The platform, dubbed NMG Leadership Forum, seeks to encourage dialogue on key issues affecting the country such as economy, agriculture, health, governance and financial markets.
Nation Media Group in collaboration with the University of Nairobi has launched a platform where professionals, stakeholders, leaders and Kenyans will get an opportunity to discuss issues related to development.
The platform, dubbed NMG Leadership Forum, seeks to encourage dialogue on key issues affecting the country such as economy, agriculture, health, governance and financial markets.
Speaking during the launch of the inaugural session of the leadership forum at the university’s Manu Chandaria Centre on Monday evening, NMG chief executive Joe Muganda said the main objective of the gathering was to have conversations that will allow leaders to take ideas for betterment of the country.
“The NMG Leadership Forum is a concept to help us talk with one another rather to each other,” said Mr Muganda.
UoN Vice-Chancellor Peter Mbithi said the forum would not be a talk show but a place for serious conversations aimed at shaping the destiny of the country.
DECISION MAKERS
“We together have to be part of the solution. This is a series of conversations that will involve decision makers, the academia, leaders and all like-minded people,” said Prof Mbithi.
Monday’s forum, which was aired live on NTV from 7.30 pm-9 pm, focused on water and food security and brought together key stakeholders and leaders who included Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett and his Water and Irrigation counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, Red Cross Secretary-General Abbas Gullet and FAO programme coordinator Robert Allport.
During the discussions, moderated by NTV’s Linus Kaikai, Mr Wamalwa admitted that the government had failed to produce enough maize to combat hunger in the country through the Galana-Kulalu irrigation project.
“We are currently producing 31 bags per acre but our target was 41 bags per acre. A 2kg packet of unga (flour) from Galana farms will cost Sh75, half the price of the (maize flour) packet from millers once our target is realised,” he said.
POLITICISING WATER PROJECTS
The Water CS warned that politicising of water projects such as Itare dam in Nakuru was likely to hinder efforts to ensure that each Kenyan accesses clean and safe water.
“The government is currently constructing over 40 new water dams; once completed, we will triple water harvesting in the country,” said Mr Wamalwa.
When he spoke, the Agriculture CS urged county governments to make available extension services to farmers in order to boost harvests.
Mr Gullet urged the government to use the available technologies to boost food production in the country.
”We have the capacity and technology, we don’t need to go to Israel to learn new skills for our country to be food secure.” he said.