Day: March 10, 2024

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Russian nationals residing in Burkina Faso took to the polls on Sunday to cast their votes ahead of the presidential election in the Russian Federation, slated for March 17, 2024.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Incumbent President Vladimir Putin, along with three other candidates, is vying for the presidency, as observed by a journalist from AIB at the voting site. The early voting mechanism facilitated the participation of the Russian diaspora in this significant electoral process.

NAIROBI – The need for the Kenyan government to prioritize the informal sector as a critical area for job creation and sustainable career paths for the country’s unemployed youth has been highlighted by Mr. Peter Tena, the Kenya Internally Displaced Persons Patron.

According to Kenya News Agency, the informal economy, which comprises approximately 84 percent of the nation’s workforce, represents a significant part of Kenya’s economic structure and is a primary source of employment. However, the sector faces major challenges in skill development, despite its capacity for job creation at a rate estimated to be four times higher than that of the formal sector.

The Economic Survey 2022 reveals that the informal sector, dominated by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), accounted for 80 percent of the more than 900,000 jobs generated in 2021. Mr. Tena emphasized the importance of the Jua Kali industry in Kenya during a meeting aimed at encouraging the youth, particularly those from families affected by internal displacement due to conflicts, to seek employment in the informal sector. He noted that the industry requires less capital for startup, facilitates industrial decentralization, and promotes inclusive participation.

Mr. Tena pointed out that the MSME economy absorbs nine out of ten young people entering the workforce, translating to an average of 750,000 individuals annually, while the formal wage corporate economy accommodates barely 50,000. With about three million Kenyans employed in formal jobs across both the public and private sectors, the potential for MSMEs to significantly contribute to the economy is clear, he added.

Despite these opportunities, Mr. Tena highlighted the absence of standardized qualifications in the sector, which complicates the process of identifying existing skills and determining skilling needs. He cited the example of skilled workers like welders, plumbers, carpenters, masons, and electricians, who often lack formal certification. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism about the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)’s initiative to prepare a training program aimed at equipping craftsmen with the necessary skills to improve their training delivery.

During the meeting in Free Area, Mr. Tena urged the youth to consider the informal sector and stressed the need for both county and national governments to provide financial inclusion and support to the Jua Kali sector, akin to other sectors pivotal to the country’s industrialization and development. He underscored the critical role of job creation in economic growth, poverty reduction, and stimulation of economic activity through increased household incomes and consumer spending.

Highlighting the Kenya Kwanza government’s Bottom-Up Agenda, Mr. Tena pointed out the commitment to transforming the MSME economy by focusing on key pillars such as agriculture, housing, healthcare, and the digital and creative economies. He advocated for a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to create an enabling environment for businesses, emphasizing the importance of reducing bureaucratic obstacles, improving infrastructure, and offering investment incentives.

Mr. Tena concluded by emphasizing the necessity for the government to invest in high-potential sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, and to leverage technological advancements and entrepreneurship for the creation of new job opportunities. By doing so, Kenya can unlock its human and economic potential, significantly reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

OUAGADOUGOU—In Burkina Faso, a wave of demonstrations has swept across several localities, including the capital, Ouagadougou, and the northern city of Dori, from March 9 to 10. These mobilizations, largely driven by the youth and endorsed by notable figures, have shown strong support for the transitional government led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The demonstrators expressed their backing for the regime’s efforts and honored the contributions of various actors in the patriotic citizen watch movements.

According to Burkina Information Agency, in Ouagadougou, the African Movement for Total Independence (MALIT) organized a citizen watch meeting at the Tampouy roundabout. This gathering aimed to support the country’s leadership and acknowledge the roles of specific individuals within the citizen watch community. Among those recognized was activist Mohamadi Autre, previously jailed for criticizing the gendarmerie’s commitment to counter-terrorism efforts and later released following a withdrawal of the complaint by the gendarmerie amidst calming measures. Meanwhile, in Dori, locals, under the Burkina Ramparts Federation, staged a march to affirm their support for the state’s leadership, celebrate the rejection of imperialism, the decision to leave the ECOWAS, and applaud the government’s initiatives towards women’s rights and reclaiming national territory.

BUSIA – A woman in Busia County is currently receiving medical care for injuries sustained during an assault by her husband.

According to Kenya News Agency, Metrine Okumu, 42, of Matayos Constituency, the incident occurred at a local drinking establishment on Saturday, when she approached her husband, Christopher Okumu, to request money for food. The confrontation escalated when her husband, assisted by another woman, attacked her, inflicting injuries on her face, neck, chest, and additionally, splashing her with the alcoholic beverage changaa.

Speaking from the Busia County Referral Hospital, where she sought treatment following the assault, Metrine disclosed that this was not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern of violence she has endured from her husband of six years whenever she has asked for financial assistance for household necessities.

The assault and its aftermath have drawn attention from the community, with well-wishers stepping in to assist Metrine. Among them, Fredrick Munuku played a significant role in facilitating her treatment and legal action. After witnessing Metrine’s condition, Munuku escorted her to the Busia police station to report the assault, before taking her to the hospital for medical attention.

Munuku strongly condemned the assault, emphasizing the importance of women in society and calling for a unified stance against gender-based violence. He expressed hope that the government would take decisive action against the perpetrator. Additionally, he announced that Metrine would be taken into the care of the Harvest of Hope Africa centre, a gesture demonstrating the community’s support for victims of domestic violence.

Munuku also highlighted the broader issue of women’s lack of voice, particularly in the Matayos area, urging women to assert their rights and position in society. The assault on Metrine Okumu came just a day after the global community celebrated International Women’s Day, marking a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges women face in the fight against gender-based violence.

WAMBSOUYA—The Special Forces of the Gambo unit have successfully obliterated a significant terrorist stronghold in Wambsouya, correcting earlier reports that identified the location as Welguemsifou.

According to Burkina Information Agency, This operation, conducted on March 8, 2024, in the North-Central zone, began with a missile strike that decimated many terrorists and their resources in an orchard approximately twenty kilometers from Barsalgho. The initial strike paved the way for a more extensive operation against a major terrorist base discovered nearby in an abandoned village. A coordinated assault was launched at dawn by the Gambo Special Forces, later reinforced by another commando unit. The intense nine-hour conflict resulted in a significant loss for the terrorists, with dozens neutralized and a substantial cache of stolen vehicles, fuel, weapons, and military equipment seized. This victory is part of a series of successful actions taken by the Combatant Forces in their mission to reconquer territory and restore peace in the region.