The County Government of Mombasa in collaboration with the Coventant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan African (COM SSA) on Friday launched the Mombasa City Lab.

The lab is expected to pave way for a co-develop and co-design approach to generate concrete solutions for the city’s complex urban flooding climate adaptation challenge.

The City LAB is also expected to tackle complex, cross-sectoral urban challenges by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, private sector and academia.

These structured processes aim to generate innovative ideas by co-producing solutions aimed at addressing complex urban issues through a multi-stakeholder consultation process.

Speaking during the event, Mombasa County deputy governor Francis Thoya described the launch of the lab as a pivotal initiative in the county’s journey towards a resilient and sustainable future.

The recent rains and subsequent flooding have reminded us of the urgency to of the challenges we face, especially in the context of climate change.”

“We acknowledge the impact on our communities and recognize the need for comprehensive, collaborative solutions,” said Thoya.

The Mombasa City Lab he said is born out of the recognition of the climate challenges the county faces and is a testament of the county administration to innovation and resilience.

He said it represents a structured participatory process involving the county, academia, civil society, the private sector and local stakeholders.

"Together we aim to co-develop concrete solutions to address our city’s complex urban flooding and

The city lab process is expected to bring relevant stakeholders together to generate and co-develop innovative ideas for how to solve urban issues wherecompeting and conflicting prioritizes are addressed and feasible solutions are generated.

The LAB during the implementation will co-develop and co-design concrete solutions for the city’s complex urban flooding climate adaptation challenge over a period of one year.

Where reasonable and possible, the LAB will take actions towards selected proposed solutions.

"The Mombasa City Lab process is not just a forum, it is a critical intervention, a laboratory for ideas and actions that will lead to transformative outcomes.” Thoya said.

The county executive for Water, natural resources and climate change resilience Dr. Emily Achieng said that the lab has come at an opportune time as the county grapples with looking for solutions to problems affecting the county.

"The lab is going to look at the complexity of a problem and who can solve it. As a county we have taken strokes and we are adjusting our budget to factor in social programs in order to assist people affected by the recent floods,” said Achieng.

She said her department was already putting plans in motion to implement the recently launched Mombasa Climate Change Action Plan adding that several bills will be brought into the county assembly of Mombasa for adaptation.

She added that she was working closely with the department of lands to ensure that even the 6.9 per cent emissions coming from buildings is reduced by first quarter of next year.

The action plan she said is not only for her department and the county, but all stakeholders in Mombasa.

"We will gazette new green building codes by the first quarter of next year and all stakeholders will abide by it to reduce emissions.”

“With our partners GIZ, we have finished mapping the energy load from county buildings, we are looking at renewable energy alternatives, because as a government we want to lead from the front,” Achieng said.

Irene Garibaldi, the head of cooperation European Union delegation to Kenya said that the launch of the Lab will help to address the consequences of climate change in Mombasa.

She lauded the county government of Mombasa for spearheading initiatives to address effects of climate change locally.

"The floods witnessed recently have showed us the negative effects of climate change. I want to confirm to you that the EU is committed to work with counties to support inclusive and resilience urbanization, improve energy planning, reduce multination and help achieve local development agendas,” said Garibaldi.

She added that in the just concluded COP28 discussions in Dubai, the EU has committed about Sh3 billion for the covenant of mayors in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), is the largest global network of cities committed to tackle the intricate challenges posed by impacts of climate change and inequitable energy access.

CoM SSA is part of the Global Covenant of Mayors, an initiative of 13,000+ cities taking ambitious climate action.

Support to CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union and Germany and co-implemented by GIZ in Kenya.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Chairman Benjamin Tayari has appealed to Kinango residents to give time to elected leaders to work and deliver on their promises.

Speaking in Kinango, Tayari who is also the immediate former area Mp said time for politics is over and is only through the residents working together with their leaders that they will achieve developments.

"For now let us work together with our elected leaders all the way from our MCAs, Mps, Governors, Senators and the President , give them time to work, this is the only way that we will get developments." said Tayari.

Adding "This is not time for politics but for working. When time for politics comes then we will be free to play politics but for now let us concentrate on the work."

Tayari also noted that President William Ruto is working hard to improve the current situation facing Kenyans.

He emphasized that the country can move forward only when people work together and live in love and unity.

In a momentous stride towards fostering international collaboration, the Kenya Medical Research institute (KEMRI) has embarked on a transformative journey by initiating partnership with the Kenyan community in the diaspora commonly referred to as Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) through establishing of a formal Diaspora Engagement program set to commence in January 2024.

KEMRI is best known for disease outbreak investigations and containment and development of new tools to diagnose, prevent and treat emerging new diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the critical nature of KEMRI to the country’s public health emergency response needs.

KEMRI’s success has been attributed mainly to working with global partners who have been key in capacity building- infrastructure, equipment and human resource.

Research development and innovation is global, and over time it has been witnessed that collaborations often bring in effective results in research.

The Kenya Diaspora offers a potential platform for KEMRI to anchor its global reach to effect its mandate to the people of Kenya and the region. KEMRI hence has become a key plank for the Kenya Government new policy of local manufacturing of medical products.

KEMRI’s new policy is research and development of new vaccines, diagnostics and drugs for local manufacturing.

To be successful in this new initiative, workforce development (training) in product development and incubation is very critical. Speaking during the 10th Annual Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention (KDHC2023), on 8 th December in Nairobi, KEMRI Director General and CEO Prof. Elijah Songok said the mutual benefits that would arise from the collaboration between PRESS RELEASE KEMRI and the Kenya Diaspora Alliance will yield groundbreaking results, offering the promise of improved healthcare outcomes for Kenya and the broader international community.

“The Kenya Diaspora has members working in abroad universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies who have great expertise and experience in drug, vaccine and diagnostic development. KEMRI wishes to partner with such members of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance. The COVID-19 epidemic taught Kenya and Africa to depend on her own. That in the event of a global pandemic emergency ‘development partners’ will first take care of their own. It is therefore key for us to join hands and work together.” Stated Prof. Songok.

Under the partnership initiative, KEMRI will partner with Kenyan Scientists in the Diaspora to advance human health research and commit to building a thriving strong skills exchange not just in Kenya but globally.

The partnership will include appointment to KEMRI as visiting/Adjunct professors and Eminent scientist; the visiting Scientists/Professors will in turn co-mentor graduate (Masters, PhD, Postdoc) trainees through KEMRI to develop the critical local mass for product development.

The Diaspora scientist shall also support in external fundraising activities through drawing partnership research and innovation grants from the diaspora to KEMRI. Diaspora scientists are set to facilitate partnership between their mother institutions abroad with KEMRI, and in return, KEMRI will provide the platform (labs, personnel, populations, clinical trial sites) for Kenya Diaspora scientist who wish to carry out their projects in Kenya. 

The county government of Mombasa is contemplating greening the transport sector which has been identified as a major contributor to the county’s carbon footprint.

The transport sector, environment and industries have been identified as the top contributors to carbon emissions affecting the environment.

To achieve this, the county government of Mombasa on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Green Energy Consortium, Tuk Tuk Operators Network, Solar Tyme USA and Modern Auto Maintenance.

The MOU is on rolling out transition from fossil fuels to e-mobility.

Speaking during the signing of the MOU at the governor’s office, the county executive secretary for Water, Natural Resource and Climate Change Resilience Dr. Emily Achieng’ said that the governor Abdulswamad led administration was committed in greening the transport sector in Mombasa.

“As a county we have taken a big role in ensuring that we green our transport sector because it is one of the culprits in emissions. We are transiting to electric mobility and our partners are going to help us,” said Achieng.

She said through the MOU, they will start with two wheelers and then three wheelers as she alluded that Mombasa has been witnessing increased numbers of tuktuks and bodabodas using diesel and petrol that largely contribute to chroming.

The memorandum of understanding she said has a component of retrofitting the two and three-wheelers.

“As a county we are supporting through developing the necessary policies which need to be in place. We are also providing land where we can put up the swiping and charging station,” Achieng said.

She added that the county will give incentives to the industry which could be inform of reduction in the fee that an electric tuktuk or bike needs to pay.

The incentives she said might also come in swapping fees whereby discussions are going on about how much the county can cover on behalf of the e-mobility operators.

The she said will also provide land where the charging and swapping stations can be put up.

“We need to up-skill our young people to be able to fit in the green jobs space. We shall also get into partnership with our county TVETS to support training of mechanics that will be able to work in the electric vehicles,” she said.

The county executive added that the county intends to have swapping stations in all bodaboda stages saying this will increase job opportunities.

She said that discussions were ongoing with partners to have a battery manufacturing factory here in Mombasa.

This she said will have an economic impact on drivers because if you compare the charging fee to buying fuel, it is relatively low.

“We want to encourage the transition to electric mobility because it does not only reduce our carbon footprint, it also has a component on economic empowerment in the different value chains supported in the industry including training of students, where we will have our swapping stations and who will train them,” she said.

The managing partner at Solar Tyme USA Jonell Minefee said that they chose Mombasa to begin the pilot project before rolling it out to Kilifi and other counties in Kenya.

Solar Tyme USA is a financing partner is the MOU.

She said that reducing carbon footprint is a very expensive thing thus the need to have partners.

The six-sitter three-wheeler is fully electric and has a range of up to 100 kilometers per full charge which takes about 6 to 7 hours to be completed.

“This three-wheeler is fully electric and produces no noise. We want to make Mombasa a green city in Africa that is clean and without any noise,” said Molu.

Former Mombasa activist James Osoo is dead.

Osoo who previously worked for Muhuri died few days ago in Dubai where he had relocated close to 8 years ago.

In a statement Muhuri described the late Osoo as one of the pioneers of the organisation.

"He played a pivotal role in MUHURI's early days, alongside our current Rapid Response Officer, Francis Auma." reads the statement.

Adding "James was a true gentleman, a passionate artist, and a valued member of our MUHURI family. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched and the art he helped create.MUHURI stands with James' family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

Arccording to Muhuri ,communication with Transguard Group, James's employer, is ongoing, and they hope to bring his remains home by Saturday, December 16th.

Before joining MUHURI, James was a pillar of the arts community, as the organizing secretary and chairman of Kizingo Arts Troupe, he nurtured and guided countless talents, including Citizen TV's renowned Lulu Hassan. His dedication to mentoring left an indelible mark on the Kenyan arts scene.

Seeking new horizons, James later moved to Dubai, where he diligently worked until his untimely passing on December 6th, 2023.

"His mother and siblings firmly believe there was no foul play involved, they await the medical report to confirm the exact cause." adds the statement from Muhuri.

On his part, Muhuri's rapid response officer Francis Auma who worked closely with Osoo noted "I am very much dishearted by the passing of my best friend James Osoo. I cannot forget to admit what a wonderful man he was. My deepest sympathy is with family and his friends."

Discover the magic of Beneath the Baobabs Festival an annual celebration held from 30th December 1st January above the source of Takaungu Creek in Kilifi’s baobab forest.

Set on 50 acres of pristine Baobab Forest, upstream from the Takaungu Creek and 5kms from the Indian Ocean, Beneath The Baobabs Festival is the perfect tropical setting for a party and holiday experience, giving the best of all worlds, offering an immersive experience of contemporary and traditional Kenyan culture. 

For over 9 Years Kilifi has been growing into a mecca for East African artists, fans and audiophiles to celebrate the New and Past Year together.

As ever, the 2023/24 Beneath The Baobabs Festival line-up brings together respected names of the Kenyan Electronic & Alternative Music Scene, some of the freshest acts changing the game in East Africa and globally, as well as a number of International Acts excited to engage with the vibrant crowd of Kilifi. 

International Headliners include SA House Legend, CULOE DE SONG, award winning Amapiano Vocalist, BOOHLE, Live Melodic Tech Wizard FABIAN KROOSS (Still Vor Talent), the seminal Afro Tech DJ & Vocalist THANDI DRAAI, a very special back to back DJ set from UK producers MARIBOU STATE & UNITED FREEDOM COLLECTIVE and a bass driven Valley Stage headline set from UK badgyal MINA.

At the heart of Beneath The Baobabs Festival is African Electronic Music, shaking the Funktion One sound systems to their core; for the 10th year they make no exceptions with a vanguard of Kenyan stars driving the event. 

On the Opening Night THE MAIN STAGE will host Kenyan Amapiano legends KANEDA, MGM and DJ IV who will be representing a huge following of Kenyan dancers sure to break down the log drums like never before. Each act has been central in building the Amapiano sound in the country and each has their own distinct way of presenting it.

Opening the stage will be the Kilifi’s very own multi-disciplinary artist KÜRÏBÃ, followed by one of Kenya’s most exciting live acts, DIPA KONNECTION who fuse roots culture with Genge & Hip Hop to present a powerful opening show.

The stage will be closed on the first night by the festival's former head of social media, XPRSO member, and producer, BBYY. On The Island with her unique underground bounce and edits.

The Main Stage on the 31st will witness heavyweight Afro House & Afro Tech sounds from the next generation of DJs shaping the Kenyan scene. Including a midnight NYE drop by LEMI & SIMILA Live, internationally acclaimed Vocalist and DJ, TINA ARDOR, ‘The King of The Coast’ SHANGATATU, ‘Mass House’ Head Honcho BIG NYAGZ and Ethiopian Afro-Tech queen DRØMMER. 

The stage will be opened by the mystical ODD OKODDO, formed of Kenyan vocalist Olith Ratego and German producer Sven Kacirek, allowing the mind and body to settle into a serious music journey.

THE TWISTED FIG STAGE has grown increasingly popular to the local family and will be headlined by Rise Resident and Ethiopian champion GHEDI, who will be hosting a very special Opening Night Party with partners in crime HIRIBAE, TRENT and Kilifi rising star SOULFUD.

The stage will be warmed up by global DJs JOEY MANZI, ANDY LEMAY and TIM GARCIA, all who are deeply connected in the European industry and keen to build meaningful relationships with the Kenya scene.

The sound will be strictly funky, with global sounds earlier, followed by GHEDI’s curation of Jacking House and Disco, honoring the roots of electronic music and the spirit of protest through freedom of expression. The stage will be closed out by Kenyan underground legend KNVL and the sunrise will be welcomed by Swedish DE GALLI with her spiritual down tempo sounds to sooth the soul.

On the 31st THE TWISTED FIG STAGE will be curated by long time family member of Beneath The Baobabs, MAX MALESI, and headlined by Still Vor Talent’s FABIAN KROOSS who has been making waves in the international festival scene this year. 

The curation on this stage harks back to the roots of the festival and Burning Man culture with founder of Hooligan Ally and Beneath The Baobabs Director, FEDE leading the charge alongside Kilifi family member XAN WOODS, Africa Burn camp leader ROBIN CHARLES and Kenyan electronic wizz STEFANO CASSINI. 

Kenya Nights and DSTKT founder Riz Ibrahim will present his Techno monika MIDNIGHT SEX MACHINE, with fast rising SHI and Sawa Sawa Lounge resident AAHIL delivering the new guard of Kilifi techno to a seminal Boabab Deck.  

The underground sounds of East Africa will of course be deeply represented on THE VALLEY STAGE, powered by one of the best sound systems in the county. On the opening night SANTURI ELECTRONIC MUSIC ACADAMY will take over the stage with a wide selection of music presented and managed by their alumni and curated by JUSTIN DOUCET. 

The stage will swing through a variety of genres from the smooth conscious Hip Hop of the amazing MAU FROM NOWHERE & LUKORITO, to hot Nairobi Bass sounds form the likes of NOW IS GOOD, BURUGU, KENYAN SHILLING, WANT3CH & BAD MON. Santuri mainstay BUDALAGI will pick up the pace in time for a powerful Singeli performance by Tanzanian JAY MITTA, whilst berlin based Sloppe founder and Wax Museum producer DANIEL CHERNEY will help bridge the gap between the high tempo Singeli and 3 seminal Live Ambient acts including the soon to be stratospheric NJOKABI KARIUKI, NG’AT MALER & AIR CONDITIONER, making The Valley Stage a magical place to be early morning on 31st December!

THE VALLEY STAGE on 31st December will be opened by the formidable VALLERIE MUTHONI with her high intensity live Hip Hop and Drill set. Kilifi based SHELLQUEEN will bring up the BPM and get people moving with Kudero, Gqom and Afro Bass sounds.

Whilst MINA from the UK will see in the New Year with some heavy booty shaking that she has become known for from her amazing Book Book night in London.

The highly anticipated return of powerhouse COCO EM will be sure to test the speakers to the max, followed by Ugandan ANTI-MASS founder AUTHENTICALLY PLASTIC who will be sure to push the Baobab dancers as far ad they have ever been before with their genre bending, high pace sets.

THE FRELANDA STAGE, set between a marooned yacht and a huge Neem Tree, will play host to some underground techno on the opening night with sets by local DJs DAUDI DUBS and CLARKIE and welcoming Ugandan underground techno mainstays ANITRAXX and THII.  They will be followed by Open Lab Radio guru TINTIN and closed off with a beautiful morning set by Nairobi curator AFU.

On New Year’s Eve THE FRELANDA STAGE will be represented by Kilifi & Mombasa County’s own talents, with Swahili Hip Hop king KAA LA MOTO setting the tone with his mad freestyle and Swahili commentary. The master of Mwanzele, MR BADO will return with full entourage celebrating Mijikenda culture for a serious trance dance before the NYE drop.

The festival is excited welcome ‘The Matsangoni Boy’ REAGAN DANDY to perform his unique hard-hitting Giriama Hip Hop. After the NYE drop, the reigns will be handed over to eco-warrior and Nairobi beat maker BLOCKA BEATS, who will be accompanied by 2nd sets from the diverse Nu-Nairobi waver HIRIBAE and BBYY. ON THE ISLAND for a serious Hip Hop party!

The much loved KO LoKol SESSION will return for a special acoustic afternoon on the 31st to ease minds and bodies outside of the newly Baobab Studios. Sets by songsmiths DON NGATIA, BERO THE HERO, BAKHITA, TUGI MLAMBA & RAZOR MAN have been curated by our amazing partners KENYAN ORIGINALS who are keen to shine a light on Kenyan creatives.

They will be building a new installation and hosting their own bar for a true KO experience, best tasted in front of the KO LoKoL Session! 

All four of the festival's stages are built into the forest setting, supported by top quality Sound, Lighting, Ground Performers, Art Installations and Decor, each playing a crucial role in assisting the audience towards a truly transformative experience. 

The festival hosts some of the hardest hitting healers, therapists and activists in the region under its KISIMA arm, allowing for a mindful celebration whilst celebrating the New Year in a unique way. The tropical setting is amplified by viewing decks 30ms above the forest floor, with a plethora of huge Baobab, Tamarind and Neem trees keeping the grounds shaded and relaxing: the ideal way to combine adventure and travel alongside the very best music you can find.

With over 60 artists added to the immense lineup and much more to come, Beneath The Baobabs Festival 2023/24 is set to be its most monumental edition to date.

Mombasa creatives have something to smile about as they wrap up the year after the county boss Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir issued directives for the establishment of a creative board.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the creative industry at the Swahilipot Hub Foundation, the governor directed the departments of trade and that of sports and youth to spearhead the process of meeting stakeholders and ensure that the board is in place by February 2024.

“We are now in December, I give recommendation that by February next year we should have the board in place. So I urge the two departments to have sit downs with fellow artist and the legal brains to come up with the board,” said Nassir.

The objective of the board Nassir said will be the issue of promoting local artists both locally and internationally.

The process, Nassir said, must be subjected to public participation and ensure that the board has equal representation of all aspects of the creative industry.

“No one has monopoly of ideas, I couldn’t have planned for you what you need. I have to first listen to you understand the problems and know what is needed.” Nassir said.

The governor at the same time urged seasoned artists at the coast to incorporate the young and upcoming artists as they move forward with the formation of the creative board in Mombasa.

“We have to respect the views of the new upcoming artists. You need to involve them, don’t make decisions of their behalf,” he said.

He said he will look into coming up with a way of ring-fencing funds for the board even as he challenged the artists to figure out how to get more funding for the operationalization and running of the creative board affairs.

Nassir also appreciated the tremendous support he received from the artists in Mombasa popularizing his agenda to Mombasa residents that propelled him to clinch the county chief position.

"I must appreciate the art by a number of you people. Some of you worked over time to make me who I am today, you composed campaign songs for me and used your creativity to push for my agenda,” the governor said.