In preparation for the upcoming Elections, ISIRIKA has prepared a fact Sheet to provide useful information to encourage young people to participate in the general elections in a safe way.

In addition to this fact sheet, they have set up an emergency response team of young people who will be providing timely information and updates on 8 – 10 August 2022 as well as providing virtual emergency response services to community members in need. 

This initiative is part of ISIRIKA’s approach to promoting community care as a sustainable means of development.

They seek to provide care to young people in a way that centers their needs; whether big or small. Political participation is community care, they  want to support as many community members to go out and vote without fear for their safety or lives. 

The protection protocol document can be accessed on their website here - Isirika – Equal Generosity. 

ISIRIKA is a youth-led grassroots social enterprise that brings people together to care for one another and take action in their communities with most members situated in Mombasa.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged 350 newly hired seafarers to be good brand ambassadors of the Kenyan nation saying their conduct will determine the demand for Kenyan maritime professionals by international shipping lines.

“To the new recruits that we are commissioning today, let me remind you that you sail out as our ambassadors.  How many more Kenyans are recruited in the future will, to a large extent, depend on the image of Kenya you project abroad,” the President said.

The Head of State spoke on Wednesday at the Kenya Maritime Academy in Mombasa County during the flagging off ceremony of 350 young Kenyan seafarers recently recruited by Atlanta based Celebrity Cruises.

The President recalled with nostalgia the good old days when Kenya used to be the leading regional source market for seafarers, serving major shipping lines across the world.

“I remember the many Kenyans who used to come here with good money after serving abroad. We wish you the very best as you embark on your new career.

“We recall that in the early 70s we used to have more than 10,000 seafarers as a country, and these were men and women who actually breathed life not only to Mombasa but to many other towns in our country.

"But because of mismanagement of the sector this was reduced to almost nothing," President Kenyatta said as he thanked Celebrity Cruises and other shipping for continuing to offer young Kenyan seafarers employment opportunities on their vessels.

“I want to begin, in particular, to thank the Mediterranean Shipping Company MSC. Because they came in as our very first partners and as General (Rtd) Mwathethe said, you took some of our young men and women, both of whom I had the pleasure of launching, who have proven to be very successful,” President Kenyatta said.

He thanked Kenya's blue economy office led by General (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe and State House Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for policy and strategy Mrs Ruth Kagia for steering the restoration of the seafaring profession.

“I want to recognize the works that have been done by both the ministry in charge of maritime and a special vote of thanks to Retired General Samson Mwathethe and Madam Ruth Kagia who for the last five years have really been struggling to see how we can restore some of that lost glory,” the President said.

Earlier, President Kenyatta, who was on a day-long working tour of Mombasa County commissioned several infrastructural projects among them the new Ksh 4.5 billion Makupa Bridge, the offshore Kipevu Oil Terminal and the Liwatoni Fisheries Complex.

Speaking to wananchi at Makupa Bridge, President Kenyatta said the construction of Makupa Bridge in a record 17 months was a testimony of his successful 10-year tenure and rubbished his doubters as peddlers of falsehoods.

“Some leaders have been moving around the country saying after the handshake we achieved nothing. But this project is proof that we have done a lot. We have been able to do this because of the peace and stability we have experienced in the last few years, especially because of the handshake," the President said.

He said the completion of Makupa Bridge and the opening up of the 1929 causeway had restored Mombasa's enviable status as a true island.

Mombasa leaders led by Governor Ali Hassan Joho thanked the President for the projects successfully implemented by President Kenyatta's administration, and assured of the county's full backing of Azimio La Umoja's presidential candidate Raila Odinga in Tuesday's poll.

Cabinet Secretaries James Macharia (Infrastructure) and Monica Juma (Energy) accompanied the President on the day-long working tour.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned the electorate against what he termed as political liars out to hoodwink them with empty promises.

In what is seen as a direct attack at his deputy William Ruto,the president  dismissed Rutos claims that the two fell out due to his handshake with Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

 “Lies and chest thumping can’t bring leadership, let them wait first, let them allow Odinga to lead us, the rest can slow their ambitions first, and slowly they will get there,” said Kenyatta.

Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, after launching several development projects at the Makupa Causeway, Kenyatta defended his handshake with Odinga saying most of development was realized within the handshake period.

“There are those saying that we did nothing since the handshake, that’s what they have been saying therefore these projects, including the Makupa causeway, that started in 2020 is part of the handshake projects,” he said.

The president who was accompanied by Mombasa governor Hassan Joho defended his handshake with Odinga, acknowledging that Odinga has been supportive in the realization of many developments countrywide.

Kenyatta asked residents to be weary of leaders who propagate lies to gain political mileage. 

He said the projects that his administration has initiated will be fully actualized by the Raila Odinga government. He asked residents to come out in large numbers to vote for Odinga.

 “We ask you to elect leaders who are development oriented, not leaders who propagate hate and tribalism, I want to ask you people to join me in drumming up support for Raila Odinga because he has shown the will to lead with peace,” the president added.

Leaders who had accompanied the president led by Joho said the coastal region will unanimously vote for Odinga.Joho said the coastal region will deliver victory to the Azimio coalition in the upcoming general elections.

“The coast remains a stronghold of Raila Odinga,and we are optimistic that we will deliver victory to Odinga in the next general elections, if there is time that we will work for the people seriously is when we form the next government,” said Joho.

Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib expressed optimism that Odinga presidency will spur development in the coastal region, including completing projects that were initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“The legacy the president has left for us, can only be continued by Raila Odinga,the people of the coastal region are ready to ensure Odinga captures power and succeeds president Kenyatta,” said Twalib.

On his part,Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Nassir said Mombasa has reaped development from the jubilee government due to the unity between the president and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Four people died in a road accident involving a car belonging to Lunga Lunga Mp Khatib Mwashetani, Thursday afternoon.

According to reports the accident was caused by a tyre burst thus rolling several times before landing on the left side of the road..

The car was heading to Lunga Lunga from Kanana for campaigns.

The four who perished in the accident includes a driver, two bodyguards and media officer attached to the Mp's office.

The only survivor in the accident is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The Mp was not in the car during the accident.

In his statement the Mp alleged that the car had been tempered with.

"We believe that the four wheel drive car was tampered with the previous night resulting to the cause of death of Five colleagues. My sincere condolences to the families and #Teammwashetani fraternity for the great loss." Said Mwashetani.

Mr Eazi returns to his trademark Banku Music sound on “Personal Baby,” the simmering second single from his as-yet-untitled forthcoming album. 

Audio for the track, which was produced by Grammy-winning Nigerian hitmaker Kel-P (Burna Boy, Wizkid, Angelique Kidjo), premieres today on Apple Music’s The Dotty Show.

Ademola Falomo directed the video, also out today, which sets “Personal Baby” in a dystopian, Blade Runner-esque future.

Watch HERE. 

A moody love song co-written with afropop superstar Teni (“Billionaire”), “Personal Baby” reimagines the smooth, mid-tempo Banku Music sound that Mr Eazi defined with hits like ‘Skin Tight” and “Leg Over,” but with a darker edge.

The track follows June’s “Legalize” as the second single from Eazi’s forthcoming album — a project that’s nearly a decade in coming. 

Like “Legalize,”“Personal Baby” deals with love, but this time it’s from a somewhat darker perspective. “The video goes from lovey dovey to darkness,” Mr Eazi says. “It’s those extremes I'm trying to capture.”

Mr Eazi enlisted noted Beninese artist Dominique Zinkpè to handpaint the cover image for “Personal Baby.” (Zinkpè’s piece is entitled “L’amour en tête” which, translated to English, means ‘love in mind’.)

Eazi sees the album as a collection of art pieces, with each track represented visually by uniquely commissioned pieces from different African contemporary artists.

Merging afrobeats, Web3 and real-world activations, these pieces are being tokenized and shared with the public through specially curated metaverse and physical events.

Mr Eazi elaborated on these plans in a new article by ARTNews, which you can read HERE. 

 Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib has intensified his campaigns as he seeks to defend his seat in the next week polls.

Twalib, who is vying on ODM ticket has been crisscrossing the constituency in a bid to consolidate voters to support his bid for a third time.

On Wednesday, the Mp was in Jomvu kuu ward where he reiterated his plans to continue with developement projects that he has started in the ward and the entire constituency.

"You are all my witness, I have initiated several projects her including roads and schools. I promise to continue with my developement agenda and my first agenda after re-election will be to install street lights" said the Mp amid cheers from residents.

He appealed to his supporters to turn out in large numbers next week to exercise their democratic right.

He is expected to tour Mikindani ward on Thursday.

The Mp challenged his rivals to sell their agenda and stop attacking him in their rallies.

He said he is confident of retaining his seat.

Twalib charged "Stop making me your agenda, tell the people what you will do for them, put me out of your mouths" 

He further called on the residents to vote for Azimio la umoja presidential candidate in the polls.

Twalib will face off with UDA's Karisa Nzai, Dan Aloo (Wiper) and Renson Thoya (Jubilee) among others in the polls.

Two legislators have urged Mombasa residents to tolerate all aspirants despite their political divide and avoid causing chaos ahead of next week polls.

The two, Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib and his Changamwe counterpart Omar Mwinyi have condemned the use of youth and goons by political candidates to disrupt peace and rivals meetings.

According to Twalib, politicians should control their supporters saying  every aspirant is allowed by the law to campaign anywhere, adding that residents need to maintain peace and embrace political tolerance.

"Let us avoid these incidents of violence and be tolerate to each other." said Twalib.

Adding "There is life after August 9, we will all remain to be Kenyans and neighbours so let us live in peace during this time and even after elections.

Twalib who is defending his seat also called on Mombasa residents to come out in large numbers and vote for Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the coming polls.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2970-nyali-mp-mohamed-ali-and-opponent-said-abdalla-summoned-over-political-chaos

Speaking at the Bomu stadium, Chanagmwe Mp Omar Mwinyi where he was endorsed by Mijikenda elders, he called on the youth to avoid being 'misused' by politician for what he terms as selfish gains during this election period.

Mwinyi who is also defending his seat termed politicians who use youths to cause chaos as losers.

"If you someone causing chaos and violence then he or she has sensed defeat. My appeal to our youth is let us be careful with such leaders and ensure that we stay away from them". Said Mwinyi.

Mwinyi called on the electorates to gauge the candidates according to their score card and what they have done the people and community.

Hamornize's ex- girlfriend Jacqueline Wolper is expected her second baby.

Wolper is currently in a relationship with stylist Rich Mitindo. The two got engaged in August 2021 after welcoming their second child.

She announced the good news to her fans on Instagram, thanking God for the blessing.

"Baba yangu waniwazia mema, kusudi lako ni jema kwangu! Trust u God" she posted.

The race for Mombasa county governor took a new direction on Monday, after former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko officially endorsed United Democratic Alliance part candidate Hassan Omar for the top seat.

Omar,a distinguished lawyer and human rights activist now enjoys full support from Sonko's supporters who were heartbroken after his bid for the Mombasa governor seat was suddenly halted by the supreme court.

Omar is seeking to dislodge a ten term ODM reign in the Coastal city.

The duo who spoke at a media briefing at the UDA Coast headquarters in Nyali, Mombasa, vowed to conduct extensive campaigns seeking to marshal enough votes in quest to capture Mombasa leadership.

This is as it emerged that both Sonko who was previously vying on a Wiper party ticket  and Omar are planning for a meeting to deliberate on how some of the candidates supporting the two may be forced to step down for popular candidates.

“My plan is not to bring divisions in Kenya Kwanza, that’s not true, what we are planning is to have  meeting to discuss how we can deliver victory for Mombasa people, we may consider some of stronger candidates to be on the ballot,” said Sonko

Sonko also asked Mombasa electorates to vote for deputy president Willian Ruto, who he said has demonstrated capability of uplifting the lives of Kenyans.

Sonko said his plan to withdraw support from Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga to William Ruto was out of his  personal choice.

Sonko said it remains his right to support deputy president William Ruto for presidency in the August 9 polls.

"I was  fought politically , but that is not the end of the world, it’s my right to join any political side,I joined Kenya Kwanza and there is no turning back,” said Sonko.

On his part Omar has hailed the former Nairobi governor, who has won many hearts through his philanthropy, saying Sonko's agenda resonates with that of Kenya Kwanza of uplifting the lives of the poor.

“Kenya Kwanza-Team Mombasa welcomes you to the winning team. Let's deliver a just and equitable Mombasa. Real change .Freedom is Coming,” said Omar in reference to Sonko backing his bid.

Omar is also set to capture the Mijikenda vote block which is the largest in Mombasa owing to his appointment of Selina Maitha, sister to former powerful cabinet minister Karisa Maitha.

The UDA team is preparing a mega rally at the Tononoka grounds on Thursday 4 to rally the people of the coast ahead of August 9 polls.

"We want to ask our people to start calm and not to be destructed by our opponents, we have a plan we will be holding our final rally in Tononoka on Thursday to rally our people,” said Omar.

Omar said part of his plan is to dismantle cartels in Mombasa and reverse transactions of projects that do not meet the standard.

Speaking at the same occasion Nyali Mp Mohamed Ali said his life has been threatened by his opponents when 13 young people were injured during a door to door campaign.

"If anything happens in Mombasa, related to security, we will blame the police for failing to provide security,” said Ali.

Ali said the Azimio la Umoja coalition has no agenda for the coastal region because they are the one to blame for the economic woes that have beleaguered the coastal region.

“We want to ensure that no Kenyan will be blocked or threatened from participating in the general elections,” said Ali.

More security personnel including General Service (GSU) and the quick response units have been deployed in Nyali to quell building political tension, Mombasa county commissioner John Otieno has said.

This is in the wake of a building political tension in Nyali constituency after rival camps pitting area Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali and his competitor Said Abdalla clashed leaving several people injured.

Nyali Mp who was accompanied by a campaign team on Saturday was attacked at Kongowea area by a group of youth believed to be supporting his opponent Said Abdalla.

Abdalla is contesting the seat through the Orange Democratic Party ODM while the incumbent Ali is in the United Democratic Alliance UDA party. On Sunday police launched a probe into the matter.

The duo were on Sunday summoned by top security chiefs at the Mombasa county commissioners office to shed more light over the  matter and commit themselves to maintain peace.

Speaking when he met the two candidates at the Uhuru na Kazi building in Mombasa, the Mombasa county commissioner warned them against distracting peace saying More security personnel has been deployed to reinforce existing forces for the installation of peace.

 “In the past few days Nyali has experienced some sort of violence when the two leaders are doing their campaigns, and because there has been a problem, that is why we have called them here to iron out a few issues and know how we can stop this trend,” said Otieno.

The government official warned the two candidates to stick to campaign schedules so as to avert collisions during their meet the people tour campoaigns.He said insecurity in Nyali has increased and should be solved amicably.

“They have agreed that they will maintain peace until the elections, because they have committed themselves to o so, we have warned them that at any time there should be no violence, and if they can’t control their supporters, we will have no option than having iebc stop suspend their candidature,” said Otieno.

Otieno said he acted on intelligence reports that had revealed that there was a plan to disrupt elections in some parts of Nyali.He said Nyali still remains a security hotspot and will keenly be on security watch.

“We are calling on police to fast track this cases so that culprits can be taken action, we have also asked the candidates to adhere to campaign schedules, we have also asked them to stop using goons, because goons are the youth who are being misused, “said Otieno

The county commissioner said they will deploy General Service Units GSU and Lebanon security teams to ensure there is enough security so that elections can go on as planned.

“We will have enough security deployed, we will deploy GSU officers to reinforce security officers on the ground, we will ensure the candidates have security as they go on with their campaigns to avoid the clashes,” he added.

Speaking after the meeting,Nyali Mp candidate Said Abdalla said they will heed the  calls by security apparatus to ensure peace prevails.

On his part Nyali Mp Mohamed Ali said he is ready to conduct his campaigns in accordance with the iebc schedule. He asked the government to ensure there is enough security before, during and after the elections.

Independent electoral and boundaries commission Mombasa returning officer Swalha Yusuf said the commission will have no option than suspend elections in Nyali if the two leaders continue to cause chaos.

“I really urge all the voters to stay calm, because there is a need to ensure everyone is given an opportunity to vote peacefully,” said Yusuf.