Fresh Fri Oil from Pwani Oil Products Limited has become the first cooking oil brand in the country to be certified by the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) to be healthy and of good quality.  

This follows a thorough inspection of quality assurance by KNDI – a government agency jointly with other bodies, in this case, Analabs, Bureau Veritus (BV), and Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS).

Established in 2007, through an act of parliament, KNDI is mandated by the government to work jointly with other bodies to participate actively in the review of food, food supplement, and nutrition supplements with nutrition claims.

As part of the inspection checklist for Fresh fri, KNDI set 14 standards for large food companies that revealed compliance in the systems value chain of Fresh Fri Original. Besides, the data shows that the oil meets the key quality and safety specifications.

Expressing Satisfaction with the result, Pwani Oil Commercial Director Rajul Malde said, “This is a testament to our commitment to continuously provide quality products that not only adhere to the set industry standards but are healthy to be consumed. Our focus remains to protect our customers, make them comfortably enjoy their lives, and confidently facilitate them to cook healthily”.

The 14 Standards include, standards related to facilities and equipment, availability of references and resources, Utilities, raw materials, ingredients and finished product storage, production of food, packaging, Labeling, and Delivery of Food Products, quality assurance activities, quality control activities, Quality Related Events (QREs), Quality Improvement (QI) Activities, Personnel on-site, SOP document, implementation of SOPs and Marketing, labeling and nutritional claims.

 “Having been adequately informed by the accreditation technical team’s report, the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute Council wishes to register and certify Fresh Fri oil and on equal strength endorse it for human consumption as per the provisions of Section 36 (2) of Cap 253B. The analysis was carried out in three independent and reputable laboratories namely, Analabs, Bureau Veritus (BV), and SGS. The laboratories used methods of analysis that are authentic and validated, hence the results can be trusted as a true reflection of fresh fri oil quality” said KNDI CEO David Okeyo.

Further inspection parameters included Vitamin A, TFAs (Trans fat), copper, Iron, Lead, Peroxide Value, Acid value, Moisture content, Fat content, Insoluble impurities, and Arsenic which were all found to be within the recommended limits by standard specifications.

On the nutritional relevance of Fresh Fri, findings from KNDI show that Fresh fri which is mainly made from refined palm oleic has good amounts of oleic acid which has a modulatory effect that is beneficial to cancer risk, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases besides its ability to facilitate wound healing. It also has two other essential fatty acids namely linoleic and α-linolenic acid.

“Oleic acid is commonly used to prevent heart disease and reduce bad cholesterol. Essential fatty acids (linoleic and α-linolenic) must come from the diet. Other fatty acids may come from diet or may be synthesized” said Okeyo.  

Many studies have positively correlated essential fatty acids with the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, cancer prevention, arthritis, and diabetes mellitus among others.

President William Ruto has appointed Fatma Baryan to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.

In a gazette notice dated 20th January 2023, Baryan has appointed to the office to serve for a period of three years.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for showing faith in me to steer the Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board as a Non-Executive Chairperson for the period of 3 years. I am humbled, determined and ready for the task ahead. Asante sana Rais" said Baryan.

Baryan contested for the Mombasa Women Representative seat in the 2022 election on a UDA but lost to Zamzam Mohammed of ODM.

Wasafi signee Mbosso has finally announced the new dates for his US music tour.

Mbosso who had earlier cancelled the tour due to health issues took to instagram to share the new dates with fans.

"Washington Seattle Feb 17th Denver Colorado Feb 18th Kentucky February 25th Houston Texas," Mbosso wrote on Instagram.

The tour was supposed to take place between November 25th to December 16th but he (Mbosso) was forced to cancel it after advise from the doctor.

"The doctor recommended that I should not travel or sit in a plane for more than eight hours," he announced.

The singer also revealed that he was suffering from a severe heart problem.

Mombasa based actress and influencer Elizabeth 'Liz' Sonia has revealed how his baby daddy, gospel singer Mr Seed has been avoiding his responsibilities.

Taking to Instagram to rant in a long post, the Kovu actress called out Mr Seed saying she is tired of raising the kid 'alone'.

"Dear baby daddy AM TIRREEED. I have tried to be the most understanding BABY MAMA ON THIS PLANET but for the last seven years Seed you have done nothing but drain me and all I do is try and UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION." said Sonia in the temporary post.

Adding "You're never there physically I got used to it because I can't do * about it...so that's for junior to decide when he grows up. I always find means to cover up that ur meant to pay @mrseedofficial NIMECHOKAAA am a woman I have fought and made sure he has EVERYTHING....you have never PRIORITIZED @prince_faiz_the-great so this year I decided am no longer that sweet caring baby mama ...for those that know me personally they will understand."

"You're never there physically I got used to it because I can't do * about it...so that's for junior to decide when he grows up. I always find means to cover up that ur meant to pay @mrseedofficial NIMECHOKAAA am a woman I have fought and made sure he has EVERYTHING....you have never PRIORITIZED. so this year I decided am no longer that sweet caring baby mama ...for those that know me personally they will understand."

Sonia accused Mr Seed of failing to pay the school fees of their child on time.

"The only upkeep I take from you is school fees and ITS NEVER ON TIMEEEE"

She went ahead to state "CHANGEEEE if you don't feel this pain today because you feel junior is young but it will catch up with you later ...he will grow and see the DIFFERENCE WEWE ENDELEAAAA. . AM NOT HE PERSON THAT NEEDS SOCIAL MEDIA SYMPATHY IF I DID I WOULd HAVE POSTED MANY YEARS BACK ..NIMECHOKAAA JUNIOR DESERVES ALL THE GOOD THINGS. WHEN WILL YOU BE THERE WITHOUT BEING PUSHED???? WITHOUT BEING TOLD?????"

In a previous interview with the Daily Nation, Sonia defined a deadbeat as "a stupid man that leaves a woman to raise a kid singlehandedly. It’s disheartening to think that they exist."

In the interview she also revealed how it has not been easy for her to co-parent.

"I am not married, with my first baby daddy we have been doing this co-parenting thing for seven years, and its not been an easy road. With the second baby daddy, things have been worse but we move on regardless.  Si ni life!" she told Nation newspaper.

Kenyan singer Otile Brown has taken to social media to lament his ordeal at Tanzania's main airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport.

The singer reported that he lost valuables namely 2 mac laptops, at the busy airport.

The 'Dusuma' hitmaker accused the local authorities of being reluctant in helping him find the lost items.

"Currently at the Julius Nyerere Airport, I have lost my two Mac laptops, the police and other authorities have totally refused to help us recover the lost items, three hours down the line" said Otile.

Adding "They have even refused to preview the CCTV footage which will be the easiest way to recover the items, they have been taking us round despite us presenting to them the relevant police report. What's the work of the police if they cannot help us in this ?. I would have retrieved the laptops tonight but it's like they wanted us to lose them. sad"

The singer was in Ethiopia for the last few days and it is not clear where he was heading to before losing his items at the Tanzania airport.

The national government has embarked on the plan to fast track the multi-billion Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.

On Monday, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said the project which was supposed to be operationalized in 2026 is expected to be opened for investors by July 1.

He said this after holding a closed-door meeting which he chaired with the Mombasa Special Economic Zone Technical Coordination Committee at the Port of Mombasa.

He said  they are targeting to attract investors to Dongo Kundu and establish the demand and in this regard, the committee agreed and made a commitment to some eight key issues that will ensure the project is operationalized this year.

The key issues include the State Department of Investment and Promotion which will advertise for expressions of interest in local and international media to attract investment to key 13 sectors around the special economic zone.

“We are going to use short-term measures as we wait for the long-term bigger project, and we expect Dongo Kundu to be fully operational by July 1, 2023,” said Kuria.

Kuria said the national government is working with other stakeholders including the Mombasa county government to deploy innovation, creativity and team work to cut the projects timeline to three years.

“Major projects which include roads and berths will be completed by 2025 but that will not stop investors from moving in. We expect that by July this year it is going to have more activities, thus cutting short by three years a project that was supposed to start by 2026,” he said.

He said the the government is looking for investors in agro-processing and industries, oil and gasses, petrochemical industries, green energy and renewables, blue economy, water desalination and service provision, and heavy metal and steel.

Other investors include cotton, textile and apparel, pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing and assembly, transport and freight logistics services, warehousing cargo bulk-breaking and consolidation services, and business support services.

The CS said the advertisement is supposed to be done by January 31.

Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has been tasked to ensure that major road projects within the expansive speciacila economic zone are developed to gravel standards to ensure that investors have access to the site.

“Kenha and Kenya Rural Roads Authority will commence design, bidding and opening up of 12 kilometres of the access road to gravel standard awaiting completion of the major road works to asphalt standard and this should be done by March 31,” he said.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is expected to provide port services to Dongo Kundu investors and initiate port services through the Kilindini Port via a road network to Dongo Kundu awaiting completion of the Dongo Kundu berth.

According to the CS, the National Government Administration Officers State Department of Lands, the National Land Commission and Mombasa County Government will work hand in hand in ensuring that a title is available for resettlement, development and investment.

“We will amalgamate the four Dongo Kudu titles, subdivide and title for port development, special economic zone development and the Project Affected Persons, a process which is supposed to be done by March 31,” he said.

 On resettlement and compensation, Kuria said  the government will subdivide 384 acres into parcels of land for the resettlement of 1,684 affected persons.

“We will complete compensation awards and payment of Sh1.4 billion to 1,582 PAPs for development and the compensation process is also expected to be finished by the end of March,” he said.

The Coast Water Works Development Agency was tasked to ensure there is enough water supply to the project.

Kuria said that the agency will commence design, bidding, and drilling of boreholes, construct water pans, storage and ensure water supply to investors awaiting the completion of Tiwi and Mwache dams.

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir said that his administration will assist on the part of the survey and also the identification of the affected persons and ensure that they assist in the water and sewer plans, seek other political leaders so that the money for compensation is paid to the right people and do it on the stipulated time.

Mombasa regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said that they have agreed on the timeline and as the national administration who are the enabler for the project and they will give it the due plan available.

The government has acquired three medium level fishing boats at a cost of sh 60 Million in the latest government's plan to help fishermen exploit the deep-sea fishing.

Mining and blue economy cabinet secretary Salim Mvurya said the pilot project is targeting fishermen in Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale counties where the boats will be handed over to County BMUs.

 “We have acquired three medium level boats  which have cost sh 60 million; we have one in Lamu, Kwale and Mombasa ,as a ministry we are committed in the next few months we will equip those boats then hand them over to county government BMUs so that they can facilitate fishing in the medium deep sea,” said Mvurya.

Mvurya said through the cooperation of coastal counties, they have identified landing sites that will be installed with cooling systems to facilitate value addition for their dilly catch. He said the government is working with the private sector to operationalise the Liwatoni fish landing site.

Speaking in Mombasa during the official opening of an induction workshop bringing together Agriculture County executive Committee Members and Chief Officers asked the county governments to tap into the blue economy opportunities that have remained untapped.

“We want to invite the private sector in areas of value addition of fish products. We want to facilitate our fisheries so that they can delay the sales and store the fish and sale when prices are good,” said Mvurya.

 In addition the Cs said small ports will be expanded to provide for handling fishing boats to enable fishermen to have a docking place.Mvurya also launched a 250 million dollars national value chain development project that will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and is funded by the World Bank.

The project will be implemented in the next five years in all the 47 counties. It will help farmers in value chain projects. It also targets increasing market participation for targeted farmers.

Council of governors Agriculture chair Ken Lusaka who also doubles as Bungoma governor said county governors and central government should harmoniously work to deliver the best for the government.

He challenges counties to direct 10 percent of their budgets to Agriculture in line with the Maputo declaration. He called for good entrenchment of good governance to help leverage on Agriculture.

"We call upon CECM's to be stewards of the governor's to achieve the purpose of the devolution,” said Lusaka.

Lamu governor Issa Timamy who also doubles as the chair of the council of governor’s Blue economy chairman said the blue economy has a great potential to the growth of the country’s economy thus needs a lot of focus.

"There is growing appreciation that it's critical to leverage on the blue economy for the growth of the country's GDP, it was well thought to have a fully fledged docket to champion blue economy affairs in the country, “said Timmamy.

He said Counties are relevant in utilization of the blue economy resources which have largely remained untapped. He said there is a need for enough budgets, skills, labour and research for the blue economy to be fully realized.

The council of governors COG executive officer CEO Mary Mwiti called on the county government to embrace professionalism on all deliverables to be able to achieve the desired development.

"We ask you as you embark on a count to embrace innovation and accountability the resources that have been allocated to the counties,” said Mwiti.

The meeting brought together Chairs of Agriculture and Blue economy from the council of governors and county chief’s officers and CEC's in the respective dockets.

“I want to ask the County leadership to strengthen county policy and legislative processes to` support the much-needed growth and development for the agriculture and blue economy sectors,” Mwiti added.