President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended constitutional commissions and independent offices in the country for the effective delivery of their mandates.

Noting that since their establishment under the Constitution of Kenya 2010 the constitutional commissions and independent offices have proved to be key pillars of sovereignty and democracy, the President asked them to continue working closely in achieving the hopes, aspirations and dreams of Kenyans.

“While independent and not under the direction and control of any person or authority, your commissions and offices remain part of the Government of Kenya, and the people of Kenya expect that you will work in synergy with the rest of the Government towards achieving the hopes, aspirations and dream of our People,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta spoke today during a meeting with chairpersons of the constitutional commissions and holders of independent offices who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.

Speaking during the meeting, the chairperson of the forum of the heads of constitutional commissions and independent offices Mr Gershom Otachi appreciated the support the Government has accorded their offices for the past 10 years.

Mr Otachi also assured Kenyans that the constitutional commissions and independent offices will play their rightful role in ensuring a smooth and peaceful transition to the next administration according to the law.

He briefed the President of the celebrations that will be held tomorrow to mark the 10th anniversary since the establishment of the constitutional commissions and independent offices under the new constitutional dispensation ushered in by Kenyans in 2010.

In this regard, President Kenyatta urged the constitutional commissions and independent offices to use their anniversary celebrations to reflect and commit to dedicating their efforts to serving Kenyans.

“As a forum and as individual Commissions and Offices, I trust that you shall use this opportunity to also brainstorm on how you can better cooperate amongst yourselves and leverage on your shared position as Chapter 15 commissions.

“In every word and action you take as Commissions, you should advance the principles of governance and the national values espoused under Article 10 of the Constitution.  Every word and action you take should bring Kenya closer to being a more just, equitable and prosperous nation,” President Kenyatta said.

The meeting, attended by the chairpersons of the constitutional commissions and independent offices, was also grace by Head of Public Service Dr. Joseph Kinyua, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i and Attorney General Paul Kihara.

Move over Johnny, newly welcomed Grammy alumni Yemi Alade is telling the world about her new man.

The Nigerian superstar opens up about the sweeter side of love with her new single “My Man” featuring Dancehall artist Kranium.

The two slow it down for this one, delivering an irresistible serenade over the jazzy, Afrobeats track. “My Man” is available on all streaming platforms.

Stream ‘My Man’ Here

In her recent viral Lip Service interview with Power 105.1’s Angela Yee, Yemi simply replies, “It’s a love story,” when asked what the song is about.

With further probing from Angela, Yemi goes on to admit that this single, however, is personal for her and blushingly recites the song’s chorus.

“Let me tell you about my man o

6 pack no be the thing wah mek me fall for Amo

I dey fell like a Queen whenever I dey by his side …”

In July 2019, Yemi Alade was featured on “Don’t Jealous Me”, a track from Beyoncé’s compilation album The Lion King: The Gift. She appeared on the track alongside Mr Eazi and Tekno.

Rolling Stone magazine revealed that Yemi Alade also recorded a verse for an earlier version of “My Power”.

Yemi Alade is one of the first females in the Afro Beats genre to hit over 100 million views on YouTube and over 1 million dedicated subscribers.

With four albums, one EP and mega hits such as “Johnny”, “Ferrari”,  “Na Gode” and “Bum Bum” under her belt, Yemi Alade is the No 1 Afro Pop female artist on the African continent.

Beyond the studio, Yemi continues to make an impact in the entertainment world, donning titles such as composer, actress and producer.

She is a BET Awards 2015 and 2016 nominee for Best International Act Africa, a two-times nominee MOBO Awards for Best International Act 2014 and 2015, Winner MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) for Best Female 2015 and 2016. 

Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, better known as Kizz Daniel releases the video for Oshe as a follow-up to his last visual, Pour Me Water.

The singer comes through with another exciting single from his latest effort, BARNABAS EP, to feed our screens.

Kizz Daniel’s 2021 Most streamed EP Barnabas, his first studio effort since 2020’s King of Love, lets him to explore the full spectrum of his wide sound pallet.

 Kizz Daniel portrays genuine, honest visions of life, love, and vulnerability on “Barnabas,” which means “songs of encouragement.”

He was able to explore with sounds, including an urban mix of Afrobeat and Afro-pop, as well as highlife and island sounds.

 Oshe, from the Barnabas EP, features The Cavemen and is a highlife track.

‘Oshe’ is a synthesis of Western and Eastern cultures. It’s a song about displaying off your loved ones on social media without feeling bad about it, and also without worrying about making other people uncomfortable.

The picturesque visual directed by the Alien, is aesthetically pleasing with Kizz Daniel showing off his ladies in the most afrocentric and fashionistic way possible, each scene telling its unique story.

The music video reached 1.1 million streams in four days.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in the new entrant in the race to succeed Hassan Joho as the next Mombasa county Governor.

Sonko who was impeached by the Nairobi County Assembly in December 2020is expected to vie for the position on a wiper ticket, one of the parties forming the Azimio coalition.

Sonko's name was submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper Democratic Movement as one of those who had been cleared to run in the party primaries.

Sonko's name was listed along Kisauni Mp Ali Mbogo who is also eyeing the governor seat on an Wiper ticket. It is still not yet clear if the two will face off in the party primaries.

Sonko who has been operating from Mombasa, managing his businesses which includes the posh Volume club in Shanzu decamped from Jubilee to Wiper on March 22, 2022, ostensibly to revive his political career following his impeachment.

Other politicians seeking to succeed Joho are Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir, businessman Suleiman Shahbal, former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar and  Mombasa deputy governor William Kingi.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2347-political-battle-looms-as-race-to-succeed-joho-gains-momentum

The Orange Democratic Movement party was forced to cancel it's nomination exercise in three wards in Mombasa after chaos erupted in the wards disrupting the exercise.

Chaos erupted in Mtopanga, Magogoni, Kongowea prompting the party to cancel the exercise.

In Mtopanga, voters had blocked the party’s election officials from conducting primaries on allegations of malpractice. 

Officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), Administration Policeand Kenya Police officers were deployed to quell chaos at the Mombasa Primary School polling station after a group of youth started to cause chaos.

This happened as Mombasa county governor Hassan Joho's close allies floored opponents in other wards.

Among the new entrants is Journalist Patrick Mbelle Mwavula who floored his opponents in the tightly contested race to win Bamburi ward ODM ticket.

The determined Patrick, who previously worked in the country government communication unit during the first and second term of governor Joho, is among those who will fly the ODM flag high.

“I want to thank the Bamburi people for this support, its hard work and determination,” said Mbele after beating his close rival Milka Moraa with 494 votes.

Another Joho close ally and Tudor MCA Tobias Samba also won his ticket. Samba floored nominated MCA and youth rep Moses Aran in the primaries.

Fadhili Mwalimu who is the current Port Reitz ward MCA got 677 to win the ODM nomination ticket while In Kipevu ward Laila Mgazo got 538 to become the winner of the party nominations .

In Airport Ward, Mswahaba Rashid got 698 to beat his close opponents while In Changamwe the incumbent Benard Ogutu won with 537 votes and Chaani Ward MCA Junior Wambua getting 420 to retain the ticket.

In Jomvu Kuu Ward, Joshua Ongohu a new entrant won with 591 votes.

In Miritini the incumbent Kibwana Swale Baya won with 839 while in Mikindani Ward Jacton Oluoch got 1,041 beating activist Mathias Shipeta who got 540 votes.

In Kisauni subcounty, Mjambere ward ticket was won by new entrant Aria Boy Jumaa with 484 votes, in Junda ward Juma Abdula Hassan won with 672 votes while in Mwakirunge Salama Mbura won with 460 votes.

ODM opted to carry out nominations for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) aspirants only in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties after suspending primaries for Mps, Senator and governor.

The hacking menace, several celebrities have found themselves victims of this new menace that has been targeting social media accounts commanding a good number of following.

Tanzanian singer Nandy is the latest victim to this global menace.

The 'Kivuruge' hitmaker has lost her instagram account with over 6 million followers to hackers.

"Jamaan sija wa block watu wenye mamalaka na furaha za watu wamehack account yangu ya insta InshAllah nitarudi nawapenda ( I have not blocked anyone, they have hacked my instagram account. I will be back back soon. I love you all)." said Nandy.

This comes just weeks after the singer found herself in trouble with instagram after posting a photo which was against the community guidelines.

The photo which was later deleted by instagram showed Nandy hanging from the top of a tree with a rope around her neck.

Nandy defended herself  through her Insta stories, saying it was quickly blown out of proportion by her fans without trying to understand what she was up to.⁣

"Everything they see, they think it is clout chasing. I am a mirror of society and I use my talent to educate and not to destroy. How can I clout-chase with death? I am not about that childish life with my brand." she said.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Friday held talks with her visiting Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) counterpart Mrs Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi during which the two leaders discussed programs they're steering in their respective countries. 

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta informed Mrs Tshisekedi that her Beyond Zero initiative will continue with its charity work beyond President Uhuru Kenyatta's tenure.

“Beyond Zero will continue to run independently because we have local support as well as international partners willing to walk with us in championing the welfare of children, girls and women in the country,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.

On the recently unveiled Margaret Kenyatta Institute for Gender and Social Development, the Kenyan First Lady said the institute's focus is empowerment of women by providing them with resources, education and healthcare services. 

Asked by Mrs Tshisekedi on how she has managed to achieve tremendous progress in women empowerment within a short time, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said collaboration with partners led by the Ministry of Health, County Governments, local and international stakeholders were the main drivers behind Beyond Zero's success.

As part of their meeting, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta took her visitor on a tour of a Beyond Zero mobile clinic stationed at State House, Nairobi.

Mrs Tshisekedi, who runs an initiative similar to Beyond Zero in her country, informed her host that her charitable work involves offering support to vulnerable children, girls and women in the expansive nation.

Mrs Tshisekedi is accompanying her spouse President Felix Tshisekedi who is in the country for the signing of the treaty of accession to the East African Community (EAC) by DR Congo, hosted by President Kenyatta in his capacity as the Chairperson of the EAC Heads of State Summit. 

Chief of Staff in the Office of the First Lady Constance Gakonyo as well as Director of Administration and Beyond Zero Co-ordinator Angella Langat also spoke at the meeting held at State House, Nairobi. 

Mombasa ODM gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal has urged party’s National Election Board (NED) to conduct nominations for governor, senator and MPs.

The aspirant while voting at Tononoka Social Hall urged the party to desist from forcing aspirants to step down for others and instead should give members opportunity to elect their leaders and not use fake opinion polls.

 “What I can tell my party, I will not go for anything less than nominations,” said Mr Shahbal.

The businessman maintained that he will be on ballot come August 9 since he is the most popular ODM Mombasa gubernatorial candidate dismissing rumors that his competitor was recommended to be handed over the ticket.

The businessman urged NED should not interfere with party’s democracy by giving direct ticket to some preferred candidate.

Mombasa ODM senatorial aspirant Hisham Mwidau echoed Mr Shahbal sentiments saying he will not accept to be rigged out by fake polls which were doctored to suit few individuals.

“I am one of the party founders and I am shocked to learn some people were recommended for direct nomination including senatorial position. I will not accept that is why I am requesting for the exercise to be conducted in other elective positions as we have witnessed in the ward representative positions,” said Mr Mwidau.

He added, “We know ODM is a democratic party hence we should let members select their leaders and not through few leaders endorsing who they feel they can work with. I am asking NED to conduct nominations since we still have time before the nomination deadline.”

Last week, the party officials led by Director of Elections Junet Mohamed, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen and National Elections Board chairperson Catherine Mumma released a list of aspirants proposed for direct tickets on the power of opinion polls.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir was recommended for governor’s position,  Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib were proposed for direct tickets.

Others in Mombasa who were recommended for direct ticket are Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, Senator Mohammed Faki and Nyali parliamentary hopeful Said Abdallah.

Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Felix Tshisekedi today at State House, Nairobi, signed the treaty of accession of the DR Congo into the East African Community (EAC).

The signing of the treaty of accession follows the admission of DR Congo into the EAC as the seventh member of the regional bloc during the virtual 19^th Extraordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State chaired by President Kenyatta on March 29.

Welcoming DR Congo into the EAC, President Kenyatta said the coming of the new member into the Community will open doors of opportunity for expanded trade and cooperation. 

“With the accession of the DRC, our Community's population now stands at about 300 million and our combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will now stand at $250 billion,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State added that the accession of DR Congo as a member of the EAC will also strengthen the economic muscle and competitiveness of the regional economic bloc in the continent as well as globally.

“To my brother and friend President Tshishekedi and the people of the DRC, we welcome you to the EAC Customs Union and the EAC Common Market. 

“These two are the signature pillars of our community and the foundation upon which the social, political, trade, investment and economic interests stand,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta, who is also the chairman of the EAC, pointed out that the accession signature immediately brings DR Congo into the realms and provisions of all the protocols and regional policies of the EAC.

He said the signing will be followed by the immediate removal of all existing Non-Tariff Barriers as well as limitations on the movement of capital, goods, services and people, saying with time this will lead to a major increase in inter-EAC trade.

In this regard, President Kenyatta urged DR Congo to conclude the remaining domestic processes as per its constitution and deposit the instruments of ratification within the stipulated six months period.

The President assured that the Community shall also develop a mechanism for the speedy ratification by DR Congo of the admission of submissions of the Community to the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) processes.

“As agreed by the EAC partner states, the joint submission by EAC will strengthen our voice in the AfCFTA,” President Kenyatta said.

He commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda for the zeal with which he galvanized support from member states for the DR Congo to join the EAC.

On his part, President Tshishekedi said the admission of DR Congo into the EAC was a fulfilment of dreams held by his country’s ancestors more than 60 years ago, adding that it marked a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policy.

“DR Congo will actively play its role within the community so that it can become more stronger and more prosperous,” President Tshishekedi said.

Presidents Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda as well as EAC Secretary General Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki and Kenya’s Industrialization and Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina who holds the East African Community docket in acting capacity also spoke during the ceremony.

President Museveni emphasized the importance of integration, saying it accelerates prosperity through the provision of a broader market for goods and improves regional strategic security.

The Ugandan leader added that the integration of African countries is easier because they share common social infrastructure including language unlike in Europe where language barrier is a big problem.

President Kagame congratulated DR Congo for joining the EAC and pledged to work more closely with all member countries to deepen integration.

The EAC Heads of State wrapped up the ceremony, also witnessed by development partners and representatives of the private sector, by unveiling the new map of the East African Community.

Chaani ward MCA aspirant Nancy Wanjala Mashumbe died in a road accident in Voi , on Thursday.

According to reports Mashumbe was travelling for her brother's funeral scheduled for tomorrow Saturday 9th April, 2022.

The news of her death was shared by former Mombasa senator and UDA gubernatorial candidate for Mombasa governor Hassan Omar on Friday morning.

"I received the news of the passing away of my dear sister Nancy Wanjala Mwashumbe through a tragic road accident with profound shock and sadness." tweeted Omar.

Adding " On my behalf and that of my family, and on behalf of the UDA fraternity, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to her family, friends and supporters and more particularly her husband George Kachumbo Mbogholi and their children."

Omar described her as a a kind and loving person, a teacher to many, a mentor, a leader and an exceptionally good soul whose impact on our society will live forever.

Nancy, a teacher by profession resigned from her position as Deputy Headmistress of the Coast Girls High School in Mombasa on 9th February, 2022 to contest for the Chaani Ward seat in Changamwe Constituency through the UDA.