Former Ganze Mp Teddy Mwambire has been elected as the speaker of the Kilifi county assembly.

Mwambire got a total of 37 votes against his close rival James Mlewa of the Pamoja African Alliance party (PAA) who got 13 votes during the election on Tuesday. Kilifi governor Gideon Mngaro was present during the speaker election.

In Kilifi, ODM won 18 out of the 35 elected MCA seats, PAA scooped six and the other parties shared the remaining slots.

Mwambire who is also the Kilifi ODM chairman lost the Ganze parliamentary seat to Kenneth Kazungu of the PAA party.

Radio Rahma presenter and reporter Ali Mwalimu has expressed interest in the Mombasa county assembly Speaker's position.

Mwalimu picked the nomination papers for the post on Monday morning at the Mombasa county assembly clerk's office.

"This is as an opportunity to grab as journalists, we have been pushing for change and we cannot just sit down and wait for that change, we need to get into the system to make things work, so this is one of the reason that pushed me to get into the race" Mwalimu told Ommy Dallah.

The Mombasa County Assembly has advertised for the speaker position on Friday through local dailies.

The deadline for the application is tomorrow, Tuesday, 20th September.

The constitution requires that the speaker be elected among persons who are not members of the County Assembly.

The first sitting of the county assembly will be held on Friday, 23 September at 10am.

The Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat Federation of Africa Tablig chairman Sheikh Sajaad Walliji has urged Kenyans to unite and continue living in peace.

He urged Kenyans to help the less fortunate in the society.

Speaking during a peaceful procession to mark the 40th day after the death of  Imam Hussein the grandson of prophet Muhammad,  Islamic religious teacher Ali Bahero urged Kenyans to love one another regardless of ethnicity, race or social status.

Ashura is marked on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

It is a particularly important period of mourning for Shia Muslims, as it marks the anniversary of the seventh-century Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, when Hussein was killed.

The death of Hussein is considered by the Shia community as a symbol of humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

The primary rituals and observances on Ashura consist of public expressions of mourning. Sunni Muslims commemorate the day through voluntary fasting.

Some in the Shia community mark the day by flagellating themselves with chains and the blunt ends of swords. This is intended to exemplify the suffering Hussein experienced shortly before his beheading.

In Mombasa, members of the community dressed in black converged at the Jafery sports ground Mbaraki for a two hour procession that ended at the community cemetery in Mwembe Tayari, on Saturday.

Prominent Mombasa businessman Mohammad Jaffer was among those who took part in the procession.

The Mombasa County Assembly has advertised the vacant speaker position.

Applicants will be required to fill in and sign nomination forms and attach a copy of their resumes.

Nomination papers are to be collected in person by the interested applicants from the office of the clerk of the county assembly during working hours from Friday 16th September to Tuesday 20th September.

"Pursuant to article 178 of the constitution of Kenya 2010 section 9A of the county government act 2012 and standing order 5 of the county assembly standing orders, the office of the speaker of the county assembly shall become vacant upon the first sitting of the county assembly thus election of the speaker" reads an advert on the dailies.

The constitution requires that the speaker be elected among persons who are not members of the County Assembly.

The first sitting of the county assembly will be held on Friday, 23 September at 10am.

This comes just days after the swearing in of the governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

Aharub Khatri who was the speaker of the last assembly is said to be keen in defending the position.

ODM party remains the majority in the assembly after it bagged 23 seats in the August polls. UDA clinched four, two are independent and one for Wiper.

President William Ruto is expected to make his first official visit to Mombasa after being sworn into office on Saturday.

The head of state is expected to officially close the ongoing governor's and deputy governor's induction at the Pride Inn hotel Shanzu.

According to the program, the governor's are also expected to elect their new leadership today, Saturday.

Besides the chair position, deputy and whip, the governors will also lock horns in picking chairpersons of 18 various council committees with some perceived as lucrative.

Kenya Kwanza has fronted Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru for the chairperson position while Azimio has fronted Kajiado county governor Joseph Ole Lenku.

Mavin Records songstress, Ayra Starr proves her musical process yet again with a new single dubbed, Rush.

Hot off the back of his debut album ‘19 & Dangerous‘  which housed hits like Bloody Samaritan and Fashion Killa, Ayra Starr takes another step forward.

The talented female singer recently won the “Viewers Choice Award” at the 2022 Headies Awards in Atlanta.

However, on the new single “Rush”, Ayra Starr discusses a range of themes, most notably gloating about her money, the necessity to grind every day to preserve her status, and the need to avoid bad energy from her opponents while doing so, a theme that is similar to that of “Bloody Samaritan.”

Rush by Ayra Starr“, was produced by Henri Velasco and Andre Vibez, serves as one of the new records off the upcoming deluxe edition of her 19 & Dangerous album out next month.

Listen HERE..

Mombasa Governor Abduslwamad Nassir was on Thursday sworn into office to succeed Governor Hassan Joho with a full in tray to deliver for Mombasa residents.

Justice George Dulu and Martha Mutuku the Mombasa High Court chief magistrate presided over the swearing-in ceremony at the Mama Ngina Water front. 

In his speech, Nassir said he will sign an executive order to waive levies on businesses to facilitate a good economy bounce back.

Nassir said he will work with the government to ensure that the port of Mombasa benefits the Mombasa people through sharing of revenue.

“I shall engage the national government through the legal structures to advocate for Mombasa county to get a fair share of port revenue in line with global services,” said Nassir during his speech.

He said his mission is to create jobs, revive the economy and deliver services to the people at their grassroots. Nassir also vowed to scrap land rate levies imposed on churches as part of his promise during the campaign pledges.

The immediate former governor pledged to support his successor as he takes over the leadership of the county. Nassir said he will seek the prioritization of implementation of the Dongo Kundu industrial part to create hundreds of jobs in Mombasa.

He also said he will rally the government to implement an open sky policy that will facilitate chartered flights landing directly in Mombasa with tourists. He also said the county will implement a comprehensive school bursary program to help the needy with fees.

“I further challenge the government to implement the single African air transport agreement known as open sky policy to allow flights from 320 foreign countries to land in Mombasa directly so that we can boost our tourism,” said Nassir.

Nassir, who like Joho, is taking over the leadership of the county from being an MP. He is taking over the leadership mantle with deputy governor Francis Thoya.

Nassir also swore to an integrity cord by the ethics and anticorruption commission EACC against corruption in the county government.

“We would like to ask all governors before paying any pending bills, to do an audit to establish the genuine bills, and those who will pay for an illegality will face the wrath of the commission,” said Eric Ngumbi EACC official.

The inauguration event cost Sh6 million according to the Assumption of Office Committee. The event was graced by Azimio principals Martha Karua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking in Mombasa during the official swearing in ceremony of Mombasa governor elect Abdulswamand Nassir, NARK Kenya party leader Karua asked the leaders to work with the government but not blindly.

"Collaborate with the government that has grabbed power, but collaborate from a position of strength and not kneeling down," Karua urged Azimio elected leaders.

Karua said she still believes that Raila Odinga won the August 9 elections and  expressed her disappointment with how the Supreme Court handled their presidential petition saying she still reads mischief.

"We ask our people to stay united not to swing to the government, we ask you leaders to stay united,” said Karua asking Mombasa people to demand a stake of the port's shared revenue.

Karua said losing the election should not divide Azimio La Umoja one Kenya adding that she will still pursue her mission to the East Africa Court of justice to seek the truth from the Supreme Court.

"We are saying it’s not over until it’s over, we will be with you in every step, we will be active to protect the interests of the people.We know you voted for us, we ask you not to lose morale, because you have a county government,” said Karua.

The Nacr Kenya leader cautioned Mombasa residents against embracing a 'divide and rule' political strategy which she claimed will be brought to them.

On his part Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated that Azimio la Umoja still has the majority in the national assembly and elected governors and thus will stump their authority in keeping the government in check.

Kalonzo hinted that Azimio La umoja one Kenya will be holding a meeting with all elected members of Parliament and senators to chat the way forward.

"We are meeting in Mombasa with all members of parliament and senators to plan ahead, election is over and we have to organize ourselves,” said Kalonzo adding that they will steer opposition to keep government on check 

Musyoka said coastal people should not be duped by reverting of the port operations to Mombasa; instead they should push the government to expand port activities.

Kalonzo also asked for more funding of the judiciary by increasing it's budgets asking opposition MPs in parliament to up their game in keeping the government in check in the parliament.

"We are ready as Azimio La umoja to question the government because we have the majority, we have a voice, we are all part and parcel of a united Country,” said Kalonzo.

Outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho said he will not interfere with the Administration of incoming governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

"I will not interfere with the affairs of the country's government, I will not influence anything,1 have done what was supposed to be done, let me go and rest,” said Joho.

Joho said he has given his best in Mombasa leadership and his legacy speaks for itself. He expressed confidence that Nassir will offer preferred leadership.

Joho said a section of Mps from the other political divide have been trolling him for losing in the August 9 general election.

"We want the port operations to be back, because they announced it, they should honour that,"Joho said

.Joho says being in the opposition is not a death sentence. Joho said a UDA MP recently taunted him over the issue.

Other leaders who were present during the event present include outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and his deputy William Kingi, senators Mohammed Faki (Mombasa), Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Nairobi Women Rep Esther Passaris, Mohammed Zamzam (Mombasa) and Fatuma Gedi of Wajir.

Nominated Jubilee MP Sabina Chege, Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Mohamed Soud Machele (Mvita), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe) and Mombasa county assembly speaker Harub Khatri were also present

The International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC), on Wednesday September 14, released the official list of nominees for the 2022 edition.

Culled from a total of 9,067 entries submitted- the highest number ever recorded by the awards, since its inception - the AFRIMA jury selected a total of 382 nominations across 39 categories, to represent all five regions in Africa, as well as in the diaspora.

Recall that the jury, composed of a 12-member panel of music experts, as well as the AUC, held a 10-day adjudication, in July, to sieve out the best of entries from the fray to make up the list.

Importantly, only entries within the validity period of August 20, 2021 to August 5, 2022, were considered for nomination for this year’s awards.

Leading the nominations on a regional basis this year is the Western African region, with 134 nominations, representing 35 percent; while the Eastern African region follows closely with 69 nominations, representing 18 percent; the Southern African region races closely with 68 nominations, representing 17.8 percent; while Central Africa pulls in its weight with 52 nominations, representing 13.6 percent; while the Northern African region follows closely with 49 nominations, representing 12.8 percent.

Also, the Global music region, which represents music from Non-Africans in the diaspora who still contribute to the growth of the African region, sums the list with 10 nominations, representing 2.6 percent.

Dominating the list with the most nominations, this year, is the South African maverick, Costa Titch, with six nominations for his 2021 smash hit, Big Flexa, in “Song of the Year”; “Breakout Artiste of the Year”; “Best African Collaboration”: “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in Use of African Dance/Choreography”.

Interestingly, the Congolese maestro, Dadju, ties with six nominations, as well, in “Best Male in Central Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Album of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; “Best African Act in the Diaspora”; and “Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series, or Documentary”.

Ranking closely with the third highest nominations is the Ivorian rapper Didi B who bags five nominations in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Album of the Year”; “Best African Rapper/Lyricist”; “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop”.

Again, tying with five nominations, as well, is the Algerian Disc Jockey and Record Producer, in “Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Best African DJ”; “Best African Act in the Diaspora”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro”.

Also, ranking equally with the third highest nominations is another Algerian singer, Soolking, with five nominations in “Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Album of the Year”; “Best Video”; and “Best African Act in the Diaspora”.

Lastly, closing the tie of artistes with the third highest nominations is the Egyptian rapper and record producer, Wegz, with five nominations in “Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Producer of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Contemporary”.

Other artistes with four nominations are the Nigerian mavericks, Burna Boy in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Album of the Year”; and “Artiste of the Year”); Fireboy in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Producer of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; and “Best African Collaboration”; Kizz Daniel in “Best Male Artiste in Western Africa”; “Song of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; “Best African Collaboration”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop”; and Tiwa Savage in “Best Female Artiste in Western Africa”; “Artiste of the Year”; “Best African Collaboration”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul”.

The other African superstars with four nominations are Zakes Bantwini (South Africa) in “Best Male Artiste in Southern Africa”; “Best African DJ”; “Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Electro”; Marwan Moussa (Egypt) in “Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa”; “Best African Rapper/Lyricist”; “Breakout Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Hip Hop”; and Nomfundo Moh (South Africa) in “Best Female Artiste in Southern Africa”; “Album of the Year”; “Breakout Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African RnB/Soul”.

Interestingly, artistes who were recognized among the “Most Promising” category, last year, whose current nominations indicate that significant growth in their respective artistries include: Ckay (Nigeria) in “Producer of the Year”; “Artiste of the Year”; and “Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Pop”; Ruger (Nigeria) in “Best Artiste in African Reggae, Ragga and Dancehall”; El Grande Toto (Morocco) in “Best Male Artiste in North Africa”; and “Breakout Artiste of the Year”.

Commenting on the nominations list, AFRIMA jury member representing the Southern African Region , Adam Tiran, said: “We are confident in our selection this year, after carefully reviewing all 9,076 entries. We are sure this is an accurate and inclusive representation of where the African music industry currently is. We have put in the effort to ensure that AFRIMA’s nominations remain as credible and authentic as always.”

Importantly, the public voting portal for the 2022 AFRIMA edition would be live on Sunday, 25th September, 2022, at 12:00pm CAT. African music lovers within the continent, and around the world, can visit the official website www.afrima.org to vote.Voting closes at 12.00 (CAT), December 10, 2022, before the AFRIMA main awards ceremony.

“Also, we brought back the “Best Soundtrack in a Movie, Series or Documentary” category, this year, due to the availability of quality entries for this year’s edition. Recall that we had to suspend it, last year, due to a shortage of quality entries.“Overall, we are very proud and confident in our work, and we would continue to intensify our efforts to ensure AFRIMA remains the ultimate recognition of African music globally in line with its vision,” Head of Culture, African Union Commission on the Jury, Angela Martins, said.

Meanwhile, the 2022 All Africa Music Awards will now be held from the 8th to 11th December, 2022. A special announcement will be made on the host country and location for the awards, on Wednesday, 28th September, 2022.

The AFRIMA awards ceremony will feature a 4-day fiesta of music, glitz, and glamour aimed at celebrating Africa, recognising talents and expanding the economic frontiers of the culture and  creative industry on the continent.

The event is scheduled to commence with the welcome soiree, followed by the AFRIMA Music Village, the host city tour, Africa Music Business Summit, and the exclusive nominees’ party and concluded with the live awards ceremony broadcast to over 84 countries around the world.

African music lovers can take part in the events on social media, live stream on the AFRIMA website at www.afrima.org and visit the social media platforms (Instagram/Facebook – Afrima.official; Twitter – Afrimawards), and they can watch the event coverage by tuning in to their local and cable TV providers.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is a youth-focused music platform that recognizes and rewards the work and talents of African artistes across generations.

AFRIMA primarily stimulates conversations among Africans, and also the rest of the world, especially on the potential of the creative arts for fostering real human enterprise, as well as contributing significantly to social cohesion, as well as sustainable development in Africa.

The Programme of events is in line with the AU Agenda 2063 which outlines Aspiration 05 as the development of the arts and culture sector including its cultural and creative industries, to boost the development of the African economy.

Regional Categories : AFRIMA 2022 NOMINEES LIST 

Continental Categories: AFRIMA2022 NOMINEES LIST  

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is expected to grace the swearing in ceremony of Abdulswamad Nassir as the second governor of Mombasa county.

The ceremony will take place at the Mama Ngina Waterfront tomorrow, Thursday.

According to a source within the Wiper party, Musyoka is expected to land in Mombasa this evening.

"We will be heading to the airport shortly to receive our party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who is expected to land after 4 pm" said the source.

On Wednesday morning, Nassir toured the venue where preparations have been ongoing, calling upon Mombasa residents to come out in large numbers.

"What was going on today was just a dry run in preparation for tomorrow. I'm pleased by the progress made so far and we are looking forward to tomorrow" said Nassir.

On Monday, the chairperson of the governor swearing in committee Job Tumbo said they expect over 2,000 residents to attend the ceremony.

“We have invited a host of guests including governors of the coastal region, we are anticipating that thousands of Kenyans will turn out to witness the event,” said Tumbo during an inspection tour at the facility.

Yassir Noor, the Jubilee candidate who lost the Nyali MP seat in the August 9 polls has moved to court to challenge the election of area Mp Mohammed Ali.

In his application through his lawyers David Masike and Yusuf Abubakari he is seeking a court order for a scrutiny and an audit and for a recount of votes in all polling stations.

Noor argues that Ali did not garner the highest number of votes and so was not rightfully elected to represent Nyali constituency. 

Noor emerged fifth with 889 votes asked the court to issue a declaration that election offences of a criminal nature occurred on election day.

The Independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) declared Mohammed Ali as the winner of the election.

Ali vied through the UDA party