A family in Mariakani, Kwale County is crying for justice after their kin was forcefully abducted by unknown persons under unclear circumstances.

Omar Mangale,33 a Madrassa teacher at Madina Madrasa Mosque in Mariakani was reportedly abducted on Friday 20, at around 5.20 pm at his home in Kichinjio village.

According to Mangale’s wife, Zainab Chengo, her husband was bundled into a white land cruiser by people they suspected to be police officers and has not been seen since then.

 “They arrested another boy called Kassim Musa who then redirected them to her husband. When Kassim was arrested, they asked him to direct him to Omar. That's when they came and arrested my husband, they went together and later released Kassim on the way,” claimed Chengo.

Speaking at the Haki Africa offices on Sunday, the family claims they cannot trace their kin as their frantic efforts to look for him at various police stations within Kwale County have not bore any fruits.

"They forcefully bundled the boy and loaded my husband in the car and fled with him, since then we can't locate him, we have tried to go to all police stations and we can't find him."said Chengo with tears rolling down her chin.

They filed the report at Kalalani police station .The family reports that Omar was kidnapped alongside his friend  Kassim Musa, but minutes later Kassim was released by the abductors.

 "I want my husband to be released because I depended on him for everything, he was the breadwinner, he has never had a criminal record, we are very bitter by the way they carried him,” she added.

According to the family members Kassim is a cleaner at the Mosque where Omar works, and they are said to be close friends.

It is reported that after Omar was captured he was asked to hand over all his sim cards to his abductors before they fled with him.

Mangale Chondo, father to the abducted, referred to his son as a Godly man who dedicated his time to serving humanity. He said his son has never had a criminal record because his work was teaching at the Madrassa.

"I want to ask the government to help us get my son, so that we can have peace of mind, we are suffering emotionally because we don't know his status," said his father.

His brother Juma Ismael said Omar was a peaceful person, a madrassa teacher and has no any criminal record.

"My brother has never had a criminal record, he is a peaceful person who taught religion at a local madrassa, what we are aski6as a family is to have our kin back," he said.

Haki Africa Human rights rapid response Officer Alexander Mbela said the organization has documented over 15 cases related to Abduction. The official condemned the act and asked authorities to produce Omar dead or alive.

“According to our view and according to the reports that we have, we suspect that these are police officers. We are asking authorities to help relieve the family by telling them where their kin is, they are suffering emotionally,” said Mbela.

Wiper Democratic Party Mombasa gubernatorial candidate,Mike Sonko has condemned the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Hajj and Chief Justice Martha Koome for interfering with his court cases.

This is after Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) instructed returning officers not to clear impeached public officials from gunning for elective seats in August polls unless a court order compels them to process their nomination papers.

The CJ said people who have been convicted or impeached from office remain guilty of the offences that faced them until the sentencing and conviction are either reversed or set aside by a higher court.

Mr Sonko said the laws and the constitution allows him to vie for any political anywhere seat until proven guilty. He said he has invested and was born in Mombasa and has any right to contest in the Coast region.

"Those utterances issued by the CJ and DPP are careless and threats to me. They are not above the laws. I have constitutional rights to defend myself. I respect the DPP and the CJ but I have a right to criticise them," said Mr Sonko.

In an interview with Spice FM, Ms Koome said those convicted for criminal offences cannot hold or run for a public office, pending the hearing and determination of any appeal filed to challenge their sentencing.

“You remain impeached until that impeachment is lifted. When you are sentenced, you are sentenced until the sentence is set aside,” Justice Koome said on Friday.

But briefing the press on the woes bedeviling his candidature following the IEBC and CJ's verdict, Mr Sonko says he won't back down until proven guilty by the courts.

"I am ready to respect the court verdict if they will bar impeached governors from vying but the same laws allows me to exhaust all the appeals. Mr Hajj stop threatening me with cases still in court, and those that were concluded 24 years ago. Come and arrest me if I have any case to answer," he said.

The embattled politician said he cannot be convicted by the DPP yet his cases are still ongoing in court have not been concluded.

He said he decided to keep a low profile only to be proved by Mr Hajj who said he should be rearrested to go complete his sentence.

The former Nairobi governor insisted that he is still in the race to succeed Hassan Joho as the next governor of Mombasa.

"I'm still in the race, Mombasa people need change, some people have started feeling threatened because they know that I will bring the change. If things go worse, we have plan B, it is not a must that I be the governor but I will make sure that Mombasa gets change" said Sonko.

Afrobeats sensation Olakira is back with the visuals for his latest single ‘Fall’. 

Watch Fall : https://youtu.be/l54oGhBHewI 

Self - produced by the seasoned multi-instrumentalist himself,and video directed by Dammy Twitch, Olakira dares to reveal a creatively vulnerable side in 'Fall', which takes the form of a smooth, highlife sound with drizzles of Afrobeats.

In a love song that talks about reassurance and dedication to one's love, Olakira harnesses rich African sounds to create this original sound that's full of rich melodies.

'Fall' is a testimony to the mid tempo groovy sound that boasts of rhythms from the west of the continent — Sweet, and sensual.

The internationally recognized singer and producer who has a huge following in Europe, Nigeria, East and Southern African countries, has managed to stay rooted in that element where confidence meets creative direction and delivery, positioning him to be one of the outstanding African Musicians who continues to shape the new Africa sound.

The In My Maserati hitmaker started the year on a high note following a massive global collaboration deal with vehicle manufacturer, Maserati. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for tangible, practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing Africa’s urban areas.

Speaking today in the lakeside city of Kisumu when he officially opened the 9^th Edition of Africities, President Kenyatta noted that the summit provides an effective forum for the continent to take stock, reflect and plan on the best ways of addressing the challenges of urbanization.

This year’s Africities summit held under the theme “The role of intermediary cities of Africa in the implementation of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063” is the first to be hosted in an intermediary city.

“This Year’s theme is most apt, as the summit comes at a critical time when, Africa’s rapid urbanization and the challenges of future cities, are increasingly coming into sharp focus; more so after the shocks of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” the President said.

At the same time, President Kenyatta emphasized the need to scale up the role of intermediary cities as the next frontiers of African urbanization and development.

“I say so because in Africa, an unprecedented rate of urbanization has propelled intermediary cities to stand at approximately 1,086. These intermediary cities are home to approximately 174 million people; representing about 36 percent of the continent’s total urban population and contributing about 40 percent of the continent’s GDP,” President Kenyatta said.

Accordingly, President Kenyatta said the Africities summit has the task of providing the continent with a comprehensive and achievable roadmap on how intermediary cities can contribute more towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063.

The President informed the summit that in Kenya, the National Government has over the last five years been implementing projects and programmes geared towards the improvement of the lives of Kenyans through the achievement of SDGs.

“This has been achieved under the auspices of our national Economic blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030 and its Medium Term Plan – the Big Four Agenda.  The agenda espouses provision of a decent roof over many more heads at affordable costs, affordable healthcare for all, value addition and increase in manufacturing and jobs and ensuring food security for all Kenyans,” he said.

He said the Government has also embarked on a slum upgrading programme spread across the country, notably in the capital city of Nairobi and the intermediary cities of Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.

“These concerted actions have been taken through the Kenya Devolution Support Programme, the Urban Support Programme, the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme and the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme,” the President said.

Noting that cities and local authorities around the world played a key role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the President said they proved to be an indispensable “ring” in the governance chain and prevention of the pandemic.

Speaking at the panel discussion session of the Africities summit, former Primer Minister Raila Odinga who is also the African Union (AU) High Representative for Infrastructure Development, underscored the importance of infrastructure in addressing the challenges of urban areas in Africa.

The former Prime Minister said, as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, he acts as the catalyst to ensure infrastructure projects identified by the AU are implemented on a timely basis to accelerate the continent’s progress.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa who is also the acting CS for Devolution, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o and his Kisii counterpart James Ongwae who is also the deputy chairman of the Council of Governors spoke at the ongoing summit that has attracted delegates from over 110 countries.

Other speakers included United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) President Christine Mba Ndutume, UCLGA Secretary-General Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed who delivered their speeches virtually.

Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir on Tuesday named former Mombasa county secretary Francis Thoya as his running mate in the Mombasa governor's race.

Thoya a journalist by profession also served as the Mombasa county executive member for Lands. 

Thoya a close ally of Mombasa governor Hassan Joho left the county government in 2019 after he was appointed as a director for the United Kingdom’s (UK) Department for International Development (DFID). He was overseeing UK-based activities along the Kenyan Coastline.

"I have settled on Thoya after an extensive consultation with the people of Mombasa and a rigorous vetting exercise which involved several candidates. I weighed the candidates based on their abilities, integrity and principles and out all of them Thoya emerged the top " said Nassir.

Adding "I was looking for someone who also shares my values and principles, someone who can serve the people of Mombasa well".

On his part Thoya called on Mombasa residents to avoid and reject leaders dividing them on religious and tribal lines.

"I decided to stop politics and join the British high commission in 2019 but just recently a group of elders and respected individuals from the county approached me and asked me to come and help my brother Abdulswamad in this journey. Yesterday was my last day at the British high commission and am now ready to hit the ground and make sure we win this race of which I'm sure we will win". said Thoya .

Adding " Mombasa has a rich heritage and history of bringing together several tribes and religions and this is something that we must safeguard as the people of Mombasa, No one should try to divide us in any way, the best way to reject those trying to divide us is by defeating them in the August election. My mother is a luo, father Mijikenda and wife is from Taita so I will be in the forefront in ensuring that there is inclusivity and that  we as the people of Mombasa live together".

According to analysts, Nassir settled on  Thoya, a Mijikenda because they are the single largest voting bloc in Mombasa.

Initially Thoya was also planning to run as the next governor of Mombasa before shelving his plans.

"I remember there was a time we were at the same function with Nassir's mother Mama Nassim, and she asked me if I will make it to the governor race, I told her that I was in the race until the end, but I would like to now assure her that I'm one hundred percent behind her son" shared Thoya.

AfyaRekod, a Pan African health tech company last week announced their partnership with megastar rapper King Kaka in Nairobi Kenya. 

King Kaka has recently shared his personal story of a misdiagnosis and mis-prescription based on the lack of historical medical data. From not having his medical records on hand, the potentially fatal experience has created a need for the artist to address the issues of a patient-first healthcare solution. 

The partnership between AfyaRekod and King Kaka entails community mobilization to encourage young people and society, in general, to prioritize their health and store their health records.

In the new global economy, where technology is front and center, the need to digitize records and simplify record-keeping has become paramount. 

Healthcare digitalization is reshaping the way we interact with healthcare professionals, share medical data and make decisions related to treatment and outcomes. 

Globally, keeping medical records and sharing relevant medical information from doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital has however proven to be an unreliable process, resulting in a staggering 33% of total deaths as a result of a lack of access to healthcare data.

The founder and CEO of AfyaRekod John Kamara said “We focused on the most important party in the healthcare ecosystem, the patient. We wanted to provide a unique proposition as a patient first solution, resulting in the patient owning their health data and having full autonomy over who can access the information.”

With AfyaRekod, Patients are now able to share, store, and manage their historical data and receive treatment based on their medical records, while doctors are now able to track and access the mobility of their patient’s records and give accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

“When I was laying in the hospital, fighting for my life, that's when I realized that health is the most critical thing at any point in time. I believe AfyaRekod is an incredible solution because for the first time ever it empowers patients with access to their health records and allows them to receive quality health care anytime, anywhere making healthcare accessible and convenient. I know from first-hand experience how accurate health data can save lives.” Said King Kaka.

For physicians, AfyaRekod transforms traditional hospitals and clinics into digital clinics, connecting the facility, the doctor, and the patient via a tele-medicine solution, while giving patients a portal to access their health data from their doctor or clinic in real-time. 

“Our vision is to put patients at the core of what we do. We want families to have access to their medical records virtually and access them any time, in a matter of seconds. The partnership with King Kaka will help us create the awareness that every patient, doctor, and hospital can now experience a seamless flow of data on the AfyaRekod Platform at their fingertips, thus enabling them to make better-informed decisions.” Concluded John Kamara.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko's bid to succeed Hassan Joho as the next Mombasa governor continues to gain momentum after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) aspirants from Mombasa resolved to support him as their candidate.

Addressing members of the press in Mombasa on Thursday afternoon, the aspirants led by Likoni Mp aspirant Yaqub Obado said they will support Sonko since they believe he is the right candidate to bring changes and developments in the county.

Sonko is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat on a wiper ticket. Wiper party and UDM are both members of the Azimio coalition.

The aspirants also called for respect and fair treatment from bigger parties within Azimio accusing them of disrespecting and treating with contempt the small parties. They dismissed the six piece calling pattern arguing that it will key the so called small parties.

"We are all in Azimio as partners and no one is bigger than the other ,we are all equal partners, so we demand respect and equal treatment as other parties, Whenever we have rallies and other programs we should all work together as a team" said Obado.

Adding " We don't believe in six piece voting, let everyone get into the field and fight for their own space. I believe we as UDM have what it takes to deliver votes and win seats in Mombasa"

On the upcoming Azimio Tononoka rally scheduled for Saturday Obado noted '' Whether we are invited or not we will attend the Tononoka rally on Saturday because it a rally to drum support for our presidential candidate Raila Odinga. Azimio is our only house, we have no any other house."

On his part Mtopanga ward MCA aspirant Yusuf Abdulmajid Omar said they have not been forced to support Sonko but out of their will.

"No one has forced us to support Sonko, the ground has now shifted, it is not as it was earlier. It is our right to support Sonko and I would like to tell his rivals to brace themselves for a tough battle." said Omar.

Adding "Politics is about interest, we will walk with the person who will cater for our interest. The others  have been discriminating us".

UDM has a total of 10 aspirants in Mombasa, one Mp aspirant and nine MCA aspirants.

Ignite Culture, an ACP EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa) for the support of creative and cultural industries (CCIs) in 14 Eastern Africa countries is excited and proud to announce its grant applicant shortlist.

The Ignite Culture facility is an initiative of HEVA Fund LLP and the British Council, and is financed by the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU).

Having launched its inaugural call for applications in August 2021, the ACP-EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa) invited creative talents with registered and operational businesses in Burundi, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda to apply for grants of up to a maximum of 180,000 euro per application.

Between 11^th August and 15^th September 2021, the fund received and reviewed a total of 379 applications from 11 of the 14 eligible countries. Majority of applications were received from Kenya (134), Uganda (58), and Rwanda (53) respectively.

The total funding requests from our 379 applications amounted to over 38.6 million euro.  

“Our outreach and commitment to the culture and creative sector includes financial investments, knowledge development as well as capacity building, skill development, and market development. The Ignite Culture Fund will be fundamental to the growth of the overall sector in our region.” Wakiuru Njuguna, Partner and Investment Manager at HEVA.

Wakiuru also added that, “We cannot wait to start working with the successful organisations and are looking forward to seeing the impact of their projects on Eastern Africa.” 

Of the eligible creative and cultural industry value chains, it was interesting to note that the majority of applications came from these three subsectors: 

1. Performance, events and celebrations; 
2. Audio visual and interactive media; and
3. Creative and cultural education. 

All applicants were subjected to a rigorous 6-step process.

This selection process included 2 review panels, pitch meetings, due diligence, and finally a financial and capacity assessment.

Successful applicants were shortlisted, invited to review and execute their grant contracts, and are currently at the final stage. 

Commenting on the response to the 2021 application call and subsequent shortlist, Jill Coates, British Council Kenya Country Director shared that, “The applications were very competitive and we were convinced of the capacity and abilities of the final successful applications.  We wish to congratulate all of the organisations shortlisted and are looking forward to supporting them to achieve their projects.”

Speaking on behalf of OACPS, Dr Ibrahim Norbert Richard, Assistant Secretary General, Political Affairs and Human Development Department, Organisation of the ACP States said, “We are delighted by the strong response of East African cultural operators to the call for proposals. This demonstrates both the capacity of the ACP-EU Culture Programme to respond to the needs of the arts and culture community in the region and the effectiveness of the awareness-raising efforts of our technical partners in the field.”

Talking about this grant facility in the context of youth, Agnieska Skuratowicz Head of Unit for Youth, Education and Culture in DG International Partnerships at the European Commission noted that, “ Through the first sub-grants we will support creative and digital entrepreneurship in the region, leading to jobs and growth, in particular for young people, as well as cultural diversity and empowerment of youth.”

In this first application call, Ignite Culture is happy to commit a total of €2.5 million to the final shortlist. Meet our 2021 shortlist of creative and cultural business below.

This list includes all organisations who have been invited to the due diligence and contract signing stages.

Shortlist from Kenya: 

1. Book Bunk Trust is a social impact firm that works to restore public libraries. Any funds awarded from the Ignite Culture grant will be put towards public programming, building a historical archive and developing a partnership toolkit; 
2. Za Kikwetu Productions Ltd is an audio-visual production house in Nairobi, whose proposal focuses on cultural heritage and podcasting; 
3. Avandu Vosi Studio is a group of artists who storytell through comics, illustrations and animations. Their proposal focuses on heritage and the publication of a comic book; 
4. Saba Studios is a design lab and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor furniture, inspired by the rich history of Swahili furniture and culture. Their proposed use of funds is for craftsperson education and professional development; 
5. Bomas of Kenya is a state agency that works to preserve, maintain, educate and promote the diverse cultures of various ethnic groups in Kenya. Through the Ignite Culture grant they plan to put together a collection and interactive showcase of indigenous music; 
6. BlackRhino VR is a virtual reality production company that develops online content through the power of virtual reality technology. They plan to focus on an augmented reality platform; 
7. Standup Collective is growing a comedy club culture in Kenya, in order to create a community of comedians and comedy lovers. Through the Ignite Culture grant they plan to run a series of stand up comedy workshops and showcases, as well as further network development.
8. Muthoni Music Entertainment focuses on music performance and training. Their project will focus on artistic and business skills incubation.

 Shortlist from Uganda: 

9. Bold In Africais a retail outlet housing up-and-coming designers from across the African continent. Their proposed use of funds is for business clinics and a digital marketing programme, as well as the development of an e-commerce platform for fashion; 
10. 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trustis an independent non-profit focused on the creation and exploration of contemporary art. Their proposal focuses on studio equipment and an international residency programme; and
11. Simma Africa Creative Arts Foundationis a non-profit using creative & digital arts to empower sexual minority groups, refugees and womxn. Their proposed use of funds will focus on artist training and policy dialogue sessions.

Shortlist from Tanzania: 

12. Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA)is a creative think tank that provides cultural and Pan-African thought leadership for creative, social and scientific innovators. Any funds awarded will be used for a creative economy incubation and accelerator initiative. Their project is in partnership with Naledi Fashion Tanzania and the African Animation Network;
13. Nafasi Art Space is a vibrant art centre and platform for artistic exchange. Their proposal focus is on artist capacity building, mentorship and storytelling showcases; and 
14. Busara Promotionsis a non-profit that works to promote music from East Africa. Their proposed use of funds is toward performance, mentorship and festival management opportunities for women at the Sauti za Busara festival. 

Shortlist from Sudan: 

15. Sobajo Art Centre for Womenspecialises in the production of creative handicrafts with a particular focus on providing tools, training and financing for women and youth who have been internally displaced by war in Sudan. Any granted funds will be used for craftspersons training in basket weaving;

     16. Omer Asimis a womenswear fashion brand working at the intersection of design and culture. Their proposed use of funds is for perfume making using traditional Sudanese techniques.

 Shortlist from Somalia: 

17. Rift Valley Institute (RVI)is an independent non-profit that combines action-oriented research with education and public information. Their proposal for the purpose of this grant facility focuses on an artist development programme.

Shortlist from Rwanda: 

 18. Imbuto Foundationstarted off with a single project and has since evolved into managing over twenty projects in health, education and youth empowerment that are aligned to the national priorities. Their proposed use of funds is focused on identifying and supporting youth in the creative arts. 

Shortlist from Mauritius: 

19. Move for Art is an independent agency specialised in arts and culture events and consultancy. Through the Ignite Culture grant they plan to develop spaces for multidisciplinary arts and artist residencies.

Shortlist from Ethiopia: 

 20. Whiz Kids Workshopis a female-led innovative social enterprise that focuses on improving the lives of children and youth through educational media. Their proposed project focuses on an animated series aimed at girls, a digital distribution platform and development of a web app. 

 Preparations for the second call for applications are underway with more information to follow in May 2022. ACP EU Culture Programme (Eastern Africa) - Ignite Culture and its partners would like to thank all creative talents for their applications, support and engagement.