Mombasa governor aspirant Abdulswamand Nassir has pledged to scrap what he termed as unreasonable levies imposed on creative industry in Mombasa should he form the next county government.

Nassir regretted film makers in Mombasa have to contend with exorbitant charges levied when making films thus jeopardizing the sector's social economic growth.

“If you want to do movies in Mombasa there is a certain levy that you have to pay, we are saying scrap all that. One of the biggest hindrances of this creative economy is this unnecessary charge that we have to pay,” said Nassir.

Nassir who is seeking to succeed governor Hassan Joho has outlined among others his plans to spur the fast growing creative industry by ensuring a good thriving environment for sector players.

“We want them to come on board, and In the process of that it is easier for them to tap into local talent, without necessarily having to source people from outside, as long as that talent is from here it will be cost effective,” Said Nassir while addressing student leaders at Komblez hall.

According to the Mvita Mp, his government will set aside a special fund, to help start ups with capital. He said giant companies and film producers will be brought on board to steer the agenda.

“We will create a certain amount of money, as start up capital in the creative industry, and then we will allow an annual extravaganza where the theatre, like in Zanzibar film festival, where you get foreign producers companies to come on board,” said Nassir.

Last month, Nassir held a meeting with a section of creatives from the county where he promised revamp and enhance the directorate of culture and arts to ensure Creatives get the necessary support to turn their talents into livelihoods.

 Nassir further promised to scrap or review license fees imposed by small economies like Mama Samaki and Mama Mboga so that their businesses can thrive.  He said many of the small businesses have suffered due to a very poor environment imposed by the outgoing administration.

”If you tell a lady frying fish to pay sh 7,000 all together, do you think she is able, but if you make it conducive, it can work for them,” he added.

“We will have a revolving fund that will be given as interest free loans that will be accessed by these grassroots economies,” said Nassir saying this has been practical in Mvuita where sh 15 Million is revolving for the past few years.

On issues of drug abuse, Nassir said his government will empower drug rehabilitation centers to ensure they are well stocked with requisite medication so as to accommodate those seeking rehabilitation services.

“Those that have been exposed will have a center where they will continue to get rehabilitation services and we will do so by ensuring we stock and empower the drug rehab centers so as to offer required functions,” said Nassir.

On education matters, as captured in his manifesto, he said he will introduce a system of governance that will factor in needy students in their villages. This according to him will see services devolved to the villages to ensure the needy rightfully benefit.

“We will form grassroots committee’s with civil society groups, religious leaders and all stakeholders who will do vetting within the sub counties so that no needy student is left out and instill transparency in the whole process, “Nassir added.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Nyali constituency aspirant Said Abdalla has warned against importation of voters into Nyali constituency during the August 9 general elections.

Abdalla alleged that there is a plot by a section of politicians to import voters from neighbouring constituencies to vote in Nyali, saying that will jeopardize the rights of indigenous voters and residents.

Abdalla who believes the voters were imported to register as voters during the registration exercise is now urging Authorities to stay alert and ensure that does not happen as it  spark political conflict.

“The big problem we have in Nyali is that we hear there are voters who came from different constituencies to vote in our constituency, our people may not be happy with that because this is unfair and will jeopardize the rights of genuine voters and residents of Nyali.” said Abdalla.

He said residents will reject that motive in totality. He said IEBC has not considered the matter even after it was reported to the commission before.

“Its within the jurisdiction of authorities to ensure those who participate in the elections are real residents of Nyali,” said Abdalla.

Speaking during a door to door campaign to rally residents in Freetown and Kongowea Abdalla further said his leadership will focus on education and creating jobs for the jobless youth.

“Our mission is to empower women and youth, therefore we ask Nyali electorate to give us leadership so that we can deliver development to them because Nyali is a county inhabited by both poor and the rich,” said Abdalla.

Abdalla said he will focus on people oriented development once he gets elected in the August 9 general elections. He asked youth and women groups to join his campaign so that they can reap from his leadership after elections.

Abdalla who will be making a second stab in the August 9 election, was awarded the ODM nomination ticket by the independent electoral and boundaries commission IEBC to Contest in the Nyali constituency against incumbent Mp Mohamed Ali.

Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan is currently in the country, Kenya for business. She jetted into the country on Wednesday.

She hosted the annual Zari all white party on Thursday at the XS Millionaires club. The mother of five also unveiled a mega mansion courtesy of  Kenyan interior design and consultancy firm Fine Urban and Construction Interiors.

While in Kenya. Zari was gifted a portrait of her late Mother Halima Hassan.

In a video seen by Ommy Dallah, the businesswoman was overwhelmed by emotions upon seeing the portrait with her manager Galston Anthony seen consoling her.

Zari's mother died in 2017 after a short illness and was buried according to Islamic traditions in her rural home, Mityana district in Uganda. Among those who attended the burial was Zari's baby daddy singer Diamond Platnumz.

Award winning Jamaican-American reggae singer,Tarus Riley is set to headline the upcoming 30th Edition of the Koroga Festival.

The Koroga Festival which will coincide with the World Rally championship will take place from June 23th to June 26th, at the Garden on Moi South Lake Road, Naivasha.

It will be the first-ever recreational village where rally fans can be engaged, fed, and entertained for the duration of 4 days during the WRC Safari Rally Kenya.

Koroga Festival will be 3 days of absolute ‘enjoyment’ in Naivasha which will then culminate into the final Day 4 of the most energetic line-up; featuring DJ G Money, DJ Protege and The King of the decks, Capital FM’s DJ Adrian, while music artists Kamanu, Graviti Band and Nviiri The Story Teller will be the performing acts on stage. Super star Tarrus Riley will ‘close’ the night.

Farida Idris, Capital Group’s Commercial Director and the Project Director Koroga Festival, thanked H.E. President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta for initiating and following through with the sporting spectacle together with the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage.  Last year, President Kenyatta announced that Kenya would host WRC Safari Rally every year until 2026. 

“The WRC Koroga Festival will be a four-day food, fashion, and music festival that will bring us the best talent from across the continent to showcase the best we have from here in Kenya and around the region. We will bring together the best Kenyan DJ’s, and the best artists and create an opportunity to enjoy the Safari Rally on a totally different level,” Idris stated

Uber has released its Lost & Found Index 2022, outlining interesting and sometimes bizarre items customers mostly forget across the country. 

The annual Uber Lost & Found Index provides a snapshot of  riders’ most commonly forgotten items and most unique lost items - and this year won’t be any different.

The Index highlights which cities have been most forgetful, which days of the week riders forget items most, and of course, tips on how to get your lost items back using the Uber app. 

“We’re back with Uber’s annual Lost & Found Index. As the world gets going again, we look forward to helping return these lost items, no matter how unique they may be,” says Lorraine Onduru, Head of Communications for East and West Africa, Uber. 

Keys, wallets or purses and phones made the usual list of items left by Uber riders. While the unusual list of items included: nail cutters, coffee mugs and photos; water bottles, electronics, luggage bags and chargers were among the most regularly forgotten items. 

According to the Uber Lost & Found Index, Nairobi topped the list as the most forgetful city in Kenya. The company also reported that users mostly forgot their items on Mondays and Fridays .

See the full details below:

 The 10 Most Commonly Forgotten Items in Kenya:

1. Phones 
2. Keys
3. Wallets/purses
4. Electronics
5. Bag/luggage 
6. Sunglasses
7. Debit cards
8. Chargers 
9. Caps
10. Water bottles 

Most unusual items left behind 

1. Coffee Mug
2. Clothing 
3. Make-up
4. Photos
5. Black cloth
6. Nail cutter
7. Brown envelopes

 The Most "Forgetful” City:

• Nairobi

 Most Forgetful Days:

• As we’ve seen consistently across Kenya, Uber riders are most forgetful on Fridays and Mondays

If you’re one of those people who left something behind, look no further than this help page, which outlines the simple steps you can take the next time you leave something behind in your Uber

The best way to retrieve a lost item is to call the driver - but if you leave your phone itself in an Uber, you can login to your account on a computer. Here’s what to do:

1. Tap “Your Trips” and select the trip where you left something
2. Tap “I lost an item”
3. Tap “Contact driver about a lost item”
4. Scroll down and enter the phone number you would like to be contacted at. Tap submit.
5. If you lost your personal phone, enter a friend’s phone number (you can do this by logging into your account on a computer, or using a friend’s phone).
6. Your phone will ring and connect you directly with your driver’s mobile number.
7. If your driver picks up and confirms that your item has been found, coordinate a mutually convenient time and place to meet for its return to you.
8. If your driver doesn’t pick up, leave a detailed voicemail describing your item and the best way to contact you.

So whether you forgot your groceries for the month or you’re stuck outside because you forgot your keys on the ride,  don’t despair - help is at your fingertips!

Mombasa deputy governor William Kingi has decried intimidation by the county inspectorate who he claims have confiscated one of his official cars.

Kingi alleges that some officers from the inspectorate department raided his home on Tuesday, confiscated one car and later returned on Wednesday demanding the second car.

On Wednesday the officers are said to have called Kingi demanding him to surrender the second car which he has refused to hand over and asked them to produce a letter detailing the reasons as to why he should surrender or it.

“I am surprised a contingent of county askaris raided my house wanting to take up the county vehicles with me, which is my right by virtue of being the sitting deputy governor,” claimed Kingi.

The Deputy Governor, who has announced his bid to succeed his boss Hassan Joho in the governor race through the PAA party, claimed the officers asked him to return office equipment, including his car.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2881-dg-kingi-unveils-his-running-mate-in-mombasa-governor-race

“They called me again saying they have been instructed by the governor to collect the cars, the governor has not called me, and I want to believe that he is not the one who sent them to come to collect the car,” said Kingi.

The DG claimed that was in order because he is still legally in the office and still has the privileges to enjoy the county government vehicles.

Addressing the Media on Wednesday Kingi said he will not be cowed, for declaring to vie for Mombasa governor seat through PAA Party.

“I will not succumb to intimidation, I don’t think that is right because I am still legally in office, I don’t think it’s justified, I am still serving the people of Mombasa so I am  entitled to that car until the term expires." he said.

Our efforts to get a comment from the inspectorate were futile.

The DG who recently unveiled his running mate ahead of the August 9 polls, said his mission to take over leadership from Joho is unstoppable.

The independent electoral and Boundaries Comission (IEBC)  has refused to clear former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on integrity grounds.

IEBC is citing Sonko's impeachment while serving as Nairobi governor as the main reason behind their decision not to clear him.

Speaking hours after IEBC rejected to clear him, at the Kenya School of government, Sonko asked his supporters not to give up as his legal team was employing all options including appealing to the dispute tribunal.

"We are disappointed by the way IEBC is conducting itself because I had been cleared in 2017 and elected to vie, we are asking why is the law being applied selectively.” questioned Sonko.

Sonko is now hoping to seek redress at the tribunal between 9 and 10 of this month failure to which he will be forced to seek alternative political decision.

"If you have been impeached you are not bared from contesting until you exhaust all appeal options," said Sonko adding that he will present his case at the director of legal affairs in the IEBC.

Sonko through his lawyer Titus Kirui confirmed that he is going to the dispute resolution tribunal saying they have not exhausted all options to be cleared.

"We had a small hitch,with the degree,they had raised issue that Sonko had no original degree certificate as well as certificate copy,but that was solved when documents were presented," said Kirui.

Kirui said the pending appeal in court over his impeachment matter will give answers to Iebc demands, saying as it stands, Sonko is still in the race for Mombasa governor.

"We have a window between 10 and 19 this month to have that resolved and we believe strongly that the governor and his running mate will be on the ballot," said Kirui.

Former Mombasa senator and UDA governor candidate Hassan Omar Sarai has pledged a sh 2 billion Biashara fund kitty to support small scale  businesses should he win the August 9 polls.

Speaking shortly after he was cleared by the Independent electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC at the Kenya School of government, Omar said top of his agenda is to revive Mombasa economy, create jobs for the youth as well as offer desired leadership.

"Our opponents are out of touch with the people's needs, our government will prioritize bettering the lives of the people by focusing on what their needs are,first we have a plan to review taxes and levies affecting the business community and setting a fund that will boost them," said Omar.

In his pledges, Omar says he will set up water desalination plants to purify water as he seeks to provide clean drinking water, equipping hospitals with medicine and paying well medics.

"Those who looted Mombasa wealth must return them, this is the most decisive elections of all time where people must not make the mistake they made the last 10 years of electing Joho administration which has done nothing." said Omar.

Nyali Mp Mohamed Ali and Omar accused Joho administration for allegedly colluding to deny UDA politicians spaces to mount their billboards.

"Politics of Mombasa are not going to be determined by billboards, we urge them to stop denying us a chance to erect our billboards, they only allocate us places that are not visible." claimed Ali.

Omar accompanied by his running mate Selina Karisa and other united Democratic Alliance UDA party leaders joins the crowded race in quest to take over leadership from Joho Administration.

A total of five governor candidates have so far been cleared by IEBC. They include Shariff Nassir (ODM), William Kingi (PAA), Daniel Kitsau (Independent) and Awiti Bolo (VDP).

"We urge Mombasa people to be ready for change, Mombasa has been under the hostage of few individuals and that must change, we are determined to deliver victory against our clueless opponents," Omar said.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party running mate Martha Karua is on Tuesday expected to grace the 70^th anniversary of the Maendeleo ya wanawake organisation in Mombasa.

According to the organisers, over 100 members of the organisation from all over the country are expected to attend the event to be held at the Kenya School of government , Mombasa.

Public Service, Youth and Gender Cabinet Secretary professor Margaret kobia is also expected to attend the event.

Speaking during the inspection of the ground, Kilifi county Women representative Getrude Mbeyu said they will also take the opportunity to celebrate Karua’s nomination as Azimio’s Raila Odinga running mate.

"We will celebrate her for the appointment and also celebrate the development by women leaders in the country,"said Mbeyu.

Adding” Most of us as leaders are where we are because of maendeleo ya wanawake organisation, it made us to be who we are. We will also be taking stock of our achievements and howwe can continue empowering our fellow Women”.

Kilifi county Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairlady Witness Tsuma said they will use the event to rally other women to vie for political seats.

“As Women we have been facing a lot of challenges in the political field and some of us have always refused to join politics because of these challenges but with what we have seen with Martha Karua I believe more Women will now come out” said Tsuma.

Last month, Karua attended similar celebrations in Kisumu and Garissa counties where she rallied Women to vote for the Azimio coalition in the August general elections.

Mombasa based fashion retailer Tajiri fashions has opened a new outlet.

The Tajiri for men outlet was officially opened on Saturday afternoon at a colorful event attended by several celebrities, at Nyali centre.

Among those present was popular fitness trainer Frankie Just gym it, Minto’s Salon and spa C.E.O Tonnie Mintos, film maker Daudi Anguka among others.

Speaking during the event, Nyali parliamentary seat aspirant Said Abdallah alias Saido who was the chief guest emphasized on the need to create a conducive environment for small businesses in the area and county at large.

"Nyali is safe and open for investments, it is encouraging to see our young people venturing into business, It is upon us as leaders and the county government to ensure that they do their business in a conducive environment" said Abdallah.

“Everyone wants to look good and we felt that there is that gap in Mombasa when it comes to men's clothing and that is why we decided to open this branch” said Nelly Okello, C.E.O Tajiri fashions.