The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, received on Tuesday in the capital, Mogadishu, the Director-General for Eastern and Southern Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the sisterly Republic of Turkiye, H.E. Amb. Elif Çomoğlu Ülgen, and discussed with her the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields.

The meeting highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Somalia and Türkiye, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening ties for mutual benefit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion – Federal Republic of Somalia.

The Government of the People’s Republic of China has provided funding to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the provision of school meals to over 165,000 children in Karamoja region in Northeastern Uganda.

“This contribution is part of China’s commitment to improving food security and nutrition, developing human capital, strengthening people’s livelihoods, and boosting the local economy in Uganda,” said H.E. Zhang Lizhong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda.

This contribution will enable WFP to procure maize, beans, and vegetable oil locally, benefiting school children and smallholder farmers alike, thereby stimulating the local economy. WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding initiative, which emphasizes local procurement and nutritious meals, has already made significant strides in boosting food security and stimulating economic growth in Karamoja.

WFP registered a fivefold increase in the local procurement of food from smallholder farmers in Karamoja (from 414 metric tonnes in 2022 to 2,345 metric tonnes in 2023), injecting USD 1.9 million into the local economy.

Karamoja has the highest rates of food insecurity and malnutrition in the country. According to WFP’s Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis, 84% of households in Karamoja cannot afford a nutritious diet daily. These hardships often compel parents in Karamoja to pull their children, particularly older girls, out of school to assist with household responsibilities. Karamoja also has the lowest literacy rate in the country, with only 31% of the population over the age of 18 being literate, compared to a national average of 68%.

“We are grateful for the contribution of the Government of the People’s Republic of China supporting our efforts to provide school meals to children,“ said Abdirahman Meygag, WFP Country Director and Representative in Uganda. “We have witnessed children who have benefited from school meals programme become senior government officials, doctors, and entrepreneurs.  By providing school meals, WFP aims to address these challenges and create a pathway to a brighter future for Uganda.”

Research demonstrates that providing daily school meals serves as a powerful incentive for impoverished families to enrol their children in school. These meals enable students to concentrate on their studies, leading to sustainable increases in school enrolment and lower dropout rates. Studies indicate that school meal programs can boost enrolment by an average of 9 percent and reduce anaemia prevalence in girls by up to 20 percent. Harvard University has found that every USD 1 invested in school meals yields an average return of USD 9 in economic benefits.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

President William Ruto has signed into law the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, that amends various provisions of 16 Acts of Parliament.

To strengthen human resource operations in the Attorney-General’s office, the Office of the Attorney-General Act has been amended to introduce an advisory board that will recommend for appointment and promotion of deputy solicitors-general and State counsel.

The board comprises the Attorney-General as chair, and Principal Secretaries of Public Service and the National Treasury, the Public Service Commission chairperson, Law Society of Kenya president and chair of the Council of the Institute Human Resource Management as members.

This change aims to address the issue of inadequate personnel to fulfil its functions, stemming from poor terms of employment for State counsel and the absence of a comprehensive scheme of service for the officers.

In a bold step towards environmental protection and conservation, the Bill amends the Public Holidays Act, renaming Utamaduni Day as Mazingira Day to be observed on October 10 every year.

Mazingira Day will be a day for all Kenyans to engage in environmental conservation activities, including tree-planting and growing.

This move is in line with the government’s push to accelerate the 10-year 15 billion tree-planting programme that includes forest, wetland and rangeland restoration.

The Traffic Act has also been amended to incorporate the use of technology in the management of minor traffic offences.

The Value Added Tax Act has also been amended to remove denatured ethanol from the list of VAT-exempt supplies. This creates an economic safety net and competitive edge for local denatured ethanol manufacturers, particularly millers and sugar manufacturers, who face challenges with cheaper imports.

It also exempts the supply of gas meters from VAT to enhance access to clean energy by low-income households

On the Universities Act, the amendment gives the President power to establish more than one specialised degree-awarding institution specialising in national security issues.

In another amendment, the National Intelligence Service has been exempted from the application of the Employment Act, mirroring exemptions granted to other national security organs.

Another amendment on the Industrial Training Act aligns the remittance date of the training levy with PAYE remittance to the Kenya Revenue Authority, aiming to boost employer compliance.

This is meant to enhance KRA collections, which will fund intern wages and support technical and vocational education training and higher education operations.

To streamline the administration of justice, the new law amends the Oaths and Statutory Declarations Act to replace the Registrar of the High Court with the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary as the custodian of the roll of commissioners and give powers to administer oaths to the registrar and deputy registrar of superior and subordinate courts.

Similarly, the Advocates Act has been amended to replace the Registrar of the High Court with the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary as well as give the Council of the Law Society of Kenya additional powers to make rules on the admission of advocates to the Bar.

Additionally, the new law amends the Notaries Public Act to replace the Registrar of the High Court with the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.

Also amended in the miscellaneous law is the Sexual Offences Act, with the Registrar of the High Court replaced by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary as the person responsible for keeping and maintaining a register of convicted sexual offenders.

The Trustee (Perpetual Succession) Act, too, has been amended to assign the Registrar of Companies the responsibility for trust registration, issuing certificates of incorporation, maintaining trust registers and creating regulations. This aims to streamline trust registration procedures.

The amendments to the Public Finance Management Act aims to clarify that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury must submit the Finance Bill to the National Assembly by April 30 in line with the Act, the National Assembly Standing Orders and court rulings.

The signing ceremony was held at State House Nairobi in the presence of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Attorney General Justin Muturi, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

Indoor air can be way more polluted than outdoor air. Luckily, air-conditioning systems can help safeguard your health.

As we go about our daily lives, we often overlook a critical aspect of our well-being: the quality of the air we breathe. When we do think about the air we’re breathing, we often focus on outdoor pollution from vehicles and factories. What many people don’t realise is that the air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. [1] While we’re aware of the health risks of outdoor air pollution, we often overlook the similar health dangers [2] of poor indoor air quality.

“Many factors can contribute to poor air quality indoors, including inadequate ventilation, pollutants from cleaning products, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds emitted by furniture and building materials,” says Magrietha Coetzee, Air Solutions Head of Sales at LG Electronics South Africa. “Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and even more severe conditions such as asthma.”

Recognising the risks of poor indoor air quality

Identifying the signs of poor indoor air quality [3] is crucial for safeguarding our health. “Common indicators of bad indoor air quality include noticing a musty or stale odour, experiencing frequent headaches or dizziness, feeling congested or having respiratory issues, or observing an excessive buildup of dust or mould,” says Coetzee. “If you or others in the space experience more frequent allergies or asthma symptoms while indoors, it could indicate poor air quality. Keeping an eye out for these signs can help identify potential issues with the air in your home or workplace.”

How an aircon helps clean the air

“While air conditioning systems are known for keeping us cool in summer and warm in winter, what many people don’t realise is that they can play a crucial role [4] in purifying the air inside our homes,” Coetzee adds. By filtering out dust, allergens, and other impurities, aircons can help create a healthier indoor environment. These systems also control temperature and humidity, which helps prevent mould growth. However, air conditioning systems vary in their ability to purify air.

“LG’s ArtCool range of air conditioners are designed to enhance indoor air quality, providing a fresh and pure environment for your home. Whether you need to cool down or heat up your space, the ArtCool range offers the ability to keep you comfortable during both hot and cold months,” adds Coetzee. “The Multi-stage Filtration System effectively captures and filters dust, allergens, and pollutants, significantly enhancing indoor air quality,” Coetzee explains. This is especially beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions and allergies, as it promotes a healthier living environment by reducing harmful particles and contaminants.

“The Plasmaster Ionizer++ technology goes even further by generating sterilising ions to destroy bacteria and viruses, as well as eliminating unpleasant odours and neutralising harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde,” Coetzee adds. “With these features, LG’s ArtCool range of air conditioners provide more than just temperature control—they actively contribute to overall well-being, allowing you to breathe easier and enjoy a healthier, fresher indoor atmosphere.”

In addition to these air filtering capabilities, the ArtCool air conditioner is designed to be harmonised with the interior of your home with a minimal and basic style. The mirror glass on the front of the product reflects the surrounding environment to emphasise the interior and integrity, delivering timeless beauty through the solidity of the glass material. “You can also access and control your air conditioner from anywhere with LG’s exclusive mobile app, ThinQ,” Coetzee explains. “The ArtCool range, equipped with LG’s Dual Inverter Compressor and backed by a ten-year warranty, cools faster, lasts longer, and runs quieter by addressing problems related to inefficiency and noise.”

Prioritising indoor air quality is paramount for our health and well-being, especially considering the substantial time we spend indoors. “By understanding the risks associated with poor indoor air quality and acknowledging the pivotal role of air conditioning systems in maintaining cleaner and healthier indoor environments, we can take proactive steps towards creating spaces that promote overall well-being and vitality for ourselves and our loved ones,” Coetzee concludes.

Sources:

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LG Electronics.