The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has officially launched the Parliamentary Caucus Network.

 The primary objective of the network which was launched during a three-day High-Level Regional Legislators Meeting is to promote peace, development, and regional integration in the IGAD member countries.

The meeting brought together lawmakers from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda.

The meeting organized by IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) with the support of Sweden government aimed at advancing conversation on how to successfully achieve gender sensitive legislations and to officially launch the IGAD Legislators Network.

IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE), Simon Nyambura emphasized the significance of the network in contributing to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

“This network will not only just help IGAD in terms of fighting terrorism and violent extremism, but in search for peace and stability within the region. We think that the members of parliament have a role to ensure that this region is peaceful and secure,” he stated.

Nyambura stressed the need for legislators towards ensuring that the region is safe and secure.

“Therefore, we are encouraging them to continue oversight in the agencies that fight terrorism and violent extremism, because we cannot win this war unless we fight this war within the rule of Law, respect for human rights.”

Jochim Beijmo, Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Africa at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, highlighted the global threat of violent extremism and reaffirmed Sweden’s support for IGAD.

Beijimo  emphasized the importance of integrating gender equality into the process, recognizing the special needs of women and their vulnerability to extremism movements.

"Beijimo argued Integrating gender equality into that process is very important, because we know that women have special needs and they are also sometimes victims of these extremism movements,”

Kenyan social media sensation Dr Cassypool has been unveiled as the brand ambassador of Nemis logistics company.

Nemis is a logistics company dealing in clearing and forwarding of cargos , import and export business with roots from Tanzania and operating in several countries like Congo, South Africa, Rwanda and now Kenya.

Cassypool real name Kevin Odhiambo Onyango was unveiled on Tuesday as the company officially opened it's first  Kenyan branch in Mombasa.

"I'm really excited to be associated with this company as their brand ambassador. This company is owned by a youth like me, he has not even been reached the age of 30 so we neet to support any company or initiative owned by a fellow youth " said Cassypool.

Adding" This company is going to create jobs for the youth and I believe it is going to help our youth from Mombasa from drug abuse which has affected many of them due to lack of jobs."

Cassypool called on the youth to support the Kenya Kwanza in job creation and the affordable housing project.

He charged "As you can see the Ruto government is trying very create to create jobs for us as youth especially with the affordable housing project so let us all come out and support the government and avoid the critics."

On his part the company Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) Edward Mwela said they had been receiving several calls and messages from their customers in Kenya to open a branch.

"We got alot of messages on our social media pages especially from our customers here in Kenya requesting we open a branch. We also have some customers from outside Kenya who use the Mombasa port to import their goods and they have also been making such calls," said Mwela.

Adding " Many people from outside Kenya prefer using the Mombasa port due to it's efficiency, goods don't get delayed at the Mombasa port and so this is also one of the reasons why we chose to open a branch in Kenya and Mombasa first."

Mwela revealed that they are also considering to open another branch in Nairobi to help reach customers in the capital city.

" This is a company for the youths, and as a youth my main objective is to ensure that I create jobs for my fellow youth. Soon we are expecting a major consignment at the port and we will need the youth to help us in delivering the goods to the owners" 

The government will embark on a global marketing strategy to market local parks and reserves .

According to Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua the number of visitors currently being recorded in the parks and reserves is not impressive.

Speaking in Kwale county during the celebrations to mark World Wildlife Day, Mutua announced that the government will now embark on a marketing strategy to help boost the numbers,

"Why is it that our parks and reserves record low number of visitors, whey are we not creative enough and say we create something unique like here in Shimba hills when a visit comes they are also attracted to that unique thing and not just the animals.'' argued Mutua.

Adding "I want to announce here that we will be embarking on a marketing strategy to bring visitors to our parks and reserves.''

Mutua underscored the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, highlighting the recent collaboration with the private sector in translocating 21 rhinos from various parks to the Loisaba Conservancy. He stated that the government needs collaborative efforts to achieve optimal wildlife conservation.

Kenya boasts an impressive natural heritage with over 25,000 species of wild animals and 7,000 species of plants, making it one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa. The wildlife conservation and management act of 2013 mandates the Kenya wildlife service to conserve wildlife and their habitats wherever they occur.

The CS noted the increasing trend of devolving conservation efforts, with landowners in wildlife rich areas taking on management responsibilities. This decentralised approach aims to involve local communities in the preservation of their natural surroundings.

“The government’s long term strategy in conservation involves sustained collaboration with communities, conservation partners and stakeholders in the tourism industry”, said Dr Mutua. 

On human- wildlife conflict the CS revealed that the government will soon be launching a compensation plans to the victims of the conflict which turned out to be a major debate during the event.

Mutua further directed the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to rehabilitate it's airstrips saying they are currently on a bad state.

"Our airstrips are in a really bad state, no aircraft can actually land them. I want you (KWS) to start the rehabilitation and operationalisation of the airstrips before the beginning of the long rains.''

Key events during the World Wildlife Day celebrations included the launch of the Sable Antelope and Action plan (2022-2031) . Sable population has been facing threats from poaching, snaring, inbreeding and predation.

Sable antelope  population reduced from 265 in 1960 to the current number of 56 individuals. Mitigation measures put in place to raise numbers include enhanced  electric fencing which has been  improved to 14 strands. Construction of water dams alongside  awareness creation are among the measures being undertaken to save the sable.

The Kenya wildlife service is also undertaking restocking  of herbivores including the Sables to reduce predation . During the event the Diani-Chale Marine national reserve was also commissioned. The event was attended by  by the chairman of KWS board of trustees Lt. Gen (rtd) Walter Raria Kaiptanon, Kwale county  Governor Fatuma Achani among other guests.

The wait is over! King Kaka has unleashed his latest musical masterpiece, 'TABASC0 2', in collaboration with Stella Mwangi, Shekina Karen, and Vallerie Muthoni.

This electrifying track is already making waves, captivating audiences with its infectious beats and powerful message.

From the moment the first note hits, 'TABASC0 2' grabs listeners by the ears and refuses to let go.

Produced by the  talented Vinc on the beat, the song is set to be a sure hit. 

With a reputation for pushing boundaries and delivering thought-provoking music, King Kaka has assembled a dream team for 'TABASC0 2'.

Joining forces with Stella Mwangi, the Norwegian-Kenyan rapper known for her fierce energy and global appeal, as well as Shekina Karen and Vallerie Muthoni, rising stars in the Kenyan music scene, King Kaka is poised to deliver a hit that transcends borders.

Accompanying the song is a visually stunning music video directed by the visionary Steve Mugo.

Shot in a classy location with dynamic cinematography, the video is a feast for the eyes, perfectly capturing the energy and spirit of 'TABASC0 2' while showcasing the undeniable chemistry between King Kaka and his collaborators.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has lashed out at the national government accusing it of failing to deal with the drug menace at the coast.

Nassir, who led the onslaught against the government, accused it of empty rhetoric even as the drugs issue continues to threaten the future of many youth in the region.

“Until when will we be lied to that the government is going to arrest drug barons and peddlers? You (government) have intelligence, you have the DCI yet you have failed us”

"If you can’t do it, tell me I set up a special county team to deal with the matter,” said Nassir.

The agitated governor was speaking at Lohana Hall in Majengo Saturday afternoon during the launch of issuance of funds to schools for the Leave No Child Behind program that targets to pay capitation of Sh5,000 for some 40,000 day scholars in Mombasa schools.

His sentiments come barely a week after the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua convened the Illicit Alcohol And Drug Eradication Conference in Mombasa.

The DP questioned why some leaders were absent during the conference saying this was an important forum to discuss and issue affecting a large population of the youth in the region.

Gachagua also questioned the silence of coast leaders over the drug menace in the region.

However, Nassir responded saying the government was insincere with the fight saying despite having intelligence and all the resources to arrest barons and peddlers, they had failed in their mandate.

He asked the national government to stop lying to Mombasa people issuing empty threats and warnings, and instead take action and parade the people they suspect to be behind the vice before the public.

‘Don’t come here and threaten us, we want to see action. We must speak the truth, enough of empty rhetoric, we want to see action,” Nassir said.

The governor said that almost every family in Mombasa has been affected by the menace and as such the time of using the agenda to insult coast leaders was over and action must be taken.

"Almost every family in Mombasa has been affected with the drug issue, even I lost my own brother to drugs. We will not continue to allow people speak with no action, don’t say you were not in government in the previous regime, you are now in power, take action,” he said.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko told off the DP saying that he was politicizing the matter at the expense of Mombasa people who have been adversely affected by the vice.

Mboko said that she has been giving intelligence to officers, but no action has ever been taken alleging that some officers are beneficiaries of proceeds from drugs.

“Your officers know where drugs are sold, every now and then I give your officers intelligence about were drugs are sold but no action is taken”

‘Do you want me to take cuffs and arrest them myself?” she posed.

She expressed disappointment that the government wit trained officers and all the tools at their disposal, have failed to make any major arrests.

"It is a shame that officers trained by taxpayers money and with a lot of intelligence yet they don’t take action,” she said.

“Unless you want to politicize the issue of drugs, if not you have the capacity to zero rate the drugs issue in Kenya,”Mboko said.

The port of Mombasa today (Thursday) received the longest ever container ship, Mv MSC Kotka.

The ship docked at the port minutes after 10am from the port of Durban.

Speaking after receiving the ship, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) General Manager cargo operations Sudi Mwasinago said the arrival of the ship at the port testifies the efficiency of the port.

"This ship does not go to just any port, it goes to a port which is efficient and can handle the amount of cargo that it carries and this tells you how efficient our port is" said Mwasinago.

Adding " The ship is not going to discharge anything, she is going to load 5,8777 containers, that's a very big volume".

Mwasinago credited the investment at the port to its efficiency and confidence from customers.

" This is the largest ship that we have ever received here at the port. At the moment the port boasts of 100 capacity of 47,000 containers. Last year we handled the total tonnage of 35.9 million tonnes, that was a growth of 6.2% from 2022 when we handled 33.8 million tonnes" noted Mwasinago.

"In the containers side last year we did 1,623,080 tus of containers compared to 2022 when we did 1,450,000 tus this was a record growth of 12%".

The ship which next port of call is Abu Dhabi is 318 metres long with a tonnage of 130,000 tonnes.

Amalia Maliaka, a remarkable nine-year-old from Adelaide, Australia, has been creating ripples of change in the realms of arts and philanthropy, particularly in Kenya.

Having commenced her entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of six, Amalia has captivated audiences worldwide with her inspiring story of generosity and innovation.

On the 29th of February 2024 Amalia will be part of a global conference focusing on entrepreneurship and sustainability bringing people from all over Africa to the event.

Featured on SBS Insight and celebrated in the bestselling book "The Barefoot Kids," Amalia has gained recognition for her extraordinary dedication to paying her profits forward to children in resource-poor communities in Kenya.

In January of 2023, Amalia, along with her brother and their Australian mother, relocated to Kenya to further expand her philanthropic efforts.

Building upon their previous work, in 2019, they established two schools that have since provided education to approximately 350 children.

Now, Amalia is embarking on an ambitious new project: Solar Media.

This ground-breaking device, conceived and designed in Kenya, promises to revolutionize education by providing children and adults alike with access to a comprehensive primary curriculum and vocational training.

Powered entirely by the sun, Solar Media offers cost-effective, sustainable education directly in the palm of one's hand.

Through Solar Media, individuals in remote and underserved communities will have the opportunity to learn essential skills such as hairdressing, farming, baking, and more.

This innovative approach to education not only addresses the pressing need for accessible learning resources but also champions environmental sustainability by harnessing renewable energy sources.

Amalia's vision for Solar Media represents a beacon of hope for millions around the world, demonstrating the profound impact that one young individual can make through passion, dedication, and a commitment to positive change.

Samsung Electronics has once again demonstrated its dominance in the global TV market, marking an unprecedented 18-year streak at the forefront of the industry.

Market research firm Omdia reported that Samsung has achieved a 30.1% share of the global TV market in 2023, reinforcing its status as the industry leader since 2006.

This success is largely due to the company’s strategic focus on premium and large-screen TV categories, driven by its cutting-edge QLED and OLED models.

Since its launch in 2017, Samsung’s QLED TV lineup, including the latest Neo QLED models, has surpassed cumulative sales of 40 million units. In 2023 alone, the QLED lineup achieved sales of 8.31 million units.

Kenyans are enjoying the unrivalled picture quality and sound excellence of the Neo QLED TV lineup launched locally in 2022.

Rahul Kochhar, Senior Business Leader, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics East Africa Ltd said: “Our commitment to cutting-edge QLED and OLED models has been instrumental in maintaining our unrivalled position. We look forward to delivering even more exceptional experiences to our customers.”

Samsung asserted notable leadership in the premium TV sector – specifically for TVs over 75 inches and priced above $2,500 (Approximately KES 365,000).

The company has recorded an impressive 60.5% market share in terms of sales for TVs priced over $2,500, while also maintaining a lead with 33.9% sales share for TVs over 75 inches.

In addition, thanks to robust sales of 98-inch models, TVs over the 90-inch have maintained the lead with a 30.4% market share.

Samsung has also made significant strides in the OLED sector, building on its success in the ultra-large and high-end TV market.

The company’s OLED TV lineup recorded 1.01 million units sold in 2023, capturing a market share of 22.7%.

With the expanded OLED lineup in 2024, Samsung’s market share in the OLED sector is projected to surge in 2024.

"We are proud to be recognised as the market leader in the global TV sector for 18 consecutive years, a testament to the enduring trust and loyalty our customers place in Samsung,” stated SW Yong, President and Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

Adding“We are deeply committed to advancing the industry, moving beyond exceptional picture quality to offer more meaningful and valuable experiences.”

At CES 2024, Samsung Electronics unveiled the groundbreaking NQ8 AI Gen3 processor, heralding the start of the AI Screen Era.

The advancement in state-of-the-art chipsets and capabilities is set to redefine the smart TV domain, integrating sophisticated AI powered by Tizen OS to establish AI screens as center of the smart home innovation.

2024 is shaping up to be another year of significant innovation for Samsung.

With advancements in processors and cutting-edge AI features, Samsung is on course to further transform home entertainment and set new benchmarks in the TV industry.

Schneider Electric™ Kenya, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced the appointment of Ifeanyi Odoh, as its new Country President.

Ifeanyi joins Schneider Electric Kenya from South East Asia where he served as the Strategy and Transformation Leader in charge of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Ifeanyi is an experienced business leader who has taken an active role in incubating the Sustainability and New Energy Landscape concepts in the markets that he has served.

While in Vietnam, he delivered transformational priorities that established products such as e-Mobility and Energy as-a-Service delivering significant value to the business.

Prior to leading strategy in Vietnam and Cambodia, Ifeanyi worked as the Head of Offer Marketing & Business Development in Anglophone West Africa where he led and deployed the commercial actions and go-to-market strategies for Schneider Electric products, software, and services in the region.

Ifeanyi began his career in France as a Research Engineer, in the Strategy and Innovation department within Schneider Electric.

Speaking on the appointment, Devan Pillay, Anglophone Africa Cluster President, Schneider Electric said: “ Ifeanyi is a visionary strategist and transformational leader who has proven his capability in driving sustainable growth and innovation for the business. We are looking to tap into his expertise in the New Energy Landscape as we unlock new energy opportunities in the region.”

Carol Koech, the outgoing Country President will be stepping into a new role leading Sustainability Strategy for Schneider Electric in International Operations, a transition that will see her relocate to Dubai.

“I want to thank Carol for her valuable contributions to Schneider Electric Kenya over the past three (3) years,” said Devan Pillay.

Adding “During her tenure as the Country President, we made significant strides in streamlining operational excellence, and Carol’s steadfast leadership has been crucial to strengthening our foundation and positioning the company for our next growth phase.”

"As we say thank you and all the best to Carol, we welcome Ifeanyi into his new role and we look forward to tapping into the institutional knowledge and experience gained from the different Schneider Electric markets.” Continued Devan.

Speaking on the appointment, Ifeanyi said, “ I will be focused on working with the local team to deliver not just a step-up in business performance, but I will also look to establishing New Energy Concepts and Impact Entrepreneurship initiatives in the region.”