Exports via Mombasa to be allowed

BUSINESS

Kenya’s neighbours will soon be allowed to use the country’s road network to export all their goods via Mombasa, Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere has announced.
“There are plans to amend the law ... to allow trucks to carry export cargo from countries in the region to Mombasa,” he said.

Some exports from the neighbouring countries have not been allowed through Kenya to prevent the dumping of untaxed goods.
Ongoing reforms
Mr Mwakwere said this was part of the ongoing reforms which include the implementation of a one-stop weigh bridge for transit vehicles.
He said the transport crisis which hit the country after the December elections was now under control. Cargo containers at Mombasa port had been reduced from more than 17,000 during the crisis to 9,000 by last Monday.

Meanwhile, transit vehicles will be weighed only once at Mariakani when the new weighing system is implemented. Exports through Mombasa will be weighed at the borders when coming into Kenya. This will reduce the congestion at weighbridges.

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Story by OLIVER MATHENGE
Publication Date: 2/28/2008

Government gives strikers go ahead

The Government has no problem with the Kenya Aviation Allied Workers Union (Kaawu) going on strike, a senior official has said.

Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, said the union has every right to go on strike as long as they are within the law.

"Strikes are normal everywhere considered its done within the law. When a notice is given, it’s not illegal. But everything must be done within the trade union laws," he said.

He said the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) must agree to listen to the union officials and try to settle the dispute.
The minister was speaking after touring the railway line from Nairobi-Embakasi to Kikuyu, on Wednesday.

"We want to involve the human right bodies, investors, the Government, environments and the residence on a fact finding mission by touring the lines to see by themselves what we are talking about," he said.

The country’s airports workers umbrella body issued a 21 - day strike notice over the weekend to the ministry of Labour and Human resource citing poor working conditions.
The employees have also taken issue with KAA’s failure to implement a collective bargaining agreement, which proposed improved pay and terms of service.

The union expects to marshal its 1,600 members, drawn from various sections of the airport, to lay down their tools to compel the employer to meet the demands.
The workers who include fire fighters, security, ground crews and cargo handlers could paralyse operations in all the eight major airports across the country.

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Published on February 28, 2008,
Story By Brian Adero

Exports via Mombasa to be allowed

BUSINESS NEWS

Kenya’s neighbours will soon be allowed to use the country’s road network to export all their goods via Mombasa, Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere has announced.
“There are plans to amend the law ... to allow trucks to carry export cargo from countries in the region to Mombasa,” he said.
Some exports from the neighbouring countries have not been allowed through Kenya to prevent the dumping of untaxed goods.

Ongoing reforms

Mr Mwakwere said this was part of the ongoing reforms which include the implementation of a one-stop weigh bridge for transit vehicles.
He said the transport crisis which hit the country after the December elections was now under control. Cargo containers at Mombasa port had been reduced from more than 17,000 during the crisis to 9,000 by last Monday.

Meanwhile, transit vehicles will be weighed only once at Mariakani when the new weighing system is implemented. Exports through Mombasa will be weighed at the borders when coming into Kenya. This will reduce the congestion at weighbridges.

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Story by OLIVER MATHENGE

Publication Date: 2/28/2008

Mediation deadlock could hit goods supply yet again

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Passengers scramble to enter a city train: The operator, Rift Valley Railways, has suspended service to parts of Nairobi.February 28, 2008: Further supply disruptions loom following the suspension of the mediation talks on Tuesday, fuelling commodity price increases in Western Kenya and landlocked countries that depend on the Mombasa-Malaba highway for their imports.Alternative modes of transport are also uncertain following plans by sole rail operator—Rift Valley Railways—to suspend services across areas that may be affected by violence.

On Tuesday, the operator halted services to Dandora and its environs in Nairobi after youths held up a passenger train for several hours to protest a shooting incident earlier in the week.Other businesses have scaled down operations to a third of normal capacity citing failure to reach the expansive market while others were awaiting the outcome of the talks before revising production schedules.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, however, said there was improvement in transport along the major highway with security escorts for public service vehicles and trucks provided on a daily basis.His announcement preceded that by the panel of eminent persons on Kenya—chaired by former UN chief Kofi Annan— that the mediation had been suspended.

The Orange Democratic Movement has called for nationwide mass protests today to push for a quick and comprehensive deal on the political crisis.For the better part of January, transportation of goods and people to some parts of the country was grounded following the blocking of roads by mobs protesting the outcome of the December presidential poll. Violence in most towns in western Kenya had blocked supply routes, allowing retailers to charge premium prices. For weeks now, long queues have been building at petrol stations in Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisumu.

The price of fuel in most of those areas, for instance, had increased to between Sh200 and Sh250 a litre, compared to prices in Nairobi of Sh90-91 a litre.Some reports have indicated that inflation in Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley provinces has reached about 30 per cent, reflecting the steep prices for commodities. Basic foodstuff like bread, milk, vegetables and kerosene have become substantially dearer following bottlenecks in getting supplies to the market.

In Kericho, a 400 gramme loaf of bread costs Sh50, while while a 500 grammes packet of milk is retailing at Sh40, up by Sh15 and Sh25, respectively.

In Uganda, the cost of transporting oil by road currently varies between $38-$42 per cubic meters—making the pipeline an ideal alternative.

Mr Mwakwere, however, said the flow of petrol, kerosene and diesel crossing the Malaba border for instance, has in the past one month gone up to more than half a million litres, 333 litres and 228 667 litres respectively.

“Petroleum products are now reaching all parts of the country as well as landlocked neighbours of Uganda-Rwanda and Burundi and Eastern DRC,” he said. RVR’s operations have also nearly normalized with upto 26 passenger and cargo trains between Tororo, Uganda and Mombasa.

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Business Daily

Matuga petition to be mentioned next month

Hon. Mwakwere

The Matuga petition will be mentioned on the 11th of March, in the suit, a voter Mwakesi Ayub demands for a recount of the votes cast in the December 27th general elections citing irregularities and other election mal-practices.

Through his lawyer Mohammed Balala, he says the area MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere was declared winner despite some ballot boxes not been opened for counting.

Mwakwere’s lawyer Gikandi Ngibuini filed an application striking out the petition as baseless.
ECK lawyer Justus Munyithya has also made a similar application.
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Sources: Kenya News Agency

Importers ask KPA for tax amnesty

DO SOMETHING: Kenya’s transport minister Chirau Mwakwere, (left with glasses) and a KPA director Komara Madubi Jilo (centre) at a meeting with President Museveni at Nakasero
By Ibrahim Kasita

President Kibaki meets his peace teams

H.E. President Kibaki
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The President today met Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and a team he had appointed to spearhead peace and reconciliation efforts in the country.

The team includes: Attorney General Amos Wako, Finance minister Amos Kimunya, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Martha Karua, Transport's Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Moses Wetangula (Foreign Affairs), Uhuru Kenyatta (Local Government) and George Saitoti (Internal Security).

Mr Ludeki Chweya and Geoffrey Kibaara had been appointed joint secretaries of the team which is yet to start work. The meeting, sources said, centred on the progress of the Annan talks especially on proposals for the creation of a prime minister's position.

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President Kibaki's also met with PNU negotiators that resulted in a delay of today's peace talks.
The ODM side and Annan's team were kept waiting for their government counterparts for close to four hours.

The opposition negotiators then left Serena Hotel, the venue of the meeting, and only came back after the PNU side arrived at the hotel.

The talks resumed after midday.
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Souces: Daily Nation and PPS

At Harambee House, Nairobi

Government representative Ali Mwakwere (L), Attorney General Amos Wako (C) and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Jenday Frazer talk as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki at Harambee House, the Office of the President, in Nairobi February 18, 2008. Rice threw Washington's weight behind efforts to end a deadly post-election crisis in Kenya and push for power-sharing between the feuding parties.

President Kibaki meets top security chiefs

CGS, Gen. Kianga

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President held a meeting with some ministers and top security chiefs, among them Chief of General Staff, Gen Jeremiah Kianga, and Police Commissioner, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali.

Also present were Internal Security PS, Mr Cyrus Gituai, Finance PS, Mr Charles Kinyua, and their Defence counterpart, Mr Zachary Mwaura.

Other Cabinet ministers present were Prof Sam Ongeri (Education), Mr Samuel Poghisio (Information and Communications), Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Transport) and Mr Asman Kamama (Public Service).

Later at Muthaiga, Rice asked the feuding parties to hurry up with a pact to end the post-election crisis that has killed 1,000 people and dented the country's nation's global status.

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Sources: Daily Nation

New buses set to revolutionise matatu transport

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Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere says the government is in the process of constructing road bypasses in order to ease the congestion problem in major towns.
In a speech read on his behalf by The Director of Motor Vehicle Inspection Mohammed Abdi, the Minister said the move is aimed at diverting all vehicles that do not necessarily have to pass through the city center to ease congestion.

" In order to address the challenge of congestion especially in the city of Nairobi, my Ministry has advertised for consultancy study of a proposed light-rail system, rapid bus system or a combination of the two for mass transportation of people in and out of the city. Through a 4 million dollars (Kshs.270 million) funding from the African Development Bank, the project if approved and implemented would link the city with its suburbs thereby providing the much needed transport requirements in the city. The same could be replicated in the other population-expanding urban centers in the country." Said Chirau Ali Mwakwere

He made the remarks at the launch of a new commuter bus by the Matatu Owners Association in Nairobi.
The effort is aimed at ensuring that the public transport sector popularly known as matatu, becomes more compatible with the safety and traffic regulations.

" The crucial role that transport plays in an economy such ours cannot be overemphasized. On daily basis, people and goods have to be moved from source and reach destinations far and wide either internally or across the borders. For this reason, the disruption of transport in some parts of the country immediately after the last general elections was very unfortunate. This is because the disruption dealt a big blow to public service transportation and the goods haulage businesses, which did not augur well for the economy." He said.

General Motors East Africa has constructed a compliant bus that meets the terms of the "Michuki Rules" that were put in place five years ago.
The Compliant Matatu Owners Association bus is set to transform the public transport sector known for its blatant abuse of road safety regulations.

Association chairman Simon Kimutai said the association in partnership with Equity Bank and Invesco Insurance is providing loans and premium cover for matatu owners willing to purchase the new buses.
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Kenya Broadcasting Corp.
Written By:Judith Akolo , Posted: Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Mwakwere lauds Sen.Barack Obama on his wins

Sen. Obama

Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere congratulates United States Senator Barack Obama and one of the the two Democratic Party presidential candidate on his great showing in the super tuesday Democratic Party primaries.

Petitions set for hearing

Chief Justice Enavs Gicheru

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The High Court is expected to give direction as to when the hearing of the election petitions filed this year will commence.

This follows a schedule released last week by the chief justice indicating that the six petitions filed against the Matuga, Garsen, Likoni, Kinango, Bahari and Bura legislators, would be mentioned in Mombasa on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Mr Justice Joseph Sergon will preside over the Matuga and Garsen petitions filed by Mr Ayub Juma Mwakesi against Cabinet minister Chirau Mwakwere and Mr Hussein Dado against MP Danson Mungatana respectively.

New judge

Mr Justice Leonard Njagi will hear the Bahari petition, filed by Mr Omar Masumbuko against MP Benedict Gunda.

Mr Justice Festus Azangalala will hear the Kinango petition against MP Gonzi Rai by Mr Simeon Mkalla, the Likoni petition filed against MP Mwalimu Mwahima by voters Juma Mbui Suleiman and Yophes Gitteya Ogwoka. The Bura petition filed against MP Abdi Nassir Nuh by Mr Abdureheman Hassan Halakano.

Story by EUNICE MACHUHI Publication Date: 2/5/2008

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBC-VJaXWbU&feature=related

BASKETBALL: Kwale Open ushers in Coast branch activities

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The 2008 Coast Basketball Association programme of starts this weekend with the Kwale Open basketball tournament at Matuga Girls High School.

The tournament, which will be the first for the new officials who were elected into office last weekend, will be open to schools, colleges and clubs drawn from all over the Coast Province according to fixtures secretary Jimna Kimani.
Kimani has however reminded all participating teams to observe time to allow the two day event to conclude in time.

Defending boys champions are Shimba Hills Secondary School while Mombasa High School will be defending the girls title.
Other teams expected include Makupa Lakers, Makande rebels, Mombasa Sports Club,Changamwe Rollers, High level Masssives , Shanzu teachers College,Mombasa Polytechnic, Ukunda and Miritini.

Schools include hosts Matuga Girls, Kinango Secondary, Mivumoni Secondary, Waa Boys, Waa Girls, Changamwe Secondary and Mazeras High among others.
Participation fee will be Sh600 for schools while clubs and colleges will pay Sh1000.
He also reminded teams to carry along annual affiliation fee of sh1000 for schools, sh1500 for self sponsored clubs and sh2,500 for clubs and colleges.

Minister for transport Chirau Ali Mwakwere who is also the Matuga MP is expected to be the chief guest during the finals planned for Sunday.
The CBA has in the meantime lined up several activities in an effort to revive the game in the province.

Addressing the press after the first executive meeting at Tononoka Social Hall on Saturday, chairman Hilmi Ali said there will be several coaching and referees clinics in districts all over the province in an efforts to equip the clubs will the latest rules of the game.
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Story by PHILIP ONYANGO Publication Date: 2/4/2008

UN Secretary General arrives in Nairobi to bolster the peace dialogue effort

Mr. Ban Ki Moon

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Monday, 04 February 2008 - UN Secretary during a press conference at the Serena Hotel on 1st February, 2008 The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 10.30am on 1st February, 2008. On hand to receive him was the Minister of Transport, Amb. Ali Chirau Mwakwere, The Republic of Korea’s Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Yum Ki – Syub, the Director General of HABITAT & UNON, Dr. Ann Tibuijuka and the Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Achim Stevens.

Mr. Ban Ki Moon was in the country to render his full support for the ongoing peace effort led by the Panel of Eminent African Persons and chaired by his predecessor at the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan. While in the country he met also with Hon. Raila Odinga as well as the various teams and persons involved in the talks.

At 4.20pm on the same day, the UN Secretary General addressed a press conference at the Serena Hotel. The main highlights of his address to members of the press were;
- Solidarity with the Kenyan people

- Deep concern with regard to the ongoing violence, which must be brought to an end for the sake of Kenya and her people.

- Full support for the ongoing dialogue which enjoys international endorsement and respect.

- Satisfied with the constructive spirit shown by the negotiators and encouraged them to continue showing their leadership.

- That humanitarian support from the UN body will continue.

- All parties to ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance

- Assured Kenya of continued support from the UN and the international community.

Mr. Ban encouraged the Kenyans to move toward a quick resolution of the crisis, pointing to a humanitarian crisis that is “unprecedented” in Kenya, Mr. Ban called on all political leaders to rise beyond their individual or partisan interests and resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue.

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See the Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cjmg7b3ZiI&eurl=http://politics.nationmedia.com/
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SOURCE: ReliefWeb news