Kenya: Cancer Patients to Benefit From New Diagnostic Equipment

Patients can now access advanced breast cancer screening and treatment through a new diagnostic instrument that is capable of testing for seven other types of cancer.   This comes after the Health Ministry this week commissioned the immunohistochemistry analyser at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).   Immunohistochemistry analysis is a method of detecting the presence and location of proteins in tissue sections, and is useful in tracking the progress and treatment of.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Pioneer is growing its hybrid corn seed scheme further into Africa

Dupont's Pioneer unit hopes to expand its hybrid corn seed partnership with African governments and aid groups, to Tanzania, after setting up programmes for farmers to use its seed in Ethiopia and Zambia.   In Ethiopia in 2013, Pioneer, the biggest supplier of hybrid corn seeds in Africa, partnered with the government and the US Agency for International Development, and there are now 300,000ha growing corn using the seed.   In February, the programme was rolled out in.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Increased coffee production to boost economic growth – CEPAR

The president of Coffee Exporters and Processors Association of Rwanda (CEPAR), has said coffee is a key ingredient in achieving sustainable development.     Pierre Munyura Kamere said the Association was formed in 2010 to increase coffee production which is being implemented through the establishment of the fertilizer fund. The fund was initially implemented by National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB).     One of CEPAR’s objectives is to promote and.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Porsche Panamera sets new South African one-tank diesel record

Porsche Panamera has set an all-new distance record for diesel-powered vehicles in South Africa, while Volkswagen’s new Passat has set a distance benchmark for petrol-powered vehicles.   With the backing of Continental Tyre, Porsche South Africa, Volkswagen South Africa, Total and Car Magazine, the objective of the two teams of economy aces was to beat the existing South African one-tank record of 1 941 km, set in 2011 with a Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 1.6 TDI diesel.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Stortemelk Hydro adds 4.5 MW to local electricity grid

Stortemelk Hydro, the third hydropower plant developed in South Africa by Renewable Energy Holdings (REH), started commercial operations on July 29. The 4.5 MW, R190-million project, which was awarded preferred bidder status under the second bid window of government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), is located near Clarens, in the Free State. Similar to the two hydropower plants previously developed by REH for Bethlehem Hydro, the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Tanzania’s $30bn gas plant set to “revolutionise” country

Tanzania and its oil industry partners are to invest $30bn in a gas processing plant that will lead to an “economic revolution”, according to the country’s energy minister.   Sospeter Muhongo, speaking to the Dar es Salaam Daily News, said the government had already embarked on the preliminary work and that Tanzanians should expect rapid growth to begin in a few years.   The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) will develop the project over.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Technology is driving the African innovation revolution

A few years ago, it was common for Africa to wait for the world to innovate so that it could borrow/copy, fast forward and things have changed considerably. Africa is innovating and so boldly that other countries are pausing long enough to copy its technologies.   A case in point is the brilliantly innovative mobile money transfer technology, M-PESA. Launched in Kenya in 2007, at a time when transferring money was majorly limited to bank account transactions and tedious.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

CS Macharia says roads expansion among key Jubilee feats

Speaking on Capital in the Morning show, Macharia stated that the government has accelerated the process of construction and tarmacking of roads countrywide to serve all Kenyans.   He pointed out that a major achievement is the construction of the Isiolo-Moyale Road connecting Kenya to the Ethiopia border, which when completed will be about 500 kilometres.   “We launched only about six months ago a program to do our rural roads… 4,000 km. And I can assure.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Chinese investments in Kenya hit Sh663bn, FM Wang says

Wang said the Chinese investments and commitments to Kenya in the last three years were mainly in infrastructure and the establishment of industrial parks in Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi.   “It is our hope that mega projects like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will leverage Kenya’s position as a regional trade and investment hub,” Wang said.   The Chinese Foreign Minister said he was pleased that the SGR has created over 40,000 jobs for Kenyans, adding.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

CS Kazungu eyes 10% GDP growth after new mining sector rules

The Mining ministry is working on a 20-year strategy to leapfrog its gross domestic product contribution from one per cent to at least 10 per cent by 2030.   CS Dan Kazungu said passing the Minerals and Mining Policy and assenting Mining Bill 2016 into law set the ball rolling.   "The new law and policy position Kenya towards the path of being the most attractive destination for mineral investment in Africa and enhances the country's competitiveness globally by.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

China is Kenya's trustworthy development partner: FM

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday here that China is Kenya's trustworthy partner as the East African country endeavors to achieve economic prosperity.   Wang made the remarks while meeting with his Kenyan counterpart Amina Mohamed, and both sides pledged to further deepen bilateral practical cooperation.   China and Kenya have enjoyed the advantage of high-level political mutual trust and strong economic complementarity, said Wang.   And as.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016

Mining ministry to set up fresh licensing board

The government is setting up a Mineral Rights Board to replace the current licensing advisory committee, as it embarks on implementing the new Mining Act.   Mining Cabinet secretary Dan Kazungu yesterday said the board will oversee licensing and leasing, and is expected to reduce the time taken to process an application via the newly launched mining register portal.   “We are perfecting this on an online platform to make sure that you can even track your licence.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 11th August 2016