CLICK TO READ
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Tuesday, 25 June 2019
Survey on Sexual Harassment In The Newsroom.
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
“We have received physical harassment cases but in particular we received a lot of sexual harassment cases.” Joyce Kimani, Secretary General of Kenya Correspondent Association said this at a forum sharing a recent survey on sexual harassment in the media in Kenya.
According to this survey dubbed HESHIMA (Highlighting and Eliminating Sexual Harassment and abuse In the MediA), 9 out of 10 respondents say that sexual harassment perpetrators are mostly likely to be biased towards sexual harassment perpetrators, or against sexual harassment victims when covering these stories.
The survey by Roshani Consultancy Services that was released on the 18th of June, 2019 showed that 94% of the respondents believed that sexual harassment and abuse is a problem in media houses in Kenya. The survey included 10 male and 60 female respondents.
Mary Kiio, Director of Roshani Consultancy Services, shared the genesis of the survey “In 2018 we had a media chat forum, where we brought together journalists from various media houses, and at the end of the event we asked them what some of the issues that they wanted addressed in future forums, and highest on the list was around sexual harassment and abuse and that gave us now the impetus to realize that we needed to do something, around ensuring that we have this conversation. But before we even had the conversation, we realized that it is important for us to collect some form of evidence, because we cannot just be saying that there is sexual harassment without tangible proof.”
Joyce Kimani, said that, following the #MeToo global movement, she did a six months investigation that resulted to an expose published by Mail and Guardian South Africa, on the plight of journalists facing sexual harassment and abuse in newsroom in Kenya. “It was to allow journalists also tell their own stories and that is how I recorded so many reports of journalists who have been harassed.” She said.
At the forum, participants shared their experience with sexual harassment and the culture that enables it. From implicit forms where victims have a hard time to prove the allegations to explicit practices where evidence included witnesses.
Ms. Kimani further shared that some female journalists decided to quit after ongoing sexual harassment cases. “Unfortunately some of the sexual harassment victims ended their media careers, and this is something we want to stop.” 88% of the HESHIMA survey respondents say that sexual harassment in the newsroom affects victims’ career paths.
The HESHIMA survey shows that some journalists have been suffering silently, while telling other people`s stories. Roshani is using this survey as a baseline to not only sensitizes the media fraternity on this issue, but to also get sexual harassment policies in media institutions, where it was revealed that only Kenya Broadcasting Corporation has one. Roshani believes that policies and proper training, coupled with tougher consequences for perpetrators will reduce, if not eliminate cases of sexual harassment in newsrooms.
A Journalist and Media consultant, Frenny Jowi who was present at the forum, wants every media stakeholder to be responsible so as to bring to an end, the claims on sexual harassments at workplaces
“Everyone should act, managers in newsrooms, media owners and the journalists themselves.” Ms Jowi appealed. HESHIMA Survey reveals that sexual harassment is a taboo subject in the newsroom with more than half of the respondent expressing hesitation or absolute objection to discussing the matter publicly. “The newsroom is so important because this is where we tell stories about our country and about our world and it only makes sense if that can be done in an environment where the journalists themselves feel safe. So all I can say is, it takes the responsibility of each and every one of us to work to make newsrooms safer for every journalist or every other professional practicing there.” Frenny Says.
Kenya Employment Act 2007 directs employers with at least twenty employees, to issue a sexual harassment policy; however, there are companies that do not comply with this law. More than half of the respondents in the survey did not know if their institutions had a sexual harassment and abuse policy.
“We know very many companies that do not have policies but that is a violation of the law.” Says Mary Kambo, a labour expert with Kenya Human Rights Commission. “The Act also goes on to define what sexual harassment is, it gives quite a broad explanation because it provides for direct or indirect acts of sexual nature.” She adds. Mary has handled many cases of sexual harassment. “It is important that we understand that sexual harassment does not necessarily have to be physical. It can be visual, non-verbal or verbal, as long as it is an act of sexual nature that is unwanted and is unwelcome to the recipient.“ She elaborates.
Ms Kambo commends the courts for being progressive in determining cases on sexual harassment. “As long as the victim is able to adduce evidence in court.” She concludes
Media Council of Kenya, MCK CEO David Omwoyo-confirms being aware of reports on claims of sexual harassment in newsrooms “They are sometimes a little grey and not clear so that even if you want to react to them, you are unable. So critically, the problem must be pinpointed.” Says Omwoyo. “It is about the balance of power in the news room, the decision making and sometimes the ecosystem.” He adds. MCK is working on a mentorship program that will use veteran journalists to guide younger journalists on various issues. Omwoyo, believes that the issue of sexual harassment will also be covered.
HESHIMA survey highlights what is perceived to be common knowledge in the media fraternity in Kenya. Some of the participants at the forum share how, over twenty years ago when they joined media it was still an issue. Roshani seeks to advocate for safer newsrooms for all through this initiative.
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
“We have received physical harassment cases but in particular we received a lot of sexual harassment cases.” Joyce Kimani, Secretary General of Kenya Correspondent Association said this at a forum sharing a recent survey on sexual harassment in the media in Kenya.
According to this survey dubbed HESHIMA (Highlighting and Eliminating Sexual Harassment and abuse In the MediA), 9 out of 10 respondents say that sexual harassment perpetrators are mostly likely to be biased towards sexual harassment perpetrators, or against sexual harassment victims when covering these stories.
The survey by Roshani Consultancy Services that was released on the 18th of June, 2019 showed that 94% of the respondents believed that sexual harassment and abuse is a problem in media houses in Kenya. The survey included 10 male and 60 female respondents.
Mary Kiio, Director of Roshani Consultancy Services, shared the genesis of the survey “In 2018 we had a media chat forum, where we brought together journalists from various media houses, and at the end of the event we asked them what some of the issues that they wanted addressed in future forums, and highest on the list was around sexual harassment and abuse and that gave us now the impetus to realize that we needed to do something, around ensuring that we have this conversation. But before we even had the conversation, we realized that it is important for us to collect some form of evidence, because we cannot just be saying that there is sexual harassment without tangible proof.”
Joyce Kimani, said that, following the #MeToo global movement, she did a six months investigation that resulted to an expose published by Mail and Guardian South Africa, on the plight of journalists facing sexual harassment and abuse in newsroom in Kenya. “It was to allow journalists also tell their own stories and that is how I recorded so many reports of journalists who have been harassed.” She said.
At the forum, participants shared their experience with sexual harassment and the culture that enables it. From implicit forms where victims have a hard time to prove the allegations to explicit practices where evidence included witnesses.
Ms. Kimani further shared that some female journalists decided to quit after ongoing sexual harassment cases. “Unfortunately some of the sexual harassment victims ended their media careers, and this is something we want to stop.” 88% of the HESHIMA survey respondents say that sexual harassment in the newsroom affects victims’ career paths.
The HESHIMA survey shows that some journalists have been suffering silently, while telling other people`s stories. Roshani is using this survey as a baseline to not only sensitizes the media fraternity on this issue, but to also get sexual harassment policies in media institutions, where it was revealed that only Kenya Broadcasting Corporation has one. Roshani believes that policies and proper training, coupled with tougher consequences for perpetrators will reduce, if not eliminate cases of sexual harassment in newsrooms.
A Journalist and Media consultant, Frenny Jowi who was present at the forum, wants every media stakeholder to be responsible so as to bring to an end, the claims on sexual harassments at workplaces
“Everyone should act, managers in newsrooms, media owners and the journalists themselves.” Ms Jowi appealed. HESHIMA Survey reveals that sexual harassment is a taboo subject in the newsroom with more than half of the respondent expressing hesitation or absolute objection to discussing the matter publicly. “The newsroom is so important because this is where we tell stories about our country and about our world and it only makes sense if that can be done in an environment where the journalists themselves feel safe. So all I can say is, it takes the responsibility of each and every one of us to work to make newsrooms safer for every journalist or every other professional practicing there.” Frenny Says.
Kenya Employment Act 2007 directs employers with at least twenty employees, to issue a sexual harassment policy; however, there are companies that do not comply with this law. More than half of the respondents in the survey did not know if their institutions had a sexual harassment and abuse policy.
“We know very many companies that do not have policies but that is a violation of the law.” Says Mary Kambo, a labour expert with Kenya Human Rights Commission. “The Act also goes on to define what sexual harassment is, it gives quite a broad explanation because it provides for direct or indirect acts of sexual nature.” She adds. Mary has handled many cases of sexual harassment. “It is important that we understand that sexual harassment does not necessarily have to be physical. It can be visual, non-verbal or verbal, as long as it is an act of sexual nature that is unwanted and is unwelcome to the recipient.“ She elaborates.
Ms Kambo commends the courts for being progressive in determining cases on sexual harassment. “As long as the victim is able to adduce evidence in court.” She concludes
Media Council of Kenya, MCK CEO David Omwoyo-confirms being aware of reports on claims of sexual harassment in newsrooms “They are sometimes a little grey and not clear so that even if you want to react to them, you are unable. So critically, the problem must be pinpointed.” Says Omwoyo. “It is about the balance of power in the news room, the decision making and sometimes the ecosystem.” He adds. MCK is working on a mentorship program that will use veteran journalists to guide younger journalists on various issues. Omwoyo, believes that the issue of sexual harassment will also be covered.
HESHIMA survey highlights what is perceived to be common knowledge in the media fraternity in Kenya. Some of the participants at the forum share how, over twenty years ago when they joined media it was still an issue. Roshani seeks to advocate for safer newsrooms for all through this initiative.
Monday, 19 March 2018
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
WE WANT ZERO SLUMS IN NAIROBI
“When there are cholera outbreaks in the country, it does not affect people in Muthaiga, Runda, Kitisuru or Riverside; instead it is experienced in slums. Most people die because of cholera”, remarked the Nairobi county women representative, Esther Passaris during the commemoration of the International women day, celebrated at the DCC grounds in Kawangware, Nairobi.
Passaris is advocating for zero slums in Nairobi saying that women go through a lot of challenges within slums. Among the challenges Passaris said women within slums go through include high risks during fire accidents due to the difficulties in exiting the buildings during rescue times and constant eruptions of cholera outbreaks due to poor sanitations
“We cannot allow cholera to be in Kenya at this moment. We must have water that is connected in houses, better houses with proper lighting and safety for our women`s children even when they are out at work”, said Passaris.
The Nairobi county women rep further urged young women to plan for their families. She advised them to start their businesses and be able to stand on their own before they get children. This, she said, will help reduce cases of women being abused in marriages.
“Women, let`s start by being firm, there are women enterprise funds. Let youths go get youth funds too, so that they can also be men with value so that we can also agree to wed them. When we press for progress, we need to outline the steps we`ve taken. If we take two steps forward, then ten steps backwards, that is because we don`t have many women in parliament”, she stressed.
Passaris also urged her constituents to pay loans back. She said borrowing Uwezo, Youth and women enterprise allocated funds and failing to pay the loans back, denies other people who also need the funds for their businesses. She urged women to form groups and start business
“My office is in Komarock, but we will walk in every corner looking for women. Form groups and start proper businesses. I want to start up one factory in Nairobi that will be manufacturing sanitary towels. The factory will be for us women”, Passaris said
This is as a fifty four year old woman in Riruta who attended the celebrations complains of challenges for women in the business venture. She does bead work, but only makes items after she has gotten orders from customers. She says, she spends about five hours to get beads for her work. Susan Njoki Wainaina says her main challenge is finding market for her bead work. “I leave my house at 11 am going to Kamukunji, buy beads then come back to my house by around 1 pm. Most people don`t know what I do and so if I make items before I get orders. The items stay in my house for long. My only joy is when I get customers”, laments Njoki.
Nairobi county women representative also condemned the high tax rate on women in small scale trade in slums
“If a woman is earning ten or fifteen thousand shillings from her trade, it is ridiculous to try and take even two hundred shillings from her. We need to empower the woman because she has got so many overheads. Houses in Nairobi are expensive. Let`s tax the rich and support the poor” Passaris said
Esther Passaris further stressed the need to teach women in small scale trade different business techniques
“Rather than all of them doing the same business where one woman here selling tomatoes another one here selling tomatoes …can we do something like have a global market where every woman brings her vegetable and then it`s one store so everyone gets maximum benefits” She stressed
Nairobi women representative argued that most women are not making the amount of money that they need to sustain their families since most of them can barely eat, pay their rents yet they are still taxed.
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
WE WANT ZERO SLUMS IN NAIROBI
Passaris is advocating for zero slums in Nairobi saying that women go through a lot of challenges within slums. Among the challenges Passaris said women within slums go through include high risks during fire accidents due to the difficulties in exiting the buildings during rescue times and constant eruptions of cholera outbreaks due to poor sanitations
“We cannot allow cholera to be in Kenya at this moment. We must have water that is connected in houses, better houses with proper lighting and safety for our women`s children even when they are out at work”, said Passaris.
The Nairobi county women rep further urged young women to plan for their families. She advised them to start their businesses and be able to stand on their own before they get children. This, she said, will help reduce cases of women being abused in marriages.
“Women, let`s start by being firm, there are women enterprise funds. Let youths go get youth funds too, so that they can also be men with value so that we can also agree to wed them. When we press for progress, we need to outline the steps we`ve taken. If we take two steps forward, then ten steps backwards, that is because we don`t have many women in parliament”, she stressed.
“My office is in Komarock, but we will walk in every corner looking for women. Form groups and start proper businesses. I want to start up one factory in Nairobi that will be manufacturing sanitary towels. The factory will be for us women”, Passaris said
Nairobi county women representative also condemned the high tax rate on women in small scale trade in slums
“If a woman is earning ten or fifteen thousand shillings from her trade, it is ridiculous to try and take even two hundred shillings from her. We need to empower the woman because she has got so many overheads. Houses in Nairobi are expensive. Let`s tax the rich and support the poor” Passaris said
Esther Passaris further stressed the need to teach women in small scale trade different business techniques
“Rather than all of them doing the same business where one woman here selling tomatoes another one here selling tomatoes …can we do something like have a global market where every woman brings her vegetable and then it`s one store so everyone gets maximum benefits” She stressed
Nairobi women representative argued that most women are not making the amount of money that they need to sustain their families since most of them can barely eat, pay their rents yet they are still taxed.
Thursday, 15 February 2018
WE NEED MORE GIRLS IN SPORTS REPORTING
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
Tebby Otieno, Radio Presenter, Mtaani Radio 99.9 FM. With the existence of community radio stations, within different sub counties in Kenya, radio listeners are now brought closer to their favorite radio presenters.Considering the fact that most radio presenters working in community radio stations, stay within the sub counties the radio stations they work for are located, the presenters are in better positions to understand their audiences` lifestyles since they easily interact one-on-one.
During the celebrations of World Radio Day, 2018, Kenya Community Media Network, KCOMNET brought together twenty three community radio stations’ representatives.It is during this session where, Deputy Director Freedom of Expression and Media Development Information and Communication Programme, Anthony Ngare, from Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, KNATCOM challenged media institutions to consider female sports reporters and also increase airtime for female in sports. According to UNESCO, only 4% of female journalists associate themselves with sports commentary.
`The fact that there are male dominated sports with male participants, that kinds of drives away the lady reporters. But still we have some big lady sports journalists in this country. The beauty with sports is analysis and if your analysis is spot on, and well researched, it doesn’t matter whether you are male or female` Says Ngare
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization, UNESCO`s world radio day, 2018 report: Women represent just 7% of sports people seen, heard or read about in the media. The report also shows that only 4% of sports stories focus primarily on women.
A FEMALE SPORTS COMMENTATOR`S VOICE, CAPTIVATES HER AUDIENCE
According to Lydia Gachungi, Regional Communication Expert, Safety of journalists and Media Development Communication Sector from UNESCO, there is need to sensitize and empower women, through radio to have them join sports programmes. She says women voices are more captivating compared to men
"For sure, the voice of a woman who is commentating on sports is captivating more than a man, because we`re so used to men, and for a woman they come with different views. A woman will even talk more and give more platform and even uplifting the role of women when it comes to sports. Besides that, if a woman is a commentator, she will go out even to look for those women that are playing sports and she can talk about them. She will resonate better even with the listeners, this will in fact, increase the radio listenership, audience and the local women`s sports content within the radio stations" Says Gachungi
Kelvin Nyangweso, Mtaani radio station manager says, the existence of the radio station, within Dagoretti has transformed lives of youths in various sporting clubs
Mtaani radio, 99.9 FM, is a community radio, based in Dagoretti serving the cosmopolitans and the larger Dagoretti sub county; we try to give platforms to various activities and especially in sports. We came up with programmes that promote sports, especially football which we try to give priority to uplift the talent within this region. We have also customized particular programs that promote activities in terms of peace. Every Friday, we have a sports show where we invite coaches to our studios. We also have sports news that is presented by both male and female presenters at the station ` Explains Nyangweso.
Kenya Community Media Network, KCOMNET is a network of 23 community radio stations within 18 counties in Kenya. KCOMNET`S coordinator, Njuki Githethwa says through the network they keep the stations in producing contents in relation to the marginalized. "Our work is essentially to keep on insisting, that the content of programming within community radio should be focused on those sectors of societies, which are marginalized and women, historically have been marginalized. Particularly this year, as affirmative action, in community radios being the heartbeat of the community, if they don’t broadcast centrally issues of women and profile them based on reports about their marginalization in terms of sports and reorganization, then we shall not be doing any service to our communities. So that is our call for the radios" Elaborates Githethwa
Radio has the power to break conflict and differences among communities. World radio day is marked on 13th February, annually. 2018`s theme focuses on `radio and sports for economical development and peace`
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
During the celebrations of World Radio Day, 2018, Kenya Community Media Network, KCOMNET brought together twenty three community radio stations’ representatives.It is during this session where, Deputy Director Freedom of Expression and Media Development Information and Communication Programme, Anthony Ngare, from Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, KNATCOM challenged media institutions to consider female sports reporters and also increase airtime for female in sports. According to UNESCO, only 4% of female journalists associate themselves with sports commentary.
`The fact that there are male dominated sports with male participants, that kinds of drives away the lady reporters. But still we have some big lady sports journalists in this country. The beauty with sports is analysis and if your analysis is spot on, and well researched, it doesn’t matter whether you are male or female` Says Ngare
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organization, UNESCO`s world radio day, 2018 report: Women represent just 7% of sports people seen, heard or read about in the media. The report also shows that only 4% of sports stories focus primarily on women.
A FEMALE SPORTS COMMENTATOR`S VOICE, CAPTIVATES HER AUDIENCE
According to Lydia Gachungi, Regional Communication Expert, Safety of journalists and Media Development Communication Sector from UNESCO, there is need to sensitize and empower women, through radio to have them join sports programmes. She says women voices are more captivating compared to men
"For sure, the voice of a woman who is commentating on sports is captivating more than a man, because we`re so used to men, and for a woman they come with different views. A woman will even talk more and give more platform and even uplifting the role of women when it comes to sports. Besides that, if a woman is a commentator, she will go out even to look for those women that are playing sports and she can talk about them. She will resonate better even with the listeners, this will in fact, increase the radio listenership, audience and the local women`s sports content within the radio stations" Says Gachungi
Kelvin Nyangweso, Mtaani radio station manager says, the existence of the radio station, within Dagoretti has transformed lives of youths in various sporting clubs
Mtaani radio, 99.9 FM, is a community radio, based in Dagoretti serving the cosmopolitans and the larger Dagoretti sub county; we try to give platforms to various activities and especially in sports. We came up with programmes that promote sports, especially football which we try to give priority to uplift the talent within this region. We have also customized particular programs that promote activities in terms of peace. Every Friday, we have a sports show where we invite coaches to our studios. We also have sports news that is presented by both male and female presenters at the station ` Explains Nyangweso.
Kenya Community Media Network, KCOMNET is a network of 23 community radio stations within 18 counties in Kenya. KCOMNET`S coordinator, Njuki Githethwa says through the network they keep the stations in producing contents in relation to the marginalized. "Our work is essentially to keep on insisting, that the content of programming within community radio should be focused on those sectors of societies, which are marginalized and women, historically have been marginalized. Particularly this year, as affirmative action, in community radios being the heartbeat of the community, if they don’t broadcast centrally issues of women and profile them based on reports about their marginalization in terms of sports and reorganization, then we shall not be doing any service to our communities. So that is our call for the radios" Elaborates Githethwa
Radio has the power to break conflict and differences among communities. World radio day is marked on 13th February, annually. 2018`s theme focuses on `radio and sports for economical development and peace`
Tuesday, 28 November 2017
Needy candidates, shine in KCPE
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
Kinyanjui Road Primary School teachers and parents, in Dagoretti south, Nairobi county on November 24th , 2017 lift up, Osuri Joan Akinyi, who scored 416 marks in the 2017, KCPE examinations
Osuri Joan Akinyi, who scored 416 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE hopes to join Starehe girls, in 2018 as she will be proceeding with her secondary education. She emerged top in her class of over three hundred candidates. Akinyi wishes to be a pilot or an aeronautical engineer.
Mageni Ashley Alivitsa became second best after scoring 407 marks. Juma David Praise became third best after getting 406. He says he is proud of making his parents proud too. Praise would love to join Mang`u high school. He wants to be an aeronautic engineer.
Muthoni Fidelis Wangari got 401 marks and became position four in her school.
Hamisi Brian Oyondi closed top five in his school after scoring 400 marks. He has right hand injury that he got in 2014, during games time. This made it hard to prepare for his examinations, he however, feels glad and excited about his marks. Oyondi wants to be a neurosurgeon
Kinyanjui road primary school head teacher Christopher Muguti says 2017;
KCPE candidates boosted the school mean score to 277 from 273 recorded in 2016 KCPE results. This he says was contributed to by team work from parents, candidates and teachers.
Mr. Muguti however, says that despite the fact that most of his children come from humble families, he believes their lifestyles will change with time, `I am so proud because majority of my parents come from very needy background. Like my top candidate who has been with us since class one has 416, the mother sells sukuma wiki (kales) outside the school gate, the other candidate with 406, the mother sells chips again outside the school gate. I am happy with the parents I`m dealing with and I know now we`re raising the community and soon this community is going to change` says Mr. Muguti
Muguti had kind words for the team that contributed to an increase in the school mean score. Kinyanjui road primary school had 318 candidates, who were divided into 70 per class.
By Tebby Otieno
tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
Osuri Joan Akinyi, who scored 416 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, KCPE hopes to join Starehe girls, in 2018 as she will be proceeding with her secondary education. She emerged top in her class of over three hundred candidates. Akinyi wishes to be a pilot or an aeronautical engineer.
Mageni Ashley Alivitsa became second best after scoring 407 marks. Juma David Praise became third best after getting 406. He says he is proud of making his parents proud too. Praise would love to join Mang`u high school. He wants to be an aeronautic engineer.
Muthoni Fidelis Wangari got 401 marks and became position four in her school.
Hamisi Brian Oyondi closed top five in his school after scoring 400 marks. He has right hand injury that he got in 2014, during games time. This made it hard to prepare for his examinations, he however, feels glad and excited about his marks. Oyondi wants to be a neurosurgeon
Kinyanjui road primary school head teacher Christopher Muguti says 2017;
Mr. Muguti however, says that despite the fact that most of his children come from humble families, he believes their lifestyles will change with time, `I am so proud because majority of my parents come from very needy background. Like my top candidate who has been with us since class one has 416, the mother sells sukuma wiki (kales) outside the school gate, the other candidate with 406, the mother sells chips again outside the school gate. I am happy with the parents I`m dealing with and I know now we`re raising the community and soon this community is going to change` says Mr. Muguti
Muguti had kind words for the team that contributed to an increase in the school mean score. Kinyanjui road primary school had 318 candidates, who were divided into 70 per class.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
YOUNG KENYA'S 2017 TOP THREE SPELLERS
By Tebby Otieno; tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
Victor Ng’uono, an astute pupil at MM Shah Academy in Kisumu County scooped the most coveted trophy during the recently concluded Kenya National Spelling Bee Championships held at Nyali Beach International Hotel and Spa in Mombasa on 24th July 2017. Victor Brian Maina of Nyeri Primary School and Christina Njeri of Tender Care Nairobi emerged first and second runners up respectively. The Kenya National Spelling Bee (KNSB) is an English spelling competition, which is an adaptation of the Scripts National Spelling Bee which is an annual spelling competition held in the US and in Canada mainly to promote English literacy. The KNSB was started in a quest to improve literacy in the English language as well as improve the reading culture among primary school pupils in Kenya.
In the stiffly contested battle of wits and words, the three students tied before judges tightened the rope by injecting new technical words into the contest. These included: DIPHTHONG, FELINE, ENCUMBRANCE, OBSCURANTISM, SCHIZOPHRENIA, ASCERTAIN and MENINGITIS. However, still Victor Ng’uono sailed through making him the overall champion having been the only one who got right the spelling of the word SCHIZOPHRENIA. The three contestants all got the spelling of the word ASCERTAIN correctly. But when it came to spelling the word MENINGITIS, Christina Njeri was unable thereby breaking the tie to get the first and second runners up.
The trio bagged home fat education scholarships.Victor Ng’uono, the one who took the cake, went home smiling with a colossal amount of Ksh. 500,000 thanks to his razor-sharp intelligence. The first and second runners up were also awarded Ksh. 300,000 and Ksh. 100,000 respectively. The teachers for the three also received cheques worth Ksh 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 respectively. This was in a bid to motivate them for their relentless efforts and knack for details matter of factly spelling of words.
In an exclusive interview with Mtaani Radio during an educational programme, The Kenya National Spelling Bee, Chief Judge – Mr. Jeremiah Makau said the participants in the spelling bee championship were each given four books namely The Winner, Let Her Be, The Village Fool and Miss Uhuru three months prior to the competition. Mr. Makau showed confidence that the three spelling giants will enable Kenya emerge the top in the African championships slated to take place September 2017 in the coastal city – Mombasa when they will battle it out with other budding grammarians from 18 countries dotting the vast African landscape
"Actually, we expect them to do far much better this year than last year because, last year we had taken the three students who represented us in the African Spelling Bee Championships, we took them from only Nairobi County. This time round because we have taken the finest from all the 47 counties, we expect that we have got a better lot. So we are expecting that they are going to perform far much better. Now that we are going to be at home, where our national competition took place, our students are already familiar with the venue and will sure enough have an upper hand over the other contestants." Mr. Makau expressed his expectations.
Proponents of grammar and its correct usage adduce that frequent use of dictionaries by learners who are not native speakers aid in the correct spelling and retention of words. Speaking during the launch of the third edition of the Oxford Primary Dictionary for East Africa (OPDEA) on 18th May, 2017, Oxford University Press East Africa, General Manager Mr. John Mwazemba termed the launch as a milestone in learning and teaching English in primary schools in Kenya and beyond. Mr. Mwazemba added that the third edition of the OPDEA has been well researched in relation to the advancing technology.
`Oxford Dictionaries is home to the world-famous Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the definitive guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of more than 280,000 entries – past and present – from across the English-speaking world. The third edition of the OPDEA not only has additional vocabulary, but also has 600 illustrations which reflect the people, environment and the culture of Eastern Africa. We believe that the addition of this feature will go a long way in aiding students’ comprehension and retention of words. This dictionary has been made child-friendly, with shorter entries, written in simpler language and larger text size, making it the ideal dictionary for all Primary Students in East Africa.’ Said Mwazemba.
Speaking during the launch of the National Spelling Bee Championships in Mombasa, Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang’ said that people who are exposed to books and a lot of vocabulary are often good spellers unlike those who depend on spell checker, a handy tool for general use
‘Our research has shown people who are exposed to books and a lot of vocabulary are often good spellers, those very high-achieving spellers have heightened sensitivity to those letter patterns. They can proofread and edit by identifying quite easily what parts of words might be correct or incorrect. However, we have noted with growing concern that with the advancement of technology, people have resorted to the use of spellcheckers to autocorrect their spelling mistakes. This includes the use of spell checkers in communication gadgets such as Mobile Phones, Computers, Tablets and Laptops. Although a spell checker is a handy tool for general use, it will never fully take the place of educating yourself properly and polishing your vocabulary, grammar and writing skills,’ noted Kipsang’.
The 2017 edition organized by the Kenya National Spelling Bee (KNSB) targeted 50 schools in each of the 47 counties. KNSB Programme Manager, Mr. Eric Mosoti said the competition was set to involve four rounds and the pupil who will emerge top in the national category,
'Children who are good spellers are often avid readers; they can unpack words and understand all the meaningful parts of words and how they go together. Our key objective is to build a greater appreciation for the importance of spelling in the development of English language literacy among young learners in school` explained Mr. Mosoti.
The African Spelling Bee was founded in 2016 by 10 Spelling Bee organizations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe and they had the very first African Spelling Bee in the same year in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together 27 National Champions from each of the countries to participate.
By Tebby Otieno; tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
In the stiffly contested battle of wits and words, the three students tied before judges tightened the rope by injecting new technical words into the contest. These included: DIPHTHONG, FELINE, ENCUMBRANCE, OBSCURANTISM, SCHIZOPHRENIA, ASCERTAIN and MENINGITIS. However, still Victor Ng’uono sailed through making him the overall champion having been the only one who got right the spelling of the word SCHIZOPHRENIA. The three contestants all got the spelling of the word ASCERTAIN correctly. But when it came to spelling the word MENINGITIS, Christina Njeri was unable thereby breaking the tie to get the first and second runners up.
The trio bagged home fat education scholarships.Victor Ng’uono, the one who took the cake, went home smiling with a colossal amount of Ksh. 500,000 thanks to his razor-sharp intelligence. The first and second runners up were also awarded Ksh. 300,000 and Ksh. 100,000 respectively. The teachers for the three also received cheques worth Ksh 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 respectively. This was in a bid to motivate them for their relentless efforts and knack for details matter of factly spelling of words.
"Actually, we expect them to do far much better this year than last year because, last year we had taken the three students who represented us in the African Spelling Bee Championships, we took them from only Nairobi County. This time round because we have taken the finest from all the 47 counties, we expect that we have got a better lot. So we are expecting that they are going to perform far much better. Now that we are going to be at home, where our national competition took place, our students are already familiar with the venue and will sure enough have an upper hand over the other contestants." Mr. Makau expressed his expectations.
Proponents of grammar and its correct usage adduce that frequent use of dictionaries by learners who are not native speakers aid in the correct spelling and retention of words. Speaking during the launch of the third edition of the Oxford Primary Dictionary for East Africa (OPDEA) on 18th May, 2017, Oxford University Press East Africa, General Manager Mr. John Mwazemba termed the launch as a milestone in learning and teaching English in primary schools in Kenya and beyond. Mr. Mwazemba added that the third edition of the OPDEA has been well researched in relation to the advancing technology.
`Oxford Dictionaries is home to the world-famous Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the definitive guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of more than 280,000 entries – past and present – from across the English-speaking world. The third edition of the OPDEA not only has additional vocabulary, but also has 600 illustrations which reflect the people, environment and the culture of Eastern Africa. We believe that the addition of this feature will go a long way in aiding students’ comprehension and retention of words. This dictionary has been made child-friendly, with shorter entries, written in simpler language and larger text size, making it the ideal dictionary for all Primary Students in East Africa.’ Said Mwazemba.
Speaking during the launch of the National Spelling Bee Championships in Mombasa, Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang’ said that people who are exposed to books and a lot of vocabulary are often good spellers unlike those who depend on spell checker, a handy tool for general use
‘Our research has shown people who are exposed to books and a lot of vocabulary are often good spellers, those very high-achieving spellers have heightened sensitivity to those letter patterns. They can proofread and edit by identifying quite easily what parts of words might be correct or incorrect. However, we have noted with growing concern that with the advancement of technology, people have resorted to the use of spellcheckers to autocorrect their spelling mistakes. This includes the use of spell checkers in communication gadgets such as Mobile Phones, Computers, Tablets and Laptops. Although a spell checker is a handy tool for general use, it will never fully take the place of educating yourself properly and polishing your vocabulary, grammar and writing skills,’ noted Kipsang’.
'Children who are good spellers are often avid readers; they can unpack words and understand all the meaningful parts of words and how they go together. Our key objective is to build a greater appreciation for the importance of spelling in the development of English language literacy among young learners in school` explained Mr. Mosoti.
The African Spelling Bee was founded in 2016 by 10 Spelling Bee organizations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe and they had the very first African Spelling Bee in the same year in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together 27 National Champions from each of the countries to participate.
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
A KENYAN WIDOW WHO GOT SPINE INJURIES IN SAUDI ARABIA AS A HOUSE HELP, WORLD HEALTH DAY 2017
Meet Lydia Wangare, a widow who worked at Saudi Arabia for nine months. During her normal duties as a house help, one winter season in 2016, she accidentally slid in the cold snow. The accident led to injuries in parts of her fingers, knees and back. When she was taken to a hospital, she was only given pain killers to ease the pain
“I slid, I did not know about winter and the snow outside, there was water shortage, the lady boss then asked me to go outside and turn on the main water tap. I had slippers, immediately I opened the door and stepped out; I slid and rolled down the stairs. I got injuries at the fingers, back and hands. I went back to the house, wet allover, showed the lady boss…… she did not even tell me sorry, she only said it is alright” narrates Lydia
Almost a year since the accident, Wangare has never visited any hospital for medical checkup, this is despite the fact that she quit her job as a house help in Saudi Arabia and came back to her home country, Kenya. She says, she has no source of income and so she fears going to hospital because she believes she will be asked for money
“I still use pain killers because it’s what I can afford.” Laments Lydia. “Sometimes my knees swell so bad that I have to walk by supporting myself. The society expects a woman to be very strong so I have to persevere. If only I could get money to go for a proper diagnosis know what exactly is wrong with me before it’s too late, nothing would make me happier but for now there is nothing much I can do for myself. I am not only jobless but even if I got a job now, I cannot do it because of my back and if I can’t work what kind of person am I? If walking in itself is very difficult for me imagine the trouble I go through to use a pit latrine at home.” says Wangare
Hellen Malube, Nuga Best Health Company Manager in Riruta, Dagoretti says that spine injuries interferes with the central nervous systems` normal communication in the body and is restored during the alternative treatment known as a thermo massage offered at the facility.
“When we talk about the spine, we are talking about the whole body. If the spine is injured, then the entire body cannot function. Therapy helps to balance the spine which makes sure that every bone or every vertebral and every disc in the spine is at its position well-arranged so that there will be no problem when movement or work is needed to be done in the body. Says Malube
Malube further says that if spine injuries are not treated other diseases and problems like diabetes, ulcers, nervous breakdown, lame and backaches, vision and hearing degeneration and high blood pressure among others can also be caused by spine injuries. However, Lydia Wangare may have more than just spine injuries considering the regular episodes of depression following the hectic nonpaying job she did in Saudi Arabia and also the difficult life she lives in Kenya with her two children.
`Sometimes I feel like committing suicide. I don’t even have a house; I am only given beddings for me and one of my children. The other stays with my other sister because I cannot feed them” Says Wangare.
Could Lydia’s depression be as a result of her spine injury? Malube explains that if the backache is as a result of a spinal injury, it might lead to other organs in her body failing to function normally resulting to the victim developing numerous other complications including stress, high blood pressure, stroke or depression/despair due to unwanted thoughts.
Lucy Nyokabi, a nurse at Kivuli dispensary in Riruta says depression is a mood disorder that is common and also very serious but can be controlled by sharing problems and talking to other people
“There are those risk factors, like losing someone they love; losing a job etc. can lead to depression. Women are able to share their problems, talk about it and that is why they are able to deal with depression unlike men. Exercising and sharing issues with other people as well as accepting that someone is depressed are some of the first steps towards getting help. We can support people ailing from depression by accepting, loving them and helping them to engage in activities that can help them recover from depression.” concludes Nyokabi
According to the latest estimates from world health organization, WHO more than 300 million people in the world are currently living with depression. This is an increase of more than 18 percent between 2005 and 2015.World Health Day is celebrated annually on 7thApril. The theme for 2017 was ‘Depression, let`s talk.
By Tebby Otieno
Tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
“I slid, I did not know about winter and the snow outside, there was water shortage, the lady boss then asked me to go outside and turn on the main water tap. I had slippers, immediately I opened the door and stepped out; I slid and rolled down the stairs. I got injuries at the fingers, back and hands. I went back to the house, wet allover, showed the lady boss…… she did not even tell me sorry, she only said it is alright” narrates Lydia
Almost a year since the accident, Wangare has never visited any hospital for medical checkup, this is despite the fact that she quit her job as a house help in Saudi Arabia and came back to her home country, Kenya. She says, she has no source of income and so she fears going to hospital because she believes she will be asked for money
“I still use pain killers because it’s what I can afford.” Laments Lydia. “Sometimes my knees swell so bad that I have to walk by supporting myself. The society expects a woman to be very strong so I have to persevere. If only I could get money to go for a proper diagnosis know what exactly is wrong with me before it’s too late, nothing would make me happier but for now there is nothing much I can do for myself. I am not only jobless but even if I got a job now, I cannot do it because of my back and if I can’t work what kind of person am I? If walking in itself is very difficult for me imagine the trouble I go through to use a pit latrine at home.” says Wangare
“When we talk about the spine, we are talking about the whole body. If the spine is injured, then the entire body cannot function. Therapy helps to balance the spine which makes sure that every bone or every vertebral and every disc in the spine is at its position well-arranged so that there will be no problem when movement or work is needed to be done in the body. Says Malube
Malube further says that if spine injuries are not treated other diseases and problems like diabetes, ulcers, nervous breakdown, lame and backaches, vision and hearing degeneration and high blood pressure among others can also be caused by spine injuries. However, Lydia Wangare may have more than just spine injuries considering the regular episodes of depression following the hectic nonpaying job she did in Saudi Arabia and also the difficult life she lives in Kenya with her two children.
`Sometimes I feel like committing suicide. I don’t even have a house; I am only given beddings for me and one of my children. The other stays with my other sister because I cannot feed them” Says Wangare.
Could Lydia’s depression be as a result of her spine injury? Malube explains that if the backache is as a result of a spinal injury, it might lead to other organs in her body failing to function normally resulting to the victim developing numerous other complications including stress, high blood pressure, stroke or depression/despair due to unwanted thoughts.
“There are those risk factors, like losing someone they love; losing a job etc. can lead to depression. Women are able to share their problems, talk about it and that is why they are able to deal with depression unlike men. Exercising and sharing issues with other people as well as accepting that someone is depressed are some of the first steps towards getting help. We can support people ailing from depression by accepting, loving them and helping them to engage in activities that can help them recover from depression.” concludes Nyokabi
According to the latest estimates from world health organization, WHO more than 300 million people in the world are currently living with depression. This is an increase of more than 18 percent between 2005 and 2015.World Health Day is celebrated annually on 7thApril. The theme for 2017 was ‘Depression, let`s talk.
By Tebby Otieno
Tebbyotieno62@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)