Ommy Dallah
Kaka Empire Limited Announces Exciting Updates And Future Plans
Kaka Empire Limited is pleased to share some exciting updates and future plans that will shape the company's journey towards greater success.
Under the leadership of Dennis Njenga, Managing Director and Talent Manager, the company has achieved significant milestones in the past year.
Mr. Njenga's visionary approach and dedication have played a pivotal role in expanding Kaka Empire's influence across various entertainment domains.
As part of our commitment to delivering outstanding entertainment experiences, we are thrilled to announce the following:
Femi One-Enriching Audiences Nationwide: Femi One Continues to captivate fans across the nation with her enthralling performances. Over the past few weeks, she has graced stages in Nakuru, Naivasha and Nairobi.
Her journey continues with an inspiring campus tour, starting with KCA Univerisity on June 30th and Zetech University on July 7th.
The Objective of these visiits is to mentor and engage students on pertinent issues they face. Additionally, Femi One wil conduct a talent search, offering the winner a remarkable opportunity to collaborate with her.
King Kaka- Transforming Lives One School at a Time: Driven by a mission to effect positive change, King Kaka has embarked on a tranformative endeavour, visiting 55 high schools and 45 campuses/collages nationwide.
Recently, he had the privilledge of mentoring students at Mugoiya High School in Kiambu County.
His upcoming stops include KCA University on June 29th and Zetech University on July 6th, with plans to visit more schools in the following weeks.
Jadi- Uniting forces and Forging Ahead: Jadi will be joining King Kaka and Femi One on the respective tours, amplifying their collective impact.
Furthermore, they are dilligently finalizing their inaugural studio album, poised to showcase their creative brilliance.
Dennis Njenga expressed his enthusiasm about the company's future endeavors, stating, "We are thrilled to embark on this exciting phase of growth and innovation. Our goal is to revolutionize the entertainment industry in East Africa and provide unparalleled opportunities for artists to shine on both regional and global stages."
Government Changes Plan On Capitation Disbursement
Education cabinet secretary Ezekiel Machogu has announced a new plan to fund public schools and end the delay of capitation funds in the country.
Machogu said the government will abandon the old quarterly disbursement system and adopt the ratio of 50:30:20 for the first, second and third terms respectively.
“From this year onwards, capitation will be disbursed in the ratio of 50:30:20, for the first, second and third terms respectively. We will move away from the current quarterly system. This change will ensure a more equitable distribution of funds throughout the year, empowering schools to plan and utilize resources more efficiently,” said Machogu.
He was speaking during the 46 th annual Kenya secondary schools Heads Association (KESSHA) conference bringing together over 7,000 school heads and exhibitors in Mombasa on Wednesday.
The secondary school principals had demanded the government to increase capitation funding from sh 22,244 to 30,000 per child so as to meet the cost of operations.
KESSHA Chairman Kahi Indimuli noted that operations in majority of schools were badly affected after the government failed to release the capitation money in time.
He said some of the institutions depend entirely on the capitation for their day to day activities, this being unable to charge anymore has really affected schools when capitation delays.
The school heads had decried budget constraints posed by the rising high cost of living, that has made survival unbearable. Currently, the budget implementation is evidently playing out in a tight fiscal space occasioned by the global economic crisis.
"We need to realize that some of the commodities have gone up and they are not able to meet the cost,” said Indimuli.A bag of 90 kg of beans now goes for ksh16,000 which is very expensive according to the teachers." said Kahi
In response the cabinet secretary said the ministry is working to diligently streamline the disbursement systems, by employing advanced technologies and automated processes to expedite the flow of funds.
At the same time the cabinet secretary further cautioned the school head against mismanagement of the allocated resources. He called on education managers to exercise prudence in the management of the resources that are at their disposal.
“To exercise prudence in the management of the limited resources that are at their disposal. I wish to urge all of you to strictly adhere to public finance management practices while utilizing funds that are allocated to the schools by the government and parents,” added the cabinet secretary.
The cabinet secretary further asked the principals to familiarize themselves with the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act 2015 so as to overcome the weak links in resource utilization in our schools.
Machogu said in the next financial year, the education ministry will hire more 24,000 teachers to deal with the current teacher deficit.
Machogu said the government is committed to bring credibility in exams by eradicating exam leakages ahead of the oncoming national exams.
“In the outgoing Financial Year, we have employed 36,000 new teachers. In the next Financial Year, we will hire an additional 24,000teachers. It is crucial that we deploy these teachers in our schools in a manner that reflects equity,” he added.
Mombasa County To Establish Own Youth Service
The Mombasa county Government is planning to establish it's own youth service.
Fashioned after the National Youth Service (NYS), the Mombasa youth service (MYS) will include technical training with recruits set to be engaged in manual and skilled labour activities across the county.
Speaking in Changamwe while issuing out bursaries amounting to ksh 63.7 million , Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the aim of program is to ensure that youths from the county have access to relevant education, training and employment opportunities.
"Our coming budget will be a people centered budget, we have several projects and programs directly targeting our youth and residents in general" said Nassir
Adding "Among the programs or plans is the establishment of the Mombasa youth service, our county will be the first county in the country to come up with the program. In this program just like with the National youth service, our youths will be instilled discipline, personal fitness and different skills which will help them secure jobs through the airlift program".
The county boss exuded confident that Members of the county assembly will pass the budget.
Nassir charged "I want to live a legacy, a legacy that will be remembered with the generations to come that I helped in improving the lives of our people, and this will be achieved through the different programs like the NHIF comprehensive cover, school feeding program, holidays motivational scheme among others, all found in the budget"
Nassir further revealed that the county government is planning to construct two rehabilitation centres within the county to help youths recovering from drug abuse.
Secondary School Heads Want Armed Security For Schools
The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) has asked the government to provide schools with armed security to ensure safety.
KESSHA chairman Fred Indimuli said that a number of students are currently out of school due to insecurity issues in a number of hostile areas across the country.
Indimuli proposed that it is high time that the government provides the school with armed security to ensure the safety of both students and their teachers.
“We are proposing that schools especially boarding school be provided with adequate security and if possible armed ones by the government. We should not assume that schools are safe with our children and that no danger can occur to them,” said Indimuli.
The KESSHA chair was speaking in Mombasa during the 46th Kenya Secondary School Heads Association Annual Delegates Conference at the Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa.
The five-day conference which kicked off on Monday brings together about 10,000 secondary school heads from across the country under the theme, ‘Enhancing Effectiveness and Efficiency of Education in Kenya’.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu is expected to open the conference.
Indimuli said that the country was not doing well security-wise urging the government to beef up security in schools to guarantee children’s’ safety.
“If we sleep, the enemy will come in and take advantage. The government has to ensure that our children and teachers are safe while in school,” he said.
Indimuli further warned that learning risks being halted due to the failure by government to provide capitation funds.
The Chairman pointed out that capitation is among the major challenges currently facing the education sector in the country.
He called on the government to consider changing it's financing model for free secondary education which is currently spread on a 50:30:20 ratio for terms one, two, and three respectively.
Governor Nassir Puts Land Grabbers On Notice
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has put on notice all public land grabbers within the county, telling them their days are numbered.
Speaking in Kongowea on Sunday, Nassir said it had come to his attention that there are individuals within the county who have been grabbing public land thus making it hard for the county government to implement some of it's developement projects.
He pointed to the case where an individual is claiming ownership of the land next to the Kongowea dispensary.
"I'm informed that there is an individual claiming ownership of this land where we are now. How is it possible to claim ownership of a land where there is a public hospital?" said Nassir.
Adding "Let it go on record, whether I'm alive or dead no one will be allowed to grab a public land under my watch. I put land grabbers on notice you will have no space to breathe, It shall be you and me, head to head and you will not win. My administration will not tolerate invasion of public facilities by unscrupulous officials."
Nassir ordered county land officials to do a search on the said individual and establish which other pieces of land in the county are registered under his name.
Nassir charged "I dont know the individual and I'm now ordering our Land minister, officials from finance and legal to do a proper search on the individual. You cannot stop us from constructing a hospital just because of your selfish reasons."
Stop This Senseless War – IGAD Tells Sudan Warring Parties
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called on the warring parties in Sudan to stop the war going on in the country.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu described the war as ‘senseless’ as he implored on all member heads of state to weigh in the matter and call the war to a stop.
“This is a senseless war, it is a war of a brother against a brother. I join my voice to call for a stop and ask IGAD member heads of state to call for the warring parties to stop,” said Gebeyehu.
Gebeyehu was speaking in Mombasa Friday afternoon after witnessing the launch of the IGAD National Human Rights Institutions Network.
He said that a series of conflicts charactarised by devastating repercussions including loss of lives, gender based violence, displacement and the suffering of civilians in various forms is weakening the socio-economic fabric of member states.
He described Sudan as once a generous host of immigrants saying it was once a home for those who were running away from home.
“Sudanese as you all know, are people of good heart, that is why the current devastation in the country is a crisis beyond one country. It is a suffering of a region, it is a horror of the region at large,” Gebeyehu said.
Gebeyehu described the launch of the NHRI network as a momentous occasion marking a significant milestone in the regional body’s collective efforts to promote good governance, the rule of law through defending human rights in the region.
The advancement of the platform he said will serve as a vital stage for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge and collectively advocating for the advancement of human rights in the region.
Addressing the media on behalf of the network, Professor Mariam Mutungi, a commissioner of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said that the launch of the network is a new dawn in the realization of human rights in the IGAD region.
The network, she said, shall also be a platform for joint communication on human rights issues within the region.
“We note and condemn the human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law being perpetuated with the vulnerable groups including women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly persons bearing the brunt of the war.”
“The network calls upon all actors in the Sudan conflict to desist from violence and instead embrace dialogue as a model of achieving sustainable solutions,” said Prof Mutungi.
She added that the network commits to strengthening the early warning and prevention mechanism and timely address of human rights violation in the region.
“We stand with the people of Sudan and their aspiration for a peaceful nation where human rights are respected, and dignity is upheld. We also support the efforts of the IGAD quadrilateral mechanism in seeking to resolve the conflict,” she said.
Embrace Innovation To Rebuild Tourism, CS Malonza Tells Hoteliers
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Peninah Malonza has called on hoteliers to embrace innovation and aim to increase bed nights and tourism numbers for both domestic and international visitors in order to rebuild the sector stronger.
Malonza said rebuilding tourism requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond refurbishing hospitality facilities.
She said hoteliers must renew their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the well-being of their visitors.
“We must invest in refurbishing our establishments to maintain and refresh our unmatched national brand. We must also upgrade facilities, expand connectivity, provide affordable transport and accommodation,” said Malonza.
Malonza was speaking in Mombasa Friday afternoon after officially opening the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers annual symposium.
She emphasized on the need for players in the tourism sector to introduce new and exciting products that enhance the overall visitor experience and position Kenya as a premier destination.
Malonza said that the efforts must go beyond bricks and mortar adding that players must also embrace sustainability as a core principle.
“Protecting and preserving our wildlife, cultural heritage, and diverse ecosystems should be our responsibility as a sector. Let us promote responsible travel, eco-tourism, and environmental protection to create lasting experiences for our visitors,” Malonza said.
Innovation, she said, is the key to unlocking the potential of the tourism industry in a rapidly changing world.
She urged hoteliers to adapt to the evolving needs and preferences of travelers, harnessing technology and creativity to enhance their experiences.
By incorporating eco-friendly initiatives and supporting local businesses, she said the industry can offer authentic and meaningful experiences that resonate with the values of modern travelers.
“There is also need to build capacity and train our staff to enable them be at par with current global tourism trends. By investing in our workforce and empowering them with knowledge and skills, we increase Kenya’s competitive advantage as a tourism destination,” she said.
She added that continuous training, mentorship programs, and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship will elevate our tourism professionals and ensure they stay in tune with global trends.
She reiterated the need to embracing innovation as a driving force for change, recognizing that the potential of the tourism industry is limitless.
The CS further asked the hoteliers to be prepared to deal with thorny issues that affect tourism like the case of beach boys.
“I believe we can organize them and then offer them training that will make them independent and they will be able to earn a decent livelihood. This will be a win -win situation for everyone in this crucial sector,” she said.
Agilette Go To Start Delivery Of Electric Vehicles
South Africa listed firm Agilitee and the green revolution giant are set to start the delivery of electric vehicles in Africa later this month.
The first batch will be delivered to Zimbabwe.
"Agilitee Go has a travel range that can cover 4ookm if fully charged and also self charges. " said Dr Mandla Lamba, founder and C.EO. of Agilitee.
Adding " I am so delighted about this developement because the Africa continent is battling the effects of climate change and most governments are looking for solutions to combact climate change. We have gone into full production and we are now officially rolling out our fist car in Africa and turning every street in Africa green by 2050".
The firms has set base in East Africa with its hedquarters being Kenya, while in West Africa headquarters is in Nigeria.
The vehicles are powered by solar and have a back up, they don't rely on the grid for charging.
Data shows that the African electric vehicle market is valued at USD 11.94 Billion and is projected to reach USD 21.39 Billion by 2027.
International Year Of Millets: A Tribute to Africa's Ancient Grains With Sarova Panafric
In a vibrant celebration of Africa's rich culinary heritage and its commitment to sustainable farming practices, Sarova Panafric, one of East Africa's premier hotels, is hosting a grand event to mark the International Year of Millets.
The special occasion that kicked off on June 17, 2023, at their iconic Flame Tree Restaurant, is paying homage to the versatile and nutritious millet grain, which has been a staple in African diets for thousands of years.
“These ancient grains are delicious and rich in nutrients, making them a sustainable choice for a healthier future. We encourage all our customers, within and without the country, to make their way here and have a lifetime experience,” said Sarova Panafric in a statement.
As guests enter the beautifully decorated restaurant, the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of traditional African dishes.
The vibrant colors and flavors of the carefully crafted millet-based delicacies hinted at a culinary journey that would captivate the senses.
At the heart of this occasion is a commitment to promoting the use of millets in modern cuisine, highlighting their nutritional value and ecological benefits.
The International Year of Millets is aimed to raise awareness about these ancient grains, emphasizing their significance in achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
“At Sarova Panafric, we never abandon our African roots. Our offerings are deeply anchored on them and this is what we offer our customers. We are always striving to give our guests our best,” said the iconic restaurant.
The carefully selected ingredients, sourced from local farmers, highlighted Sarova Panafric's commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices and empowering local communities as well as businesses.
The one-week-long event is expected to come to an end on June 23, 2023 with the facility hoping to have driven the point home of how important this African grain is.
ACTOM Takes Over Manufacturing Facility In Kenya As It Seeks To Expand Into the East African Region
ACTOM, a market-leading supplier of electrical equipment and services, will take over a low-voltage product manufacturing facility in Kenya from existing technology partner Schneider Electric a move that will facilitate ACTOM’s industrial expansion into East Africa.
ACTOM CEO, Mervyn Naidoo, explains that the company is planning to establish industrial hubs in East, West, and eventually even North Africa that will provide a platform for the broader ACTOM portfolio of products and services in these regions.
Its takeover of the Kenyan manufacturing facility will provide the company with an entry point into East Africa, where it plans to target the Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia markets.
Naidoo says ACTOM has an extensive range of Intellectual Property (IP) in low-, medium-, and high-voltage products. These span a wide spectrum of transmission and distribution products, as well as power generation and associated products.
“We intend to use the industrial platform in Kenya to enter the East African market with our products and services. We want to expand to Kenya, where we will transfer IP and, where economically feasible, set up manufacturing and establish our repair business there,” says Naidoo.
Adding “This will be a platform for the broader ACTOM group to not only enter the East African market but also to embrace East African economies where we will employ people and use our IP to get actively involved, thus also growing both ACTOM South Africa and ACTOM Kenya.”
He notes that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents numerous opportunities for intercontinental trade, especially within the economies of countries like Kenya and Tanzania, which are growing at 4%-plus annually.
“Based on this, we expect that there will be significant demand for our products. As such, we plan to transfer our full scope of products and services into the African markets. Our offerings will be linked to demand, with demand in the region driving the prioritisation of what goes into the market first,” says Naidoo.
ACTOM celebrates its 120th anniversary this year and currently manufactures products that range from boilers to control equipment, uninterrupted power supplies, LED lighting, solar heating systems, transformers, switchgear, and turnkey EPC solutions.
The company also provides full aftermarket repair and service solutions to its customers.
Speaking on the partnership, Carol Koech, Country President at Schneider Electric in Kenya says that the move to transfer the manufacturing and assembly plant in Kenya to ACTOM allows Schneider Electric to focus on positioning the company with key technology partners, as it continues to strengthen its strategic ambition to prioritise its digital offerings, software, and services to in turn enhance its service offering to its customers.
“The move allows Schneider Electric to focus on expanding its reach in Eastern Africa, commercialising more offers, and growing its partner network to serve its customers with more technology and competitive value,” says Carol.