President Uhuru Kenyatta today officially flagged off the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre grounds.

The President flagged off the first ten rally cars that included three Kenyan teams comprising Carl Tundo, Hamza Anwar and Mcrae Kimathi as well as 91-year old three times European champion Sobieslaw Zasada who becomes the oldest competitor in the history of World Rally Championship.

A car driven by State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita and his co-driver Tuta Mionki was also among those flagged off at the spectacular event in which 58 teams are participating.

Speaking at the iconic sporting event, President Kenyatta commended the event organizers and all stakeholders for their diligence and hard work that ensured the resumption of the safari rally after a 19-year hiatus.

The Head of State said the Safari Rally holds a special place in the country’s history, saying the event is synonymous with the country’s growth.

“Over the years, the rally maintained its ‘rough and tough’ reputation. It ensured that we tested both our physical limits on the roads, and our innovative strengths in the development of bigger and faster machines,” President Kenyatta said. 

President Kenyatta emphasized that it was because of the Safari Rally’s importance to the country’s socio-economic growth that in 2013 he gave a pledge to return the rally back to the country and to its position as one of the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) and World Rally Championship’s (WRC) toughest rallies.

“This goal has materialized nine years later, into the spectacular event that we are all witnessing today. It has been a pleasure, interacting with the rally drivers and I look forward to witnessing their expertise on the road,” President Kenyatta said.

Earlier before flagging off the World Rally Championship Safari Rally, President Kenyatta launched the road safety initiative known as the “Safari Rally Action for Road Safety Campaign”.

The initiative, which has so far provided 6,300 helmets to boda boda riders, is aimed at promoting road safety through education and the provision of protective gear to the motorists.

The President said the initiative, which has also attracted international partners such as the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the Hungarian Motorsport Development Agency (HUMDA), will raise awareness on the adverse impacts of road accidents with the aim of reducing the injuries on the Kenyan roads.

“I am pleased to note that, so far, through this initiative 1,000 young people have received road safety training.  Many other young people from the Boda boda community are set to receive refresher riding skills and road use information,” President Kenyatta said.

He emphasized the need for citizens to always safeguard their personal safety while on the roads even as the Government fulfils its obligations in enhancing road safety.

“Let us be our brother’s keepers and promote safe road user behaviour,” he added.

Others who spoke included Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, the President of the International Automobile Federation Jean Todt and the Hungary Minister for National Innovation and Technology Prof Laszlo Palkovics.

Dr Mohammed thanked President Kenyatta for "diligently pursuing the return of the Safari Rally in Kenya since 2013".

"The Government under his leadership has provided financial, technical and administrative support towards the planning of the 2021 WRC safari Rally."

Others who attended the colourful event included former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua among orher senior Government officials.

Later President Kenyatta joined motor sports enthusiasts at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani for the Super Special stage of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally.

Every so often, the music scene graces us with an anticipated twist. He might not have been born in Alabama, or discovered in Nashville, but Elvis Nyaruri has defied the odds and made us appreciate Country music.

Having debut his musical career with I Just Cannot Wait to Go Back Home, typically a story about those of us who can’t just wait to go back home.And having followed it up with I’ll Be Doing Fine. A story about everyone who has been in that place, where we have been hurt in a relationship or a situationship, but still hold our heads up and look for a brighter day. In Mombasani, marries both ideas, in a story that is Gichagi.

Elvis is born and raised in the Coastal town of Mombasa. In this hit song, he pays homage to the place where he was born, raised, and gradually made him the artist and man he is.

Following up I Just Cannot wait To Go Home, Elvis artistically takes you through, this magical region in Kenya. Giving insight to its people, environs and their celebration and appreciation to the simple pleasures of the coastal strip of Kenya.

Having co-composed the song with the talented Canadian guitarist Marc Van Rosi, and with the careful mastering skills of Jesse Bukindu, everything about the production of this particular hit takes you through a nostalgic memory for those of us who have been in the coast region, and for those of us who haven’t been there, it paints an image of this magical place we should visit.

The imagination of Tony De Gigz productions on the visual really sum up the vison that Elvis had when he thought of his birthplace and Gichagi in general.

Elvis makes Mombasa and in general Kenya a happy place to be.

Former Taita Taveta Woman representative turned gospel singer Joyce Lay is mourning the death of her mother.

She announced on her Instagram the passing on of her mum.

"Go well my Mum......you have won the race.Your heaven is open. See you soon in paradise.I love you so much. It is well." she posted.

Several personalities and fans sent their condolence messages following the news.

Ian_wafula; My sincere condolences Joyce. May she Rest In Peace.

Mercymasikamuguro; So sorry for the loss.

Doreen.majala: RIP Nyanyangu, pole sana nana.

Holydavemuthengi: Poleni sana, it is well.

You can also read: http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2267-joyce-lay-drops-family-name-adopts-new-one

The controversial election of the giant Dockworkers Union hangs in limbo after a section of candidates moved to court to stop it.

Led by Mombasa Member County Assembly for Mikindani Ward Juma Benson Thoya the disgruntled candidates moved to court to stop the union election to be held day after tomorrow.

They made an application filed on notice of motion through counsel Gichana Omwando at Employment and Labour Ralations Court under certificated of urgency.

They argued the constituted DWU election board under chairlady Alice Tabu was illegal.

They said the forthcoming election lacks a level playing field with an agenda to rig the outcome of the polls.

They argued in their application the entire process to appoint an election board is flawed and it was not credible and transparent.

The application is against Martin Ondo, embattled Secretary General Simon Sang and outgoing Treasurer Joseph Makero and including the DWU as respondents.

Speaking outside the union headquarters after serving the union secretariat, Abdullah Siyati said they were going into the polls blindfolded.

He told journalists he got his clearance certificate two days to the election which is against the union constitution.

“We are supposed to have 21 days of campaigns after being cleared to vie for elective posts,” he pointed out.

Kamga Maganga and Omar Masumbuko who are interested parties in the suit argued they have never been involved in the election process even during the last minutes.

Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz and his baby mama Zari The Bosslady are among African celebrities who will be appearing on a Netflix documentary soon.

According to Netflix Souith Africa, the two will appear in the documentary titled 'Young, Famous & African' set to be aired soon.

"They're young, they're fresh, they're unapologetically African and they’re coming to your screens! Can you guess some of the stars and their famous sayings?" reads a post from Netflix South Coast.

The two have also taken to social media to share the news with their fans.

"From Tandale to the world....Go behind the scenes of what it takes to be African Icon to the world with @netflixsa and @naijaonnetflix's first African reality TV show, featuring your one and only SIMBA ?....! You don't want to miss this. #YoungFamousAndAfrican #wasafi #SwahiliNation #WCB4LIFE" posted Diamond Diamond Platnumz.

On her part, Zari posted "Born in Uganda. Flourishing in Mzansi. Now we’re taking over Netflix! See me bossing it up on @netflixsa and @naijaonnetflix's first-ever African reality show, coming soon! #YoungFamousAndAfrican".

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQa6GU5JSQu/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=d80bf860-ab37-4f4a-9738-d2478a793f17

It is however not yet clear if the two will appear in the show together or separately.

Read: http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2296-tanasha-donna-makes-acting-debut-featured-in-a-nigerian-movie

Diamond will be the second Tanzanian to appear on Netflix after Idris Sultan who appeared on March 26 this year through a film called 'Slay'.

KBC news anchor Shiksha Arora has revealed how she was strangled and robbed ahead of her debut at the state broadcaster.

In a series of tweets, the anchor narrates how robbers attacked her while driving along the globe roundabout, Nairobi on Monday evening.

"Yesterday at around 5:20 PM I got robbed at the globe roundabout flyover. Guy 1 knocked my side mirror bending it backwards & walked away. While I was rolling down my window slightly to reposition the mirror, guy 2 started banging the front seat passenger window loudly."

"As I was looking to my left guy 3 slid his hand in through my window and unlocked my car, got into the back seat. Grabbed my purse & asked for my phone, at this point in time I was in panic mode, couldn’t say anything. He asked for it again & reached for my neck, strangling me"

"As he was strangling my neck, I desperately gasped for air,I started hooting loudly to get some attention hoping somebody would help me. People started getting out of their cars and that’s when he let go and fled. He went with my purse but I am TRAUMATIZED that he attacked me."

"These thugs work in teams in broad daylight during peak traffic, don’t roll down your window no matter what when on globe roundabout. I got lucky, he didn’t manage to hurt me much despite strangling my neck and getting away with my purse. I am okay but traumatized."

Arora is among the new anchors unveiled by KBC on Monday evening during the it's relaunch. She will be hosting the Friday 9pm news.

Singer, producer and songwriter Elvis Orori, professionally known as Blakangel is a breath of crisp and ultra-modern air into the dancehall scene especially Kenyan dancehall.

He is currently among the top music producers from Kisumu, Kenya’ having worked with great musicians like Gabiro Mtu Necessary, Kamwana and a host of others.

He has just released a self-produced single dubbed “Things You Do” with the video and shot in the lakeside city of Kisumu as directed by Royal State Pictures.

Watch “Things You Do” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kwzhiCPPG54

On the soundtrack, Blakangel compliments and shows his admiration to the things his lover does to him, quite explicit content accompanied by astonishing visuals. The video is simple with very brilliant add-ons to approbate the same.

Having released his 6 tracks extended play (EP) a few months ago, Blakangel has chosen not to stop at it by releasing a brand new single that has been received well by his fans and followers.

Growing up in Kisumu it is definitely not easy to break the barriers that stay ahead of the mainstream media and this would mean little space and resources to master and push through with his craft but that is not the case with the record producer who has broken most of these barriers to collaborate and put out great content with fellow artists.

The rising singer-songwriter is always in the studio working on new music and he promises more amazing and brilliant music both from him as an artist and as a producer.

Kenya and the European Union (EU) have unveiled a strategic dialogue framework through which they seek to step up their bilateral relations.

The announcement was contained in a joint statement released on Monday evening in Brussels following a meeting between President Kenyatta and his European Council counterpart Charles Michel.

"The Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Kenya and the European Union was launched on the occasion of the meeting between H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya, and H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, held on 21 June 2021 in Brussels.

"This upgrade of the Kenya-European Union relations builds on the meeting between the two counterparts on 9 March 2021 at State House, Nairobi, and the renewed European Union Strategy for the Horn of Africa, adopted in May 2021, in which the European Union confirmed its readiness to step up its relationship with Kenya," the statement reads in part.

The strategic dialogue framework recognizes Kenya as a strong democratic partner of the EU in East Africa and Horn of Africa region with potential for enhancing regional stability and performing a constructive role in peace and security.

Through the new bilateral framework, Kenya and the EU will cooperate more in domestic, regional and global interests, such as democracy, governance and human rights.

Other areas of elevated cooperation between Kenya and the EU include gender equality, peace and security, trade and investment, social development, climate change and digital technologies.

The framework to be implemented over time shall be guided by a roadmap to be developed by relevant entities of the Kenyan Government at the European Union.

"The thematic pillars of the Dialogue shall be developed and adapted over time, in accordance with Kenya’s and the European Union’s shared interests and agendas. The technical experts of the two sides are seized of the matter and a Roadmap for the implementation of this Strategic Dialogue is to be set out by the relevant services of the Government of Kenya and the European Union," the statement reads.

President Kenyatta, who is in Belgium on a two-day Official Visit, was accompanied to the meeting with his European Council host by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Adan Mohamed (EAC) and Betty Maina (Trade).

President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Monday afternoon received by King Philippe at the Royal Palace in Brussels at the start of his two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union.

The President, who is accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Betty Maina (Trade) and Aden Mohammed (EAC), held private talks with King Philippe.

During the two-day visit, the President is scheduled to meet the President of the European Council Charles Michel to discuss Kenya-EU relations and address a Kenya-Belgium business forum.

Also on the President's itinerary is a meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Dr Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti and an address to the organization's Committee of Ambassadors.

President Kenyatta, who arrived in Brussels on Sunday evening aboard a Kenya Airways aircraft, is the President-in-Office of the 79-member OACPS.

Speaking ahead of the President's arrival, Kenya's ambassador to Belgium Prof Jacob Kaimenyi said during the visit, the Head of State will address matters related to Kenya-Belgium, and Kenya-EU relations as well as regional agenda in his capacity as the Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC).

In his capacity as the President-in-Office of the OACPS, Prof Kaimenyi said the President will discuss the progress of the post-Cotonou agreement with his European Council counterpart and get an update on the instrument's roll out progress from the Secretary General of the Brussels-based multilateral institution.

"We've had the Cotonou agreement which has been there for 20 years, coming to an end in 2020. We have negotiated another agreement between the European Union and OACPS, 79 countries, called post-Cotonou agreement, post 2020 so to speak," Prof Kaimenyi said.

On Kenya-Belgium relations, Prof Kaimenyi said the President's meeting with King Phillipe will help strengthen diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Brussels, while investment and trade matters will be dealt with at the business forum.

He said Kenya is working on growing its trade with Belgium by addressing barriers such as double taxation, and diversifying its exports beyond tea and coffee to include horticultural crops such as a mangoes and other tropical fruits.

Prof Kaimenyi said the President's meeting with his European Council counterpart Charles Michel comes at an opportune time when Kenya and the EU are gearing up to start negotiations for a new partnership agreement for the period 2022 to 2027.

Besides the Kenya-EU partnership agreement, Prof Kaimenyi revealed that President Kenyatta and his European Council counterpart will discuss the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), a matter that has been outstanding since 2014.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss the progress of the ongoing development of a strategic dialogue framework between Kenya and the EU. The decision to elevate the Kenya-EU relationship was arrived at during President Michel's last visit to Nairobi.

"When the President of the Council, Charles Michel met the President at State House, the issue of upping our game in terms of strategic dialogue between EU and Kenya was raised.

"We have the relevant ministers, the Minister for Trade CS Maina is going to be here, she will be supported by CS for EAC Adan Mohammed. They're going to hold a meeting with requisite officials from the EU to discuss the matter.

"Having discussed this matter with EU external service officials, there's alot of excitement. People are very optimistic," Prof Kaimenyi said in reference to the strategic dialogue framework.

In his meeting with Dr Chikoti and address to the Committee of Ambassadors of the OACPS, Prof Kaimenyi said the President is expected to be appraised on the implementation progress of the 2019 'Nairobi Nguvu Ya Pamoja' declaration and provide guidance on the next steps.

"He (President Kenyatta) will meet the Secretary General of the OACPS to be briefed on what has transpired since 2019 and pick his brain, as the President-in-Office, on where we should be before he completes his (term of) office next year," Prof Kaimenyi said.

African Pop superstar and vocal powerhouse, Yemi Alade premieres the official music video for her song with the Mzansi Youth Choir titled "Rain".

An afro-pop ballad from the African queen's acclaimed sixth studio album titled “Empress".

The song is delivered mostly with Zulu and English lyrics as Yemi combines superbly with the South Africa-based Mzansi Youth Choir to birth a musical spectacle.

The song is a message of hope and encouragement that after a period of rainfall and darkness comes sunshine and happiness. It delivers a message to Africans on the continent & around the world of a future of greatness and liberation.

The lush video for "Rain" was shot by Ovie Etseyatse, who also shot the video for the iconic song titled "Shekere" by Yemi Alade and Multiple grammy award-winning music legend Angelique Kidjo.