Brexit might push the world to recession, warns CBK governor

Central Bank of Kenya CBK has expressed concern that the global economy risks undergoing a recession, if the United Kingdom UK pulls out of the European Union through the Brexit Referendum Polls.

“Brexit could strain the global economy as it would introduce a lot of uncertainty. Economic actors would be more unwilling to make decisions and this would affect investments,” said CBK Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge.

Dr. Njoroge has said that in the short term, the market would experience turbulence in the financial markets.

“The global economy is weak. And it would not take much to push us into negative territory and keep us there for a period of time.” Added Njoroge.

Dr. Njoroge has given hope to the Kenyan economy explaining that this economy would not be immensely affected by the Brexit.

“Kenya has proven in the past that it is resilient. Although Kenya is part of the world economy it is not as connected to the UK economy as compared to other countries. We are mainly connected to the economies of the African region,” he explained.

“25% of our exports go to our EAC Partners. 40% goes to COMESA. In that sense the direction of our trade is more to the region,” he continued.

He added that if there was a chance that Kenya would be affected then it would be through indirect channels.

“Nevertheless we are in an interconnected world so Kenya could feel some effect. That notwithstanding we are still ready; we have enough foreign exchange reserves of $5.6 billion. We also have enough reserves in case of need in the IMF Precautionary Program, ” he said.

Curtains Closing For Daadab Camp

As the globe marked World Refugees Day on Monday, humanitarian agencies in Kenya seemed to warm up to the steps being taken by the country to close Daadab Refugee Camp.

The United Nations UN in Kenya reiterated that if repatriation was to take place then the dignity of the refugees had to be maintained.

The Kenyan government said that Daadab camp which has been in existence for around 25 years was playing host to terrorists.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the WestGate and Garissa University attacks were traced back to the camp.

‘This is a clear indication that this camp needs to come to a close. There are imposters said to hide weapons. People of Kenya have to be given priority and to ensure their safety. There have been security threats emanating from hosting refugees,’ said Cabinet Secretary for Interior Joseph Nkaissery in a statement read by Joseph Irungu, the Chairman for the National Multiagency Repatriation Team.

‘We acknowledge that we have an international obligation to protect refugees and asylum seekers within our borders after ratifying the 1951 UN Convention on the status of refugees. However the refugee status is not supposed to be a permanent phenomenon but just a temporary solution for asylum seekers,’ he explained.

.Irungu said that it was a worrying trend that the camp was open 25 years ago yet no lasting solution was found to ensure sustainable peace in Somalia.

‘I call upon the international community to bring their heads together to bring tranquil in Somalia,’ he continued.

Another worry brought forth by the UN was that most refugees were being hosted by developing nations.

‘Almost 90% of the world’s refugees are hosted in developing countries. 8 countries host more than half of the refugees and Kenya is one of the countries that provide that hospitality and generosity,’ said Siddharth Chatterjee UN Resident Co-ordinator.

‘Close to 60 million people have been displaced as a result of natural disasters, effects of climate change and conflict. This is the biggest human indignity to be ever witnessed. And as UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon would put it, is that this is not a crisis of numbers but it is a crisis of solidarity. Only 10 countries only offer 75% of the UN’s budget to resolve their plight,’ he continued.

The American Embassy in Kenya has stated that the number of women, children and men being forcibly displaced and fleeing hostile situations in their countries has been increasing.

‘This year it has climbed by over 5 million people. Tragically most of these are children. Humanitarian leadership is important as crisis after crisis unfolds to keep borders opening and flowing. This will help save millions of lives,’ advised US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec.

 Godec said that humanitarian systems are under great strain to sustain populations being displaced.

‘Every year the needs outstrip the resources available. The amount of time refugees spend in exile can stretch to a month, a year and in many places including here in Kenya even a decade. At the same time America is expanding its own Resettlement Program to admit as many as 85,000 refugees this year from the target of 70,000 we have had in the last three years ,’ he continued.

According to the Refugee Consortium of Kenya top global destinations in the world for refugees are Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia and Jordan while top sources are Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia.

In Africa top hosts are Ethiopia and Kenya with the latter housing almost 600,000 refugees and asylum seekers from different nationalities.

Kenya is Getting Healthier, New Report

Kenya on Tuesday joined four other countries that simultaneously launched the Global Nutrition Report 2016.

The report that was also launched in South Africa, Sweden, the USA and India explains that Kenya is progressing as it is the only country in the world that has shown progress in all the five World Health Assembly (WHA) nutrition targets.

‘More than a quarter (26%) of children below 5 years are stunted while 11% are underweight, 4% are wasted. Kenya ranks 5^th in Sub Saharan Africa in breast feeding prevalence,’ commented Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr. Cleopa Mailu. 

However there are still nutritional disparities in the nutritional status across different counties.

‘Policies in Kenya are elaborate to eliminate malnutrition. However people should know that these plans exist. Because health has been devolved then county governments should set aside budgets for nutrition,’ said Grainne Moloney Chief, Nutrition Section from UNICEF.

Ms. Moloney advised county governments to prioritize issues of nutrition.

‘Improving nutrition is one of the core commitments of my ministry as it plays a big role both prevention and management of diseases. This can be reflected in the Kenya health Sector Strategic Plan (KHSSP) and in the Kenya National Nutrition Action Plan (2012-2017),’ said Dr. Mailu.

Parliamentary Health Committee chairperson Dr. Rachel Nyamai has said that Parliament has passed several laws that support nutrition in Kenya like Nutritionists and Dieticians Act and lately the health Bill which is at the Senate level.

The First Lady Margaret  Kenyatta who is the patron of the scaling-up nutrition movement said  the Kenya’s National strategy for the  National Nutrition Action Plan both  demonstrate  Kenya’s national choice and consciousness on the importance of preserving and advancing the health of all Kenyans.

 ‘To end malnutrition there is need for proper policy direction, national investment on the area of nutrition and awareness especially on the need for exclusive breastfeeding. The burden of malnutrition robs our children from experiencing their full potential and it affects families, communities and societies,’ concluded he First Lady.

Jacob Juma attracts highest amount of traffic on Google in May

Google has released trends of what Kenyans searched for online during the month of May with businessman, the late Jacob Juma, topping the list of most trending searches. Juma was found dead in his car on 5 May, prompting Kenyans to find out more about events surrounding his death.

The second most trending search was Cheryl Kitonga, a university student who became infamous after an expose on Juma’s death by one of the local TV stations, which created debate across social media circles. Renowned media personality, Caroline Mutoko took to her YouTube channel to express her disappointment while at the same time expressing her defense for twenty-six year old Cheryl.

Third on the list was Swiss professional footballer Granit Xhaka after English football club Arsenal confirmed that it had signed the 23 year old from German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach for 25 million pounds.

Former Cabinet Minister Soita Shitanda was fourth on the list of most trending searches following his death while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. The former Malava Member of Parliament had been admitted at the hospital for two weeks before he succumbed to the illness on Tuesday, 24 May.

The fifth most trending search was Rubella - an infection caused by the rubella virus. The infection, which is also known as German measles, was a trending search after the Ministry of Health announced that it would be conducting a vaccination drive across the country’s 47 counties.

Other trending searches were:  Mother’s Day as people celebrated motherhood on Sunday, May 8. This is a recurring search as Kenyans celebrated mother’s day on March 26 (which is mother’s day in the United Kingdom) as well as May 8 (which is mother’s day in the United States); Chikungunya  an infection caused by the chikungunya virus after the County Government of Mandera announced that an outbreak of the infection had claimed 14 lives as at Tuesday, May 31; Nyota Ndogo, after photos of her wedding surfaced online; Conjestina Achieng after false rumours of the former female World Boxing Champion’s demise surfaced online and Friday the 13th, as people went online to find out more about the day - commonly considered an unlucky day in western superstition.

The “What is” category was driven by curious Kenyans - who went online to find answers to some of their burning questions. What is rubella? was the most trending ‘what is’ search while What is a grammy? was second on the list perhaps owing to the 58th annual grammy awards ceremony.  What is hysteria was the third most trending ‘what is’ search as people sought to find out more about the psychological disorder. Other “what is” searches were: what is a cover letter; what is drooling; what is epilepsy; what is memorial day; what is floating check; what is climate change and what is a schengen visa.

In the ‘How to’ category, the dominant trending search was How to stop prolonged menses as people turned to search to find a solution to the condition. Excessive menstrual bleeding or Menorrhagia is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance, stress, excessive weight loss or gain among other factors. Doctors advice that if the condition persists for 7 or more days, one ought to consult a gynecologist. The second most trending ‘How to’ search was how to make simple fruit cake at home as people looked up simple cake recipes while How to style mambo twist came third on the list. Other trending ‘How to’ searches were: How to lose weight fast; How to file taxes online; How to make lemonade; How to have bigger hips; How to solve a rubix cube; How to use a computer and How to care for natural hair.

Most Trending Searches

1. Jacob Juma
2. Cheryl Kitonga
3. Granit Xhaka
4. Soita shitanda
5. Rubella
6. Mother’s day
7. Chikungunya
8. Nyota Ndogo
9. Conjestina Achieng
10. Friday the 13th

Most Trending ‘What is’ searches

1. What is rubella?
2. What is a grammy?
3. What is hysteria?
4. What is a cover letter?
5. What is drooling?
6. What is epilepsy?
7. What is memorial day?
8. What is floating check?
9. What is climate change?
10. What is a schengen visa

Most Trending ‘How to’ searches

1. How to stop prolonged menses
2. How to make simple fruit cake at home
3. How to style mambo twist
4. How to lose weight fast
5. How to file taxes online
6. How to make lemonade
7. How to have bigger hips
8. How to solve a rubix cube
9. How to use a computer
10. How to care for natural hair
    
    
     Via Agencies