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Kenya Joins Moves To Improve Mental Health In The Workplace
Kenya’s Ministry of Health Thursday launched National Guidelines on Workplace Mental Wellness, a significant step towards addressing the country’s mental health crisis in the workforce.
The launch was led by Acting Director General of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth on behalf of Health Cabinet Secretary Wafula Nakhumicha at Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Recent data shows that approximately 3.7 million Kenyan employees out of a workforce of 24.9 million are affected by mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
The new guidelines, developed by the Ministry of Health, emphasize promotion, prevention, care, and support. The guidelines state that wellness is the responsibility of all working employees, who are encouraged to engage in self-care, develop coping skills, seek social support, and access care services.
Employers are also expected to create a supportive working environment that connects employees to care services and provides the necessary resources to implement the guidelines.
Kenya now joined the world in proactive action on mental health by aligning its reforms with the Universal Health Coverage Policy and international standards. The Mental Health Action Plan for 2021-2025 reaffirms Kenya’s commitment to mental health and aligns it with the country’s economic and sustainable development goals.
Dr. Joyce Nato from the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that all working individuals have a fundamental right to the highest attainable standards of mental health at work, regardless of their type of employment.
Ecuadorian Gang Leader’s Body Stolen From Colombian Cemetery
The body of Junior Roldán, the number two in the Ecuadorian prison gang Los Choneros, has been stolen from a cemetery in the Colombian town of Envigado.
Roldán was found shot dead in a wooded area in Antioquia province in May, and his body was buried in a wall vault at the central cemetery in Envigado on May 18.
On Tuesday, workers found the gate to the cemetery open and one of the vaults empty. Police confirmed that the vault had contained Roldán’s body.
It is not clear who stole the body or why. Roldán had many enemies, including members of the rival gang Los Lobos. He had also survived two previous attempts on his life.
Los Choneros is a powerful prison gang that is involved in drug trafficking and extortion. It is thought to be behind some of the most gruesome prison fights in Ecuador.
The gang has recently forged links with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, which has further boosted its power.
Kenyan Security Agencies Recover 48 Worldcoin Orbs, Electronic Devices
Kenyan security agencies have seized 48 orbs, electronic devices, and Worldcoin merchandise from agents of two companies, Tools for Humanity Corporation and Tools for Humanity Gmbh.
This was revealed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki during a hearing before the National Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee on Thursday, where he was asked to clarify Worldcoin’s activities and operations in Kenya.
Kindiki said that the companies were harvesting biometric data, specifically iris scans, from Kenyans in exchange for Worldcoin tokens worth 7,000 Kenyan shillings.
He also revealed that as part of the ongoing investigation, various documents have been retrieved and statements from 26 witnesses and individuals of interest have been recorded.
In addition, Kindiki announced the establishment of a task force to address gaps in cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention.
“A task force has been established to develop regulations under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018,” he said.
Worldcoin is a cryptocurrency wallet app that was launched in Kenya on July 24, 2023. It uses a combination of cryptocurrency and biometric registration to create a new kind of global identity service.
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