Over 10,000 residents at Kwa Bulo area in Nyali constituency in Mombasa county want the government to come to their rescue over a land ownership raw.  

The residents are living in fear and panic after the expiry of a 41 days notice given to them by a cash strapped insurance firm to vacate the 85 acres parcel of land they had been living on.

The dispute over the controversial Kwa Bulo land started when the current Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho was the Kisauni legislator before  the constituency was split in two, Nyali and Kisauni constituencies in 2001.

Former Lands minister during the coalition government under retired President Mwai Kibaki, James Orengo, had visited the area and assured the residents that their land issue would be resolved.

Village elder Abdallah Show said the cash strapped Kenya National Assurance company has come out to claim ownership of the land.

He said the state corporation has dismissed residents on the land as squatters giving them the  alternative to pay land rates or vacate the land.

'The notice to pay land rates has come to us as a shock because we have been living on our ancestral land,' he pointed out.

Shamila Aziz wondered why the land saga has surfaced when the general election is around the corner and not before.

She insisted the residents are tired of being taken for a ride and in circles whenever general elections are near.

On his part, Mombasa businessman Said ‘Saido’ Abdalla said he regrets that disputes over land have become perennial in the constituency and in Mombasa county at large.

He pointed out the constituency is leading with eviction notices which have been spreading panic among the electorate ahead of this year's polls.

'To make matters worse the residents are subjected to threats of eviction if they fail to pay the land rates,' he pointed out.

The Mombasa businessman urged the  government to intervene in the land dispute in the area.

Said said he is concerned with the rising number of land disputes in the area ahead of the polls.

Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib has said he is confident of retaining his seat after August 8 election.

Twalib expressed confidence that he will beat his opponents by a landslide owing to his development track record.

Addressing members of the Warembo na Badi lobby group, Twalib urged his supporters not to trade his tried and tested leadership for anything else in the coming election.

"I can proudly say that I'm going to retain my seat come August 8. People will vote for me not as Badi, the individual but because of what I have been able to do for them since I was elected. " said Twalib.

Adding " The projects are out there for all to see and they speak for themselves. My track record speaks for itself. I'm not afraid of any opponent, none of them stand the chance to unseat me".

"We now have a sub county headquarter where one can just walk in and get all government services, something that never existed before".

The Mp called on his opponents to focus on issue based campaign and not propaganda.

"My opponents have been going round saying all sorts of things, I will not answer or attack them back since they don't deserve my attention. I'm busy serving my people". said Twalib.

Twalib called on the youth to come out in large numbers and ensure they register as voters in the coming mass voter registration set to be conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) beginning January 17th to February 6, 2022.

The Mp further called on politicians to be careful of their utterances and avoid dividing Kenyans.

Twalib Charged "We have witness what some of these utterances can lead us to so let us not go back there. Let us be careful of what we say during our rallies and political meetings"

After over a decade of producing, recording and performing music, Africa's foremost recording afrobeats guitarist, Fiokee, releases debut album "Man'' featuring Tanzanian sensation Maua Sama, Yemi Alade among others.

On Man, Fiokee showcases his musical proficiency, not only as a guitarist, but also as a producer and A&R, selecting artists, producers both within and outside Africa, fusing genres and sounds to create this masterpiece. 

When it comes to storytelling, Fiokee’s melodies are as intentional as the lyricism of his collaborators.

From his sharp-fingered staccatos, to his legatos, down to his thrills, anytime Fiokee touches his trebly guitar, he travels down a nostalgic, or sentimental narrative.

This textbook style of music-making is the magic that is reflected in “MAN.”

On this album, Fiokee stretches the storyline from his array of commercially successful singles, such as “Sweetest Thing (featuring Ric Hassani),” to “Like (featuring Reekado Banks and Tiwa Savage),” to “Dumebi (featuring Davido and Peruzzi),” reflecting the realities intertwined in adventure, treasure or love seekers. 

The 14 track album boasts collaborations with a wide range of producers, Tuzi, Xtofa, DJ Coublon, Jaypizzle, Masterkraft, DeeYasso, Yalababayala, Nero Spark; and artists, T. Classic, Jean & Alex, Nelson Freitas, Bella Shmurda, Yemi Alade, Chike, Gyakie, Guchi, Kelvyn Boy, Ric Hassani, Klem, Peruzzi, Layydoe, The Cavemen, Umu Obligbo, Maua Sama, Lirical, Simi, Oxlade, D-Black, Sefa, Vector, Nosa and Ada Ehi, from across over Africa and beyond. 

The album is a testament to Fiokee's ability to create timeless music and is also a part of activities lined up for his 40th birthday celebration this year. 

A graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Petroleum Institute of Engineering, Fiokee has remained a very calculative mind.

His rise-to-fame story, from his 2008 Star Quest reality TV contest, down to setting up his own record label in 2016, has been a narrative of intentionality and bravery. 

With “MAN,” Fiokee sets himself up for constant evolution, upping the ante like like-minded greats such as the Malian Ali Faka Toure, the Congolese Franco, and even Nigeria’s King Sunny Ade.

“MAN” is that playlist that never gets old, never gets tiring; its replay value is a reflection of the A&R whiz by Fiokee himself, alongside Osagie Osarenz.

The engineers, from Swaps to New Mix, to First Class Mix, down to Tuzi, Oga Smath, Namedey mixmaster and Xtraodinare are, prune this record carefully, to be delicate, unique, but still mainstream appealing.

And that is just one of its various gems.

 “MAN” is out on all digital streaming Here

Onesmus Kyatha is the new Mombasa County Commissioner.

Mr. Kyatha takes over from Gilbert Kitiyo who has been transferred to Makueni county in the latest reshuffle anounced by Interrior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho.

Kilifi county has also got a new county commissioner Olaka Kutswa who has been transferred from Nandi County.

Former Mombasa county commisioner Evans Achoki was moved to Eastern as the Regional commissioner.

Other areas affected in the new changes are Western, Central, Rift Valley and North Eastern.

ODM leader Raila Odinga returns to the Coast region for a one day visit to hunt for votes ahead of the August 9 election.

The former Prime Minister is expected to tour Taita Taveta county on Friday.

According to his itinerary, Odinga is scheduled to hold a meeting at Kwamnengwa before heading to Maktau to commission the Sh98.6 million Nyangoro water project funded by the local county government and the World Bank.

He is finally expected to hold a political rally at Mwatate town, together with his host Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samoja and other ODM leaders from the region.

The last time Odinga visited Taita Taveta county was March 2021 where he held several meetings with local leaders and a series of rallies in Mwatate and Voi town.

In a recent interview with with Nam Lolwe FM , Raila's campaign board chair Ndiritu Muriithi disclosed they are putting everything in place to ensure that Odinga wins the August elections.

“This is a campaign like no other. It is only comparable to the National Rainbow campaign of 2002,” said Nderitu.

Adding "Traditional Raila supporters are intact, he has also gained many supporters in North Eastern, Rift Valley especially Nakuru and Laikipia. Supporters should feel very encouraged”

Fourteen (14) people including six journalists died on Tuesday morning after a horrific road accident in Simiyu, Tanzania.

The accident involved a personal car and a public service vehicle (PSV).

The six journalists travelling on the personal vehicle,a Toyota Land Cruiser were among a team heading to Bunda to cover an event by the Mwanza Regional Commissioner Eng. Robert Gabriel.

The Land Cruiser transporting the journalists rammed an oncoming PSV, killing five of the journalists on the spot. The sixth journalist died while receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The journalists who died have been identified as Van Charles from Icon TV, Abel Ngapemba, Husna Mlanzi from ITV, Anthony Chuwa from Habari Leo Digital, Regional communication officer,  Steven Msengi, Ukerewe Communications officer and Paul Silanga, the driver.

The accident also claimed the lives of eight passengers who were aboard the PSV. Six died at the scene, the two succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Tanzania President Samia Suluhu was forced to cut short her speech in Zanzibar where she was presiding over an official function, to break the news to the public and called for a moment of silence for the victims.

"Nimeshtushwa na vifo vya Watu 14 wakiwemo Wanahabari 6 vilivyotokea leo asubuhi baada ya gari lililokuwa katika msafara wa Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mwanza kugonga na Daladala. Poleni Wafiwa, Wanahabari na jamaa wote. Mungu aziweke mahali pema roho za Marehemu na Majeruhi wapone haraka." she said.

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman who is also the Secretary Congress of African Journalists (CAJ), William Janak termed the deaths as big loss to Tanzania's media fraternity.

"On behalf of KCA and Congres of African Journalists "CAJ) wish to send our deepest condolences to JOWUTA and all journalists in Tanzania following the death of six journalists in an accident in Tanzania's Northern City of Mwanza. Poleni sana." said Janak

The Kenya Ports Authority has acquired a new modern, state-of-the-art tugboat to help boost it's operations.

The new tugboat christened 'Mkombozi' 2, RAstar 4200 built in Turkey at a cost of 1.9 billion shillings.

The high-performance Azimuth Stern Driven (ASD) , joins KPA fleet of tugboats to primarily offer salvage and harbour operations as well as complement other marine crafts crucial for tuggage services at the port.

Equipped with excellent maneuverability and packing a hefty 120 tonnes of bollard pull, the vessel with a length overall of 42 metres and maximum draft of 7.2 metres will deliver enhanced towing and ship handling services for vessels stuck at sea/ or with mechanical problems.

Nigerian singer Goya Menor is set to visit Kenya for two major performances.

The ‘You want to bamba’ hitmaker through a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, announced that he will be performing at the B- Club Nairobi on January 16, 2022.   

"On the 16th of January if you really want to chill with the big boys come to B Club Nairobi because I'm going to be there," Menor announced. 

According to a poster shared by B- Club on their social media handles, the singer who has just concluded his Tanzania tour is also set to perform at the B- Club Mombasa club on January 14th.

The Amapiano remix has gotten massive airplay, while also receiving a lot of playbacks from TikTok users who are keen non chilling with the big boys. 

Among those who turned out to be a fan of the song is Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who recently recorded himself jamming to the song and shared it on social media.

The visit by Goya Menor has however not gone down well with Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi who expressed his disappointment arguing that Kenyans are being taken as a joke for allowing foreign acts to continue performing in the country, adding that the trend of sidelining local artistes must end in 2022.

"This nonsense will end this year! We are becoming a joke," he wrote. 

Kenya Railways has today (Monday) run the first trial train with cargo from Mombasa which arrived via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line and was transhipped onto the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line for onward transportation to Malaba.

The cargo which was loaded at the Port of Mombasa and transported via SGR was seamlessly transhipped onto the MG line at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (NICD), and is destined for Malaba.

The SGR/MGR paves way for seamless transportation of cargo to the Great Lakes Region including neighbouring countries of  Uganda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan, parts of Tanzania and Rwand.

According to Kenya Railways, Mombasa to the Malaba Railway Railway Yard, via Naivasha ICD, cargo will take 36 hours compared to road transport which takes 96 hours. Similarly, it will cost $860 per TEU compared to road which costs $ 2032 per TEU

According to Kenya Rilways Managing Director Philip Mainga, this will further enhance efficiencies and ease the transshipment process.

Mainga noted “We will have regular, speedy, and reliable delivery of cargo through well-organized trains schedules with strict timetables for the evacuation of cargo and empty container repatriation from the Inland Container Terminals.

This comes just days after Kenya Railways and the tea development agency launched their partnership to transport tea via the SGR from Nairobi to the port of Mombasa.

Under the partnership, tea from KTDA-managed factories will be transported from the tea growing counties to the Nairobi Freight Terminal.

KTDA transported 31 containers of packed tea on their maiden trip from the partnership.

Former Mombasa councillor Kombo Juma Mzee has died.

Mr. Kombo who served as Mikindani Ward councillor between 1992 to 2012 died on Monday morning at his home after a long illness.

He was laid to rest on Monday evening at the Kwashee muslim cemetry, Mikindani.

Several leaders led by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib attended the burial.

In his condolence message, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho described him as a charismatic leader.

"I receive the news of the demise of Hon. Kombo Juma Mzee the former Mikindani ward councillor. He was a charismatic leader who served the people of Mikindani and Mombasa at large with utmost rigour and enthusiasm" said Joho.

On his part Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib said the late politician was a mentor and father figure to many young politians.

"It was a honor for me to serve with him way back at the municipal council of Mombasa as councillors. Surely death has robbed Mombasa county one of his gallant sons." said Twalib.