The 6^th Edition of the Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival has officially kicked off at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC) with calls on Kenyans to take advantage of the Festival and shop for quality products at discounted prices.

The Festival will run from today, 31st October to 4th November 2023.

Hosted by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), the Festival brings together Kenyan manufacturers and other stakeholders within the sector and gives them an opportunity to showcase locally made products as well as sell to their customers directly.

Additionally, it brings together local manufacturers to showcase high-quality Made in Kenya products, in line with the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Strategy.

The strategy was formulated to address the gap in the consumption of locally manufactured goods compared to imported products.

The Festival comes at a time when the government has increased efforts in pushing for the embrace of locally manufactured goods as a way of boosting both the economy and the sector.

According to stats by Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the manufacturing sector in Kenya employs the second highest number of wage earners after the private sector at 352,000 people.

“This expo will showcase the high-quality products manufactured by our industry players for Kenyans and the global market. Some of the products showcased here are the top-quality products that we export to the USA, Europe, Africa, and other markets. These are world-class products made for Kenyans,” said Dr. Juma Mukhwana, HSC PS - State Department for Industry.

He further added that, “As a government, our focus towards promoting sustainable policies to promote local manufacturing is clear. We will continue working with local manufacturing players to create a conducive business environment to increase the contribution to GDP by the manufacturing sector from the current 7.2% to 20% by 2030 as ably explained by the KAM board Chairperson.”

For years, KAM has been at the forefront of pushing for the consumption of locally manufactured goods and breaking the long-standing myth that local products are more expensive as compared to those that are imported.

Through initiatives such as the Changamka Festival, KAM hopes to boost production among manufacturers and spur Kenya’s economic growth.

KAM Chair, Mr. Rajan Shah explained that the Festival serves to bring together different stakeholders including customers to appreciate the immense potential the manufacturing in Kenya holds. “It provides an opportunity to celebrate our manufacturing sector and its diversity. As an industry, we aim to dismantle the long-held belief that local goods are not of high quality and to reduce over-reliance on imports.”

Also present at the opening forum, KAM Chief Executive, Mr Anthony Mwangi noted that there is no doubt that local manufacturing is the backbone of Kenya’s economy and its positive effect on the economy should not be underrated.

He added, “This 6th Edition, just like the five that came before, sets a platform for Kenyan shoppers to have a taste of the quality products that we have as Kenyans, and perhaps work towards shedding off the notion that our products are of low quality and expensive. Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival resonates with our national fabric and emerges as a unique brand that will serve as a reminder to all Kenyans of what it means to embrace local industry’s authenticity and ingenuity, today and in the future.”

Jägermeister Night Embassy’s global brand philosophy celebrates nightlife. The global platform has made a pitstop in Kenya with a series of exhilarating events and cultural activities lined up and set to take place in Nairobi this November and December 2023.

The Nairobi edition of the Night Embassy will present an immersive showcase of what makes local nightlife and culture tick at a point in time, while exploring what the future may hold.

The Night Embassy Nairobi brings the most exciting emerging and breakthrough artists from all corners of Nairobi together to create, and redefine Nairobi nightlife and culture.

The platform empowers artists and collectives to rethink and reshape the city’s nightlife, in a unique experience that comes to life through a residency where each artist gets the opportunity to envision their ideas and become an ambassador of the night.

The Night Embassy is propelled by the most impressive up-and-coming talent in Music, Dance, and Fashion, all while being carefully guided by a Creative Board composed of local cultural icons, each a meister in their own right.

The board includes Blinky Bill (producer, artist/DJ and a member of Just a Band), Katungulu Mwendwa (innovative fashion designer of Katush global brand) and Chiki Kuruka of The Kuruku Dance fitness movement.

Katungulu Mwendwa says, “The Night Embassy Nairobi is all about merging experience with raw talent. It’s all about being unpredictably brilliant, talented and resourceful. It’s NAIRADA.”

The Night Embassy Nairobi is themed NAIRADA - where the essence of Nairobi meets the relentless pursuit of creativity. As the day's grind comes to an end, night calls upon us, and NAIRADA, our sanctuary and creative haven, unleashes the spirit of our city and its unique offerings in talent and culture.

Blinky Bill says, “I’ve always been involved in whoever is next on the scene and Nairobi is always bursting with fresh talent. I’m super excited to share what I’ve learned over the years with the next generation. Jägermeister has chosen the perfect time to champion this movement.”

The Night Embassy Nairobi is hosting a series of events, panels and showcases in collaboration with its ambassadors, creative board members and other Nairobi creatives and cultural custodians.

A finale event on 2 December 2023 will draw industry movers and shakers, and will be open to the public.

This will be a culmination of the residencies and a curated showcase of various art and performances by Night Embassy Music, Dance and Fashion ambassadors. 

“Building up people who do not have the opportunity to be in the limelight [but definitely have the talent to do so] is what Jägermeister Night Embassy is about. It's loud and proud and exactly everything that I stand for,” says Chiki while adding, “The Night Embassy is a fantastic opportunity for Kenyans to show the world what we are really about.”

The Jägermeister Night Embassy platform is a space for true borderless creation and collaboration amongst emerging and established creatives and creators globally.

Curated by artists for artists, it offers the rare opportunity for artists in each region to collaborate creatively and experiment with each other's sounds, cultures and vibes - fusing genres, styles and aesthetics to create new music and art form while reaching global audiences and bringing each city's Night Embassy to the world.

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) has finally announced the four finalists for the 2023 Women Building Peace Award.

The Women Building Peace Award is given each year to a woman peacebuilder who has made a major contribution to the pursuit of peace and security in her country.

Among the finalists is Mombasa based activist Hamisa Zaja.

Zaja has been very instrumental in fighting for the rights of the marginalized especially persons living with disabilities in Mombasa county. She has also been championing for peace not only in the county but country at large.

This year, USIP received over 150 nominations from 42 countries.

Other finalists selected by the council of distinguished experts and leaders are Dr. Marie-Marcelle H. Deschamps of Haiti, Abir Haj Ibrahim of Syria, Petronille Vaweka of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"The 2023 finalists are extraordinary women," said Lise Grande, USIP's president and CEO.

Adding "Leading on the front lines every day, in some of the most difficult environments imaginable and often at great personal risk, these women have built peace in their communities and countries by forging alliances, resolving grievances, fighting for rights and protecting people from violence. It is with great honor that we announce these finalists on the eve of the anniversary of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.” 

UNSCR 1325 addresses how women and girls are disproportionally impacted by violent conflict and war, and recognizes the critical role that women can and already do play in peacebuilding efforts.

“These four remarkable women expand the imagination of what peacebuilding looks like,” said Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast, director of USIP’s Women, Peace and Security program.

Adding “Peace mediator, peace ambassador, peace activist, humanitarian peacemaker all are different ways of understanding what women peacebuilders look like.”

The recipient of this year's award will be announced in late November.

USIP was established by Congress in 1984 as an independent, nonpartisan public institute dedicated to helping to prevent, mitigate and resolve violent conflict abroad.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has said the government will be looking into ways of increasing public primary and secondary schools to ease the pressure being subjected to parents who cannot afford Private Schools fees.

Mudavadi says the number of public schools is far below the expected number to cater for the increasing school going population in the country.

“We need to look for ways of investing more in public schools across the country. When you look at the statistics, the public schools are very few, yet a lot of pressure is mounted on them to absorb numbers that they can’t manage.” he said.

“We appreciate the role being played by the private schools in the country. What we should be looking at is how to create that synergy between the public and the private sectors in education.” he added.

Mudavadi who was speaking at St Georges Primary School in Nairobi County during the monitoring of KCPE and KPSEA examinations note that striking a balance between the public and private sector will help improve the standards of education in the country.

“We need to look at how we can offer equal opportunities to all learners. This will help in creating an even society where every child feels accommodated.” he stated.

Lauding the education stakeholders that have been involved in the preparation and administering of the 2023 national examinations, Mudavadi said this years’ exams must uphold the highest standards of integrity and the results should give a reflection that is beyond reproach.

He said the objectivity being subjected by the supervisors and the invigilators should translate to a seamless exercise across board.

“I have been briefed on the logistics that have been involved in the preparation of this years’ examinations, and I want Kenyans to appreciate the level of commitment and hard work that the stakeholders in the education sector have put in to ensure the success of this exercise.” he said.

“We want to acknowledge the multi-agency approach involved in this years’ examinations. From the teachers, the security agents and any other institutions involved, it has shown how working together yields positive results.” added Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said it is symbolic to see how the government is taking the education matters seriously saying that under President William Ruto, the education sector has received immense support from the budgetary allocation.

“The government injected up to 600 billion in the education sector in the 2023/2024 budget, being one of the highest allocation to a single sector in the recent past. This shows how serious the government is taking matters education.” said Mudavadi.

This years’ examinations will see only contracted professionals being allowed at the examination centres.

A total of 1,202, 574 candidates are sitting for KPSEA and 1,415,315 are sitting for KCPE.

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has reported a significant 48% growth in profit after tax for the year ended June 30, 2023, surging to Ksh.5.02 billion up from Ksh.3.4 billion in the previous year.

At the same time, the NSE-listed company has reported a steady 14% growth in revenues from Ksh.47.48 billion in 2022 to Ksh.53.96 billion, largely driven by the company’s investments in geothermal energy.

“In a landscape filled with both opportunities and challenges, the KenGen team has demonstrated remarkable resilience. We are proud to announce a remarkable Ksh.5.02 billion representing a 48% growth in our profit after tax,” said the Managing Director and CEO Peter Njenga.

Adding “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our team and our commitment to providing clean, reliable energy to Kenyans,”

Speaking in Mombasa, Njenga attributed the impressive performance to the enhanced operational efficiency of the company’s geothermal fleet in Olkaria, Naivasha, further bolstered by a positive impact of the newly commissioned Olkaria I Additional Unit 6 geothermal power plant which added 86MW to the grid in July 2022.

“The commissioning of Olkaria I AU 6 geothermal power plant pushed up our geothermal generation by 24 percent. This contributed to an overall increase in electricity unit sales from 7,918GWh in 2022 to 8,027GWh,” said Njenga.

However, KenGen reported an increase in operating costs which the CEO attributed to rising insurance and impairment costs.

This was however matched by growth in revenue resulting in a pre-tax profit of Ksh.8.5 billion, which was a substantial improvement from Ksh.6.2 billion reported in the previous year.

“We are confident that our Good-to-Great Transformation Strategy is on course and will continue to deliver growth over the next decade to ensure a reliable supply of clean and affordable energy to the people of Kenya,” said Njenga, adding that the company contributed over 66% of Kenya’s electricity consumption in the year.

The NSE-listed company CEO said KenGen had helped cushion Kenyans from the effects of climate change which has seen rainfall levels drop in the country over the past few years.

He said: “Notably, our investments in geothermal energy ensured uninterrupted electricity supply, even in the face of challenges posed by a prolonged drought and reduced hydropower generation.”

Looking ahead, KenGen will be banking on the growth in demand for electricity in Kenya which continues to soar at about 5% annually. In line with the demand and the Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP), the company has announced ambitious plans to augment generation capacity by more than 154MW over the next two years through the rehabilitation and uprating of its existing power plants.

“One of the projects we are looking to deliver soon include the Gogo Hydropower Redevelopment Project in Migori County which was approved by cabinet recently and is set to elevate the dam's electricity capacity from its current 2MW to 8.6MW,” said Njenga.

KenGen boasts a diverse energy portfolio, including geothermal, hydro, wind, and thermal adding up to 1,904MW of which 86% is drawn from renewable sources.  

President William Ruto is expected to officially open the Voi Gemstone Centre on Friday.

The centre which is set to benefit more than 1,500 artisanal and small-scale miners from Taita Taveta county will cut, polish, add value as well as package gemstones for sale in the international market.

The centre is also aimed at increasing the value of minerals produced in the country and sold in other markets.

It will also be a collection centre for precious stones mined by small-scale miners.

The Sh60 million gemology centre which was set for official opening in 2018 was delayed due to little progress in the processing of gemstones.

This will be the only facility in the country where value addition for minerals takes place before miners sell their products.

WOJO hosted a networking event seeking to provide professionals an opportunity to share innovative ideas and foster collaborations.

Located at Mercure Hotel in Upperhill, the co-working space which recently launched in the country and the continent, is a global leader in providing innovative co-working solutions.

The expansion marks a significant milestone in WOJO's journey, as it seeks to bring its world-class co-working spaces to one of Africa's most vibrant and promising business landscapes.

“The specificity of WOJO is that hospitality excellence and skills are at the core of the business. WOJO, leverages excellence in comfort and office expertise. WOJO materializes the ‘Workspitality ‘concept,” said WOJO Africa Growth Lead Faith Nyongesa.

As part of its strategic vision, WOJO Africa aims to replicate its success on a Pan-African scale and contribute to the growth of Kenya's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"Kenya is an exciting market with a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit and a growing demand for flexible workspace solutions. WOJO is dedicated to providing an environment that inspires innovation, facilitates connections, and nurtures the aspirations of local businesses," added Ms. Nyongesa.

WOJO offers seamless support with mobile reception, a lively hub for collaborative creativity in our lively co-working areas, and peaceful productivity in our quiet areas.

It also offers an opportunity to elevate corporates with virtual and private offices offering access to dynamic executive meeting rooms and break spaces.

With fast, reliable internet, unlimited coffee, tea, and water, and relaxing cozy lounge areas, it is more than a desk – a dynamic workspace that adapts to client’s needs, offering unmatched convenience and work-life balance.

WOJO also offers amazing discounts on Mercure Hotel amenities including hotel rooms, restaurant services, event spaces, a gym, and a swimming pool.

Global Afropop superstar Yemi Alade is an unstoppable force, and in her true element and brand, she has released a brand new single “Lipeka” featuring Congolese artist Innoss'B.

This dynamic and surprise collaboration is poised to set the music scene ablaze.

With Yemi Alade's signature cross-cultural approach and Innoss'B’s distinctive blend of Congolese Rumba, the outcome of “Lipeka” is a catchy and infectious Afro dance track infused with Lingala, French and Nigerian lingua.

The duo have created a musical masterpiece that transcends borders and celebrates the rich diversity of African music.

Yemi Alade is stirring excitement and tantalizing taste of her upcoming seventh body of work set for release in the last quarter of 2023. She teases, “My upcoming album is a representation of my thoughts, needs, experiences, stories, ideas and my desire to connect with every listener on each song. Every song is potent with stories.”

The new single comes off the back of Yemi Alade’s streak of hit releases and completing the successful ‘African Baddie’ world tour alongside her African Train Band (that stopped in 22 countries). 

In 2023, Yemi continues her reign on the continental music charts, with a collection of hits maintaining their dominance like “Fear Love”, “Fake Friends (Iró Òre)”, “Pounds & Dollars” feat Phyno, “Baddie”, “Jo Jo” feat. Bisa Kdei and “Bright Future” with Mr Vegas.

Kisumu-based rapper and singer, Gabriel Washington famously known as Gabiro Mtu Necessary has finally released the music video to his viral TikTok hit ‘Pok Alando’.

With over 13 million video views on his TikTok videos, Mtu Necessary has built himself a new career as a content creator on the short videos platform with over 60,000 followers and growing.

His song ‘Pok Alando’ not only got considered for the 65th Grammy Awards nomination in 2022 but also was part of his debut album ‘Saint John’ and was also considered for the best global music album nomination by the Recording Academy in 2022.

In July this year, Gabiro went viral on TikTok with a comical video that received over 2 million views, giving birth to a new career for Mtu Necessary as a comedian/content creator. He has since been posting videos on a daily basis and getting to win hearts with every smile he puts on people’s faces.

Away from the short comedy skits he also shares snippets and freestyle of his music and that is how he managed to have the song ‘Pok Alando’ become a hit on TikTok.

‘Pok Alando’ is a Luo word that loosely translates to “I have not announced” or “It’s clear and unhidden” and in this context, Gabiro uses it in the song to flex and talk about his lifestyle and nature as a rich and hard-working man. He urges fellow youths to embrace hard work and patience if they want to win in life.

Gabiro boasts about his lyrical prowess, rap skills, and notable achievements as a musician and as a person in the song in an inspirational way. He motivates others to rise up and go for what they want to become as heard in verse one, “...umezaliwa ukuwe winner ebu kazana uskike,” raps Mtu Necessary.

The self-proclaimed Kisumu president has two Grammy Awards recognition and nomination considerations and stands as the most streamed Kisumu-based musician on Boomplay with over 2 million cumulative streams on his songs.

Blakangel produced Pok Alando under Jodifa Enterprises and Crizo Mzeyah directed the video.

Watch Pok Alando Video below:

https://youtu.be/OZEMUhUA-34