The Public Service Commission (PSC) has shortlisted 21 candidates for the positions of commissioners of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The positions fell vacant after two Commissioners Dabar Abdi Maalim and Rose Mghoi Macharia resigned on September 1.

Among those shortlisted for interviews is Richard Chacha, currently the Director public communication health services department, Mombasa County.

The interviews are scheduled to start on Tuesday and conclude on Thursday, September 30.

Other candidates shortlisted for the interviews  are John Kiplelei Kirui, Joan Andisi Machayo, Lawrence Nyalle, Halima Abdi Omar Shuria, Enock Osoro Kinara, Rukia Atikiya, Elizabeth Njambi Munene-Muchane, Nancy Karimi, Abdiaziz Sheikh Maad, Faith Waguthi Waigwa, Adan Wachu Bulle, Mary Mwongeli Mutuku Ndeto, Florence Muinde, Lucy Wanja Kinuthia, Ricahrd Okoth Odour, Monica Wanjiru Muiru, Paul Sakana Lenkume, Stellah Ibongia Onyiego, Alfred Mtuweta Mshimba and Abdihafid Abdullahi Yarrow.

Upon completion of the interviews, names of the succesful candidates will be forwarded to parliament within twenty-one days for vetting, upon approval the names will then be forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointments, within seven days.

The Commission is required to have five commissioners who are appointed for a single term of six years on part time basis, and are not eligible for reappointment.

With the Covid-19 protocols and restrictions put in place by the government still being observed in the country, Kenyan artistes seems to have opted for music performances beyond the boarders, abroad.

Several Kenyan artistes have so far been visiting several countries which have eased Covid-19 restrictions, for music performances as one way to continue earning income from their craft considering the ban on public gatherings, concerts and restrictions on night clubs back at home

The entertainment industry and entire creative sector is among the most affected sectors in the country with industry players calling on the government to consider easing the restrictions and open up the country.

Popular female singer Nadia Mukami has been in US since last month for several music shows and performances in the states of Minnesota, Kansas and Houston.

Another artiste who has also visited other countries to seek green pastures is Otile Brown.

The 'Chaguo Langu' has staged performances in several countries during this period, he has visited Dubai, South Sudan and he is currently in Bujumbura Burundi for yet another music show.

Dancehall king, Redsan is currently on a tour in US, he was among the African artistes who performed during the five day Afrobeats festival in the sate of Houston. Fena Gitu was also part of the performers.

Redsan is also expected to have another music show in Seattle, US on September 25th.

Faheem Riyamy, the Grandson of former Senior District commissioner of Turkana district , Rift valley province , Mr Rashid Riyamy Snr who enjoyed such a storied public service career, has joined politics.

The soft spoken businessman is set to vie for the Old Town MCA seat through the UDA party, a political party associated with Deputy President William Ruto.

The 34- year-old widely regarded as the one to have displayed the same aura as his late Grandfather Mr Rashid Riyamy both on and off screen till date has been traversing the sprawling alleys of the native native Old Town  to try to revive the fortunes of this historic town which has dwindled down  with lack of security and the rise of illicit drugs usage .

According to Faheem youth empowerement is part of his agenda.

"Education is very important to our youth, this will help them stay away from issues like drug abuse and other vices. Through education our youths will also be able to secure jobs. " said Faheem.

Adding " Once elected I will make sure that I talk to my friends and other stakeholders to see how we can sponspor our youths in terms of education and secure bursaries for them.

He further promised to support smale sacle traders and businesses.

"Old Town is known for fishing, we have alot of fishermen in Old Town, I will make sure that we empower them through getting them modern fishing boats and help them in securing ready market for their product not only locally but nationally and internationally.

Mombasa parliamentarians have asked the government to provide answers on the abduction and release of Abdulhakim Saggar who last month was taken away by people said to be police attached to the ATPU unit.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki and Mvita legislature Abdulswamad Nassir questioned the motive behind his arrest given that nobody knew Saggar’s whereabouts and neither was he produced before court to answer to any charges against him.

Saggar was set free at around 2 am Saturday night in a thicket he later discovered to be around Voi area with Sh.2000 in his pockets that he used as bus fare back home to reunite with his family.

Senator Faki stated that they were glad he returned home safely, but they demanded to know who was behind his disappearance and what the motive behind it was.

“We demand to know why Saggar was arrested and where he was kept for the last one month, the government must tell Kenyans who was behind the arrests and the motive behind it all,” said Faki.

Faki questioned why he was released at the wee hours of the night in a thicket a factor that further threatened Saggar’s safety.

He further questioned why the police were taking Saggar’s family and lawyer in circles at one point accepting then later denying to have him in custody.

“The law stipulates that an arrested person must be presented in court within 24 hours, why was Saggar kept in unknown location for more than a month without being produced in court?” asked Faki.

Faki added that he was going to write to the senate minority leader Senator James Orengo to compel the government to provide answers on a number of individuals who have disappeared mysteriously after being arrested by police adding that the state was violating human rights with the arrests and disappearances.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir stated that the government must respect the rights of every Kenyan as enshrined in the constitution.

He warned the police against religious profiling insisting that no religion condones crime and as such the law must follow its due course when one is in the wrong.

“Crime cannot be correlated to a tribe or religion, harshness and badness cannot be correlated to just an institute, for this reason we want to say that it is impossible to say that an individual is taken away without the family or lawyers knowing his whereabouts,” said Nassir.

Nassir confirmed he had visited Saggar on Sunday morning to see how he was fairing, he called on the media to respect the family’s wish of allowing him to rest and spend time with his family.

The legislature also called on members of the public to remain resilient in pointing out any state aggression against its citizens without looking at their tribe or religion.

“When the process of trying to seek justice you yourself do an injustice, that in itself is wrong, the aspect of humanity is that when you are oppressed you need to speak against the person doing the oppressing, today it might be you and tomorrow another,” said Nassir.

The executive director of Human rights group Haki Africa Hussein Khalid added that they were closely monitoring what the DCI would do in the next following weeks stating that there was enough video evidence to implicate the said officer for wrongful detention.

“We are watching very keenly what the government and in particular the DCI will do moving forward, every evidence is available so those responsible must be brought to book, Kenya is not a jungle country, we have laws that must be folled,” said Khalid.

Saggar’s brother Faris Saggar confirmed to the media that he was home but currently undergoing medical examinations to ascertain is health status.

Saggar was arrested on August 18 at Mlango wa papa area within Old Town on his way to the mosque before being released on September 19.

Coincidentally, a missing Kenyan researcher of Somali origin Prof. Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad was also released by his captors on Sunday night in an undisclosed place in Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday said Kenya had made commendable progress towards the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In a recorded video address to a side meeting on SDGs convened by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guteress at the ongoing 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76), President Kenyatta reiterated Kenya’s commitment to SDGs saying, the country will not lose momentum on the subject.

“I want today to reaffirm Kenya's commitment to the SDGs, and to ensuring that we maintain the implementation momentum that we started with,” the President said.

Despite the socio-economic challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, the President said Kenya had made good progress in education, gender, and climate change among other SDG sectors.

He said two voluntary reporting assessments undertaken by Kenya had returned positive results adding that the country's 2016 SDG roadmap had been fully integrated into the national development agenda.

The President said Kenya had prioritized SDG sectors with the highest socio-economic impact as outlined in the country's Big 4 development blueprint.

 “Additionally, my administration has sharpened the economic policy by prioritizing action in sectors with the greatest multiplier effect on the economy, namely affordable housing; manufacturing; universal health coverage; and food security and nutrition," he said.

The Head of State pointed out that Kenya's push towards attaining food and nutrition security was being held by climate change among other salient factors.

He said the country had embarked on an aggressive afforestation programme, and development of its renewable energy resources as part of its broad climate change mitigation strategy.

On housing, the President said Kenya had taken steps to promote sustainable cities and human settlements by implementing affordable housing programmes so as to end the expansion of informal settlements.

President Kenyatta called for greater international solidarity in post-Covid-19 recovery so as to support developing countries to “build back better, build back stronger and regain the momentum on achieving SDGs".

In his address, Antonio Guteress said challenges facing the world such as climate change, conflicts and Covid-19 had slowed down global efforts towards the attainment of SDGs.

The UN Secretary General called on governments and non-state actors to collaborate more in Covid-19 recovery efforts by investing more in vaccination and socioeconomic systems that support revival of education, social protection, health care and employment creation.

“I call on the world to mobilize behind a global vaccination plan that doubles vaccine production, to reach 70 percent of the world’s population by the middle of next year.

“Second, we need to get down to the business of a sustainable and equitable recovery for all, so that we stay on track to end poverty by 2030,” Secretary-General Guteress said. 

Pupils from schools in rural areas emerged tops in an essay writing contest where over 23,000 pupils from 11,300 public primary schools across the 47 counties participated.

Mwongeli Mulwa from Makueni, Denise Nguhi (Machakos), Mitchele Rono (Elgeyo Marakwet), Melvin Koech (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Emmanuel Okinyi (Migori) emerged the top five winners nationally.  

The five were feted at a ceremony held in Mombasa today and attended by representatives of schools from across the country at an event presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha and also graced by his Tourism counterpart, Najib Balala.  

The essay contest was sponsored by Pwani Oil Products Limited, through its Sawa soap brand, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA).

The competition dubbed “Colors in Life” aimed at sharpening creative writing and thinking skills among pupils in Standard 6 and 7 and ran from July 1 to 31.

Mwongeli from ACK Mtito Andei School, Denise (Machakos Primary School), Mitchele (Chepketeret Primary School) and Melvin (Moi Tambach Primary School), and Emmanuel (Milimani Primary School) proved the creative writing mettle of learners from schools in remote parts of the country.

Five essays were shortlisted from each of the 47 counties and the best five nationally picked by a panel of 20 judges drawn from Pwani Oil, KEPSHA, Shujaaz Inc., and two external judges, Shiko Nguru, a children’s author and popular musician Vivian Wambui also known as Vivian Kenya.

Prof. Magoha hailed the initiative saying it will help sharpen creative writing and critical thinking skills among learners.

“Shaping responsible citizens of the future must begin with producing learners who can think critically and express themselves in creative, innovative ways. This is the only way we can become a Nation of innovators and problem solvers,” said Prof Magoha.

Pwani Oil Commercial Director Rajul Malde says the competition’s primary aim was to offer a platform for the pupils to portray the best side of life creatively. 

“Creative writing is one way of helping children understand the world we live in by giving them a voice to express their ideas and thoughts, a platform to explore their talents and imagine limitless life’s possibilities, even during these tough times,” said Malde during the ceremony to announce the winners. 

He cited research conducted by the National Literacy Trust in the UK singling out creative writing as playing an important role in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We aspired through this competition, to inspire our children to recreate the world the world they live in through written expression. This was not just a writing competition but also an opportunity for participants to share their ideas and personal journeys with the world,” said Malde. 

KEPSHA National Chairman Johnson Nzioka hailed the initiative saying it would go a long way in improving the education standards in Kenya.

“The contest not only helped strengthen the value of accumulating knowledge to improve writing skills and creative thinking, but also earn the participants recognition beyond the classroom. This is what the new learning curriculum is all about, that is, teaching children to be all around especially in their areas of God-given talents,” said Nzioka.  

Pwani Oil supported the initiative while KEPSHA assisted with mobilizing participation across all the counties and overseeing the adjudication process.

The five winners will be rewarded with an educational tour of the coastal region including a first-hand experience of Pwani Oil’s Kikambala Plant, the largest soap and edible oil manufacturing facility in East and Central Africa. They also received certificates, trophies and assorted gifts. 

Creative expression is seen as an important aspect of nurturing responsible citizens capable of contributing positive ideas to society. Malde disclosed the essay writing competition will be held annually to appreciate the writing talents of pupils across the country.

Malde said the competition theme is based on the Sawa brand philosophy of “Bringing colors to life” which is about inspiring positive elements in people’s lives. Launched in 2008, Sawa has since grown to be the second most popular bathing soap brand in Kenya, also available as hand wash and body wash.

KEPSHA is the representative body for over 26,000 head teachers in all the public primary schools in Kenya.

Tanzanian singer Rayvanny real name Shaban Mwakyusa has unveiled the first artiste signed under his Record Label, Next Level Music in a bid to expand his empire. 

Through his instagram page, the singer introduced Macvoice Tz as his first signee.

"#NLM MY FIRST BORN. welcome to the Big Family". he posted

The 27-year-old singer also revealed that the new artist will sooon be releasing his first song under the label.

Rayvanny who is also under Wasafi music label (WCB) launched his Next Level Music label early this year maintaining that he is still a member of WCB.

"Before I even say a word, Vanny Boy and Wasafi are for life. I want to first thank my management, WCB Wasafi; I greatly thank Diamond Platnumz for the far I have come. If I decide to have a label, I can even have about five of them. So, there is no way that I am leaving Wasafi to go to another label. Maybe I own about 10 labels under my name," he said.

As political temperatures in the country continue to rise ahead of the 2022 general election, several public figures have found themselves wading into the political debate.

The latest celebrity to share his opinion is singer Otile Brown.

Through his instagram page, the Chaguo la Moyo crooner pleaded with Kenyans to choose their leaders wisely and avoid electing leaders based on tribal affilaitions.

"Wakati mwengine sisi wa Africa ndio chanzo cha matatizo yetu...we've suffered for looong because of our own selfish decisions, Kuchagua viongozi kisa ufanatic, mtu wetu na kuhongwa ni ushamba," said the singer.

Adding "Kenya tunaweza ishi kama ulaya na sote tunajua hilo, uwezekano upo...weka hisia zako, mapenzi ya jamii yako na kiburi kando natufanye waamuzi wa akili, mabadiliko yanaanzia kwako wewe mpiga kura, chagua kiongozi wa kweli na wala sio wanabiashara".

Hi sentiments comes just weeks after comedian Eric Omondi endorsed buinessman Jimmy Wanjigi for presidency through his 'Fagia Wote' campaign an issue that saw Kenyans on social media attacking the comedian for his move terming it as selfish insisting that the move was owing to his deep pockets. 

This is not the first that Otile Brown is raising his voice on matters of national interest. Last year, the singer penned a letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta pleading for his intervention in the fight against corruption in the music industry.

He argued that unemployment has pushed the youth to try their hand at different crafts to make ends meet, including music and that it is unacceptable that leaders appointed to oversee the smooth running of the music industry and pay artists their dues have turned greedy and pocketed the monies.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has said he is ready to shelve his 2022 presidential ambition and support his party boss Raila Odinga.

Speaking during the Azimio la Umoja Coast chapter held at the Wildwaters Mombasa, Joho said Raila stands a better chance in winning the 2022 presidential election.

"I'm ready to shelve my ambition and support Baba. I dont fear doing that. I have analyzed all these political leaders seeking the presidency, the only person fit for the job is Raila Odinga" said Joho.

Adding " As Coastal people we are seeking to have equal partners and not just be followers. We also must be counted and be on the table".

Early this year Joho declared his interest to vie for the presidency through ODM and called on Raila Odinga to support him.

The meeting at Wild waters was also attended by several Governors, Granton Samboja (Taita), Dhado Godana (Tana River), James Ongwae ( Kisii), Senators, a host of Mps and MCAs from the larger Coast region

The leaders declared their support for Raila Odinga in the 2022 election.

"We have resolved to unite as a region and affirm our support for Raila Odinga as the next president of Kenya. This support is pegged on his past and current policy positions that we are convinced would take care of the socio-economic aspirations of the Coastal people" reads a declaration by the leaders, read by Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo.

After her debut single, Why Don’t You Love Me and her follow up single Sorry, Contemporary Indie soul singer Muthaka, releases her first studio album Sunshine, which in her words is a tale of two stories, love, and loss.

Muthaka sums up by saying “This first half is very happy and bright, it allows us to be vulnerable in love, hence Sunshine. Guitar which then introduces the other half of the untold story, “loss” gives a sombre mood which represents the second bit of the story”.

About Guitar

Having written the song back in 2019, ideally Muthaka lived the lyrics of this song, her intent was to keep it personal and never release the song. In her own intuition, she knew that she was not the only one to have been in that place where you need someone to tell you it gets better in time. And that we could all go back to that time when we were our own.

Guitar is as smooth as it gets yet you must feel the hurt, love, loss, and hope… it’s a classic.

In Muthaka’s Words

I would like to pass my most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to a master at his work MG, your keen ear and patience made this whole process as flawless as I would have imagined. I would like to thank you for your brilliance in Mixing, Arranging, Mastering and Production. Its Producers like you that make our artistic dreams into a reality.

I would also like to appreciate the efforts of World Cosmos production, the whole team was outstanding BUT special mention to Tevin Fuhd, words aren’t enough to express how grateful I am for your dedication in making 5 Visuals a reality and gifting my fans this Sunshine experience expressed in visuals. Tony Gigz Production, Why Don’t You love Me was nothing short of what I wanted to introduce me to the scene. I will hold that dear and close to me.

The whole Universal Music team, we are finally here and I'm thankful for this far and look forward to more.

To everyone I haven’t mentioned by name, your names are embedded in a special place in my heart, and I wouldn’t change anything about the supporting team that are worked on this album.

 SUNSHINE TRACKLIST:

1. Sunshine (Intro)
2. Love Ballad No. 3
3. Sorry
4. Too Young
5. Sunshine
6. Why Don’t You Love Me
7. Guitar