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Global Health Leaders Gather in Nairobi as Historic ISSAD 2026 Conference Kicks Off

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By James Nyaigoti, Global scientists, vaccine developers and public health leaders gathered in Nairobi yesterday as the 2026 International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD) officially opened, marking the first time the premier global conference on Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is being held in East Africa. The three-day conference, running from February 23–25 at the Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, has brought together experts from more than 40 countries to deliberate on urgent priorities in GBS research, vaccine development and public health policy including discussions around the anticipated rollout of a global maternal GBS vaccine. Convened under the International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (ISSAD), the meeting is taking place at a critical moment in the global fight against GBS, a leading cause of neonatal sepsis, meningitis and infant mortality worldwide. A Persistent Global Health Threat GBS remains a major public health concern, p...

Stakeholders Call for Urgent Action as Kenya Grapples with Rising Homelessness

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By James Nyaigoti, A renewed call to confront the growing crisis of homelessness in Kenya has taken center stage following a roundtable discussion convened by the Undugu Society of Kenya under the theme “Eliminating Homelessness and Indignity.” The forum brought together policymakers, civil society actors and community stakeholders to address what participants described as a critical gap in reliable data on homelessness since 2018 a gap that continues to hinder effective policy formulation and intervention. Data Deficit Hindering Solutions Speaking during the discussion, Bungoma Senator Okiya Omtatah emphasized that addressing homelessness must begin with establishing credible, up-to-date data. “We need to develop accurate knowledge about homelessness and what is called street living. The first step is to understand the scale of the problem. Without proper data, we cannot design effective solutions,” he said. Stakeholders noted that while anecdotal figures suggest that Nair...

Connected Africa Summit 2026 Set to Unite Continent's Digital Innovators in Nairobi

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NAIROBI, Kenya – The Connected Africa Summit (CAS) will return for its 2026 edition from April 27th to 30th at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators from across the continent to advance Africa's digital transformation agenda. Organizers announced the confirmation of the fourth edition of the summit at a partners' breakfast this week, unveiling this year's theme: "Uniting Africa's Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market." The theme builds on the momentum of previous summits—CAS2024's "Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa" and CAS2025's "The Digital Journey: Vision to Reality"—while sharpening the focus on tangible outcomes. Speaking at the launch event, Eng. John Tanui, CBS, Principal Secretary at the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, emphasized that the 2026 edition marks a critical shift from dialogue to delivery. "...

President Ruto’s Lucky Summer Visit Signals Renewed Push for Urban Renewal

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Residents of Lucky Summer in Ruaraka Constituency witnessed a historic moment this week when William Samoei Ruto toured the area to inspect ongoing development projects, particularly the Nairobi River regeneration works. The President was hosted by area MCA Victor Omondi Ochola, popularly known as Ringo, whose leadership and mobilization efforts were instrumental in coordinating the visit. The event drew large crowds of residents eager to engage with national leadership and witness firsthand the government’s commitment to transforming their community. Focus on Nairobi River Regeneration At the heart of the President’s visit was an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nairobi River corridor. The regeneration initiative seeks to restore the river’s ecosystem, improve sanitation infrastructure, and mitigate flooding risks that have long affected surrounding settlements. For decades, sections of the river passing through densely populated neighborhoods have suffered ...

The Nairobi Hospital Achieves Double Certification on Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Management

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The Nairobi Hospital has received two internationally  recognized certifications, i.e. - ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS)  following a successful recertification for the 6th cycle and ISO 45001:2018 on Occupational  Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) - reaffirming its commitment to delivering  high-quality healthcare within a safe, sustainable, and secure environment.  The two certifications were issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).  The recertification of ISO 14001:2015 EMS and the hospital’s inaugural certification of ISO  45001:2018 OHSMS, are significant recognition to the hospital’s continued implementation  of sustainable approaches to healthcare delivery that have strengthened institutional safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence. “By attaining ISO 45001, you affirm that the wellbeing of your staff is safeguarded  deliberately and proactively. By sustaining ISO 1...

ISK Faults Presidential Nominations to National Land Commission, Cites Exclusion of Land Professionals

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By James Nyaigoti, The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has expressed strong disappointment over the Communication of Presidential Action No. V of 2026 dated February 17, 2026, regarding the nomination of a Chairperson and six Members to the National Land Commission (NLC). In a press briefing led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Kibet arap Biwott, ISK raised concerns about what it termed as the exclusion of core land professionals from the newly nominated commission, arguing that the move undermines both the spirit and the letter of Kenya’s constitutional and statutory framework on land governance. ISK recalled its historic role in championing the inclusion of Chapter Five on Land and Environment in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, a provision designed to reform land administration and strengthen governance in a sector long plagued by disputes and inefficiencies. “The National Land Commission is a very critical institution for land management and land governa...

Counties Push Nutrition Laws to Safeguard Programs Amid Donor Funding Cuts

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By James Nyaigoti, County governments have raised concern over the disruption of donor-funded programmes, noting that several initiatives previously supported by development partners have either been scaled down or terminated. As a result, some staff have lost their jobs, while in other instances counties have struggled to absorb affected personnel into their own systems. Despite these challenges, leaders say the nutrition programme supported by Nutrition International has remained resilient due to its unique design. Unlike many externally funded projects, the programme was structured as a partnership between county governments and Nutrition International, with most resources provided through a matching fund arrangement. This model required counties to commit their own resources alongside donor support. Officials say this approach has enabled counties to build internal capacity to mobilise domestic resources, ensuring continuity even amid shifting global funding priorities....