It’s the beginning of March, and the first couple of months of the new year have already gone by, and your bill and bank statements can no longer be ignored.

But if you broke the holiday budget in December, don't panic: there are some simple steps you can take to start improving your finances and restore your credit score to better health.

It’s important to realise that you’re not alone. The World Bank’s ongoing survey on the socio-economic impact of COVID-19^[2], in collaboration with the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), found that employment shocks in Kenya due to the pandemic created a huge reduction in earnings and that more than one in four households surveyed were seeking additional income generative activities in April to June 2021.

Joseph Nyaga, Chief Operations Officer (COO) at TransUnion Kenya, shares his top 5 tips to get 2022 off on the right financial footing.

Budget, budget, budget

The only way to get on top of your finances and avoid overspending in 2022 is to create an effective budget. It doesn’t have to be complicated: list your monthly income and your monthly expenses.

Once you’ve allocated the fixed expenses, like your home loan, school fees and credit card payments, you can set realistic budgets, says Nyaga.

Save something for a rainy day

Try to put aside a portion of your salary to pay for any unexpected financial crises, such as health emergencies or a major repair on your car or a household appliance.

That way, you’ll avoid having to access expensive credit to deal with unexpected expenses.

“It’s tough to save right now. But start small: even 5% of your monthly income can help you build up a nest egg that adds up over time. If you pay yourself first, it’s also easier,” says Nyaga.

Pay down your debts

Prioritise your debts. Pay your most expensive debts first. If you can, pay more than the minimum balance owing each month, or you’ll end up paying more interest than you have to.

If you’re going to battle to make all your payments, it’s vital that you speak to your lenders and restructure your loan repayments where possible.

Once you default on a payment, it affects your credit score negatively, and will hurt your chances of getting credit in the future.

Change your spending habits

It’s vital to manage your exposure to credit carefully. Make sure you pay off your full balance owing on your credit card every month. And if you want that fancy new big-screen TV, save up for it.

“If you’re financially stressed right now, you want to start planning how to avoid feeling the same next year. Your stress levels will thank you in 12 months’ time!” says Nyaga.

Get your latest credit report

Your credit report lists your current credit accounts, including credit cards, home, car and student loans. You can download your credit report for free once every 12 months from TransUnion and other credit bureaus in the country.

You can also request a credit report or access your Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) clearance certificate through TransUnion’s Nipashe, which allows consumers to easily access their credit information through SMS. Your first clearance certificate is free.

Mombasa county governor aspirant Suleiman Shahbal’s wife, Rahma Shahbal has asked women in Mombasa to vote in a governor who understands the plight of women.

Addressing women at Salvation Army hall in Likoni, Rahma said women in Mombasa County have suffered for a long time due to bad leadership.

“if it’s the pain of being a parent I know it,I have suffered like any other woman and therefore if my husband gets elected, he will ensure he focuses on the plight of women, “said Rahma.

Rahma has come out to publicly campaign for her husband who is seeking to be elected as the governor for the third time after losing two times.

“My women, I want to urge you to come out in large numbers, I know what you are going through, because I was there, I came from a very humble background, before I met my husband,” she stated.

Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has said he does not fear any competitor in the race to succeed Governor Hassan Joho.

Shahbal is fighting it out with Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and deputy governor William Kingi for the ODM ticket to vie for the county’s top seat.

Others in the race for Joho’s seat include Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo and former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar.The hopefuls have upped their campaigns as they sell their agendas to the Mombasa electorate.

Shahbal has often stated that Joho is the toughest politician in Mombasa and he twice gave him a run for his money in 2013 and 2017.

Global Afropop star Yemi Alade has been appointed Global Ambassador for #ItsUpToUs— a pan African campaign driven by the Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation.

The campaign encourages Africans to unite and get vaccinated against COVID-19. The announcement was marked by the release of a campaign video featuring the singer.

#ItsUpToUs comes at a critical time in Africa’s fight against COVID-19.

The continent continues to bear the brunt of global vaccine inequity, with cases and deaths rising quickly across the continent. To date, less than 12 percent of the continent has been fully vaccinated against the virus.

The AVAT, African Union, and Africa CDC, with the support of partners like the Mastercard Foundation, have made significant strides in securing vaccines.

Ensuring vaccine adoption is the next step towards increasing vaccine coverage on the continent. Given that nearly 60 percent of Africans are under the age of 25, targeting young people is key to ensuring Africa reaches its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of its population by the end of 2022.

“COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is important to achieving herd immunity and safeguarding citizens in Africa and globally against the virus and its variants. That's why Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation are joining efforts in ensuring access to vaccines for Africa,” said Dr. John Nkenagsong, Director of the Africa CDC.

Vaccines remain critical for providing protection against the virus, massively reducing the chances of serious illness, hospitalization and death.

COVID-19 vaccines protect everyone including public health workers—and enable economies to recover.

Since COVID-19 began, the Mastercard Foundation has been working to ensure communities across Africa access accurate information about how to protect themselves.

“Vaccines remain critical for saving lives and livelihoods. But, misinformation spreads fast, so we need to be smarter and more creative to spread the right information faster. People make the right choices to protect themselves and their families when they have the facts,” said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation.

Yemi is no stranger to the global vaccine conversation. For over a year, she has been vocal about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, the importance of vaccine equality, and the need to dispel myths around COVID-19 and vaccines—particularly in Africa.

Yemi’s involvement aims to remind Africans of the power they have to make change in their communities, and in the lives of their friends and families, by getting vaccinated.

“I’m delighted to be a part of #ItsUptoUs, a movement that encourages Africans to take up the responsibility in making the world safe again,” Yemi remarked. “I’m happy to lend my voice to this important issue and moment.”

 In addition to the video released today, Yemi is releasing a campaign Unity Anthem on March 9, 2022 that will be accompanied by an #ItsUpToUs dance challenge choreographed by 21-year-old Zambian social media star and choreographer, Mooya Musunga.

It’s Up to Us is driven by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the Africa CDC under their Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative—a $1.5 billion partnership to enable vaccination in Africa by purchasing vaccines for more than 65 million people and providing logistical support to enable the vaccination of millions more.

The partnership also aims to support vaccine manufacturing in Africa through a focus on workforce development, and to strengthen the Africa CDC’s capacity to oversee a historic vaccination effort and to better respond to future outbreaks.

King Kaka is definitely not pregnant but he has delivered per usual in his latest banger Wasi Wasi. 

The up tempo song is all about good vibes, reminding y'all to live a worry free life!.

The video features the one and only Aggie The Dance Queen who did not come to play with the moves despite being heavy with child.

Aggie, as star of the video directed by Joowzey, draws the audience in with her beautiful bump in full display. 

The Ruler is back for sure, Wasi Wasi is a great reminder of King Kaka's brilliant versatility, which is how he has amassed a huge fan base in the span of his 11 year rap career.

Do not take our word for it, check it out for yourself. 

Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulwamand Nassir says he will not be cowed by intimidation from his rivals in his quest for Mombasa county governor seat.

Nassir, instead asked his supporters to choose peace so as to remain focused on the gubernatorial target.

The legislator who was recently caught up in political chaos during the Azimio Rally in Tononoka grounds said he has forgiven those who perpetrated the act against him.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2702-raila-moves-to-assure-fair-nomination-as-shahbal-and-nassir-supporters-clash-in-azimio-la-umoja-rally-in-tononoka

“They will try to target everyone near me, and I want to urge you, because time is  limited to where we are going, let us not accept to be derailed from our target, '' said Nassir.

Nassir who has been at war with his arch rival for Mombasa governor Suleiman Shahbal says he will forgive those who rebuke him and his supporters.

“For everyone who rebuked us, in one way or another abused us, I urge you to forgive them because, because if God grants us power, we will serve them the same way as others, so we must stay focused,if I fail to forgive them it may affect us from achieving what we want” he said.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of Rashmmy Salon and training institute in Mombasa on Monday, Nassir vowed to remain focused on his governor target. He said his opponents are out to force themselves into leadership.

 “Ushindi hauji kwa Hasira,hii ngoma ya siasa ni mambo moja pekeake,huwezi kununua mapenzi ya watu,wala Nyoyo za watu,’)’you can't force political support, you can’t force people to love you, what is important is to extend love to the people,” said Nassir in reference to political clash between is supporters to that of his political opponents.

He told his supporters not to accept the destruction of the political strength and support they have cultivated over the years by falling into the trap and theatrics of his political opponents.

“I can’t continue to carry enmity with me because it will destroy me internally, what we want to do is to forgive and forget and focus, if they continue to hate don’t respond to them, “he added.

Uganda and Switzerland merge on this dulcet collaboration titled Niko Tayari -which translates from Kiswahili to “I am ready.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta has dismissed politicians who've been saying that Jubilee Party was no longer a major political player in the country saying the ruling party has been busy at work implementing its pre-election pledges.

“But the reality of the matter is this: Jubilee is not only alive; it is alive and it is well,” President Kenyatta, who is the Jubilee Party Leader, said.

The President spoke on Saturday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi County where he presided over the party's National Delegates Conference (NDC).

Contrary to the narrative perpetuated by its opposers, the President said the Jubilee Party administration had registered tremendous successes during its tenure key among them the doubling of Kenya's GDP from Shs 5 trillion to Shs 11 trillion.

The President termed politicians who chose to abandon Jubilee Party as untruthful and bitter self-seekers who unsuccessfully attempted to sabotage the ruling party from within.

“There are those who said they pulled out of the party because it was dead. When they could not explain why the work of nation-building by the ruling party was going on even after their departure, they started saying they were removed from the party which is not true,” President Kenyatta said.

He said political leaders who abdicated their responsibilities in Government and the ruling party to engage in early political campaigns were largely motivated by unmitigated personal ambition.

“There is nothing wrong with ambition but ambition must be controlled. Uncontrolled ambition is like an unguided missile that can cause harm and untold destruction,” the President said.

On his 'handshake' with ODM leader Raila Odinga, the President said the closing of political ranks was aimed at restoring peace during the difficult post-election period when a section of the country was considering secession.

Citing the example of the 2013 grand coalition government that was led by retired President Mwai Kibaki and Mr Odinga, the President wondered why some politicians were bitterly opposed to the 'handshake'.

“The main objective of our ‘handshake’ with Baba (Mr Odinga) was peace. We agreed that we needed to have a constitutional order that ensures that our country remains not just united but peaceful and that people can engage freely in competitive politics,” he said.

Once again, the President refuted political claims that opposition leaders led by Mr Odinga had joined the Government through the handshake thereby disrupting the country's development agenda.

“I heard some people say that they have not seen a country like Kenya where the Government and the opposition are working together, my answer to them is that they see it in Kenya because they need to be mature enough to distinguish between politics and the needs of our people,” President Kenyatta said.

Several political party leaders who spoke at the NDC applauded President Kenyatta for his impressive development record and visionary leadership saying he ensured that Kenya remains peaceful, stable and progressive.

ODM leader Raila Odinga said the 'handshake' helped to diffuse the political tension that had threatened to tear Kenya apart following the disputed presidential results of 2017 general election.

"You know the country was going down the drain and you heard us calling for a boycott of some particular products," the ODM leader said while giving a blow-by-blow account of the events leading up to the 'handshake'.

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) had resolved to join hands with Mr Odinga and President Kenyatta in 'Azimio La Umoja' political formation saying discussions were underway to settle on a single presidential candidate for the August polls.

"We are committed to ensuring one nation and one people. We have began structured talks to build a strong nation. This is not the time for name-calling, it is a time to build a proud nation among the community of nations," Mr Musyoka said.

During the NDC, Jubilee Party members endorsed several changes in the party's structure including new leaders and party symbols.

In the changes, founding Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju stepped down from the position and was replaced by Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni.

SAVARA releases his much anticipated debut album, ‘Savage Level’ - following the releases of singles: Balance and Killem Everyday.

The 14-track body of work, which was all produced by Savara, cuts across themes including love, awakening, consciousness, anxiety, growth, and excellence at all costs with features from Karun on Vibration and Nyashinski on More Than a Friend.

Sababisha tells a story of his relationship with his mother and how she raised him, giving a glimpse into his childhood in Eastlands; while Anxiety addresses the issue of mental health and its relation to men.

SABABISHA VIDEO HERE

On the philosophy that forms the foundation of his brand and represents his personal journey and life story, Savara says,  “Savage Level is a mentality; your mindset has the power to shape your reality. Savage Level is a mantra, a movement, and a way of life. We all can unlock the best versions of ourselves.”

‘Savage Level’ is a global sound and a tribe with various layers to it. It’s Afro-Confusion - different sonic levels packaged in a beautiful rhythmic way.

Known as The Vibe Curator, Savara has left an imprint of who he is in every song on the album, documenting how his style continues to evolve.

The Kick Martial Arts Club (KMAC) of Ukunda is organizing a Half Marathon dubbed “the Kick out Unfitness” Half Marathon slated for Saturday, 26 February 2022.

The goal is to support and advocate for the participation of local youth in sports ensuring the long-term health and fitness of the youth as well as providing positive activities for them to engage in.

"As sponsors of this event, we at Skyward Express are more than happy to take part in this Marathon. This is because we believe that the future is youth and we would like to nurture and support talent in all our key destinations. " reads a statement from Skyward Express, the sponsors.

Adding "We have seen tremendous growth in terms of passenger number in Diani since we started operations in 2018 with the good will from the people of Kwale County. As such, we would like to give back to the people of Kwale County through such CSR activities. It is our hope and belief that this Half Marathon achieves its objectives and grows over the years."