British airline cuts discount deal with tourism body

Members of the Kenya Tourism Federation KTF the umbrella body of private sector tourism associations are set to enjoy lower airfares from global airline company British Airways.

British Airways has partnered with KTF, in an effort to provide discounted air fare prices to the KTF members.

Speaking during the announcement of the partnership in Nairobi KTF Acting CEO Susan Ongalo expressed that the offer was timely as it would ensure KTF members take advantage of the offer and travel to the airline’s destinations around the world.

British Airways will offer between 13% - 15% discount to KTF members who purchase the airline’s tickets online from the airline’s website

‘KTF is engaged in promoting a sustainable tourism sector through effective representation of the private sector stakeholder interests and we are committed to always identifying opportunities for strategic partnerships that provide additional benefits to our members,’  said Mrs. Ongalo.

British Airways Commercial Manager for Kenya, Mr. Kevin Leung said that the airline is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction  and ensure continued to investment not only in Kenya but globally in new aircrafts, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

He also pointed out that British Airways recently increased capacity between by introducing a Boeing 747-400 adding 784 seats a week on the Nairobi route to meet the needs of its customers during this high season.

KNCHR report reveals person with disability face societal stigma

A recently released report by the Kenya National Human Rights Commission KNCHR has revealed that People with disability face discrimination as they go about their daily lives.

‘They get challenges when managing their property, banking their money or when getting married,’ the survey shows.

KNCHR Consultant Felicia Mburu has added that ironic enough is that the law sometimes prevents Persons with disabilities from accessing banking and insurance services.

‘We interviewed members of the banking and insurance industry and they confirmed that. We need to look at our laws that are biased against persons with disability and review them to make sure that they comply with the Convention and the rights of people with disability,’ said Mburu during the launch of the report in Nairobi.

‘Issues under the Banking Act limits them from accessing funds. To open an account you have to be sane,’ she noted.

Commissioner Shatikha Chivusia has explained that sometimes mental illness could be temporary and people who have healed can be allowed to access their funds in bank accounts.

‘Sad state of affairs is when you are certified as having a mental challenge. Your life is gone. It is common knowledge that some cases of mental illness are periodic,’ she explained.

The commissioner said that some guardians to the persons with disability limit their needs for selfish gains.

‘Guardians should allow them to make their own independent decisions,’ she said.

‘Attitude is also challenge. If someone is blind assumption is that they can’t think. When one sense is gone it does not mean all senses are gone,' said Mburu.

The Deputy CEO KNCHR Evelyn Samba acknowledged that challenges unearthed during the report could be used to find durable solutions.

Interviews for the report were conducted in Mandera and Taita Taveta counties.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner persons with disabilities face discrimination and barriers that restrict them from participating in society on an equal basis with others every day and are denied their rights to be included in the general school system, to be employed, to live independently in the community, to move freely, to vote, to participate in sport and cultural activities, to enjoy social protection, to access justice, to choose medical treatment and to enter freely into legal commitments such as buying and selling property.

Global Leaders, Olympians and Celebrity to Champion Good Health

As the world gathers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and global malnutrition cases soar leaders, Olympians and celebrity chefs have taken a vow to fight malnutrition and make the world a healthy place by 2030.

Hosted by the governments of Brazil, United Kingdom and Japan, the Nutrition For Growth event hosted on Thursday called for leaders from around the globe commit more financially in scaling up nutrition strategies.

During the high end discussions participants called for a high-level, head-of-state pledging moment for nutrition in 2017.

‘The threat of malnutrition including undernutrition, stunting, overweight and obesity has never been more urgent. One in three people worldwide suffer from some form of malnutrition. Nearly half of children who die before the age of five do so because they are malnourished. Of those that survive, nearly one in four around 160 million children globally, suffer from lifelong effects of stunted growth and impaired development. And nearly 41 million children worldwide are overweight or obese,’ said a press statement from Global Health Strategies.

Kenyan Olympian distance runner and human rights activist, Tegla Loroupe, also said that growing up there were many days that she went hungry.

‘As an athlete who did not have good nutrition, I had a challenge. Sports helped me to overcome it,’ she said.

‘When I was a child living in a slum in Rio, there was no food when I opened the fridge. Sports gave me an opportunity to overcome this and succeed. We should give this same opportunity to all children, to ensure that they reach their full development in life,’ said Brazilian sprinter and four-time Olympian, Robson Caetano. 

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, a longtime advocate for healthy diets  expressed the need to put an end to obesity and undernourishment.

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, there is importance in upholding high nutrition standards as stunted children today could lead to stunted economies in the future.

‘Sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 25 billion dollars a year because of poor nutrition. At a continental level, Africa loses about 11 percent of its GDP because of poor nutrition. The evidence   is very clear boosting nutrition will boost economies,’ Adesina noted.

According to the World Bank, an additional nutrition investment of $2.2 billion per year over the next 10 years could save 2.2 million lives and reduce the number of stunted children by 50 million.