Journalist and aspiring Likoni Member of Parliament Mwanahamisi Hamadi has pledged to invest in youth talent development through the TAJI LANGU Foundation, saying young people should not allow their backgrounds to determine their future.

Hamadi said the initiative seeks to create opportunities for children and young people to develop their talents, build discipline, boost their confidence and pursue their dreams despite the challenges they face in their communities.

“Young people of Likoni, do not allow the environment in which you grow up to determine how far you can go in life. Every one of you has a talent, a dream and the potential to achieve something great,” she said.

She noted that young people who begin their sporting journeys on neighbourhood pitches have the potential to rise to international platforms and represent Likoni, Mombasa and Kenya in major competitions.

“Today, you may be playing football on local neighbourhood pitches, but tomorrow, one of you could be flying the flag of Likoni, Mombasa and Kenya in major international competitions,” Hamadi said.

The journalist urged young people to prioritise education, respect their parents, uphold discipline and avoid negative influences that could derail their ambitions.

She emphasised that the foundation's mission goes beyond football, describing it as an initiative aimed at opening doors of opportunity, nurturing talent and building a generation guided by dreams and strong moral values.

“What we are starting is not just about football. It is about opening doors of hope, nurturing talents and preparing a generation with dreams, discipline and strong values,” she added.

Hamadi's initiative comes as she positions herself in the race for the Likoni parliamentary seat, with youth empowerment, talent development and community engagement featuring prominently in her messaging.

She called on young people to embrace unity and work together towards achieving their aspirations.

“Let us grow together, play together and win together. Every talent deserves a chance, and every child deserves a future,” she said.

Car & General (Trading) Limited, in partnership with TVS Motor Company and The Nyeri National Polytechnic, today officially inaugurated the TVS Motorcycles Training Center at The Nyeri National Polytechnic, marking a significant milestone in strengthening technical skills and professional training for Kenya's fast-growing two-wheeler industry.

The Training Center was jointly inaugurated by George Rubiri, General Manager, Car & General (Trading) Limited; Pradeep Chaurasiya, Business Head - Africa, International Business, TVS Motor Company; and Rachel Kimani, Chief Principal, The Nyeri National Polytechnic.

The new 225-square-metre facility is designed to provide specialized training in motorcycle technology, repair, maintenance, diagnostics, and emerging mobility solutions, equipping students and industry practitioners with practical skills required by the sector, empowering learners with marketable skills that can lead to employment as certified technicians, establishment of motorcycle repair workshops or growth of spare parts businesses, creating sustainable livelihoods and supporting Kenya’s growing mobility sector.

Valued at over USD 30,000, the facility features a modern 30-seater classroom equipped with a digital projector, TVS motorcycle training engines, special tools, two TVS motorcycles, an air compressor, tyre changing machine, wheel alignment machine, and two motorcycle service ramps.

The launch comes at a time when Kenya's two-wheeler economy continues to play an increasingly important role in national development. The industry encompasses motorcycle transport, boda boda services, delivery and logistics, spare parts, repairs and maintenance, financing, insurance, and the growing electric mobility segment. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Kenyans depend directly or indirectly on the sector for their livelihoods, while the industry contributes approximately KSh 660 billion annually to the economy.
Beyond mobility, motorcycles support agriculture, trade, digital commerce, financial inclusion, healthcare access, education and rural development by connecting communities to jobs, markets, schools and essential services.

Speaking during the launch, George Rubiri, General Manager of Car & General (Trading) Limited, said the center represents an important investment in the future of Kenya's mobility ecosystem.

"The motorcycle industry has evolved into one of Kenya's most important economic sectors, creating employment, enabling entrepreneurship and supporting millions of livelihoods. As the industry grows, the need for professionally trained technicians becomes even more critical. This Training Center is our contribution toward building the technical capabilities required to support a safer, more productive and increasingly locally manufactured mobility industry."

Mr. Rubiri noted that Car & General, which is marking 90 years since its inception, has partnered with TVS Motor Company for over 25 years, providing customers across Kenya with quality motorcycles, genuine spare parts and after-sales support, while assembling TVS motorcycles locally in Nakuru.

Pradeep Chaurasiya, Business Head - Africa for International Business at TVS Motor Company, emphasized the importance of skills development in supporting sustainable industry growth.

"TVS Motor Company believes that skills development is fundamental to strengthening the mobility sector. This Training Center will provide learners with access to modern motorcycle technologies and industry-relevant knowledge while supporting the development of a skilled workforce that can meet the changing needs of the market. We are proud to partner with Car & General and The Nyeri National Polytechnic in creating opportunities for young people and advancing technical excellence in Kenya."

TVS Motor Company is one of India's leading manufacturers of two and three-wheelers and has maintained a strong presence in Kenya through its long-standing distribution partnership with Car & General.

For Rachel Kimani, Chief Principal of The Nyeri National Polytechnic, the facility demonstrates the value of industry-academia collaboration in preparing graduates for the workplace.

"Technical and vocational education must remain closely connected to industry if we are to produce graduates who are ready for employment and entrepreneurship. The TVS Motorcycles Training Center will enrich our training capabilities, expose learners to current industry technologies and strengthen the practical competencies required in the modern mobility sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to quality skills development and national economic growth."

Established in 1977, The Nyeri National Polytechnic is one of Kenya's leading public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, offering programs in engineering and technology, computing and informatics, agriculture and environmental studies, automotive engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, and other professional disciplines.

The new center is expected to help bridge the skills gap within the motorcycle industry by providing hands-on training aligned to real-world industry requirements while fostering innovation, safety and professionalism across the sector.

The partners noted that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader collaboration between industry and academia aimed at strengthening technical education, supporting local manufacturing, and enhancing the competitiveness of Kenya's mobility economy.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called on Eastern African countries to strengthen anticipatory action and invest in disaster preparedness, warning that early warning systems alone are insufficient in protecting communities from the growing impact of disasters.

IGAD Executive Secretary has urged member states to move beyond predicting disasters and take proactive measures to prevent their impacts through timely interventions and predictable financing before disasters strike.

Speaking during the ministerial segment of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action (EADP2) in Mombasa, the Executive Secretary said the region must prioritise translating climate forecasts and early warning information into practical interventions.

"Over the past two days, our deliberations have reinforced a fundamental message: we must move from predicting disasters to preventing their impacts. Early warning is essential, but it is not enough," he said.

He emphasised the need to ensure that forecasts trigger timely action and that financial resources are readily available before disasters occur.

The IGAD chief noted that discussions during the two-day regional platform had highlighted the importance of linking short-term anticipatory interventions with long-term resilience and development strategies.

He called for stronger government ownership of anticipatory action, urging member states to integrate disaster preparedness into national policies, institutions and budgets.

"It also requires our partners to help mobilize predictable humanitarian, development and climate finance, including innovative financing solutions that match the scale of risks facing our region," he said.

The meeting brought together government ministers and senior disaster management officials from Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti, alongside representatives of the World Bank, European Union humanitarian partners (ECHO), Germany, the United Nations and other development agencies.

The Executive Secretary said the ministerial segment presented an important opportunity for member states to turn technical discussions into concrete political commitments through the proposed Mombasa Ministerial Declaration on Anticipatory Action.

"Today, we have an important opportunity to translate our technical deliberations into political commitment through the Mombasa Ministerial Declaration on Anticipatory Action," he said.

He urged all IGAD member states to support the endorsement of the declaration and ensure its commitments translate into tangible action, stronger cross-border cooperation and measurable benefits for communities across the region.

According to the Executive Secretary, effective anticipatory action requires agreed thresholds that trigger early interventions, supported by predictable and pre-arranged financing that can be released quickly before disasters strike.

" This commitment reinforces government leadership and coordination, ensuring that anticipatory action is triggered by pre-agreed thresholds and backed by predictable, pre-arranged financing that can be released swiftly before disasters strike," he added.

IGAD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states through climate forecasting, early warning systems, disaster risk management expertise, capacity development and regional coordination.

The regional organisation also pledged to continue advocating for increased investment in resilience across the Greater Horn of Africa.

The Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and promote proactive approaches to disaster risk management, particularly as communities face increasing climate-related risks.

The Executive Secretary concluded by calling for a collective shift towards resilience, urging stakeholders to transform risks into opportunities for sustainable development.

"Let us transform risks into resilience, commitments to investment, and from reactive response to lasting resilience," he said.

More than 200 delegates have converged in Mombasa for the third edition of Afrotellers, with African storytellers, creatives and cultural advocates calling for greater ownership of the continent’s narratives and the use of storytelling to influence social change.

The event, which opened in Mombasa, seeks to create a platform for African creatives to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and explore new ways of telling the continent’s stories while preserving its cultural identity and heritage.

Mombasa County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports and Gender Jonathan Wepukhulu said hosting the event was a significant milestone for both the county and the country, offering opportunities to nurture talent, expand tourism and open up Mombasa to new possibilities.

“This means a lot for Mombasa. It is about growing talent and creating space for our people, while expanding tourism and opening up the county,” Wepukhulu said.

He noted that the gathering would help position Mombasa as a destination for cultural exchange and creative development, while providing local talent with opportunities to connect with creatives from across Africa.

Afrotellers Executive Director Willson Chivhanga said the event had attracted more than 200 delegates, creating an opportunity for African storytellers to share ideas and develop new approaches to storytelling.

“We have over 200 delegates, and it is a great opportunity to create a platform for storytellers and creatives from Africa to share ideas,” Chivhanga said.

He said Afrotellers was focused on charting new pathways for African storytelling and strengthening unity across national borders.

“Our agenda is to create a platform to chart new pathways as African storytellers and to show that we are united despite our borders,” he said.

Chivhanga added that Mombasa’s rich history reinforced the importance of African narrative sovereignty, urging creatives to take charge of telling their stories through platforms they own and control.

“Mombasa has a rich history. It shows that African narrative sovereignty exists. The time to tell our stories in our own way and through our own platforms is now,” he said.

Afrotellers Board Chairman Dr Munyaradzi Chatikobo challenged African creatives to move beyond merely narrating stories and ensure their work translates into tangible change in society.

“Apart from just telling stories, we want to see the continent embodying the stories that the world can see. The embodiment should also start to influence the lives of Africans,” Chatikobo said.

His remarks highlighted the need for storytelling to go beyond entertainment and representation, becoming a tool for shaping attitudes, inspiring action and influencing the everyday experiences of African communities.

Rights activist Rachael Mwikali said Mombasa and the wider Coast region has a wealth of historical and cultural experiences that deserved greater recognition through African-led storytelling.

“Mombasa and the Coast region have a lot of rich history that needs to be told. We have people like Mekatilili wa Menza, who helped shape our society, and that is why this event is important,” Mwikali said.

She noted that Mombasa’s growing activity in the creative sector reflected its position as a meeting point for artists and creatives from across the region.

“Mombasa has also been hosting a lot of artists and creatives from the region, and that is why it has been busy,” she said.

Mwikali argued that the continent’s image had often been shaped by narratives told by others, making it necessary for Africans to reclaim the power to document and communicate their own experiences.

“The narrative about Africa has been wrongly told out there. That is why we need to own and tell our own stories,” she said.

She called on African storytellers and creatives to work together, embrace technology responsibly and engage policymakers to create an enabling environment for the creative sector.

“We must unite as African storytellers and creatives. Let us also use technology positively in telling our stories. There is a need to work closely with policymakers,” Mwikali said.

The discussions at the third edition of Afrotellers underscore the growing importance of African-owned storytelling platforms in preserving cultural heritage, challenging stereotypes and presenting the continent’s experiences from its own perspective.

The call for collaboration, responsible use of technology and engagement with policymakers also points to the need for stronger structures to support storytellers and creatives.

For Mombasa, hosting the gathering offers an opportunity to showcase its historical heritage, attract creative talent and strengthen its profile as a destination for cultural exchange and tourism.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu has called on Eastern African governments and development partners to increase investment in anticipatory action to mitigate the devastating effects of climate-related disasters.

Speaking during the second edition of the East Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa on Wednesday, Gebeyehu said the region must move beyond early warning systems and ensure resources reach vulnerable communities before disasters strike.

“A forecast alone does not protect a family, community or even a country,” he said, emphasising the need to link early warning information to timely decisions, funding and action on the ground.

Gebeyehu warned that droughts, floods, conflicts, economic pressures and public health emergencies continue to place immense strain on communities and institutions across Eastern Africa.

He noted that delayed responses often worsen humanitarian crises, even when warnings are issued in advance.

“We know, too often, that the warning comes before the disaster, but the resources arrive after the damage. That is the gap we have come here to close,” he said.

The IGAD chief said anticipatory action must be properly financed, institutionalised and integrated into national development and disaster risk management systems to deliver meaningful results.

He urged member states to incorporate anticipatory action into national budgets, contingency arrangements and disaster risk financing mechanisms.

“We cannot expect governments and local institutions to act before disasters if the resources are uncertain, fragmented or arrive too late,” Gebeyehu said.

He called for innovative and predictable financing that can be released once agreed risk thresholds are reached, allowing authorities to respond before the effects of disasters become irreversible.

Gebeyehu also urged development and humanitarian partners to invest in early warning systems, local institutions, community preparedness and financing mechanisms that enable timely interventions.

“Every dollar spent early can save several dollars in losses and response costs,” he said, arguing that investing before a disaster strikes can protect livelihoods, preserve assets and reduce the cost of humanitarian assistance and recovery.

Gebeyehu stressed the importance of empowering local communities to participate in decisions and interventions designed to protect them from climate extremes.

He said women, young people, pastoral communities and displaced populations must be meaningfully involved in shaping anticipatory action programmes.

“Anticipatory action must not only reach communities. Communities must shape and lead it,” he said.

He called for local actors to be equipped with the capacity, authority, information and resources needed to respond before disasters occur.

According to Gebeyehu, anticipatory action should be embedded in national policies, disaster risk management frameworks, sectoral plans, local government systems and development planning.

He said the approach should also be linked to institutions responsible for early warning, agriculture, water, livestock, health, social protection and humanitarian response.

Region urged to move from commitments to implementation

The second East Africa Dialogue Platform builds on the first meeting held in Mombasa in 2024, which established a shared regional ambition for anticipatory action.

Gebeyehu acknowledged progress made by member states and partners, including the development and strengthening of national anticipatory action roadmaps and improved regional collaboration through the Regional Technical Working Group on Anticipatory Action.

However, he said the region must now focus on translating those gains into sustainable systems and practical interventions.

“From pilots to systems. From isolated interventions to coordinated action. From commitments on paper to resources on the ground,” he said.

He reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment, through the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and its Disaster Risk Management Programme, to strengthening early warning and supporting member states in scaling up anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction.

The Executive Secretary also called on development partners to complement government efforts by investing in long-term systems rather than financing isolated emergency interventions.

The meeting brought together representatives of IGAD member states, humanitarian and development organisations, the United Nations, civil society, academia, research institutions, the private sector and communities across Eastern Africa.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on Eastern African governments to strengthen disaster preparedness and invest in early action, warning that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, severe and unpredictable.

Speaking during the official opening of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa on Wednesday, Murkomen said governments must move away from reactive disaster management and embed preparedness into national and county government systems.

“As of December 2025, an estimated 48.5 million people across our region required humanitarian assistance,” Murkomen said, highlighting the growing pressure climate-related emergencies are placing on public institutions and communities.

He said drought, floods and climate-related displacement increasingly affect several countries simultaneously, making regional cooperation essential in addressing the shared risks facing the Horn of Africa.

“Disasters do not respect national boundaries,” he said, calling for stronger regional frameworks and coordinated action among member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Murkomen warned that climate shocks extend beyond physical destruction, noting that disasters and conflicts often reinforce one another through the loss of livelihoods, competition for resources and growing instability.

“Anticipatory action is therefore not simply a technical intervention, but a vital instrument of public safety, national security, and responsible governance,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary said Kenya had made disaster risk reduction a national priority through legislative, financial and policy frameworks designed to strengthen preparedness and resilience.

These include the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026, the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2026–2030, the Kenya Anticipatory Action Roadmap for 2024–2029 and the National Framework for Climate Services.

Murkomen said disaster management must be integrated into both short- and long-term national planning, including infrastructure development and public financing, to protect communities and economic investments before emergencies occur.

The Interior CS said the anticipated strong El Niño conditions during the current season had made preparedness particularly urgent, adding that the government was taking the situation seriously.

“The urgency is real. Strong El Niño conditions are anticipated this season. Preparedness is a present test, and the Government is taking it seriously,” he said.

He called for meteorological forecasts and early warning information to be translated into practical action at the county and community levels.

Murkomen said county governments, local administrators, community leaders and grassroots organisations were at the forefront of disaster response and needed reliable information, adequate resources and clear authority to act.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring warnings reach everyone in time and in a language they understand, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

The government, he said, was integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific forecasting to improve community trust and ensure early warnings reach people most at risk.

Murkomen said anticipatory action must become a permanent government function rather than remain dependent on temporary projects or external partners.

“Anticipatory action must be embedded in how government works, with clear mandates, agreed procedures and accountability, not left to temporary projects or external partners,” he said.

He added that financing arrangements must be established before disasters strike to ensure resources are available when predetermined risk thresholds are reached.

“Anticipatory action cannot scale if financing arrives only after destruction has occurred,” Murkomen said.

Under the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2026–2030, Kenya intends to strengthen pre-arranged financing that can be released quickly and transparently when agreed triggers are met.

The government also plans to integrate anticipatory financing into national contingency budgets and social protection systems to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable populations before a crisis escalates.

Murkomen committed Kenya to making anticipatory action a core function of national and county disaster risk governance and fully operationalising the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026.

The Cabinet Secretary urged IGAD member states to strengthen the sharing of risk information, improve coordination of early warning systems and establish harmonised triggers for anticipatory action.

He also called on development partners, international financial institutions and the private sector to provide predictable, flexible and multi-year financing to support government-led disaster preparedness systems.

The three-day dialogue, held under the theme “Transforming Risk into Resilience,” brings together government representatives, humanitarian and development partners, United Nations agencies, researchers, civil society and private sector actors.

Murkomen urged delegates to prioritise practical commitments that integrate early action into national legislation, development budgets and regional frameworks.

The meeting builds on the first Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform held in Mombasa in 2024, which established a shared regional vision and adopted a 17-point declaration.

The platform seeks to strengthen cooperation among Eastern African countries in anticipating and managing climate-related disasters, reducing humanitarian needs and building more resilient communities.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced a phased election dispute resolution training programme targeting more than 400 judges, judicial officers and relevant Judiciary personnel as the institution steps up preparations for Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Mombasa, Koome said the programme, being rolled out through the Kenya Judiciary Academy and the Judiciary Committee on Elections, is aimed at strengthening the courts’ capacity to handle electoral disputes independently, fairly and within timelines prescribed by law.

“As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the Judiciary is taking deliberate steps to ensure that it is adequately prepared to discharge its constitutional mandate of resolving electoral disputes independently, fairly and expeditiously,” Koome said in a media briefing on Wednesday, October 28.

The training follows the completion of a specialised Training of Trainers programme involving 40 participants, who will support the wider rollout. Training for High Court judges is already underway.

The programme will cover election petitions, pre-election disputes, jurisdiction, scrutiny and recounts, results management and transmission, emerging electoral jurisprudence and appeals. It will also focus on digital evidence, electoral technology, active case management and professional ethics.

Koome said early preparation was critical because electoral disputes are governed by strict constitutional and statutory timelines and often involve complex legal, evidentiary and electoral questions.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the courts have the institutional capacity, professional competence and operational systems necessary to administer electoral justice effectively,” she said.

Beyond training, the Judiciary is strengthening its administrative and technological systems to ensure courts and registries are adequately prepared to handle the anticipated disputes.

The measures include improving case management, filing and records management, scheduling hearings and ensuring judgments are prepared and delivered on time.

Koome said the Judiciary was also assessing its human resource, financial and logistical needs to ensure sufficient staffing, reliable technology and functional court registries during the election dispute resolution period.

Electoral disputes increasingly involve electronic records, digital communication and technology-based results management systems, requiring judicial officers to develop the capacity to assess digital evidence and determine questions relating to electoral technology.

“We will identify and prioritise these needs and pursue the necessary institutional and budgetary arrangements to ensure that our courts can discharge their responsibilities effectively,” she said.

The Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to independence and impartiality, warning that courts would not be drawn into political contests as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

“Electoral disputes can generate intense political interest and public debate. However, our courts must remain faithful to their constitutional duty to administer justice without fear, favour, bias or prejudice,” she said.

She added that cases would be determined on their merits, based on the evidence presented and the applicable law, regardless of the political affiliation or status of the parties involved.

“I wish to assure Kenyans that the Judiciary will not be drawn into political contests or the determination of disputes in the court of public opinion,” Koome said.

She urged political leaders, parties, candidates and their supporters to respect judicial independence and allow legal proceedings to run their course without intimidation, improper influence or undue pressure.

“Political disagreements must be pursued through lawful channels, and judicial proceedings must be allowed to run their course without intimidation, improper influence or undue pressure,” she said.

Koome also called on journalists to uphold accuracy and responsibility when covering electoral matters and court proceedings, noting that media reporting plays a crucial role in informing citizens and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The media plays a vital role in informing citizens, promoting accountability and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions,” she said.

She urged journalists to distinguish allegations from established facts and political commentary from judicial determinations, while pledging continued engagement with the media and the public to improve understanding of electoral justice processes and counter misinformation.

As the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election, Koome said electoral preparedness remains a top institutional priority for the Judiciary.

“The Judiciary remains firmly committed to doing its part in safeguarding constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” she said.

“Our promise to Kenyans is that, whenever electoral disputes arise and are properly brought before our courts, they will find an independent, impartial and competent Judiciary ready to administer justice in accordance with the Constitution and the law.”

International film CALL ME QUEEN made its highly anticipated Kenyan debut at the 2026 NBO Film Festival (Prestige Cinema, Ngong Road on 17 October, 2026) ahead of its theatrical release across East Africa on 30 October, 2026 followed by an online release via YAKWETU™ from 13 November 2026.

The red carpet premiere welcomed German producer Gian Piero Ringel, director Emily Atef and lead Rwandan-French actress Eliane Umuhire, alongside Kenyan actors: Nice Githinji, Helen Keli, Peter Kawa, Michelle Tiren and Lwanda Jawar Kotengo, among the film’s 150+ Kenyan cast and crew members.

Directed by award-winning German-born French-Iranian filmmaker Emily Atef, CALL ME QUEEN stars Eliane Umuhire as Queen Achungo, alongside Irish actress Denise Gough, with Charlie Carrick, Dominic West, Laurent Lafitte and Danny Sapani.

The Kenyan cast includes Michelle Tiren, Nice Githinji, Lwanda Jawar, Helen Keli, Peter Kawa and Eddie Kimani, bringing together an international ensemble for a story firmly rooted in Kenya's history and social realities.

Set in Nairobi during the 1990s, against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, CALL ME QUEEN follows Queen, a Rwandan refugee and single mother living in Korogocho, whose determination to provide for her children, leads her to become a housekeeper for Anna, an international journalist living in an affluent Nairobi suburb.

What begins as an employer–employee relationship, develops into an unexpected friendship between two women from vastly different worlds, challenging their perspectives on privilege, inequality and the value of human life.

When Queen discovers she is HIV-positive, her personal struggle becomes part of a wider fight for access to life-saving medication, at a time when treatment remains beyond the reach of millions.

As Queen and Anna confront the inequalities shaping access to healthcare, the film examines the intersection of poverty, pharmaceutical patents, race and political responsibility, while highlighting the resilience of individuals and communities determined to fight for change.

Speaking about the film, director Emily Atef describes Queen as “The undisputed heroine of the film. A woman whose resilience and natural leadership emerge, as her personal struggle grows into a fight for her community. Her strength, humour, fearlessness and innate intelligence is what makes her a born leader. Queen and the people around her, take control of their own struggle, and fight for change on their own terms.”

Inspired by true events, the screenplay is based on veteran foreign correspondent Lara Santoro's novel MERCY. It was written by Atef, alongside Kenyan-Ghanaian screenwriter Hawa Essuman, German filmmaker Josune Hahnheiser and British writer Jeannine Dominy. The production brings together international filmmaking talent, and a largely female Kenyan cast and crew, placing local experiences at the centre of a story with global relevance.

Distributed across East Africa by Crimson Multimedia, and by YAKWETU™, CALL ME QUEEN opens in cinemas across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda on 30 October 2026, followed by an online release via YAKWETU™. Audiences can look forward to experiencing this powerful story of friendship, resilience and the fight for a more equitable world.

Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Managing Director of Crimson Multimedia and Co-Founder of YAKWETU™ says, “This film deserves to be watched widely, we have therefore pushed for a release across East Africa’s cinemas, and also Online via YAKWETU™ where cinemas cannot reach the audience.”

The film is an international production by Ringel Film, Les Films Pelléas, Cowboy Films and Streetcar Productions, in co-production with Zischlermann Filmproduktion, Construction Film and Ascent Films. It is dedicated to the memory of Appie Matere, the visionary Kenyan film and television producer, who collaborated with Ascent Films as a producer on the project before her passing. The distributors invite partnerships for impact screenings, focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing & treatment, equal access to healthcare, women's empowerment and social justice. 

With its compelling performances and intimate portrayal of two women whose lives become intertwined, CALL ME QUEEN revisits a defining period in Kenya's history, while raising questions about dignity, equality and access to life-saving treatment that remain relevant today. The film offers audiences an opportunity to engage with a Kenyan story, told through an international lens, bringing renewed attention to the people and communities whose struggles have shaped the fight for healthcare justice.