Belgian non-profit organization Close the Gap has officially soft-launched one of East Africa’s largest Digital Inclusion and Youth Innovation Hubs in Mombasa, with leaders describing the facility as a game-changer for youth empowerment, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The launch, held on Belgium’s National Day, also marked the farewell of Belgium’s outgoing Ambassador to Kenya, Peter Maddens, who is concluding his five-year diplomatic tour in the country.

Speaking during the event, Ambassador Maddens said the hub represents Belgium’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s youthful population by creating opportunities through technology and innovation.

“We are here to soft launch the new Close the Gap Hub. This hub is of vital importance for various reasons. It creates opportunities for young people, and with 75 per cent of Kenya’s population being young people, this centre is very vital. It is a flagship project for Belgium,” said Maddens.

The ambassador encouraged young people to remain hopeful and pursue their ambitions despite challenges.

“To the Kenyan youth, don’t give up on your dreams,” he added.

Close the Gap Founder and Chief Executive Officer Olivier Vanden Eynde said the innovation hub has been established to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs by equipping young people with practical digital skills and supporting business start-ups.

“We want our youth to be job creators and not job seekers. This hub will be a centre for training and offering opportunities to our youth, especially in business start-ups,” he said.

Vanden Eynde noted that the project reflects the strong and enduring partnership between Belgium and Kenya.

“This is also a testimony to the good relations between Belgium and Kenya. The launch coincides with Belgium’s Independence Day, making it even more significant. It is also an opportunity to bid farewell to Ambassador Peter Maddens, who has been instrumental in supporting programmes that have benefited many young people during his five years in Kenya.”

Former Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium, Prof. Bitange Ndemo, emphasized the growing importance of digital technology in transforming livelihoods, particularly in rural communities.

“As ICT and digital technologies become increasingly important, especially in rural areas, facilities like this will help farmers understand how they can use technology to improve their products and livelihoods,” said Ndemo.

He said digital innovation hubs provide young people with access to learning resources that enhance education and career development.

“These hubs are instrumental in helping young people access digital learning materials that support both their education and careers. As a country, we need to invest more seriously in facilities that promote personalised learning powered by artificial intelligence.”

Ndemo further urged county governments and development partners to collaborate in expanding similar centres across the country.

“Counties should partner with different stakeholders to establish more facilities like this. We have many talented young people creating content on platforms such as TikTok. If we equip them with the necessary skills to monetize that content, we will not only empower them but also create sustainable livelihoods.”

The Close the Gap Digital Innovation Hub is expected to serve as a centre for digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, innovation, and skills development, providing thousands of young people with access to technology, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy.

A wave of grief has engulfed Mombasa following the sudden death of former Technical University of Mombasa Students Association (TUMSA) President Elvis Otieno, popularly known as “Beast,” who died on Monday evening after suffering an epileptic attack.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the TUMSA President, Otieno collapsed after suffering an epileptic seizure while attending a meeting with colleagues and friends at English Point Hotel in Nyali. He was rushed to Premier Hospital for emergency treatment but succumbed. His body was later transferred to Pandya Hospital.

The university described his death as a devastating loss to the institution and the country, remembering him as a transformative student leader, mentor, and youth champion.

“It is with profound shock, disbelief, and a deeply broken heart that I announce the sudden and untimely passing of our brother, leader, and mentor, Comrade Elvis Otieno, popularly and fondly known across the nation as ‘Beast’,” read part of the TUMSA statement.

Otieno served as TUMSA Executive President during the 2023/2024 academic year and was widely credited with championing students’ welfare and youth empowerment. Beyond campus, he served as Chairman of the Young Champions Initiative and National Chairperson of the Visionary Alliance for Ruto (VAR), where he mobilized young people across the country.

The university announced that students, alumni, and stakeholders would hold a special assembly at the TUM Graduation Square to honour his memory and discuss the way forward.

Governor Nassir Leads Tributes

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir led leaders in mourning the youthful politician, describing him as a close friend whose leadership touched many lives.

“I have learnt with profound sadness of the sudden passing of my friend, Elvis ‘Beast’ Otieno, this evening,” the governor said.

He extended his condolences to Otieno’s mother, partner, family, friends, and the Technical University of Mombasa fraternity, where he served with distinction as a student leader.

“Beast was a colossus—a larger-than-life personality whose presence, leadership and passion left an indelible mark on all who knew him,” Nassir said.

“Poleni sana to the people of Mombasa for this painful loss. May his family and loved ones find strength and comfort during this difficult time.”

Senator Faki Hails Dedicated Public Servant

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki described Otieno as an outstanding young leader who dedicated his life to public service and youth empowerment.

“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the passing of Elvis Otieno, popularly known as Beast,” the senator said.

He praised the former student leader for his commitment to serving both students and the wider community.

“Elvis was a dedicated young leader whose passion for service and commitment to uplifting fellow youth earned him the respect and admiration of many. As a former President of the Technical University of Mombasa Students’ Organization, he demonstrated exemplary leadership and was a tireless advocate for the welfare and aspirations of young people.”

Senator Faki also highlighted Otieno’s contribution under his office as a member of the Mvita Sub-County Oversight Committee representing Tudor Ward, where he played a key role in strengthening public participation and promoting accountability.

“His service extended beyond campus. As a member of the Mvita Sub-County Oversight Committee representing Tudor Ward under my office, Elvis played a vital role in strengthening public participation and ensuring that the voices of residents were heard in matters of development and governance. His energy, dedication, and unwavering commitment to community service will be greatly missed,” he said.

The senator conveyed condolences to the family, friends, the Technical University of Mombasa community, and residents of Tudor Ward.

“May the Almighty grant Elvis eternal rest, and may his legacy of selfless service continue to inspire generations of young leaders.”

Babu Owino Pays Emotional Tribute

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino also mourned Otieno, describing him as more than just a friend.

“REST IN PEACE BEAST,” Owino wrote.

“Death is so cruel. It steals the people we love without warning and leaves behind a pain that words can barely describe. My heart is shattered knowing that I will never hear your voice again, share another laugh with you, or create new memories together.”

The outspoken legislator remembered Otieno as someone whose kindness and friendship positively impacted everyone around him.

“You were more than a friend; you were a blessing, a source of joy, and a light in the lives of everyone who knew you. The world feels emptier without you, and your absence will be felt every single day.”

He concluded by praying for strength for the bereaved family and eternal rest for his departed friend.

“Farewell, my dear friend. You left too soon, but you will never be forgotten. Until we meet again, rest peacefully. Your memory will live on in our hearts forever.”

Rhema Feast, one of Africa's premier Christian gatherings, is set to return to Uhuru Park, Nairobi, from 31st August to 4th September 2026, bringing together thousands of worshippers, church leaders, business executives, young people and families from all over the world for five unforgettable days of worship, prayer, biblical teaching and national transformation.

Convened by Rev. Julian Kyula, Rhema Feast 2026 promises a rich and diverse programme featuring internationally renowned ministers and worship leaders. Confirmed speakers include Bishop J.B Masinde, Apostle Joshua Selman, Bishop Funke Felix-Adejumo and  Rev Kathy Kiuna, with award-winning gospel ministers including Minister Sinach, Dr. Tumi, Minister Dunsin and Ntokozo Mbambo leading worship alongside other celebrated worship ministers from Kenya and across the globe.

This year's gathering will be held under the theme, "Come, Let Us Rebuild," inspired by Nehemiah 2:18. The theme is a timely invitation for individuals, families, churches, businesses and nations to rise and participate in God's work of restoration and rebuilding in every sphere of society.

"Come, Let Us Rebuild" is more than a conference theme; it is a call to action. Just as Nehemiah mobilized God's people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, Rhema Feast 2026 seeks to inspire believers to rebuild their faith, strengthen their families, transform their communities and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

Over the five days, attendees can expect:

• Powerful worship and prayer gatherings.
• Biblical teaching and impartation from renowned local and international ministers.
• Leadership and marketplace conversations.
• Broadcast and digital experiences reaching audiences across Kenya and beyond.

A key highlight of Rhema Feast 2026 is the Rhema Feast Business Forum, a ticketed leadership and marketplace experience that forms part of the wider Rhema Feast programme. The forum brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, policymakers and innovators for insightful conversations on faith, leadership, entrepreneurship and purpose-driven impact. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with influential voices shaping business, governance and culture while exploring how biblical principles can inform leadership in today's world.

Since its inception, Rhema Feast has grown into more than an annual conference. It is a movement of spiritual renewal and societal transformation that continues to unite people from diverse backgrounds around a shared commitment to worship, leadership excellence and national impact.

Rhema Feast 2026 also presents strategic partnership opportunities for corporates, ministries and organizations seeking to align with one of the region's most influential Christian gatherings. Partners will have the opportunity to engage a highly diverse audience through on-ground experiences, broadcast and digital platforms, and purpose-driven initiatives throughout the event.

Event Details

• Event: Rhema Feast 2026
• Theme: Come, Let Us Rebuild (Nehemiah 2:18)
• Dates: 31st August – 4th September 2026
• Venue: Uhuru Park, Nairobi, Kenya
• Convener: Rev. Julian Kyula
• Business Forum: Ticketed leadership and marketplace event (details to be announced)

Nyali parliamentary aspirant Said Abdalla has underscored the critical role of faith-based institutions in fostering peace, strengthening families, and driving community development, calling on leaders to deepen their partnership with religious organizations.

Abdalla made the remarks on Sunday while attending a fundraising event in support of the construction of the Nyali Hills Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Mkomani Ward, where he joined congregants and other well-wishers in raising funds for the church project.

Addressing the congregation, the aspiring legislator praised the spirit of generosity displayed during the fundraiser, saying the event reflected the power of unity in advancing community initiatives.

“I was inspired by the commitment and generosity demonstrated by the congregation and all well-wishers who came together to support this noble cause,” said Abdalla.

He noted that churches remain indispensable partners in promoting moral values, social harmony, and responsible leadership, adding that development goes beyond physical infrastructure to include nurturing strong and cohesive communities.

“As leaders, we must continue partnering with faith-based institutions because they play a vital role in nurturing strong families, promoting peace, and building a compassionate society,” he said.

Abdalla commended the leadership of Nyali Hills SDA Church for spearheading the construction initiative and expressed gratitude for the warm reception accorded to him during the event.

“I sincerely thank the church leadership for the warm reception and congratulate everyone who contributed towards making this fundraising a success,” he said.

He further prayed for God’s blessings upon all those who supported the project and expressed confidence that the church building would be completed successfully.

“May the Almighty God bless your generosity and grant success to the completion of this great project,” Abdalla added.

Calling for continued unity among residents, Abdalla urged the community to embrace collective responsibility in supporting initiatives that uplift society.

“Together, let us continue building not only churches but also stronger, united, and prosperous communities,” he said.

The fundraiser attracted church members, community leaders, residents, and other stakeholders who pledged financial support towards the construction of the new church building, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening places of worship and community service in Nyali.

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kenya’s media ahead of the 2027 General Election, while raising concerns over election-related violence, impunity and the growing threat of foreign interference and online disinformation.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting on journalists’ safety and the electoral environment in Nairobi, Head of Governance, Digital and Macroeconomics at the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya, Matthew Brooke, said the media remains a critical partner in safeguarding democracy despite an increasingly challenging global environment.

“The geopolitics is not in our favour. There are all sorts of threats,” Brooke said. “As the European Union, we recognise the important work that the Kenya Correspondents Association is doing. There is concern about violence during elections and the culture of impunity, and the media plays a central role. That is why we are here.”

He noted that the EU was particularly concerned about foreign interference and manipulation of information, especially through online platforms, saying the trend poses a significant threat to democratic processes.

“We are truly committed to supporting responsible media. The media also needs to act responsibly,” he said. “We are shaping up our electoral support programmes, and the media will be one of the beneficiaries. We will work closely with the media because we rely upon journalists to improve our understanding of what is happening in the country.”

Also speaking at the meeting, French Embassy in Kenya Communications Director Romain France Boyer described the discussions as timely, noting that the country is now one year away from the General Election.

“This is a timely discussion since we have one year to the election. Kenya has a very active media and civic space,” said Boyer.

Meanwhile, Kenya Correspondents Association Director of Programmes William Janak urged journalists to prioritise their safety as political activities intensify across the country.

“There is a need for journalists to stay vigilant and consider their safety as we head to the General Election,” Janak said. “The country has already started experiencing cases of attacks, which is not good. Journalists need a free and secure environment to carry out their work.”

He further called for increased investment in safety training for journalists to equip them with the skills needed to navigate the increasingly complex electoral environment.

“We need journalists to undergo safety training and remain vigilant throughout the election period,” he added.

The meeting, organised by the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA), brought together stakeholders from the diplomatic community, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), media organisations and development partners to assess the current electoral environment, discuss emerging risks facing journalists, and explore strategies to promote press freedom, journalists’ safety and responsible reporting ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election. The forum also provided an opportunity for participants to deliberate on measures aimed at ensuring a safe and enabling environment for the media as the country prepares for the polls.

Juve FC made a perfect start to their Sisi ni Dola Cup campaign after defeating Sango Sportiff FC 2-0 in an entertaining Group stage match played at the Mombasa Sports Club.

In-form striker Brian Karisa gave Juve an early advantage, finding the back of the net in the sixth minute before Enoch Lemayian doubled the lead in the 32nd minute. The two first-half goals proved enough to seal all three points as Juve comfortably held on for the win.

Karisa, 18, was named the Man of the Match following his impressive display. Speaking after the game, the young forward said the award had motivated him to work even harder as the team targets the tournament title.

“I’m happy to be named Man of the Match. Our aim is to win the trophy, and this recognition motivates me to keep improving,” said Karisa.

The youngster also revealed his long-term ambitions, expressing his desire to earn a move to a Kenya Premier League side such as Gor Mahia before pursuing his dream of playing for Chelsea FC in the English Premier League.

“This is my first time playing in this tournament, and I’m hoping for the best in the future,” he added.

Elsewhere at the same venue, Legacy FC edged Likoni United 1-0 courtesy of Abdullahi Siraj’s 15th-minute strike.

Juve FC head coach Peter Mayoyo said the tournament provides a valuable platform for young players to showcase their abilities before scouts.

“We have a talented squad this season, and I’m confident several of our players will attract the attention of the scouts who are here,” he said.

Dola Group Sports Director Hassan Kipapa said the competition is achieving its objective of identifying emerging talent while encouraging young people to embrace sports instead of drugs and substance abuse.

“We have deployed scouts to identify outstanding players during the tournament. Beyond football, our goal is to steer young people away from drugs and substance abuse by giving them opportunities to develop their talents through sport,” said Kipapa.

The Sisi ni Dola Cup champions will walk away with KSh 1 million, while the runners-up will receive KSh 500,000, with additional prizes set to be awarded in various individual and team categories.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has pushed back against claims suggesting that public health facilities in the county are struggling with severe shortages of medicines, saying County Government facilities currently record a prescription fill rate of 92 per cent.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital Frontage Redevelopment Project, Nassir said the figures recently cited by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale covered 239 health facilities in Mombasa, including both government and private facilities.

The Governor clarified that only 52 of the facilities captured in the data are operated by the County Government of Mombasa, arguing that it was therefore misleading to use the overall county-wide figures to assess the performance of the devolved government’s health facilities.

“Out of the 239 facilities being referred to, only 52 are County Government facilities. Our prescription fill rate in those facilities stands at 92 per cent,” Nassir said.

The Governor said his administration was prepared to be held accountable for the performance of facilities under its management but insisted that public debate must be based on accurate and properly disaggregated data.

Nassir maintained that the County Government has continued to invest in medicines, healthcare infrastructure and service delivery, with the 92 per cent prescription fill rate demonstrating progress in ensuring patients receive prescribed medicines at public health facilities.

His remarks came as he commissioned the redeveloped frontage of Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, a project undertaken through a partnership between the County Government of Mombasa, Jaffer Foundation and Bulkstream Ltd.

The Governor said his administration would continue working with development partners and the private sector to modernise healthcare infrastructure, improve patient experience and strengthen the quality of healthcare services available to Mombasa residents.

Nassir welcomed scrutiny of his administration’s healthcare record but cautioned against the use of aggregated statistics that fail to distinguish between County Government facilities and privately operated healthcare providers.

Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has announced the first winner SH1 million Winner in highly popular "Form Imejipa Na County" consumer promotion that will see prizes worth over Sh35 million shillings awarded to consumers who participate in the campaign. 

Jossy Kioko who received her prize from Ivy Kiarie, KWAL Brand Manager, Brown Spirits is one of the lucky participants who tried their luck by purchasing a bottle of County at a local establishment, scratching the label panel to reveal the entry code and submitting it by dialing the toll free USSD code *459*9# on their mobile phone.

Speaking during the official handover, Jossy expressed her excitement saying “I am very happy. I can now expand my Barbershop business with the prize money and continue to improve our future.”

Jossy was joined by laptop winners Edward Nyaga, Mauryne Mutua and Emmanuel Odhiambo as well as smartphone winners Rael Maseso, Irene Muthuka and Mauryne Mutua to claim their winnings at KWAL.

With just over a month, the Form Imejipa na County campaign has seen over 48,000 winners of diverse prizes from across the country.

The campaign which was officially launched on 3rd June 2026 celebrates the resilience and entrepreneurial outlook of County’s core market segment who are widely regarded as the engine of Kenya’s economic growth and enduring prosperity.

KWAL has rolled out the campaign nationwide with county-level activations spread across its duration.

Through the Promotion, eligible participants stand the chance to win Sh1 million in cash every month, Pool Tables, Phones, Laptops or a Content Creator Kit in monthly draws. On a weekly basis, Motor Bikes, Shopping Vouchers or Instant Cash Rewards of up to Sh10,000 will be available.

Daily instant prizes of airtime will also be available through scratch and win opportunities in the Promotion for County Brandy that is running from 4th June 2026 to 31st August 2026.

"We are celebrating our consumers and have made an effort to provide rewards that match our customer’s lifestyles, such as airtime, cash, motor bikes, pool tables or content creator kits for those who are dedicated to their labour and pursuing progress,” said Alice Mwalimo, Commercial Director, KWAL.