

Mackenzie, a former taxi driver-turned-preacher, has been in police custody since mid-April. On July 3, a court in the port city of Mombasa extended his detention by a month pending investigations.

State prosecutors have said he is facing terrorism or genocide-related charges, but he has not yet been required to enter any plea. The self-proclaimed pastor and father of seven set up the Good News International Church in 2003.

Questions have been raised about how he managed to evade law enforcement despite a history of extremism and previous legal cases. It has also drawn President William Ruto to weigh in on the sensitive subject of Kenya’s homegrown religious movements — and failed efforts to regulate unscrupulous churches and cults that have dabbled in criminality.

There are more than 4,000 churches registered in the East African country of around 50 million people, according to government figures.

Mackenzie fell foul of the law in 2017 after he was accused of urging children not to attend school, claiming the Bible did not recognise education.

He was arrested again in March, after two children starved to death in the custody of their parents but was subsequently freed on bond.

Following the discovery of the mass graves near the Indian Ocean town of Malindi, Mackenzie, his wife and 16 other defendants were taken into custody.

The 16 men are accused of operating an armed “enforcer gang” tasked with ensuring that no one broke their fast or left their forest hideout alive. They remain in jail.

Mackenzie’s wife, who was held for 62 days, was released earlier this month on a 100,000 Kenya shillings ($707) bond. Last month, 65 of his followers who were rescued were charged with attempted suicide after they refused to eat, drawing condemnation from rights groups.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said the move was “inappropriate and will traumatise the survivors at a time when they most desperately require empathy”.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki last week accused the police of laxity in investigating the initial reports of starvation in the forest.

Kithure Kindiki, who was speaking before a senate committee probing the saga, also laid blame on the judiciary for their handling of earlier cases involving Mackenzie, saying that prosecutors should have ensured he remained in jail.

“The Shakahola massacre is the worst breach of security in the history of our country,” he said, vowing to “relentlessly push for legal reforms to tame rogue preachers.”

ALSO READ-China, Kenya agree to deepen cooperation

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China, Kenya agree to deepen cooperation

Kenya president says his country supports and will actively participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China…reports Asian Lite News

Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday met here with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, with both sides pledging to deepen Belt and Road cooperation.

Ruto asked Wang, also director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, to convey his cordial greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Noting that Kenya-China relations have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, Ruto said strengthening friendly cooperation with China has become a consensus shared by all sectors in the country.

Ruto highly praised China’s efforts in growing relations with Kenya based on the principle of mutual respect. Kenya is firmly committed to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, and is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges, deepen cooperation in such fields as railway, highway, water conservancy, aviation and renewable energy under the frameworks of Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in order to promote connectivity and regional integration in Africa and achieve win-win results, Ruto said.

The Kenya president said that his country supports and will actively participate in the Global Development Initiative proposed by China.

For his part, Wang conveyed Xi’s sincere regards to Ruto. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, China and Kenya have treated each other as equals, supported each other and jointly strived for revitalization, Wang said, noting that the two countries have become good friends sharing political mutual trust and good partners engaged in win-win cooperation.

China approaches relations with Kenya from a strategic perspective, and is willing to work with Kenya to take the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point to align their strategies for revitalization with a focus on development and cooperation, and push their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level in the new era, Wang said.

The two sides should strengthen the strategic guidance of their leaders, enhance political mutual trust and increase exchanges between governments and political parties in various fields, Wang said.

China firmly supports Kenya in safeguarding its sovereign independence and national dignity, fighting terrorism and taking a development path in line with its own national conditions, he added.

China is willing to actively promote cooperation with Kenya in railway, highway, aviation, information and other fields while jointly advancing Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative and the “nine programs” of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to help Kenya advance its economic and social development and promote regional integration in Africa, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Kenya to practice multilateralism, preserve the central role of the United Nations in international affairs and the common interests of developing countries, promote the implementation of the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa and safeguard regional peace and development, Wang said.

On the same day, Wang also met with Alfred Mutua, cabinet secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya.

China, Africa vow to strengthen military ties

China and the African continent, under the umbrella of the African Union (AU), have vowed to strengthen the already fruitful military cooperation so as to realize their common aspirations toward securing peace and stability in Africa and beyond.

This came during a reception marking the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Friday evening in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The event brought together military representatives of different African countries, senior Ethiopian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps in Ethiopia, as well as representatives of the Chinese societies in Ethiopia.

“Without security and stability there can be no development. As a constructive participant and active contributor to the cause of peace and security in Africa, China has continued to deliver military assistance to the African Union, supporting capacity building of the African Standby Force and jointly working on counter-terrorism,” Guo Baojian, Defense Advisor of Mission of China to the AU, said during the ceremony.

Guo stressed that the PLA is developing into a world-class military, which serves as a strong guarantee for the realization of the Chinese national rejuvenation and also for making greater contributions to world peace.

“China has always been a peace loving nation. Under the guidance of the national defense policy, the PLA always honors its international responsibilities and plays an active role in maintaining world peace,” he said.

Guo said as part of its commitment to international peace, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget, and a top contributor of the peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Antonio Lamas Xavier, Chief of Staff of the African Standby Force (ASF), on his part echoed Guo’s comments as he hailed the ever-expanding China-Africa military cooperation and fruitful partnership in promoting peace and security across the African continent.

ALSO READ-Kenya, Iran ink 5 deals to promote ties

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Kenya, Iran ink 5 deals to promote ties

Raisi lauded Kenya’s commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses, noting that the two countries have great capacities to expand their bilateral cooperation…reports Asian Lite News

Kenya and Iran on Wednesday signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to help shore up bilateral relations.

The MoUs were signed in the areas of animal health and livestock production, information and communications technology, fishery, culture and heritage and investment promotion, in the presence of visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

“These memoranda will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development between our two countries,” Ruto said at a joint news conference after holding talks with Raisi.

He said the two countries will tap the potential of trade cooperation, noting that they will strike a formula that will facilitate more exports of tea, coffee and meat.

“This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favor of Iran,” he said, adding that Nairobi will also use Tehran’s wealth in technology and innovation to spur its development.

Ruto noted that Kenya exported tea worth 28.31 million U.S. dollars to Iran in the first quarter of 2023, which is an eight-fold increase from sales for the same period last year.

The Kenyan president pointed out that the establishment of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi will offer a platform for Iranian and Kenyan businesses.

“This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills, and information,” he said.

He disclosed that Kenya and Iran have signed more than 22 MoUs and agreements which have been key to the cooperation in development, education, scholarships, infrastructure, health, water, fishery and agriculture, stressing the government’s commitment to fostering and protecting all investments in the country, both domestic and foreign.

Raisi lauded Kenya’s commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses, noting that the two countries have great capacities to expand their bilateral cooperation.

He said more Iranian firms will establish operations in the country, paving their way to accessing the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the markets within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“The Kenya-Iran relations can always be strengthened for our benefit,” said Raisi who was due to visit Uganda and Zimbabwe as part of his African tour, the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

He also said that Iran has experience in the fields of petrochemicals, agriculture and science and technology, adding that the two sides can have sound cooperation in the field of fishery.

ALSO READ-‘Chinese firms controlling Kenyan public services in name of assistance’

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‘Chinese firms controlling Kenyan public services in name of assistance’

CRBC has also established a subsidiary called Africa Star Railway Operation Company Limited (AFRISTAR) to work on railway infrastructure in the region…reports Asian Lite News

Kenya has joined the list of countries that are getting a reality check after trusting China for development assistance, and later finding itself in the trap with its public services under the ambit of Beijing-based companies, Inside Over reported.

It is known fact that China is using its growing capital resources to aggressively expand its influence worldwide through infrastructure investments, and the underdeveloped countries in Africa, that are already struggling from capital shortages, are the primary targets of Chinese debt and equity. These struggling countries often count upon China for trade, technology and equipment, and are found relying on Beijing to bolster their defence capabilities, stimulate their economies, improve infrastructure, and enhance public services.

However, soon after working with Chinese entities, the experience turns distasteful for many of these countries and their institutions. While Beijing initially promotes its investment proposals as win-win deals for these countries, different contours of the agreement come into play after some time.

A major African nation getting such a reality check is Kenya, Inside Over reported.

The last decade witnessed Kenya forging strong trade ties with China while consistently sourcing a wide range of goods from the latter. The African nation’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative led to a substantial increase in imports from China, particularly to support its expanding infrastructure.

Nevertheless, the trade balance always favoured China, as evidenced by Kenya’s imports from China accounting for 97 per cent, while its exports to China being a paltry 3 per cent. The trade disparity between Kenya and China raises concerns about the sustainability and long-term benefits of their economic partnership, Inside Over reported.

Another challenge for equitable bilateral relationship is the tendency of big Chinese companies, often state entities, to dominate the affairs in projects undertaken by them in Kenya.

For example, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a state-owned company, is widely engaged in infrastructure projects across the country. But, the company is a subject of criticism for its corrupt practices and discrimination against local communities which is also visible on social media.

The construction of the Western Ring Road Project by the company is under public scrutiny for its high cost and plans to impose excessive toll fees on Kenyans. Similarly, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) is experiencing difficulties due to negligence of CRBC in public projects. NMS had contracted the Chinese company for a project involving Water, Sewer Extensions, and Street Lighting in various areas of Nairobi. However, the civic authority is now accusing CRBC of failing to manage compliance issues, causing inconvenience to the public and even accidents.

Notably, CRBC was sanctioned by the World Bank in 2009 for engaging in corrupt practices in the Philippines, Inside Over reported.

CRBC has also established a subsidiary called Africa Star Railway Operation Company Limited (AFRISTAR) to work on railway infrastructure in the region.

AFRISTAR was responsible for developing the communications and information system for the Kenyan Railway (KR) Corporation’s Standard Gauge Railway. While the system was commissioned and put into operation in 2017, it has been experiencing several issues since then.

KR officials have repeatedly approached AFRISTAR for assistance, but the Chinese company has shifted the blame back to KR, claiming that the corporation failed to ensure timely maintenance of the system. AFRISTAR is now demanding a substantial payment to undertake system maintenance for several years. Furthermore, AFRISTAR has warned that any problems with train operations or passenger services will be the responsibility of KR, effectively absolving itself of liability if additional payment is not made, Inside Over reported.

Fixated on increasing its profits, AFRISTAR has now started pressurizing the KR authorities for an increase in freight rates for the cargo clients. Going by its rigid stance on the matter, the Chinese company may even resort to halt the operations if its demands are not met.

This has effectively made the railway hostage to Chinese dictate. The outcome of this standoff may add to a growing list of reasons why an unchecked reliance on China for development comes with challenges. Such instances may also push Kenya and other African countries towards more transparency, balanced trade, and careful scrutiny of investment terms in Chinese proposals, Inside Over reported. (ANI)

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51 killed in road accident in western Kenya

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene on Saturday morning and said the government would relocate markets away from the highways to prevent such future accidents…reports Asian Lite News

A truck rammed into several other vehicles and market traders in western Kenya killing at least 51 people, police said.

The Friday evening accident occurred at a location known for vehicle crashes near the Rift Valley town of Londiani, which is about 200 kilometers (125 miles) northwest of the capital, Nairobi.

Officers at the scene counted 51 bodies, but more people were believed to be trapped in the wreckage, Rift Valley police commander Tom Odera told The Associated Press.

The Kenya Red Cross Society said on Saturday 32 people were injured and hospitalized, and asked Kenyans to donate blood. It also said heavy rainfall interrupted rescue efforts and people were still trapped in wrecked vehicles.

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen visited the scene on Saturday morning and said the government would relocate markets away from the highways to prevent such future accidents.

President William Ruto tweeted a condolence message to bereaved families describing the accident as “distressing” and urging motorists to be “extra cautious.”

Witnesses quoted by local media said the truck veered off the major highway and hit several vehicles before hitting pedestrians and traders. Witnesses shared photos of the vehicle wreckages mangled beyond recognition.

Police had said on Friday rescue operations would continue into the night.

The Kenyan Red Cross Society said they have set up stations at hospitals where people can report loved ones still missing and are providing psychological support to those affected.

ALSO READ-Rwanda reburies remains of over 10,000 genocide victims

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Court cases filed against Chinese company CRBC in Kenya

These projects inter-alia include construction of roads, highways, and provisions for water supply, sewer extensions, street lighting etc. CRBC has contracted various local vendors for supply of raw material etc…reports Asian Lite News

Chinese companies operating in Africa have often been accused of showing laxity in projects, not following the laid down safety protocols thereby resulting in accidents and loss of assets related to projects. In some countries, once the projects get underway, the Chinese companies are learnt to mount pressure on host countries/companies to circumvent local laws for their own benefits.

A recent case of malpractice that has come to the fore is that of breach of contract by Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in Kenya. Multiple infrastructure projects are being carried out by Chinese State Owned Enterprise (SoE) CRBC in Kenya under the umbrella of ‘Community Projects’. These projects inter-alia include construction of roads, highways, and provisions for water supply, sewer extensions, street lighting etc. CRBC has contracted various local vendors for supply of raw material etc.

Recently, several court cases have been filed against CRBC for failing to pay its sub-contractors in Kenya. In one such case, Tuk Chilo Ltd., a local Kenyan firm, alleged that CRBC had failed to pay over KES 44.3 million for the construction of various roads in Nairobi. Tuk Chilo Ltd. was subcontracted by CRBC to construct and upgrade roads in various informal settlements and densely populated areas in Nairobi Country. The business and operations of the Kenyan company have suffered irreparable loss and damages due to non-payment of dues.

In another case, JTG Enterprises Ltd served a ‘Demand Notice’ to CRBC for breach of contractual obligations viz. non-payment of dues. The notice accused CRBC of not releasing the retention money of the sub-contractors even after the passage of the default lock-in period and demanded that CRBC immediately and unconditionally admit liability for breach of the subcontract agreement. It asked CRBC to immediately release/pay retention money to JTG Enterprise that include two separate amounts viz. KES 19,89,921/- and 5,19,321/-. The notice further underlines that if the amount was not paid within seven days, legal proceedings may be initiated against CRBC. If the above payments are made in time, the two sides would then proceed to discuss the amount to be paid by CRBC to JTG Enterprises in lieu of damages for breach of contract.

Unconfirmed sources suggest that another local company MESTEC Cables Ltd. has also sent an invoice to CRBC amounting to around KES 60,000/-. The company is working as supplier to CRBC and is primarily engaged in manufacturing of steel bars and other material used in building and construction. Probably, another case is in the offing against CRBC as it is most likely to default on this vendor’s payment as well.

Taking into account above cases, the Kenyan government must realize that the integrity of Chinese companies is always doubtful. They suffer from poor image in corporate ethics. Corruption and criminality are often associated with Chinese funded projects. Before signing the contracts, the Kenyan government must ensure that these contracts have strict legal provisions that debar Chinese nationals from fleeing the country and put them behind bars in case of default on payment to local companies.

ALSO READ-CHINA’S DEBT TRAP DIPLOMACY: Kenya Goes Sri Lanka Way

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Strained China ties bringing Kenya, West closer

Since the new administration assumed office last September, Ruto’s several visits outside Africa have largely been to Western nations, including the US (twice), the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany….reports Asian Lite News

Kenya’s President William Ruto is embracing the US, UK and other Western countries, causing onlookers to ask whether the days of close Chinese engagement are coming to an end, reported the africa report.

Ruto, who defeated veteran opposition candidate Raila Odinga in a tight election in August, since taking office embraced Kenya’s economic and diplomatic relationships with the US and other Western countries, including the UK, causing onlookers to wonder whether the “Look East” policy of his predecessor, which saw Chinese-built infrastructure spring up across the East African country, is coming to an end.
Kenya is increasingly becoming a darling of the West when it comes to trade and investment, a momentous diplomatic deviation from the East, particularly China, which was the previous regime’s lodestar for nearly a decade, reported the africa report.

Since the new administration assumed office last September, Ruto’s several visits outside Africa have largely been to Western nations, including the US (twice), the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany.

After taking office, Ruto’s government released the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Nairobi and Mombasa contract, albeit heavily redacted. And he delivered a shot across the bow to Beijing by allowing importers to choose their preferred means of transporting cargo from the Mombasa port, ending his predecessor’s policy of mandating use of the Chinese-built SGR. Many opted to transport goods by lorry, taking business from the railway.

Ruto’s clear overtures to Washington have been in stark contrast. And if Ruto has met China’s ambassador just once, according to public statements, the president and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have met high level US officials almost 20 times since September, reported African Business.

Meanwhile, new UK foreign secretary James Cleverly’s first official trip was to Kenya in early December. Britain has pledged hundreds of millions for new investment projects in Kenya.

China’s predatory lending to the African country has raised concern over Kenya’s mounting public debt, reported African Business.

Moreover, Traders in Kenya and other rapidly growing economies in Africa have occasionally protested over their Chinese competitors.

China is Africa’s top trading partner and more than one million Chinese are estimated to reside on the continent, reported Nation.

Beijing accounts for two-thirds of Kenya’s USD 38 bn external debt. In October 2022 Nairobi defaulted on its repayments, incurring a fine which it paid, reported African Business.

Also, Kenyan traders have raised concern over Chinese business infiltration in country undercutting local traders with ultra-low prices and driving them out of business, they called for prohibiting issuing permits to Chinese nationals, reported Citizen Digital.

The traders, under the auspices of a group called Indigenous Capital Protection Association, have sued the government protesting the influx of Chinese traders in Kenya.

The traders want the Immigration Services department to stop issuing Chinese nationals with employment and business permits, reported Nation.

They also want the court to stop China Square Mall from importing and selling merchandise from Chinese manufacturers and distributors, reported Citizen Digital.

Chinese-owned China Square mall is among more than 40 trading companies entangled in a lawsuit seeking to halt the operations of foreign entities selling low-priced imported goods on the Kenyan market.

They also claimed that the Investment Promotion Authority has been illegally issuing investment certificates to Chinese traders and economic migrants in order for them to engage in economic activities that not only undermine Kenya’s sustainable development and prejudice its citizens, but also violate the conditions set out in Section 4 of the Investment Promotion Act.

There is no data available to show how many Chinese traders or people are in Kenya, but there has been growing anti-Chinese sentiment in recent years, reported Nation.

This has been partly fuelled by alleged racist incidents involving individual Chinese people in Kenya and perceptions of Chinese traders taking businesses and jobs from locals.

In 2019, the Kenyan authorities deported seven Chinese nationals who had been operating in two markets in Nairobi, accusing them of not having work permits and saying they could not operate in a sector that had been reserved for locals.

In 2020, four Chinese men were deported after being accused of caning a Kenyan man working at a Chinese restaurant, reported Nation. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UAE, South Africa seek to strengthen trade ties

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Kenya’s tourism earnings rising to $2.13 billion in 2022

Tourism is one of Kenya’s leading sources of foreign exchange alongside horticulture, tea, and Diaspora remittances, according to statistics from the government…reports Asian Lite News

Kenya’s earnings from tourism rose to $2.13 billion in 2022 compared to $1.16 billion in 2021, according to data released by the state-owned Tourism Research Institute (TRI).

The TRI said on Wednesday that the country’s international tourist arrivals in 2022 were 1.48 million, representing a 70.45 per cent increase as compared to 870,465 arrivals in 2021.

Peninah Malonza, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage who released the findings in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, said that the tourism sector’s performance was indicative of a gradual but sustained progress toward the pre-Covid-19 visitor arrivals numbers.

“This growth can be attributed to many source countries lessening their Covid-19 restrictions and opening for travel,” she added.

Tourism is one of Kenya’s leading sources of foreign exchange alongside horticulture, tea, and Diaspora remittances, according to statistics from the government.

Malonza said that the US was the leading source of foreign tourists with 209,360, followed closely by Uganda, Britain, and Tanzania.

She revealed that when it comes to the purpose of the visit, visitors on holiday took the lead with 36.6 per cent, followed closely by those visiting friends and family at 27.8 per cent of the total number of international arrivals. And the rest of the foreign tourists came to Kenya for business and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), education, sport and medical purposes.

ALSO READ-Kenya ramps up efforts to curb HIV infections among youth

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Kenya ramps up efforts to curb HIV infections among youth

“Primary education is free in Kenya. We have a challenge in slum areas, but we will ensure all children are in school,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting…reports Asian Lite News

Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that the government is ramping up efforts to contain the rising new HIV infections among adolescents and young adults.

Gachagua, who received Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director Winnie Byanyima in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said the government has roped in local administrators, lawmakers and other interest groups in fighting triple threats facing adolescents and teenagers.

The “triple threats” are HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) among adolescents and young adults.

According to the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (former National AIDS Control Council) report of 2022, at least 52 percent of the 29,380 new infections were among adolescents and young adults aged 15-29.

A majority of these cases are girls and young women. Female genital mutilation (FGM), SGBV, and teenage pregnancies have been singled out as threats predisposing girls in Kenya and globally to HIV/AIDS, according to the report.

Gachagua attributed the high number of infections in 2021 to the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the closure of schools, he said, the children were at home, making them more vulnerable to sexual exploitation, FGM, and forced marriage, which have been linked to the rise of infections.

“Primary education is free in Kenya. We have a challenge in slum areas, but we will ensure all children are in school,” he said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Gachagua said the government’s vision is to remove all barriers impeding access to education and economic empowerment through an integrated government approach.

Against the backdrop of reducing global funding to countries in various programs, Byanyima considered Kenya a priority in accessing more resources to curb the rising cases among adolescents, teenagers, and mother-to-child transmission.

She called on the government to bring all the 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS under antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Currently, 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS are under ARTs, while 200,000 others — mostly children — are not, according to government statistics.

Byanyima said the most cost-effective and sustainable way is to establish local pharmaceuticals to produce medical products, adding that “we need to manufacture the drugs here (locally). We will work with you on that.”

Although new HIV infections remain high, they have significantly reduced over the years. In 2013, Kenya recorded about 278 people newly infected with HIV per day, according to the statistics.

This number has declined to approximately 95 cases per day. The annual cases of mother-to-child transmission have dropped in half from about 12,940 to 5,160 cases between 2013 and 2022.

ALSO READ-Kenya on course to eliminating neglected tropical diseases

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Kenya on course to eliminating neglected tropical diseases

Food insecurity in Somalia to worsen by May 2022: UN.(photo: twitter.com/OCHASom)

Neglected tropical diseases have been identified by the WHO as a major threat to public health security in Kenya…reports Asian Lite News

The eradication of neglected tropical diseases in remote Kenyan counties has gathered steam amid ramped-up investments in their prevention, treatment and care, a senior official said.

Susan Nakhumicha Wafula, Cabinet Secretary for Health, said on Monday that domestication of global instruments has been combined with robust funding, policy reforms, enhanced surveillance and awareness in a bid to get rid of old and forgotten vector-borne diseases.

Speaking at an event to mark the 2023 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day held in the western Kenyan county of Kisumu, Wafula added that more than 25 million people in the country were at risk of these ailments.

Neglected tropical diseases have been identified by the WHO as a major threat to public health security in Kenya, he said, noting that 26 out of 47 Kenyan counties have been identified as endemic to vector-borne neglected tropical ailments, including bilharzia, sleeping sickness, river blindness, dengue fever, trachoma and rabies.

To accelerate progress toward the elimination of these ailments, the government and partners have prioritised investment in robust surveillance, early diagnosis, and deployment of therapeutics and vaccines in the endemic counties, Wafula said.

Kenya was declared guinea worm free by the WHO in 2018, said the official, stressing that the launch of a strategy for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases has gained steam, backed by innovative financing, partnerships and political goodwill.

ALSO READ-Kenya to reduce fiscal deficit