President Kenyatta flags off Kenya Malaria Army in Kilifi
President Uhuru Kenyatta has today flagged-off the Kenya Malaria Army and unveiled the Kenya-Cuba Malaria Vector Control Programme in Kilifi County.
In his three-day tour at the Coast, Kenyatta also unveiled the first locally manufactured malaria rapid diagnostic kit at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Research Programme.
“The Head of State, who was taken on guided tour of the world renowned health research facility, also announced the attainment of World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualification for the first locally manufactured malaria medicine,” stated the State house.
The President, who is the current Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), also witnessed a demonstration on the use of Drones for mapping and outdoor spraying of malaria breeding sites.
A single Drone is capable of spraying anti-malarial larvicides on 150 acres daily, a task that would take 10 days when done manually.
The Kenya Malaria Army is an initiative by ALMA to end the vector-borne disease on the continent by the year 2030.
Kenyatta yesterday visited the multi-agency team of Kenyan security officers undertaking a joint operational training in Boni Forest, Lamu County.
The Field Training Exercise (FTX), is part of a broad Whole-of-Government approach to the delivery of security services by leveraging on interoperability of Kenya’s security assets.
The FTX, which is coordinated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), brings together troops from the different security formations in the country among them Kenya Police Service (NPS), National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Kenya Coast Guard (KCG) with a view of attaining high levels operational efficiency.
At the camp, the President, who was accompanied by Defence CS Dr Monica Juma, witnessed drills by officers who’ve been training for three weeks and taken on a guided tour by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Robert Kibochi.
In his address to the officers, President Kenyatta said he was pleased by the training and noted that the multi-agency approach would help enhance the effectiveness of the country’s security apparatus.
“I am happy that this multi-agency training has taken place. This is a very important message. As the Forces get to know each other and to collaborate in the training,” Kenyatta said.
He said Kenya will continue to jealously guard its borders and cautioned unnamed external forces against disrespecting the country’s territorial integrity.
He also inspected the ongoing construction of a 270-metre long wall to protect the cliff holding Fort Jesus World Heritage Site from sea erosion yesterday evening.
As part of the project, the Government is redeveloping the Fort Jesus seafront into a modern recreational park complete with a football pitch and amphitheater on land that was reclaimed from the Indian Ocean.
He was received at Fort Jesus by Sports, Heritage and Culture CS Amina Mohamed and Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata among other senior Government officials.
