Hordes of reporters and bloggers from Mombasa were on Saturday left disappointed after Nigerian singer Omah Lay's press conference was called off at the last minute.

The 'Godly' hitmaker was scheduled to address a media briefing at a hotel in Mombasa, a day after he failed to perform at the B-club beach festival on new year's eve. He had earlier posted the poster of the show on his instagram page, the post was however deleted from his page on Saturday afternoon.

It is still not yet clear why he did not show up for the show and why he has deleted the post.

Journalists and bloggers arrived at the hotel on time for the meeting but were shocked to see Omah Lay leaving the hotel in the presence of Kenyan singer Tanasha Donna.

" Why is he doing this to us. He calls for a media briefing we arrive even before the communicated time and the funny thing is he just heads to his car with Tanasha donna and drive off without a word " shouted one of the journalists.

There have been wild speculations that Tanasha Donna is dating the Nigerian singer after they were seen hanging out together.

On November last year, while addressing a media briefing in Nairobi, Omah Lay said he said he has a Kenyan girl.

"I have a Kenyan girlfriend. But I am single for everybody, the love from Kenya is amazing." he said.

When asked if he is dating Tanasha Donna, he responded ""I am single. I said I had a Kenyan girlfriend but I am single. I don't wanna talk about the rumours on Instagram... The videos and stuff,"

Kenyans from different walks of life flocked the Coastal city of Mombasa to usher in the new year 2022 in style.

Thousands thronged public beaches, hotels and the Mama Ngina Waterfront for dance and party.

Governor Hassan Joho joined revellers at the Mama Ngina Waterfront for the Governor's new year fireworks and concert. The event was graced by several artists including Tanzanian artist AliKiba, King Kaka, Femi One, Nyashinski, Redsan, Susumila among others.

Hundreds of local and international tourists also thronged the Sarova Whitesands hotel for a spectacular new year eve dinner and concert graced by singer Nyashinski

And as the clock struck midnight the skyline was turned into a multi-coloured maze as all the different venues staged spectacular displays of fireworks.

The tourism and hospitality sector in the coast region has received a boost with the arrival of the spiritual leader of Shree Swaminarayangadi Siddhanth Sajivan Mandal Maninagar, Ahmedabad, India.

His Divine Holiness Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj arrived in the the Coast accompanied by his saints and devotees.

The local flight carrying the new spiritual leader and his entourage touched down at Mombasa's Moi international  airport in the afternoon to a warm reception from local leaders during his maiden trip to the country.

The spiritual leader who took over from his predecessor His Divine Holiness Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj will be in the region for a week-long prayers tour and usher in the new year in the coastal city.

The entourage liaison officer Nautamlala Sanghani [Nunu] alias Simba confirmed the spiritual leader will conduct special prayers for peace and tranquility to prevail before and after next year’s polls ahead of the new year celebrations.

 He pointed out the spiritual leader's functions are guided by the health guideline under the COVID-19 pandemic protocol in line with the government directive.

"We will be abide with government guidelines on the pandemic protocol under the health ministry,’’ he pointed out. 

Business at the airport came to a standstill with community members struggling to get his grip and to take blessings and selfies of his arrival on their mobile phones.

Tourism stakeholders drawn from the coast region have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ministry of health directive that requires all tourists to show proof of vaccination before accessing their facilities.

Led by the Kenya Coast Tourism Association KCTA chairperson Victor Shitakha, they described the directive as draconic and illegal only meant to destabilize the already struggling industry that was picking up its pieces.

Addressing the media on Wednesday  afternoon, Shitakha said that most of their facilities in the region ignored the illegal and ill-advised directive that he said when announced led to the cancelation of a number of bookings in several hotels.

He said that the industry was expecting to capitalize on the festive season with hotels which were not operating fully beginning to pick up but the directive threatened to derail that.

“They chose December when business was booming, Mombasa and the region was just starting to pick up. Hotels were full with 90 to 100 percent bed occupancy and bookings, tour operators had business coming in and then this draconic and illegal directive is given,” said Shitakha.

According to Shitakha, most of the hotels ignored to implement the directive allowing people to come in choosing to rather follow all other laid out protocols put in place to combat the pandemic.

“We would like to ask the ministry of health to be sensitive with the hotels and the tourism industry, we have gone through a lot and just when industry is picking up they come with such kind of directives,” said Shitakha.

According to the directive, the government was going to deny all unvaccinated Kenyans from accessing government services in all public offices.

Further, it ordered all hotels, bars, restaurants, public parks and game reserves, the transport sector all to ask for proof of vaccination before allowing people in.

The implementation of the directive was however halted by the High court though the health ministry still insisted on its full implementation and was to come into place starting December 21st.

Shitakha said that they were not against vaccination arguing that getting vaccinated was not an obligation but rather a choice for one to make individually adding that denying people services or blocking them from accessing certain places was going against constitutional rights.

He added that it seemed as if there was a deliberate attempt to scuttle the tourism industry in the region and the country at large.  

He added that the industry was the most hard hit by the pandemic when it first struck in March 2020, they were forced to put in place and implement expensive protocols outlined to combat it.

“They offered us a Sh3 billion stimulus package which was supposed to cushion the industry, and then they turned it into a loan where you could take so little only to upgrade your hotel,” he said.

He further took issue with the National Industrial Training Authority now requiring them to pay training levies saying that it had nothing to do with the hospitality industry.

He said that the industry was already paying a percent percent levy to the tourism fund as required by the law.

Shitakha further took issues with the Tourism ministry for failing to speak on behalf of the sector adding that the ministry had failed the sector and had not done enough to protect it.

The minister for tourism Najib Balala was present when his Health counterpart made the announcement two week earlier to the December 21st set deadline.

“He should have spoken on behalf of the tourism industry, I have nothing against him and neither I’m I blaming him as an individual, Balala is my good friend. I’m only blaming the ministry and some team players within it for failing to speak on our behalf when the directive was being issued,” said Shitakha.

He further blamed the Labour ministry for failing to speak on the matter affecting an industry that employs a big number of people who were rendered jobless for some time occasioned by the pandemic.

On his part Kenya Union Of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals & Allied Workers (Kudheiha) Mombasa branch Secretary Zack Osore called on the government to consider engaging the tourism and hospitality operators to find alternative ways to addressing the outstanding issues in order for the sector to fully recover and create more jobs.

"We are telling the government to reconsider this directive since many employees have lost hope of retaining their livelihoods" said Osore.

Jomvu member of parliament Badi Twalib has mourned the death of the rhumba maestro Lulendo Matumona popularly known as General Defao who passed away on Monday after falling sick.

The 62-year-old renowned Congolese singer and songwriter passed away at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala Cameroon where he was admitted after falling sick when he had gone to perform for the festive season.

The Mp, a rhumba enthusiast described Defao as a legend and a house hold name who shook the radio airwaves from the 70s and 90s together with the likes of Nniboma Mwadidio, Nyoka Longo Mvula, Bozi Boziana and Mbilia Bell who were all part of his musical generation.

He sent his condolences to his family and all rhumba fans and lovers both in Congo and Kenya and across East Africa given that DR Congo recently joined the East African Community.

“I send my sincere condolences to the Defao family and all the rhumba lovers across the east African region, I am a big fun of rhumba music especially Ferre Golla, the general’s death has come as a big shock to us, we shall dearly miss him, rest in peace General Defao,” said Twalib

He also sent his condolences to one of the biggest rhumba presenters uncle Fred Obachi Machoka of Royal Media Services and Westlands member of parliament Tim Wanyonyi another ardent rhumba lover for the loss of one of their favorite legendary artist.

Twalib said that the rhumba genre music had evolved so much and had now become a household type of music for all generations unlike before when it was only associated with the older generation.

He called on upcoming artists in the country to be consistence and not be in a hurry to get quick success urging them to exercise patience adding that the music industry pays well if one puts in discipline and has work ethics and principals.

“Consistency in anything is what matters a lot, I urge all our artists in the country to realize that artists like the late General Defao began music in the 70s and made it because they had principals and discipline” said Twalib

Several Congolese artists including Fally Ipupa, Ferre Gola, Barbara Kanam took to social media to to express their sadness and mourn the legend as soon as the announcement of his death was confirmed and made public.

Defao, the ‘Sala Noki’ singer will be fondly remembered for his melodious voice and silky dance moves that lift up audiences whenever he took on the stage to perform.

Born in Kinshasa in December 31, 1958, General Defao who was days away from marking his 63rd birthday began his singing career in 1978 as a teenager as part of Orchestre Suka Movema.

He also had brief stints with Fogo Stars and Somo West before joining Grand Zaiko Wawa and later becoming an integral part of Choc Stars.

Towards the end of 1990, he quit Choc Stars and formed Big stars with Djo where he released several albums in 1999 before they parted ways.

At that time, he faced a lot of hostility in his country from the powers that be forcing him to run into exile in early 2000s where he lived in Kenya for almost two decades before returning back to Congo again around 2019.

Celebrated Jamaican Dancehall King Konshens is set to land in Kenya tomorrow night for a much-awaited concert in the city that will usher in the New Year in Carnivore on 31st December. 

The #NRGWAVE will feature Kenya’s top a de top artistes including Sauti Sol, Fena, Benzema and Khaligraph in a fire combo geared to keep revelers on their feet as they celebrate the dawn of a new era after the crazy year that has been. 

Konshens of “Thank God for Di Gal Dem” and “Do Sum’n” fame has always had a soft spot for Kenya having performed in the country previously and has been looking forward to meet fans from his favorite country in the continent.

Throughout this period, he has constantly been engaging fans online to assure them he is looking forward to an electric performance.

#NRGWave has been a key catalyst in driving youth culture in Kenya giving the Kenyan youth demographic global standard entertainment experience.

 #NRGWave has previously featured big-time international and local artists' such as Rick Ross, Kenny Latimore, Buju Banton Burna boy, Khaligraph Jones, Fena, Diamond Platinumz among others.

Brought to you by BeMobile &NRG Radio, all roads lead to Carnivore on Friday 31st December from 4.00pm for the 6th Edition of the #NRGWAVE. 

Get your tickets at www.mtickets.com or dial *229*30#.

Popular Tanzanian singer Aslay Isihaka alias Aslay has recorded a campaign song promoting Mvita MP AbdulSwamad Shariff Nassir’s bid for the Mombasa County Gubernatorial seat ahead of the 2022 General Election.

In the song dubbed “Tubebe Shariff  Nassir” recently released, the 26-years old artist has heaped praise of the legislator’s track record saying, he is the guy to beat in the hotly contested seat.

“He(Nassir) has been doing great things in Mombasa. We stay in Tanzania but we see the amazing work he has done. May the almighty bless him, to get this seat,” said Aslay in a short video seen by OmmyDallah.

He added: “His dad was a good man, and Nassir’s reputation precedes his dad’s”.

On Monday, Aslay met Nassir at his office in Mombasa where they discussed several issues among them promoting local talents.

With less than eight months to Kenya's general election, temperatures are rising and campaigns are in full gear as politicians use every means possible to gain popularity to wrap up numbers.

One of the popular undying campaign strategies is to have celebrated musicians compose a campaign song promoting a politician’s manifesto. 

Nassir laid bare his intention to vie for the Mombasa County top seat in the forthcoming polls slated for August 9, 2022.

The law-maker is firstly expected to jostle for the ODM ticket against his main rival Suleiman Shahbal and Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr. William Kingi.

Beyond party nominations, Nassir will face former Mombasa senator Omar Hassan Sarai who will contest the governor’s seat on a UDA ticket and Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo who will run on a Wiper Ticket.

Sensational  singer Willy Paul is the latest Kenyan celebrity to declare interest for a political seat in the 2022 general election.

The singer took to social media to announce his intentuion to vie for the Mathare parliamentary seat, in Nairobi county.

“Are you ready Mathare? Let’s bring that change,” he said.

Willy Paul will be seeking to oust MP Anthony Oluoch who was 2017 elected on an ODM ticket.

He joins a list of other celebrities joining the murky waters that is Kenyan politics.

Others are Gospel singer Rufftone who is eyeing the Nairobi Senator seat, Comedian Jalang’o (Felix Odiwour) who recently announced that he would run for Lang’ata MP, Comedian MC Jessy vying for South Imenti MP seat, Jamali Gaddafi vying for the Malindi Mp seat.

Davidson Ngibuini, aka DNG, has also shown interest in vying for the Woodley-Kenyatta Golf Course ward in the Nairobi county assembly.

Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib and his Mvita counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir  continued to rally support for ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s race to state house in the 2022 general elections.

Speaking on Sunday evening during the Annual Boat Racing Competition organized by the Jomvu NG-CDF office held at the Mkupe Creek, Twalib said that Raila was best fit to continue with president Uhuru’s development agenda in the country.

He said that the country needed a safe pair of hands after president Uhuru exits statehouse adding that it is in Raila’s hands that the country was going to be safe and prosperous.

Twalib further hailed the president and his ‘handshake brother’ for commissioning and accomplishing a number of road and infrastructure projects in Mombasa a majority of which he said were located and passed along his Jomvu constituency.

“We have a number of infrastructure projects being undertaken by president Uhuru Kenyatta’s government that are located here in Jomvu, all this is as a result of the peace and tranquility we enjoy in the country courtesy of the handshake between Raila and the president,” said Twalib.

He called on Raila to appoint Joho once he forms the next government given that Joho was not going for any elective post in the next general elections as he focuses all his efforts to campaign for his party leader.

“I want to be on record today as I appeal to you to vote for Raila and the ODM party next year so that we can continue with the development agenda in the country,” he said.

The legislature also used the opportunity to continue to rally support for his colleague Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir who intends to succeed outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho at the helm of the county.

Twalib further called on the residents to maintain peace during the campaigns warning them against being divided along tribal and religious lines.

His sentiments were backed by Nassir who called on all Member of county Assembly (MCA) aspirants to do peaceful campaigns as they popularize their candidature to the populace at the grassroot level.

“My call to all of the MCA’s and aspirants present here today, the people you see here are all our people, as you go to seek for their votes, do it peacefully by selling your agender to them but not inciting them to turn against each other,” said Nassir.

Nassir exuded confidence that he would clinch the Mombasa governor’s seat next year adding that his administration will collaborate with all the MP’s in the six Mombasa sub-counties to ensure that they deliver to the mwananchi.

He further promised to come up with a Ward development kitty to ensure that services are availed closer to the people adding that the move would stir growth and development from the ward level.

“I have faith that after 2022 we shall come back here with Badi as your MP and I as your governor, ours will be a collaborative government that will serve your interest. I further want to assure the MCA’s here that we shall set aside a budget for them that will be used for development programs at the ward level,” said Nassir.

Nassir also joined Twalib in appealing to Jomvu and Mombasa residents to vote for Odinga in the 2022 general elections.

“We cannot have the strength as governors, Mps and MCAs to bring more development if we don’t have Raila as our president, give us ‘baba’ at the top and see how we can transform the country,” he added.