Page 3 Page 3 Page 4In this issue

JICA’s President, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, addresses a press conference after signing of the roads projects agreements. Flanking him are Kenya’s Minister for Finance, Hon. Njeru Githae, Minister for Roads, Hon. Franklin K. Bett and other senior government officials.

Kenya Newsletter

JICA’s President Visits KenyaThe new President of JICA,

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, recently visited Kenya to familiarize himself with projects supported by JICA and also to sign agreements for funding of two road projects in the country.

One is the construction of a dual carriageway on Ngong Road in Nairobi City through a grant assistance of Ksh 1.67 billion from Japan. The other is a road linking Mombasa Island and the south coast which shall be constructed with a loan of Ksh. 28.4 billion from Japan to the Kenyan government. These two projects shall decongest

the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa respectively.

At a press conference held after signing of the roads projects agreements, Tanaka said his vision for Kenya was for the country to achieve its millennium development goals particularly in poverty reduction. “Kenya is the hub for development in Eastern Africa, and JICA would like to support projects that help to develop the region,” he said.

Tanaka also visited the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Unit Project

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Demystifying Maths and Science in Schools

There was a lot of activity in the expansive compound of the

Kilimambogo Teachers’ Training College. This was despite the schools and teacher training colleges across the country being on the regular April school vacation. Teachers were taking advantage of their vacation time to enhance their skills in their delivery of mathematics and science subjects, from the SMASE program (Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education) launched by JICA. This was one of the 19 colleges across the country where the SMASE INSETs (In-Service Education Trainings) were taking place.

Ms. Catherine Makukwi, the Deputy Principal of the college, had a glowing report to give on the program. She had been at Kilimambogo for only three months, but had also experienced SMASE INSETs in her previous institution,

Mr. Takayasu Horimoto of JICA with Mr. Pius Mbaluto, Principal of Kilimambogo Teachers College when he visited there recently.

‘Kenya is the hub for

development in Eastern

Africa, and JICA would like to support

projects that help to develop the

region’

Robot Contest Exposes Students To New Technology

Marketing Kenya Through Soapstone Art

Fostering A Brighter FutureIssue: July 2012

Clean Water for Residents of North-Eastern Region

Demystifying Maths and Science

The late Takahiko Sigiyama when he received a farewell gift from the then Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Prof. Karega Mutahi.

A teacher practices some skills with her attentive peers during SMASE INSET.

They have also learned

how to repair

impassable sections of

roads using the simple

‘do nou’ technology so they can have easier delivery of

their crops to markets

Tribute to the late Takahiko Sugiyama,Former SMASSE Project Chief Advisor

The SMASSE project (Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in

Secondary Education) was launched in 1998 by JICA and had the late Takahiko Sugiyama as the Project’s Chief Advisor for 10 years. The project began in Kenya and its activities expanded to include 34 countries in Western, Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (WECSA). It was therefore saddening for many educators across Africa to learn of Sugiyama’s demise in Japan in May 2012.

The late Sugiyama will be

remembered as a transformational leader and competent manager, keen on ensuring that all individuals working with him improved their competencies and capability for better performance. He was very humane and considerate to staff under his supervision. He was also very knowledgeable about Africa and had the determination and zeal to support its development. This is clearly illustrated by the success of SMASSE and SMASE-WECSA,

its expansion and extension realized during his tenure.

‘May Sugiyama’s soul rest in eternal peace.’

Dr. Akihiko Tanaka visits the SHEP UP project in Nakuru and the Olkaria geothermal project at Naivasha which are funded by JICA.

From pg 1

From pg 1

JICA’s President Visits Kenya

Igoji Teachers’ Training College in Meru. “Before the introduction of SMASE INSETs, many people thought they could not have good performance in mathematics and science subjects. However, these are now subjects where students perform better” she said.

Primary SMASE INSETs have been conducted for 4 years now. Participants, who are primary school teachers, were very excited about the training. The SMASE Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Munyao observed: “We have even received overwhelming numbers this time due to the great interest in the program.”

Unlike the traditional teaching methodology, SMASE is learner-centred. Students are involved in activities that help them to understand the subjects better. As a result, attitudes towards mathematics and science have changed for the better and contributed to improved performance in the subjects in national examinations.

(SHEP UP) in Nakuru, a technical cooperation project between JICA and Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, where he observed the activities of Bidii Kilimo Self-help Group at Limuko village.

The members, who are all farmers, have through the SHEP UP program, been equipped with skills to make farming a viable business by growing marketable horticultural crops. They have also learned how to repair impassable sections of roads using the simple ‘do nou’ technology transferred from Japan.

After the SHEP UP project, Tanaka visited the

Olkaria geothermal project where he was taken on a tour of the facility by officials of Kengen. The company has received a loan of 29.3 billion Yen for building a geothermal power plant which shall enable the country to generate an additional 140 MW of power.

Officials of the company explained to Tanaka how steam tapped from hot wells in the area was used to generate electricity.

During the visit to Kenya, Tanaka also held bilateral talks with Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Robotics exposed us to micro controllers and sensors. I am currently working with Unilever

Kenya Ltd. Since completing my Engineering Diploma course in 2010, I have serviced machines for ten different companies using the techniques I acquired in robot building while at KTTC,” says Mr. Paul Kubai. He is a former student from the Kenya Technical Teachers College (KTTC), a regular participant of the annual national robot contest since it was introduced by Japan in 2007.

Mr. David Muturuchiu, a former Information Technology student at KTTC also had this to say: “Through robotics, I have gained a lot of knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering, although it was not my main course of study. I am currently working with Mr. Kubai.” He noted that almost all the industries in Kenya are importing technology and labor, and

encouraged the heads of technical institutions to consider integrating robotics in their syllabus so that many students are involved.

The 4th Robot contest in Kenya was held on 10th May 2012 at the K.I.C.C., in Nairobi with support from JICA. The competition attracted 17 teams comprising of technical institutions, national polytechnics and Universities. The teams were a combination of 39 institutions from all over the country that had merged and built robots jointly to reduce production costs.

Robot Contest Exposes Students to New Technology

The name Garissa conjures up images of a dry, dusty town in Kenya’s north-eastern region. However,

it is actually one of the fastest growing towns in East Africa. On this Sunday in May 2012, residents of the town braved the heat to witness a momentous occasion.

The region suffers perennial water shortage due to inadequate rainfall all year round. It is predominantly inhabited by pastoralists, who travel long distances in search of water for domestic and livestock use. JICA sought to address these problems through the donation of 16 water bowsers, two trucks, three 4WD vehicles, 180 water tanks, 16 generators and 16 submersible tanks, all worth approximately Ksh. 200 million. These were going to 16 districts in the region, for use in distributing water to areas in dire need.

The Minister for Water and Irrigation, Hon. Charity Ngilu, flagged off the vehicles and equipment, with the Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission to Kenya, Mr. Yoichiro Yamada and JICA Kenya Office’s Chief Representative, Mr. Hideo Eguchi. The Minister of

State for the Development of Northern Kenya and Other Arid Lands, Hon. Mohammed Elmi and other local leaders also attended.

Mr. Yoichiro Yamada reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continue supporting Kenya’s development. On behalf of JICA, Mr. Eguchi added: “This project is intended to help the host communities of the Dadaab refugee camps cope with the environmental, economic and social stress caused by the presence of the large refugee population from Somalia. It is expected to reduce the competition between the community and the refugee population over the scarce natural resources and to contribute to the reduction of conflicts in the area.”

“The cash donated will help us buy more water bowsers, sink boreholes and construct dams”, said Hon. Ngilu. In addition to the water bowsers and equipment donated on this day, JICA plans to construct more water pans and sink boreholes to further improve water security in the region. It is hoped that with these and other efforts, the water problems in the province will be a thing of the past.

Clean Water for Residents of North-Eastern Region

The Minister for Water and Irrigation, Hon. Charity Ngilu, Mr. Yoichiro Yamada and Mr. Hideo Eguchi flag off the water bowsers.

Some of the water bowsers presented by JICA for use in 16 districts.

Participants of robot contest inspecting their robots before presenting.

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Published by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Kenya Office, Rahimtulla Tower, 10th & 11th floor, Upper Hill Road

P.O. Box 50572-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: (254-20) 2775000, Fax: (254-20) 2724878 E-mail: ky_oso_rep@jica.go.jp Website: http://www.jica.go.jp/kenya/index.html

This is very beautiful,” said Ms. Akiko Masuda, holding up a unique carving

made from soapstone. She was part of a delegation from Japan that had visited Smolart Self Help Group in Tabaka, Kisii District, renowned for its soapstone products.

Ms. Masuda and Ms. Reiko Ishizaki were here to follow up on an order of Christmas gift soapstone items to sell in MUJI’s stores in Japan and other countries. Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd., popularly known as MUJI, is a Japanese company whose concept is “good price, with a reason”. It has presence in 21 countries worldwide, with a total of 535 stores selling household, fashion and food items.

Through JICA’s One Village One Product (OVOP) Programme, MUJI placed a Christmas gift items order to Smolart in 2011. The order comprised of thousands of soapstone carvings in the shape of 5 animals – elephant, gorilla, buffalo, pelican, and crocodile. The products were well received by MUJI customers, who appreciated their natural beauty.

OVOP is a development concept promoted in Japan to facilitate rural socio-economic development in developing countries. In Kenya, OVOP is one of the flagship projects contained in the Master Plan for Kenyan Industrial Development. It aims to empower communities to achieve economic growth by utilizing unique and locally available resources.

Marketing Kenya Through Soapstone Art

The 2012 order is for candle holders and soap trays. “We want to share with our customers across the world the story of Kenya, and Kisii, where these beautiful stones come from. We will have rhinos and giraffes carved onto the soap trays, to showcase some of Kenya’s wildlife,” said Ms. Masuda.

The Kisii District Industrial Development Officer (DIDO), Ms. Mary Kalerwa noted: “OVOP is helping to create employment and is of great benefit to the local people as they generate wealth using locally available resources.” The Smolart Chairman, Mr. Moses Ongesa promised that they would continue to work hard to market Kisii and Kenya through soapstone.

Robot Contest For Students

The first three winners were awarded prizes donated by various sponsors. Kisumu Polytechnic College emerged the winner, with their robot managing to perform some of the assigned tasks.

The robot contest was part of the 1st National Science, Technology and Innovation Week organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and

Technology (MoHEST) from 07-11 May 2012. The Science Week was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga. “The Government is supporting science, technology & innovation and is in the final stages of preparing a policy that will integrate all available science, technology and innovation capacities into one national development agenda,” he said. The Minister for Higher Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Margaret Kamar also urged the government to invest more resources in the science, technology and innovation sector.

The theme of the contest was ‘Bull Fighting’ which is a very popular cultural event in Western Kenya. The game aimed at the robots feeding their respective ‘bulls’ to become tough and ready to fight.

“Robotics is a wide area that can offer self-employment to the youth in the local industries as it exposes them to both scientific and practical skills that can help them to come up with effective machines,” said Mr. Hideo Eguchi, JICA Kenya Office’s Chief Representative.

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Top: (left)The team from Japan (right) Mr. Jim Kenyanya, Smolart’s Marketing Manager. Below: Artisans hard at work cutting and carving soapstones and some of the complete products.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga addresses the participants when he officially opened the Science Week. Also present were Deputy Chief of Mission,Mr. Yoichiro Yamada and the Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Margaret Kamar.