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Kenya May Soon Import Cheetahs to India
Kenya and India Wednesday, Dec 6 agreed to collaborate on cheetah conservation, with Kenya set to export cheetahs to India. This decision was announced during President William Ruto’s recent state visit to India.
While details regarding the number of cheetahs involved and the timeframe for the transfer are yet to be finalized, the Indian Ministry of Environment formally requested cheetahs from Kenya. India seeks to boost its dwindling cheetah population. In India, the big cats were extinct in 1952.
Beyond the cheetah deal, the visit also saw the signing of five MoUs between the two nations, covering crucial areas like agriculture, healthcare, maritime security, space collaboration, and education. Kenya’s decision to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, Big Cat Alliance, and International Solar Alliance further strengthens the two countries’ commitment to global sustainability and conservation efforts.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his satisfaction with Kenya’s participation in these alliances, highlighting the potential for joint efforts towards big cat conservation. Additionally, India extended a $100 million line of credit to Kenya for agricultural projects, showcasing its continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s development aspirations.
President Ruto’s visit also focused on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, recognizing the threat posed by this global menace. Both leaders emphasized the need for increased collaboration to combat terrorism and ensure global security.
President Ruto further commended India’s remarkable progress in the digital space, expressing Kenya’s interest in learning from India’s expertise. He revealed that Kenya’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology had visited India to explore collaborations in digital ID and government service digitization, acknowledging the transformative potential of technology for efficient governance.
Kenya to Send 1,500 Farm Workers to Israel Despite Deadly War
Kenyan authorities have announced a plan to send 1,500 farm workers to Israel on three-year renewable contracts, offering a guaranteed monthly income of $1,500 (Ksh 230,100). This move comes amidst a severe labor gap in the Israeli agricultural sector, fueled by a mass exodus of foreign workers following the outbreak of war with the Hamas group in early October.
This announcement follows a similar move by Malawi, which sent 221 young people to Israeli farms two weeks ago, sparking controversy and raising concerns about worker safety and conditions.
The departure of over 10,000 migrant farm workers, predominantly Thai nationals, coupled with a ban on Palestinian workers, has created a significant labor shortage in Israeli agriculture. To address this, Israel is turning to East Africa for assistance, with plans to recruit workers from Uganda and Tanzania alongside Kenya.
Israel’s ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem, attributed the labor shortage to the mobilization of around 360,000 Israeli reservists for military service since the war began. However, he did not mention the work restrictions imposed on Palestinian workers or the departure of other foreign nationals as contributing factors.
The announcement in Kenya has ignited mixed reactions. Some raise concerns about worker safety, particularly in light of the attack on 7 October that claimed the lives of 32 Thai farm workers and several others, including a Tanzanian student. Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the working conditions that these Kenyan workers will face in Israel.
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