President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for its role in the renewal of key infrastructure projects across the country.

The President thanked KDF for the successful rehabilitation of the Nairobi to Nanyuki and the ongoing works on the Nakuru to Kisumu railway lines as well as the renewal of the Kisumu Port.

"We also recognize the contribution that our Defense Forces continue to make to our country as a whole, especially in utilizing their skills and assets to spearhead selected strategic development projects.

"The rehabilitation works on the Nairobi to Nanyuki meter gauge railway line, the work done by Navy Engineers in the rehabilitation of the Kisumu Port, and the ongoing work on Nakuru to Kisumu line; are a few of such projects the Defence Forces have executed with excellence. For this reason, we are, indeed, proud of your contribution to the realization of the Vision 2030 journey," the President said.

The Head of State spoke Thursday at the KDF's Recruits Training School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County during a pass out parade.

At the same time, President Kenyatta challenged Kenyans especially Government institutions to emulate the efficiency exhibited by the military in implementation of public projects.

"I urge all Kenyans and, indeed, all Government Agencies, to emulate this commitment of excellence from the Kenya Defence Forces," he said.

The Head of State applauded the military for its contribution to national and regional security saying KDF had achieved good progress in the fight against terrorism.

Beyond regional security and stability, the President said KDF continues to make the country proud by excelling at regional, continental and global levels.

"The continuous participation of our military in these missions reflects the confidence that the international community, through the United Nations and the Security Council, in particular, has in our Nation’s Defence Forces. This, indeed, is a true testimony of the high standards of our military training and professionalism," he noted.

To the new soldiers, the Head of State advised them to put professionalism and patriotism ahead of any other consideration as they discharge their mandate of guarding the country.

"We are charging you with the duty of protecting this nation from assailants and intruders...The training you have undergone is to empower you with the skills necessary to solve this problem...I urge you to apply yourselves in the most patriotic and professional manner at all times," the President told the new service men and women.

The President noted with satisfaction the growing number of women joining KDF saying his commitment as the Head of State was to ensure equal opportunities for all Kenyans.

"It is important for these young women, working alongside men, to find meaning and purpose in their work.  When these young men and women joined the Kenya Defense Forces, from all parts of this great nation, they became one cohesive family," he said.

As part of the eleborate ceremony attended by the entire top military command led by the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, the President awarded outstanding performers during the 8-month training.

Gabriel Kipanga and Lawrence Mutua from Kenya Army were awarded trophies for the best and second best recruits respectively while Miriam Cherono of Kenya Navy bagged the best female award. Brian Njeru of Kenya Navy won the award for the best combat marksman.

The pass out parade was attended by Defence Cabinet Secretary Dr Monica Juma, Governor Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and Governor Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet).

Also present were Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya among other senior Government officials.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has said he is convinced that the  Sh6 billion Buxton housing project in Mombasa is a worthy cause.

The project, being undertaken by businessman Suleiman Shahbal is to start in January. About 500 units at the county’s Buxton estate will be redesigned and redeveloped into 1,860 modern units. Over 1,000 people have so far expressed interest in the new houses.

Raila made the remarks after meeting Suleiman Shahbal at his office in Nairobi on Thursday morning.

"I have followed the Buxton Point Affordable Housing Project in Mombasa with keen interest because it could mark the beginning of similar initiatives by the private sector across the country." said Raila

Adding "A briefing earlier today by Mr Suleiman Shahbal got me more convinced it’s a worthy cause."

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has also endorsed the project.

Residents will receive Sh240,000 as relocation allowance, with the developer paying a Sh60,000 deposit for each of the relocated residents as commitment for purchasing of the new units, cheques will be issued to the current tenants on October 1. The project is expected to take two years to complete.

One-bedroom houses will cost Sh1.8 million each, two-bedroom  Sh3 million,  three-bedroom units will go for Sh4.2 million with bedsitters going for less than Sh1 million .

The project has however received opposition from a section of leaders from the county led by former Senator Hassan Omar and Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/1755-stop-depending-on-handouts-shahbal-tells-omar

Both Shahbal and Omar are eyeing the  Mombasa gubernatorial seat in 2022.

Fans, colleagues and family members gathered at the Swahilipot hub on Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil  to celebrate the life of actress Pretty Mutave who died last week, Tuesday.

It was an emotional moment as tributes were made for the talented actress who took part in several local drama series including Maza.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/1749-popular-mombasa-actress-zari-dies-on-her-way-to-hospital

Also present at the vigil was Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) Coast region manager Bonventure Kioko who emphasized the need for unity between film stakeholders in the region.

"It's now high time that we all unite and be there for each other during hard times. Let our talents unite us. The government will only create that enabling environment and policies but much has to be done by us." said Kioko.

On her part veteran actress Caro Rita emotionally shared how the industry has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

"We all know how we survive and this has been a very hard time for us since we depend so much on shows. This should also be a lesson to all of us on sharing and being there for each other, thank you to all who stood with Pretty and accommodated her when she was going through hard time" said Rita.

Also present at the vigil was veteran actor Ken Ambani.

Pretty will be laid to rest on Saturday in Kibwezi, Makueni county.

It is Migration season, and tourism enthusiasm now revolves around the Great Wildebeest Migration, but you could choose to spend your time at the Kenyan coast and marvel at how a 15-meter long and 30 ton humpback whale creates massive splashes as they jump out of the Indian Ocean waters before splashing back in with a rhythmic swim.

In what is known in Kenya as a Twin Migration, wildebeest and the humpback whales migrate between the months of June to October marking a unique wildlife phenomenon that incorporates both the vast savannah and sea safaris.

The wonder is a lesser-known phenomenon in Kenya, and up until recently, it’s become one of the best things to do every year as you visit the coast between August and September.

Every year, hundreds of humpback whales travel from the Antarctic to the East African coast reaching Kenya's tropical waters where it is safe to breed. The migration was first monitored in 2011 and has grown to become one of the best tourist attractions.

Wildlife enthusiasts traveling to Kenya for holiday and those who would love to sample safari now have the chance to experience both migrations. The Sarova Mara Game Camp in Masai Mara offers you a unique opportunity to see the wildebeest as they cross River Mara back to Kenya.

While at the coastal region of Kenya,  be sure to visit the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa which have amazing offers and activities. With day trips and tours across scenic environments along the Kenyan coast, the opportunity is worth not passing up.

Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa is located on one of the longest beachfront protected by the Mombasa Marine Park. It features four beautiful swimming pools, three restaurants, and a beachside nightclub. Each of the spacious rooms is air-conditioned and they offer ocean, pool and garden views.

The hotel makes for a perfect place to have a comfortable evening after long day trips, and with various types of indigenous and exotic cuisines, your stay is bound to be one unlike any other.

Tanzania fastest growing female artist Zuchu has come out to respond to claims by Tanasha Donna and her team that she has copied one of her songs.

According to Tanasha, Zuchu's new release featuring Diamond Platnumz Cheche is a copy of her song 'Ride' featuring Khaligraph Jones which is also on her Donna Tella EP.

Just hours after Cheche was released, Tanasha took to instagram putting  up a cryptic post singing along her song Ride.

According to Tanasha, Zuchu used her lines which  are a mix of Spanish, English and Kiswahili.

"Yo te quiero tanteee , for your love asante….? ?? One of my fav tracks on #DONNATELLAEP hands down! Back to when RIDE ft @khaligraph_jones was trending #1 on @audiomackafrica without an official release. Good music sells itself, never forced. Enyewe demand on this video imekuwa high... Sijui after #nawewe ni release hii? PLUS , My teddy bear @naseeb.junior has decided he gotta be a part of my video, jamani ???❤️? (Got this cute t shirt from @fnmbrand )"she posted on Instagram.

Jamal Gaddafi, one of Tanasha's managers also took issue with Zuchu's new song posting "Siku zote kitu ORIGINAL kina stand out kuliko COPY. Yo te quero tante, for your love Asante @khaligraph_jones ?@fnmbrand".

In an interview with Wasafi fm on Monday afternoon. Zuchu refuted claims that she copied the song.

"Idea ya kuimba kihispania ilikuja baada ya kuskiliza beat la wimbo wa Chehche, sikumuiga Tanasha (I did not copy Tanasha's idea, the idea of singing in Spanish only came after i listened to the beat " said Zuchu.

In the interview Zuchu also said she is tired of people accusing her to be in a relationship with Diamond Platnumz, Tanasha Donna's baby daddy.

"Ukaribu wangu na boss wangu Diamond Platnumz ni kwa ajili ya kazi, anantumia muda mwingi kunipromote. Hajawahi hata kunionyesha dalilil za kunitaka, he is like brother to me. Our relationship is strictly work related, He uses alot of his time in promoting and marketing me and my music, he has never showed any signs of being sexually attracted to me".

Meanwhile the Cheche video was yesterday deleted from youtube following following a copyright strike from one Tony Anthony.

Kenyan singer Meshack Kimutai Langat aka Mesh Mfalme is back to the music scene with a bang. Mesh Mfalme kjust released a beautiful ballad “My Universe”; the song which is about the experiences that couples {new or old} usually go through is inspired by real life situations. 

Speaking on the song’s inspiration, Mesh says,“A lot of relationships change after two people have been together for a while. It‘s easy for partners to start focusing on things like children and forget about each other, but there’s always hope if they choose to work on rejuvenating the romance”

Ihaji produced the catchy song with background vocals provided by Rosemary Mwikali. Mesh delivers a heartfelt performance in the song that is laid on a mid-tempo track with trumpets played by Dan Kimutai. The brilliant music video directed by Director Dolls features excellent acting by Noel Kirui and Doris Gitonga

Credits:

Written by Meshack Kimutai Langat

Producer - Ihaji

Background Vocals- Rosemary Mwikali

Trumpet -Dan Kimutai

About Mesh Mfalme

Meshack Kimutai Langat aka Mesh Mfalme is a Kenyan Musician, songwriter based in Nairobi. Born and raised in Eldama Ravine, Baringo county. Mesh developed an interest in music back in Nakuru high school. He started as a rapper and he used to win all high school rapping and singing competitions within Rift Valley.

From 2010 to late 2012, Mesh Mfalme worked with Ogopa Deejayz, Ketebul Music and Trace Entertainment.

Mesh took a hiatus from music in 2013 to concentrate on his business, however this year he is determined to cement his spot in the Kenyan music industry.

Watch “My Universe” here

President Uhuru Kenyatta today made an extensive inspection tour of national government development projects in Mombasa County.

The Head of State started his day-long inspection at Liwatoni on Mombasa island where the government is constructing the Shs1.9bn Likoni pedestrian floating bridge.

The 1.2 kilometer bridge, the first of its kind in the region is at 51 percent completion rate and will be ready for use by end of this year.

When complete, the bridge is expected to ease pressure on the Likoni ferry crossing by taking up most of the foot traffic, leaving the ferries to serve vehicular cargo between Mombasa and the South Coast.

From the bridge, the Head of State who was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho crossed over to the adjacent Liwatoni fishing complex, a facility that the Government is upgrading into a full fishing port. 

The President expressed satisfaction with the ongoing rehabilitation of the fish landing site which he said will help create jobs for the youth and boost the coastal economy. 

Speaking to small-scale traders at Liwatoni, the President rallied them to take advantage of the bridge and fishing port projects to grow their businesses. 

President Kenyatta tasked Governor Joho to work with national government agencies in developing modern business stalls in the area so as to enable the traders benefit from the increased human traffic expected when the bridge comes into use. 

On his part, Governor Joho said his administration will continue partnering with the national Government in implementing projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of Mombasa residents. 

From Liwatoni, the Head of State took a boat ride to the new Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT) where he was received by Infrastructure CS James Macharia. 

The Shs 40 billion new KOT, which is currently under construction, is a 200,000 DWT capacity facility capable of handling import and export of all petroleum products.

The oil jetty has a dedicated high volume Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) channel which is expected to enhance supply of cooking gas in Kenya and the region.

The new KOT is part of an elaborate Mombasa port expansion programme that includes the construction of new dry cargo berths, sites the President also visited. 

From the port, the President crossed Kilindini channel to the Kenya Navy Base in Mtongwe where the military is developing an ultra-modern slipway and shipyard.

In Mtongwe, the Head of State was taken on a tour of the new facility by the Commander of the Kenya Navy Major General Jimson Mutai.

Award-winning Kenyan songwriter and power vocalist Nikita Kering’ has released a new single and video, NEVER LET YOU GO.

It’s a genuine pop-meets-ballad track, displaying Nikita’s signature powerful vocals through the melodic track. The mid-tempo upbeat single was arranged by Max Kering and produced at SoFresh 254.

Nikita says, “NEVER LET YOU GO will be relatable to people who are confused about the relationships or situationships that they are in,”.

Adding, “The song is about doing anything to prove to your loved one that they mean the world to you. Not by words only, but by actions. It’s inspired by my experiences around friends and family.”

18-year-old Nikita stuns in NEVER LET YOU GO, a tale about unending love.

Its quirky music video directed by Enos Olik follows a storyline of a girl who decided to run away from home to a party with the love of her life.

En route, her car breaks down and she ends up stealing a horse, which puts her out of the predicament but is in itself a fun way into a party.

Watch Never Let You Go HERE

Celebrated for her singles “Tragedy” and “Happy With You”, the AFRIMA award-winner and #Empawa100 finalist shares more on the new release.

“It’s a break from what people are expecting from me and I just want to be honest with my audience and give them what they don't expect. Frankly to me, that’s my truth.” She says.

NEVER LET YOU GO is a piece of a bigger and better project that Nikita is working on as she gears up to the release of an EP later in the year.

She reveals, “This project is an important part of my growth in this music industry as it presents my versatility as an artist,” while sending a special message to her across Africa, “First, sing the song out loud! It only hits deeply when you do so. No matter where you are when you listen to it, understand that it comes from a place of truth. That’s what it means and stands for.”

In 2019, Nikita was selected as one of the Top 10 Africa by #Empawa100 by Mr Eazi, where she was awarded $3,000 to produce her single “Tragedy”, which is about gender-based violence.

Her single “Happy With You” won her two AFRIMA Awards at the 2019 edition for Best Female in Eastern Africa and Revelation of the African Continent making her the youngest nominee and award winner.

The fastest-growing smartphone brand in the world, realme, seems to have gone all-out to supply the Kenyan market with one trendsetting product after another. The company has now officially launched the much-awaited realme C15 that has already been termed as a game-changer from its C Series category because of its amazing features.

The phone lands in the Kenyan market as the first 6000mAh smartphone with an AI Quad Camera retailing under 20,000 shillings.

It also features 18W Quick Charge which means that the user is able to charge their phone within the shortest time possible and have their phone retain power for long as compared to others.

Its massive battery supports 46 hours of continuous calls or 28 hours of YouTube watching, with an average standby time of up to 57 days.

This entry-level smartphone whose official first sales day is set for 21^st September can charge up to 25 percent which is about 1500mAh battery in 30 minutes, maintaining several hours running of the phone. realme C15 is also equipped with the fast and trendsetting realme UI, which is specially designed for young people and in line with their aesthetics and habits.

It also supports 2 Nano SIM cards and 1 MicroSD card at the same time, and supports a maximum of 256GB memory expansion, easily store more games, photos, and files.

The Instant Fingerprint Sensor on the back can secure your private information easily.

realme C15 hits the Kenyan market with a 13MP quad camera that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to bring out every minor detail in an object in presence or absence of light.

The 16.5 centimeter (6.5”) mini-drop full screen, despite giving the phone a beautiful appearance, ensures that everything in visible and in their own natural colors.

For an additional security feature, realme C15 comes with an instant fingerprint sensor that cannot be compromised once incorporated.

For game lovers, the phone comes with a Helio G35 gaming processor whose main frequency reaches up to 2.3GHz which always works well no matter for daily App operation or gaming that gives the phone a high performance during the game and cut down on the possibilities of the phone slowing down or restarting.

The launch of realme C15 comes barely a month after the company successfully launched a series of smartphones including the realme C3, realme C11, realme 6, and realme band which have been picked well in the Kenyan market.

One of its brands, realme 6 has already taken over the Kenyan market by storm after being launched on September 2, 2020. The launch of the phone has seen Kenyans flooding such online shops as Jumia and Killimall to either purchase or check out the specifics. realme 6 seems to have touched Kenyans with its most powerful 64Mp quad-camera in its category, as well as its affordability, retailing at 29,999 shillings including a free realme band priced at 2,999 shillings.

realme, also recently partnered with Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider Safaricom for a sale on their platforms and outlets for the realme C11 on the 21st September and realme C15 at the end of the month.

The innovative phone maker whose operations in both high-end and mid-range smartphones begun mid-2018 recently officially launched in the market on the 25^th of August, recognizing Kenya’s exclusive position as a regional nexus for smartphone technology and innovation.

It is committed to becoming a tech-trendsetter brand that dares to leap and uses the “mobile phone + AIoT” dual-drive strategy to create a trendy lifestyle for the younger generation. The brand aims to introduce the full range of realme smartphones as well as realme smart AIoT products to meet the true needs of Kenya customers.

To know more about the C15 watch out for the smartphone on our realme platforms and for more information please follow realme on their social media accounts on Instagram @realmekenya, Facebook @realme, Youtube, and our official website https://www.realme.com/mea-en/realme-c15  or search on google realme C15.

About realme

realme is a technology brand officially established on May 4, 2018, by Sky Li. realme aspires to provide products with a comprehensive superior experience for the young, and realme is committed to being a trendsetting technology brand.

It brings consumers products with trendsetting technologies, features and trendsetting experiences that are first applied in the price segment. realme’s global users have reached 45 million and its sales volume of AIoT audio products broke the record of 1 million in 2020.

According to the statistics of Counterpoint global smartphone shipments in Q1 of 2020, the emerging smartphone brand realme still ranks 7th with a year-over-year growth rate of 157% which ranks the first in the world as well. As the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand, realme stands firmly among the mainstream smartphone brands.

A candlelight vigil in memory of late actress Pretty Mutave is planned for Wednesday evening at the Swahilipot hub, Mombasa.

Mutave died early Tuesday morning after a short illnes.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/1749-popular-mombasa-actress-zari-dies-on-her-way-to-hospital

The candlelight vigil is set to begin from 4pm to 6:30 pm with strict COVID-19 regulations observed. The dress code is white and or red.

The body is expected to leave the Coast general hospital mortuary on Friday for funeral in their rural home Kibwezi, Makueni county.