Currently with an expanded offering across multiple categories, including food, groceries, alcohol, beauty and wellness, and more, Uber Eats first launched in Nairobi four years ago and is now also available in Nakuru and Mombasa.

To mark its fourth anniversary, Uber Eats has revealed what makes for the most popular orders and delivery items in Kenya. 

Business growth has taken off, in fact, orders grew by 5.2% year-on-year (YoY), with gross bookings growing by 20.7% YoY.

This was largely driven by a steady increase in first-time consumers, but also by deliberate upscaling and diversification of the Uber Eats platform through working with key restaurant partners and the addition and expansion of grocery and convenience orders.

Since 2013, Uber and Uber Eats have collectively reached over 30 million riders and eaters in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

“We are excited to be celebrating four years in Kenya. It has been phenomenal to see the impact that we have had on consumers, delivery people and restaurants. We initially began by having only restaurants in 2018 but have since expanded this to new categories with the goal of increasing engagement and loyalty with our platform.” says Kui Mbugua, General Manager, Uber Eats Kenya.

Adding “Our category selection currently has multiple key restaurant players in the industry, supermarkets such as Chandarana, pharmacies such as Good Life, flower vendors, gas shops, water delivery shops and - even pet food delivery, while working with a range of partners that cater to every pocket.”

The latest consumer trends from Uber Eats trends have shown that consumers use the platform to order a variety of items to their doorstep ranging from cauliflower, and aluminium foil all the way through to hot wings and baking flour. 

In 2021, the smallest order was one banana, while our largest grocery order was over 12 items which included flavoured milk, long-life milk, chocolate, energy drinks, and coffee, to name a few. 

Having delivered the most expensive food order worth KES 28,520 containing Avocado Burger, Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger, Beef Burger, Crispy Chicken Strips, Hot Wings and Masala Fries, Uber Eats has proven that people are able to find diverse food options on the app to suit their evolving tastes. 

Since its launch, the number of partners signing up for Uber Eats has grown day by day. As a testament to the diversity of cuisines available on the app, Uber Eats trends indicate that the top four most frequented cuisines in Kenya include: American, Indian and Burgers and Pizza (Fast food). 

Besides positively impacting the ordering habits of an increasing number of customers, Uber Eats has also made a striking change at eateries across the country with the increasing growth of "dark kitchens".

Uber Eats has also witnessed entrepreneurs making use of the app in building their businesses to reach new customers and to get data on which items to focus on, and other information to improve their in-store and delivery operations.  

Kui Mbugua concludes: “As we look to the future we want to continue to provide our partners with the means to innovate their businesses and reach more customers, continue to offer economic opportunities to Kenya’s residents, and provide consumers with more options at the tap of a button.  We’re proud to play our role in Kenya’s diverse environment and look forward to creating more impact.“

President Uhuru Kenyatta has lauded the World Rally Championship (WRC), terming it a great motor sporting event that positively impacted the country’s economy.

President Kenyatta said since its return last year, the international motor sporting event has raised the country's profile by attracting renowned motor sports giants.

The President spoke on Sunday afternoon when he awarded winners of this year’s Safari Rally in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

“Thank you very much for your partnership and your cooperation, and to the people of Kenya you will see this is an event that is in our blood. Let me also remind you that it is not only an event that is in our blood because of our history but it is also an event that impacts us economically and positions us globally,” President Kenyatta said.

At the same time, the President called on Kenyans to continue supporting the event not only as a sporting activity but also an economic one as well.

“An event like this is not just about the drivers and the crews, it's also about every single person who is a participant from the hotels that are occupied, to the waiters who serve them, from those that do traffic management to those who are spectators, and those who are vendors for various items. It is an event that brings money to the pockets of wananchi.

“As we promote it, we promote not just the sport, we also promote our own economic wellbeing and that is how I would want Kenyans to view it. Don’t look at the event with small lens but rather see it in a bigger picture. Lets see it as an event which will help us prosper,” said the President.

The Head of State thanked all stakeholders who helped in bringing back the WRC to Kenya and congratulated the winners for demonstrating the true spirit of sportsmanship.

“We are here today to really celebrate the second year that we have hosted the return of the Safari Rally back on the WRC circuit. We are here to say how happy and proud we are to be together with all our partners and racing lovers across the globe as we celebrate our drivers, as we celebrate their cruise across the globe.

“Mine is to congratulate every single participant and as I said when we started, the prize is not in winning, the prize is in how you win. I want to believe that all our competitors for this year's Safari Rally have shown us the need and the great desire for competing vigorously but acknowledging competition is not enmity and that is why we are here. To celebrate not just the winners but every single entrant, congratulations to each and everyone of you,” he said.

The President, who is also the Patron of the Safari Rally, thanked the Federation International de I’Automobile (FIA) and the World Rally Championship for partnering with the Government in ensuring the event was brought back and that it is well managed.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the FIA team and the World Rally Championship team for the manner in which we have collaborated.  Bringing back the Safari Rally required keen working together and a willingness to partner together to deal with the issues that resulted in the rally leaving Kenya in the first place. And I want to thank them for that partnership we have walked the journey together and we are back together,” he said.

The President also commended Maxine Wahome, the only Kenyan woman who participated in this year’s Safari Rally for winning category 3 of the 2022 World Rally Championship.

Others who spoke during the event, which was also attended by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, were Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed, Vice President for the   Federation International de I’Automobile Rodrigo Rocha and the Kenya Motor Sports Federation Chairman Phineas Kimathi.

Earlier, at a scenic vantage point at the famous Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha, the President and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, accompanied by senior Government and rally officials, joined other rally enthusiasts to watch the drivers cruise past as they tackled one of the most ardours but thrilling sections of the WRC Safari Rally.

The winners of this year’s WRC were Kalle Rovanpera followed by Elfyn Evans who took the second position while Takamoto Katsuta took the third position.

Mombasa businessman and former Jubilee party Coast co-ordinator Farid Swaleh is dead.

According to reports, Swaleh died on Sunday morning at his home in Nyali.

Swaleh vied for the Mombasa Senator seat during the 2017 general election on a Jubilee ticket but lost to the current Senator Mohammed Faki.

He was appointed as a board member of the Kenya Marine and fisheries research institute in 2019, before that he also served as the director of Kenya Shipping Line Agencies.

Swaleh also served in key positions in several political outfits in the country since the KANU era in 1990’s where he was the KANU Youth Wing mobilizer, Mombasa.

In business, Swaleh was an astute businessman with interests in Transport and Logistics and building and construction.

He will be laid to rest today (Sunday) evening. 

Deputy president William Ruto has said he will return port operations to Mombasa if elected president in the August polls.

Ruto claimed that the transfer of port operations from Mombasa to Naivasha was carried by few individuals and businessmen for selfish reasons.

Speaking at the Tononoka grounds on Saturday, Ruto said he will sign an executive order to return the operations to Mombasa once he takes over the next government.

"To those who took away port operations from Mombasa causing our youth to be jobless, I want to tell you that your days are numbered" said Ruto.

Adding "The handshake government is the one that took away port operations from Mombasa affecting the economy of the entire Coast region."

Ruto accused Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga of hoodwinking Coast residents by promising to return the port operations.

Ruto charged "He is part of the problem, let him not fool you, he is part of the handshake government that is behind this problem so he cannot get out of it."

Speaking at the same time UDA Mombasa county governor candidate Hassan Omar called on the residents to make sure they elect leaders who will safeguard their resources in the August polls.

"Let us be very careful and make sure that you vote for people who will not take away your jobs" said Omar.

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, Thursday evening to attend the 26^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

On arrival at the Kigali International Airport, President Kenyatta was received by senior officials of the Rwandan Government, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Manoah Esipisu.

CS Omamo arrived in Kigali ahead of the President to attend the pre-CHOGM Foreign Ministers’ meeting among a host of other pre-summit engagements.

This year’s CHOGM brings together delegates from the 54 Commonwealth member states to discuss and address global issues and Commonwealth priorities.

The Summit, whose theme is ‘Delivering a common future: connecting, innovating, transforming’, has also attracted over 5,000 participants from government, business and civil society.

Since Monday, June 20, Commonwealth leaders have been flocking to the Rwandan capital for the global summit which was originally to take place in 2020 but was twice postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales – who is representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth – arrived in Kigali for the summit of the Commonwealth leaders on Tuesday accompanied by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Kigali on Wednesday night while his British counterpart Boris Johnson arrived on Thursday.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Namibian President Hage Geingob are among the African Commonwealth leaders in Kigali for the summit.

Legendary Jamaican act, Tarrus Riley has landed in Kenya in preparation for his performance at the Highly publicized WRC Koroga Festival. The headline act who just flew into the country with the Official Airline partner of the Festival, Kenya Airways, landed 1030 hrs EAT.

Excited about his return to Kenya, Tarrus Riley promised Kenyans a time of their life.

In his words Kenya remains dear to my heart and career. My 1^st visit to Africa was to Kenya and from then till now I’ve grown such love for the people of Kenya and I thank the Organizers of the Koroga Festival for deeming me fit to be the 1^st non-African act to headline this great Festival.

Tarrus Riley and his Band was received at the airport by the Koroga Festival Team. Tarrus Riley is supercharged for his Sunday Perfrormance at The Gardens Naivasha and other activities scheduled for him during his stay.

Koroga Fetival’s project director Farida Idris in a statement expressed her excitement and reiterated that the 30^th edition is dedicated to the President, Uhuru Kenyatta for his love for Reggae Music and deemed it as a send forth for him as the general elections gets closer.

The WRC Koroga festival also kicks off today in Naivasha and will run till Sunday with performances from Buruklyn Boyz, Nviiri The Story Teller, Jovial, Otile Brown and a host of Mixmasters.

Independent electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) says it will not extend the 72 hours deadline it had granted the Wiper party to present an alternative candidate for the Mombasa governor Race.

Wiper party, which had nominated former Nairobi Governor Sonko, was given 72 hours by IEBC to replace Sonko in the Mombasa race, after the city governor was blocked by the dispute resolution committee.

The 72 hours deadline expires today, Thursday.

But IEBC vice chair Juliana Cherera has stated that IEBC will clear the former city governor only if the high court directs  the commission to do so.

Sonko has appealed a case at the High court after he was blocked to contest in the Mombasa governor Race

Cherera made the remarks while  addressing journalists shortly before flagging off a peace caravan in Mombasa, in conjunction with the registrar of political parties Ann Nderitu.

“If the 72 hours are over we will follow the law, we will not extend the deadline, but if he has gone to high court we will heed to the court decision or whatever outcome it will direct us to do,” said Cherera.

IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee upheld the decision of the Mombasa returning officer Sala Yusuf to disqualify Sonko since he was impeached as Nairobi Governor.

The court also said Sonko did not produce an original degree certificate from Kenya Methodist University and when he did, it was past the set down deadline.

At the same time Cherera said a  meeting with political parties scheduled for next week will determine whether to revert to the manual voter identification register or not, during voting in the August 9 general elections.

Cherera yesterday said the electoral agency has invited political parties to discuss the stalemate, citing too much pressure from them.

“We are planning a meeting next week where we will sit together with political parties to deliberate on this matter and see if it is a must we use the hard copy register, how can we ensure we seal loopholes of ballot stuffing using the hardcopy register,” said Cherera.

Cherera said the commission will have no option than to listen to the majority of the voices. She said parties had requested that we revert to the hardcopy register and said it will only revert to the hardcopy register once satisfied with recommendations from political parties.

Cherera said IEBC  is ready to deliver credible polls. She asked political parties to ensure they have a reliever to their agents in an event that one gets sick or is fatigued.

"This matter of manual register, we want to ask political candidates if this manual register has been used to pave way to ballot staffing, we ask you to come with a solution on how we can solve that, because iebc is clear that ballot stuffing is the problem,” added commissioner Francis Wanderi.

Cherera also asked the public to remain united and avoid political chaos. Cherera who was accompanied by Commissioner Francis Wanderi reiterated that the commission is ready to handle elections and will deliver a credible process.

"We are ready  to hold elections and as people we need to stay united. Our diversity should not be a reason to divide us,” said Cherera.

The office of the registrar of political parties Led by  Ann Nderitu said the political party law has brought sanity and fairness in the political space.

"We used to have unfairness in the parties, but now with the new law, part is reaping big, when the law was not changed, there were no negotiations but now parties can negotiate and get their favorite candidate, “said Nderitu.

Nderitu said in the just concluded nomination the country experienced minimal disputes owing to the fairness and new criteria provided by the new law.

"We used to have a lot of wrangles and chaos in the nomination process, but now we have seen minimal numbers of post nomination disputes because of the law,” said Nderitu.

The registrar has deployed over 350 monitors in counties to monitor whether political parties adhere to the election code of conduct ahead of polls.

"We have deployed over 350 monitors countrywide to ensure parties adhere to the code of conduct, where they report any illegality so that we can administer disciplinary actions,"Nderitu said.

The registrar warned political parties against political incitement and hate speech that may cause political Nderitu asked electorates to avoid profiling women candidates, instead should let them sell their agendas.

"We are warning against destruction of political posters because it is a right for candidates to advertise themselves, we also ask people not to profile women candidates who are seeking political positions,” said Nderitu.

She was speaking in Mombasa when the Political party’s liaison committee was meeting elections stakeholders in Mombasa to deliberate on the election preparedness ahead of the August 9 polls.

Changamwe police boss David Mathew said they will work together with election monitors to ensure protection of civilians and election officers.

"We are more than prepared to protect and ensure safety during before and after the general elections, we have deployed enough police officers to man the situation,” said Mathew. 

Charismatic, talented and award-winning singer and songwriter Kizz Daniel has unveiled incredibly mesmerizing visuals to the smash-hit track and world #1 shazamed tune, "BUGA" featuring Tekno Miles.

The massive hit that got heads of governments in Africa and beyond, among millions of Kizz Daniel fans around the world, grooving to this infectious new anthem is further celebrated in a cascade of vivacious colours that do justice to the monster hit.

Resplendent in colours that primarily celebrate the motherland and bursting with energy from all the characters displayed in these addictive visuals, BUGA the visuals — are what we dreamed of and more.

Where Kizz Daniel's enigmatic presence is undeniable, Tekno brings his original sway which lends an animated personality to an already perfected artwork.

This genius-of-an-artist, Kizz Daniel has stolen our hearts with these visuals and taken us on an emotional tourism where everything is rosy, happy and animated.

Directed by TG Omori and shot on locations in Lagos and Abuja, these visuals are all about clean angles and smooth lines, with its visual frames like mini universes of sound and poetry that help us find our way with this beautiful message and music.

Just one word describes the BUGA visuals: Magic!

Watch the visuals to "BUGA" by Kizz Daniel featuring Tekno Miles in all digital platforms.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday kicked off the latest phase of the national title deeds issuance programme that will see the immediate issuance of one million title deeds to land owners across the country.

Issuing 200 title deeds to signify the start of the programme at the International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, President Kenyatta directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Lands and Interior to come up with a programme that will involve other Cabinet Secretaries in the issuance of the balance of the ready title deeds to expeditiously execute the exercise.

“Today, we are launching and flagging off the issuance of 1 million out of 6 million title deeds that are ready across the registries in the various counties. 

“The programme should be executed expeditiously such that before sunset on the Eighth of July, 2022 the balance of the one 1 million title deeds will have been conveyed to their holders,” President Kenyatta directed.

At the same time, the President highlighted several achievements under the reforms in the land sector, noting that the National Titling program, which his administration introduced in 2013, has helped in processing and issuing title deeds to many citizens.

“As part of this programme, we established the National Titling Centre, the Rapid Titling Initiative, Land Clinics and formed links with both land buying companies and County Governments.  These progressive measures were buttressed by enhanced recruitment of technical staff and the deployment of other critical resources including motor vehicles and survey equipment,” he said.

The Head of State noted that the national title deeds issuance programme has made it possible for Kenyans living in the marginalized areas such as Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit counties to legally own land thereby empowering them to develop economically.

“I am honoured to have been the President who handed over a title deed to the first woman land owner in Marsabit; a feat that was unthinkable a decade ago when it was culturally held that women could not hold a title in land,” the President said. 

President Kenyatta also pointed out that under the National Titling Programme, all beneficiaries living in the former colonial villages such as those in Nyandarua were issued with title deeds while the problem of long and protracted land cases in group ranches across the country was addressed.

“This programme has brought hope to where there was fear and despair; we have healed wounds and resolved the phenomena of protracted and acrimonious land disputes across the country; in places such as Kihiu Mwiri in Murang’a, Nyakinyua in Trans Nzoia, Mikanjuni in Kilifi, group ranches in Kajiado, Narok and Samburu, among others,” said President Kenyatta.

The President added that, through the programme, the Government has been able to secure the country’s natural resources and heritage sites which were under the threat of being grabbed.

“In addition, we have secured our natural resources and heritage sites like the Mau Forest, the Nairobi National Park, City Park and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve among others through the issuance of title deeds,” he added.

The Government is also documenting land belonging to public institutions while the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, working with partners in the education sector, has succeeded in titling parcels of land belonging to 20,000 schools and the surveying of 32,000 public schools.

President Kenyatta said his commitment to establishing an efficient, transparent and accountable land administration and management system saw the development and launch of the National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) commonly referred to as “Ardhisasa”, which has streamlined electronic land transactions.

He cited the example of the drastic reduction in the time taken to conduct land transactions from a minimum of six months per a transaction to 48 hours through the Ardhisasa as some of the achievements of the new system.

“Similarly, instead of taking between one and three months to conduct a land search, the system gives you a land search results in 3 to 5 minutes,” he said.

The Head of State also pointed out that the 2016 Community Land Act which he signed is a progressive law as it enables local communities to legally register and own communal lands.

He said previously an estimated 3.5 million people had been unable to register their communal lands covering roughly 150,000 square miles or 67% of Kenya’s landmass but with the new Act they have been able to successful legally own their land. 

“Following this progressive legislation, we have been able to issue title deeds to group ranches in Laikipia, Samburu, Kajiado, West Pokot and Taita Taveta, an endevour which has uplifted over 500,000 people,” President Kenyatta said.

He disclosed that the national Government has been able to support devolved units and decentralised land administration services by gazetting additional 10 registries in Kajiado West, Kajiado South (Loitoktok), Yatta, Mutomo, Samburu, Malindi, Ruiru, Tigania West, Marimanti and Kiritiri, bringing the total number of registries across the country to an historic high of 67.

“Further, we are in the process of constructing 10 additional registries to promote efficient delivery of services in Hola, Kitui, Mbeere, Bomet, Ol Kalou, Naivasha, Nandi, Ruiru, Laikipia, and Samburu.  The construction of these new registries will go a long way in facilitating the decentralisation of the Ministry’s services,” the President said.

Lands CS Farida Karoney said her ministry has been able to achieve the targets set by the President through the implemented reforms that have facilitated registration of 6,1000,945 new title deeds.

“ This is a very significant number because you'll be happy to note that the colonial government and our first three administration registered 6 million so actually it surpassed slightly the 6million registered in the past 100 years,” said the lands CS.

Also present at the event were Head of Public Service Dr. Joseph  Kinyua, Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior) and Eugene Wamalwa (Defence) among other senior Government officials.

Tanzanian singer-songwriter, performer, and recording artist LOUI returns with another ground-breaking music collaboration with Ghanaian and French artists; KIDI and Maud Elka.

Hennessy (Remix) is a song that celebrates the opulence, beauty, class, adoration, and quality of a woman’s love.

Produced by Tanzanian music producer S2Kizzy, the song fuses together West and Francophone afro-music flavors performed by KIDI and Maud Elka which altogether serve dancefloor vibes with a touch of romance.

LOUI commented on the release: “I have been looking forward to this release with great excitement, we’ve all put so much work, time, and effort into this project and I hope it gives you every reason to enjoy and replay this song throughout the summer season.”

Adding “I appreciate KIDI and Maud Elka for their support on this, this project wouldn’t have been possible without their creative input and dedication”.

Hennessy ‘Remix’ comes before LOUI’s second EP Project to be released this August.

Although official release dates of the EP are yet to be disclosed, we can surely anticipate a KIDI and Maud Elka feature as part of the tracklist.

Directed by Director Kenny, Hennessy ‘Remix’ official music video will be available on YouTube come Thursday 23rd June 2022; in the meantime, fans can enjoy the song on their preferred DSPs by tapping the LINK below.

https://music.empi.re/hennessyremix