Buxton housing project the largest and the fourth low cost housing project in Kenya after Park Road Shauri Moyo and Starehe housing project in Nairobi has been launched.

The project has received government support and it will be exempted from a number of taxes and VAT on building materials to be used in the construction.

The Sh6.3 billion Mombasa Buxton House project with 1,900 low-cost houses units will feature one, two- and three-bedroom units .

The project which will be the largest after the 1,370 on Park Road in Nairobi is one of the projects approved by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his bid to have affordable housing, under his big four agenda. 

The government has already negotiated with eight commercial banks to offer a one-digit mortgage deal for the financing of the largest affordable and social housing project in Kenya which will benefit the Buxton houses buyers as sales window opened on Wednesday.

Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the project will unlock another Sh50 billion that will come from the Real Estate sector alone in Mombasa which will spur economic activity in Mombasa.

“This is the largest project in Mombasa after the Park Road projects and it will create business opportunities for suppliers in excess of Sh4 billion across Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale,” said Mr Hinga.

Mr Hinga said the government is also intending to construct another houses in Changamwe Mombasa due to increasing demand of the houses.

“Buxton house project is of National government importance and contractor has received certificate of Tax and VAT exemptions on a number of building materials apart from having all approvals fast tracked,” said the PS.

Sales opened on 5^th May and individual looking to buy the house must register with Buxton Point make down payment starting May 12^th and the buyer must deposit 7 per cent of the amount based on the unit of choice.

“We have had a number of inquiries but we would like to assure loclas that selling price and payment plan for former residents of Buxton remain as earlier agreed despite increasing demand of houses,” said lead investor Suleiman Shahbal.

The low-cost houses consist of 600 one-bedroom units of 35 square metres selling at Sh2.3 million whereas 700 two bed-room units measuring 55 square metres each selling at Sh3.6 million each.

Those intending to buy three bed-room house will be expected to pay Sh4.7 for a house constructed in a 72 square meters where the investor is putting up 600 units of such.

The Buxton Point project is designed to offer modern and value living complete with state of the art finishes all while remaining affordable. With open spaces and beautiful walkways coupled with elegant community areas, Buxton Point has been meticulously designed to suit all your needs.

Mombasa county CEC for Lands, planning and housing Taufiq Balala said the county faces a deficit of 21,000 housing units annually which require approximately sh30 billion to construct thus the reason for partnership with the private sector.

Balala also reiterated the county government’s support in the project saying they are also going to redevelop all the 10 county estates among them Buxton, Changamwe, Likoni and Khadija.

“So much has been said about the county government concerning this project. I would like to assure all of you that the county government fully supports this project and that is why I’m here to represent the governor who is abroad” said Balala.

On his part the developer and Chairman of the project Suleiman Shahbal revealed that some individuals have already started expressing interest in the units with some 1,253 units from the planned 1,900 having been already purchased off plan.

“If you have ambitions to own a unit you must now hurry and not blame me later” said Shahbal.

Shahbal further noted that a total of 3,000 youths are expected to directly benefit from jobs from the project for the next one year.

President Uhuru Kenyatta today announced a raft of incentives aimed at wooing Tanzanian investors to Kenya including the lifting of work permit and visa requirements.

The President said his Administration will do all in its power to eliminate all non-tariff barriers for Tanzanian investors coming to do business in Kenya.

President Kenyatta spoke Wednesday in Nairobi during the Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum, also addressed by visiting Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

President Kenyatta cautioned Tanzanians and Kenyans against competing with each, and instead focus on creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

“We would like to see many investors from Tanzania coming to do business in Kenya. And I want to say this, Tanzanian investors are free to come and do business in Kenya without being required to have business visas or work permits. The only thing you will be required to do is to follow the laid down regulations and the laws that are in place,” President Kenyatta said.

At the same time, President Kenyatta gave an ultimatum of two weeks to concerned state agencies to clear the jam of trucks at Namanga and Holili border crossings to allow free flow of trade.

He also tasked the ministers of health from both countries to move with speed and streamline Covid-19 containment protocols required for traders to cross the borders unhindered.

“I want to announce two directives and I want them done this week and next week. All concerned ministers please move with speed and unlock the jam in Holili, Taveta and Namanga border points. On Covid-19 certificates, please let the health ministers sit and agree on modalities. If the certificate is issued in Tanzania let those people be allowed to come to Kenya and vice versa,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta challenged the private sector to explore and seize opportunities accorded by bilateral and multilateral agreements available to East Africans such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to grow their investments.

“The private sector should look beyond our borders and seize opportunities accorded by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, which came into effect on 1st January this year, and the older, but still important EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

“The East African Community, through the East African Customs Union and East African Community Common Market Protocol, has opened our borders and unlocked opportunities for the free movement of goods, services, and investments across the EAC borders. This has paved the way for trade to thrive, new opportunities to emerge and trade to increase,” President Kenyatta said.

He observed that although the two countries boast of a vibrant and entrepreneurial private sector, trade between the two countries has not thrived to the expected levels going by the decline in volumes of trade in recent years.

“Total trade was valued at Ksh. 60.4 billion in 2012 and Ksh. 58 billion in 2020, indicating a slight decline. In the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, total trade was valued at Ksh. 47.5 billion, Ksh. 45.6 billion and Ksh. 47.5 billion, respectively. This reflects challenges in the trade regime, which we should urgently address,” President Kenyatta said.

On her part, President Suluhu outlined reforms being undertaken by her administration to enhance ease of doing business, and welcomed Kenyan private sector to invest in Tanzania.

“The private sector is key to driving growth, that will deliver these jobs, transform labour market, open up opportunities and unleash entrepreneurial spirit,” President Suluhu said.

Mombasa based artist Susumila's ex-wife Kibibi Salim has found new love, years after their divorce.

Kibibi, who is also an actress got married to an international footballer on Sunday in a low-key ceremony with only close family members from both parties attending.

The footballer has played for teams in Europe and Sudan. 

In a brief phone interview with Ommy Dallah, Kibibi noted "We just wanted a low-key wedding infact we only wanted to go the chief Kadhi and make it official, futhermore we only wanted blessings from God and not people".

Adding " We dated for more than one year".

Kibibi and Susumila got divorced in 2016 and have a daughter together.

Kenya's most admired celebrity couple Nameless and Wahu are coming to a screen near you after signing a deal that will see them feature in a new docu-reality series.

The series titled 'This Love', is set to premiere on Showmax on 24th May 2021.

This Love will also follow Nameless and Wahu as they work on their first ever joint album, a project which they announced at the beginning of April 2021. 

The couple noted “Getting to share our journey as we create our very first album together is exciting to say the least.  We look forward to letting the fans in on this creative process, the challenges and joys of working together, and to introducing the team behind the music." 

Adding “Furthermore, as we celebrate twenty years in the music industry, we want to share the lessons we’ve learnt even as we continue to play our part as a couple, parents and business partners. Our vision is to synergize and inspire and empower people through marriage, music and mentorship.”

The 13-part docu-reality series will highlight their timeless love, colourful lives and legendary history, as well as the lessons they have picked up along the way. It is  produced by Eugene Mbugua’s production company, which is also behind the successful Sol Family, Stori Yangu and Our Perfect Wedding, all available on Showmax.

With music careers spanning twenty years, Nameless and Wahu’s star power is undeniable. They have both released hits after hits and won many awards, including MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Female (2008) for Wahu and Best Male and Listener’s Choice (2009) for Nameless. Theirs is a kind of story that Kenyans will fall in love with, and one that Mbugua and his team couldn’t stay away from.

Kenya and Tanzania have today agreed to eliminate barriers hindering the smooth flow of trade and people between the two East African nations.

The decision was arrived at today at State House, Nairobi during bilateral talks led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and visiting Tanzania Head of State Samia Suluhu Hassan.

A joint team of experts will be set up to address the disjointed enforcement of cross-border Covid-19 containment protocols, one of the most pronounced non-tariff trade barrier between the two nations.

“Just as His Excellency the President has said, we have agreed that our Health Ministers need to sit down and come up with a structured system of testing our people at the border points to allow easy movement of our people so as to do their businesses,” President Samia Suluhu told the media at State House, Nairobi.

The two leaders noted that Kenya and Tanzania need to develop modalities for mutual recognition of COVID-19 test results, noting that the lack of harmonized protocols has hampered free flow of goods and people.

“First, we noted that trade between Kenya and Tanzania is facing some administrative challenges. They include non-tariff barriers and other restrictions which are frustrating trade and investment between our two countries,” President Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan Head of State congratulated President Suluhu for assuming the leadership of her country's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and assured her of Kenya’s unwavering support.

He said Kenya and Tanzania were not only geographically conjoined but have a common culture, common language, shared heritage and a common ancestry.

“Your visit has given us the opportunity to renew our relations and we want to assure you that the Republic of Kenya and my Government will be in the forefront working together with you and your Administration to ensure our unity especially as East African nations and neighbours, will continue to grow and be strengthened for the benefit of our people,” President Kenyatta said.

He said Kenya and Tanzania had agreed to rejig their Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) to enable it deal with issues affecting trade, adding that the two countries had agreements on importation of natural gas from Tanzania to Kenya, and another on cultural exchanges.

“We have agreed to re-energize the Joint Commission for Cooperation between our two countries, and we have directed our Ministers to meet regularly to ensure that they continue strengthening our relations by sorting out minor problems affecting our people as they do business and interact with each other.

"They (JCC) need to ensure that investors coming from either Tanzania or Kenya do not face hurdles by ensuring a structured system is put in place to help us build our countries for the mutual benefit of our people,” President Kenyatta said.

President Kenyatta also spoke about shared infrastructure saying Kenya and Tanzania had agreed to improve their connectivity through new roads, aviation and maritime transport so as to hasten economic growth.

“We will strengthen aviation, railway, sea and lake transport as well as roads. We also discussed the need to hasten the construction of the Malindi-Lungalunga-Bagamoyo Road to ease movement of goods and people,” he said.

On the signed agreement on natural gas imports from Tanzania, President Kenyatta said the resource will help Kenya meet its growing energy demand.

“We also agreed to build a gas pipeline from Dar es Salaam to Mombasa that will lower energy costs in Kenya and help our industries to access environmentally friendly energy,” he said.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is on a two-day State Visit to Kenya, and is on Wednesday scheduled to address a joint sitting of Kenya's bicameral parliament.

Two candlelight vigils are planned to remember the late actor Gillie Owino, next week.

Owino popularly known for his role as Mzee Msiri on the local TV series, Pete succumbed to cancer last Friday.

One of the vigils is scheduled for 12th, 2 pm at the little theatre club, Mombasa.

Speaking to this blog, Pete producer Daudi Anguka revealed that there will be another vigil for the actor at Funzi Island which will mainly be attended by colleagues from Pete. 

http://ommydalla.co.ke/entertainment/item/1249-film-makers-seek-state-inducement-to-promote-coast-region-as-toursim-destination

He will be laid to rest on 15th May in Kisumu.

Read here: http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2192-veteran-mombasa-based-actor-gillie-mzee-msiri-is-dead

The Tanzanian government has issued new guidelines on coronavirus.

Among the guidelines mainly targeting travellers includes a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving into the country.

Travellers both citizens and foreigners will also be required to present a test certificate showing negative Covid-19 results.

All travellers from countries with new Covid-19 variants shall be subjected to rapid test at point of entry.

Tanzania had earlier ifted the mandatory quarantine for visitors with screening and tests only done at arrival.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/2195-president-suluhu-set-for-two-day-state-visit-to-kenya

Nigerian singer Chidinma, famous for her award winning Afropop song “Kedike”, has ditched secular music.

Chidinma on Sunday announced that she is now a gospel singer. The announcement coincidences with her 30th birthday.

She shared a video of her singing a gospel song in a church.

She also deleted all previous photos and videos of her songs on her Instagram page which enjoys a following of over 7 million.

The singer has released a new single titled “Jehova Overdo.”

"My name is Minister Chidinma Ekile. I am a crusader of the gospel of Jesus Christ." posted the singer.

Adding "Your future needs you, not your past. The devil knows your name but he calls you by your sins. God knows your sins but he calls you by name. The message is Jesus. I will reign in life because the creator of the ends of the earth loves me."

Chidinma rose to fame in 2010 after she won the Project Fame West Africa at the age of 19.  At the 2012 edition of the KORA Awards, she won Best Female West African Act for the song “Kedike”

Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib has called on Imams and muslim clerics to ensure that they enforce Covid-19 protocols in places of worship, mosques and madrassas.

Twalib who has just recovered from the deadly disease warned that violations of the protocols will attract stringent measures from the government.

Speaking after hosting imams and members of the Congolese business community in Mombasa for an iftar, Twalib regretted that there are some mosques that are going against the protocols even as cases of infections continue to rise in the county.

“It is not Uhuru Kenyatta who will suffer when you get this disease, it is not him who will get breathing complications, it is you, so make sure as a leader the measures put in place are adhered to and we stop putting our people at the risk of contracting the disease” said Badi.

Twalib however maintained that as leaders they are not after the closure of mosques though it will also depend on the behavior of the faithful and leadership of the mosques.

The Mp recalled his encounter with the disease challenging the clerics to act as ambassadors in spreading the word of adhering to the guidelines set by the government.

"I'm a living proof that this disease exists. Thank God I survived, there are some who are now in the grave. I would like to appeal to all of you to act as ambassadors and tell our people to adhere to the measures and take good care of themselves and their loved ones" he said.

His sentiments comes just a week after Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho held an emergency meeting with muslim clerics over the rising cases of the deadly disease in the county. Joho also called for another meeting with all elected leaders to discuss ways to curb rising cases.

Budget carrier Skyward Express will resume its flights from Mombasa to Nairobi on Sunday May 2, 2021.

This is after the the lifting of the restriction of movement in and out of Nairobi by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday during the Labour Day celebrations at State House, Nairobi.

All passengers and airport users are still required to strictly observe the safety measures in place to ensure the safety of all airport users.

"Health and safety ouf our customers and staff is our priority, We therefore urge all our customers to strictly observe all Covid-19 protocols att all times" reads a statement from the airline.

The flight will depart Mombasa's Moi International airport at 16:00 hrs.

Skyward Express launched it's daily flights to Mombasa on March 2017.