By Mithika Mwenda Last year, two weeks of incessant negotiations at the UNFCCC’s COP25 that took place in Madrid, Spain at the close of 2019 resulted in several outcomes that are very key to Africa and its people. The conference attended by at least 27,000 delegates aimed to highlight the gap between progress in…
Interagency collaboration paramount to combat wildlife crime
Extensive collaboration and cooperation at inter-agency level, is a key ingredient in fighting wildlife trafficking law enforcers agreed at the conclusion of a training workshop to increase their capacity and expertise in fighting wildlife crime. The workshop which began on Monday in Naivasha, Kenya was hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in…
Four countries in the African region license vaccine in milestone for Ebola prevention
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Ghana and Zambia have licensed an Ebola vaccine, just 90 days after World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. Registration of the vaccine is expected in additional countries in the coming weeks. The licensing of the vaccine means that the manufacturer can stockpile and widely distribute this vaccine to…
DR Congo: Measles outbreak deaths toll rises
With the death toll from the world’s worst measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) surpassing 6000, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for more funding to stop the outbreak. Under the leadership of the DRC Ministry of Health, WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other partner aid agencies vaccinated more…
Scientists show which genetic loci are associated with bunch weight in highland banana
Scientists have, for the first time, located major quantitative trait loci associated with bunch weight and its component traits in Matooke, the East African Highland cooking banana. This is an important breakthrough in efforts to speed up the breeding of improved high-yielding varieties for both food security and improved household incomes in the region. Increasing…
Climate smart farming: Tanzanian Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG) to offer support
By Zedekia Mapunda Tanzanian Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG) plans to create awareness about the importance of gender-responsive policies, plans, and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Women are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters and climate change when their rights and socioeconomic status are not equal to those of men. According…
Kiwash installs a Ksh 10M community water project in Busia
By Checky Abuje The Kenya Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Project (KIWASH) has partnered with counties in Western Kenya to complement the acute shortage of water bedevilling the region. The latest project is in Busia county valued at Ksh 10m. More than 150 households will benefit from the project intended to supply clean water…
Lowland Rice Research Institute set for Busia County
By Checky Abuje Busia County has been picked by the National Government to construct a Rice Research Institute that is aimed at developing new breeds for lowland rice ecologies and their major market segments, including good grain quality and tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stresses. Jane Ndung’u, Head of Rice Promotion Programme in…