Kenya Roundup: Kenyan prisoner in Vietnam, new state departments, Denmark partnership
Kenyan prisoner in Vietnam confirmed alive
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Margaret Nduta, a Kenyan on death row in Vietnam for drug-related charges, is alive and has been accessed by a consular team after weeks of diplomatic negotiations. Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei announced in an X post that a team from Bangkok successfully secured visas and visited Hoi Chi Minh Prison, where Nduta is currently held. While deeply distressed, she is reportedly being treated humanely. Sing’Oei also revealed that Nduta was not legally represented during her trial, but an appeal has recently been filed and will be heard soon. "Pleased to update that our team from Bankok finally secured travel visas and made it to Hoi Chin Mihn Prison in Vietnam, where Margaret Nduta is presently held. We can confirm that, while deeply distressed, Margaret is coping and has been treated humanely. Though Margaret was not represented by counsel during trial, an appeal filed a few days ago will be heard soon," he wrote. The Kenyan government is actively engaging Vietnamese authorities to explore further options for resolving the matter.
Ruto congratulates Namibia on first female president
Namibia has made history by inaugurating Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president. The ceremony, held at State House in Windhoek, was attended by several African leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto. "We join the people of Namibia in celebrating the historic inauguration of their first female president, Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. It was a double celebration as the country was also marking the 35th independence anniversary," he said in a statement.
President Ruto creates seven new state departments
In a major government restructuring, President William Ruto has fired nine principal secretaries (PSs), appointed 13 new ones, and established seven new state departments, bringing the total number of PSs to 58—the highest since the 2010 Constitution. The newly created departments include: Public Investments and Assets Management, National Government Coordination, Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs, Science, Research, and Innovation, Children Welfare Services, Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Special Programmes. The Star reports that among those dismissed were PS Geoffrey Kaituko (Shipping and Maritime), Shadrack Mwongolo (Labour), and Peter Tum (Sports). The changes have sparked debate amid ongoing concerns about Kenya’s rising wage bill and growing government expenditure.
10-year irrigation investment plan
The Kenyan government has launched the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), a 10-year strategy to expand and modernise irrigation systems across the country. The initiative, launched at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, is expected to enhance food security, boost agricultural productivity, and attract private investment into the irrigation sector. Speaking at the event, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Engineer Eric Mugaa, emphasised that agriculture contributes nearly 50% of Kenya’s GDP, yet only 747,000 acres (21.3%) of Kenya’s irrigation potential is utilized. “Currently, Kenya has only 747,000 acres under irrigation, representing just 21.3% of the country’s potential and 5% of total arable land. The NISIP seeks to accelerate irrigation expansion by integrating multiple funding sources and coordinating sector players,” Kenya News quotes Mugaa.
Education partnership with Denmark
Kenya has strengthened its education and research sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Denmark. The agreement, signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Denmark’s Minister of Higher Education and Science, Christina Egelund, seeks to enhance collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation, Kenya News reports. The MoU will facilitate joint research projects, academic exchanges, and collaborative workshops between the two nations. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Nairobi’s Jogoo House, Ogamba said, “With the MoU, we will now have a framework to build on the work that we have already been doing together and to explore cooperation in joint research initiatives."
