Mombasa governor elect Abdulswamad Nassir will receive the County status final report on Friday as he awaits his assumption of office on 15th September.

A number of challenges facing the county of Mombasa awaits governor elect Nassir as he awaits his swearing in to officially assume office

Apart from addressing issues directly affecting the residents, Mr Nassir will also be required to align some of his development plans with that of the national government considering that the county hots key government infrastructure such as the port of Mombasa.

Mr Nassir said once he receives the report, he will conduct an audit to determine unpaid debts and number of workers in the County to weed out ghost workers.

Speaking during his first public function after elected as Mombasa governor during the August 29th election at Star of the Sea Secondary School, the governor elect promised to repay the accrued debt which is estimated at Sh4.29 billion according to Controller of Budget report dated February 2022.

“I am in the process of receiving County reports and by Friday I would have made progress ahead of my swearing in slated on 15th September according to plans. Once assume the office, I will prioritise pending bills starting with those which have not been paid in the past eight or nine years,” said Mr Nassir.

He added, “On workers’ welfare, my administration is not intending to recruit any new workers but instead we shall employ who have been working as casuals while those who have been in permanent category, we shall promote them as a way to motivate them.”

To address issue of delayed salaries, the governor elect said he will invite different financial institutions to enter into an agreement for overdrafts incase of fund delays from the National Treasury. ​

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala led a host of Mombasa leaders in mourning his eldest brother Sheikh Salim Balala who passed away due to a long illness.  

Speaking at the Kikowani Cemetery during the burial, Balala said his brother who worked as an assistant minister in the first president of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta cabinet was as a humble person who nurtured many.

“Shaikh Salim was a nominated member of parliament from 1964 and he was then appointed in 1966 to 1974 as assistant minister for finance and economic planning and then later appointed chairman of the National assurance so he was in the government for a long time,” said Balala.

Balala said Salim who died at the age of 84 played was an inspiration to him and other many leaders who emulated his leadership style. The deceased was prayed at the Masjid Shibu in Mwembe Tayari during the 10 am prayers and later laid to rest at Kikowani Cemetery in Mvita.

 “I was too young when he went to politics, I joined politics in 2002,so I got inspiration from his honesty and integrity and his commitment to serve the country during his time, is among the people who fought for this country and served under Jomo Kenyatta,” Balala said.

The late was the father to Taufiq Balala who is the current Mombasa county executive minister of transport public works and infrastructure.

Former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho said Mombasa was privileged to have visionary leaders who opened the political path for many young leaders.

“He was the first leader to sprout in Mombasa, and he will be remembered for his contribution to nurturing young politicians, as Mombasa we have lost an elder and we want to condole with the family,” said Joho.

Some of the leaders who attended the burial include, Kaloleni Mp Paul Katana, Mombasa speaker Kharub Katri, Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki, Mombasa businessman Mohammed Jafar, former Mombasa mayor Ahmed Mohdhar and Coast regional coordinator John Elungata who delivered president Uhuru Kenyatta’s message of eulogy among others.

 In his condolence message, President Kenyattta described Salim as a great leader who had a clear vision for the country’s growth and development.

“In this hour of great sorrow and grief, I convey my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and friends,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru added that Salim was a person of enormous influence and his wise counsel and guidance will be missed by many.

“As we mourn and pay homage to this visionary leader, let us also celebrate his life and achievements.”

Popular Tanzanian singer Zuhura Othman Soud, alias Zuchu is working on new music!

On Wednesday the 27-year-old singer shared a series of Instagram Stories from a recording studio.

In the video Zuchu could be seen busy in a studio recording the new song.

The last time  Zuchu released a song was July.

Tourism cabinet secretary Najib Balala is mourning the death of his elder brother, Sheikh Salim Mohamed Abdallah Balala.

The late Sheikh Salim is father to former Mombasa county Transport CEC Taufiq Balala and prominent lawyer Mohammed Balala.

The late Sheikh Salim was a nominated Member of Parliament and also served as an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning from 1966 to 1974 under late President H.E Jomo Kenyatta.

On Wednesday, Taufiq Balala tweeted that his late father was admitted at Premier hospital and desperately needed blood.

"Desperately looking for blood for my ailing fathee, blood group B- , help!" tweeted Taufiq.

"It is with great sadness to announce the death of my eldest brother, Sheikh Salim Mohamed Abdallah Balala." he posted 

The late Sheikh Salim will be laid to rest on Thursday at the Kikowani muslim cemetery.

Tanzanian singer Nandy has finally delivered the much awaited baby at the Aga Khan Hospital, Daresalaam.

Nandy has shared the good news with her fans, thanking God for a safe delivery and the gift of her daughter.

“I thank God for the safe delivery of my baby daughter. I just can’t express how happy I am, but all I can say is that I love dearly mum. Now I appreciate the importance and difficulty of being called a mother. Now I know the meaning of being truly happy. This is happiness deep down from my heart! To my hubby @billnass thank you for this amazing gift,” Nandy said.

Last month, Nandy and her husband rapper Billnass tied the knot at a colorful wedding. This is their first child.

Nandy has also announced that her new born baby has just landed an ambassadorial deal with one of the insurance companies in Tanzania.

"Bila kuwasahau @assemble_insurance MIMI NA BALOZI WENU MPYA WOTE TUKO SALAMA na ma doctor woote wa @agakhanhospitaldsm asanteni sana kwa ushirikiano wenu na upendo wenu kwangu." psoted Nandy

There is a reason why Tanzanian singer Alikiba is also referred to as the undisputed King of Bongo fleva.

The singer who has been in the music industry for over 20 years with several hits under his belt boasts of numerous music trophies and awards.

Just recently, the 'Utu' hitmaker took to social media to show off some of his trophy and awards.

The singer shared a video of himself recorded in a special room with his portraits and plaques mounted on the walls and a cabinet that housed the trophy and awards collection.

Early this year, Alikiba set a new record at the Tanzania Music Awards after winning 5 awards.

In 206, Alikiba won the Best International African Act Award at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Legendary Ugandan singer Jose Chameleone will be celebrating 25 years in the music industry.

The artiste made the revelations in a press conference where he revealed that he will be hosting a major concert next year February to mark this milestone.

He promises that the show dubbed “Ggwanga Mujje” concert will be a world-class experience.

Ggwanga Mujje” is a Luganda phrase that calls upon people from all walks of life to come together for a major event.

“I am one of the major players in this industry so expect a world-class event. This is a celebration of Ugandan music. We are celebrating twenty-five years of Chameleone and Ugandan music,” Chameleone said.

On why he has settled on February 2023, Chameleone noted " I’ve seen many artistes organizing shows this year after the pandemic and being Chameleone, I had to have a different arrangement. So next year is all mine and no show is going to be bigger than ‘Gwanga Mujje’ because it’s a show for people of all walks of life.”

Chameleone  promised to bring together singer cum politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine and his long-term rival Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool in the forthcoming music concert.

“It is time that we should work together as artists and I promise to make history therefore I invite Moses Ssali(Bebe Cool) for the concert and my brother Bobi Wine. If you don’t want to sit together it’s fine but the most important issue is to work together and support one another,” he said.

Chameleone also extended an invite to Uganda president Yoweri Museveni to attend the concert.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has congratulated ODM's Mombasa governor candidate Abdulswamad Nassir for hi early lead against his main rival Hassan Omar (UDA) in the Mombasa governor race.

As of Tuesday morning, Nassir had garnered a total of 101,658 votes while Omar getting 88,352 votes from 5 out of 6 constituencies. Likoni is the only remaining constituency that has not yet submitted its final results.

Taking to social media Sonko who had been campaigning for Omar thanked UDA supporters for voting for Omar.

"Watu wangu habari za asubui? When you are in any competition, your competitor is not your enemy but your opponent, I wish I was in the ballot but no matter how long it takes inshallah God's time is the best, yote tisa asiyekubali kushindwa sio mshindani congratulations Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir for your win as the second Governor of Mombasa we live to fight another day." posted Sonko.'

Adding" I would also like to thank all our supporters for believing in us and voted for our candidate Hassan Omar Sarai, despite the loss let's remain strong and even more united as we shall always be there for everyone of you even those who never voted for us."

On Monday night, celebrations rocked some parts of Mombasa with outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho leading celebrations at the central business district (CBD) as it emerged that Nassir was leading.

"They came here and started abusing us, we never said a word. They started planning how they will win, we kept quiet. Tonight, we have shown them dust," said Joho, referring to the UDA team that had been campaigning for Omar

Joho also called Raila Odinga on phone to talk to the elated crowd who thanked the supporters through the phone call. 

During the celebration, Joho requested the Dj to play the popular song 'Katerina' which his main opponents led by Omar had nicknamed him and used it to mock him during their campaigns.

On his part Nassir who was present during the celebration thanked his supporters for their support.

Other leaders who were also present during the celebration included Mvita mp elect Mohammed Machele, Garissa Senator Abdulkadir Haji, Daadab Mp elect Farah Maalim among others.

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Mombasa governor candidate Hassan Omar’s wife Asli Osman Mahmud has appeared in public for the first time.

Omar accompanied by his wife Asli casted their vote at the Kaderbhouy polling station in Mvita constituency.

Omar first introduced her to journalists who had a rare interaction including asking her questions about women leadership.

Asli,a lawyer by profession, said she is the biggest supporter of Omar who is seeking to succeed outgoing governor Hassan Joho.

“I am the biggest supporter of Hassan Omar, and I am confident that he will win the seat,” she said after casting her vote accompanied by her husband.

The duo married in 2012 in a colorful wedding held in Mombasa, attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga, governor Hassan Joho and Omar's current main political rival Abdulswamad Nassir among others. .

If the former senator clinches the seat, the outspoken Asli will officially be the county first lady. Outgoing governor Hassan Joho is among politicians who have kept their spouses out of public glare.

Omar expressed confidence that he will be declared the second governor of Mombasa county after 10 years of Joho’s political stint.