Youth from Mombasa county have been urged to honour the National Tree Growing Day, on Monday, through planting of trees in their respective sub counties.

According to Capital Youths caucus chairman Evans Momanyi, the day is very important towards achieving the agenda by the Kenya kwanza government of ensuring the wellbeing of the environment.

"This move by the government is welcomed. We need to plant more tress so as to preserve our environment. We have seen what luck of enough trees and lack of conservation of the environment has resulted to in another areas, we dont want to go there" said momanyi.

Adding " My humble appeal to fellow youths is please let us not use this day for other things that will not help us, let us support the government and come out to plant trees."

In a statement issued on Friday, Environment CS Soipan Tuya said at the County level, tree-growing activities will be championed by Cabinet Secretaries with each championing tree-growing activities in at least two counties.

In Mombasa, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen will lead the exercise in Mikindani, Jomvu.

The government intends to plant 500 million tree seedlings during the nationwide tree-planting exercise on Monday.

President William Ruto is set to lead the national tree planting ceremony at the Kiu Wetlands in Makueni County, with similar exercises planned across the country.

"There are 150 million platable seedlings at Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Kenya Forest Service nurseries across the country. County planting teams will avail these seedlings at designated county planting sites." said CS tUYA.

Adding " "If each of us plant at least two seedlings on Monday, we will instantly hit the campaign target for the day of 100 million seedlings."

Mohammed Jahazi, the first Mvita Mp and former assistant minister has died, his family has confirmed.

The veteran politician died on Sunday at the Mombasa hospital where he was receiving treatment.

Jahazi who untill his death was the Chairman Mombasa county council of elders was one of the close ally of former President Daniel Moi.

In one of his recent media interviews, Jahazi shared how he used to drive Moi around Mombasa town whenever he visited the town.

" He used to come down with president Jomo Kenyatta and he would stay at oceanic hotel. He used to call me there and since he was not a party animal he would ask me to show him around town." Jahazi told the Star newspaper.

Jahazi also shared how was arrested by the dreaded special branch unit for allegedly celebrating the attempted 1982 coup.

"I was detained at the Central Police Station for two days. I have never seen more scary people in my life than the people who were interrogating me. They (Special Branch) said they had information that I had been celebrating in the streets as early as 8am. But I only learnt of the attempted coup at 10am.”  Jahazi said.

Jahazi will be laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in Mombasa.

The local manufacturers showcase dubbed Changamka Festival organized by the Kenya Association of Manufacturer officially came to a close with a clarion call to Kenyans to continue supporting locally manufactured goods to promote growth in the sector.

The festival which registered great footfall saw shoppers seek products such as clothes, foodstuffs such as maize flour, wheat flour, and legumes, as well as pure honey, shoes, and machinery spare parts among others from Kenyan local manufacturers through the week in a bid to experience and promote quality.

The push for locally manufactured goods to be embraced by millions of Kenya has been one of the major pushes by the government through the Ministry of Trade under the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative. The festival was aimed at wading off the analogy that locally manufactured products are expensive and of low quality.

The shopping festival saw high-ranking state officials from both the County Government of Nairobi and the National Government visit KICC to interact with both the local manufacturers and customers, giving prominence to the event and a clear indication of the government’s hand in pushing for the consumption of locally made products.

Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Permanent Secretary State Department for Industry called on Kenyans to normalize buying from local manufacturers as one of the ways of challenging them and propelling them to international markets.

“There is no doubt that local manufacturing plays a major role in the growth of this country economically. As a government, our focus on promoting sustainable policies to promote local manufacturing is clear. We will continue working with local manufacturing players to create a conducive business environment to increase the contribution to GDP by the manufacturing sector from the current 7.2% to 20% by 2030,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Co-operatives & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Simon Chelugui was among the high-ranking government officials who paid a visit to local manufacturers and businesses at the KICC.

“It is our desire and wish as a ministry to support these upcoming corporates, who are SMEs and the backbone of our economy. Many of them are adding value to many of our produce and it helps the economy down the value chain. Giving support through initiatives such as the Changamka Shopping Festival allows them to showcase what they have to offer to their customers,” said the CS.

The CSs visit came at a time when a conversation was ongoing on the worrying trend of small businesses shutting down en masse due to unfriendly taxes, the high cost of doing business, and the ever-reducing purchasing power of Kenyans. Stats from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed that five years to 2016, at least 2.2 million SMEs had shut down, translating to 450,000 annually, 30,000 monthly, and 1,000 daily.

CS Chelugui attributed the massive shutdown of SMEs to the absence of policies that are tailored towards protecting SMEs and giving them a lifeline in terms of timely payments when they supply their goods and services.

The CS said the Ministry was working towards setting up a policy that will see suppliers from the SME sector paid promptly to shield them from collapsing due to delayed payment. He added that many small businesses are struggling to remain afloat due to delayed payment and promised that his ministry will ensure that this is changed.

Micro, and Small Enterprise Authority Chairman, Mr. James Mureu also highlighted the event and praised the government for initiatives such as the Hustler Fund for small businesses saying it has played a role in keeping thousands of them in business. “The SMEs in Kenya should remove the competition from among themselves and look at competing with other players such as the Chinese so that our local products can break even and feature in global markets,” he said.

Mr. Mureu added that the Authority was also working towards ensuring that all small businesses have specific zones with shades arranged according to the sector one has majored in to harmonize the sector and give it more prominence.

As the festival came to an end, the main highlight was the amplification of the fact that local manufacturing is the backbone of Kenya’s economy contributing about 7.8 percent to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP), as well as employing the highest number of wage earners, with 352,000 people.

It is on that premise that the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has been at the forefront of pushing for the consumption of locally manufactured goods and breaking the long-standing myth that local products are more expensive as compared to those that are imported. Through initiatives such as the Changamka Festival, KAM hopes to boost production among manufacturers and spur Kenya’s economic growth.

The festivalwhich went down at the Kenyatta International conference centre (KICC\) was sponsored by Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), KCB Group, NCBA Bank, GIZ – support on behalf of the Republic of Finland and the Federal Republic of Germany, Price Kata/Integral Media, Eco Bank, Nairobi City County, Smart Expo and Amonex Enterprises Limited.

Liz Wakesho is the new Miss County Kenya 2023.

Liz who also holds the title of Miss County Taita Taveta county was crowned on Friday during the Miss County Kenya national finals held in Mombasa.

The event was graced by Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Mombasa Women representative Zamzam Mohammed among other guests.

The 19-Year-Old Bachelor of information, security and forensic student at KCA walked away with a brand new car and ksh 120,000.

In her speech CS Nakhumicha encouraged the youth to work on their talents.

"The government is very keen in empowering our young people through monetizing the talents. I urge the participants to continue using their beauty and talent to impact the world positively by engaging in activities that will change the world, such as climate change activities and health and lifestyle awareness." said Nakhumicha.

Liz takes over from Prudence Tendwa from Trans Nzoia county.

President William Ruto has offficially launched Phase 2 of the Buxton Point affordable housing project and Mzizima project.

Speaking during the launch on Thursday Ruto noted that his affordable housing project will help Kenyans own decent homes.

The president emphasized on the need for implementation of the program saying it will not only help Kenyans get decent houses but also create jobs.

"This is our chance to change and transform our country when it comes to housing. Every Kenyan deserve a decent home " said Rutio.

Ruto said the affordable housing program will be funded by the housing fund adding that all affordable housing projects will work under strict guidelines that will ensure rent is paid under Tenant Purchase Scheme and for all the three strata of social housing, affordable housing and market price housing.

Those under social housing will pay rents ranging from Sh3,000 - Sh5,000, those under affordable housing will pay between Sh5,000 and Sh15,000 and those under market prices will pay as per agreement with the developer.

On his part the GulfCap Real Estate chairman Suleiman Shahbal called on leaders to support the program and stop criticising it.

He further insisted that his main agenda is to ensure that Mombasa residents get decent and affordable houses.

The death of celebrated singer Ally B known for his pivotal role in promoting Coast music has prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes not only from music fans in the country but also top political leaders led by President William Ruto.

Ally B, whose real name is Ali Khamisi Mwaliguli breathed his last on Wednesday. 

He reportedly died while undergoing treatment at the Coast general hospital, after a short illness.

Ally B known for his famous hits like 'Kadzo', 'Maria', 'Bembea' among others tried his luck in politics in 2017 vying for the Junda ward representative seat on a jubilee ticket but lost.

Below are the condolence messages from political leaders.

President William Ruto

In his message of condolence President William Ruto said the late singer used his music to promote peace in the country.

Senate speaker Amason Kingi has expressed his sadness following the demise of legendary Coast singer Ally B.

Through social media, Kingi who is also the former Kilifi county Governor described the deceased as a prolific musician who was extremely gifted.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of Ally B, who passed on today in Mombasa." said Kingi.

Adding "Ally B was a talented artiste whose music featured prominently in the entertainment landscape both at the Coast, across Kenya and beyond our borders. We have lost a young and dynamic youth who was an inspiration to many upcoming artistes. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Ally B famed for hits like Maria, Mkufu Wangu, Bembea, Kadzo, Naona Raha and Ziki La Nazi, among others.

The mellow-voiced crooner was declared dead at the Makadara hospital in Mombasa where he was rushed after complaining of feeling unwell.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3507-singer-ally-b-is-dead

Before his sudden demise, Ally B had spent his day at Kilifi running his daily business.

The Coast music industry is mourning the sudden demise of legendary singer Ally B.

According to a family source the singer died on Wednesday afternoon at the Coast general hospital after a short illness.

"He came home from Kilifi this afternoon and complained of feeling unwell, we rushed him to the hospital where he passed on" said the family source.

Family members are currently meeting to prepare for his burial.

Several artists have so far taken to social media to mourn their colleague who was famous for hits like 'Maria', 'Kadzo' among others.

''R.I.P Bro" posted Jaguar.

Kaa la Moto posted '' Really Brother, you had to leave. Iam out of words. Asante for all what you did for the industry and culture . May your soul rest in peace. Goodbye and rest in peace LEGEND ALI B"

The late was also famous for his special genre of music 'Ziki la Nazi'.

Kenya Railways has announced new new fares for the Madaraka express passenger express (SGR).

You will now pay kshs 1500 for economy class from Mombasa to Nairobi up from kshs 1,000. For first class you will pay kshs 4500 up from kshs 3,000.

According to a statement from Kenya Railways the new fares are as a result of the increase in fuel prices.

"This increase is informed by changes in the energy and petroleum sector where prices of fuel have significantly increased thus affecting the cost of our operations" reads the statement.

Adding " The new fares come into effect on January 1,2021. Customers making advance purchases for the Madaraka Express passenger will notice the adjusted fares as of November 1, 2023 to take into account the advance ticket purchasing window of 60 days."

The new changes also affect the Nairobi commuter rail service, Kisumu safari train and Nanyuki safari train.