American technology giant Google has announced a 10 million US dollar package to support Kenya's post Covid-19 recovery efforts.

The announcement was made Wednesday evening by the Google's Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai during a virtual meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on the sidelines of a public discussion on digital transformation in Africa organised by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA).

CCA is a Washington DC based trade association focusing on strengthening trade and commercial ties between the United States of America and African economies.

In addition to the 10 million dollar package, which includes 3 million to support small businesses, 5 million for Kenyan start ups and 2 million for charity, Mr Pichai announced several other investments lined up by his organization for Kenya.

Mr Pichai said his company will expand its Google for Startups Accelerator program this year by supporting 100,000 businesses and 15,000 developers in Kenya.

In the education sector, the American technology giant will train 29,000 students and 1,800 teachers on remote learning using its Google Classroom platform.

President Kenyatta welcomed the post Covid-19 recovery support from Google and thanked the company for working closely with the Kenyan Government in driving digital transformation across the country in the 13 years of its operations in Kenya.

"Thank you and your team for being very close collaborators with Kenya over the years. We started our journey some almost two decades ago to try and start moving into the digital world.

"You have been a good part of that journey. A journey that has enabled many Kenyans through the use of technology and digitization to access financial services, knowledge and to enhance their business capacities," the President told Mr Pichai.

He said Kenya's digital transformation supported by partners such as Google over the years has seen the country rise to become "one of the start up capitals of the African continent."

During the public discussion moderated by Kenyan international media icon and former CNN journalist Zain Verjee, the President said Kenya is aggressively expanding internet connectivity across the country and investing in skills development to enable young Kenyans to benefit from employment opportunities created by the digital revolution.

The President said his administration is rolling out the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) to give Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects the prominence needed to move Kenya from a nation reliant on agriculture to an economy powered by technology.

Moving forward, President Kenyatta said Kenya's priority is translating the expanding internet connectivity in the country into tangible economic benefits for her people.

He said the country will achieve this ambition by linking the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the high potential and expansive global markets.

"True growth in Kenya is going to be led by SMEs and we need to be able to tool them. One area I would like us to work a lot more together is in the area of supporting our SMEs," the President said.

The Head of State said his administration was keen on expanding market opportunities for Kenyan businesses through the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United States of America and other multilateral platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On his part, Mr Pichai said the Covid-19 pandemic had accelerated digital growth in Africa and assured President Kenyatta that Google will continue partnering with African Governments in the delivery of technology solutions.

ICT CS Joseph Mucheru, a former Google employee, attended the meetings alongside his Foreign Affairs counterpart Raychelle Omamo. State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita, his deputy incharge of Strategy Mrs Ruth Kagia and ICT PS Jerome Ochieng were also present.

Beryl Owano is back, bigger and better.

After a one year hiatus from the music industry, working on new music and bettering herself as a musician, the sassy singer is back with new music, a new look and a new management team  - ORIGARMI BOY LTD.

Watch her brand new song titled 'Fire Emoji' here:  https://youtu.be/SAS5zxb4Fpo  

Popular Nollwood actor Ernest Asuzu is dead.

According to reports, Asuzu who grew into fame as with his several bad boy characters died on Tuesday night.

Asuzu began his acting career in the ’90s and rose to prominence after he starred in the 1997 Nollywood classic, ‘Rituals’.

He was the toast of Nollywood until his career nosedived after he came down with a stroke in 2015 and it affected his speech. He was also bedridden for three years thus keeping him out of the limelight.

Apart from acting,  Asuzu was also a musician, he launched a music album, a 7-track album titled, ‘The Truth’ in December 2020.

After a successful collabo with Diamond Platnumz (Waah), Congolese singer Koffi Olomide is back in Tanzania for another coallbo, this time with the African princess, Nandy.

Koffi arrived in Daresalaam on Monday evening to a lavish reception by Nandy and her team.

Upon arrival, Koffi presented Nandy with a personal present of perfumes.

Addressing the media at the Julius Nyerere International airport, Koffi revealed he has been attracted by Nandy's talent and voice and that he has been following her work for a very long time.

‘‘Am happy to be here we need to do a video for Africa..Nandy is special because she sings very well I appreciate quality, good music, good looks and beautiful daughters too,’’ he said.

On her part Nandy noted "Mopao is here for a video shoot, the song is ready and actually it was supposed to be the first one before the one with Diamond Platnumz (Waah) but as you know all these things need planning and logistics but I believe it's now the right time , so fans should just watch out for another hit".

In an earlier interview with this blog (Ommydalla.co.ke) Nandy revealed that she has alot of surprises for her fans which includes international collabos.

Watch out the interview below..

Former Sauti ya Pwani radio presenter Zubeda Farid has quit the media industry to join local administration.

She is now the assistant chief for Mlaleo sub- location.

Farid is among the six new administrators recently posted in Nyali sub-county.

Others are Angela Leng’rdal who is now the assistant county commissioner for Frere Town, Evans Agutu assistant chief Mwagutu sub- location, Samuel Baya Kadzenga (Mbungoni), Suleiman Hamisi Fundi (Kadzandani) and Hilaria Farrar (Frere Town, assistant chief).

On Monday the new administrators held a familiarization meeting with the area Mp Mohammed Ali.

Farid also worked for Radio Rahma and Radio Salaam.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on Kenyans to support the police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order saying the officers are doing a great job of keeping the country safe.

At the same time, the Head of State reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the National Police Service (NPS) is adequately resourced to effectively and efficiently discharge its solemn mandate.

“Police officers are not enemies. They are our friends. It is upon us, as citizens to obey the law and do what we are directed to do in line with the law. If we continue that way, I am confident that our nation will be safe and prosperous,” the President said.

President Kenyatta spoke Tuesday afternoon in Ngong, Kajiado County where he presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the National Police Leadership Academy.

The construction of the academy will take one year at an approximate cost of Kshs 1 billion and is being financed by the Central Bank of Kenya as part of long and broad symbiotic partnership between the NPS and financial institution.

The ultra-modern facility, to be constructed on an 18-acre parcel of public land within Embulbul township, will include accommodation facilities for 220 persons, lecture rooms, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 450 people, kitchen and dining amenities as well as sports and recreational facilities.

The President noted that the construction of the leadership academy is part of ongoing reforms in the police service to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the demands of 21st century law enforcement.

“On assumption of the leadership of our country, my Administration adopted a comprehensive reform program for the security sector which was intended to reposition it to serve Kenyans better.

“Since then, we have improved the funding of the police security sub-sector two-fold in addition to significantly promoting the welfare and capabilities of the security sector,” the President noted.

He outlined the acquisition of over 3,000 leased police vehicles, the construction and equipping of a modern forensic laboratory and recruitment of more officers as some of the milestones achieved in reforming the law enforcement agency.

The President hailed the partnership between NPS and the Central Bank of Kenya in setting up the college saying the initiative is a good example of how the whole-of-Government approach is working under his Administration

“Today’s occasion is the most recent evidence of how Government institutions can come together to build synergy and enhance service delivery,” the Head of State said.

President Kenyatta pointed out that the Government has also placed emphasis on multi-agency approaches to security management by clearing the structural bottlenecks that hampered the seamless delivery of security services in the past.

“In the recent past, I have commissioned the National Air Support Department and the National Security Telecommunications Service, which are initiatives aimed at harmonizing and enhancing efficiency of our multi-agency security operations,” the President said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, who also spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, thanked President Kenyatta for advancing a wide range of reforms that have boosted the effectiveness of the country’s security sector.

“For the last three years, Your Excellency, you have been implementing a very transformative agenda in terms of how the police are going to be managed and equipped to work and deliver results,” Dr Matiang’i said.

Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr Patrick Njoroge and NPS Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai also spoke at the event attended by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku among other local leaders and senior Government officials.

Femi One has just released the video for her single, Donjo.

The track which was produced by Ricco Beatz is the perfect mix of hip hop and dancehall while maintaining Femi One’s signature sound.

The song displays her lyrical prowess and playful wordplay which her fans have come to love.

Donjo is sheng for sweet or enjoyable and in the song, Femi One shares her version of a good and enjoyable party.

The visually colourful yet expressive video was directed by Trey Juelz. It is the picture-perfect video with visuals showcasing Femi One’s fun side with dope dancing.

“Being One most successful artist in East Africa, Femi One has grown and natured her sound and voice over the years across the region. We are happy and confident that is one of the success stories from Kenya and Africa ” said Dennis Njenga head of talent management at Kaka empire

On her part Femi One noted “We took all the time learning and perfecting my art and sound over the years, I believe we have established the brand Femi One as a diverse and versatile artist ".

Adding "I have more in-store with a major announcement coming out soon from my management. Enjoy DONJO and thank you for the continued support ”.

WATCH DONJO ON YOUTUBE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTEsGnaAJ1A

A top German model, Anne Sophie has announced that she will be paying full scholarship for two students from Children’s Garden Home and School in Nairobi.

Speaking during a visit to the school, Sophie challenged local celebrities to also reach out to the less fortunate children through education sponsorship, especially those from poor backgrounds.

Sophie who has been in the industry for more than 10 years and modeled for some of the top international brands like Vogue, Celine and Vivienne Westwood, promised to mobilise her European colleagues in the industry to support needy children in the country. 

“We should use our positions in the society to help the less fortunate children,” she added.

She further expressed her love for Kenya and said she would be visiting often to give back to the society.

The two students who will benefit from the scholarship Aisha Mwajuma and Esther Njoki were brought up in Children’s Garden Home and School and are waiting to be admitted in college.

On his part the director of Children’s Garden Home and School, Moses Ndun’gu welcomed the gesture saying it would go a long way in helping underprivileged children in the society.

According to him, most of the children are from the slums of Kibera, Kawangware and Kangemi.