The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the National Assembly will on Friday, October 18, hold the Speaker’s Roundtable. 

The annual event brings together the National Assembly and the apex body of the private sector for structured engagements over two days and will be held at the Travellers’ Beach Hotel in Mombasa.

An estimated 300 participants drawn from the National Assembly and the private sector are scheduled to share ideas on the role of the Legislature and the private sector in boosting Kenya’s competitiveness to enable economic growth and the creation of jobs.

Speaking ahead of the event, KEPSA Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Carole Kariuki, said the Speaker’s Roundtable will build on the discussions held last year; when the event raised awareness about the role of Parliament in the creation of a conducive business environment and to set the business legislative agenda for Parliament.

 “The National Assembly plays a critical role in creating the right environment for businesses to thrive. For the private sector to increase investments and create jobs, the policy needs to be right and we are happy that the National Assembly has worked to make this possible over the years. This is a conversation that we need to continue having and that’s why this annual event is important,” Ms. Kariuki noted. 

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said this year’s event will provide both the business community and the Members of Parliament an opportunity to take stock of the implementation of agreements made last year and to plan for the future.

“The Speaker’s Roundtable is in essence an opportunity for us to deliberate on the legislation that the private sector deems necessary to catalyse economic growth and address Kenya’s social-economic challenges. This is a valuable forum as it informs and enriches the quality of debate on various Bills in which KEPSA has provided input and KEPSA’s involvement in turn represents an important element of public participation,” said Hon Muturi.

A similar meeting is scheduled with the Senate at a later date.

In the past two years, both legislators and the private sector through KEPSA have collaborated on a number of important laws, among them; County Revenue (Raising Process) Bill, 2017; Natural Resources (Benefit Sharing) Bill, 2018; Data Protection Bill, 2019; Tea Bill, 2018; Kenya Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders Management Bill, 2019; Statute Law (Misc. Amendments) Bill (No. 2) 2018 on the Amendments to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (otherwise referred to as Prompt Payment Bill); and National Hospital Insurance Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2019. 

Some of these Bills are expected to have an immediate impact on investors.

With the County Revenue (Raising Process) Bill, county governments are expected to improve their revenue-racing processes. KEPSA hopes that this Bill will help address the multiplicity of taxes, levies and charges and the lack of harmonization of the same. It is also expected to put in place more stringent accountability measured to avoid the arbitrary enforcement of increased rates and levies.

The amendments to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, otherwise known as the Prompt Payment Bill, are expected to help unlock business funds for suppliers, improve the stability of businesses and as a consequence improve GDP growth. The new law is expected to improve businesses’ trust in government, enhance stability in the monetary sector because of the reduction in non-performing loans and reduce non-performing trade-credit related to pending bills.

Trailblazing global act and one of Africa’s most successful artists, Yemi Alade and her record label Effyzie Music Group, hosted an exclusive album release party in Nairobi, Kenya in celebration of her recently released fourth studio album 'Woman of steel' and short film 'Home'.

The party which was held on Tuesday was graced by key media personalities, influencers, celebrities among them: Chimano (of Sauti Sol who also was the host), Victoria Kimani, Naiboi, Hart The Band, Blinky Bill, Patricia Kihoro and Ivlyn Mutua (who translated the Swahili version of “Poverty”—Yemi’s latest Swahili song in #WOSAlbum).

Released through her label Effyzzie Music Group and distributed by Universal Music France, the 13-track WOMAN OF STEEL album garnered over 1 million streams on Spotify in one week of its release.

The album is a huge achievement for the award-winning “Mama Africa”.

The critically acclaimed album follows her previous successful albums: King of Queens (2014), Mama Africa (2016) and Black Magic (2017).

She also released a new single Swahili version of “Poverty” in East Africa.

In the short film 'Home', a single lifted off the album, Yemi makes her official debut as an actress.

The emotive film captures the essence of finding strength, self-love and being your own hero in tough times; boasting stellar performances from the cast and powerful screenplay.

Directed by Clarence A. Peters, the film stars Nollywood icon Clarion Chukwura alongside talented heartthrob Frankincense Eche Ben.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance  along with First Lady Margaret  Kenyatta will be launching the  Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine In Mombasa on Friday.

Cancer of the Cervix, which forms the lower part of the uterus, is the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women in Kenya, killing at least 9 Women daily. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the primary cause of 99.7% of all cervical cancers.

At least two thirds of cervical cancer cases could be averted if 90% coverage is reached with HPV Vaccines. Kenya plans to introduce HPV vaccine into routine immunization for girls aged 10 years in 2019, to reduce the burden due to Cervical Cancer in the country.

The Vaccine will be offered Nationally alongside other Routine Infant Vaccines through an existing network of over 9,000 Public, Private, Faith Based and NGO health facilities FREE OF CHARGE, to 800,000 girls, who are currently 10 years old and subsequently to all girls as they turn 10 years in future.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has pledged to name a street in Free Town Mombasa after iconic Bango music maestro Joseph Ngala famously known as Mzee Ngala.

According to Joho , the move is aimed at showing respect to Mzee Ngala.

Joho made the pledge after joining Mzee Ngala and his family at his home in Free Town for his 84th birthday celebrations.

The County Chief also promised to renovate Ngala's house.

"The founder of Bango music ,Mzee Ngala been an inspiration to many for decades. His songs entertained, educated and united millions both locally and internationally" posted Joho

Adding "I was privileged to share from his wisdom and experiences in life".

Ngala has nurtured several talents including Juma Tutu, Afro Simba and Gogo Simba.

Kenyan gospel artist Peterson Githinji, Pitson has undergone a successful operation to remove an abnormal tissue that had stuck in his vocal cord for the last three months making it hard for him to sing.

The award winning artist took to social media to update fans and Kenyans on the progress and also shared photos of the nodule.

Pitson Posted 

“This is the microscopic nodule that had stuck in my vocal cord for 3 months.
By the grace of God doctors were able to get it out.
Glory to God!
Special thanks to #nairobihospital
Dr.wahome (Operating doctor)
Dr. Gakuo (consulting Anesthesiologist)
Dr. Carol Mwai Doctor In charge of post hospital recovery.
Asanteni sana kwa maombi.
Hoping to sing again soon.#healing#godspeed”

In August this year the artist revealed that doctors advised him to stop singing for at least two months saying  he had been overworking his throat, causing damage to his vocal cords.

“I went to see a doctor after I was unable to sing and they said I am not going to sing for the next two months because my voice is damaged" said Pitson

A Kenyan based radio station is set to change its name for a week to celebrate Kenyan Marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, who successfullybroke the Marathon record after running 26.2 miles/42.19 KM in less than two hours in Vienna on Saturday.

NRG Radio, based in Nairobi which covers two thirds of Kenya, will change its name to Kipchoge Radio from Monday, in celebration of the world beating achievement of 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds in the INEOS Challenge held in the weekend.

"Kipchoge is such an inspiration to the young and old alike, not just in Kenya but Globally. We followed the challenge for a number of weeks from local preparation to the travel and we are immensely proud of Eliud for breaking the two-hour barrier in Vienna." NRG Radio Group Managing Director, Kevin Mulei said.

"As the number one youth radio station in Kenya, we are continuously challenging our young people to achieve their ultimate and there is no better time to remind them that no human is limited than now", he added.

The race which was watched by millions of people around the world inspired conversations locally and internationally with the trending #NoHumanisLimited.

"His win is such an encouragement to all those looking into achieving even the impossible. Impossible is nothing and anyone can through Courage, Boldness, Commitment and Consistency achieve anything they put their mind to," Kevin noted.

If you believe it, if you can see it, you can achieve it. NRG had no doubt that Eliud was going to break the record and as such prepared its new Kipchoge radio imaging ahead of time for all systems go in celebration of this milestone.

"The team is fired up to take on this new challenge which makes me very proud that we are in such times that NRG is able to be flexible enough to change the industry norm," he added.

Kipchoge Radio will broadcast on 97.1 in Nairobi, 96.3 in Mombassa, 93.5 in Nakuru, 94.8 in Kisumu and 98.4 in Eliud Kipchoge’s home town of Eldoret.

Akothee a.k.a Madam Boss has just dropped her latest song titled 'Rollam'.

The audio has been produced by Gospel On The beat, the video has been shot at the Weston Hotel and also features her manager Nelly Oaks.

Watch the video below.

Since the launch of Charter Incentives Program (CIP) in 2016 with Shs 1.2 billion package by the government, Kenya has recorded a growth of tourism numbers into the coastal region.

With the extension of CIP, more charter operators will resume flights into the destination for the winter season 2019/2020 (October 2019 to March 2020) with confirmations so far from Rainbow Tours (Poland) which was received yesterday.

Air Italy is also expected to resume flights to Mombasa as from 28^th October 2019 with other charter operators expected to share their flight manifest in due course    

Already in the winter season (October – March),there is a confirmation of resumption charters as follows; Blue Panorama from Italy weekly flights, Condor from Germany four times weekly, TUI Poland (Enter Air) from Poland, weekly flights, Neos charter from Italy three times weekly flights.

"As a result of joint marketing initiatives involving Destination Kenya, the partnering airline, and the tour operator or travel agents’ consortia, we hope to receive proposals for more charters to benefit from the incentive". said Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Dr Betty Radier.

Adding "It suffices to point out that the success of the charter incentive program has greatly helped re-position the Kenyan coast as a tourism hub. The support infrastructure such as roads, airports and airstrips within the region has complimented these milestones.

On his part Kenya Coast Toursim Association Chairman Victor Shitakha who was present at the Moi International Airport said this was a major boost to the industry.

The Travel Service Charter, received yesterday had 189 passengers on board and will be operating once a week till end of the year before increasing its frequency to twice a week from January to March next year.

The tourists’ arrivals from Poland have been on an upward trend with 15,163 visitors last year up from 11,947 in 2017 translating to a 26.9% growth.

International arrivals within the period (July –September), closed at 591,996, compared to same period last year which posted 587,385, indication a growth of 0.8%”.

During the period, arrivals through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) closed at 420,770 which is a growth of 4.8% compared to 401,533 in 2018/19.

 Moi International Airport Mombasa (MIAM) received 28,850 visitors, compared to 28,614 in 2018/19, representing a 1.1% growth. Cross-border arrivals closed at 127,862 which a decline of 13.4% compared to 147,576 in the same period in FY2018/19.