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Slovak foreign minister arrives in Kenya with aid and investment agenda

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The Slovak Republic has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening humanitarian, economic, and development cooperation with Kenya following the arrival of its Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, in Nairobi for a three-day working visit.

Mr Blanár, accompanied by a delegation of Slovak government officials and business community members, arrived aboard a Slovak government aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday evening. Upon arrival, he presided over the ceremonial handover of humanitarian assistance to the Kenya Red Cross Society.

The humanitarian support package is intended to bolster emergency response operations and assist vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate-related emergencies across the country.

Speaking shortly after his arrival, the Slovak Foreign Minister stated that the assistance reflected Slovakia’s commitment to solidarity, partnership, and practical cooperation with Kenya in times of need.

“To be here with you today in Nairobi is a great honour for me because this is my first visit to this beautiful country and region,” said Mr Blanár.

He added, “I landed together with my delegation from the Slovak government and also with the delegation of the business community because we want to strengthen our cooperation when it comes to our economic ties.”

He commended the Kenya Red Cross Society for its role in supporting affected communities, describing the humanitarian agency as a respected and reliable partner of the Kenyan government.

“The assistance handed over today consists of medical first aid bags and foldable beds. These items are intended to support emergency response efforts, facilitate immediate first aid in the field, and assist those most affected by the current crisis,” he explained.

Mr Blanár further pledged that Slovakia would continue to work closely with Kenya to deepen bilateral cooperation in development, trade, and humanitarian support.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who received the Slovak delegation at the airport alongside Slovak Ambassador to Kenya Maroš Mitrík and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Kenya Embassy in Vienna Valerie Rugene, welcomed the visit as a sign of growing cooperation between the two countries.

Ms Miano thanked the Slovak government for its continued support to Kenya through humanitarian and development programmes, stating that the assistance would strengthen emergency response efforts during disasters such as floods and drought.

“This support will go a long way in helping our country have an efficient response whenever needed,” she said.

She also expressed optimism that the visit would open new opportunities for trade and investment cooperation between Kenyan and Slovak businesses.

Kenya Red Cross officials expressed gratitude for the humanitarian support, noting that the donated supplies would significantly assist emergency teams responding to disasters and health emergencies across the country.

A representative from the Kenya Red Cross Society stated that the support would help volunteers remain operational in emergency scenes for longer periods and improve response capacity during crises.

“These response kits make it possible for the more than 360,000 volunteers to be able to stay in emergency scenes as long as they are needed. From the bottom of our hearts to the Slovakian people, we want to tell you as we say thank you,”

The official also acknowledged Slovakia’s previous support during flood emergencies in parts of Kenya, describing the assistance as timely and impactful to affected families.

“I have been sent by the good beneficiaries of the citizens of Tana River County that your generous donation of food relief in the last tragic flooding event was very useful and came in very timely,” he said.

The assistance handed over on Monday consists of medical first aid bags and foldable beds.

Mr Blanár’s visit to Kenya runs from 8 to 10 June and is expected to focus on expanding bilateral relations, economic partnerships, and development cooperation.

On Tuesday, the Slovak Foreign Minister is scheduled to officially open the Kenya-Slovakia Business and Development Forum in Nairobi, where investors and business leaders from both countries will explore opportunities for trade and investment partnerships.

The visit will also include engagements focused on cybersecurity cooperation, including the award ceremony for the second edition of Cybergame Kenya.

Mr Blanár is further expected to visit Slovak-supported development initiatives, including RefuSHe Kenya and St Philip Neri School in Joska, Machakos County, where Slovakia has supported programmes in education and community development.

According to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nairobi, Slovakia and Kenya have maintained growing diplomatic and development relations over the years. Slovak non-governmental organisations have operated in Kenya since 1996, while Slovakia’s Official Development Assistance programme has supported projects in the country since 2003.

Over the years, Slovakia has invested more than 22 million Euros in development interventions targeting healthcare, agriculture, education, digitalisation, and innovation.

The latest visit is expected to further strengthen the partnership between Nairobi and Bratislava as both countries seek closer cooperation in sustainable development, trade, humanitarian response, and innovation-KBC.

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National Assembly dismisses claims Sacco Bill is being rushed through Parliament

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The National Assembly has dismissed reports that the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being rushed through Parliament, saying the proposed law is still undergoing public participation.

Through infographics shared on Facebook on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Parliament said misleading information had been circulating online about the Bill, formally known as the Sacco Societies (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No. 32 of 2025.

Bill was published in June 2025

The National Assembly said the Bill was published on June 30, 2025, and had remained under consideration for more than 12 months.

It rejected suggestions that lawmakers were fast-tracking the proposed amendments without allowing enough time for scrutiny.

According to Parliament, the lengthy period between the publication of the Bill and its current consideration shows that it is not being rushed.

Bill currently before the National Assembly committee

The Sacco Societies Amendment Bill is currently before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

The committee is conducting public participation and receiving views from members of the public and other stakeholders.

The submissions are expected to help the committee assess the proposed amendments before presenting its recommendations to the National Assembly.

What happens after public participation?

After the public participation process is concluded, the committee will prepare a report containing its findings and recommendations.

Parliament said the views submitted by members of the public and stakeholders could inform further amendments to the Bill.

The proposed legislation will then proceed to the National Assembly for consideration by MPs.

This means the Bill has not yet completed the legislative process and could still be amended based on the submissions received during public participation.

Bill will be forwarded to Senate

The National Assembly also clarified that the Bill will not proceed directly for presidential assent after being passed by MPs.

Because the proposed legislation concerns county governments, it will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration in accordance with the Constitution.

The Senate will be required to consider the Bill before it can complete the parliamentary process and be presented for presidential assent.

Parliament urged members of the public to rely on verified information about the Sacco Societies Amendment Bill instead of unconfirmed reports circulating online-PeopleDaily.Digital.

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Digital house-hunting platform bets on technology to reshape Nairobi’s rental market

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NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – A growing shift towards digital property searches is changing how Kenyans find rental homes, with real estate technology platform Reemio positioning itself as a solution to longstanding challenges.

This included fraudulent listings, costly house searches and limited market transparency.

As younger, tech-savvy consumers turn to online platforms to make purchasing decisions, the company says digitizing the rental process could improve efficiency for both tenants and landlords while lowering transaction costs.

“Our niche is to solve the problem of house hunting and also bring trust into that process. We use technology to connect renters and landlords,” said Kimani.

Kimani said the platform seeks to address inefficiencies that have traditionally made house hunting expensive and time-consuming.

Instead of physically visiting multiple properties, users can browse verified listings, take virtual tours, compare amenities and access information on additional costs such as water charges, electricity bills and service fees before scheduling physical viewings.

Beyond improving convenience for tenants, Reemio argues that technology can help landlords reduce marketing costs, shorten vacancy periods and reach a wider pool of prospective tenants, including Kenyans living abroad.

The company says its platform also generates market data that can help property owners and developers better understand evolving consumer preferences, although its long-term impact will depend on wider adoption of digital property platforms and continued investment in trustworthy online real estate marketplaces-Capitalfm.co.ke.

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ORPP edges two parties closer to joining Kenya’s political arena

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The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has issued a notice for the provisional registration of two proposed political parties, opening a seven-day window for members of the public to lodge objections.

In a notice published by the Registrar of Political Parties and Chief Executive Officer J.C. Lorionokou, the ORPP announced that the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) and the People’s Alternative Voice (PAV) are in the process of being provisionally registered under Section 5(2)(a) of the Political Parties Act.

The ORPP, a State office established under Section 33 of the Political Parties Act and Article 260 of the Constitution, said its mandate includes registering and regulating political parties as well as administering the Political Parties Fund.

According to the notice, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya (SDP) has adopted pink, white and sky blue as its official party colours, with the slogan “Change – Mageuzi.” The party’s symbol is the acronym SDP enclosed inside a circle.

The party’s listed founder members are Nyangong’ Duncan Nyumbah, Omwandasi Jared Dishon and Kinyua Mary Wacuka.

The founders of PAV are listed as Odenyo John Fitzgerald Elly, Nyando Rachel Mmboga and Ali Hussein Kiplangat.

The Registrar said particulars of the two proposed political parties have been published on the ORPP website to facilitate public scrutiny as required by law.

Any person wishing to oppose the provisional registration of either party has seven days from the date of publication of the notice to submit objections either in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place, Fourth Floor, Waiyaki Way at Karuna Close, Nairobi.

The provisional registration marks the first step in the legal process of establishing a political party in Kenya.

Kenya has 91 fully registered political parties. The ORPP’s updated register indicates that, as of January 2026, there were 91 parties that had met the legal requirements for full registration under the Political Parties Act-STAR.

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