Construction works to rehabilitate Moi International Airport’s (MIAs) aircraft pavements and Airfield Ground Lighting systems (AGL) funded by French Development Agency a Sh7 billion facility is on course for completion.

The project had been by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) Ag. Managing Director, Alex Gitari noted that the works, which were originally meant to be completed in December last year were delayed and pushed to March 2021, due to the Covid-19 health protocols.

The mitigation measures (curfew) put in place reduced construction hours.  

“The Moi International Airport’s rehabilitation works will ensure that all pavements offer safe operations to aircraft and avoidance of operational delays and disruptions occasioned by poor airfield ground lighting, “said Gitari

The rehabilitation of MIA will involve replacing the existing AGL systems and all approach lighting masts from steel to fiberglass.

The upgraded pavements will have a sustainable maintenance regime to keep the runway and aprons in good condition throughout the 20 years design life, and also ensure the airport land is neither undermined, nor destroyed due to unstable ground.

It will also enhance MIA’s green rating through rainwater water harvesting.

Mr Gitari also inspected the construction progress at Ukunda Airport. The Authority is rehabilitating the Ukunda aerodrome’s security and Mkwakwani Primary School fences.

Ukunda Airport has in recent past seen growth in passenger numbers, necessitating introduction of larger planes. It is served by Jambojet, Air Kenya, Safari link, Fly 540, Aeronav and a number of private charters.

“Passenger numbers have rapidly grown from 55,207 in 2014/15 to 175,460 in be 2017/18, reflecting an overall growth of 240 per cent, in 4 years “said Gitari.

The Coast projects inspection tour is part of a country wide exercise in which Kenya Airports Authority Management is inspecting the ongoing infrastructural projects. 

Young Rich TV show, Foods of Kenya returns to the screens bigger and better  for the fifth from 6pm this Saturday 6th February 2021 on KTN. 

The weekly show that explores the traditional culinary history and cooking methods of the different Kenyan communities since time immemorial. 

The show delves into the details of where and how the meals are prepared, their cultural significance as well as how these methods have evolved over the years, incorporating dance, culture, clothing and interesting tradions. 

Speaking about the show, Eugene says,  " We are excited to document healthy foods and recipes from way back and at the same time enjoy our rich culture as it evolves in this modern-day, while holding on to some other things that our forefathers taught us.

Following a one year break, the new season returns with fresh content and promises its viewers great insights from the shores of  Muhuru Bay to Kalokol, Lake Jipe to Mount Sagallia and Rumuruti to Busia. 

Viewers will get to experience various dishes from  Akop of the  Dinka community, Curu Wa Mukiyo of the Kikuyu Community, Suqaar from the Somali Community, and the delectable  Sambar from the Indian Community among others. 

The show that  premiered in March 2019 has been created by Eugene Mbugua of Documentary and Reality television limited and is hosted by the charismatic renowned Kenyan ptoducer, Mwaniki Mageria. 

The show is aimed at appreciating Kenya’s unique delicacies  and equipping the audience with the knowledge of it's rich and exciting  local foods, and traditions. 

The new season has been  directed by David Mutuku and  Caroline Ngunjiri and Debrah Metto as production managers. 

It’s so exciting to be a part of this because we have new people to meet, new communities and even going back to the old ones but having new and fresh experiences from them" says Mwaniki Mageria. 

When news of the deadly Covid-19 virus broke in China’s Wuhan City in December 2019, the world sunk in shock as the virus swept across Asia, Europe and American continents, consuming souls mercilessly.

African continent followed painstakingly, awaiting their turn. Indeed it was a question of when.

On February 25, 2020 Africa reported its first case of COVID-19 in Algeria.

Two and half weeks later the virus struck Kenya. Today, 10 months down the line, the country has lost more than 1, 700 people to the pandemic.

For most Kenyans, the year 2020 will go on record as a year of painful loss.

High profiled Kenyans among them frontline workers including health workers, respected leaders, gifted entertainers, University dons, and people who have inspired and enriched our lives in one way or the other, have all fallen victims of a pandemic that has continued to cause death and suffering around the world.

To lose these people is perhaps a reminder of the fragility of life and a reminder to take care of one another to the best of our ability when we can. But in the midst of feeling sorrow for people who are no longer with us, we should also take comfort in the gifts they gave us while they were here.

Here, Ommydallah.co.ke pays tribute to those who left us in 2020, people who changed the country for the better and helped show us a path forward.

Dr Doreen Lugaliki

Dr Doreen Lugaliki, an obstetrician/gynaecologist, was the first Kenyan doctor to succumb to coronavirus. She was 39 when she died on July 10, 2020.

The mother of two had worked at Nairobi South Hospital caring for Covid-19 patients.

Dr Lugaliki had been admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital on July 5, and was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin.

Lugaliki started her career at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital immediately after her undergraduate studies. She later worked at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital as a gynaecologist consultant.

"Until her demise, she worked at The Nairobi South Hospital. Her pride and joy was helping mothers safely bring forth life,” the family said.

Papa Shirandula

Celebrated TV actor and comedian Charles Bukeko popularly known by his stage name as Papa Shirandula, is another household name to have died from the virus in July 25, 2020.

He was buried at his rural home in Funyula, in Western Kenya.

He reportedly tested positive for the virus a week before and went into isolation.

His condition worsened when he started having breathing difficulties. He was rushed to Karen hospital in Nairobi where he was declared dead on arrival.

The late Bukeko was known for portraying the titular character in the television series Papa Shirandula, which he also created and won the 2010 Kalasha Award for Best Actor in a TV Series.

If there are any characters of a TV programme that had triggered echoes of laughter in homestead across the country, then that is undoubtedly Papa Shirandula.

Throughout the long-running series - Papa Shirandula walked tight-rope in the funniest fashion. He duped his wife into believing that he had an office job.

Whenever he left home every morning he would leave donning his office wear characterized by a dark suit, bright shirt and unusually oversized tie. Perhaps to portray confidence that muffles the systemic lies, he always walks out of the house and walks away whistling.

He would however divert into a bush and change into his trademark maroon suit, as soon as he walks out of sight. He would then straddle his bicycle and cycle off to his real job as a security guard.

Professors

In the same month of July, Covid-19 claimed the life of renowned academician Maurice Wamang'oli who before his death was a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of Nairobi.

The academic giant died at The Nairobi Hospital.

The University of Nairobi further lost yet another lecturer, the renowned Dr. Ken Ouko. Ouko passed away on August 1, while admitted at Aga Khan Hospital.

UoN Communications Director John Orindi confirmed that the renowned lecturer Ouko succumbed to Coronavirus (Covid-19).

People known to him described don Ken Ouko as a soft-spoken and eloquent person who got along well with people.

Hatimy

In Mombasa, nominated MCA Mohamed Hatimy, who was also the ODM party chairman, also succumbed to Covid-19 after battling the virus in an intensive care unit at a Mombasa hospital for three weeks.

Before his death, Hatimy was the chairperson of the assembly’s Finance committee until his death.

He was among the seven MCAs who contracted the deadly virus prompting the closure of the assembly for 14 days.

The Kajembes

If there is a family in Kenya which has known the real wrath of Covid-19, then it should be that of former Coast Politician, the late Ramadhan Seif Kajembe where the pandemic claimed the lives of three family members within a span of just one month.

In the month of July, the late Kajembe’s second wife Aziza contracted the virus and died later that month. She became the first casualty of the virus in that homestead.

Two weeks later August 7, Kajembe himself succumbed to the virus and the politician’s eldest daughter Langoni Kajembe 46 died of Covid-19 at Pandya Memorial Hospital just a week after her father died in the same hospital and a month after her mother’s demise.

The cycles of death in the Coast politicians homestead shook the entire country.

And as family, friends, relatives and Kenyans at large struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality of the third death in one homestead within a span of one month, it became evident that all the three had succumbed to the deadly virus.

Kajembe did not attend his wife’s burial because he was admitted to hospital, just like his daughter was unable to attend his burial and now she has succumbed.

Reports indicate that several family members had been taken into quarantine after their parents contracted the virus.

The tragedy that struck the Kajembe’s is perhaps a testimony of how Covid-19 pandemic can easily wipe out a family within a short period of time.

Just like her father and her mother the late Aziza Kajembe who both succumbed to the pandemic, the late Langoni who was laid to rest at Kwa Shee cemetery in Mikindani also succumbed to the virus.

The family said she had tested positive for the virus late last July and was admitted at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa where her parents were also admitted.

Two weeks later, the late Langoni would be declared Covid-19 free and she was discharged before her condition deteriorated afterwards prompting readmission.

Family spokeman Mbaruk Juma would say the late was admitted at Pandya hospital on July 28 after developing breathing complications.

She was tested for Covid-19 on July 29, and results turned out positive but after 15 days the doctor conducted the second test and found she was negative.

She returned to the hospital where she was admitted in the ICU after developing breathing difficulties and was further treated for high blood pressure.

The family spokesperson said the late Langoni did not attend the burial of her father who succumbed to the Covid-19 because she was already at the hospital undergoing treatment.

Mustafa Idd

In November, former Kilifi South legislator Mustafa Idd also added to the list of Coast politicians who succumbed to Covid-19, as the second wave of the pandemic began to wreak havoc across the country.

Idd who was also Coast Water Works Development Agency Chairman, was hospitalized at Coast General Teaching and Referral hospital where he succumbed.

He was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic burial rites at his home in Bomani Kikambala area in Kilifi South after Swalatul Dhuhr- 1.00pm prayers.

Family said he fell ill on November 16 and was rushed to Premier Hospital in Nyali where immediate chest radiograph revealed that he was suffering from pneumonia.

Samples for Covid-19 tests were collected for testing and three days later they returned positive according to family.

Deputy President William Ruto is expected to start his three- day tour of the Coast region on Thursday as he drums up support for his 2022 presidential bid.

The Dp is expected to start the tour by touring Lunga Lunga, Kwale county before heading to Watamu, Kilifi county and Kisauni, Mombasa county on Friday.

Ruto who has been making inroads in the region  will be accompanied by several Mps allied to him including Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali and former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar.

On Saturday, he will be in Jomvu meeting youth groups in what he terms as 'Youth Empowerment" drive then head to Nyali for the official opening of the Kwa Bullo Primary and secondary school. The climax of his tour will be at the Free Town grounds for a rally.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has restated his commitment to fulfil his election pledges key among them being the expansion of electricity connectivity, opening up of more roads and accelerating the growth of small businesses.

“We want to ensure that every Kenyan has access to electricity both for domestic and for income generating activities such as welding, hairdressing businesses and milk cooling plants for farmers,” President Kenyatta said.

The President spoke Monday evening at Kimahuri in Kieni East, Nyeri County where he commissioned a last mile electricity connectivity project that will benefit 216 households and several public institutions including schools, markets and health centres.

He said over 70 percent of homes in Kenya were connected to the national grid compared to only that 30 percent that had electricity when he took over the nation's leadership in 2013.

Addressing area residents shortly after switching on electricity in Mama Lydia Njeri Kahuthu's house, the Head of State announced Government plans to tarmac the Sagana-Ndathi-Naromoru Road, set up a milk cooling facility, and a hospital in the area.

“This road will ease the transportation of goods in this area. It will particularly help farmers to access markets for their produce beyond the region,” the President said.

Once again, the President, who is on a working visit of Central Kenya, reiterated his call for national unity saying that is the only way to ensure the current development momentum is not lost.

On BBI, the Head of State rallied area residents to support the law reform process saying its proposals will ensure sufficient resources go to the counties to benefit wananchi.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and area MP Kanini Kega also spoke at the launch event that was attended by several Central Kenya leaders.

The Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa has officially reopened it's beach bar, Fins Beach Bar & Grill after undergoing refurbishment.

Sprawled along the spectacular Diani Beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, Fins Beach Bar & Grill serves up a variety of cuisines in a casually-elegant venue.

The bar provides a breezy spot to enjoy a signature Zuri cocktail or aperitif paired perfectly with our chef-inspired small bites and snacks.

Fins Beach Bar and Grill, which is now open to both in-house and walk-in guests, has been referred by many, as a gem nestled under swaying coconut palms that not only offers a relaxing ambience but also Instagrammable views to match.

Guests can have the option to savour long, leisurely lunches or intimate, romantic dinners. Whichever mood you’re in, Fins Beach Bar & Grill has got you covered.

Spins at Fins, a destination within a destination - is the ultimate themed event hosted at Fins Beach Bar & Grill every Saturday featuring Oceanik (DJ Evan Rhodes and Scott the Violinist) and other local artists.

It is the gift that keeps on giving because of the good vibes it gives the guests as they kick-start their weekend.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has mourned former cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae who passed away today as an icon of Kenya's progress through the years.

In a message of comfort to the family of the independence era provincial administrator, the President said the late Nyachae's successful transition from public service to the world of business and politics was a demonstration that focus and hard work pays.

The Head of State regretted the passing away of Hon Simeon Nyachae saying death had robbed Kenya of a wise statesman whose long service to the nation helped shape the country's standing as one of Africa's most progressive economies.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Mzee Simeon Nyachae, a distinguished son of Kenya, a friend and a man whose contribution to the making of the Kenyan nation will remain with us for eternity.

"Throughout his many years of service to the nation, right from his time in the provincial administration through to his transition into business and politics, Mzee Nyachae exhibited exemplary zeal to succeed and as he exits from this world, he leaves behind a rich legacy of success," President Kenyatta eulogised.

The Head of State recalled his interactions with Hon Simeon Nyachae over the years saying the former Nyaribari Chache MP was a jolly, accessible and dependable elder whose wise counsel and friendship he will miss.

"I recall with nostalgia my many interactions with Mzee Nyachae over the years. As an elder and friend, Mzee Nyachae always had a word of wisdom and encouragement for me. Many will remember and miss Mzee Nyachae's warm personality and especially his hearty and infectious laughter," President Kenyatta recalled.

The President prayed to God to comfort the family of Mzee Nyachae and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of their departed patriarch.

Born in 1932 to the legendary colonial-era chief Musa Nyandusi, Nyachae belonged to the first crop of British-trained African administrators who also made it big in business.

He attended Torquay College, UK, between 1957 and 1959 and later Churchill College, Cambridge.

He rose through the ranks from a District officer in Kangundo and other parts of Machakos District in 1963 to a Provincial Commissioner between 1965 and 1979 and later the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet in the Moi administration.

He vied and won the Nyaribari Chache seat on a Kanu ticket in 1992.

Nyachae died on February 1 at the Nairobi Hospital.

Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) signee Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa aka Rayvanny, has just released his first album.

The album titled 'Sound from Africa' has a total of 23 songs.

"My First Album in my Music career , Thanks God For this one" he posted on twitter.

American singer Enisa is among those featured in the album, in the song 'Number one' remix.

Others are Diamond Platnumz, Mbosso, Joe Boy, Kiss Daniel, Saida Karoli, Rowlene and Jah Prayzah.