24 | NEWSFOCUS October 16, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke Nakuru pledges support for cattle feed growers Ways being sought to export the feed to neighbouring dry countries such as Djibouti BY VERONICA BOSIBORI KNA-NAKURU T he national and Nakuru County governments are seeking for a hay market due to a glut of the commodity that has seen prices plummet to as low as Sh50 per 15 kg bale. The Nakuru County Executive for Agriculture Dr. Immaculate Maina assured farmers that they were exploring and even seeking for possibilities of exporting the hay to neighbouring dry countries such as Djibouti. She was speaking during a training forum for farmers in the region last week. “We want to assure our farmers that their sweat will not go to waste. We are here Price at which a 15 kilogram baleof hay was selling. A bale of hay should not cost less than Sh250, according to Nakuru countyexecutive for agriculture Dr. Immaculate Maina to ensure that farmers earn profits from whichever venture they choose to invest in,” she noted. Dr. Maina acknowledged that the current glut of hay in the county was due to the mismanagement sh50 of the maize purchasing process by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), which almost forced farmers to abandon the crop for hay. She said they were also negotiating with semi-arid counties such as Samburu, Turkana and Garissa to buy the hay from farmers in bulk to reduce the glut adding a bale of hay should not cost less than Sh250. However, she urged farmers not to despair because the glut of Ndengu in Kitui and now of hay in Nakuru were signs the agricultural sector is picking up well after a long slumber. Dr Maina assured farmers that the counties which have chosen to invest more in the sector would unlock the great potential that their farmers had as far as agriculture was concerned. Rift Valley Hay Farmers Chairman Noah Cheruiyot said they were very shocked that a bale of 15 kilograms of hay was selling at Sh50 and advised farmers to hold on to their grass until prices increase. PS roots for concerted effort in mining sector If fully exploited, Kenya’s mineral wealth would uplift the national economic development of the nation, he says GRACE OWITTI STATE DEPARTMENT FOR MINING C oncerted effort by different stakeholders are required if Kenya is to fully explore and exploit her mineral potential, Mr. John Omenge, the Principal Secretary, State for Department for Mining, Ministry of Petroleum and Mining has underscored. He said that Kenya was endowed with great mineral wealth that if fully exploited would promote the national economic development of the nation. Mr Omenge was speaking when he officiated at the opening of a three-day, “Inaugural National Mining, Oil & Gas Conference” at a Nairobi Hotel. The conference drew over 250 stakeholders and miners from 11 mining counties, faith-based organisations, CBOs and CSOs nationally. The conference was convened by Haki Madini and the Kenya Land Alliance. The PS reiterated the need for key stakeholders in mining and development to work together harmoniously for the country to realise positive results from the development of the God-given resources. “The mining sector can be a game changer to the economy of this great nation when fully exploited.” He said the State Department was participating in the Conference to provide a platform for engagement with mining experts in an attempt to iron out issues affecting the sector. He said the State Department has the sole mandate provide rules and regulations to govern the sector and to ensure the sustainable exploitation and development. The State Department has put various mining related strategies in place to further support the sector. These include the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Strategy, which is in draft form awaiting stakeholder consultation as well as a 20-year Mining Strategy draft awaiting full review and development into a full strategy. He said that although the development of mineral resources, oil, and gas was not a devolved function, the State Department continues to decentralise and upgrade regional offices for competent and efficient service delivery. It is therefore necessary to Although the development of mineral resources, oil, and gas is not a devolved function, the State Department continues to decentralise and upgrade regional offices for competent and efficient service delivery - Mr. John Omenge point out that the role of overseeing the management of mineral resources is a mandate of the State Department. Mr. Omenge called on local communities to support large mining companies to promote the sector and to support their corporate social responsibilities that seeks to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the respective communities. The PS called on investors, both large and small scale, and artisanal miners to embrace sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation of natural resources and to also ensure equitable sharing of the accrued benefits, as provided for in Artcile69 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. On local content, Mr. Omenge reminded the Mineral Rights Holders and Product Sharing Contract Holders to adhere to the approved plans for local content that compels them to employ and train locals. In addition the investors are to ensure they procure goods and services from the locals, urging them to operate within the confines of the law. The PS highlighted the revenue sharing according to the Mining Act 2016 that provides for the sharing of royalties in rations as national, county governments and the community as 70%, 20% and 10% respectively. On accrued royalties, Mr. Omenge informed the conference that the National Treasury and Planning working in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining will develop a framework to facilitate the disbursement of the revenue in accordance with the law. Standards Day to spotlight fourth industrial revolution The convergence of technologies holds immense opportunities, but also presents an array of ethical, economic and scientific challenges BY PHOEBE GITUKU KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS K enya will mark this year’s World Standards Day 2018 on Tuesday this week. This year, the World Standards Day is dedicated to International Standards and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Fourth Industrial Revolution affects almost every industry in every country as innovative cyber-physical systems evolve. The convergence of technologies holds immense opportunities, but also presents an array of ethical, economic and scientific challenges. The rapid pace of change has no historical precedent and society cannot help but question the issues related to long-term sustainability. Standards can help shape our future. Not only do standards support the development of tailor-made solutions for all industries, they are also the tools to spread best practices, knowledge and innovation globally. Standards have always had a pivotal role in enabling the smooth adoption of technologies. In the same way that standards were crucial during the First Industrial Revolution, supporting the specialized mass production of manufactured goods, they will continue to play a critical role in this new era. Standards will ensure compatibility and interoperability around the globe, helping society to adopt technologies seamlessly as they emerge in the future. Each year, under the banner of the World Standards Cooperation (WSC), IEC joins the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in celebrating the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop International Standards. The convergence of technologies holds immense opportunities, but also presents an array of ethical, economic and scientific challenges
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