Kenya: Antibiotics in Meat - A Serious Cause for Concern

Fast food chain Burger King has made a commitment to only serve chicken meat from animals that haven't been fed antibiotics in the US and Canada. But the same rules won't apply in Kenya. Eating meat from animals that have been fed antibiotics has been attributed to a rise in resistance to the drugs that treat bacterial germs. The Conversation Africa's health and medicine editor Joy Wanja Muraya asks Sam Kariuki to explain the health risks.   The use of antibiotics by farmers to.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 31st January 2017

Kenya: Solar TVs Make a Mark in Rural Regions

London — Kenyans in rural areas are increasingly looking to buy solar TVs. Rising expectations mean that they want something similar to a Kenyan living in the city, not a downscaled product with less content and a smaller screen. Azuri Technologies is seeking to meet this need with an alliance with pay TV provider Zuku. Russell Southwood spoke to its CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth about its ambitions.   Azuri Technologies' Bransfield-Garth has seen a major shift in the rural.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 31st January 2017

Rwanda: Soon Apply for Loans on Mobile Phones

More and more financial institutions are increasingly turning to information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate their operations as well as deliver new products to customers.   The trend is also aimed at increasing access to services and further deepening financial inclusion, according to sector analysts. On this front, Rwandans could soon be able to apply and receive startup capital and other types of soft loans on their mobile phones, thanks to KCB Bank.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 31st January 2017

Kenya: Govt to Spend Sh20 Million to Rebuild Schools Attacked By Terrorists

The national government has released Sh20 million for the reconstruction of buildings and other amenities destroyed during Al-Shabaab in Lamu County.   Addressing journalists in Lamu town on Monday, Linda Boni Operation Director Mr James Ole Serian said the funds will be used to reconstruct classrooms in various schools and dispensaries that were burnt down by Al-Shabaab in raids between 2014 and 2015.   Mr Serian said Sh2milion will be used to reconstruct a classroom.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 31st January 2017

AU Tells Member States to Prioritise Agriculture, Grow Economies

The African Union (AU) has called on the member states to prioritise agriculture to grow their economies.   The AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs  Tumusiime Rhoda Peace , said that experience from elsewhere indicated a positive correlation between development and modernisation of agriculture.   She made the remarks Thursday afternoon in Addis Ababa ahead of the Heads of Sates Summit, scheduled for the weekend.   "Most of the.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Kenya: More SGR Locomotives, Coaches Arrive as June Commission Date Nears

Two passenger locomotives, four freight locomotives and 31 passenger coaches are expected at the Mombasa Port on Saturday as the contractor races to beat the June deadline when the Standard Gauge Railway is expected to be commissioned.   Each of the soft-seat coaches can accommodate 72 passengers while the hard-seat ones have a capacity of 118 passengers.   According a statement by Transport ministry, officials from the China Road and Bridge Corporation, Kenya Railways.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Rwanda: Govt. to Split Natural Resources Authority into Three Bodies

The government has introduced a Bill that seeks to dissolve the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) and form three independent and specialised bodies focused on oil, gas, and minerals as well as land, water, and forestry.   The Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta, introduced the draft law in the Lower House, on Friday, and its basis was unanimously approved by MPs, which means that laws governing the new bodies will be assessed at the House's committee level.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Kenya: Governors to Hire Doctors on Contract Basis to Ease Burden

Governors said they will employ doctors on a three-year renewable contract as opposed to the current permanent work terms.   This, they said, will help them engage the doctors on a more sober manner as compared to now when they are permanent and under the national government.   The county bosses have threatened to sack doctors who have been on strike, saying they had run out of patience.   Council of Governors health committee chairman Jack Ranguma on Sunday told.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Tanzania: Standard Gauge Railway Project Still Up for Grabs

Dar es Salaam — The government has explained that it is yet to enter into any exclusive deal with any country or company with regard to the funding and implementation of the project to upgrade the Central Railway Line to a standard gauge.   This was revealed yesterday by the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Prof Makame Mbarawa, in an exclusive interview with The Citizen.   Earlier this week, during the visit by Turkey leader Recep Erdogan,.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Tanzania: Focus on Agro Processing Can Save Millions in Raw Crop Exports

Dar es Salaam — Tanzania losses over Sh1.6 trillion annually through exports of raw cashewnuts and importation of sugar, edible oil and milk.   This money could be saved if the country focuses on agro processing, agriculture experts who met in Dar es Salaam today have observed.   The lost money include $110 million from raw export of cashewnuts and $250 million in sugar importation. There is also $358 million through importation of edible oil and $20 million from.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Tanzania: Military Uniforms to be Sourced from Local Industries - Ministry

The Ministry of Home Affairs will soon begin to source materials for military uniforms from local industries, a move that will reduce the cost of importing them through Procurement Entities (PEs).   The declaration was made in Dar es Salaam by Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Major General (rtd) Projest Rwegasira while visiting NIDA and Urafiki Textile Mills in the city yesterday to see for himself the quality of their products, before his ministry.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017

Tanzania: Oil & Gas Firms Drill Two New Offshore Wells

Royal Dutch Shell Plc jointly with Pavilion Energy Pte Ltd and Ophir Energy Plc have completed drilling two offshore natural gas wells in southern Tanzania.   Netherlands-based Shell, which took over the global operations of BG Group last year, jointly owns deep sea blocks 1, 3 and 4 with Pavilion of Singapore and Ophir of Britain.   The joint venture partners started drilling Kitatange-1 well in block 1 and Bunju-1 well in block 4 in the Mafia Basin in early November.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 30th January 2017