Ommy Dallah
President Kenyatta Calls On Women To Play A More Active Role In Nation Building
President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged Kenyan women to take the lead in nation building saying women, just like their male counterparts, have the potential to steer the country’s development agenda.
The President, who spoke today at State House Nairobi while donating a bus to Hafsa Bint Siirin Centre from Garissa County, encouraged women to play a more active role in Kenya's push to attain prosperity, peace and stability.
“Actually you have even a greater role because in formative years of any child be they male or female, you are at the centre of developing, of growing and of instructing that child. Before you hand them over to the world, their formative years are in your hands,” the President said.
Hafsa Bint Siirin Centre is an Islamic women educational and empowerment institution based in Garissa town. The centre provides education and empowerment to women, orphans, vulnerable girls, persons with disability and senior citizens.
While handing over the bus donation to the women who were led by the centre’s founder Ms Hawa Kalba Gure, the Head of State encouraged them to continue working for the empowerment of women and the girl child.
“So ours is to support this kind of initiative. Ours is to encourage you. Ours is to say we are proud of what you are doing to empower your fellow citizens,” the Head of State said.
He underscored the importance of women empowerment saying mothers give their children a firm foundation from which they become meaningful contributors to the development and economic growth of the country.
The President, who also donated indigenous tree seedlings to the group, pointed out that shutting out women from the core of national development means shutting out half of the country’s human capital.
“We cannot allow that to happen. We want women to be at the centre of development and nation building like their male counterparts,” he said.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale who accompanied the women to State House thanked the President for the donation saying the bus will enhance the operations of the group. Mr Duale is also the Garissa Township MP.
Nameless Features Darassa In New Song 'PAH'
Nameless has partnered with prolific Tanzanian rapper Darassa to bring you 'PAH'.
'PAH' is an easy mid-tempo love song with a strong East African vibe.
In this video, Nameless also takes the opportunity to introduce us to his newly unveiled brand Icon.
The Nameless icon has been designed by Arnold Lakhita
The song has been produced by Bern Music and video directed by Hans Scana
Watch the video below..
AliKiba Reveals Why He Had To Send Wife Back To Mombasa
There has been alot of speculation especially on social media on why Tanzanian artist AliKiba had to send his Kenyan wife Amina Khalef back to her home in Mombasa.
In an interview with a local radio stations back in Daresalaam, AliKiba revealed that the reason why Amina came back to Mombasa was work related.
"Amina nilimpeleka Mombasa kwa sababu. Kwa sababu kulikuwa kuna kazi fulani alikuwa ameitwa na government afanye. (I sent her to Mombasa for a reason, she was required to carry out some task by the county government" said Kiba.
Amina is an employee of the Mombasa county government, department of water and sanitation.
Lat month, Amina was part of the delegation from the county government that attended the International dessalination conference in Dubai where Mombasa won the bid to host the 2021 conference. Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri and former county water and sanitation executive member Fatma Awale were also part of the delegation.
The national government was represented by water cabinet secretary Simon Chelagui.
Willy Paul Eyeing Rwanda Market, Releases New Song With Meddy
Kenyan controversial artist Willy Paul has just released his latest collabo with Rwanda's finest Meddy.
Willy Paul seems to be expanding his base to Rwanda after successful collabos with Tanzanian artists Ali Kiba, Ommy Dimpoz, Nandy and Rayvanny he hasla also worked with Jamaica's Alaine.
The new song is titled 'Uuh mama'.
Coast Heroines Feted At Women Award Of The Year 2019
The Women Award of the year 2019 edition went down last evening at the Travellers Beach Hotel Mombasa, recognizing women form the Coast region who have contributed to developement and social impact especially in fields perceived to be male only.
Among those feted was Ramla Said a nominated member of the Mombasa county assembly representing persons with disabilites, young actress Ndela Mweri who plays 'Hanna' in the local swahili soap opera Maza.
Others who were also feted includes, Natasha Shalo(Young artist), Zubeda Wahome(Activist), Farida Seif(NACADA board member), Najma Mohammed (WeforShe organisation founder), Hamisa Zaja (Activist), Sheila Thoya (Founder Angaza Initiative CBO), Florence Fundi(Empoering young girls through sports), Beatrice Mjomba (Activist).
Speaking during the event, Faiza Bajaber the founder of the Coast Woman magazine and Women award of the year revealed that the awards will now be held every year.
The ceremony was also graced by different leaders and personalities including Lamu County Women Mp Ruweida Mohammed, former Mombasa County Trade and Tourism executive Fawz Rashid , Citizen Tv news anchor Lulu Hassan, Mombasa based celebrity chefs Ali Madhry and Maliha Mohammed
The Coast Woman Magazine was inspired by the negative stereotyping of Women at the Coast who have often been reffered to as 'Lazy beings with a penchant for flamboyance'.
Below are some photos from the event...
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta Joins Leading African Philanthropists At A Youth Empowerment Forum
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today joined several leading African philanthropists who have partnered under the African Philanthropy Forum to provide strategic giving with the aim of fostering shared prosperity on the continent.
During the forum, also attended by Youth Affairs CS Prof Margaret Kobia, representatives of philanthropic institutions expressed optimism that increased investments in new technologies will expand and provide new platforms for African youth to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, CS Kobia said the Kenya is committed to creating better opportunities for its youth through the ongoing reforms in the education sector.
She said the government is currently revamping and equipping Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions (TVET’s) with the aim of equipping the youth with competencies needed for the job market.
Prof Kobia challenged philanthropists to come out and partner with the government in offering technical and vocational skills training in the Big 4 Agenda focus areas of housing, food security, manufacturing and universal healthcare.
“Philanthropists and civil societies should cut their niche and decide which area of the Big4 they will support,” Prof Kobia said in the forum that included Ms Nyokabi Kenyatta of Kenyatta Trust.
Ms Kenyatta said her outfit, which has footprints in all the 47 counties in Kenya, helps the needy by creating a conducive and enabling environment that facilitates learning for young people from vulnerable backgrounds.
She said Kenyatta Trust counts on beneficiaries of their philanthropy to offer voluntary community service as a way of giving back to society.
“We play our part by bringing the youth to acquire skills and by providing access to quality education, through mentorship and community service.
"We are trying to create a solution that is more comprehensive than just paying fees to the school by ensuring that we are also involved in the lives of these children,” Ms Kenyatta.
Ford Foundation Regional Director for East Africa Maurice Makoloo said there is need for philanthropic institutions to establish partnerships and create synergies for them to have sustainable impact on their beneficiaries.
“I want to encourage us as Kenyans to learn to really trust a little bit more. Civil society should trust that government means well. And that government can actually trust that civil society is a critical partner in these things and that private sector can trust philanthropy is part of delivery," Mr Makoloo said.
On his part, chief executive officer of the Chandaria Group Darshan Chandaria said corporates should consider taking philanthropy as a core business.
Mr Chandaria said philanthropy helps organizations to remain relevant in the modern economic environment.
Dr. Beth Waweru who is the Associate Director of Education and Leadership Development at the Equity Group Foundation said since inception, her organization has sponsored a total of 16,168 needy students through its partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and other partners.
She said the success of the Equity Group Foundation is largely as a result of involving communities in selecting beneficiaries of their scholarship programme.
In his closing remarks, the founder and chairman of the African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Gbenga Oyebode called for more partnerships in philanthropic activities saying as Africa’s population continues to grow, there’s need for all stakeholders to be more innovative in utilising technology to create opportunities for the youth.
He said philanthropy is not about giving finance but recognizing the need to do justice for the common people.
“For us who are here today, we must recognize the need to create opportunities for thousands that get to school and thousands others who may never get to school.
"We must recognize their contributions too, for our communities and our nations wellbeing,” Mr Oyebode said.
Fena Gitu To Host 'Unleashed' Album Release Concert
One of Kenya’s baddest femcees and AFRIMMA 2019 nominee Fena known for smash hits including “Kaende”, “Steam”, “Sema Ngwe”, “Trouble” and “Doing Her Thing” will release her sophomore album UNLEASHED on 23rd Nov 2019 at the Junction Mall (Silo parking rooftop) from 6 PM at an event dubbed #FenaUnleashed.
Fena’s anticipated new album coincides with her celebration of a decade in the music and entertainment industry this year, and her celebratory #FenaAt10 project and a series of events.
UNLEASHED album pre-order: https://bit.ly/2Of57LT
At the album launch concert #FenaUnleashed, Fena will be backed by the Dynamiques Band.
The concert will feature performances by a medley of guest artists among them Kagwe Mungai, Mayonde, Charisma, Elani plus many more!
The event will be hosted by Kwambox with Jo Kisila on the decks.
As of what to expect, Fena says, “The album launch concert will be nothing short of high energy entertainment, with lots of love and celebration of 10 years in the industry with the Fenatics community and the public at large. Can’t wait to see you all.”
KPA Workers Defend Manduku
A section of Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] employees have come out in to defend their embattled Managing director Daniel Manduku who is accused of being involved in a multibillion shilling fraud at the parastatal.
The workers claim the allegations of corruption at the port of Mombasa are purely malice and there is a hidden agenda behind the reports which have been in the media.
Port Workers Welfare and Performance Group [PWWPG] chairman Waweru Kamau said they are 'perturbed' by the media reports in the past one week on the port scandal.
In a signed statement the PWWPG chairman were quick to state that they dont hold brief for Manduku or any other official mentioned in the scandal.
The statement which was also signed by the secretary Ali Khamisi and organizing secretary Peter Ouma stated that the scandal is purely 'witch hunt' driven by 'cartels' and 'cowboy contractors' who are out to eject Manduku from his position before his three year contract elapses.
"We are against the way the graft cases are being handled which seem to be personal vendetta against individuals at the port at the moment," he pointed out.
The KPA workers chairman accused various tenders losers at the port of ganging up with brokers to fight back and ensure Manduku is sacked.
Kamau argued that some powerfulk individuals are not happy Manduku cancelled some contracts and made some internal reshuffle of port employees at the port.
‘’We are surprised that some names of managers mentioned on the social media have nothing to do with the tender procurement system," he pointed out.
The PWWPG chairman said in his three page statement they are being used as sacrificial lambs to eject Manduku to settle some political scores following his good performance as he has been able to turn the port around.
Kamau lauded Manduku for what he termed as good efforts to fight corruption at the port..
"Let the government be honest when fighting graft and should stop used," he pointed out.
Meanwhile Kenya Ports Authority management has defended itself against reports over corruption at the port and maintained that the procurement of tenders under scrutiny is above board.
A brief statement signed by Manduku said the move comes in the wake of adverse media reports implicating top officials in irregular expenditures on infrastructural projects.
He said the projects including the Makongeni Goodshed Yard, manufacture of concrete barriers and Kisumu Port revitalization all followed the procurement laws.
"For instance it’s been reported in the media that the Makongeni Goodshed yard is on a plot it never owned, but it is important to note that KPA legally acquired the parcel of land from the Kenya Railways Corporation," he pointed out.
The KPA boss said the facility was gazetted as a port in line with the laid down practice and policy after KPA acquired the requisite board approvals from both the Kenya Railways Corporation and Kenya Ports Authority.
Manduku said on the manufacture of concrete barriers the media reported that preparation of Bill of Quantities were done without requisition forms from the user department, the true position is that the procurement procedures were adhered to and were initiated by relevant consumer departments.
He said subsequently, all the companies that won the tenders for the projects were qualified and picked through an open tender system.
"Kisumu investigations are ongoing by the DCI team accompanied by the engineers from
Public Works," he pointed out.
Planning To Visit Daresalaam?,This Is Why You Should Book Your Stay At Jaromax Palace Hotel
The Wasafi festival 2019 edition finally came to an end last weekend in Daresalaam after being held in several regions across Tanzania, the festival was also held in Kenya last year, Nairobi and Mombasa.
The grand finale held at the Posta grounds last weekend was graced by top Nigerian artists Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, Meddy from Rwanda was also present, any way first things first, the aim of this post is to share with you my experience at the Jaromax Palace Hotel which was this time round my official host during my three days stay in Daresalaam.
Jaromax hotel is a new, modern and very affordable hotel located at one of Daresalaam's popular neighbourhood Tip Top - Manzese. This means that the hotel is just 1.8 km from the main bus terminus in the city that is the Ubungo bus terminus very convenient for you who would prefer to travel by bus. It is also just 9.5 km form the main airport, Julius Nyerere International airport.
For you who loves listening to good music and partying, worry not since the hotel has something for you, a modern and state of the art club (lounge) at the last floor, 6th floor with different themes every day.
When it comes to rooms, the hotel has a total of 45 rooms divided into 4 categories which includes standard double rooms, Deluxe double rooms , Executive rooms and standard twin rooms.
Each room has free Wi-Fi,Television set, air conditioner and a landline phone.
The hotel which targets both local and international travelers (visitors) offers a wide range of delicious meal served by the hotel's professional, faithful and trustworthy staff.
Incase you are planning to visit Daresalaam either for leisure or business i recommend that you consider this hotel and book your stay to enjoy the good and unique services. For bookings contact +255789416741 / +255676395562
Digify Africa Celebrates First Graduates From The Digital Marketing Boot Camp Series
Digify Africa in partnership with Facebook celebrated the first Cohort graduates from the award-winning digital marketing bootcamp, Digify Pro in Nairobi, Kenya.
The students who were on an 8 week training were equipped with skills needed in the digital space i.e Digital Marketing Analytics and Measurement, Content Marketing, Email Marketing and Digital Strategy Development among others.
Speaking at the graduation, Digify CEO and Founder, Gavin Deale said. " We are happy to be in Kenya and proud to have worked with this Cohort at this stage. We are looking at various partnerships with government and other Non Governmental organisations."
Since it’s launch in 2015, Digify Pro has kick started over 250 careers in the digital spaces in South Africa and Nigeria.
The programme offers trainees the opportunities to learn about digital marketing, from paid advertising, analytics to strategy , User Experience, Mobile Marketing/Gamification, Social Media Marketing, Marketing with Facebook Pages, Instagram & Whatsapp, Community Management, Brand Online and Reputation Management.
“As a youth-driven network, our purpose is to support young people learning, working and leading Africa’s digital economy. In the past seven years, Digify Africa has trained over 90 young people in digital skills,” says Digify Africa’s COO Qhakaza Mthembu.
The next Cohort will be kicking of next year for new students and those interested should apply online. Information will be shared on Digify Africa Social Media pages.
