The proposed settlement, filed in federal court, would resolve claims by 29 states that Meta deliberately engineered its platforms to hook young users, misled the public about the risks and unlawfully collected data from children under 13. Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg reacts as he testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on online child sexual exploitation at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2024. REUTERSMeta agreed to pay a coalition of US states as much as $16.7 billion and to impose sweeping new limits on how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram, according to a court filing on Wednesday that ends a landmark trial in California.The proposed settlement, filed in federal court, would resolve claims by 29 states that Meta deliberately engineered its platforms to hook young users, misled the public about the risks and unlawfully collected data from children under 13.The changes to how young people use its apps go further than anything Meta has accepted before, and follow years of criticism from parents and experts over the effects of the world's biggest social media platforms on children.Anger over the impact of Instagram and Facebook -- as well as rival apps like Snapchat and TikTok -- has driven the spread of age limits and school phone bans around the world.In the United States, Meta still faces thousands of personal injury claims and litigation f...
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Read briefing It is believed the mosquitoes arrived at Germany's busiest airport on a plane, according to German public health officials.
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Read briefing The revival of Sony Sugar has sparked hopes for business growth in the sugar-belt towns, such as Awendo Town and surrounding areas, which are now bustling with activity. In an interview, Sony Sugar Company 2025 Limited Managing Director (MD) Jane Pamela Odhiambo attributed the region’s confidence to the reforms that President William Ruto initiated last year. Specifically, she said that the move to ensure that farmers are paid weekly for their cane has enhanced circulation of money– giving locals the buying power–and opened new opportunities for traders. According to her, approximately Sh150 million is circulating in Awendo Town and surrounding areas every month from payment of cane, adding that sugarcane growing is the mainstay for many households. “So my day-to-day work is to make sure that the plant is working, that cane is being grown, that cane is being delivered, that customers are being served, that customers are paying on time, and that suppliers are paid, just to make sure that operations run efficiently and effectively,” she said. “Now the turnover of this company, if we mill well, is somewhere in the area of Sh5 billion per year. Now if you look at that turnover, a lot of that money goes back to this economy because of the farmers, whom we pay around 120 to 150 million per month,” she stated. An aerial view of the expansive Sony Sugar nucleus in Awendo, Migori County...
Read briefing One in two Britons backs a ban on trade with Israeli West Bank settlements, polling suggests.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26 — Democratic Party of Kenya (DPK) leader and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has called on Parliament to urgently table the Elections Amendment Bill, 2024, before the signing of a tender contract for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) technology.Muturi said the Bill should be considered on the floor of the House without further delay, arguing that its recommendations would strengthen safeguards for the 2027 General Election.In a statement issued on Wednesday, Muturi questioned why recommendations arising from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process had remained before Parliament for 17 months without being debated.He said the NADCO process emerged from a bipartisan initiative that involved broad public participation and that its recommendations therefore carried a national obligation.“How can a Bill arising from such a process remain in committee for 17 months? At what point does prolonged inaction cease to be ordinary legislative delay and become a glaring question of sabotage?” Muturi posed.He challenged Parliament to explain the delay and urged multilateral partners who supported the dialogue and electoral reform process to also demand answers.The former Speaker urged MPs to draw lessons from the 11th Parliament, when he presided over the House as it considered electoral reforms arising from the bipartisan Orengo-Kiraitu process.He said the experience demonstrated that contentious political issues could be addressed through dialogue, compromise and legislation.“NADCO was founded on the same spirit. Its recommendations should not be allowed to languish in a committee without a clear explanation to the Kenyan people,” he said.Muturi said the immediate responsibility now rests with Parliament, urging MPs to ask National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to facilitate consideration of the Bill.He wants the legislation considered before the IEBC technology tender is awarded, arguing that the legal framework should provide the necessary safeguards before major technology and vendor commitments are made for the 2027 elections.Muturi also challenged President William Ruto, who is seeking re-election on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, to demonstrate his commitment to a transparent and credible electoral process.“The country does not need another explanation for delay; it needs action. The Bill must come to the floor now, while there is still time to strengthen the electoral framework before 2027,” Muturi said.The call comes as IEBC faces scrutiny over its procurement of a new Integrated Elections Management System ahead of the 2027 General Election.Muturi’s intervention places renewed focus on the delayed electoral reform legislation and the safeguards that should accompany the acquisition of election technology ahead of the polls.
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Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 26 – Members of the National Assembly have passed the Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the formal recognition of Alternative Provision for Basic Education and Training (APBET) institutions and potentially opening access to public funding for thousands of learners in informal schools.The Bill, sponsored by Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch, seeks to bring APBET institutions into Kenya’s basic education framework and address gaps affecting children who rely on non-formal schools, particularly in informal settlements and marginalised communities.Moving the Bill during Second Reading, Oluoch said the proposed reforms would strengthen the implementation of constitutional guarantees on equality, human dignity and the right to education under Articles 10, 27, 43 and 53 of the Constitution.Kibra MP Peter Orero said APBET institutions play a major role in educating children in informal settlements, where their numbers far exceed those of public schools.“In Kibra, there are about 300 of these schools, while public primary schools are only 11. Many students therefore end up in APBET schools,” Orero said.He urged Parliament to support the legislation, saying formal recognition would enable children in informal settlements to benefit from government support.“This is an opportunity to ensure that children in informal settlements can access education and that resources trickle down to them through recognition of their schools,” he said.Seme MP James Nyikal said the lack of formal recognition had created a significant funding gap, leaving vulnerable learners without adequate public support.“Education is a basic right in our Constitution, yet the current system does not adequately recognise APBET. In some areas, there are more children in these schools than in formal institutions, yet they are excluded from funding,” Nyikal said.If enacted, the proposed law would include APBET institutions in the definition of basic education institutions and provide for their representation in national and county education structures.It would also facilitate funding for infrastructure and learning materials, potentially increasing public investment in schools serving children in informal settlements.The Bill further proposes that county governments maintain a database of APBET institutions and introduces flexibility in registration requirements.The measures are intended to give the government a clearer understanding of the number and location of APBET institutions and the learners they serve, while strengthening oversight of the schools.Ruraka MP Moses Kajwang supported the reforms, describing the formal recognition of APBET institutions as long overdue.“It is unfortunate that it has taken this long to recognise vulnerable children in informal settlements and rural areas who lack access to education,” Kajwang said.The passage of the Bill marks a significant step towards mainstreaming APBET institutions within Kenya’s education system.If the proposed law comes into force, the schools would gain greater visibility and regulatory recognition, while potentially becoming eligible for increased government support for infrastructure, learning materials and other educational needs.The reforms are expected to have a direct impact on thousands of learners who depend on informal schools for access to basic education.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 26 – Members of Parliament have called for a probe into the deactivation and subsequent reassignment of dormant Safaricom numbers, warning that the practice could leave customers exposed to fraud, loss of funds and unauthorized access to personal information.The concerns were raised in the National Assembly after Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss presented a petition by Thompson Kirongo seeking an investigation into the telecommunications company’s handling of inactive SIM cards.The petition has been referred to the Public Petitions Committee, which is expected to establish whether the practice complies with laws governing consumer protection, data privacy and the management of financial assets.Under the current practice, SIM cards that remain unused for a specified period, ordinarily six months, can be deactivated before the number is eventually assigned to another subscriber.Kirongo argues that the system could disadvantage customers who are unable to use their lines for extended periods because of illness, travel, incapacitation or other circumstances.Presenting the petition, Shollei said customers who later sought to reactivate their lines could discover that they had lost access to mobile money services, financial accounts and personal information previously associated with the number.“The petitioner states that, consequently, the subscribers who resume use of their lines may find they are unable to access communication services such as mobile money accounts, financial services or personal data associated with the SIM card,” she said.The petition has also drawn attention to numbers registered to deceased persons, particularly where they remain connected to M-Pesa accounts, bank accounts and other financial services.The petitioner wants Parliament to determine how such numbers are handled during the administration of estates and whether reassignment could interfere with the rights of beneficiaries and authorised representatives under the Law of Succession Act.Lawmakers also want information on what happens to funds linked to dormant or deactivated numbers and whether money that remains unclaimed is transferred to the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority where applicable.Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza told the House that he had personally encountered problems caused by the reassignment of a mobile number.He said he once sent money to a number saved in his phone under the name of a known contact, only to discover that the number had since been allocated to someone else.“I have personally fallen victim to a situation where I sent money to a number saved in my phone under a specific name, only to realise later that the intended recipient had not received the money because the number had been reassigned to a different person,” Tandaza said.He urged Safaricom to establish a notification system that would alert people who have previously stored a number in their contacts before it is reassigned.“We cannot hold the receiver responsible for this issue. It is within Safaricom’s capacity and responsibility to ensure that once they reassign a number, they notify those who had previously saved that number,” he said.Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda said the issue had become more serious because telephone numbers now serve as access points to financial services and personal accounts.She called for stronger safeguards for M-Pesa and other accounts connected to numbers belonging to deceased customers.“What Safaricom should primarily focus on are the fraudsters who exploit people’s numbers for extortion,” Lesuuda said.She noted that politicians were particularly exposed because their telephone numbers are often publicly available.Sigowet/Soin MP Justice Kemei said Parliament should review safeguards governing the telecommunications industry as mobile communication becomes increasingly central to everyday life.While acknowledging that operators need mechanisms for dealing with dormant lines, Kemei said customers should be given sufficient notice before their numbers are disconnected.“Fundamentally, the mobile network service provision in this country is dominated by just three institutions,” he said, calling for scrutiny of the regulatory framework governing the sector.Nominated MP Irene Mayaka said the issue should also be examined through the lens of Kenya’s data protection laws.She urged Safaricom to demonstrate to the committee how it safeguards customers’ personal information when numbers are disconnected and subsequently reassigned.“Safaricom needs to inform the Public Petitions Committee about their compliance with these laws in the context of disconnections and the reassignment of SIM cards,” Mayaka said.“We need to ensure that people are adequately protected in terms of how their personal information is exposed when this reassignment is being done without even their knowledge.”Endebess MP Robert Pukose called for the petition to be dealt with urgently, citing cases where fraudsters allegedly impersonate people after obtaining access to numbers previously associated with their contacts.
Read briefing NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 26 – Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has challenged Kenya to unlock the full potential of its Sh397 billion meat industry by investing in value addition, processing, technology and premium export markets.Kagwe said Kenya’s livestock sector had reached a strategic turning point, with a large livestock base, growing domestic demand, entrepreneurial capacity and geographical advantage providing a strong foundation for regional and international competitiveness.Speaking during the official opening of the Kenya Meat Expo 2026, the CS said the country produced 613,627 tonnes of meat in 2024, valued at approximately Sh397 billion.He said meat production increased by 10.2 per cent in volume and 30.5 per cent in value compared with 2023.Beef accounted for about 260,000 tonnes valued at Sh160 billion, while significant opportunities exist in goat meat, mutton, poultry, camel meat, pork and emerging value chains such as rabbit meat.Kagwe, however, said Kenya must do more to retain value within the country, warning that continued export of live animals deprives Kenyans of employment and business opportunities.“When we export the animals, then we are sending out jobs. We are exporting jobs to Europe. We are exporting jobs to Dubai. We are exporting jobs to the Middle East,” he said.The CS called for increased investment in meat processing, branding and product development to enable Kenya to export finished meat products and ensure farmers and pastoralists earn more from their livestock.Kagwe said Kenya has approximately 2,000 slaughter facilities, comprising 49 large slaughterhouses, 322 medium slaughterhouses and about 1,530 slaughter slabs.He said the priority should now shift from expanding the number of facilities to improving their quality, efficiency and capacity utilisation.“It is not just a question of quantity. It is also an issue of quality,” he said.The CS called for improved hygiene, meat inspection, refrigeration, regulatory compliance, waste management, logistics and market connectivity to enable Kenyan meat products to meet international standards and attract premium prices.He said the meat value chain starts from animal production and extends to processing and consumption, making animal health and food safety critical to the sector.Kagwe highlighted the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) as a key component of the government’s strategy to modernise the livestock sector.The system will enable authorities to trace animals from their origin and ownership to vaccination records, movements and eventual slaughter.“Going forward, every Kenyan animal should have an identity and a traceable history,” Kagwe said.He said the technology was being developed locally, including chips and systems by Kenyan universities.ANITRAC is also expected to strengthen efforts to combat livestock theft and banditry by making attempts to interfere with animal identification detectable.Kagwe called for increased investment in improved livestock genetics, artificial insemination, breeding, animal nutrition and commercial feedlots.He also urged investment in climate-smart livestock production, water pans, boreholes and livestock insurance to protect farmers from losses caused by drought, floods and other extreme weather events.He said feedlots should have adequate feed, water and supporting infrastructure, while insurance schemes should provide protection against climate-related losses.Kagwe urged the government, county governments and the private sector to work together to strengthen the livestock value chain and create new investment opportunities.The CS challenged young people to view livestock beyond traditional herding and embrace opportunities in breeding, animal nutrition, processing, manufacturing, technology, branding, logistics and trade.“Ukulima wa ng’ombe ni pesa. Na nyama siyo tu chakula. Pia ni pesa. Nyama ni chakula, na nyama ni pesa,” he said.Kagwe also highlighted the potential of hides and skins, saying proper handling of animals can improve the quality and value of by-products and support the growth of Kenya’s leather industry.He said Kenya should also pursue new international markets, citing Algeria and other markets with demand for livestock and meat products.Kagwe recalled Algeria’s previous indication of demand for one million goats during Ramadan, saying such opportunities demonstrate the potential available to Kenyan livestock producers.“We want new markets. We want new enterprises. We want new jobs. We want new opportunities for livestock producers,” he said.Kagwe said stronger investment across the meat value chain would enable Kenya to move from exporting raw livestock to exporting higher-value meat products while creating jobs and increasing incomes for farmers and pastoralists.
Read briefing Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has dismissed accusations of unfair treatment of LPG traders across the country. While responding to the opposition on allegations that the government is confiscating LPG cylinders from traders illegally, Wandayi said only illegal refilling stations are being targeted on a bid to improve public safety. “LPG safety is paramount to the consumer and for this reason we urge politicians to refrain from attacks to public officers and law enforcement agencies legitimately performing their duties as required by Law,” said Wandayi in a statement. On Wednesday, DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua accused the government of confiscating 200,000 LPG gas cylinders from traders as government affirms it’s position on combating illegal refills and trade of cooking gas. “I wish to assure the public that Government will not succumb to pressure from politicians and cartels hellbent to benefit from LPG illicit trade. The crackdown on illegal LPG operations will be intensified until full compliance is achieved,” he added. Wandayi also dismissed accusations that the police was conducting the crackdown illegally. Wandayi says to ensure traders comply with the the Energy Act Cap. 314 and the Petroleum Act Cap 308, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) works collaboratively with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal...
Read briefing Wandayi Hits Back at Gachagua Over LPG Crackdown Claims - Business Today Kenya
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Read briefing Comprehensive, up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News.
Read briefing The justice department has also asked for Trump's name to be put back on the building after it was removed in June following a court order.
Read briefing The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has set a target of reducing road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2028, as motorists and boda boda riders in Kwale County call for urgent measures to make roads safer.NTSA Board Chairman Khatib Mwashetani said the authority would address concerns raised by riders, including difficulties accessing driving licenses and NTSA services.He urged boda boda riders to register through Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) under the Boda Boda Management System (BMS), saying the system would enable authorities to obtain accurate data on riders and motorcycles and improve safety interventions.“Boda boda is a business and it is work,” Mwashetani said, noting that the sector provides employment and income for many young people.Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) Kwale Chairman Mahmud Rajab Mwanyumba said lack of appropriate driving licenses remained a major challenge, with some riders operating without licenses or holding licenses for the wrong category.He also raised concerns over motorcycle insurance costs and called for affordable and transparent insurance premiums.Mwanyumba further called for improved relations between riders and police, saying some unlicensed riders avoid reporting accidents for fear of arrest.“If I do not have a license, does that give you permission to hit me?” he asked, urging authorities to ensure riders can seek justice when involved in crashes.He called for the installation of speed bumps along dangerous sections of the Ukunda-Diani and Beach roads.Ukunda Boda Boda Chairman Rashid Salim Bora identified the stretch from Ibiza through Blue Jay to Markaz as particularly dangerous due to inadequate speed bumps, road signs and pedestrian crossings.“People have died at Ibiza, Msikiti Nuru, Kona ya Musa, Diani Market and Romika,” Bora said.Hamisi Mwero, popularly known as Nayonayo, supported calls for improved road infrastructure but urged authorities to install warning signs ahead of speed bumps to prevent accidents.Meanwhile, Base Commander Mwanahamisi Sheria urged riders to avoid speeding, reckless overtaking and overlapping while ensuring they possess valid licenses, insurance, helmets and reflective gear.She also cautioned tuk-tuk operators against carrying excess passengers, noting that the vehicles are licensed to carry a maximum of three passengers.NTSA Coast Region Head Douglas Nyagwoka said achieving the 2028 target would require a change in behaviour among all road users.“Safety starts with me,” Nyagwoka said, urging riders, drivers, passengers and pedestrians to play their part in reducing road deaths.He warned riders against operating motorcycles under the influence of alcohol or drugs and discouraged motorcycle modifications such as loud exhausts, excessive lights and altered indicators.
Read briefing Each beneficiary received Sh200,000 through M-Pesa to help them resettle.
Read briefing The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has confiscated 868 assorted alcoholic beverages and arrested two suspects during a multi-agency crackdown on the illicit alcohol trade in Eastleigh, Nairobi. The operation, which took place at Section 3 on 18th Street, targeted outlets suspected of distributing illicit alcoholic products. The team included officers from NACADA, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the National Police Service. According to NACADA, items seized included alcoholic beverages bearing suspected fake KRA stamps, uncustomed beer from Defence Forces Canteen Organisation (DEFCO) stores, and expired and suspected counterfeit products. A distributor and a retailer were arrested during the operation and taken to Jogoo Road Police Station. The seized products have been sent for analysis to confirm their authenticity and compliance with regulatory requirements. The operation is part of ongoing intelligence-led enforcement activities being conducted nationwide, following growing public concern over the manufacture, distribution, and sale of counterfeit and illicit alcoholic beverages. NACADA Chief Executive Officer Dr Anthony Omerikwa said the Authority is collaborating with other government agencies to intensify enforcement against manufacturers, distributors, and outlets involved in unlawf...
Read briefing Kenya increased its education budget to Sh784.5 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, up from Sh702 billion in 2025/26, as the Government steps up investment in teachers, equity, education data and skills development.Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Beatrice Inyangala said the increased allocation demonstrated the Government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector and improving learning outcomes.Speaking during the Second East African Community (EAC) Regional Conference on Education in Nairobi on Wednesday, Inyangala said the Sh784.5 billion allocation accounted for about 27 per cent of the national budget and 4.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).She said Kenya had made progress in implementing education reforms through targeted programmes aimed at improving learning outcomes, promoting equity, strengthening teachers and expanding access to education.Inyangala cited the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Programme (KPEEL) and the National Assessment System for Monitoring Learner Achievement (NASMLA) among initiatives supporting efforts to identify disparities and improve learning outcomes.She said Kenya had also continued implementing competency-based education across the country, supported by teacher recruitment, continuous professional development and information and communication technology (ICT) training.Inyangala said the Government had recruited thousands of teachers in recent years to strengthen the teaching workforce, while efforts were being made to retool teachers to effectively deliver competency-based education.“We are prioritising retooling of these teachers so that they can deliver competency-based education using innovative pedagogy,” she said.The PS said the Government was also strengthening accountability in the education sector through improved data management and the operationalisation of the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS).She said KEMIS was designed to provide an integrated platform for managing education data, including learner information, and would support evidence-based planning, resource allocation and monitoring of education outcomes.“This provides a necessary foundation for evidence-based planning and accountability and strengthens the reliability of tracking equity and learning outcomes,” she said.Inyangala said Kenya was also strengthening skills development through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which enables individuals to have skills acquired through informal, non-formal and experiential learning assessed and formally recognised.She said RPL could help workers in the informal sector obtain recognised qualifications and improve their access to employment, further training and other economic opportunities.The PS said Kenya’s experience had demonstrated that targeted financing, particularly funding linked to verified school improvement plans, could contribute to improved learning outcomes in underserved areas.She, however, called for predictable and sustainable education financing, warning that funding constraints could undermine progress made through school improvement and other education programmes.Inyangala also highlighted gender-responsive interventions, including affirmative measures and the 100 per cent transition policy, saying such interventions had contributed to progress towards gender parity at secondary and tertiary levels.Despite increased teacher recruitment, she said, staffing gaps and regional disparities in teacher distribution remained a challenge at primary and junior secondary levels.“This points to the need for recruitment and deployment planning that keeps pace with enrolment growth over the medium term,” she said.Inyangala further said efforts to return children who had dropped out of school were more effective when combined with complementary social support, including cash transfers, community engagement and re-entry programmes.She said the integration of refugee and host-community learners into national education programmes had also supported more comprehensive inclusion.The PS cautioned that increases in nominal education allocations did not necessarily translate into proportional increases in real investment, stressing the need to monitor expenditure against both the national budget and GDP.She said evidence-based financing and stronger expenditure monitoring would be critical to ensuring that increased investment translated into improved outcomes for learners.The National Treasury’s 2026/27 Budget Statement allocated Sh784.5 billion to the Education Sector, including Sh424.3 billion for the Teachers Service Commission, Sh136.6 billion for Basic Education, Sh163.9 billion for Higher Education, Sh1.3 billion for Science, Innovation and Research and Sh58.5 billion for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.The Second EAC Regional Conference on Education brings together policymakers, educators, researchers, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss ways of transforming education systems across the region.
Read briefing The hospital tells the BBC the ward door was not locked but manned with security guards, to protect the babies.
Read briefing Kenya is stepping up research into improved cattle breeds, quality feeds, and climate-resilient pastures as it seeks to increase beef production, improve farmers’ incomes, and bridge the country’s persistent meat deficit.At the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Beef Research Institute in Lanet, Nakuru County, scientists are combining advances in animal breeding, nutrition, and pasture development to help farmers produce heavier animals and better-quality beef at a lower cost.Catherine Ndungu, a research scientist in animal breeding and genetics at the institute, says the improved Boran is one of the breeds with strong potential to drive beef production, particularly in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas.“The improved Boran is well adapted to our local environment and can convert available resources into meat,” she says.The breed is heat tolerant, can travel long distances in search of pasture and water, and can withstand harsh conditions that can limit the performance of some exotic breeds.Bulls can reach up to 900 kilogrammes, while females can attain between 450 and 500 kilogrammes. The breed also records a dressing percentage of about 55 to 60 per cent, meaning a significant proportion of its live weight can be converted into carcass meat.Ndungu says such characteristics are increasingly important as climate change continues to place pressure on livestock production.KALRO is conducting research to improve traits including body weight, feed conversion efficiency, adaptability, and disease tolerance before making improved animals available to farmers.The research, Ndungu explains, is also exploring crossbreeding to combine desirable traits from different cattle breeds, saying one programme involves crossing the Improved Boran with the Orma Boran, which is known for greater tolerance to diseases such as trypanosomiasis.“The objective is to develop animals that combine the Improved Boran’s superior body weight with the Orma Boran’s disease tolerance even as KALRO works with Sahiwal, a dual-purpose breed valued for both meat and milk production.For farmers seeking breeding bulls, Ndungu advises them to look beyond size and consider the animal’s overall structure and reproductive potential.Farmers should assess height, body capacity, leg structure, back, and the development of the scrotum. A good beef animal should have a strong body, broad hindquarters, and sound legs capable of carrying its weight as it matures.“Farmers need the right breed for their environment and production goals. If you choose the right animal and manage it properly, beef farming can be profitable,” Ndungu says, adding that their cattle range between Sh150,000 for a dairy cow and Sh250,000 for a bull.But good genetics alone cannot deliver quality beef without proper nutrition, and Lorna Chesire, an animal technologist at the KALRO Beef Research Institute, says researchers are developing locally formulated feed rations to improve weight gain, muscle development, and meat quality in cattle raised under feedlot systems.The institute focuses on finishing steers aged between 24 and 30 months before they are taken to market. “We analyse the feeds before formulation and again after formulation to ensure the animals receive the right levels of energy and protein,” Chesire says.KALRO has developed grass- and silage-based rations incorporating ingredients such as maize germ, Rhodes grass, wheat bran, canola and sunflower concentrates, together with mineral supplements.Researchers are also examining locally available protein sources, including acacia and prosopis pods and leaves, as cheaper alternatives that could help farmers reduce feeding costs.The feeding programme is designed to help farmers achieve faster and more efficient weight gain while producing animals that meet market requirements.Behind every well-fed animal, however, is the pasture that provides the foundation of livestock nutrition, and KALRO research scientist and plant breeder Mercy Jerop says the organisation is developing and evaluating pasture varieties suited to different agro-ecological zones to help farmers cope with climate change and ensure a reliable supply of quality livestock feed.Among the Napier varieties promoted by KALRO are Bana grass and Omega-1, while Super Napier is currently under research following farmers’ reports of its high protein content.The institute has also developed two locally adapted Brachiaria varieties, BS1 and KS1, which mature within three to four months and perform well in medium and dry areas.“Brachiaria can be established using seed or splits and can be used for grazing, silage, and feed blocks,” Jerop says, adding that the grass contains about 12 to 13 percent crude protein, making it an important component of livestock diets.Boma Rhodes, Jerop says, is another pasture suited to medium- and high-altitude areas and is mainly used for hay and seed production.For farmers seeking higher-protein fodder, KALRO is promoting forage sweet potato varieties containing about 18 to 20 percent protein. The crop can be used in cut-and-carry feeding systems or mixed with other grasses.
Read briefing Teachers in Mt. Elgon have been urged to take up housing units allocated to them under the Government’s Affordable Housing Programme.Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Mt. Elgon Branch Executive Secretary Patrick Cheptum said 20 per cent of the housing units had been reserved for teachers, urging them to register on the Boma Yangu platform to begin the acquisition process.Cheptum said teachers whose salaries were already subject to the Housing Levy should seize the opportunity instead of remaining on the sidelines.“Teachers have a right to benefit from the Affordable Housing Programme. The programme has now stabilised after the initial challenges, so I urge all teachers to download the Boma Yangu app, register and explore the available options,” he said.He was speaking at Kapsokwony Comprehensive School in Mt. Elgon Sub-County during a homecoming ceremony for Grade Six pupil Abel Kibet, who helped Kenya win a silver medal in volleyball at the just-concluded East Africa School Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.Cheptum also challenged teachers to embrace digital platforms rolled out to improve their welfare, including Afya Yangu and the KNUT app, saying the platforms had eased access to services and information.He further urged teachers to play a more active role in identifying and nurturing talent in schools, noting that early support for co-curricular activities could open national and international opportunities for learners while raising the profile of schools and communities.The ceremony brought together teachers, learners, parents and community members to celebrate Kibet, who rose from zonal contests to represent Kenya at the regional games.His coach and sports teacher, Tony Chepkirui, said Kibet progressed through sub-county and national competitions before earning a call-up to the national team.“We are very proud of Abel for representing Mt. Elgon Constituency and Kenya at the East Africa level. His achievement shows the potential our learners have when talent is identified and properly supported,” Chepkiirui said.He described Kapsokwony Comprehensive School as an emerging sporting hub, noting that learners had previously represented the institution in athletics at national level and rugby at regional level.Chepkirui revealed that financial constraints had at one point threatened to end Kibet’s sporting journey, but Headteacher Bosis Boit mobilised teachers to raise funds that enabled him to continue competing.Kibet, who was feted during the ceremony, urged fellow pupils to remain disciplined and committed to their talents.He said discipline and determination had been key to his progress and encouraged other learners not to give up despite challenges.KNUT Mt. Elgon Branch Treasurer Evans Cheseto said teachers had joined the community in celebrating Kibet because his achievement was a source of pride for the teaching fraternity and the wider Mt. Elgon region.He said the silver medal demonstrated what could be achieved when teachers, parents and the community worked together to support learners beyond the classroom.
Read briefing 