Pomp and colour marked the seventh annual Mombasa Business Awards on Friday evening at the magnificent Jumeirah Beach Front Hotel in Nyali.

The event attended by several dignitaries led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho saw different institutions, companies and individuals being awarded for their exemplary work.

The awards, which did not happen last year because of Covid-19 pandemic, recognized 24 companies that reacted quickly and strongly to the pandemic to survive and indeed thrive. 

Other guests present included; Kenya Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mombasa chapter chair Mustafa Ramadhan, KNCCI Mombasa CEO James Kitavi, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib and Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

In his speech Governor Joho challenged businesses to be innovative to stay afloat during this time of the pandemic.

On their part, members of the business community called for a peaceful electioneering process as the country heads towards the 2022 general elections.

The Winner

Award for the Best Small Business

Jonstac Supplies and Enterprise

The Winner for

Award for the Best Medium Business

Damac Properties (K)Limited

The Winner for

Award for the Best use of Technology

I Spy Africa

The Winner for

Award for the Most Preferred Micro Finance Institution

Bandari Sacco

The Winner for

Award for Women in Business

Alice Wahome – Shikara Properties

The Winner for

Award for the Best use of Social Media

Premier Hospital

The Winner for

Award for Best Service in Tourism and Hospitality

Serena Beach Hotel and Spa

The Winner for

Award for SACCO of the Year

StimaDT Sacco

The Winner for

Award for the Best Corporate Citizenship

Mombasa Maize Millers

The Winner for

Award for the Business Enabler of the Year

Kenya Ports Authority

The Winner for

Award for Decade of Excellence in Business

Mombasa Cement

The Winner for

Award for the Most Improved County Department

Dept. of Trade Tourism and Investment

The Winner for

Award for the Most Preferred Training Institution

University of Nairobi- Mombasa Campus

The Winner for

Award for the Outstanding Community Service

Mombasa Cement

The Winner for

Award for the most Preferred Banking Institution

Stanbic Bank

The Winner for

Award for the Best Growth Strategy

Innovus Group

The Winner for

Award For the most Preferred Transport Company

Sidoman Investment

The Winner for

Customer Focus Award

Kitui Flour Mills

The Winner for

Award for Best Real Estate Developer

Fairdeal Properties

The Winner for

Award for the most Promising startup company

Baus Taka Enterprise

The Winner for

Award For the New Business of the year

Kenya Conference Solutions

The Winner for

Award for the Best Business Leader

Hasu Patel- Mombasa Cement

The Winner for

Award for the Most Innovative Tech Startup

StockApp Limited

The Winner for

Award for the Bet Car Dealer in Mombasa

Khushi Motors Limited

Celebrated style icon and all-rounded Kenyan entertainer Chimano, widely known as a singer and performer of the Grammy-certified Kenyan music group Sauti Sol, has today released his debut solo single and music video for  “Friday Feeling.”

An elated Chimano shares, “It’s the first time I am actually putting my creativity to the test by myself and I am serving realness as we all should”. The feel-good freedom song produced by DTX was co-written by Chimano, Don Ngatia and Bensoul.

“Friday Feeling” is the first single off his upcoming EP titled HEAVY IS THE CROWN, expected to be released in early 2022.

It's exhilarating music video brings back the life of the ballroom culture, known to have supported underground LGBTQ leading to a competitive subculture in either walking or dancing for prized trophies.

Watch "Friday Feeling" on YouTube

Ahead of the release, Chimano shares, “Going out and having fun shouldn't be an uphill task because you immediately start thinking of the inhibitions that may affect you. ‘Friday Feeling’ is about embracing your body, your outfit, your crew and your hard earned money. This song is about having a good time and in my case a good ass queer time. It's a feeling of freedom. Do you, be extra, be alive and free! That’s Friday Feeling!”

The retro-themed, synth pop track is a reflection of the upcoming EP’s overall theme. Chimano expounds, “The 80s were an era where fashion, culture and music meant alot to me and the sounds of that era have a lot to do with my inspirations.” 

The 7-track HEAVY IS THE CROWN EP is the beginning of a new chapter for Chimano.

Get ready for the funk, soul, richness and diversity of Chimano’s HEAVY IS THE CROWN upcoming body of work, with epic visuals, art direction and lyrics about self-acceptance, love, freedom, redemption and gratitude. It’s a risqué EP that challenges toxic masculinity, prejudices and hypocrisy. Chimano sums up, “I have fully started to express myself and deep down for me this is an expression of happiness and freedom.”

The youth in Mombasa have a reason to smile after the launch of the Mombasa Entrepreneurship Resource Center for Youth (MERCY) which is expected to connect them to available opportunities.

The launch took place on Thursday afternoon at the Swahili Pot hub center in Mombasa bringing together youths and a number of stakeholders drawn from both the national and county governments, CSOs and international development partners.

Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna who was the chief guest, reiterated that the government was keen on the youth agenda and was fully aware of the need to engage the youth in what was going on in the country.

He stated that the youth constitute about 75 percent of the total population in the country and as such were key players in the development agenda of the country.

“The government appreciates the strength of the youth that is why we have so many programs and projects targeting the youth ranging from Uwezo fund, Ajira Digital, Youth Fund among others,” said Oguna.

The government spokesperson added that despite all these initiatives and projects being put in place by the government, it was worrying that only a handful of youth were applying for the revolving funds and grants availed to them.

“I want to encourage the youth to make an effort to apply for these funds so that they can create a living for themselves, make use of the digital space to access government opportunities and tenders,” he said.

Oguna also called on the youth to shun away from violence especially perpetrating and spreading fake news on social media platforms, further calling on them to critically examine politician’s agendas before voting for them.

The Coast regional coordinator John Elungata stated that the government was soon going to launch the construction of 10,000 new classrooms to support the Competency Based Curriculum promising that a number of youth were going to be engaged.

“As you are aware, the government will soon launch the construction of the new cbc classrooms spread across the country, in line with our youth agenda, we shall engage the youth especially from the Kazi Mtaani phase 3 which will also be launched soon,” said Elungata.

He also cautioned the youth not to allow themselves to be misused by selfish politicians for political gains.

Mombasa county Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo on his part called on the youth to make use of the platform to access government jobs and tenders while cautioning them to shun drugs and criminal gangs.

“The center is going to be a one stop shop dealing with issues of entrepreneurship targeting the youth of this county, it will operate just like CRB but this will be linking the youth will available opportunities,” said Kitiyo.

Kitiyo also urged those who had benefited before from the youth projects to repay back their loans so that other coming youth could benefit from the funds.

Swahili pot Hub founder and Patron Mahmoud Noor stated that the center was going to link the youth with funding opportunities and also provide them with training opportunities on entrepreneurship and business.

“Through the center, we shall be able to link the youth with funding opportunities from the government and private sector to international partners, we can attest to this because around 26 youth have so far benefited from a sh900,000 to Sh3 million grant from the Mbele na Biz project by the national government and World Bank,” said Noor.

He added that to address the challenge of lack of internet in interior parts of the country, the center will open up branches with small offices complete with a computer and internet connection, there will also be a personel sent to train the youth and connect them with available opportunities.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his directive to Kenya's security agencies to absorb more National Youth Service (NYS) graduates into their ranks saying they had proved to be reliable, diligent and excellent workers.

While commending the security agencies for heeding his earlier directive on the employment of NYS graduates, the President singled out the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for praise saying the military had absorbed 500 NYS graduates in its recent recruitment exercise.

“I reiterate my directive to the Police Service and all other disciplined services to redouble their efforts towards the absorption of the NYS cohorts into their ranks,” President Kenyatta said.

The Head of State spoke on Thursday in Gilgil, Nakuru County when he presided over the passing-out parade of 7,300 NYS recruits who successfully completed their 6-month paramilitary training.

Once again, the President reiterated the Government's commitment to continue using the NYS to build a critical mass of employable youth in the country and called on employers to prioritise sourcing of personnel from among its growing pool of graduates.

Because of its past successes, the President said the Government had placed NYS at the core of the implementation of various key Government projects.

“Undoubtedly, the NYS programme has been a tremendous success. For that reason, despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, my administration resolutely remained focused on empowering our youth through NYS; which saw an additional 14,779 young people admitted into the NYS this calendar year,” he said.

As part of its broad contribution to Kenya's transformation, the Head of State said NYS graduates were a key cog in the country's security machinery working with the disciplined services to maintain law and order, and in the delivery of related services.

“In the area of national security, the National Police Service has enlisted the services of NYS servicemen and women at the Integrated Communication Command and Control Centre (IC3), to respond to telephone calls and other electronic communications from members of the public. This is in addition to NYS’s role in augmenting the work of the police in crowd control duties during significant local and international functions,” he said.

Public Service CS Prof Margaret Kobia, who also spoke at the colourful event attended by several senior Government officials led by Petroleum CS John Munyes, said NYS had made notable contributions to the country's Big 4 development agenda especially in manufacturing, food security and housing sectors.

At the event, also addressed by NYS Director General Matilda Sakwa and College Commandant Ruth Mbuvi, the President feted several recruits that excelled during the 6-month training.

Newton Munene Kelly and Christine Mueni Musau won the best recruits award while Ken Odongo Jacob and Margaret Wangari Ndubi emerged the best in drills.

In academics, Benard Kiplangat Bett and Claris Awino Omondi were the best recruits while Stephen Kang’ethe and Esther Jelimo led in sports.

Beyond Zero Coordinator Ms Angella Langat on Wednesday evening presided over the lighting up of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to honour nurses and midwives for playing a leading role in promoting primary healthcare in the country.

Speaking during the colourful event that served as a precursor to the 2021 Beyond Zero Summit which will see outstanding nurses feted on Friday, Ms Langat thanked the healthcare workers for their selfless service to Kenyans especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“On the 3^rd of December, Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta, the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya will host the 2021 Beyond Zero Summit. During this summit whose theme is ‘Increasing Investments for Primary Healthcare’, Her Excellency will award nurses and midwives for their efforts in delivering primary health services.

“Today, Beyond Zero lights up KICC to honour all nurses and midwives across our country. We say thank you for your commitment, we say thank you for your compassion, we say thank you for your care,” the Beyond Zero Coordinator said.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta is expected to present the Beyond Zero health awards to finalists at the Summit in recognition of their frontline role in the provision of primary healthcare and contribution towards the achievement of the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This year’s Summit, which is the second to be held under the aegis of the Beyond Zero Initiative, will focus on primary healthcare as the cornerstone of UHC and the first point of contact for most patients.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday conferred city status on Nakuru town making it Kenya's fourth city after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

The award of the city charter to Nakuru, at a colourful event attended by several national and local leaders among them former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, followed a legislative process as outlined in the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011.

Speaking shortly after signing and handing over the conferment documents to Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, the President challenged Nakuru City residents to take advantage of the opportunities that will be brought by the new status to improve their wellbeing.

“The award of the charter means that Nakuru is the fourth city in the country and it becomes attractive for business as it attracts investors to put up factories, industries creating employment for the youth,” the President said.

He said Nakuru's elevation was a demonstration of the success of devolution and the collaboration between national and county governments in the delivery of public services urging the new city's residents to maintain peace as the political season approaches.

“Historically Nakuru is a melting pot where all communities live harmoniously. It is a known fact that whatever happens in Nakuru politically will affect the whole country. It is said when Nakuru burns, the whole country burns and if Nakuru is calm then the nation is also calm,” President Kenyatta said.

“We are giving you a city knowing that the peace in Nakuru will be extended to all corners of this country,” he added.

Once again, President Kenyatta warned political leaders against pursuing selfish personal interests at the expense of Kenya's peace and cohesion saying divisive politics was disruptive for the country's socioeconomic transformation agenda.

“No one will come to put up factories or industries or visit as a tourist, a country experiencing chaos and violence and that’s why am telling you my fellow citizens not to interrupt the peace we are enjoying,” the President said.

President Kenyatta appealed to the youth not to be hoodwinked by empty rhetoric and sloganeering into supporting the political ambitions of individuals known for advancing divisive politics.

“We should not take peace for granted. That’s why I am telling the Kenyan youth not to be hoodwinked with empty promises. It is easy to give promises but understand that peace is the foundation of development,” the President advised.

Former PM Raila Odinga, who also spoke at the fete, said Nakuru was Kenya's agricultural epicentre and commended the Nakuru County Government under Governor Lee Kinyanjui for expanding the city’s infrastructure.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui thanked President Kenyatta for initiating several road infrastructure projects in the County saying the interventions will help boost business, tourism and related economic sectors.

Other leaders that spoke at the event included Chairman of the Council of Governors who is also Embu Governor Martin Wambora and Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka among others.

Last night, King Kaka hosted an exclusive listening party at Hera Aqua Gardens, Kileleshwa, for his highly anticipated EP ‘Happy Hour’

During the invite-only star-studded event, the award winning hit-maker debuted and performed four of the ten tracks from the just released EP, which includes features from Wakadinali, Okello Max, Rich Mavoko, among others. Some of the stars who attended the party included Jaguar, Jua Cali, Jalang’o, Nana Owiti, Joyce Maina, Femi One among others.

Attendees were also treated to an emotional 20-minute documentary that captured King Kaka’s Road to recovery as he recorded the EP. Happy Hour, which is King Kaka’s thirteenth body of work is his first ever EP after successful mixtapes and albums

Taking to the stage, King Kaka said “I am so excited to present this body of work, which represents my gratitude to God and my fans who stood with me as I fought to get my health back. This is my second life, my second birth-day, let us toast to Happy Hour and life!” He also thanked his partners Boomplay and Remy Martin who were the main partners for the project.

Happy Hour EP is different from most of King Kaka’s  songs laced with signature poetry and thought-provoking rawness. This time he will transport his audience to happiness as he celebrates the good things in life.

You know it is Christmas when the jingle bells sound and for the Sarova Panafric Family, the Christmas mood organically sets in as soon as the traditional cake mixing ceremony is conducted.

The cake mixing session is Panafric’s signature way of welcoming the festive season.

The guests were excited to mix the contents that will go into the Christmas Cake for the holidays, and got to work creating an aromatic mix from the various ingredients laid out.

The history of cake mixing dates back to the 17th century as the harvest season arrived. During this period a lot of fruits and nuts were harvested and prepared to go and make a traditional plum cake.

The fruits are laid out and then spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg are sprinkled into the mix. Next comes alcohol, which is poured on the mixing table. People then mix this up. The color and aroma then start to surface the surrounding which is usually heartwarming.

As the liquids drain into the mélange, the spirits in the atmosphere get high and memorable.

The soaked mix is put into jars and left for a few weeks for the fruits to soak up the alcohol to give a moist, juicy, delectable cake.

Tis the season to be jolly.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and the British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot on Tuesday officiated the ground-breaking ceremony of the 3.6million dollars Nyerere - Mbaraki road.

The road which is now 33 percent complete, is expected to unclog the Mbaraki area adjacent to the Likoni Ferry on the island side of Mombasa which suffer frequent traffic snarl ups occasioned by cargo trucks loading and offloading cargo at the port.

The project entails tarmacking 1,2 kilometers of road, constructing a parking bay for trucks waiting to collect cargo, cycling and foot paths and a proper storm water drainage system.

The road will also entail a solar lighting system to improve security that is expected to encourage a 24-hour economy system

The UK government has pumped in 2.3 million dollars in the project through Trademark East Africa with the Danish government through its development co-operation agency (Danida) injecting about a million dollars and the county government of Mombasa pumping in half a million dollars into it.

Speaking during the event, Joho described the project as a game changer adding that it will greatly impact the economy of Mombasa.

“The construction of both Nyerere - Mbaraki and Kipevu road is a game changer and will have a huge socio-economic multiplier effect. Given the rapid expansion of both the Mombasa port and the support infrastructure, it is therefore absolutely crucial that we equally enhance efficiency of our city and its services,” said Joho.

He added that the construction of support infrastructure supporting port services will not only lead to a 24-hour economy system, but will also create employment opportunities for the people of Mombasa.

In January last year, the county government of Mombasa and the UK government signed a 2.7-million-dollar financing deal for the construction of the road.

The amount was to cover design, building and supervision consultancy for the project.

Addressing the event, the UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot sated that road which is expected to be completed by February next year, will transform port operations, rejuvenating the economy and will also create employment opportunities.

“This road is transformational, it may not look much but the fact that it will last for 50 years and will be part of a key program to get containers on ship on time reducing number of days spent by truck drivers,” she said.

Drivers used to spend about 12 days before getting their containers from the ship to the roads but the new road is expected to reduce it to about three and a half day with the drivers expected to spend at most 30 mins getting through the area down from six hours.

The project was hailed as a “green road project” by transport experts due to the significant reduction of the carbon footprint anticipated.

Byron Ongere, the general manager of Kencon CFS which handles motor vehicle cargo stated that the road was critical to them because during transfer of vehicles from the port to a CFS requires efficiency, safety and security.

“The road will ensure that the transfers from port are actually swift and the damage to the vehicles is minimized and tat the issue of flooding that had affected us in the past will be forgotten with the new drainage system put in place,” said Ongere.

He added that the turn-around time caused by the traffic jams caused them to take longer time to transport vehicles from the port to their CFS but this would soon be a thing of the past.

The delegation also toured the 1.2 kilometers six-lane concreate Kipevu road constructed at a tune of 2billion shillings to facilitate easy movement of cargo.

The road which replaced the old four-lane road, was part of the improvement and expansion program at the port of Mombasa.

It is located in near Chaani and extends from Changamwe roundabout all the way to KPA gate 18 with an additional 200 meters inside the port area.

The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has launched a five-year strategic plan where it set to spend a whopping Sh199 billion to light up the country.

The plan covers the period 2018/2019-2022/23 and aims to electrify about 25,899 public facilities.

Speaking during the event in Mombasa, REREC board of directors chairman Simon Gicharu said focus was to connect rural public facilities and households in the country.

Prof Gicharu said that the corporation said the targeted public institutions include 278 primary schools, 1,339 secondary schools,polytechnics,institutions of higher learning,1,428 health centers/dispensaries, 5,705 market and trading centres, worship centres, police posts and processing plants.

''The Corporation will also connect about 112,500 households that are within a radius of 600 metres of new transformers to electricity,'' he said..

During the same period, a total of 3,728 public facilities in the off-grid areas will be electrified  through installation of renewable energy mini-grid systems.

''And to further support the use of renewable energy in the country, REREC aims to install and meter 200 Solar PVs and 20 wind energy systems for institutions; develop and promote biogas and biomass systems for 20 institutions as well as provide maintenance for 5,000 institutions already installed with renewable energy systems,'' Gicharu said.

The Corporation will also install 50,000 out of the 250,000 mapped solar home systems.

He said that the launch marks celebration of milestone achievements since the establishment in 2006  and reiterated that they are are keen to establish linkages with all the 47 county governments in the country  whom they have been working with before to increase electricity connectivity..

''It is the first plan to be prepared by REREC ,although there are two others  that had been developed under REREC's predecessor, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) since its inception in 2006.

"This plan comes at time when the energy sector in Kenya  has undergone restructuring under the Energy Act (2019) that gives REREC a broader mandate  on renewable energy development,'' the chairman said.

He said that the plan is a product of extensive consultation and comprehensive feedback from their internal and external stakeholders who provided valuable suggestions and information that will aid in achievements of RERECs mandate. 

Energy principal secretary, Maj Gen (rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa commended the REREC board,management and staff for coming up with the plan and challenged them to ensure that everything in the plan is made achievable for the betterment of the nation.

''This document could not have been launched at a better time than when there are reforms in the energy sector in the county. The costs of electricity has been going up and any interventions to control that are welcomed,'' Kihalangwa said.

REREC chief executive officer, Mr Peter Mbugua said that over the five year implementation period,REREC has been actively involved developing and promoting the use of renewable energy, increasing electricity connectivity, promoting research and development in renewable energy as well as establishing strategic collaborations with stakeholders.

He added that they are also keen on building human capital, strengthening institutional capacity and achieving financial sustainability. 

''The corporation expects to mobilize these funds mainly from the National Government through the exchequer. Other sources of funding include Development partners, Public-Private Partnerships, counties, investments and the community,'' Mbugua said. 

He explained that the  implementation of the Strategic Plan will be monitored through the guidelines of the National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES).

Mbugua said that a balanced scorecard approach will be used to monitor all the initiatives to achieve the priority areas of the plan and the implementation matrix.

''This system will be monitored through quarterly, half-yearly and annual progress reports to the management and board.

"Based on the results of the monitoring, appropriate corrective action will be undertaken to ensure that the strategic plan remains alive and relevant to the mandate of the corporation,'' the CEO said.

To ensure efficiency and professionalism while implementing the strategic plan, the corporation, also launching a total of 45 policies; developed, reviewed, formatted and combined to form a volume of the corporation’s Internal Policies.

These policies will assist the corporation to enhance internal governance, infuse the desired ethical culture and lead to smooth, efficient and effective operationalisation of its mandate.