The Mombasa county assembly has today (Tuesday) passed a special motion seeking to have persons with disabilities within the county access free medical care in all public health centres.

The motion by nominated member of county assembly Solomon Ngugi also seeks to have the county government set aside funds to procure special medications and medical items for PWDs in all it's health facilitis.

Speaking while presenting his motion in the assembly, Ngugi who represents PWDs in the assembly regretted that in this modern society persons with disabilities are still facing discrimination and lack proper medications arrcording to their needs.

"As PWDs we also require to be recognized and access free medication especially in our public health institutions. The county government should be there for us all" argued Ngugi.

The MCAs also directed the county government to ensure that it carries out sensitization on it's health care workers on how to handle persons with disabilities and that the sensitization activities be also carried out using special and sign language.

The county government was also directed to ensure that all the health care centres have proper infrastructures for PWDs including ramps , toilets and doors.

The Kenya Red Cross society (KRCS) in collaboration with the French government has unveiled a state -of -the art-social innovation center in Mombasa in concerted efforts to support youth in entrepreneurship.

The center located at Mbaraki girl’s primary school will serve as a hub for creativity, problem solving, technology driven learning with a focus on naturing talents in science, technology and mathematics STEM fields.

Speaking during the official launching ceremony in Mombasa on Monday,KRCS secretary general Dr Ahmed Idris,and CMA CGM managing director Jean Baptiste said the center marks a significant milestone in the mission to support youth innovations.

“The center which has been constructed with the support from French embassies in Kenya and Somalia,the Kenya redcross and CMA cgm foundation and seeks to support young people with digital skills and also play as a creative hub,” said Idris.

On his part, French ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet said Young people with digital skills will now have an opportunity to get support on digital skills and social entrepreneurship to address challenges and build resilient communities.

Suquet said the French government will continue to support innovation projects in Kenya due to continued bilateral relationship between the two countries.

"The spirit of the project is to give skills for the young people, because investing in the youth is investing for the whole nation,” said Suquet, adding that the government would continue to invest in Kenyan youth in the near future.

The center will serve as a hub for leading innovation on technology Creativity, problem solving, with a focus on maturing talents in the field of science, Engineering and mathematics STEM fields.

Mombasa county government led by governor Abdulsw2amad Nassir pledged to invest more on young people aso as to keep them out of social vices.

Nassir termed the project as a game changer coming at a time when Mombasa youth had delved on key innovations.

The Kenya red cross society (KRCS) and Mombasa county has warned Kenyans to be on high alert ahead of the anticipated El-nino rains as reported by the Key mateorology department.

The society has further declared it's preparedness to ensure Kenyans are safe in an event of flooding and any other related disasters assc in Kenya.

Speaking in Mombasa on Monday during the official opening of youth innovation center,KRCS SesecretarGeneral Dr.Ahmed Idris said they have embarked on early interventions to mitigate and avert the calamities.

"We are likely to receive above average rainfall,that is likely to receive floods, traditionally the most important thing is to start early interventions to mitigate the situation,"he said.

He said in the national outlook,interms of preparedness there is extensive coordination plans to mitigate the possible disasters in collaboration with the interior ministry.

"Our request to donor community is to avail resources early enough to ensure we embark on early interventions as early as possible so that we can avert any related disasters,"said Dr. Idris.

Mombasa county governor Abdulswamad Nassir confirmed that the county has started unlocking blocked sewer systems and drainages in preparation to heavy rains.

"We have started unlocking all the drainages,there is a multi agency team undertaking the preparedness in an event that we will have floods.

Nassir who was flanked by Kenya red cross society Mombasa chairman Mohamed Noor said more emphasizes is being given to the low lying areas and areas of informal settlements like the slums in Mombasa.

"We can confirm as we speak areas like Utange is being worked on,we want to ensure that all Mombasa residents are safe and those that will be affected will be evacuated to safer grounds,"said Nasir.

The duo spoke at the Mbaraki girls primary school ground after officially opening a youth and women innovation center that will advance and promote technological innovations developed by Kenya redcross society in collaboration with french government.

Also present was French ambassador to Kenya and Somalia Arnaud Suquet who said the french government will continue to support innovation projects in the country.

"The spirit of the project is to give skills for the young people,because investing in the youth is investing for the whole nation,"said suquet.

The center will serve as a hub for leading innovation on technology Creativity,problem solving,with a focus on maturing talents in the field of science, Engineering and mathematics STEM fields.

Nominated senator Miraj Abdilahi and her counterpart Gloria Orwoba have stressed on the need to uplift girl child education through provisions of sanitary towels to ensure they stay in school.

The duo wants the government to increase budgetary allocation to lead the distribution of menstrual sanitary towels to public schools to keep girl children in school at the coast.

Menstruation often means missing school for many girls in parts of Kenya. It's for this reason that the two legislators wants special budgets to deal with the distribution of free pads to needy girls.

Speaking in Mombasa after the distribution of over 10,000 sanitary towels at the Central girls secondary school, Miraj said she targets to ensure girl child get equal rights to education like their male counterparts.

Miraj has pledged to table a Child parent care and protection Bill 2023 in senate ,that will champion for the rights of girlchild specifically those that are affected by teenage pregnancies.

"We are pushing for laws in the parliament to ensure even those that got pregnant during their early age get a second chance in schools,"said Abdilahi.

On his part Mombasa county deputy commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi regretted that girl child education has continued to lag behind in Mombasa.

"The quality of education in Mombasa as a whole has been very low,therefore to bridge this gap,there is need for concerted efforts to give girlchld that competitive edge,by ensuring girls stay in school,"said Mwiwawi.

The deputy county commissioners promised to create a safe and secure environment to promote education in Mombasa.

"We are going to ensure that urban security is paramount,we are going to dismantle all the criminal gangs to ensure a safe environment for children to go to school,"He added. 

Senator Orwoba said the government has a plan to ensure all school going girls get sanitary towels and go back to school.

"There is that bill in parliament that when it's passed it will ensure all girls in the reproductive age get sanitary towels in schools,"said Orwoba.

Mombasa county director James Mureithi applouded the legislators for the good gesture and now says it complements the efforts done by the government.

"We will work with all leaders to transform education in this great county,said Mureithi adding that the 100 percent transition has continued to ensure more children in schools."

"It's a success ,we are going to work closely and ensure it succeeds 100 percent,"Mureithi said.

Kenyan Counties are set to receive Kshs. 7.387 billion Climate Resilience Investment Grants from the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program.

The disbursement comes after a total of Kshs. 979 million institutional strengthening grants already disbursed to counties last financial year.

The Kshs. 7.387 billion will be shared amongst the 44 counties that met FLLoCA minimum performance conditions with each county receiving a share based on their performance score.

To be eligible for funding counties had to put in place county climate finance institutions such as a County Climate Change Fund, County Climate Change Unit and carry out a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment and Action Planning at the ward level.

Another important condition was for counties to devote 1.5% of their development towards the County Climate Change Fund.

This has seen counties allocate a total of Kshs. 3 billion in the current financial year.

The program is managed by the National Treasury and Planning working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the Council of Governors.

It is funded by the national and county governments as well as the World Bank and the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.

The funding will help counties develop and implement tailored climate resilience strategies to respond to the risks identified by communities in sectors such as agriculture, water and natural resource management.

This will result in a more sustainable and secure future for local communities across Kenya.

While handing over the cheque President William Samoei Ruto said that FLLoCA resonates with his vision.

"The program has moved from pilots to scale, targeting communities across Kenya; and has done so by working through our own public financial management systems and offered a platform for coordinating and crowding in multiple development partners." said Ruto.

Adding "It views communities not just as victims of climate change but as powerful agents in responding to the impacts of climate change."

" It has a focus on community-led climate action echoing my Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda."

Commenting on the initiative, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Njuguna Ndung’u, CBS, noted: "We believe that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level, and this is why we are committed to involving communities in the decision-making process."

Adding "By strengthening local engagement, we are not only equipping citizens with the tools and knowledge to combat climate change but also inspiring the next generation of climate leaders”.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Soipan Tuya, CBS, said that there was a need to focus on the grassroots to make climate change mitigation a reality.

"We are at a critical stage in our fight against climate change, and it is therefore paramount to take bold, decisive action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants. " she said

"The CCRI grants are designed to provide the necessary resources and support to communities and innovators as they develop creative, and effective locally-led strategies to combat the impact of climate change and mitigate its consequences thereof."

The Chairperson Council of Governors H.E. Anne Mumbi Waiguru, who is also the Governor of Kirinyaga, noted that by actively involving local communities in the decision-making process, the county governments can develop more effective and context-specific strategies that take into account the unique challenges faced by each county.

"The disbursement of the grants represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a climate-resilient Kenya. By equipping communities and governments with the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge, we can ensure that communities are better prepared for the challenges brought by climate change”.

Kenyan Counties are set to receive Kshs. 7.387 billion Climate Resilience Investment Grants from the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program.

The disbursement comes after a total of Kshs. 979 million institutional strengthening grants already disbursed to counties last financial year.

The Kshs. 7.387 billion will be shared amongst the 44 counties that met FLLoCA minimum performance conditions with each county receiving a share based on their performance score.

To be eligible for funding counties had to put in place county climate finance institutions such as a County Climate Change Fund, County Climate Change Unit and carry out a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment and Action Planning at the ward level.

Another important condition was for counties to devote 1.5% of their development towards the County Climate Change Fund.

This has seen counties allocate a total of Kshs. 3 billion in the current financial year.

The program is managed by the National Treasury and Planning working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the Council of Governors.

It is funded by the national and county governments as well as the World Bank and the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.

The funding will help counties develop and implement tailored climate resilience strategies to respond to the risks identified by communities in sectors such as agriculture, water and natural resource management.

This will result in a more sustainable and secure future for local communities across Kenya.

While handing over the cheque President William Samoei Ruto said that FLLoCA resonates with his vision.

"The program has moved from pilots to scale, targeting communities across Kenya; and has done so by working through our own public financial management systems and offered a platform for coordinating and crowding in multiple development partners." said Ruto.

Adding "It views communities not just as victims of climate change but as powerful agents in responding to the impacts of climate change."

" It has a focus on community-led climate action echoing my Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda."

Commenting on the initiative, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Njuguna Ndung’u, CBS, noted: "We believe that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level, and this is why we are committed to involving communities in the decision-making process."

Adding "By strengthening local engagement, we are not only equipping citizens with the tools and knowledge to combat climate change but also inspiring the next generation of climate leaders”.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Soipan Tuya, CBS, said that there was a need to focus on the grassroots to make climate change mitigation a reality.

"We are at a critical stage in our fight against climate change, and it is therefore paramount to take bold, decisive action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants. " she said

"The CCRI grants are designed to provide the necessary resources and support to communities and innovators as they develop creative, and effective locally-led strategies to combat the impact of climate change and mitigate its consequences thereof."

The Chairperson Council of Governors H.E. Anne Mumbi Waiguru, who is also the Governor of Kirinyaga, noted that by actively involving local communities in the decision-making process, the county governments can develop more effective and context-specific strategies that take into account the unique challenges faced by each county.

"The disbursement of the grants represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a climate-resilient Kenya. By equipping communities and governments with the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge, we can ensure that communities are better prepared for the challenges brought by climate change”.

Fredrick Mukabana aka  FD is a fast- rising Kenyan singer and writer. He recently released his new song titled 'Sema'.

The young and talented singer who is ready and eager to take over the Kenyan music industry talked to Ommy Dallah about his career.

1...Let's start with Introduction, who is FD, how old are you?

Members of the public intending to attend this year's Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Mombasa show have been assured of enough security.

According to the show Chairman Anisa Abdallah the organisers and security agencies have already put in place adequate security measures.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Anisa noted that security will be beefed in and outside the Mkomani showgrounds where the show is expected to kick off on Wednesday.

''Our security agencies led by the county commissioners have assured us of enough security, so I would like to tell all those who wish to come that all will be well and they have nothing to fear'' said Anisa.

Anisa urged showgoers to turn up in large numbers to learn from the exhibitions and share ideas from different sectors.

Anisa further revealed that over 190 exhibitors have so far registered for the show.

''Our target was 200 exhibitors so far so good, we have got a total of 190 exhibitors' she noted.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3422-mombasa-ask-show-2023-to-open-its-doors-wednesday

As the country braces itself for heavy rainfall, the Mombasa county government has been challenged to work on the drainage system especially within the central business district (CBD).

According to nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi, Mombasa has always suffered whenever there is heavy rainfall this she says is due to the poor drainage system in the county.

Speaking in Kisauni on Monday during the distribution of relief food, Miraj challenged Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to ensure that the county is not caught unaware when the time for heavy rainfall comes.

"The weatherman has warned us that the country will soon experience heavy rainfall and Elnino. When it rains for just two hours in Mombasa the town comes to a standstill and it becomes a disaster" said Miraj.

"Adding "Mine is just to challenge our governor to ensure that he starts preparing for this season and make proper plans to ensure that the water will be well harvested to also help our people."

Speaking at the same time former Kisauni Mp Ali Mbogo called on the county government to take seriously the warning from the weatherman.

"The county government should have by now embarked on a mission to prepare itself by working on the drainage system and unclogging the sewer sysetem. We are looking at a disaster if we don to prepare ourselves, this is not politics but our lives, El Nino is not a joke" said Mbogo.

Last month the Kenya Meteorological Department  warned of a 99 per cent likelihood of high rainfall across parts of the country as El Niño returns this year.

The weatherman pointed out Mombasa as one of the flooding hotspots.

The rains will begin in September and go on until January. They are expected to peak in October.

"Counties such as Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale are expected to receive rainfall throughout the season. " reads the forecast.

EALA Mp Suleiman Shahbal has maintained that the ODM party is still strong especially in Mombasa and Coast region contrary to ongoing reports that the party is losing it's grip.

Critics have been arguing that ODM is slowly losing it's grip in the region (Coast) to the ruling party UDA  led by President William Ruto.

Speaking on Saturday while attending the weeding of his head of communication team, Ahmed Mohammed, Shahbal cautioned critics against downplaying the ODM party.

"I'm still a member of ODM and anyone who says that ODM is dying does not know the reality on the ground." said Shahbal.

Shahbal who was vying for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in 2022 but stepped down in favour of the current governor Abdulswamad Nassir called on Mombasa residents to give time to Nassir's administration to deliver on their promises.

Shahbal charged "I think it is still early for us to start judging them, let us give them time then we can start judging them."

During the 2022 general elections ODM won five of the six Mp seats in Mombasa county.

Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali was the only Mp elected on UDA party.

In the County assembly ODM bagged 23 seats, UDA clinched four, two are independent and one for Wiper.