Kenya Roundup: Kenya-India relations, state corporations, drone hub

Kenya-India relations

Kenya and India have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations following Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to New Delhi, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reports. The East African president has said that closer links with India will advance Kenya’s development agenda, in areas such as pharmaceutical, manufacturing capabilities and advanced medical technologies. “This would greatly deepen and broaden access to affordable healthcare for Kenyans from every walk of life and especially those at the bottom of the socioeconomic structure,” he is quoted by the KBC.

Privatisation of state corporations

A High Court ruling on December 4 has halted the plans of the Kenyan government to privatise some state corporations in the East African nation. The court’s decision to stop the process comes after a petition filed by the opposition political party Orange Democratic Movement, led by former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, KBC reports. “A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending implementation of section 21(1) of the Privatization Act 2023 and or any decisions made pursuant to that section, until 6th February 2024 GIVEN under my hand and seal of the Honourable court this 4th Day of December 2023,” the High Court ruling read.

Airbus drone hub

European aerospace company Airbus has considered Kenya as its first earth station for high-altitude communication drones, the East African reports. According to the East African, the project which is subject to regulatory approvals by the Kenyan authorities is projected to create about a thousand jobs for locals in the East African nation. The aerospace company plans to set up the operations hub in Laikipia County, northwest of Mount Kenya in 2024, serving underserved communities using its solar-powered Zephyr High Altitude Platform, the East African reported.

Disability inclusion

The Kenyan Ministry of Labour has said that the Kenyan government putting measures in place to review the laws of the state to prioritise the inclusion and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the East African nation, KBC reports. The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Labour told reporters that the government is working on the review of the nation’s Persons with Disabilities Act of 2003 and developing inclusive strategies to ensure that PWDs are not forgotten.

Dapivirine vaginal ring

The Kenyan government has for the first time approved the pilot use of the dapivirine vaginal ring, an HIV prevention ring for women, the East African reports. The dapivirine vaginal ring is a silicone contraption that releases the antiretroviral medication dapivirine gradually for a month and is a substitute for daily oral HIV prophylaxis methods. According to the East African license has been granted for the local manufacture of the ring to increase affordability and easy access.