Speaking during the 3rd Annual Tobacco Taxation Conference in Nairobi, the Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Board, Naomi Shaban, said that there is renewed commitment to implement the Tobacco Control Act 2007.

“We are working closely with the civil society to ensure that we meet the goals of the Tobacco Control Act,” said Shaban. “We are going to regulate both traditional cigarettes and new tobacco products to protect our public health.”

She also stated that the Ministry of Health plans to raise taxes on tobacco products to curb consumption. Shaban also noted that higher prices would make tobacco products less accessible, thereby discouraging use.

However, it is not clear whether tobacco users will still, access the products

“We are collaborating with NACADA, the Tobacco Control Board, and the Ministry of Health to ensure all market products are registered and eliminate illicit ones,” said Naomi.

Dr. Andrew Toro, head of the Drug and Substance Abuse Control Division at the Ministry of Health, also highlighted the need to amend the Tobacco Control Act to address new products and enhance public awareness campaigns.

He stressed the ministry’s goal is to protect public health and ensure that no Kenyan suffers from tobacco-related diseases.

Kenya is ranked 7th in Africa among tobacco users. Notably tobacco farming is documented in 13 of the 47 counties of Kenya, with approximately 3.1 million consumers. Worse still,  2.5% of youth are directly targeted by the industry.

Celine Awour, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute of Legislative Affairs, also noted that low and unadjusted taxes make cigarettes affordable, particularly for children.

She called for stronger taxation on all tobacco products, including new ones like nicotine pouches and electronic cigarettes, to curb usage among youth.

Speaking with Liberal News Network in Nairobi, Benjamin Kahindi, Founder of the Safe Community Youth Initiative, said, ” There has been an increment in school dropouts among pregnant girls in Kilifi County.

Notably, the pregnant girls are largely from low-income families, and some of them are victims of negative social and cultural norms and practices.”

Kahindi warned that many adolescent girls fear being discriminated against because of the “smell of breast milk” and the changes experienced after giving birth.

It is approximated that over 4,000 school-going girls aged between 10 and 18 years were impregnated in 2023. Arguably the number has increased this year owing to the high cost of living. Worse still, young girls may also face another crisis because of their menstruation cycle.

Faith Pendo, the Founder of Pendant of Hope in Machakos County, said that more than 10,000 girls became gender-based violence victims because they could not access sanitary pads.

Pendo also underscored that adolescent girls continue to endure a lot of challenges because sanitary pads are expensive and inaccessible.

Speaking with the same tone, Joseph Ojuki, Founder and Senior Programs Manager at the Health and Economic Development Strategy Organisation (HEDSO), said, “There’s a lot of vulnerability within the lake region and the people there predominantly depend on fishing as their source of income. ”

Onjuki also noted that adolescent girls and young women. continue to remain vulnerable to gender-based violence and urged decision-makers to act quickly by reducing the costs of reproductive health products and services.

Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi, Founder and CEO of Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG) also shared the same view and said that Kenya may not achieve gender equality unless consideration is given to young girls and women.

Speaking to Liberal News Network, Susan Omenyo, an agronomist and African Food Fellow, shared her remarkable story during the African Food Fellowship graduation in Nairobi. With over a decade of experience working with smallholder farmers, Omenyo is now partnering with women farmers in semi-arid and arid regions of West Pokot to restore degraded lands. Her work focuses on creating tree nurseries and reintroducing native tree species to the region, especially in areas heavily dominated by acacia trees.

“Currently, I’m working on a project in West Pokot. The lands have degraded, and soils have eroded. I am working with women farmers to establish tree nurseries and native tree species,” said Omenyo. “I’m helping ensure they are getting good seedlings to restore the region.”

However, one of the biggest challenges is deforestation, driven by the local need for charcoal. Omenyo and her team are working hard to change mindsets, introducing alternative income sources like honey production, which offers both environmental and economic benefits. By providing beehives and encouraging the cultivation of medicinal plants, wild fruits, and fodder crops, the initiative is helping the community to move away from destructive practices and toward a sustainable future.

“We’re also providing beehives to enable them to produce more honey, which they can process and sell. This creates a reliable source of income,” Omenyo explained. Additionally, they plan to grow pastures and fodder crops to sell to dairy and livestock farmers, providing further economic opportunities.

Water scarcity is another pressing issue in the region. Omenyo and her team are partnering with local stakeholders to address this. “Water is a challenge in the southern part of West Pokot. We plan to dig a well and organize a group to manage it properly, ensuring it lasts and serves the community for a long time.”

The vision Omenyo and the women farmers share is to build a future where environmental stewardship supports economic development. Through this partnership, the community of West Pokot is forging a resilient path forward.

During the graduation ceremony, keynote speaker Professor Ruth Oniang’o, a renowned figure in African agriculture, urged the Fellows to take up leadership roles and continue their transformative work. Oniang’o, further stated  that the group of food systems leaders gives her hope for the future of agriculture in Kenya.

In her closing remarks, she said, “I encourage you to lead with confidence and embrace different perspectives to make a positive impact.”

The African Food Fellowship, which graduated its third cohort of 29 Kenyan Fellows, is a 10-month leadership program designed to empower participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to transform food systems in their regions. The impact of these initiatives, like the one in West Pokot, is a powerful testament to how local leadership can tackle global challenges like climate change while uplifting communities.

Speaking during an interview with Liberal News Network in Nairobi, Laurin Mungai, a 26-year-old graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)  narrated how she found out about the digital skill program and the impact it has brought on her career and business.

“In business, data is everything. I was relying on word-of-mouth feedback for my chili products, which wasn’t sustainable. But, now, thanks to the training, I can clean, analyze, and visualize data, allowing me to build meaningful narratives and track progress. It has completely changed the way I operate my business,”

Laurin who pursued mechatronic engineering said the program provided more than just technical know-how because it empowered her to bolster her entrepreneurial venture.

“I encourage other young people to seek out similar opportunities,” said Lauren while noting that programs digital programs are often more accessible and impactful than traditional routes.

Accordingly, Brian Monene, a fourth-year software engineering student from Murang’a University of Technology, encountered a similar experience. Initially doubtful about the success of his application, Brian viewed the program as an opportunity to refine his technical expertise and acquire practical experience.

“I applied merely to advance my technical abilities,” Brian explained. “What I didn’t anticipate was how profoundly this program would broaden my horizons—not just in programming, but also in networking and practical industry engagement.”

The 10-day intensive training introduced Brian to new programming tools and practices while fostering a collaborative network among the participants. He has already begun applying his newfound knowledge to an ongoing business project and is excited about the potential it holds for his future.

“It felt like the missing piece of the puzzle for my project. This course has given me the confidence to implement what I’ve learned in data science,” he said.

The program was organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), and WINS Global Consult, with support from Strathmore University. It was designed to help young people from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop skills for the African market.

Emmanuel Kuyu, the Deputy Director of Strathmore University’s iLab Africa, said the program is a vital step in preparing young people for the digital economy. In his view, more youths need to be engaged in this program.

He also said, “The initiative is essential for preparing young people to thrive in the digital age.”

The influence of the program reaches far beyond the confines of the classroom. Currently, iLab Africa is renowned for its dedication to harnessing technology for developmental progress across East Africa, and sees this latest batch of graduates as a testament to their mission of building digital prowess in crucial sectors.

“At iLab Africa, we aim to leverage technology to address real-world issues. This program embodies that mission—arming young minds with the tools needed to confront the challenges of the future,” Kuyu added.

As East Africa’s digital revolution gains unprecedented momentum, Kenya stands as a beacon of this transformation, galvanizing its youth to spearhead the change. Initiatives like the digital skills program herald the rise of a new generation of innovators, poised to reshape not just their local economies, but the future of the entire region.