Interior CS Fred Matiang’i has declared Monday, December 13, 2021, a public holiday as Jamhuri Day falls on a Sunday, a non-working day.

CS Matiang'i made the announcement on Thursday, December, 9.

"In line with provisions of section 2 and 4 of the public holidays' act (Cap 110) it is hereby confirmed that 13th December 2021 will be a public holiday, by dint of Jamhuri Day falling on Sunday 12th December 2021." Matiang'i said.

Adding" This day bears profound historical significance as it marks the attainment of Kenya’s independence and the birth of the Republic. All citizens are encouraged to honour and celebrate this day in a manner that promotes unity, national cohesion and economic progress in the country,".

Jamhuri Day celebrations will be held at Uhuru Gardens on Sunday.

The event will be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta, he will also unveil a museum in the park.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has tasked new General Service Unit (GSU) officers joining the National Police Service to serve the country with courage, integrity and discipline.

The President urged the new officers to uphold the law and abide by the rules and regulations of the service while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Kenyans.

“To serve successfully you must uphold the law, abide by all applicable rules and regulations, follow the orders of your superior officers and above all, commit to serving this nation with courage, integrity, discipline and honour.

“As custodians of public safety and our internal security, you are the watchers on the wall who safeguard our rights, freedoms and our way of life. You must live true to the oath you have taken and at all times, whether on duty or otherwise, be model officers whom others will emulate,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State spoke on Wednesday at the National Police College Embakasi B Campus in Nairobi County where he presided over the 48^th passing-out-parade of the General Service Unit (GSU).

President Kenyatta commended the GSU’s reputation for bravery, excellence and unfailing commitment to duty, advising the 2,502 new officers to embrace discipline and talk to their seniors whenever faced with problems instead of engaging in acts of lawlessness and despair.

Acknowledging that the officers are joining the security sector at a time when the society at large is experiencing significant transformation and advancements in technology and external cultural influences, President Kenyatta asked them to adapt to the dynamic security environment.

“You will, therefore, be required to operate in an environment that is quite distinct from that which prevailed at the beginning of this century. The needs and expectations of Kenyans have also increased, particularly since the promulgation of the new Constitution in the year 2010,” the President said.

Once again, President Kenyatta reiterated the Government's commitment to ongoing transformation of the police service into a modern 21^st Century law enforcement agency.

The President said the Government had prioritized enhancement of human resources and equipment so as to enable the police service to effectively play its role of securing the country.

“…strengthening of the security sector has been a major priority of my administration’s agenda.

“To achieve this objective, in addition to adopting new training curricula and equipping our force with modern weaponry and equipment like armoured personnel carriers and surveillance equipment, we have also taken steps to boost service delivery and efficiency at work,” the President said.

On police welfare, the President said the Government was implementing a comprehensive medical insurance cover for officers and their families.

Similarly, President Kenyatta said the Government had reformed police housing by among other interventions allowing officers to rent houses outside their stations.

“These and other welfare and benefit initiatives have ensured the nation of Kenya is taking better care of those who take care of us,” President Kenyatta said.

Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang'i thanked President Kenyatta for his visionary leadership that has ensured significant investment in the security sector leading to better services to Kenyans.

“With the work that has happened in this sector thanks to your solid leadership and the investments that you have made, we are stronger, better and much more prepared to deal with the challenges ahead,” Dr Matiang'i said.

Other speakers included Inspector General of Police Service Hilary Mutyambai and his deputy Edward Mbugua.

Online video sharing and social media platform YouTube has announced the top 10 watched music videos by Kenyans in 2021.

The list which has new entrants reveals popular music videos uploaded and watched by Kenyans on YouTube.

Among those who registered the highest growth rate in subscriber numbers during the year and emerged as top creators and breakout creators are TT Comedian, Mungai Eve, Thee Pluto, and Terence Creative.

Below is a list of the most watched music videos by Kenyans in 2021, according to Youtube.

1.Zuchu – Sukari

2.Mbosso Ft Diamond - Baikoko

3. Otile Brown X Jovial – Such Kinda Love

4. Willy Paul X Miss P – Liar

5. Krispah, Kaligraph Jones & Boutross- Ndovu Ni Kuu

6. Joefes, Mejja & Mbuzi Ganga – Shamra Shamr

7. Zuchu – Nyumba Ndogo

8. Mbosso – Yalah

9. Chike & Simi – Running

10. Rose Muhando – Wanyamazishe

Former Baraka fm reporter Brian Osweta has joined the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Osweta who also worked for Nation Media group before joining BBC took to social media to make the announcement.

"His Grace has, is and will always be sufficient for me. Thank you Jesus! You deserve all the Glory! Truly, it has been a year of Great Expansion!" he stated.

The announcement came just one day after he revealed his exit from Nation where he worked as a data journalist at the data journalism desk.

"I am extremely grateful to Nation for all the opportunities, and growth I have experienced during my time here (it truly is one of the best training grounds for journalists). "Today, one year later, I leave well-equipped and prepared to face my next assignment," read his message.

The talented journalist was awarded the coveted Chevening Scholarship to study a Masters in International Journalism at Cardiff University, for the year 2018/2019. 

Kenya's fast rising sensation Alma continues to usher in new music with the release of her latest single “No DNA” via her management Digital Underground Africa.

Her mesmerizing rap skills and lyrics are brought to life in the accompanying visual, directed by Qubic of Frames Avenue. 

Watch the video https://youtu.be/2vfTMNXDt_k

The song was written by Alma Ndila and produced by Roy (Roy Studios) .

The new track showcases Alma's multi-faceted artistry, with her immersive, visually stunning video and soaring, dynamic voice and is available on all digital platforms. 

She most recently released Sinanga Stress off her Money Maker and has also featured various artistes in her works.

Mvita member of Parliament Abdulswamad Nassir has urged Mombasa residents to shun away from politicians spreading hatred and violence in their campaigns.

The legislature said that Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city with people from all the 45 tribes of Kenya working and living harmoniously with each other.

He called on the people not to allow politics to divide them and ruin the peaceful coexistence that they have enjoyed over the years.

Nassir who was speaking in Mwembe tayari area within his Mvita sub-county during his meet the people tour as he drummed up his campaign to succeed outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho at the helm of the county, asked residents to maintain peace as the country heads to the polls.

“We are saying as Mombasa people that the politics of insults and violence witnessed in other parts of the county will not be accepted here, all tribes of Kenya living and working here have coexisted peacefully and we will not allow politics to divide us,” said Nassir.

He called on Mvita residents to embrace his opponents as they come to campaign stating that maintaining peace was of the essence as the country approaches the 2022 general elections.

The Mp further called on all those campaigning to keep off from hurling insults inciting the public to fight stating that such kind of politics was of no good to the people.

 “We are selling our agenda peacefully without hatred and violence, we are selling our agenda by telling the people what we have done for them, our track record speaks volume,” said Nassir.

Nassir also exuded confidence that he will become the second governor of Mombasa next year stating that he has done a lot for the people.

“God willing next year I shall become the second governor of Mombasa, the work that I have put both in side and outside parliament can be seen by all, I am tried and tested,” said Nassir.

The Mp who is eying to capture the seat on an ODM party ticket, will however have to battle it out with his political nemesis businessman-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal who is also eying the party ticket to succeed Joho.

The two will also face off with current deputy governor Dr. William Kingi in the ODM nominations after he also expressed interest to take over from his boss.

KTN Presenter Jamal Gaddafi has declared his interest to vie for the Malindi parliamentary seat in the next polls, 2022.

Addressing members of the press in Malindi town, flanked by his father and political activist Jamal Sheikh, Jamal revealed that he will be vying on an ODM ticket.

Jamal who rose to fame after winning KTN's reality show "The Presenter' said he is confident of emerging the winner in the party primaries calling on his rivals to prepare for a fierce political battle.

He joins a list of several individuals who have also come out to declare their interests for the seat currently held by Aisha Jumwa who has so far declared his interest for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat.

Others who are also eyeing the seat includes former Malindi MP William Mtengo, former Coast Water Works Development Agency board member Amina Mnyanzi , Kenneth Karisa Mulewa  and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Sports Officer Lenox Safari Pande who will contest the seat on ODM Party and Aisha Jumwa's political strategist Amir Mangisi.

Ten companies from across Africa are embarking on a scale-up project which offers a unique opportunity for mature, highly scaled digital ventures to further their expansion plans through an initiative with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC).

Following the launch of a partnership between Afreximbank and CNNIC last year, the two organizations have identified and selected businesses from across Africa that have demonstrated an ability to alter industries with new and scalable business models and to transform them into high-growth ventures that are poised for international expansion.

Representing various industry sectors including agriculture, healthcare, logistics and retail, the selected businesses are Aerobotics, Afrikea, Apollo Agriculture, Farmcrowdy, Kobo360, MFS Africa, mPharma, Sokowatch, SunCulture and Trella.

Through the scale-up initiative, these companies are being connected by Afreximbank and CNNIC with access to new partners, markets and financing that can help drive their businesses forward, particularly with intra-Africa trad

Afreximbank, through its trade-enabling facilities and regional reach, is also working directly with the companies to unlock opportunities that facilitate growth not only for each venture but also for the network of tens of thousands of small and medium-sized African businesses that are connected to and enabled by these ventures to participate in international trade.

The ten companies came together during the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) to take part in a networking event hosted by Afreximbank and CNNIC and attend a roundtable discussion about ‘Africa’s Next Billion-Dollar Business’ with some of Africa’s leading business executives. During the IATF, CNN’s in-house global brand studio Create will produce a branded content series highlighting the companies, their founders and their mission.

These films, articles, and visuals will be housed on a dedicated digital page on CNN.com, which will be promoted to target audiences and on social media so that a worldwide audience can learn about African ingenuity, the ingredients for entrepreneurial success, transforming business ideas into highly scaled enterprises and the role of networks and partners like Afreximbank in driving rapid growth.

“This is such a positive initiative because it is forging valuable connections that will help ten exciting companies fuel their growth and trade across Africa. Our partners at Afreximbank have been integral in facilitating this alongside our own dedicated team. It’s a unique collaboration that combines our respective and complementary business expertise, high-quality branded content production and media amplification,” Rob Bradley, Senior Vice President, CNN International Commercial.

Adding “I’m looking forward to the stories of innovation, ambition and intent that will come from the material captured at IATF and then sharing this great branded content with CNN’s global audience.”

Professor Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, added: “African entrepreneurship is long overdue its recognition and engagement from the global audience, not only for its innovation and dynamism but also for its unmatched growth potential. I am confident that each of these businesses represents a narrative of Africa’s promise and through our partnership with CNNIC, we will see this promise truly showcased. We believe in these businesses, not only as future pan-African successes but also as future globally recognized market leaders”.