Ommy Dallah
Kenya And EU Unveil Strategic Dialogue Framework
Kenya and the European Union (EU) have unveiled a strategic dialogue framework through which they seek to step up their bilateral relations.
The announcement was contained in a joint statement released on Monday evening in Brussels following a meeting between President Kenyatta and his European Council counterpart Charles Michel.
"The Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Kenya and the European Union was launched on the occasion of the meeting between H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, held on 21 June 2021 in Brussels.
"This upgrade of the Kenya-European Union relations builds on the meeting between the two counterparts on 9 March 2021 at State House, Nairobi, and the renewed European Union Strategy for the Horn of Africa, adopted in May 2021, in which the European Union confirmed its readiness to step up its relationship with Kenya," the statement reads in part.
The strategic dialogue framework recognizes Kenya as a strong democratic partner of the EU in East Africa and Horn of Africa region with potential for enhancing regional stability and performing a constructive role in peace and security.
Through the new bilateral framework, Kenya and the EU will cooperate more in domestic, regional and global interests, such as democracy, governance and human rights.
Other areas of elevated cooperation between Kenya and the EU include gender equality, peace and security, trade and investment, social development, climate change and digital technologies.
The framework to be implemented over time shall be guided by a roadmap to be developed by relevant entities of the Kenyan Government at the European Union.
"The thematic pillars of the Dialogue shall be developed and adapted over time, in accordance with Kenya’s and the European Union’s shared interests and agendas. The technical experts of the two sides are seized of the matter and a Roadmap for the implementation of this Strategic Dialogue is to be set out by the relevant services of the Government of Kenya and the European Union," the statement reads.
President Kenyatta, who is in Belgium on a two-day Official Visit, was accompanied to the meeting with his European Council host by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Adan Mohamed (EAC) and Betty Maina (Trade).
Uhuru In Brussels For Two- Day Official Visit
President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Monday afternoon received by King Philippe at the Royal Palace in Brussels at the start of his two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union.
The President, who is accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Betty Maina (Trade) and Aden Mohammed (EAC), held private talks with King Philippe.
During the two-day visit, the President is scheduled to meet the President of the European Council Charles Michel to discuss Kenya-EU relations and address a Kenya-Belgium business forum.
Also on the President's itinerary is a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Dr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti and an address to the organization's Committee of Ambassadors.
President Kenyatta, who arrived in Brussels on Sunday evening aboard a Kenya Airways aircraft, is the President-in-Office of the 79-member OACPS.
Speaking ahead of the President's arrival, Kenya's ambassador to Belgium Prof Jacob Kaimenyi said during the visit, the Head of State will address matters related to Kenya-Belgium, and Kenya-EU relations as well as regional agenda in his capacity as the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC).
In his capacity as the President-in-Office of the OACPS, Prof Kaimenyi said the President will discuss the progress of the post-Cotonou agreement with his European Council counterpart and get an update on the instrument's roll out progress from the Secretary General of the Brussels-based multilateral institution.
"We've had the Cotonou agreement which has been there for 20 years, coming to an end in 2020. We have negotiated another agreement between the European Union and OACPS, 79 countries, called post-Cotonou agreement, post 2020 so to speak," Prof Kaimenyi said.
On Kenya-Belgium relations, Prof Kaimenyi said the President's meeting with King Phillipe will help strengthen diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Brussels, while investment and trade matters will be dealt with at the business forum.
He said Kenya is working on growing its trade with Belgium by addressing barriers such as double taxation, and diversifying its exports beyond tea and coffee to include horticultural crops such as a mangoes and other tropical fruits.
Prof Kaimenyi said the President's meeting with his European Council counterpart Charles Michel comes at an opportune time when Kenya and the EU are gearing up to start negotiations for a new partnership agreement for the period 2022 to 2027.
Besides the Kenya-EU partnership agreement, Prof Kaimenyi revealed that President Kenyatta and his European Council counterpart will discuss the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), a matter that has been outstanding since 2014.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss the progress of the ongoing development of a strategic dialogue framework between Kenya and the EU. The decision to elevate the Kenya-EU relationship was arrived at during President Michel's last visit to Nairobi.
"When the President of the Council, Charles Michel met the President at State House, the issue of upping our game in terms of strategic dialogue between EU and Kenya was raised.
"We have the relevant ministers, the Minister for Trade CS Maina is going to be here, she will be supported by CS for EAC Adan Mohammed. They're going to hold a meeting with requisite officials from the EU to discuss the matter.
"Having discussed this matter with EU external service officials, there's alot of excitement. People are very optimistic," Prof Kaimenyi said in reference to the strategic dialogue framework.
In his meeting with Dr Chikoti and address to the Committee of Ambassadors of the OACPS, Prof Kaimenyi said the President is expected to be appraised on the implementation progress of the 2019 'Nairobi Nguvu Ya Pamoja' declaration and provide guidance on the next steps.
"He (President Kenyatta) will meet the Secretary General of the OACPS to be briefed on what has transpired since 2019 and pick his brain, as the President-in-Office, on where we should be before he completes his (term of) office next year," Prof Kaimenyi said.
Yemi Alade Features Mzansi Youth Choir In 'Rain'
African Pop superstar and vocal powerhouse, Yemi Alade premieres the official music video for her song with the Mzansi Youth Choir titled "Rain".
An afro-pop ballad from the African queen's acclaimed sixth studio album titled “Empress".
The song is delivered mostly with Zulu and English lyrics as Yemi combines superbly with the South Africa-based Mzansi Youth Choir to birth a musical spectacle.
The song is a message of hope and encouragement that after a period of rainfall and darkness comes sunshine and happiness. It delivers a message to Africans on the continent & around the world of a future of greatness and liberation.
The lush video for "Rain" was shot by Ovie Etseyatse, who also shot the video for the iconic song titled "Shekere" by Yemi Alade and Multiple grammy award-winning music legend Angelique Kidjo.
Tanasha Donna Makes Acting Debut, Featured In A Nigerian Movie
Kenyan singer Tanasha Donna is proving to be a Woman of multiple talents, she has now ticked off a new box, acting.
Tanasha is making her debut in acting through the movie 'Symphony'.
Symphony is a Nigerian movie that focuses on the struggles of an African youth and music. Produced by EverRise Entertainment and Sulcata Entertainment.
The singer has however not revealed any details about her new path but has been sharing videos of herself in the streets of Lagos where the movie is being filmed.
Taking to instagram, Lagos based make up artist Soba Jonah (Belize Make up) shared the information.
"I had the pleasure of glamming the ever beautiful and amazing @tanashadonna for @symphony.movie. Something big is coming guys, and you don’t wanna be missing when it unveils." she posted.
Nigerian actress Scarlet Gomes shared a poster of the cast list on her instagram page with the caption "I dont think you are ready for this one".
Other big names in the entertainment industry featured in the movie includes D, Banj, Jackie Appiah from Ghana.
During her Mombasa tour early this year, Tanasha revealed she was working on several projects to grow her brand in the entertainment industry (Watch the video below).
Tanzanian Rapper Appointed District Commissioner
Tanzanian rapper Nickson Simon John aka Nikki wa Pili has been appointed as the new Kisarawe Disrtrict Commissioner (DC).
Kisarawe is a district located southwest of the capital Dar es Salaam.
Nikki takes over from former media personality and actress Jokate Mwegelo who has been transfered to Temeke District.
President Samia Suluhu made the changes of District Commissioners on Saturday with many being shifted to new stations in a reshuffle that has brought in a few new faces in the administration, most of them youthful.
Some of the new faces in the local administration also include journalists Fatma Almas Nyangasa, Abdalla Mwaipaya and youthful laywer Albert Msando who has been appointed Morogoro DC.
President Kenyatta Advocates For Democratization Of Multilateral Organizations
President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the democratization of multilateral organizations so as to ensure inclusivity in decision-making.
The President, who spoke Friday at an interactive session on governance at the ongoing Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, said changing how multilateral institutions such as the United Nations are managed will help in quicker resolution of global challenges such as Covid-19.
“It will really depend on us being able to change the global governance system. The manner in which the UN Security Council works, the manner in which the UN and its organizations work in order for us to determine as to whether we shall see change," President Kenyatta said.
He observed that the global multilateral system was not operating optimally and expressed optimism that world leaders will through diplomacy and dialogue develop a new order that fosters inclusivity.
“We have seen that the global governance system is not actually working for equality and fairness for all global citizens, and I think it just draws us to the reality that we have a challenge and that the challenge can only be overcome if we democratize more our global governance systems, if we are more inclusive in our decision making processes,” President Kenyatta said.
The Kenyan leader said the slow flow of Covid-19 vaccines into developing countries was indicative of the warped global multilateral system. He observed that the initial collaborative successes in the management of the pandemic have been negated by the unfair global distribution of the vaccines.
“We were also very active in the early stages, participating in the acts of companies and corporations that were developing vaccines. Participating in the clinical trials but unfortunately despite our preparations, when it came to the crunch and the crunch here is accessing vaccines that would have given us all protection, we were at the bottom of the list,” the President said.
President Kenyatta said it is unfortunate that some countries have more Covid-19 vaccines than they require while others are struggling to access enough doses.
“Now this kind of vaccine nationalism that we have seen. The kind of bias that we have seen of withholding vaccines, where you have countries that today hold 50 vaccines to every citizen, and yet you have countries that are struggling to give their citizens a single dose,” President Kenyatta observed.
On Africa's response to Covid-19, President Kenyatta said the continent united behind the African Union which ensured all countries had equitable access to resources needed to fight the pandemic.
“When I look at how we as African countries responded (to Covid-19) under the AU (African Union), we were very closely knit in terms of our reactions and actions. How we cooperated in developing and coming up with COVAX to ensure vaccines were going to be available not to one particular country," he said.
President Kenyatta told the panel discussion that included Haiti President Jovenel Moise that despite all nations being negatively affected by Covid-19, developing countries are feeling more pain because of their higher vulnerabilities.
“Here we are struggling on one hand with direct problems caused by the pandemic, and many other (related) challenges like unemployment caused by the disruption of the global supply chain. At the same time, we are struggling between keeping our people economically stable and paying our debts,” the President said while decrying vaccine nationalism.
“What this pandemic has actually shown us is that we need cooperation. It has shown that you cannot win unless everybody wins. We have seen a lot of companies and corporations working together to come up with vaccines.
“The kind of vaccine nationalism and bias of withholding vaccines that we have seen is shocking with some countries having more vaccines than they need for their citizens while others cannot afford a single dose".
In his opening address, host President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the international community had failed to effectively manage the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and warned against vaccine nationalism.
"We should not allow vaccine nationalism and not repeat the same mistakes committed during the pandemic period," President Erdogan said.
President Kenyatta, who is accompanied by Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo, is in the Mediterranean sea city of Antalya for a two-day Official Visit of Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ethic Entertainment Back With 'Bazenga'
Just to quote Marshall Mathers, “Guess who’s back, back again. Ethic Entertainment are back, tell a friend”.
After their short hiatus, they are back with a brand-new single, “Bazenga”. Having put Kenyan music on the map and enjoying massive success with hit after hit, it gets even better.
WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yovEAmRBRU
To music lovers, it might seem that Ethic Entertainment have been around for decades, such has been their influence in the Kenyan music scene that a minute has seemed like an hour. They have impacted the youth and paved way for new talent.
All along their journey, Ethic have been showered with love and equally had their fair number of critics, but hate them or love them, these four guys are among East Africa’s elite lyricists. Bazenga reminds us just that, the mastery in the lyrics takes you through a journey of four simple guys who came up from humble beginnings to rightfully own the title Bazenga’s of the Kenyan music industry.
Quoting Marshall again, “Will the real Ethic Fans please stand up!!!!!!”
Zuchu Surprises Her Mum With A Brand New Car Gift
Tanzanian singer Zuchu is a proud daughter following her recent kind gesture to her mother.
In appreciation of her mother, the 'Sukari' hitmaker has bought the mum, Khadija Koppa a brand new Toyota Alphard.
Taking to instagram, Zuchu who has just released her latest song 'Nyumba Ndogo', revealed how it was hard for her to pay bus fare for her mum, just few months ago before fame.
"Video ya kwanza ilikuwa mwezi uliopita nikimuliza anapenda gari gani. Nina furaha mno miezi 12 iliopita sikua na uwezo hata wa kumlipia nauli mamaangu. Allah akueke uzidi kula matunda yako mamaunsatahili zaidi ya hili mamaangu" she posted.
Zuchu's mother, Khadija is a taarab singer and has always been supportive to the daughter.
In the video shared online by Zuchu, the mother is hard appreciating the gift which happens to be her favourite car.
"Nashkuru asante, Mwenyezi Mungu amuongeze mwanangu" says the mum.
You can also read: http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2277-zuchu-hits-another-milestone-in-her-music-career
It's Time To Transform Mombasa Music Industry- Shahbal
Mombasa Gubernatorial hopeful Suleiman Shabhal has vowed to open a recording studio, if he wins the seat.
Shabhal said the studio which will be the largest in the country will have audio recording facilities as well as equipment for video recordings.
“We will also have a photography studio as well as promotional services aimed at promoting works from our artists,” he said.
He was speaking in Changamwe after joining upcoming artists in launching of Naona Talents Africa.
He said the studio will create employment opportunities to not only the artists but also other people such as producers and etc.
He said for long artistry in Mombasa has been empty words as it has not been translated to money in the pockets of the artists.
He said it was time for someone to transform the Mombasa’s music industry to make it beneficial to local based artists.
Shahbal has been calling for support of local arts.http://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/1944-support-our-local-artists-shahbal-tells-kenyans
According to the candidate, he intends to transform the county to Kenya’s biggest entertainment hub by introducing various programs for the artists.
“What is Mombasa raha without entertainment and job opportunities? We want Mombasa to be an employment hub through entertainment industry,”Shabhal said.
But such promises are common in Mombasa especially when the electioneering periods nears.
Maybe it is because the entrainment industry especially the music sector has been stale with no much strides made for years.
Previously, several politicians have promised to open state of the art studios in Mombasa, promises that have never been kept.
Mövenpick Nairobi Re-launches The View Restaurant With A New Mediterranean Cuisine Offering
Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi has relaunched its signature revolving restaurant; The View, located on the 24th floor offering a taste of Mediterranean cuisine for their guests.
Speaking during the re-launch Michael Flint; General Manager – Mövenpick Nairobi said, “The ‘understated’ Chef Aris Athanasiou from Greece maintains the highest of standards within the culinary department at Mövenpick Nairobi to ensure guests enjoy delicious culinary experiences.”
“With over 26 years’ experience in the hotel and hospitality industry, Chef Aris has worked with some of the world’s leading hotels in Europe, Asia and Africa. Previously, Chef Aris received his unique experience from the best chefs of the world, many of whom earned Michelin star status including Alain Ducase, Martin Kinghasser and Doxis,” he reiterated
Guests will get to enjoy a variety of Mediterranean dishes including Grilled Octopus, Lamb Shank, Beef Moussaka, Dry Aged Prime Beef Ribeye to name a few.
“I am excited to create exquisite dishes that are true to Mövenpick’s commitment to culinary innovation and excellence and I look forward to welcoming all our guests to The View restaurant to experience the authentic Greek recipes prepared with passion by the best team. Said Chef Aris Athanasiou – Executive Chef at Mövenpick Nairobi.
“All our ingredients are fresh from Greece as well as from our bio farm in Mara. Greek food is part of my DNA and we will offer the most tasty and healthy cuisine prepared with olive oil, healthy and fresh ingredients.” He added
The hotel has implemented the ALL Safe Program , a set of rigorous measures designed to protect and reassure guests that safety measures are adhered to at the hotel to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The View restaurant will be open on Tuesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm for lunch and dinner.
