Mombasa County Government official Juliana Cherera is among the four individuals who have been nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries (IEBC) Commissioner.

Others who have also been nominated are Justus Abonyo, Irene Cherop and Francis Wanderi, they are now waiting for vetting and approval from parliament.

Cherera, a former teacher was the second interviewee to face the selection panel on day six of the intyerviews for the position, last month.

During the interview Cherera who currently works at the stategic delivery unit at the Mombasa County government, told the IEBC selection panel that top of her strategy will be to ensure inclusiveness during the election period. 

Cherera questioned the nature of elections in Kenya, noting its violent adding that is what has inspired to serve at the IEBC.

“In the next elections, I look at it in terms of are we making Kenya a better place to live, are we improving the living conditions of our people?” she said.

35 candidates had been  shortlisted for the job.

A report by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra) Women in News’ has revealed that Kenyan media houses lead in cases of sexual harrasement.

The research carried out between July and November, 2020 covering eight African countries and with 584 respondents, shows 56 per cent of women suffered both verbal and physical sexual harassment.

It also revealed that women stay silent because of fear of retaliation and lack of faith that their organisations will do anything about their reports.

Comparably, 24 per cent of men faced verbal sexual harassment and physical form 15 percent.

Women were most subjected to verbal sexual harassment with Kenya leading with 79 per cent, followed by Zambia (66 per cent) and Uganda (63.1 per cent).

Those harassed physically in Malawi, 57.8 per cent of the women suffered the same, Tanzania (47 per cent), Zimbabwe (41 per cent) and Rwanda (40.7 per cent).

In Botswana, more women experienced physical sexual harassment (48 per cent) than those who reported having been sexually harassed physically (40 per cent).

Overall, the executives are the main perpetrators (41 per cent) of the sexual harassment, followed by colleagues (38 per cent) and news sources (17 per cent).The managers are neither immune to the harassment.

“It all starts with a conversation on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in your media organisation  being explicit about sexual harassment  sharing definitions, what behaviours are unacceptable and communicating the right of every employee to be treated equally. It is far better to be proactive and prepared than pushed into a crisis management position when a case emerges,” said Women in News Executive Director Melanie Walker.

Fifty per cent of the 32 executives interviewed said they had been victims of sexual harassment but only nine per cent reported.There are, however, two major barriers to ending sexual harassment in the newsrooms - fear and top leadership’s blindness to the issue.

The 44.9 per cent of the interviewed media professionals cited fear as the main reason barring them from reporting. Only three per cent of the managers said they discuss the issue in senior management meetings.

While change may be slow in coming, however, there are small wins being recorded across the region. Women in News, for instance, through its advisory partnerships in Africa, is working with 30 member organisations across eight countries to institute sexual harassment policies that provide clear reporting mechanisms to make newsrooms safer.

“Newsrooms need as much information and support as possible to ameliorate the challenges posed by sexual harassment within the workplace by colleagues and in the field by sources,” said WIN Advisory Manager Susan Makore.

Ugandan singer Edriisa Musuuza a.k.a Eddy Kenzo was on Thursday morning involved in a nasty road accident.

In a video he shared on his facebook page, the singer is seen being pulled out of the vehicle which had overturned, by onlookers.

"We got an accident earlier today but we thank God for the protection we are all okay." he posted.

Adding "The road was wet and slippery due to rain and when we reached Maya there was a hump in the road next to Stabex Petro station that caused my car to skid in a remarkable fashion. It did a 180-degree spin in the middle of the road, facing the wrong way!” 

According to reports, the singer sustained severe injuries including a broken arm and he was bleeding profusely after being rescued from the wreck.

The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) and the Tim Hetherington Trust have announced the launch of the 2021/2022 Visionary Award.

This version of the annual award takes on a Pan-African focus which is designed to discover, nurture and support talent working within the mediums of art and photography across the African continent.

Initiated to commemorate the memory of the late British documentary photographer and filmmaker Tim Hetherington, the annual Visionary Award recognises and fosters innovative approaches to visual storytelling, by incubating visionary individuals and offering inspiration to others.

Both Javett-UP and the Trust are calling for submissions from practitioners who are currently conceptualising new bodies of work across the extended field of lens-based mediums.

Submissions should showcase new experimental forms within image-making practice, as well as diverse and alternative engagement with exhibition and curatorial processes.

“The Visionary Award will capture the ever-evolving innovative artistic production coming out of the continent of Africa. As Javett-UP we find it vitally important to create opportunities that contribute to the nurturing of the diverse voices and stories from across our continent, and to give them the recognition they deserve."  said Gabi Ngcobo, Curatorial Director of Javett-UP.

Adding" This award gives us a chance to recognise and stay close to the next generation of influential artists and to provide a platform that mediates their work to the world”

“Tim Hetherington used his art to facilitate a better understanding of Africa and the world. Art and photography play a vital role in helping us understand the culture, conflict and nuance of our communities. We hope the recipients of this award continue to build upon Tim’s legacy and use their work to tell impactful African stories” said Stephen Mayes of the Tim Hetherington Trust.

Prospective applicants can apply by submitting a portfolio limited to seven images. The submitted images should be accompanied with written short descriptions.

The portfolio should not exceed 5MB. Entrants can include links to other work and/or relevant websites (Vimeo, YouTube etc.) They should also include an artist statement not exceeding 250 words.

Applications to the Visionary Award close on the 16th of August 2021. Please send your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  with the subject line: “VISIONARY AWARD”.

Entrants to the Visionary Award need to be 40 years or younger during the year of their submission, and applicants need to live and work on the African continent at the time of entry.

The winning individual and/or collective will receive a sponsorship of £20 000. This amount can be used for a research residency, as well as the production and exhibition of new work at the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria.

This also includes a cash prize of £5000 for the chosen recipient of the award.

The prize will be awarded by a jury consisting of members from different partner institutions across the African continent, after a shortlist has been compiled by a selection committee.

The shortlist will be announced on August 30, 2021.

Tanzanian singer Nandy has joined emPawa, a record label owned by Nigerian singer and songwriter, Mr Eazi.

Nandy will now join the likes of Joe Boy, Lady Donli, whom are currently under the label. 

Mr Eazi made the announcement through his instagram page.

“Welcome @officialnandy to The emPawa Family & Big Congratulations!!! We Just Getting Started.” He wrote.

In 2018, Mr Eazi launched emPawa Africa program, a charity and investment program to equip Africa’s most promising music talents with tools, network and money to become independent music entrepreneurs. He also revealed thirty new artists set to join the emPawa program early last year.

The annual Pizza and Wine Festival which was to be headlined by Nigerian singer Omah Lay has been postponed from August 7 to October.

The camcellation of the event came after the announcement by the Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe that suspended all public gatherings and in person meetings.

"We have taken the difficult decision to push forward the Pizza and Wine Festival - Kitenge Edition initially scheduled for 7th August 2021 to October 2021. Final dates to follow after."  read in part an official statement from the organisers.

Adding " The decision was arrived at, after internal consultation in the interests of all stake holders, you, our beloved attendees, our partners, Omah Lay and his team, local authorities, and local artists. We are closely monitoring the situation and are working diligently to confirm the new dates. We will provide periodic updates to keep you abreast of all developments."

The Kenyan performers in the line up included Nadia Mukami, Nikita Kering’ and Brandy Maina, Nviiri and Bensoul.

The Mombasa County Covid-19 emergency response committee has banned all live performances in hotels and bars following the increase in cases of Covid-19 in the county.

According to the committee Covid-19 cases the County are rising again, doubling in the month of July compared to the month of June.

Addressing the press at the Governor's office, Mombasa Public Health Chief Officer Pauline Odinga said that for the past couple of weeks, the county has witnessed a surge in the number of infections which she attributed to a lot of laxity in following Covid-19 protocols.

"We have recorded 13,609 positive cases which is a growing rate of 1.9% for the month of June to 2.2% for July. New admissions at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital have risen from 37 for the month of June to 166 for July. she said.

Adding "the positivity rate has also increased from 7.1% to 15.0% and mortality rate increased from 36 cases in June to 89 in July 2021."

Among the 144 cases, 5 are on ventilator support, 8 on supplementary oxygen in ICU, 8 on observation in ICU, 48 on supplementary oxygen in general wards and 75 in general isolation ward,

On his part Mombasa County Commissioner who co-chairs the committee alongside Governor Hassan Joho said the committee was forced to come up with orther measures to control the spread of the disease in the county.

"We have received information of some people setting up ICUs at their homes, this is very dangerous and we have resolved that treatment of Covid-19 cases at home is probihited". said Kitiyo.

Other measures are, suspension of all public gatherings, places of worship to follow a third capacity rule of worshippers to avoid congestion, they should also adhere to all set rules such as keeping distance and putting on masks.

Disposal of dead bodies will also be required to be conducted within 72 hours.

The committee further encouraged the residents to get vaccinated.

Italy based Kenyan rising star Queen MJ  has dropped her latest single titled You are Mine.

The single dropped last month has its visuals out on YouTube with a video to follow up later.

Mine : https://youtu.be/ZATy8rLpEiE 

Queen MJ's latest song. “You Are Mine ,” is a love ballad that was inspired by her own experience of love at first sight.

The song is a reminder of how she met the love of her life several years ago. 

Watch High Up :https://youtu.be/DgePN6GTqWk 

Queen MJ plans to release an album by the end of the year. She currently has 10 projects on YouTube, and also owns a recording studio and Deejaying academy. 

The lyric video is out now on YouTube and all digital platforms. 

Queen MJ is set to do some philanthropy later in the year.

American actress Scarlett Johansson, who has played the Marvel character Black Widow in eight blockbuster films, sued the Walt Disney Company on Thursday over its pandemic-era streaming strategy. 

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Disney breached her contract when it released “Black Widow” simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ this month.

Ms. Johansson’s suit said that Disney had promised that “Black Widow” would receive an exclusive release in theaters for approximately 90 to 120 days and that her compensation — based largely on bonuses tied to ticket sales — was gutted as a result of the hybrid release. 

“Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms. Johansson from realizing the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel,” the suit reads. 

Simultaneous availability on Disney+, where subscribers could watch the film instantly (and have permanent access to it) for a $30 surcharge, “dramatically decreased box office revenue,” Ms. Johansson said in the suit.

“There is no merit whatsoever to this filing,” Disney said in a statement to New York Times.

Over its first three days in theaters, “Black Widow” collected $158 million at theaters worldwide and took in about $60 million on Disney+ Premier Access. 

Black Widow is Johansson’s first leading film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and she’s said it’s her final appearance.