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The Duke of Edinburgh is on a three-day visit to Uganda with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. According to the High Commissioner’s Office in Uganda, Edward’s visit is meant to “raise awareness of the awards and the impact non-formal education can have on young people and their communities.”

On Monday, Edward met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Entebbe, who posted on his official social media channels that “The social linkages leading to the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, which he is here to see, are a commendable show of discipline and deep care for humanity, a cause I have accepted to patron, as per His Royal Highness’ request. I welcome him.”

President Museveni also conveyed his wishes for a quick recovery for King Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment away from the public eye.

Later, Edward met with young people and stakeholders involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

According to local media, Edward’s visit will see him visits schools and education centres to see the impact of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award; as well as promote the effects that non-formal education can have on young people.

The royal will also meet with young people active in climate awareness, women’s empowerment and information technology. Edward will also attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards’ Africa Regional Conference.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award has been awarded in Uganda since 1995. By , Royal Central

Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot during Punguza Mzigo campaign on January 26, 2020  PHOTO THIRDWAY ALLIANCE  Copied to clipboard

Commenting on the Affordable Housing Bill poised to become law on Tuesday, March 19, Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has raised significant concerns about the implementation plans set forth by President William Ruto's government.

Aukot, speaking on Tuesday, March 19, questioned the government's strategy for executing the contentious bill, particularly focusing on the criteria for taxation and the utilization of the collected funds. 

Aukot, appearing on Citizen TV, expressed dismay over the government's failure to elucidate its taxation strategy, stating, "The stickiest question the government has failed to elucidate on is the criteria it plans to use to tax Kenyans and also utilize the collected monies."

He further criticised Ruto's administration for allegedly disappointing Kenyans living below the poverty line, contradicting earlier promises of upliftment.

"The presidency of William Ruto is what Kenyans can now agree was a long con," Aukot asserted, adding, "It was promising Kenyans heaven and earth...but now the law that has been passed in Parliament is punishing that person."

Aukot also took aim at the housing programme associated with the bill, highlighting its lack of clarity regarding the distribution of constructed homes.  

He argued that the homes would likely remain accessible only to the financially capable, despite contributions from the poor. "We don't even know the formula of distribution of those houses," he remarked, emphasizing the oversight in the legislative process.

The Affordable Housing Bill, which faced legal hurdles in the past, recently received approval from both the Senate and the National Assembly. 

Notably, amendments were introduced, including the involvement of county governments.  President Ruto is expected to assent to the bill, thereby reinstating housing levy deductions. 

Under the proposed legislation, all Kenyans, whether salaried or not, would be required to contribute 1.5% of their monthly pay to the Affordable Housing Fund. However, the levy has been a subject of contention, with legal challenges citing discrimination and constitutional violations.

A three-judge bench previously ruled the housing levy collection unconstitutional, prompting revisions to the bill. 

Despite these setbacks, the government aims to implement the levy deductions by the end of March 2024.

Aukot reiterated his concerns, particularly regarding the enforceability of the law and its implications for the majority of Kenyans. He criticised President Ruto's alleged disregard for the rule of law and accused him of manipulating parliamentary processes to push through controversial legislation.

Responding to Aukot's criticisms, Beatrice Elachi, an MP, urged for a focus on providing solutions and guiding Kenyans forward. 

However, Aukot's assertions underscore lingering doubts and criticisms surrounding the Affordable Housing Bill, reflecting a broader scepticism towards the government's policies and implementation strategies.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on Monday, March 18, announced that he was moving to court to block the revised iteration of the Housing Levy. By SAMUEL MWANAWANJUGUNA, Kenyans.co.ke 

The UN chief on Saturday condemned an attack which saw eight peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, wounded during clashes between the powerful M23 rebel movement and Government troops

The incident occurred in the vicinity of Sake, just 20 kilometers from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. The wounded peacekeepers, who were part of Operation Springbok initiated last November to safeguard civilians in the region, sustained their injuries amidst the ongoing fighting, where UN troops have been assisting Government forces in order to protect vulnerable civilians.

In a strongly-worded statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, emphasizing that it could amount to a war crime under international law.

Expressing his wishes for a swift recovery for the injured peacekeepers, he reiterated calls for all armed groups, Congolese and foreign fighters alike, to immediately cease hostilities and engage in the disarmament process.

Furthermore, the UN chief emphasized the necessity for M23 to withdraw entirely from territory it has occupied and conform to the agreements outlined in the Luanda communiqué of November 2022, to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.

Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and head of the UN mission MONUSCO, joined in the condemnation, denouncing the attack 

She said that one of the wounded ‘blue helmets’ had suffered severe injuries and all have been evacuated for appropriate medical care.

The peacekeepers had been deployed for several weeks as part of Operation Springbok in the restive North Kivu area, working jointly with Government troops in military operations. Ms. Keita reaffirmed MONUSCO's commitment to support investigations in the hopes of bringing those responsible to justice.

The Secretary-General and his Special Representative reaffirmed MONUSCO’s resolve to further implement its protection of civilians mandate from the Security Council and work alongside Congolese defence and security forces to reinforce joint and unilateral patrols to protect civilians.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Outgoing Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Martin Kimani. PHOTO UNTV Copied to clipboard

New York University (NYU) on Monday, March 18, announced the appointment of Ambassador Martin Kimani as the new Executive Director of the Center on International Cooperation (CIC), effective June 3, 2024. 

The appointment was made days after President William Ruto replaced him as Kenya’s permanent representative to the United Nations. 

In a diplomatic shakeup on March 8, President Ruto replaced him with former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Erastus Lokaale. 

Announcing the appointment, NYU remarked that Ambassador Kimani was a distinguished and accomplished diplomat hence the preference to the global role. 

UNITED NATIONS

“Martin Kimani brings many years of experience in international diplomacy, crisis prevention, and the links between peace, justice, equality, and inclusion at the highest level,” Sarah Cliffe, outgoing Executive Director of CIC announced why Kimani was appointed. 

In his new role, the diplomat is expected to further CICs global peace, security and development expertise agenda. 

Kimani remarked that he was looking forward to building the legacy that had been founded by Sarah Cliffe. 

“I am deeply honoured to join CIC and its brilliant staff to build ambitious partnerships that deliver real-world impact. I'm especially excited by NYU world-class researchers,” his acceptance statement read in part. 

In his new role as the head of CIC, Kimani will lead the advocacy for international cooperation to prevent crises and promote peace, and justice.

CIC is further involved in the promotion of inclusion as well as being a leading global think tank on multilateralism. 

“Assuming leadership of the CIC at this crucial time is a privilege, as we stand at the crossroads of global challenges that demand robust, ambitious multilateral cooperation,” Kimani appreciated the scope of his assignment. 

On March 10, Ambassador Kimani appreciated President Ruto for letting him serve as Kenya’s top diplomat in the United Nations. 

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Kenya as its Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York,” he stated as his role ended. By KIOKO NYAMASYO, Kenyans.co.ke 

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will hold elections for members of the Bureau on the 25th March 2024. The elections will fill the positions of President, First Vice President, and Fourth Vice President of the Bureau, which fell vacant following elections and unconstitutional changes of government in some of the African Union Member States.

The elections will take place as part of the agenda of the PAP Extraordinary Session scheduled from the 20th to 27th of March 2024, at the Parliament’s Headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

The convening of Extraordinary Session of the PAP is an outcome of the Executive Council decisions of the African Union Summit held in February 2024. The ministerial session, in deliberating the worrying situation at the Pan-African Parliament, called for the urgent convening of the Extraordinary session to fill the vacant positions. The African Union Commission will oversee the election process of Bureau members to ensure transparency and independence, following the guidelines developed by the Office of the Legal Counsel.

Hon. Lucia Dos Passos, Acting President of the PAP, notes that the Extraordinary Session will signal the full resumption of Parliamentary activities and set the PAP on the process of fully contributing to the promotion of policies and programs of the AU, including the theme of the year 2024, in line with the Parliament’s mandate. PAP is the legislative arm of the African Union.

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