Slow News: International Justice

Slow News: International Justice http://vimeo.com/88457400 About this video "07 Nov 2013 | by IPSTV | #Justice ì | Civil Society - Slow News SLOW NEWS: #Justice Kenyans divided over ICC alleged “neocolonialist” trial, by Martha Nyambura. Cambodia Trial, by Scott Craig. Infographs: 1. ICC Official Investigations: IPSTV_07_11_2013_ICC_Investigations_Justice IPSTV_07_11_2013_ICC_Investigations_Justice 2. ICC Rome Statute ratification process: IPSTV_07_11_2013_ICC_Ratifications_Justice IPSTV_07_11_2013_ICC_Ratifications_Justice +Watch the Full IPSTV NEWSCAST 7-11-13 +Watch the IPSTV Media Review 7-11-13 +Watch the IPSTV Behind the Headlines 7-11-13"

Kenyan children with disabilities face social stigma

Kenyan children with disabilities face social stigma http://vimeo.com/87490816 About this video "07 Aug 2013 | by Martha Nyambura | ì | Civil Society - Original Feature Out of the one billion people living with disability in the world 80 percent are from the developing world with one percent of them being children. For many children with disability life is even harder in the developing world. Stigma and poverty limit their access to essential health services to enable them lead a normal life. However in Kibera, one of Kenya’s most populated slum, children with disability have found a new lease on life."

After 100 days of Jubilee Government Kenya's poor face food insecurity

After 100 days of Jubilee Government Kenya s poor face food insecurity http://vimeo.com/83680664 About this video "24 Jul 2013 | by Martha Nyambura | Civil Society - Original Feature To meet its financial deficit the Kenyan government is proposing to tax basic commodities such as bread and maize flour. As a consequence, many of Kenya’s poor risk being food insecure. The current government took over last April. For ordinary Kenyans the new governments’ three month stay in office has done little to improve their living conditions."

Lavish spending shatters hopes devolution could be a game-changer in Kenya

By Wairimu Nyambura 

 http://vimeo.com/87489527

Lavish spending shatters hopes devolution could be a game-changer in Kenya http://vimeo.com/87489527 About this video "16 Jul 2013 | by Martha Nyambura | ì | Civil Society - Original Feature In March 2013, Kenyans went to the polls to vote for a devolved type of government that ideally should have seen power and development brought closer to the people. However, recent media reports show that the counties extravagant expenses are threatening to push development to the back seat. Kibera slum residents told IPSTV Correspondent in Kenya Martha Nyambura they had expected positive change to come soon."

The Nuru experience in Kenya, from garbage dump to model farm

The Nuru experience in Kenya, from garbage dump to model farm http://vimeo.com/83680662 About this video "18 Jun 2013 | by Martha Nyambura | Civil Society - Media Talks - Original Feature Contribution by IPS and IPSTV journalist Martha Nyambura to the IPSTV Food and Media Talks panel “Will forthcoming economic boom change Africa’s rural backyard?” held at FAO, Rome, on Tuesday June 18th 2013. The clip contains Martha Nyambura’s video report “The Nuru experience, from garbage dump to model farm” and her following contribiution from Nairobi (Kenya) via Skype."

Mother mentor model to reduce HIV infection

By Wairimu Nyambura

Sept 25/2013

A new initiative that aims to reduce mother to child HIV transmission is underway in Kenya.

The program dubbed “mentor to mother” employs mothers who are already HIV positive to act as health care providers for pregnant HIV mothers and new mothers.

Dr. Maxwell Omondi, the head of the initiative said the program aims to complement the services of nurses and doctors government in health facilities in the country.

“The role of nurses in most health facilities has increased over the years but their numbers have not hence this program aims to bridge the gap in terms of quality health delivery,” said Dr. Omondi.

 He added that the program model puts women at the centre of HIV reduction efforts in Kenya.
He added that the programme is having a positive impact, by reducing HIV transmission from mother to child.

“Adherence levels to Anti Retroviral (ARV) drugs used to treat HIV has increased with more babies born without the virus,” notes Peris Njoki one of the mentor mothers overseeing five mentor mothers in the program at the slum based Mathari North Health Centre in Nairobi.

However, Ms. Njoki admits that there are challenges with the mothers in the program brought on by poverty.
“Most women in the program are forced to relocate from one slum to the other due to challenges in paying rent making it difficult to adhere to the program,” she says.

There are over 1.4 million pregnant women in low and middle income countries infected with HIV most of them from Sub-Saharan Africa. The mentor to mother program rolled out in parts of Nairobi and Western Kenya, is now being promoted in nearly 100 government health facilities.

Making a case for Kenya's White Gold

By Martha Nyambura

Jan 2011

Pastoralists in semi-arid and arid areas must embrace innovation to manage risks that stem from prolonged drought.

“Pastoralists in Kenya continue to face risks brought about by drought, conflict and unfavorable livestock marketing policies says “, Dr.Hussein Mahmoud a senior lecturer at Pwani University College in Kilifi.

Speaking at a  pastoralists forum  dubbed the’ University of the bush’ at the Malka Bisan Adi cultural group, Kiina division , Dr.Mahmoud cited the need  for  new approaches if pastoralists are to have sustainable development

Livestock trading in recent years has experienced tremendous growth due to expanding markets and networks.  Sales volume of key pastoral livestock species of camel, cattle, sheep and goats has soared as regional markets expand to accommodate growth.

 The exponential growth of Garissa market in northeast and Moyale in northern Kenya is mainly attributed expanding cattle sales since the late 90s. The camel market has started picking in recent years with Moyale market having a turnover of one billion shillings in a year. A camel is eighth times that of a cattle. A small camel goes for Sh 25, 000 and a medium sized camel fetches around Sh 45 -80, 000.

The livestock turnover in the country is about Sh 2billion in a year a figure that Dr. Mahmoud cites as low due to failure by government to tap into this emerging market. Cattle in the country remain a commodity for consumption with camels being exported to the Middle Eastern countries in large numbers.

Dr. Mahmoud attributes this growth in the market to changing perceptions over time. Camels are desert animals and they have a high drought resistance, making them a better investment compared to cattle. It is the persistent drought in Northern Kenya that is leading to the heavy investments by residents in this sector.

Moyale is the hub where camels from southern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, and northern, northeastern and coastal Kenya converge for sale. The camels are transported in on two different routes to Egypt. One  via trucks from Moyale-Nazareth-Djibouti then to Egypt by sea and  from Nazareth-Hamara in Ethiopia to Sudan.

Camels are sourced from Moyale due to escalating prices in Sudan and the recent conflict in Darfur closed up the market. Middle Eastern consumers demand for a cheap source of protein has been a major contributor to the growth of the trade. 

Camels from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan are mainly consumed in Egypt. Ethiopia is the transit point for most of the camels as it has favourable government policies making it easy for the traders to conduct their business.

The trade is dependent on brokers, who act as the middlemen negotiating on price and storage fees.  They act as a link between the Sudanese exporters and local pastoralists and sometimes as guarantors for both sides.

Pastoralists in Garissa are now diverting their camels to this pristine market where the returns are higher.  As more camels go to the Moyale market for export to the Middle East, urban consumers are been deprived of their camel demand.

 Kenya continues to lose billions of shillings by not investing in this new venture while countries like Ethiopia and Sudan reap the benefits.

(Written in 2011)