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Ommy Dallah

Ommy Dallah

Logo's Hope, the World's largest floating bookfair is set to make it's maiden voyage to Mombasa.

It will dock at the Mbaraki wharf and will be open to the public from 23rd August until the 3rd October from Tuesday to Sunday. A preparation team is in the country.

This comes 18 years after its identical sister ship Duolos made a similar visit to Mombasa.

Constanza Figueroa, a member of the advance team said during a press briefing that the ship operated by GBA (Good Books for All) goal is to share knowledge, help, and hope in every port it visits. It has so far called on over 150 countries and territories.

“Visitors to Logos Hope are offered an expanded selection of over 5,000 different titles of books at affordable prices. They cover a wide range of subjects including science, sports, hobbies, cookery, arts, medicine, languages, and faith.

With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases, and more, the book fair has something for everyone,” said Figueroa.

She added that the ship has an international crew including Kenyans and staff of volunteers from around 60 different countries who live and work on the ships, devoting one or more years of their lives to serving on board.

She extolled Kenyans for their hospitality urging them to replicate the same gesture to more than 300 volunteers that will arrive aboard the ship.

The ship crew will promote literacy and education, cross-cultural cooperation, and social awareness, and reflect God’s compassion for the world.

“The ship crew will provide aid, and community care, and partner with local community groups to bring hope to people,” said Figueroa.

Nicolas Civilotti, an advance team member said the vessel is currently sailing to Muscat, Oman after visiting Abu Dhabi, it will visit Seychelles before coming to Mombasa.

Civilotti said ship crew will transfer knowledge, and get in touch with local organizations dealing with health to make donations.

Walid Timimi, Marine Services Manager, Inchcape Services said they are working with a multi-stakeholder committee to prepare for the ship’s arrival.

“We are glad we have a couple of Kenyans working on board in the engine room and hopefully as they are here they will partner with so many organizations as part of that they have engaged the Bandari Maritime Academy, in August they will be a joint training for the seafarers,” said Timimi.

He added that there are numerous opportunities that Kenya will tap into while working with GBA.

 “We are glad that GBA has considered the new ship will be coming to Mombasa this time, and hopefully it will open more doors for more of their ships coming to this side of the world,” said Timimi.

 

 

Famous ohangla musician, Freddy Jakadongo has been enlisted in a new collaboration dubbed ‘Hera Maua’ with budding star Joanne.

Joanne, born as Joanne Rakwach in Mbita, Homabay county is a commerce graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology (JKUAT) and also hosts a weekly YouTube talk show where she discusses human interest stories, mental health issues, and popular stories.

Being an avid reader, writer, and actress, she had always had a passion for music, which got her into Freddy Jakadongo’s band as a backup singer. She looks up to Freddy as a mentor.

Her debut song, 'Hera Maua' is a love ballad that talks about how exciting love gets at the beginning then it slowly gets raw and dry with time, just like a flower.

Thanks to digital liberation, ohangla artists like Freddy Jakadongo have kept the airwaves pulsating with their music crossing boundaries that no one ever imagined to be on the cards.

From doing sold-out Europe tours to filling up local pubs both at home and abroad, Jakadongo is a notable name in almost every millennial's mind.

With two albums under his belt, Freddy is a prominent name in both urban and rural settlements where people come in numbers to watch him perform live with his band.

His 2018 hit, “Tok Ji” made him a household name.

Freddy Jakadongo has since collaborated with musicians including but not limited to Kibandaski, Brizzy Annechild, Javan MacAjudo and many more.

It is Joanne’s first step into the music scene and the reception is astounding and significant to the fact that her new song is getting rare reviews and comments on both YouTube and other social media sites.

Watch “Hera Maua” by Joanne and Freddy Jakadong below:

https://youtu.be/edZF8hzR_3w

Femi One, renowned artist and philanthropist, successfully held two events during her inspiring campus tour, which took place at KCA University and ZETECH University.

The events were organized as part of her commitment to empowering the youth through her foundation, One for One Foundation.

The highlight of the tour was a talent search competition aimed at providing young individuals with a platform to showcase their skills and pursue their dreams.

Femi One's One for One Foundation is dedicated to enabling young people to overcome poverty by nurturing and realizing their talents and aspirations.

With a firm belief in the potential of every young person, the foundation is committed to offering essential resources, support, and opportunities necessary for unleashing their full potential.

Through various initiatives such as education, skill-building programs, and mentorship, One for One Foundation strives to break the constraints of poverty and help young individuals achieve their goals.

The campus tour commenced at KCA University, where Femi One captivated the audience with her electrifying performance. Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, she spoke passionately about the importance of self-belief and determination in the pursuit of success.

Femi One emphasized the power of education and skill development in unlocking doors to a brighter future. She shared personal anecdotes and experiences to inspire the students, encouraging them to dream big and work hard towards their goals.

The event at ZETECH University witnessed an overwhelming response from talented individuals, eager to showcase their skills and compete in the talent search competition. The participants displayed exceptional abilities in various categories, including music, dance, spoken word, and visual arts.

Femi One, along with a panel of esteemed judges, carefully evaluated the performances, recognizing the outstanding talent on display. The winners were rewarded with exciting prizes, including mentorship opportunities with Femi One herself.

Femi One expressed her gratitude towards KCA University and ZETECH University for hosting the campus tour and providing a platform to engage with the vibrant student community. She highlighted the significance of collaborations between artists, educational institutions, and foundations to uplift the youth and create a positive impact on society.

The successful campus tour is a testament to Femi One's dedication and commitment to empowering young people. Her efforts through the One for One Foundation align perfectly with her vision to build a brighter future for all. Femi One continues to inspire and motivate individuals to pursue their passions, break free from the chains of poverty, and achieve their aspirations.

The Iranian government will set up a motor vehicle manufacturing plant in Mombasa, President William Ruto has disclosed.

According to President Ruto the plant which will be named 'Kifaru' will offer relief to Kenyan mechanics and other stakeholders in the automotive industry.

Speaking in state House Nairobi on Wednesday State House, Nairobi, alongside Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Ruto said this will help create job opportunities to Kenyans.

"His Excellency conveyed to me information that will be good news for stakeholders in our mechanical and automotive sector, including dealers, engineers, technicians and other workers: Iran’s intention to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has been given the Kiswahili name – ‘Kifaru’. I am confident that the project is as unstoppable as this name suggests,"  said Ruto.

President Ruto met Raisi at State House Nairobi during which a delegation from the two countries had an opportunity to deliberate on a myriad of issues.

President William Ruto said trade volumes between the two countries are still low but with potential to grow.

He explained that Kenya and Iran will strike a formula that will facilitate higher exports of tea, coffee and meat.

“This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favour of Iran.”

President Raisi lauded Kenya’s commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses.

He said more Iranian firms will establish operations in the country, paving their way to accessing EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA markets of more than 1.4 billion people.

“The Kenya-Iran relations can always be strengthened for our benefit,” he said during a media briefing.

 

Renowned Kenyan artist King Kaka is thrilled to release his latest song, "BESHTE YANGU", coinciding with the significant occasion of World Population Day. Developed in collaboration with UNESCO, the song delivers a powerful message on Positive Masculinity, Mental Health, and HIV Awareness.

The highly anticipated launch will take place at the University of Nairobi, bringing together students from University of Nairobi, Kenya Medical Training College, faculty members, and the wider community to celebrate the importance of investing in youth education, health, and well-being to build a sustainable future for both individuals and societies.

King Kaka declared: "I am proud to promote Positive Masculinity, Mental Health, and HIV Awareness! This song is important for all young people on the continent. We all need a 'BESHTE YANGU' when facing life's challenges, and this song is an appeal to support each other and show solidarity. The song is in Kiswahili, but it is designed to appeal to all young people as it is showcasing challenges, we could all face. Listening to each other and asking for help is an important part of the solution. And it is okay not to be okay men."

Young people in Sub-Saharan Africa face significant challenges, including high school dropout rates, new HIV infections, gender-based violence (GBV), and early and unintended pregnancies (EUPs).

In Kenya, with a population of 47.5 million, addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health needs of its 7.9 million young people aged 15-24 remains a pressing issue.

184 000 young individuals in this age group are living with HIV, with 17 000 new infections occurring each year. Negative Sexual and Reproductive Health outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies and violence, disrupt the well-being of students, limiting their potential.

In response to these challenges, the University of Nairobi, Kenya Medical Training College, and UNESCO have joined forces through the O3 Plus project, which aims to increase knowledge about HIV, unplanned pregnancies, mental health, and gender-based violence.

The project emphasizes social accountability, supports health education, creates an enabling policy environment, and advocates for zero tolerance of harassment and violence.

O3 Plus is being implemented across the University of Nairobi's 10 campuses and 3 Kenya Medical Training College campuses, prioritizing student well-being and fostering a safe environment for all.

Commenting on the song, Prof Iribe Mwangi, the Chairman of the Department of Kiswahili at the University of Nairobi said, "I am very happy that this song by King Kaka, 'Beshte Yangu', is launched on this important World Population Day and is in Kiswahili which is now one of the official languages of the African Union. It is a sweet and educational song, especially for young people in relation to positive masculinity, mental health, and HIV. It is my hope that apart from having fun, young people will understand the educational message intended by the artist." 

"BESHTE YANGU" will undoubtedly captivate audiences with its powerful message and infectious rhythms. By launching the song on World Population Day, King Kaka, in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to ignite a deeper appreciation of the importance of young people’s Education for Health and Well-being in the continent, while inspiring the youth audience to reach their full potential.

Police hurled teargas canisters to disperse a group of Anti-government protesters who had staged demonstration along Moi Avenue in  Mombasa county.

The protesters led by Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki, Women representative Zamzam  Mohamed,  Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib  and Kisauni Mp Rashid Bedzimba were thwarted by police who had blocked them from accessing the Nkhruma Road towards the county commissioner’s office

The running battles between Mombasa legislators and activists who had joined other protestors ensued for more than two hours bringing to a standstill normal operation at the Mombasa central business district.

Those who spoke to spoke to the media accused the government for sitting pretty while Kenyans continue to bear the brunt of high cost of living.

"Kenyans are suffering and we can't sit and watch the government continue to hike prices of fuel and not addressing the cost of living, people are living on hand to mouth, this cannot continue," said Mombasa Women representative  Zamzam Mohamed.

The demonstration saw Telecommunications giants Safaricom and Airtel, Telcom,NCBA Bank DIB bank , diamond trust bank both located at the Moi avenue shut doors as police engaged on a cat and mouse game with protesters.

Three protesters were arrested among them former nominated MCA for inciting youth to take part in the protests.

Other businesses affected include Royal castle Hotel, motor vehicle showrooms  located  within Mombasa central business district CBD were also closed for the better part of the day due to the anti-government protests.

"We are now operating on loss, customers stayed away from the businesses because of demonstration. We cannot open our showrooms, ,we don't want a situation where our cars will be destroyed  by demonstrators," said Fadhil Mohamed Fadhil a car dealer at  Moi avenue street.

Transport operators has also packed their vehicles in solidarity but their protest only lasted for few hours before normal operations resumed in the city.

Matatu operators who plied the Mombasa town route decried small number of passengers as a majority of residents opted to stay at home.

"Very little passengers today because people have decided to stay at home. They fear that they will be caught up in the melee," said one of matatu conductors operating along Mtwapa route.

 

Over 30 journalists in the coastal region based in Malindi, Kilifi and Mombasa underwent  Mental Health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in relation to the coverage of the Shakahola Mass Graves in Kilifi County.

The journalists drawn from over 13 local and international media houses were sensitized on integration on mental health and psychosocial support services within the media landscape.

Kenya Red Cross’ MHPSS team facilitated psychological debrief sessions for the journalists who were on the frontline coverage of the Shakahola saga as well as interacting with the data from the said turn of events.

The three day sensitization forum saw members of the Ministry of Health Kilfii County MHPSS focal person take the journalists through the positive coping strategies and questions and answer sessions.

"We realised that journalists based in the coastal region have covered several newsworthy stories that range from crime to terror attacks in places like Mpeketoni as well as communal clashes especially in Tana River. We as Kenya Red cross felt necessary to hold this mental awareness session to ensure that their well being is well taken care of.said Venant Ndighila Red Cross Emergency response manager.

On his part John Kimura, a Nursing Psychologist noted "The journalists were among the first people to visit the scene and see the gory images. But they had never had any debrief sessions. We look forward to ensuring that we reach out to journalists all over the country."

On their hand the journalists agreed to champion for stories that will create mental health awareness not only at county level but also at national level.

The Shakahola Operation has entered the third month with the number of bodies found at 336.

As the team of exhumers and forensics from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations continue with the operation Kenya Red Cross continues to be a key player in the multiagency operation taking lead and search and rescue, restoring family links and offering psychosocial support.

The fourth phase of exhumations commences this week with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure expected to kick off the exercise.

Thursday, 06 July 2023 11:40

Mombasa To Host World Kiswahili Day

The coastal city of Mombasa will play host to the commemoration of the second World Swahili Day slated for July 7 to 9 at the newly refurbished Fort Jesus Park.

The celebrations will run concurrently in Nairobi and Lamu counties as the government plans to use the event as a tourist attraction.

Addressing the media in Mombasa, the National Museums of Kenya Heritage Training Institution coordinator Khalid Omar said the commemoration of the day signifies the growth of Kiswahili in the world and the Swahili culture.

“Our aim for having the celebrations in Mombasa is not just for people to come sing, wine and dance, but we want to see how communities living along the coast can benefit and earn income through this celebrations,”

“We want tourists from across the world to be thronging Mombasa every year to mark this important and historic day in the Kiswahili language and culture,” said Omar.

The United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) declared July 7 to be the World Kiswahili Language Day.

The declaration was made on September 23, 2021 during the 41st session of Unesco member states in Paris, France.

Unesco settled for July 7 which is a day that the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) under the leadership of the first president of the United Republic of Tanzania the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere adopted Kiswahili as a unifying language for independence struggles.

Similarly, the East African Community (EAC) was re-established in the year 2000 to rekindle the spirit of cooperation and integration among East African people where Kiswahili language is widely spoken.

Omar said that this year’s celebration will be bigger and better saying a number of government departments and stakeholders had expressed interest in supporting the event.

“We have lined up a series of activities for wazee, women and the youth that will run from July 7 to 9. The culmination for it will be a gal diner for partners and sponsor hosted for them by the governor on the evening of July 9,” Omar said.

The youth, Omar said, will be engaged in a series of activities including a soccer tournament, swimming across the Mkomani channel because the Kiswahili language has a connection with the sea.

They will also have dialogues for them to help nature orators in Swahili, have poetry competitions and also composition writing on emerging issues in Kiswahili.

For the elderly, he said they have planned a number of forums to discuss the journey of growing and developing Kiswahili that will also see them have a sit-down with the youth to compare and share notes.

“We have also lined up a competition for grating coconut for our women, they will also have a completion for applying hinna and piko and they will also have a session to share different native Swahili songs and dances like msonndo ngoma,” he said.

The government, he said, was currently working on establishing the Kiswahili Council that will play a pivotal role in preservation and development of Kiswahili.

The bill to establish the council he said had already been passed and it will soon be launched and members appointed.

“The council will comprise experts from universities down to the locals using Kiswahili,” he said.

Kiswahili continues to face challenges from the sheng language though experts say that it cannot be replaced or outweighed by sheng.

“From my view sheng is not a big threat to Kiswahili because it continues changing and differs from town to another. I see it as a language that the youth identify with,” Omar said.

Mombasa County executive for Trade, Tourism and Culture Mohammed Osman said that the county was ready to host the celebration reiterating the governor’s commitment to see it succeeds.

He said that they were putting measures to ensure security is top notch.

“The governor is committed to see that we preserve our national language, has promised that the county assembly of Mombasa will have a special day for Kiswahili,” said Osman.

The chief of staff in the office of the principal secretary state department of culture and heritage Mudathir Abdulkarim called on Kenyans from all folks to turn up in numbers to celebrate the day.

Mudathir said that this is a day for all Swahili speaking nations to celebrate the language that is now connecting the world to be a global village.

“Let us come together as Kenyans to celebrate our beautiful Kiswahili language. Come taste and sample different Swahili cuisines and culture and get to learn more about the history of the language,” he said.

 
 

In the latest episode of Connecting Africa, CNN International’s Eleni Giokos visits Nairobi to see the role technology can play in boosting trade opportunities across the continent.

Known by some as the Silicon Savannah, Nairobi is becoming an increasingly important player in the international tech scene.

Giokos meets with Irene Kiwia, co-founder of Adanian Labs, who explains what her company does, “We are a technology company, a pan-African technology company, and what founded us was our mission to activate the tech revolution on the continent by making sure that Africans are active participants in the fourth industrial revolution. We invest in tech startups.”

Kiwia says that Africa has a strong advantage because of the number of talented young people on the continent.

“The good thing about Africa, Kenya, and sub-Saharan Africa is that it’s a young continent.” She says.

Adding “Technology allows us to leapfrog things in a way that we are not able to do before. If we look at the African history, we missed the industrial revolution. We've missed a couple of things, but for the first time ever, we have a technology revolution, where we are able to create impact and change the status quo of this continent. And the young people are the people who are going to do that.”

Looking to the future, Kiwia talks about the need to digitise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), “Kenya is becoming a hub of tech for the continent. The future is absolutely exciting, we are building the largest tech company on this continent. And by largest, I mean in terms of the impact that we will create across sectors. But also, the fact that our aim is to digitise the SME eco-systems and build a connected Africa, a borderless Africa.”

Next, Giokos sees how trail-blazing technology from Nairobi is helping to alleviate the consequences of climate change in some of the continent’s driest regions. Dr. Guyo Malicha Roba is passionate about data, and he uses it to mitigate the effects of droughts and food shortages across the Horn of Africa.

He tells CNN, “Government don't have enough resources. Neither do they have the right data to act in time. And that time in this question, is still a very big question in that space. The resource question is another question that is up there. So, data and resources are constant issues in this.”

As the head of the Jameel Observatory, Dr. Roba is working on projects to combat drought across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

He explains how technology has changed the research, “I think technology is very important, especially when you are looking at the forecasting, building scenarios around the weather and weather patterns. I think that is where our colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, which is the leader of the project, are bringing a huge part of the observation, artificial intelligence, the big data and all these things, especially for Somalia, where collecting data and preparing is difficult.”

He continues, “The observatory is sort of like a research project, what to try, what to call, brokering knowledge, science, and connecting different dots to make sure how do we do this thing early enough before the droughts reach emergency.”

This month’s programme also meets tech leaders at GITEX Africa in Morocco and speaks to the CEO of the Botswana Institute for Technology, Research, and Innovation.

 

Maryanne Imani, a fast rising minister in the gospel industry, has unveiled her latest musical masterpiece, "Lord Reign."

The soul-stirring track serves as a powerful reminder that amidst life's challenges, there is hope for liberation and a renewed sense of purpose.

The release of "Lord Reign" marks a significant milestone in Maryanne's career, as she shares her personal journey of overcoming obstacles and finding solace in the embrace of her faith.

The journey of an artist in the gospel industry can be demanding, and Maryanne Imani openly expressed her internal struggle with the weight of her responsibilities.

Contemplating whether the sacrifices were worth it, she yearned for a simpler life where she could be a "normal Christian" without the burdens of her calling.

However, Maryanne recognized the need to return to the "school of the Lord," as depicted in Mercy Masika's song, "Shule Yako." Seeking divine guidance, she humbled herself and embraced a period of introspection, eager to learn and be equipped for the journey ahead.

During a particularly challenging period while carrying her last child, Maryanne faced numerous complications that pushed her to the limits of her endurance.

It was in the midst of this turmoil that she birthed the powerful song "Lord Reign." As the lyrics eloquently portray her unwavering faith and reliance on prayer, the profound experiences she underwent during her pregnancy inspired her to share a message of resilience and hope.

"Chains Are Breaking," the climactic line in "Lord Reign," symbolizes the transformative breakthrough Maryanne experienced in her life. It signified a season of renewal, growth, and newfound clarity. Empowered by her faith, she emerges from the shadows of her past, ready to step back into the recording studio and bless audiences with her music once again.

Watch : https://youtu.be/nL4yt-b8p1Q 

The accompanying music video for "Lord Reign" transcends the boundaries of art and reality. Inspired by the diverse struggles faced by individuals in contemporary society, Maryanne intertwines authentic, relatable situations into her visuals.

Through the song and its visuals, she aims to inspire viewers to break free from any form of bondage, drawing from the eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who died to grant humanity freedom.

Maryanne Imani's "Lord Reign" is a testament to her resilience, unwavering faith, and dedication to uplifting the spirits of others through her music.

With its powerful message and captivating melodies, the song promises to touch the hearts of listeners from all walks of life.

As she returns to the studio, Maryanne continues to demonstrate her unwavering commitment to her calling and her desire to be a source of encouragement to those who face challenges and seek a path to freedom.