President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, Thursday evening to attend the 26^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

On arrival at the Kigali International Airport, President Kenyatta was received by senior officials of the Rwandan Government, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Manoah Esipisu.

CS Omamo arrived in Kigali ahead of the President to attend the pre-CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ meeting among a host of other pre-summit engagements.

This year’s CHOGM brings together delegates from the 54 Commonwealth member states to discuss and address global issues and Commonwealth priorities.

The Summit, whose theme is ‘Delivering a common future: connecting, innovating, transforming’, has also attracted over 5,000 participants from government, business and civil society.

Since Monday, June 20, Commonwealth leaders have been flocking to the Rwandan capital for the global summit which was originally to take place in 2020 but was twice postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales – who is representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth – arrived in Kigali for the summit of the Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday accompanied by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night while his British counterpart Boris Johnson arrived on Thursday.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Namibian President Hage Geingob are among the African Commonwealth leaders in Kigali for the summit.

Legendary Jamaican act, Tarrus Riley has landed in Kenya in preparation for his performance at the Highly publicized WRC Koroga Festival. The headline act who just flew into the country with the Official Airline partner of the Festival, Kenya Airways, landed 1030 hrs EAT.

Excited about his return to Kenya, Tarrus Riley promised Kenyans a time of their life.

In his words Kenya remains dear to my heart and career. My 1^st visit to Africa was to Kenya and from then till now I’ve grown such love for the people of Kenya and I thank the Organizers of the Koroga Festival for deeming me fit to be the 1^st non-African act to headline this great Festival.

Tarrus Riley and his Band was received at the airport by the Koroga Festival Team. Tarrus Riley is supercharged for his Sunday Perfrormance at The Gardens Naivasha and other activities scheduled for him during his stay.

Koroga Fetival’s project director Farida Idris in a statement expressed her excitement and reiterated that the 30^th edition is dedicated to the President, Uhuru Kenyatta for his love for Reggae Music and deemed it as a send forth for him as the general elections gets closer.

The WRC Koroga festival also kicks off today in Naivasha and will run till Sunday with performances from Buruklyn Boyz, Nviiri The Story Teller, Jovial, Otile Brown and a host of Mixmasters.

Independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) says it will not extend the 72 hours deadline it had granted the Wiper party to present an alternative candidate for the Mombasa governor Race.

Wiper party, which had nominated former Nairobi Governor Sonko, was given 72 hours by IEBC to replace Sonko in the Mombasa race, after the city governor was blocked by the dispute resolution committee.

The 72 hours deadline expires today, Thursday.

But IEBC vice chair Juliana Cherera has stated that IEBC will clear the former city governor only if the high court directs  the commission to do so.

Sonko has appealed a case at the High court after he was blocked to contest in the Mombasa governor Race

Cherera made the remarks while  addressing journalists shortly before flagging off a peace caravan in Mombasa, in conjunction with the registrar of political parties Ann Nderitu.

“If the 72 hours are over we will follow the law, we will not extend the deadline, but if he has gone to high court we will heed to the court decision or whatever outcome it will direct us to do,” said Cherera.

IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee upheld the decision of the Mombasa returning officer Sala Yusuf to disqualify Sonko since he was impeached as Nairobi Governor.

The court also said Sonko did not produce an original degree certificate from Kenya Methodist University and when he did, it was past the set down deadline.

At the same time Cherera said a  meeting with political parties scheduled for next week will determine whether to revert to the manual voter identification register or not, during voting in the August 9 general elections.

Cherera yesterday said the electoral agency has invited political parties to discuss the stalemate, citing too much pressure from them.

“We are planning a meeting next week where we will sit together with political parties to deliberate on this matter and see if it is a must we use the hard copy register, how can we ensure we seal loopholes of ballot stuffing using the hardcopy register,” said Cherera.

Cherera said the commission will have no option than to listen to the majority of the voices. She said parties had requested that we revert to the hardcopy register and said it will only revert to the hardcopy register once satisfied with recommendations from political parties.

Cherera said IEBC  is ready to deliver credible polls. She asked political parties to ensure they have a reliever to their agents in an event that one gets sick or is fatigued.

"This matter of manual register, we want to ask political candidates if this manual register has been used to pave way to ballot staffing, we ask you to come with a solution on how we can solve that, because iebc is clear that ballot stuffing is the problem,” added commissioner Francis Wanderi.

Cherera also asked the public to remain united and avoid political chaos. Cherera who was accompanied by Commissioner Francis Wanderi reiterated that the commission is ready to handle elections and will deliver a credible process.

"We are ready  to hold elections and as people we need to stay united. Our diversity should not be a reason to divide us,” said Cherera.

The office of the registrar of political parties Led by  Ann Nderitu said the political party law has brought sanity and fairness in the political space.

"We used to have unfairness in the parties, but now with the new law, part is reaping big, when the law was not changed, there were no negotiations but now parties can negotiate and get their favorite candidate, “said Nderitu.

Nderitu said in the just concluded nomination the country experienced minimal disputes owing to the fairness and new criteria provided by the new law.

"We used to have a lot of wrangles and chaos in the nomination process, but now we have seen minimal numbers of post nomination disputes because of the law,” said Nderitu.

The registrar has deployed over 350 monitors in counties to monitor whether political parties adhere to the election code of conduct ahead of polls.

"We have deployed over 350 monitors countrywide to ensure parties adhere to the code of conduct, where they report any illegality so that we can administer disciplinary actions,"Nderitu said.

The registrar warned political parties against political incitement and hate speech that may cause political Nderitu asked electorates to avoid profiling women candidates, instead should let them sell their agendas.

"We are warning against destruction of political posters because it is a right for candidates to advertise themselves, we also ask people not to profile women candidates who are seeking political positions,” said Nderitu.

She was speaking in Mombasa when the Political party’s liaison committee was meeting elections stakeholders in Mombasa to deliberate on the election preparedness ahead of the August 9 polls.

Changamwe police boss David Mathew said they will work together with election monitors to ensure protection of civilians and election officers.

"We are more than prepared to protect and ensure safety during before and after the general elections, we have deployed enough police officers to man the situation,” said Mathew. 

Charismatic, talented and award-winning singer and songwriter Kizz Daniel has unveiled incredibly mesmerizing visuals to the smash-hit track and world #1 shazamed tune, "BUGA" featuring Tekno Miles.

The massive hit that got heads of governments in Africa and beyond, among millions of Kizz Daniel fans around the world, grooving to this infectious new anthem is further celebrated in a cascade of vivacious colours that do justice to the monster hit.

Resplendent in colours that primarily celebrate the motherland and bursting with energy from all the characters displayed in these addictive visuals, BUGA the visuals — are what we dreamed of and more.

Where Kizz Daniel's enigmatic presence is undeniable, Tekno brings his original sway which lends an animated personality to an already perfected artwork.

This genius-of-an-artist, Kizz Daniel has stolen our hearts with these visuals and taken us on an emotional tourism where everything is rosy, happy and animated.

Directed by TG Omori and shot on locations in Lagos and Abuja, these visuals are all about clean angles and smooth lines, with its visual frames like mini universes of sound and poetry that help us find our way with this beautiful message and music.

Just one word describes the BUGA visuals: Magic!

Watch the visuals to "BUGA" by Kizz Daniel featuring Tekno Miles in all digital platforms.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday kicked off the latest phase of the national title deeds issuance programme that will see the immediate issuance of one million title deeds to land owners across the country.

Issuing 200 title deeds to signify the start of the programme at the International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, President Kenyatta directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Lands and Interior to come up with a programme that will involve other Cabinet Secretaries in the issuance of the balance of the ready title deeds to expeditiously execute the exercise.

“Today, we are launching and flagging off the issuance of 1 million out of 6 million title deeds that are ready across the registries in the various counties. 

“The programme should be executed expeditiously such that before sunset on the Eighth of July, 2022 the balance of the one 1 million title deeds will have been conveyed to their holders,” President Kenyatta directed.

At the same time, the President highlighted several achievements under the reforms in the land sector, noting that the National Titling program, which his administration introduced in 2013, has helped in processing and issuing title deeds to many citizens.

“As part of this programme, we established the National Titling Centre, the Rapid Titling Initiative, Land Clinics and formed links with both land buying companies and County Governments.  These progressive measures were buttressed by enhanced recruitment of technical staff and the deployment of other critical resources including motor vehicles and survey equipment,” he said.

The Head of State noted that the national title deeds issuance programme has made it possible for Kenyans living in the marginalized areas such as Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit counties to legally own land thereby empowering them to develop economically.

“I am honoured to have been the President who handed over a title deed to the first woman land owner in Marsabit; a feat that was unthinkable a decade ago when it was culturally held that women could not hold a title in land,” the President said. 

President Kenyatta also pointed out that under the National Titling Programme, all beneficiaries living in the former colonial villages such as those in Nyandarua were issued with title deeds while the problem of long and protracted land cases in group ranches across the country was addressed.

“This programme has brought hope to where there was fear and despair; we have healed wounds and resolved the phenomena of protracted and acrimonious land disputes across the country; in places such as Kihiu Mwiri in Murang’a, Nyakinyua in Trans Nzoia, Mikanjuni in Kilifi, group ranches in Kajiado, Narok and Samburu, among others,” said President Kenyatta.

The President added that, through the programme, the Government has been able to secure the country’s natural resources and heritage sites which were under the threat of being grabbed.

“In addition, we have secured our natural resources and heritage sites like the Mau Forest, the Nairobi National Park, City Park and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve among others through the issuance of title deeds,” he added.

The Government is also documenting land belonging to public institutions while the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, working with partners in the education sector, has succeeded in titling parcels of land belonging to 20,000 schools and the surveying of 32,000 public schools.

President Kenyatta said his commitment to establishing an efficient, transparent and accountable land administration and management system saw the development and launch of the National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) commonly referred to as “Ardhisasa”, which has streamlined electronic land transactions.

He cited the example of the drastic reduction in the time taken to conduct land transactions from a minimum of six months per a transaction to 48 hours through the Ardhisasa as some of the achievements of the new system.

“Similarly, instead of taking between one and three months to conduct a land search, the system gives you a land search results in 3 to 5 minutes,” he said.

The Head of State also pointed out that the 2016 Community Land Act which he signed is a progressive law as it enables local communities to legally register and own communal lands.

He said previously an estimated 3.5 million people had been unable to register their communal lands covering roughly 150,000 square miles or 67% of Kenya’s landmass but with the new Act they have been able to successful legally own their land. 

“Following this progressive legislation, we have been able to issue title deeds to group ranches in Laikipia, Samburu, Kajiado, West Pokot and Taita Taveta, an endevour which has uplifted over 500,000 people,” President Kenyatta said.

He disclosed that the national Government has been able to support devolved units and decentralised land administration services by gazetting additional 10 registries in Kajiado West, Kajiado South (Loitoktok), Yatta, Mutomo, Samburu, Malindi, Ruiru, Tigania West, Marimanti and Kiritiri, bringing the total number of registries across the country to an historic high of 67.

“Further, we are in the process of constructing 10 additional registries to promote efficient delivery of services in Hola, Kitui, Mbeere, Bomet, Ol Kalou, Naivasha, Nandi, Ruiru, Laikipia, and Samburu.  The construction of these new registries will go a long way in facilitating the decentralisation of the Ministry’s services,” the President said.

Lands CS Farida Karoney said her ministry has been able to achieve the targets set by the President through the implemented reforms that have facilitated registration of 6,1000,945 new title deeds.

“ This is a very significant number because you'll be happy to note that the colonial government and our first three administration registered 6 million so actually it surpassed slightly the 6million registered in the past 100 years,” said the lands CS.

Also present at the event were Head of Public Service Dr. Joseph  Kinyua, Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior) and Eugene Wamalwa (Defence) among other senior Government officials.

Tanzanian singer-songwriter, performer, and recording artist LOUI returns with another ground-breaking music collaboration with Ghanaian and French artists; KIDI and Maud Elka.

Hennessy (Remix) is a song that celebrates the opulence, beauty, class, adoration, and quality of a woman’s love.

Produced by Tanzanian music producer S2Kizzy, the song fuses together West and Francophone afro-music flavors performed by KIDI and Maud Elka which altogether serve dancefloor vibes with a touch of romance.

LOUI commented on the release: “I have been looking forward to this release with great excitement, we’ve all put so much work, time, and effort into this project and I hope it gives you every reason to enjoy and replay this song throughout the summer season.”

Adding “I appreciate KIDI and Maud Elka for their support on this, this project wouldn’t have been possible without their creative input and dedication”.

Hennessy ‘Remix’ comes before LOUI’s second EP Project to be released this August.

Although official release dates of the EP are yet to be disclosed, we can surely anticipate a KIDI and Maud Elka feature as part of the tracklist.

Directed by Director Kenny, Hennessy ‘Remix’ official music video will be available on YouTube come Thursday 23rd June 2022; in the meantime, fans can enjoy the song on their preferred DSPs by tapping the LINK below.

https://music.empi.re/hennessyremix

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Mombasa governor candidate Abdulswamand Nassir has pledged to steer ahead affairs of the youth and women in Mombasa when he forms the next government after August 9 general elections.

Nassir said his government will be people centered, that will create jobs for the youth without discrimination.

He said job slots of village administrators, field officers, and chief officers will be sourced equally by every sub county.

“There is nobody who will be in the county and brag about being the best, because every opportunity that arises will be shared by all wards,” he added.

Speaking in Changamwe while addressing a group of youths from the area, Nassir urged the youth to stay united and avoid perpetrating chaos in the August 9 General elections.

The Mvita Mp said his government will actively involve youth in serious affairs that will economically empower them.

“Every ward will have a resource center that will have internet connectivity so that our youth can have a place where they can do their online activities,” said Nassir.

Nassir said Tax regime in the county will be reviewed to ensure that companies that are led by the youth will be exempt from tax and levies for them to thrive.

“We will give youth money without interest so that they can do business. We will review all the fees within the finance bill so that some exorbitant charges can be removed,” said Nassir.

Nassir also said his government will factor the affairs of single mothers by empowering them to stand on their own. Nassir also promised to provide sanitary towels to school going girls through a special programme.

“We will have a second chance programme for the single mothers, if it's going to school, they will do so, if it's business empowerment they must be empowered,” said Nassir adding that he will have a special kitty for them.

Nassir at the same time reiterated Mombasa will demand a revenue share from Kenya ports Authority (KPA) stating that locals especially the youth should benefit from the resources that come from the port.

Mombasa ODM youth leader Ali Kubo asked the youth to support Nassir’s bid to succeed governor Hassan Joho in the oncoming elections.

Kubo asked the youth to vote a six piece pattern so as to reap from the ODM government when it forms the next government.

 “We must ensure we vote in six piece because if we put other p[arties we will not enjoy the benefits of our government, this is the opportunity for the youth to install their government,” said Kubo.

President Uhuru Kenyatta today unveiled the final report of the nationwide airborne geophysical survey and inaugurated seven other ground-breaking projects that provide current and comprehensive geospatial data covering the entire country.

The eight projects were developed under the Joint National and Resource Mapping (JNAM) team.

The team comprises of young Kenyan professionals under the supervision of a multi-agency from the security sector.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, when he launched the Joint National Mapping Projects, President Kenyatta expressed optimism that the projects will help in the National development landscape. 

“As stewards entrusted with our natural resources, for the first time in our nation's history we have painstakingly pieced together an inventory of Kenya’s natural resources.

“Innovations generated from the exercise will fast-track creation of jobs, diversification of revenue sources and industrial development in line with the Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030,” President Kenyatta said.

He commended the talented young Kenyan professionals who worked jointly under the multi-agency JNAM team to make the projects a reality.

“Your efforts have made Kenya the first African country to conduct such an extensive survey without tapping into foreign expertise,” he said.

President Kenyatta said, through the projects, the JNAM team mapped out a wide range of resources including base metals, coal, gemstones, geothermal spots, forest cover, water bodies, precious metals and rare earth elements.

He pointed that the output maps have already helped the Ministry of Education in mapping out schools countrywide, the Ministry of Roads has been assisted in the identification of road reserves while the Kenya Forestry services has been able to map out forest cover and identify encroached areas.

Under the JNAM multi-agency project, the President said the team also successfully developed a current cadaster for Nairobi County which has helped in the identification and securing of public lands such as green spaces, health facilities, schools, roads and road reserves.

“Overall, with the updated data sets generated as part of this survey; the national and county governments, the private sector, learning institutions and other stakeholders are now better positioned to plan and implement their development programmes,” the President said.

The Head of State also commended the JNAM team for developing several online applications such as the Taifa Pay, used to centrally collect most Government revenues within Nairobi, which has increased transparency and accountability in Government and private dealings. 

“The Nairobi Revenue System has greatly supported the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and the Kenya Revenue Authority in aligning their revenue collection systems,” the President said.

President Kenyatta said the team also developed ArdhiSasa digital platform, a land management system that improved the speed of land transactions. 

“Where once it took a minimum of six months to do a single land transaction, this has now been reduced to 48 hours using Ardhi-Sasa. Similarly, instead of taking between one and three months to do a land search, this system will give you land search results in three to five minutes,” President Kenyatta said.

He urged all Kenyans to embrace the ArdhiSasa system that has established a transparent, affordable and efficient Land Information Management System.

The JNAM team has also developed the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure for spatial discovery, evaluation and application within all levels of Government, commercial sectors, non-profitable sectors, academia and the citizens in general.

The JNAM team has also developed an Online mining cadastre to improve mining dealership and rights processes, which will greatly boost revenue collection within the mining sector.

“For a very long time our land has been exploited by individuals who say they are taking the soil to their labs. With this innovation we will be able to know what is being mined and by who,” said President Kenyatta

The Head of State also urged the county Governments to embrace the innovations, saying the new project will transform the country by improving transparency and eliminating corruption.

ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs CS Joe Mucheru noted that the skills used to formulate the unique innovations were a clear testimony that Kenya is a leader in technology.

“They (the young professionals) have done us proud and delivered to you and the Kenyan people beyond our expectations. These energetic sleepless young Kenyans have delivered assets that will last a lifetime and they did so in record time without compromising or complaining,” said CS Mucheru.

CS Mucheru, thanked President Kenyatta for trusting the team to deliver on one of the most treasured project that will go a long way in transforming service delivery in the country.

Three-time SAMA award-winning and platinum-selling singer, songwriter, music producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, TRESOR, is going back to back with his discography of Drake Collaborations.

Nine months post the release of the 'Certified Lover Boy' super album, which boasts “Fountains”, a collaboration between Drake, Tems and TRESOR, the African Pop Maverick is doing his part in shaping the Global Pop Press Release - African Pop Maverick TRESOR Collaborates With Drake On 6 Songs On The Surprise Dance Album, 'Honestly, Nevermind'.

TRESOR collaborated on 6 songs in the riveting offering and lent his vocals to 4 of the records he graced with his alchemic production skills.

His vocal and production talents unravel distinctively on “Currents", "Downhill", "Fights Booked", and "Tie That Binds", while “Overdrive” and “Massive” give room for his songwriting to shine.  

“I’m honoured to finally share that I’ve collaborated with Drake on his new music for his latest album. Thank you to my brothers Drake and Oliver El Khatib. I’m forever grateful for your kindness. Thank you for believing in me,” shares TRESOR.

TRESOR is well on his way to renaming himself as the International Pop Maverick, be sure to listen to 'Honestly, Nevermind' and indulge in the cultural paradigm shift led by a wave of African creatives, most notably, TRESOR.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Mombasa governor candidate Hassan Omar has said he is ready to work with former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.

Omar said, should Sonko be barred to vie for the Mombasa governor seat, he is ready to welcome him at his camp in the quest to capture Mombasa leadership; saying they share the same ideologies, to serve the common people.

 “We welcome Sonko to join us because his plan was to rescue Mombasa, and that is our plan too, so he is very welcomed to work with us,” said Omar.

The former Mombasa Senator welcomed Sonko in the quest to save Mombasa from what he termed as capture by few individuals

Omar noted  “What Sonko was agitating for is what we are talking about, we want to save Mombasa from the capture of few individuals, tribalism and many other things, so we ask Sonko to join us, we were together in the senate and we know he meant well to agitate for the people.”

Sonko is currently in court trying to challenge the decision by the Independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) to bar him from vying, but Omar believes that the former Nairobi boss can still discharge his hopes to serve the Mombasa people by backing his candidature.

“We have given you a clear choice, Sonko wanted to end tribalism, and we know his plan was very clear in Mombasa so we know he can also join us as we seek to liberate Mombasa county,” said Omar.

Addressing the media on Monday morning together with other UDA candidates including Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali, Senatorial candidate Khamis Mwaguya among others, Omar called on Mombasa residents to ensure they make informed decision in the August poll and vote for leaders with good track records.