Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has stepped down for Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir in the race to succeed Hassan Joho as the next governor of Mombasa.

This was announced by the ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Friday evening.

"We have had negotiations and Suleiman Shahbal has agreed to support Abdulswamad Nassir as the governor of Mombasa. Nassir will fly our party's flag in the governor race" said Odinga.

The party has also settled on Senator Mohammed Faki to be the flag bearer in the Senator race in the coming August election.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho welcomed the move by Shahbal noting that both Nassir and Shahbal have been strong competitors.

"Both of them are very strong and worthy competitors and for Shahbal to agree to support Nassir is a good thing" said Joho.

Adding " What is now remaining is for us to hit the ground running and start campaigning immediately."

On his part Suleiman Shahbal revealed that he has been assigned to focus on Raila Odinga's presidential campaign.

" I have been aspiring to be governor of Mombasa for the last ten years, but the objective was not for Suleiman Shahbal, but to bring change and development to the people of Mombasa." said Shahbal.

Adding "We have agreed to work with Abdulswamad Nassir towards bringing this change. To all my fans and supporters we have agreed that we will work with Nassir." 

Former National Police Service Commission commissioner Murshid Mohammed has said he is the best suited to be the next Mvita Mp.

According to Murshid who once served as the Chairman, Mvita NGF CDF, his work and experience puts him ahead of other aspirants eyeing the seat which is currently being held by Abdulswamad Nassir. Nassir is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat.

"My work speaks for itself. With my background and having worked for different constitutional institutions,  I believe I'm best suited for the job. It is now my turn to serve my people of Mvita." said Murshid.

Adding " This job needs someone who is sober and one who understands the constitution and can help in the process of making laws, not just someone who distributes football jerseys, issues out handouts. The people of Mvita need real developement, Mvita is the heart of Mombasa and needs good representation".

Murshid, a lawyer by profession revealed that he was forced to shelve his Mombasa governor ambitions after consultations from close friends and associates.

"When we came back for forensic assessment of the ground we found out that it was a little bit to late to mount a successful campaign and we know our politics require alot of politics and because of those imperatives we thought as stakeholders that it will be more appropriate that I go for the Mvita Mp seat." In future I might consider going for the governor seat."  said Murshid.

He is vying for the seat through the United Green Movement (UGM) party.

He charged "I believe I represent the transformation leadership that our people require. My agenda is economic, provision of clean water, improvement of health and education standards" 

He will battle it out with Mohammed Machele (ODM), Omar Shallo (UDA), Mohammed Juma (Wiper) and Said Twaha (PAA).

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) presents music productions from the National Youth Talent Development Programme - Eldoret Edition.

Watch all the music and dance videos on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgIQUPvj3QW82FRx2ShuxysxbjM2oE7Qr

About the Programme

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage through The Permanent Presidential Music Commission has been undertaking a series of National Youth Talent Development Programmes in music and dance since the beginning of this year.

The program aims at equipping and empowering out of school youth in music and dance with proficiency skills in music geared towards transforming the music industry from a purely entertainment sector into a vibrant and dynamic industry that will make substantial contribution to the social economic development at both county and national levels.

To be selected for the programme, an audition call out was done and auditions were conducted in Nairobi, Nyanza, Western, Central, Rift Valley, Coast, Eastern and North Eastern regions. After auditions, selected youth are absorbed into a residential training camp to elevate their skills.

The program is funded by the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund in partnership with the State Department of Culture and Heritage.

Participants are taken through a vigorous skills development program that touches on voice, performance, music instruments, copyright, music business, marketing, dance and choreography, as well as music production and recording.

As a culmination, a graduation concert is held at the end of each training programme where the participants perform their original music productions and music videos for these productions are then released to the public via the PPMC YouTube channel – PPMC TV.

ABOUT PPMC

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) is a Government Department under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage mandated to coordinate music and dance activities in the country and spearhead the development of the same from mere entertainment activities into a stable industry.

The commission was formed through Kenya Gazette notice No. 2132 of April 1988. It was mandated to implement the report of a task force established to look into the development and preservation of music and dance in Kenya, covering the areas of music education, music research, music in the media, music performances, musicians’ rights and obligations and preservation and conservation of the music and heritage of Kenya, among others. Get to learn more about the Permanent Presidential Music Commission and its programs by visiting their website here www.ppmc.go.ke

President Uhuru  Kenyatta has advised Kenyans to elect steadfast leaders capable of uniting the country and offering solutions to challenges facing wananchi, pointing out that building the nation was not an easy task.

Speaking on Thursday evening at State House, Nairobi, when he hosted close to 2,000 Muslim leaders from across the country for Iftar, President Kenyatta noted that Kenya requires a leader who cherishes peace and unity, and not one who is driven by selfish interests.

“I want to tell you building a nation is not easy as most people think. It is not easy. There are so many storms and it requires A steady hand not a hand that looks at everything from a selfish point of view. Not a hand that rather than seek to resolve problems you seek to look for somebody to blame.

“Now if you are looking for somebody to blame instead of fixing the problem how can you be a problem solver? You are a problem identifier. And this country requires a problem solver because there is no day where problems will cease, problems will continue to arise,” President Kenyatta said.

The President urged Kenyans to continue praying for their nation as they prepare to elect leaders who will strive to provide solutions to problems affecting the country by uniting all Kenyans irrespective of their religious, colour or race in the forthcoming elections.

“So you need people who are willing to pull together and solve problems because that is the only way a country develops. And that’s why I am requesting my Muslim brothers and sisters this time round and in this Holy month, I ask you, we pray for peace and unity.

“We pray that we get a leader who will unite us and continue tackling our problems,” he said.

President Kenyatta drummed up support for the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya political coalition Raila Odinga saying he was the best suited to inherit the country's leadership from him after the August polls.

He said Mr Odinga was a genuine and mature leader with a deep sense of love for his country and a track record of political steadfastness.

“I request you that we all unite under the umbrella of Azimio. And when I look left or right ,I see no other (person) who has the capability of uniting us, who has the capacity to forgive, who has the capacity to be calm and patient other than Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

"I am not saying that because I hate anyone. I don’t hate anybody but there are actions that human beings hate. Maybe one day we will forgive those others when they remember that patience pays, peace is important and humility is a great virtue. Pride is not the way to leadership but humility. One has to be humble to get leadership,” President Kenyatta elaborated.

Once again, the President likened the country's leadership to a relay race where one administration builds upon the foundation laid by others who were before them, and urged Kenyans to shun divisive leaders.

“Let me say building a nation is not a one day affair but a continuous exercise. It is what we call relay race. You run and hand over the baton to your colleague. And Kenya is here and it will continue to endure even after we are long gone.

“Many have been with us and many have left and we thank them for what they did and the achievements they made,” he said.

On development, the President pointed out that Kenya had made tremendous progress in infrastructure and other sectors of the economy noting that it would have been impossible to achieve such monumental successes without peace and tranquillity.

“We have peace, we have achieved some progress as we worked together. We are united and wananchi have the freedom and democracy to express themselves freely and most important they have the freedom of worship. All religions are accepted and honoured without discrimination or favouritism and that is the foundation of a great nation.

“The fact that any Kenyan wherever you maybe, whatever your colour, whatever your religion, whatever your gender, that you are free and feel that Kenya is your home. That is the basic essence of a society that is moving in the right direction.

The President also spoke about ongoing efforts to address the human suffering caused by the drought and famine ravaging parts of country saying the Government was doing everything possible to address the dire situation.

The clergy and leaders who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to President Kenyatta for hosting them every year during the Holy Month of Ramadhan noting that for the last nine years, the Muslim community have had a great time sharing Iftar with the Head of State at State House, Nairobi.

Tourism CS Najib Balala noted that President Kenyatta will go into history books as one of the greatest leaders who worked extremely hard to unite all Kenyans.

Mr Balala said under President Kenyatta’s leadership, the Muslim community had been brought to the centre of Kenya's development agenda thereby enabling them to play their role in nation building.

“It is only in your government that we Muslim leaders and we who work under you know what you mean for this country. You have built infrastructure even from where you did not get votes. You built communities and bridges where their were no bridges to build. You brought people together," the Tourism CS said.

Muslim leaders among them Sports CS Amina Mohamed, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, National Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Hassan Ole Naado, Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi also spoke at the event, commending President Kenyatta for his magnanimity which they said makes every Kenyan to feel appreciated by their Government.

The Muslim leaders assured the President of their continued support saying their immediate focus was helping the Head of State to cement his legacy of progressive and peaceful Kenya.

The event was attended by several Governors, parliamentarians, Government officials and captains of industry representing all sectors of the Kenyan economy.

Grandpa Records founder and CEO Noah Yusuf, alias Refigah is among the many aspirants who were today given direct tickets by the Democratic Action Party Kenya (DAP-K).

Refigah is eyeing the Kibra Mp seat currently held by ODM's Imran Okoth.

There were three more aspirants eyeing the seat through DAP- K party but they all stepped down in favour of Refigah.

"Today the official journey for liberating the people of Kibra begins. We officially received our DAP-K nomination certificate to signify a new beginning full of hope to the great people of Kibra." said Refigah.

Adding " On that note, we take this opportunity to thank my family, our friends, supporters and the silent majority who cheered me on to offer myself as your member of Parliament, a call I have humbly accepted."

On December ,2021, Refigah announced that he was officially resigning from the music industry.

The DAP- K party had earlier indicated that it  will be issuing nomination certificates to all unopposed candidates adding that it had received over 1000 applicants interested for the positions of Governors, Senators, MPs, Women Reps and MCAs.

The Orange democratic Movement ODM party has suffered a blow after a section of Mombasa county assembly contestants who lost in the just concluded party nominations declared to vie Independently in the August polls.

The party is now suffering mass exodus after losers vowed not to support winners in the nomination, a move likely to deal a blow to the party ahead of August 9 polls.

Among them is nominated county assembly member Moses Aran who lost to the current sitting MCA Tobias Samba in the Tudor ward seat nomination contest.

Aran vents his anger towards the ODM party over how they conducted the party primaries, terming them a sham and now feels betrayed.

His candidature as an independent candidate now puts party supporters at crossroads on whether to support the candidate with the party ticket or support him as an independent candidate.

"The people of Tudor want a change, they feel betrayed and believe that the independent elctoral and boundaries Comission IEBC will be most transparent and credible organization," said Aran.

Aran says the decision to run independent was reached after thorough soul searching and consultation from the electorates of Tudor ward.

ODM had asked losers of the nomination to support winners so as to avert mass exodus in the party.

"I am obliged to listen to the people of Tudor who have shown great faith in me to represent them, they braved the scorching sun and long queues only to be subjected to a sham process that circumvented their will, "said Aran.

Ali Shomari who lost in the Magogoni is now contesting as an independent candidate for the Magogoni ward representative seat.

On his part, reknown human rights activist Mathias Shipeta also expressed his interest for the Mikindani county assembly seat after losing his nomination slot in the ODM primaries.

"I thank God I have been cleared to run as an independent candidate, Mungu Mbele, it's not over till it's over," said Shipeta.

Earlier, Shipeta had told his supporters of his plans to pursue legal action.

"I want to thank all my supporters for participating in the nomination process full of electoral malpractices, voter bribery and double voting. We shall persue all legal means necessary as enshrined in our constitution. I want to reiterate that lts not over utill it's over. l was born a fighter and we shall fight till the end. Thank you. Shipeta Mathias." he said.

Others are Dorothy Juma from Junda ward who is also going as Independent candidate in the elections, meaning that the party she represented will have to lose her supporters.

Milka Areba,who lost to Patrick Mbelle in the Bamburi ward representative nomination seat has opted to stay out of the race.

“I will continue to serve my party of choice (ODM) with the same zeal and propel it’s ideals as before. I live to fight another day”. Said Areba

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM party leadership in Mombasa had cancelled nomination tickets for three wards after the nomination process was marred with Chaos.

Mtopanga, Magogoni, Kongowea wards tickets were cancelled after voters are said to have disrupted the voting process during nominations. This means that ODM party may consider a repeat of the nomination polls.

Deputy President William Ruto has unveiled his dream team for Mombasa county political seats ahead of the UDA party primaries set for Thursday.

According to Ruto, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar is the UDA party flag bearer for the Mombasa governor seat race, former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho's adviser Khamis Mwaguya will fly the party's flag in the Mombasa Senator race.

"It is with great Honor and deep Humility that I accept to be the Senate Flag Bearer of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for our Great City of Mombasa." posted Mwaguya.

Fatma Barayan will be flying the party's flag in the Mombasa Women representative race.

Parliamentary slots will be filled by Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali who will be defending his seat on a UDA ticket, Karisa Nzai (Jomvu), Isaac Malilah (Changamwe), Omar Shalo (Mvita) and Mohammed Mwahima (Likoni).

According to Ruto, the candidates were settled on after consensus talks.

"We are glad the Mombasa UDA team has reached a consensus on Hassan Omar Hassan as its gubernatorial candidate, Khamisi Mwaguya as the Senate contender, and Fatma Bakari Barayan as the Women Representative contestant," Ruto said.

Tanzanian singer Rajab Abdul a.ka Harmonize has been under heavy criticism over allegations of buying fake youtube views after his latest song 'Mdomo' ft Ibrah, one of his signees, recorded over 1.3 million views just 24 seconds after it's official release.

The views came as a shock to many, setting a new record of being the first music video to gain such views, given that only Korean pop group BTS currently holds YouTube record of 113 million views in 24 hours for their song ‘Butter’. 

What is even more interesting, is that 10 hours later this morning, the song has 1.5 million views and is currently trending at number 29.

Well, the singer who has of late been making headlines has now come out to respond to his critics.

"Kondeboy ndio msanii mwenye hela kuliko wote Tanzania na Africa Mashariki kumbe!!." posted Harmonize.

Adding " Hizo kelele tushazizoea la msingi na linalo liwakilisha taifa zaidi ni history imeandikwa. Alafu acheni kuchafua habari zilizolibeba taifa."

This is not the first time that Harmonize is finding himself in such controversy. Last year, he was also on the spotlight after his video 'Teacher' recorded over 1 million views within 10 hours and 2 million views within 14 hours.

The wiper party has insisted that former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko is in the race to succeed Hassan Joho as the Mombasa governor.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, April 13, Wiper National Election Board (NEB) Chairperson, Agatha Solitei maintained that the party had submitted Sonko's name to IEBC as an aspirant for the position of Mombasa governor.

"Yes, we submitted his name to IEBC on 9th April for Mombasa gubernatorial" said Solitei.

Adding " We do have another aspirant, Ali Mbogo who also submitted his papers for gubernatorial, so we have two of them".

Solitei revealed that the party is currently in consultation with the two aspirants in a bid to reach a consensus.

 "If we do not reach a consensus then we will go for the contest" she said.

The Kalonzo Musyoka led party is expected to conduct its primaries today (Wednesday).