Mombasa politicians have decried low turnouts in the ongoing mass voter registration exercise being conducted country-wide by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

IEBC is targeting to register about 5 million new voters country-wide with the coastal region given a target of slightly above 800,000 new voters.

In Mombasa, IEBC was targeting to register 190,237 new voters, but since the exercise kicked off on October 4, they have managed only 4,486 representing only 2 percent of the target.

According to a report released by IEBC on Sunday, Mombasa has been listed among the counties that have recorded lowest percentage of targets in the last 7 days. Others are Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Embu, Laikipia, Muranga, Kitui, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Kiambu. The exercise is expected to be over after 30 days.

Mvita legislature Abdulswamad Nassir, his Jomvu counterpart Badi Twalib and Mombasa senator Mohammed Faki on Monday rallied Mombasa residents who are yet to be registered to turn out in large numbers.

Nassir and Faki were speaking during the launch of a mass voter registration campaign at the NG-CDF offices in Mvita Constituency.

“I am sure that I will be the next Mombasa governor through the ODM party, but we cannot do that with low numbers, I appeal to you to go and knock on the doors of everyone who is yet to register as a voter and urge them to do so,” said Nassir.

“Remember that bad leader are chosen by those who do not vote,” added Nassir

Nassir also used the platform to launch an onslaught on his political nemesis  Suleiman Shahbal whom he accused of being greedy and using money to buy Mombasa people.

The legislature stated that his tactic will not work calling on Mombasa people to eat the money but vote wisely when the time comes adding that “some people will soon defect from ODM.”

“Some people think that they can buy Mombasa people with their money, continue with your wishful thinking but note that you will not buy off people who are determined to ensure that I seat on the governor’s office come 2022,” said Nassir.

Nassir alluded that he had the people at heart stating that those surrounding him (Shahbal) were only after his money.

“”We will not sell our souls because of your greed, we are here because of our agenda and what we have done for the people,” said Nassir.

Senator Faki called on the youth who recently acquired their national Identity Cards to use the opportunity to go and register as voters if they want to cast their ballot for the first time in 2022.

He added that the youth had numbers and must be involved in the running of the county and country at large.

“The youth must be given space to lead, I want to urge the incoming Mombasa governor (Nassir) to ensure that you allocate more slots for the youth in your government especially the department of youth gender and sports must be led by the youth themselves,” said Faki.

Faki added that Nassir was best suited to take over from governor Joho given that he has been at the forefront of fighting for Mombasa people.

“We support Nassir because we have fought with him for our people while others were sleeping, he took the lead during the anti-SGR demonstrations that wanted to take port operations away from Mombasa, he has also been steadfast on the issue of forced disappearances of our people orchestrated by people said to be police, Mombasa will be safe with him,” added Faki.

Speaking at Amani Primary school during issuance of bursary cheques to his constituents, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib urged those living in the area to register as voters in the constituency to continue enjoying resources and development allocated to Jomvu.

“I believe it will be proper for one to be a bona fide voter in Jomvu to continue enjoying resources allocated to Jomvu people, lets come out and register as voters,” said Twalib.

Twalib also lashed out at United Democratic Alliance members in Mombasa accusing them of tricking people with development promises requiring their particulars to be registerd only to use the details to register them as UDA members.

“By law you cannot be a member of two political parties at same time, many of our ODM members have fallen prey to their tricks, we will soon embark on an exercise to register ODM members to ensure that our register is clean,” said Twalib.

Business at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport came to a standstill when Mister Deaf Fashion 2021 winner Teddy Wasonga jetted back into the county.

Wasonga was crowned winner during the just concluded inaugural Africa Edition held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last weekend.

He managed to beat 11 contestants to become the first Kenyan to win the prize.

His arrival caught passengers boarding the local carrier unawares with friends and relatives singing a gospel song.

Tears of joy flowed from the eyes of friends and relatives who gave him a rousing welcome with his mother Anne Otum being unable to hold back her tears of joy in receiving back home her second born child.

Nominated Mombasa Member of county Assembly [MCA] representing persons living with disability Ramula Said Omar, Mombasa county deaf community chairperson Ruth Akinyi and county representative in charge of gender, sports and culture Baberlynn Mukila were at the airport to receive him.

The reception got Teddy by surprise and he was speechless after qualifying to represent the continent in Brazil during a forthcoming international contest.

The Mister Deaf Fashion 2021 winner’s convoy caused a traffic snarl up on its way out of the airport after addressing journalists.

The convoy caused a heavy traffic jam along the Makupa Causeway as it snaked its away to the family residence at Tudor Valley apartments formerly known as Posta Estate in Mombasa county.

A brief prayer session was held amid congratulations at the family residence.

English premier league side Arsenal Fc in partnership with a non-governmental organization is preparing to plant a forest in Kenya.

In a statement through it's official website, the club announced that through the partnership with carbion link, a non-for-profit reforestation organisation they will plant 12,000 trees in the “Arsenal Forest” in Bore, County Kilifi.

The forest will cover 12.5 acres of land in the coastal city, equivalent to 21 Emirati stadiums.

According to the statement, the program has already employed 60 Kenyan women to undertake activities under the project.

"Not only will the tree planting absorb carbon dioxide, the planting process will also greatly help the local community with 60 of the poorest local women employed to propagate the seedlings in a community nursery'' reads the statement.

Adding "The trees which are drought resistant 'Neem' will also provide farmers with a cash crop of timber with which to buy food, pay school fees, and other living expenses. This is crucial as the fast changing climate in East Africa is bringing more floods and droughts and affect farmer's ability to grow food crops ".

Arsenal players, including defender Pablo Mari, have pledged to support the project by donating trees.

“I love this idea of ​​the AFC program and want to get involved. I will add 500 trees to the Arsenal Forest! Come on, green gunners,” Mari tweeted.

Fans will also have the opportunity to own a piece of the forest. According to the website, 100 trees cost £ 100 (kshs 15,000)

The creative industry in Mombasa has received a major boost following the launch of a new state-of-the-art studio. 

The new studio which has been put up at a cost of Sh15 million is aimed at nurturing talents in Mombasa. 

The new studio is operating under the SS Media, an all-inclusive creative hub that was officially launched by Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal. 

Shahbal was accompanied by media personalities Felix Odiwuor alias Jalas and Kamene Goro during the launch.

Also during the event held at the studios located in Mkomani, Nyali were 30 local artists drawn from all the six sub-counties of Mombasa. 

Speaking during the event, Shahbal said he partnered with Mombasa youth through his son Samir to start the all-in-house media company as part of his agenda of creating jobs for the people of Mombasa. 

The full-scale media company hosts two fully equipped recording studios and a photography and design studio. 

He said there are many untapped talents in Mombasa which lack exposure for among other reasons lack of a readily available studio for the talented youth. 

“These youth who have started this studio are looking for a way to earn a living, but at my capacity, I told them I will be sponsoring more upcoming artists to come and record their songs here, “ he said. 

Jalango termed the launch as an opportunity for the talented youth in Mombasa and urged them to grab it.

“There is no one who will come out and do something like this for you. This is a huge opportunity given to you and you need not waste it, ” said Jalango after the tour of the studio.

Kamene on her part said the artists who will be recording at the studio will get a platform to showcase their talents at the “This is Africa” event which she co-hosts with Jalango among other stakeholders.

SS media is also part of the sponsors of the 4th edition of “This is Africa”. 

SS Media Chief Executive Officer Michael Wachira said the opening of the studio will allow artists to explore their talents in Mombasa.

He said for long talented musicians have been forced to go to Nairobi because of the lack of a good studio in Mombasa.

“We have done this because we know the biggest artists are from Mombasa, but they are being forced to go to Nairobi, ” said Wachira.

The Mombasa County Government is planning to construct and start the use of bus rapid transit (BRT) system that is expected to improve the public transport system and reduce traffic jams.

According to the county executive, department of Transport, Infrastructure and public Works Taufiq Balala the project will be a game changer in transforming the public transport system in Mombasa.

Speaking during a non-motorized transport peer learning forum bringing together stakeholders from Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa held in Mombasa, Balala argued that there was no need to continue expanding roads saying that BRT was the best solution to deal with the traffic jam witnessed in the city.

 “As a department we are contemplating to constructing the BRT system that we expect will bring order and sanity into our public transport sector, we don’t expect to have jams once the project is done because the BRT buses will have designated lanes,” said Balala.

Adding " If we only get one billion shillings we are ready for BRT. This money is affordable because it is a small percentage of what our country uses in infrastructure and roads. We can do it in different phases, the first phase will be from town to Mtwapa"

According to Balala, 97 per cent of Mombasa residents use public transport therefore there is a need to have an efficient and reliable public transport system stating that traffic is mostly caused by private cars.

He called for both the national government and the county governments to collaborate in the project so that both Mombasa and Nairobi, the two largest and highly populated cities in the country would have an efficient and reliable public transport system just like other major cities in the world.

Balala also stated that he was personally opposed to the expansion of the Mombasa-Malindi highway stretch between lights to Mtwapa to six lanes saying that it would only bring congestion to both ends as more people will buy cars once the road is expanded.

“The expansion of the road or construction of a new bridge will not have any big effect in solving the traffic menace witnessed on our roads, BRT is the best solution we can have,” said Balala.

Balala bashed at those who were opposed to the project saying that it will render matatu operators and other public transport players’ jobless, instead saying that no revenue will be lost as they can be incorporated in the management of the BRT system.

The county executive also stated that the county was planning to invest in a new intelligence traffic management system to ensure smooth flow of traffic within Mombasa CBD.

The county he said was currently undertaking a survey in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that will result in the abolishment of 33 junctions and roundabouts within Mombasa.

“We have partnered with JICA to conduct the survey to see which roundabouts will be removed and replaced with intelligent traffic lights,” Balala said.

The system is borrowed from Japan where CCTV cameras strategically placed in all the traffic stops will be used to control traffic from a well-equipped modern state-of-the-art control room.

He further stated that the 450 million Buxton foot bridge launched by president Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2017 was poorly designed.

According to Balala, the bridge was not as effective as it was projected to be adding that the best way to have people crossing was to have a zebra cross in the area and also have a table top crossing design.

“The table top crossing is like a big bump where cars will have to slow down therefore minimizing the chances of accidents, if it were up to me, I would have pulled the thing down,” said Balala.

The department has in the last few weeks been erecting road sign posts that are people living with disabilities friendly especially with the laying of tactile tiles to help people who are visually impaired to be able to cross the road.

The ODM party in Mombasa is expected to elect party officials at the grass-root level in two weeks-time in a move expected to streamline the party activities in Mombasa.

This was revealed by ODM Mombasa branch chair Mohamed Hamid on Tuesday morning as he welcomed the ODM national election board chaired by Catherine Mumo who are on an official visit in the county.

The meeting was also attended by other ODM officials and members of parliament from the county. The Mps present were Badi Twalib (Jomvu), senator Mohammed Faki. Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe) and Women representative Asha 'Ashu' Mohammed

While addressing the media, Hamid stated that they were ready for the exercise while exuding confidence in the set guidelines as outlined by the board in electing the party’s grass-root officials.

“We have  had a meeting with the board today and received the party register for the county and the guidelines of how best to conduct the exercise, I want to assure the board that we have faith in them and we will strive to adhere to the set guidelines they have given us,” said Hamid.

Hamid added that Mombasa was still an ODM zone saying that more people were coming in to register in the party after the party membership registration exercise was extended to December 31, 2021.

The ODM elections board chair Catherine Muma, said that the extension was given because of the covid-19 pandemic that affected party activities and such the need to give party members more time to prepare party structures within their counties.

“We issued a notice back in March extending the exercise to allow party members have enough time to prepare well for the party elections, we want to have proper structures from the polling station up to the county level,” said Mumo.

The board has been traversing counties and Mombasa was number 38 in their county visits as they prepare to head to Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties before winding up the exercise with Nyanza and western region counties next week.

Mumo added that they party had agreed to use consensus as a means of electing the party’s grass-root officials since the covid-19 protocols outlined by the ministry banned political gatherings and meetings.

“We have opted for members to use consensus to elect their grass-root officials, it is the best way during this time of the pandemic and is acceptable by law, that is why we have brought the party register to ensure that all those who will participate are ODM registered members,” said Mumo.

She further expressed her satisfaction with ODM Mombasa branch noting that their house was in order because there were no factions or any kind of fighting they witnessed during their visit.

On Monday, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir led a brigade of ODM legislators from Mombasa in his Majengo Backyard to drum up support for his 2022 gubernatorial bid.

Nassir was accompanied by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, Senator Mohammed Faki and Mombasa County Women Representative Asha 'Ashu'  Mohammed who all endorsed his candidature.

The MP accused his opponents of trying to create a rift between him and senator Faki by spreading false reports that he had opted out of the governorship race and instead focused his eyes on unseating Faki in 2022.

“I want to assure you that my vote and that of my people come 2022 will be for senator Faki come 2022, ignore those peddling lies that I am out of the governor’s race,” said Nassir as he addressed a crown in Majengo.

The senator on his side stated that Nassir was the best person suited to be the next Mombasa governor saying that Nassir has been tried and tested and has proven beyond doubt that he will protect county resources.

“We have seen how he has been defending our national resources in the National Assembly, we are confident that our county resources will be protected under his able leadership,” said Faki.

His sentiments were echoed by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib who called on the youth to turn out in large numbers and register as voters.

Badi further bashed those who were scolding him for endorsing Nassir saying that he had no regrets about it and that he did not fear anyone or anything as he stands with his decision.

“If people see I was wrong to endorse him, I want to repeat it here today that me and my Jomvu people will support Nassir for governor come 2022, I will not be intimidated.

Mombasa woman representative Asha Mohammed said that they were ready to take the seat with Nassir to better the lives of women, youth and all Mombasa people by ensuring that money gets to the grass-roots.

"We want the seat to now come to Mvita and our choice is none other than Abdulswmad Nassir" said Asha.

Old Town FC beat arch- rival Ziwani football club 2-0-to lift the Machele super cup during finals played at Mvita primary school playing ground on Sunday.

The one week tournament was also part of a campaign to create awareness among youths to take part in the mass voter registration exercise by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) this week.

The winners scored the first goal through Charib Ali on the first half and Omar Abdahhalla scored the second goal in the second half to be crowned the champs.

The well-attended final game was graced by patron of the Machele Foundation Mohamed Soud who presided over the colorful awarding ceremony.

The best defender award went to Yusuf Koka while the best goalkeeper award went to Hassan Omar of Guraya team.

A total of 16 teams drawn from Mvita constituency participated with the aim of preaching unity, peace and harmony among the residents.

On their way to the finals the champs who pocketed Sh 60,000 edged out archrivals Guraya 1-0 while runners-up who pocketed Sh 40,000 beat Majengo with a similar margin of 1-0.

In his speech, Soud announced he will sponsor another football tournament with an increment from 16 teams to 32 teams mid this month.

He urged youths to enroll more as voters and take advantage of the mass countrywide voter registration.

“A youths’ vote will be crucial in determining the country’s future destiny ahead of the 2022 general election,” he pointed out.

Fast rising Ugandan singer Azawi is set to release her debut album titled 'African Music',  on this year’s Uganda's Independence Day, October 9.

The young talented singer who is signed to top music label Swangz Avenue rose to fame in 2020 after releasing her extended play (EP), LoFit.

She released the hit song  ‘My Year‘ as the first single from her upcoming album, ‘African Music’. Another song from the anticipated album which has turned out to be a hit is “Slow dancing”.

In a mini-documentary shared on YouTube today titled ‘The Making of African Music,’ Azawi shares her music journey and the process involved in coming up with the album.

The album consists of 16 songs.

”Working on African music the album exposed me to amazing talent Michael Fingers, he’s a very special producer with a very unique ear working with him opened my eyes to a lot of things."

"My 2021 is still a year that i’m grateful for that is why I released the song my year, of course, a lot of controversies memes and throws were running around it but to me still the song was doing well because people gave it more attention.” she said.

Azawi also shared her experience working with Diamond Platnumz's music producer.

”Ayo Lizer he has been so successful with Diamond Platnumz, we did a track with him that features on the album. a very talented amazing producer there.” she stated.

In a recent interview with Ommy Dallah, Azawi revealed that she looks forward to working with several Kenyan artistes like sauti Sol, Nyashinski.

Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir on Saturday got a boost in his quest to succeed Hassan Joho as Mombasa Governor after Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib endorsed him for the seat.

Speaking during a funds drive for the Mikindani brotherhood riders boda boda association, Twalib noted that Nassir is the only candidate fit for the job.

"We will stand with you my brother, just relax, you are in safe hands. As the people of Jomvu we are not going to let you down" said Twalib.

Adding " Jomvu has it's owner and I'm the owner so let no one tell you otherwise, we are behind you".

Twalib argued that it is time for Nassir to be rewarded for his loyalty to ODM party.

Twalib charged "Jomvu is an ODM zone and that is a fact ,those going round trying to sell other parties are just lost. As ODM members  it is now our time to reward you as a loyal member ."

The Mp further lauded governor Joho's recent statement that he will not endorse anyone for the job noting that the electorates will decide who will be there next governor.

On his part Nassir who was present at the function insisted that he is not seeking Joho's endorsement calling on his rivals to also not expect an endorsement from the county chief.

"I would like to congratulate my brother Joho for making it clear that he will endorse no one for the seat. As for me all I need from him is just his vote and not endorsement. To my opponents lets meet on the ground and at the ballot, stop being desperate for endorsement and using your close links to the governor as endorsement." said Nassir.

Nassir further stated that he will work with all leaders from the count when elected as the governor.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has advocated for enhanced protection of children and the youth from harmful online content that expose them to vices such as cyber bullying, addiction, racism, sexual harassment and online fraud.

“These are risks and challenges that will require our concerted efforts through advocacy, raising of awareness and regulation to protect consumers, especially children, the youth and vulnerable communities,” the First Lady said.

At the same time, the First Lady acknowledged the vast and growing importance of online platforms in service delivery especially during the current restrictive Covid-19 pandemic.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta spoke on Thursday at the Communications Authority of Kenya office complex in Nairobi County where she presided over the launch of the second phase of the national Child Online Protection (COP) campaign dubbed, “Huwezi Tucheza: Tuko Cyber -Smart”.

The multimedia campaign seeks to inform and empower children and the youth with skills and information on how to use internet in a productive manner as well as enable them to stay safe online.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta commended the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, and the Communications Authority of Kenya for demonstrating commitment to their roles as regulators by protecting Kenyans from harmful content.

She expressed optimism that the advocacy campaign will empower the youth to be able to make better online choices thereby developing them into upright and productive citizens.

“This new focus intends to provide our children with the knowledge that will protect them against increasing exposure to the risks and vulnerabilities in the cyberspace,” the First Lady said.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Justice Martha Koome urged all relevant players in the legislative process to hasten the enactment of the proposed Children’s Bill 2021, saying it has important clauses on the protection of children against online exploitation.

“This was not in the Children’s Act because it was not a reality in 2001 when the children’s Act was enacted. Therefore it is necessary for us to move with speed and enact the Children’s Bill 2021,” the Chief Justice said.

She thanked the First Lady for being an ardent champion and defender of children rights and welfare.

ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru assured the First Lady of his ministry’s commitment to tame runaway societal moral decline brought about by the internet particularly its negative impact on children.

“Technology can be a good servant but it is an especially bad master. Let us tame technology so that we can use it for the good of society, so that it becomes our servant and not our master,” CS Mucheru said.

Other speakers included Information and Broadcasting Principal Secretary Esther Koimett, Communications Authority of Kenya Chairman Kembi Gitura and Acting Director-General Mercy Wanjau.