Africa recycles less than 11 percent of its waste, and COP28 highlighted the need for integrated waste systems that include informal waste workers. Akinyi Walender of Practical Action emphasized the importance of involving these workers in tackling waste issues. Over 90 percent of waste in Africa is disposed of at uncontrolled dumpsites, with 19 of the world's 50 biggest dumpsites located in Sub-Saharan Africa. The African Union aims for cities to recycle half their waste by 2023, a goal supported by the UN Environment Programme through organic waste composting and recycling. Environment ministers from African countries committed to a 60 percent reduction of open waste burning by 2030 at the AMCEN. Kenya has made progress with the Solid Waste Management Act 2022, promoting a circular economy. Practical Action's report advocates for waste management policies that improve the lives of impoverished communities and informal waste workers, and the organization is working to reduce open burning of waste in Senegal.

The article discusses the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in Africa, particularly in accessing credit, which hampers their ability to cope with climate change impacts. Vision Fund International (VFI), a project of World Vision, has introduced a microfinancing method called recovery lending, supported by a £2 million grant from the UK’s Department for International Development. This initiative aims to provide short-term financial aid to families in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia after disasters. The article highlights the story of Alice Muthee, a Kenyan farmer who benefited from recovery lending after her crops were destroyed by El Niño rains. VFI's approach is to offer loans based on the borrower's ability to repay and provide business training. The article also touches on the broader implications of climate change on food security and the potential of recovery lending to assist in economic recovery for affected communities.

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly strained Africa's health systems, highlighting the continent's over-reliance on imported generics and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). AUDA-NEPAD has long advocated for reducing this dependency through initiatives like the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa. The African Union has created a Coronavirus Fund with a 20 million USD commitment, while African countries are enforcing lockdowns and testing measures. AUDA-NEPAD's short-term response aims to slow the pandemic's spread and mitigate socio-economic impacts. On April 13, AUDA-NEPAD will launch its COVID-19 Response Plan of Action to enhance pharmaceutical and medical supplies' production and access.

In Kambiti village, central Kenya, farmers like Josiah Mwangi are combating fruit fly infestations in their mango orchards by using plastic bottles as traps. These bottles, filled with pheromone bait and insecticide, attract and kill the fruit flies, significantly reducing post-harvest losses. Mwangi, who previously suffered an 80% loss due to these pests, has witnessed a great reduction in losses since using the traps. The initiative, supported by Farmtrack Consulting Limited, involves training farmers to use these cost-effective traps. The Rockefeller Foundation backs this effort through its YieldWise initiative. Farmers like Samson Ndauti and Mary Wangui have adopted this method, which uses readily available materials, to protect their crops during the mango season from November to February or March.

Kenya is experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis since 2011 due to two consecutive years of failed rains, affecting 3.4 million people who need food aid and 480,000 children requiring treatment for acute malnutrition. The drought has devastated the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL), leading to high rates of global acute malnutrition, livestock deaths, water shortages, and a drop in food production exacerbated by the Fall Army Worm pest. The crisis has caused a spike in food prices, school dropouts, and protection risks for women and children on the move. The World Food Programme has had to cut rations for refugees due to funding shortfalls, and the government's response has been hampered by political uncertainty. International appeals have been made, but funding remains insufficient to meet the immense needs.

The article discusses the alarming trend of violence and intimidation against human rights defenders in Kenya, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections on August 8. It references two reports, one by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and another joint report by Human Rights Watch and Article 19, which detail the abuses faced by activists and journalists at the hands of police and government officials. The article highlights the murder of lawyer Willie Kimani and the increase in extrajudicial killings. It also touches on the government's tactics to undermine civil society through legal and administrative means, as well as the history of electoral violence in Kenya. The reports call for reforms and investigations into human rights violations by security forces, emphasizing the need to protect human rights defenders and uphold the principles of the 2010 constitution.

The article highlights the impact of digital literacy programs on women in rural Kenya. Mary Namukholi, a 60-year-old woman, has utilized skills from a free computer class to provide tech services in her community, supplementing her income from farming. The Women and the Web Alliance, a partnership including USAid, NetHope, Intel Corporation, and others, aims to improve digital literacy among women and girls in Kenya and Nigeria. Anne Rengo, another beneficiary, has improved her tailoring business efficiency through digital training. Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro of the Global Fund for Women emphasizes the transformative power of digital literacy for women's innovation, gender equality, and economic impact. A 2013 report suggests that bringing more women online could significantly boost GDP in poorer countries. However, Jean Chawapiwa of WeConnect International points out that many women still lack internet access and affordable technology.

The article discusses the recurring issue of building collapses in Nairobi, Kenya, highlighting the corruption and poor oversight in the construction industry. President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to the site of a recent collapse in Huruma and his vow to arrest the building's owners is mentioned, alongside the failure of the county council to demolish the building previously marked for removal. Governor Evans Kidero acknowledges the rampant corruption and the use of court orders by owners to prevent demolitions. The article also references a report by Questworks on the substandard quality of concrete used in Nairobi and lists several tragic building collapses in Kenya over the past decade. Voices from various organizations, including Global Veterans and Peace Ambassadors and COFEDI, express skepticism about the government's promises and highlight the risks to low-income Kenyans due to corrupt practices in housing approvals.

The article discusses the challenges faced by girls in rural Kenya in accessing education, highlighting the story of Jacqueline Nasimiyu from Kakamega county who struggled to reach school due to lack of transportation. World Bicycle Relief, a not-for-profit organization, has initiated a program donating Buffalo bicycles to students, significantly reducing their commute time and improving their ability to attend school. The program prioritizes girls, who often have additional household chores, and aims to combat issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and underage sex by providing a reliable means of transport. The initiative has seen positive results, with Jacqueline's grades improving and other girls like Nelly Soita being able to continue their education despite challenges.

The article discusses the environmental and economic impact of deforestation for charcoal production in Uganda's Nakasongola district and the broader East African region. It highlights the efforts of farmers like Stephen Tumhaire, who are participating in a scheme called Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) to revive trees and improve soil quality. The FMNR project, funded by World Vision Australia and the Australian government, has trained farmers to encourage tree regrowth, which has led to increased crop yields, better incomes, and improved biodiversity. The article also mentions the support of the Australian government with a $1.5 million investment and the positive outcomes for farmers in Kenya. Tony Rinaudo, a natural resource expert, emphasizes the importance of trees in maintaining soil fertility and preventing erosion. The article illustrates the transformative power of FMNR in restoring hope and improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities in East Africa.

In Kenya, maize farming is becoming less profitable due to climate change and Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MNLD). Farmers like Peter Karanja are switching to more resilient crops like the Hass avocado. Despite the challenges of maize farming, the Kenyan government and the World Bank have allocated funds to combat MNLD. The Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (now KALRO) reported significant losses due to the disease. The African Union has emphasized agriculture's importance to the economy, but there are concerns about the diminishing extension services to smallholder farmers. Avocado farming is proving to be more lucrative, with farmers like Mary Wanjiru benefiting from the switch. Kenya's climatic conditions are favorable for Hass avocados, but there are still losses in the supply chain. Despite setbacks in maize production, Kenya remains a significant avocado exporter to Europe, with a competitive advantage over Peru.

The article discusses the transition of pastoralists in Kenya's Samburu county to sustainable farming, aided by the charity World Vision. Christine Letooya, a former pastoralist, has shifted to farming due to the threat of cattle rustling. The region is facing the challenges of climate change, with frequent droughts and extreme weather events. Human Rights Watch has reported on the adverse effects of climate change on indigenous people in the area. Kenya is part of the V20 group, focusing on climate change vulnerability. The EU-funded Samburu Pastoral Livelihoods Improvement Programme (SAPLIP) is working to mitigate climate change effects and improve food security. The article also touches on the improvement of women's status in the community through their involvement in farming and the EU's commitment to food security and nutrition in arid lands in Kenya.

In Samburu, Kenya, a region plagued by recurrent drought and poverty, the introduction of food forests is changing the lives of the local pastoralist community. Aviram Rozin, founder of Sadhana Forest, has initiated a project to plant drought-resistant trees and shrubs in the arid landscape. The initiative includes training in permaculture farming, water harvesting, and the provision of seedlings at no cost. Sadhana Forest has also drilled a borehole, providing water through a green energy system. This project not only aims to combat food insecurity by creating a continuous food forest but also to conserve indigenous tree species and adjust the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the Samburu people to ensure their survival amidst climate change. The UNDP has supported the project with funding, which has been used to establish a training center and the green energy water system.

Residents of Lpartuk Ranch in Samburu County, Kenya, protested against the illegal destruction of their indigenous forest, which serves as an alternative livelihood source through wild product and honey harvesting. The community, affected by climate change-induced droughts, is confronting external loggers depleting their forest resources, particularly the endangered red cedar trees. Mark Loloolki, the ranch chairman, led the protest and highlighted the involvement of a well-connected cartel in the illegal timber trade. The U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) and Interpol have reported on the significant impact of illegal logging on local economies and the environment. The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has noted the ban on cedar harvesting since 1999 and the threat posed by squatters in forest areas. UNEP's Achim Steiner emphasized the severity of wildlife and forest crime. Kenya faces a wood supply deficit, and the government's policy framework aims to involve communities in forest conservation. However, illegal logging persists, causing environmental damage and affecting women who must travel farther for water due to forest depletion.

The article focuses on the empowerment of women from the Ogiek community in Kenya, a historically marginalized hunter-gatherer group. Mary Ondolo, a mother of nine, has transformed her family's life with the help of a donation of livestock and equipment, which allowed her to send her children to higher education and build a better home. The Ogiek Peoples’ Development Programme (OPDP), in partnership with the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), provided funding and training for poultry and beekeeping enterprises. This initiative has enabled Ogiek women to overcome cultural barriers, contribute to their family's income, and participate in decision-making. The women sell their products through community organizations like the Ogiek Beekeepers Association and Mariashoni Community Development (MACODEV), which helps them avoid middlemen and maximize profits. However, poor road infrastructure remains a challenge in accessing markets.

The article discusses the dangerous and poorly paid work of sand harvesters in the Rhonda area of Nakuru, Kenya. Allan Karanja and others work in deep pits without protective gear, facing the risk of collapsing walls. The growth of Nakuru town has spurred a construction boom, increasing demand for sand and providing employment to about 3,000 people, despite the risks and environmental degradation. Quarry owner Jackson Kemboi and worker Jack Omare share their experiences, including accidents and fatalities. The Kenya Economic Report 2013 highlights the country's economic growth, while Anne Waiguru notes the rapid urban population growth. Child welfare officials express concern over the involvement of underage workers in hazardous labor. The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) has ordered the closure of sand mines to protect the environment and public utilities, requiring quarry owners to apply for environmental impact assessment licenses. Professor Jackson Kitetu's research indicates the significant employment provided by sand mining, despite its dangers.