Ommy Dallah
Ruto, Raila Mourn Renowned Kenyan Football Fan Isaac Juma
Deputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have led in mourning the death of popular football fan Isaac Juma,56, was allegedly hacked to death last night by unknown people at his family home in Rukaya village, Mumias.
According to Juma's wife, Farida Juma, he was involved in land feud.
Kenyans took to social media to mourn his death.
In his condolence message, Deputy President William Ruto described Juma as friendly, ever jovial and passionate about football.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of the ever-present AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars longstanding fan Isaac Juma. He was a friendly, ever jovial and passionate soccer supporter. Our thoughts are with the family and soccer fraternity during this painful time. Rest In Peace, Juma." said Ruto.
On his part ODM leader Raila Odinga called for speedy investigation into his death and those responsible for the death brought to book.
"Isaac Juma Onyango, a passionate supporter of the ODM Party who impressed many with his captivating display of support was senselessly murdered on Tuesday night at his home in Mumias. Those behind his killing must be brought to book. My condolences go to his family and friends."
Mombasa County Kicks Off Construction Of 3,200 Low Cost Housing Units In Likoni
The County government of Mombasa is set to undertake the Likoni Estates redevelopment project to construct 3,200 housing units at an estimated cost of Sh8 billion.
The county has partnered with Goldland Rinco Company Limited that has been awarded the project to develop the housing units under a public-private partnership agreement.
It will consist of 1,600 three bedroom units, 1,000 two bedroom units and 600 one bedroom units once completed.
The project will be undertaken in two estates owned by the county, that is Likoni Flats and Likoni Customs which now are both home to 348 families.
On Wednesday morning, the county government began a three-day public participation forum to collect views from the tenants and other Likoni residents living near the area.
Briefing the media at the Mwahima Stadium in Likoni, Dr. June Mwajuma, lands and housing chief officer said that so far the project was going on well with talks currently underway with the tenants on how to move them out.
She said that once completed, first priority will be given to the tenants and people residing in Likoni before consideration is given to other Mombasa residents outside Likoni.
“We expect to break ground in July and complete the project in two years’ time, first priority will be given to the 348 tenants and Likoni residents once the project is complete,” said Mwajuma.
She said that the low cost housing project was in line with the country’s big four agenda on housing as outlined by president Uhuru Kenyatta adding that they had already agreed on a relocation plan with the tenants.
“We have had several meetings with the tenants concerning their relocation as we undertake the project, we have proposed to give them sh150,000, we are still in talks and hope that we shall soon reach an agreement,” she said.
She added that the cost of each housing unit will be determined by a survey on the current market value adding that the residents will enjoy a sh200,000 discount on the housing unit they purchase.
The tenants however refused the sh150,000 relocation fee saying that it was too little. They called on the county and the developer to raise the amount to at least sh250,000.
“The amount is too little if you compare with the time we will be out until the project is complete, some of us had established business here meaning that as we move out, we have to find how we are going to reestablish our businesses,” said Steven Otieno, a resident of Likoni Flats.
Otieno called for transparency in the entire process of allocating houses once the project is complete sighting that some of them feared getting shortchanged by the developer once the project is completed.
His sentiments were echoed by Rehema Chao who said that they needed ample time to move out because they had children who were in school expecting to sit for their national examinations soon.
“We are not opposed to the project, but you have to consider our school-going children, if you move us out now, how will they be able to prepare for their national exams?” she posed.
The sessions will go on until Friday before a report on the environment and social impact study and public consultation meeting with the tenants and residents is prepared.
Olakira Becomes First African To Bag Deal With Luxurious Car Company, Maserati
Fast rising Nigerian star and Maserati hitmaker Olakira kicks off the year with good news as he bags a massive global endorsement deal with Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer, Maserati.
The news of the endorsement was shared on Maserati social media platform and is in recognition of his smash hit, ‘In My Maserati’,
The song which became an instant hit in East Africa and globally has garnered over 100million views on YouTube and online streaming platforms worldwide.
In a video shared on the brand’s official Instagram page, the singer could barely hide his shock at the amazing deal that he received as a surprise during a recent foreign trip.
As part of the deal, the superstar will have access to Maserati Luxury Cars in any country he visits.The Hop in my Maserati line has leapt out of the lyrics and hit the road.
This is the first time the Maserati brand is going into collaboration with an African artiste.
Prezzo Dumps Kalonzo Musyoka
Kenyan rapper turn politician Prezzo has announced his resignation from Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party.
Prezzo took to Instagram on Monday, and shared a snippet of an official approved letter addressed to the Secretary General of the Wiper Party seeking his exit from the party.
“I write to inform you of my decision to resign from Wiper Democratic Party of Kenya under section 14 (1) (a) of the political parties act as read with article 38 of the constitution, effective today,” reads the letter.
Adding "“I wish the party and its leadership and members all the best in their future endeavours,”.
He However did not reveal the reason behind his resignation nor the party he will join next.
The rapper is eyeing the Kasarani Mp seat in the coming August elections.
He joined wiper in 2019 when he wanted to contest in the Kibra by-elections on November 2019, following the death of the late Mp Ken Okoth. Wiper decided not to field a candidate because ANC and Ford Kenya supported them in the Embakasi South parliamentary seat.
In his latest post on instagram Prezzo said "Wengi wao wanaenda studio kupiga picha kama wamevaa tai na wamekunja shati kuwafunika macho. Tusiwe vipofu. KASARANI it is wangu!, Na Chama ntawapeleka rieng ila cha msingi...Deadline ni 6th Feb. Chezeni ki nyinyi. Sitawangusha."
Prezzo joins a list of other celebrities who have also come out to make public their decisions to run for political office, they include radio presenter Jalangó, comedian MC Jesse among others.
On Monday, Starehe Mp Charles Njagua joined Deputy president William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
https://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2652-jaguar-officially-joins-ruto-s-uda
Governor Kibwana Disowns His Deputy For Joining Ruto's UDA Camp
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has disowned his Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau after she joined Deputy President William Ruto’s political camp.
In a statement, Kibwana notes that he is shocked by Mwau's decision to join UDA.
Mwau who is eyeing the Makueni Woman Representative seat in the August 9, 2022 General Election, was on Tuesday morning, January 25 received by Ruto at his Karen residence in Nairobi.
“The Hustler nation is growing bigger and bigger. This morning, we welcome Adelina Mwau, the Deputy Governor of Makueni County, to UDA. Karibu Mama,” Ruto said in a tweet.
In his statement governor Kibwana said Mwau's move has put their working together on the edge.
"My attention has been drawn to clandestine dealings between Adelina Mwau (deputy governor Makueni County) and United Democratic Alliance. She had even pledged to take with her a huge delegation of our common political friends to UDA, who declined her overtures." reads the statement.
Adding" I wish to categorically make it clear, Makueni people have expressed their intention to support #AzimioLaUmoja and will not be hoodwinked by people seeking self-aggrandizement."
"While I respect Adelina for the good working relations for the last 9 years, her latest move puts our working together on the edge. The voice of the people of Makueni has always been our guide in decision making. I will not abandon that principle for political expediency. ADELINA will walk alone."
Kenya And USA Call For Speedy Resolution Of Ethiopian Conflict
Kenya and the United States of America have agreed to continue engaging the conflicting parties in Ethiopia with the aim of seeing a speedy resolution to the conflict in the Horn of Africa country.
At a meeting at State House, Nairobi on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta and the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Amb David Satterfield emphasized that peace in Ethiopia is crucial for the region’s stability.
Amb Satterfield commended President Kenyatta for his committed efforts towards ending the conflict between the Federal Government and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
“We believe that your role (in ending the Ethiopian conflict) was and remains extremely important. We appreciate the role Kenya has continued to play in the Horn of Africa region.
“We do look to your help and support in Ethiopia. We do not want the work you have done in that country to go to waste,” the visiting Special Envoy said.
On his part, President Kenyatta observed that Kenya and Ethiopia have been working together progressively especially in telecommunication and infrastructure development, adding that the internal conflict in the Horn of Africa country should not be allowed to continue as it will erode the progress made.
“A strong Ethiopia is important to us. A stable Ethiopia is important to us. That is why we are committed to doing all we can to see the conflict resolved,” the President said.
Besides the Ethiopian conflict, President Kenyatta and Amb Satterfield also discussed the peace and security situation in Sudan and Somalia at the meeting that was also attended by Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua and Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo among other senior Government officials.
Hussein Mohammed To Head Ruto's Presidential Communication Team
Former Citizen Tv presenter Hussein Mohammed has been appointed head of communications in Deputy president William Ruto's presidential campaign team.
Mohammed's appointment was announced by Dp Ruto through his official social media handles.
He will be in charge of Ruto's presidential campaigns communications ahead of the coming elections.
"Hussein Mohamed, a renowned TV journalist, has been appointed Head of Communications in the William Ruto Presidential Campaign. Welcome to the Hustler team," DP said.
Mohammed is famed for his hard-hitting Tv interviews.
Jaguar Officially Joins Ruto's UDA
Starehe MP Charles Njagua, popularly known as Jaguar has officially joined Deputy President William Ruto's camp.
The singer turned politician was received by the DP Monday morning, at his official residence in Karen.
"Starehe MP Charles Njagua alias Jaguar joins the United Democratic Alliance. The Hustler Nation continues to grow." posted Dp Ruto.
Jaguar will now face off with EALA MP Simon Mbugua in the UDA party nominations.
Speaking after the announcement, Jaguar said that after much deliberation, he has learnt that the bottom-up economic model best suits the people of Starehe Constituency, his electorate.
"A time has come and decisions have to be made, the welfare of the people has to be considered. Starehe is a cosmopolitan constituency with many Small Medium Enterprises(SMEs) and the bottom-up ideology suits them best," he said.
Adding ""Due to this, I feel that working with the Deputy President in his party as he runs for his presidential bid and as he works towards implementing his policies is the best option for my people of Starehe."
Jaguar becomes the latest celebrity to announce their allegiance to the UDA party.
Last week, popular comedian and Churchill Show Host, Jasper Muthomi, alias Mc Jessy, announced his interest in securing Imenti South parliamentary seat on a UDA party ticket.
Shahbal Meets Luo Professionals, Seeks Support For His Gubernatorial Bid
The Luo professionals group in Mombasa has thrown its weight behind Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal’s bid to become the next Mombasa governor.
Shahbal hosted the group for dinner on Friday night in a Mombasa hotel where the group led by its chairman Pius Oketch endorsed him to vie for the position.
Speaking during the event, Oketch lamented that the Luo community in Mombasa were disappointed with governor Joho’s administration in his second term in office saying that as a community they don’t have much to talk about even after overwhelmingly voting for him.
Oketch said that the strength of the community in the county cannot be underestimated because they come third to the Mijikenda and the Kamba community as the largest voting blocks in the county.
He added that the community has consistently voting as a bloc heeding to what ODM party leader Raila Odinga has said, however they were now getting tired because it was not working for them.
“For a very long time before devolution, Luos were at the top during the defunct city council, after devolution there has been that systematic face off of our people, it is one of the reason we came up with this group because we realized we were being taken for granted,” said Oketch.
The group pledged to rally the entire community in Mombasa to vote for Shahbal as their preferred candidate of choice to replace Joho at the helm of the county.
“Bwana Shahbal I want to assure you our unconditional support, we have agreed that we are going to support your candidature,” he added.
They raised a number of issues that they would as a community wish to be addressed range from equality in available job opportunities, fair distribution of bursaries among others.
The group’s secretary general Nicholas Kisara echoed Oketch’s sentiments adding that they were going to support him to the end.
“Right now we have chosen this path, we will walk with you if you allow us to walk with you, we will not go back whatever happens, we will walk this journey to the end,” he said.
Shahbal on his part assured them of his commitment to work with the larger Luo community living in Mombasa under his administration if elected governor.
He said that Mombasa was yearning for change and he was ready and capable of bringing the much needed and desired change given the chance.
“As my party leader Raila Odinga is leading the third economic liberation in the country, he wants serious people who can deliver the change, things in this county must change,” said Shahbal.
He added that the dream he envisioned for Mombasa back in 2013 when he vied for the first time was very much alive and even better improved as he promised to make changes and transform the various sectors in the county.
“Nobody in this county is going to accept projects , change must come. My vision for Mombasa has never weathered since 2013, for there to be change we must work for it. We must reclaim this city,” he added.
Shahbal’s endorsement by the group is expected to create political waves within members of the luo community living in Mombasa who seem to be divided over who to support to succeed Joho.
Gabiro Mtu Necessary Hits 1 Million Streams On Boomplay
Award winning and Grammy recognized Kisumu based musician Gabiro Mtu Necessary has joined the list of Kenyan artists with over 1 million streams on Boomplay this week and he is set to be the first Kisumu based musician to hit this milestone.
Gabiro is one of the three Kenyan and East African musicians who got considered for the 64th Grammy awards with his project JENESIS EP being considered under the Best Global Music album category alongside Victoria Kimani.
Starting out as a traditional band member back in 2013, Gabiro Mtu Necessary drew his earliest inspirations from the likes of Octopizzo, Lucky Dube, Khuli Chana, Juliani and a host of others.
He is steadily building a reputation for Kisumu’s best lyricist, and but also shares his personal struggles through his art. From working as a matatu tout to battling drug abuse, Gabiro’s ability to tell stories separates him from rap music ‘status quo’.
In December 2021, he released the first music video off JENESIS EP for the song Pop Star that has since garnered over 12,000 views on Youtube since the day of its release.
Taking the news to his social media Mtu Necessary captioned his post and wrote:
“My daddy up in heaven he visits me when I’m dreaming and I can feel his spirit connecting me to my genius…I’m blessed, shredded up so I flex. Thank you guys for giving me 1 million+ streams on Boomplay and may this be the beginning of many more achievements. Saint John album is that you…?”
With a strong social media presence and active fans and followers Gabiro is a force to reckon with not just in the digital space but he also commands a big influence in his hometown of Kisumu.