October 30, 2023: Top news events to look out for today
By Martin Oduor, October 30, 2023
Here is what you need to know in order to get up to speed with today’s happenings.
King Charles III visit
The Kenyan government will today put the final touches on the ongoing preparations for the arrival of British monarch King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Charles, the UK’s head of state, travels abroad at the request of the British government and only when he has been invited by the host country.
President William Ruto invited King Charles and Queen Camilla for a four-day visit beginning in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
There will be a beehive of activities for the two leaders for the four days.
The British King and Queen will visit Nairobi and Mombasa Counties and surrounding areas.
Upon arrival, their Majesties will be greeted in Nairobi with a ceremonial welcome at State House.
Later, they will each attend bilateral meetings, separately.
The King will be with President William Ruto while the Queen with First Lady Rachel Ruto.
After their separate meetings, Ruto will host a State Banquet at State House, Nairobi.
The King and Queen are scheduled to visit Nairobi National Park to witness conservation work being undertaken by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
The British monarch will also visit a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, joining British and Kenyan military personnel in an act of Remembrance, before hearing about the Commission’s recent work to ensure all those who supported Britain’s efforts in both World Wars are commemorated.
For the King, he will visit the United Nations Office in Nairobi, to learn more about the work of UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme. UNON is the only UN Headquarters in the Commonwealth.
King Charles will also attend an event to celebrate the life and work of the Nobel Laureate the late Professor Wangari Maathai.
In Mombasa, King Charles will also visit Mtongwe Naval Base to witness Kenyan Marines, trained by the Royal Marines, demonstrating a covert beach landing, showing defense collaboration in action.
The British royal will also meet faith leaders from diverse communities to hear how they are working together to promote harmony amongst the coastal city’s population.
BATUK
Victims of British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) together with African Center for Corrective and Preventive Action will today hold a press conference ahead of His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit to the the country this week.
The press conference will be held at the Boulevard Hotel, Harry Thuku from 11:30 am.
Cyberweek Africa – 2023
The inaugural Cyberweek Africa-2023, a cybersecurity conference, will be held at the University of Nairobi (UON) from today October 30 to November 1, 2023.
The Cyberweek Africa – 2023 event, organized by Cyberpro Global, a leading provider of educational
technologies and cyber training solutions, aims to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap in Africa.
The event will bring together academia, government institutions, private sectors, the industry, and funding agencies to collaborate and innovate towards bridging the cybersecurity skills gap in Africa.
East Africa Device Assembly
Safaricom PLC will today launch East Africa Device Assembly Kenya in a bid to democratize smartphone access to all Kenyans.
The launch will be held at Graylands warehouse V, Athi River as from 8:30 am.
President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa are among key guests expected to attend the launch.
KCSE
Today marks week two of the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
KCSE began in earnest on Monday, October 23, 2023, after rehearsals were held on October 19, 2023.
Candidates were examined in oral practical exams in week one of KCSE. The practical exams included orals for French, German, Arabic, Kenya Sign Language and music.
For week two of KCSE beginning today, candidates will be examined in French, German and Arabic (listening, comprehension, dictation and creative writing) and Kenyan Sign Language (receptive skills).