President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing the Government’s manufacturing pillar of the Big 4 Agenda.

Speaking on Monday when he opened a nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing facility at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri County, President Kenyatta said such factories form the foundation of making Kenya an industrialised nation.

The nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing facility was established by Semiconductor Technologies Limited (STL) on the 177-acre Dedan Kimathi University of Technology's Science and Technology Park (DeST-Park) on a public-private partnership arrangement.

The company, which is the only one of its kind in Africa, produces integrated circuits, sensors and related nanotechnology products for the world market. Its products have a high global demand and are used in electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, televisions and laptop computers.

“This is the dream some of us have for this country, our ability to become an industrialised nation, to be able to create good quality and well paying jobs for our young people,” the President said.

He noted that it was unique companies established by Kenyans like STL that will transform Kenya from a country that consumes products from other parts of the world to one that exports not only its products but also its technology across the globe.

The Head of State recalled that recently he launched a weapons factory which will save the country millions of tax-payers money every year as part of the Government’s effort to produce and consume locally manufactured goods.

“By producing locally, we are not only saving money but also creating well-paying jobs for our young people,” President Kenyatta said.

In this regard, the President disclosed that he will soon launch a ship-building enterprise in Mombasa, adding that the country is also getting back to assembling motor vehicles locally as used to happen in the past.

“I believe this is the vision that we all need to work on as we work on all the infrastructure, generating sufficient power, building roads and putting fibre networks.

“We are doing all this so that we can attract industries such as this one in order to create employment, create hope and give opportunity especially to the young people of this country,” the President said.

The University’s collaboration with STL in this manufacturing venture is geared towards supporting the Government’s policy of “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” initiative.

On his way to Nyeri County for the official opening of the factory at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, President Kenyatta made several inspection stopovers along the 84km Kenol-Nyeri-Marua highway which is being expanded to a dual carriageway.

The President expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Shs 14 billion road and instructed the contractors to ensure that the project is completed on time.

STL CEO Anthony Githinji also spoke at the event that was attended by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru and area MP Ngunjiri Wambugu among others.

Bongo flavor megastar Nassib Abdul popularly known as Diamond Platnumz is busy cooking up a storm in the studio as he works on his fourth album.

The singer who is currently in South Africa has been updating his fans through instagram on the progress mostly sharing videos recording songs that will be in the album.

"Day 5 Album Making" reads his latest post where he also revealed one of the artists featured in the album, Nigerian singer Davido.

Not much has been shared about the album.

In a past interview, Diamond said the prevailing lockdown situation due to Covid-19 pandemic has enabled him to concentrate much on his album.

"I am now used to be at home and focus on my new album, which is to be released soon." he said.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2121-diamond-platnumz-sets-another-record

His last album was 'A Boy From Tandale' which he launched in Kenya in 2018.

The album has 18 tracks and is a story line of his life, from the days he worked as a hawker in Tandale where he was born to his present stature as a global brand.

He said that he chose to launch the album in Kenya because he hates it when people picture him as a Tanzanian musician.

His other albums incude Kamwambie relased in 2010 and Lala Salama which was released in 2012.

A fresh row has erupted between Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali and the County government of Mombasa over the rehabilitation of the Frere Town Primary School grounds.

On Thursday, Ali kicked off the rehabilitation of the famous grounds before the county government through inspectorate officers moved in to stop him from proceeding with his plan.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Mombasa County Youth and Sport Chief Officer, Innocent Mugabe said they are the rightful trustees of all public grounds in the county and no one is allowed to rehabilitate or develop them without their approval.

"Mombasa County government is the trustee of this land and it  belongs to the Frere Town community. Anyone who purpots to be rehabilitating this ground without our permission is tresspassing and we will not allow that " said Mugabe.

Mugabe said the county government is planning to upgrade the ground to Fifa standards at a cost of sh10 million.

"This is phase two of the project, in the first phase we erected the goal postsn we will now be levelling the ground and fencing it  using a plastic-coated chain link that is not affected by rust and planting of grass"

Speaking to this blog (Ommy Dallah), the area Mp Mohammed Ali said the ground belongs to the school and it's the school management that approached him to rehabilitate it.

"The school management approached me not once or twice saying they want a perimetre wall and rehabilitation of the ground so as to safeguard the students from drug addicts who are usually at the ground. Before we do any project we carry out a public particiaption exercise which we did. This is a project that will also help our youth." said Ali.

Adding " As a member of parliament it is my responbility to uplift the standards of the schools in my constituency and ensure that our students are in a safe environment and that is what I was simply doing. Education is not devolved,I have all the documents to prove that the ground belongs to the school."

Ali accussed the county government of trying to sabotage his developement projects for political reasons.

Ali Charged "This is purely politics, it is not the first time that they are sabotaging my project. This is a school ground that we are rehabilitating, we are not constructing a stadium. Let them first go and finish constructing the Mombasa stadium."

The Mp further vowed to proceed with his plan.

"Nothing will stop me from serving my constituents, I will definitely continue with my plan."

Deputy President William Ruto has today hosted a group of artists and creatives at his Karen residence 'Hustlers mansion'.

The meeting follows a request by rapper Khaligraph to discuss their concerns, receive suggestions and proposals to help the industry as the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2161-artists-cry-foul-over-curfew-lockdown

In the meeting, the artists requested for the creation of a special government fund to support artists, government and persons of goodwill support to reengineer the industry in digital space to facilitate online music concerts and to assist the industry adapt to the new normal.

They also asked the Government to provide a clear roadmap, timelines and measurable milestones whose attainment will lead to the re-opening of the country. This, they said, will help them plan resumption of their activities. 

On his part Ruto offered to ensure that artists recommendations and proposals are forwarded to the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus.

"In our meeting, we also discussed the possibility of coming up with a policy that will help weed out bureaucracy, brokers and impediments that slow the growth of the industry." said Ruto.

Adding "We acknowledge that artists have worked hand in hand with the government and appreciate their proposal to assist in confronting the pandemic. We welcome their offer to reinforce the campaign on the observance of COVID-19 protocols and vaccination drive once it is rolled out fully.

Some of the artists who attended the meeting include Nonini, Kristoff, Khaligraph Jones, Willy Paul, Arrow Bwoy, Nadia Mukami, Jalango, Dj Joe Mfalme, Dj Shiti among others.

Over 200 recovering drug users in Mombasa were on Friday evening treated to an iftar dinner courtesy of Coast based lobby group, Reach Out centre Trust.

The recovering drug users already under the Reachout treatment program from the freertown clinic also got an opportunity to interact with peer educators, staff and Management of Reach Out centre trust and other working partners.

"Since we are part of their recovery process, sharing a meal with them meal depicts the zeal we have on their recovery process and ensuring they become productive people in the society." Said Taib Abdulrahama, Executive Director Reach Out Centre Trust.

Adding "Recognizing people who use drugs and who have ventured into disentangle themselves from the menace is our daily mandate and helping them to successful walk out of the traumatizing experience encourages us as an organization to even put extra efforts into realizing our core role of reducing the negative effects of drug use and HIV."

Low cost airline Skyward express has introduced a new route, Mombasa-Garissa.

The flight which will be available twice a week, Wednesday and Sunday will have a stop in Malindi and Lamu before landing in Garissa.

The flight commences this Sunday.

According to the airline this is as a result of the competition and demand witnessed in the route.

The flight also gives an opportunity for transportation of parcels by air between the towns of Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Garissa.

The flight will be departing Mombasa at 10:30 and arriving at Garissa at 12:35.

This comes just weeks after the airline announced the reintroduction of four weekly flights to connect Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu counties.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/business/item/2122-skyward-express-updates-flight-schedule-for-coastal-trip-to-operate-four-flights-weekly

Nigerian star and Maserati Hit Maker has dropped his latest single #Sere featuring WCB first lady Zuchu.

'Sere' pronounced Shere is a Yoruba word meaning let's play. 

Sere is a love ballad from Olakira, and also the first single from his EP titled 4play out next month.

Watch Sere : https://youtu.be/wht8D5mekJ8 

The video was shot in Tanzania, directed by Director Kenny and audio produced by Simba Tagz, Sterryo & Drumatik.

The release follows a remarkable 2020 for the rising hitmaker- whose global smash hit “Maserati” went viral and has garnered 60million cumulative views on YouTube and over 50million streams across digital platforms.

Speaking about the 4play EP, Olakira said “Each of the songs in the EP are bangers that will blow your minds off and are very special to me". 

A section of boda boda operators in Mombasa County have benefitted from accident insurance provided by Faulu Microfinance Bank. 

The riders numbering 200, and operating in Mikindani ward in Mombasa County, can now access affordable insurance with medical benefits covering accidents, permanent disability and death. 

The insurance is provided by Faulu Microfinance Bank through the Maisha Savings Account.

To enjoy the medical benefits under the insurance cover, one simply needs to open a Maisha account with a minimum Ksh. 200 and pay a premium of Ksh. 630. 

Faulu Bank Managing Director, Apollo Njoroge, says the bank is offering affordable financial products to enable individuals who are economically active to plan, grow and financially protect themselves and their families and businesses. 

“The Maisha Savings Account, among our other products, is tailored to help our customers build a savings culture and plan their day-to-day expenditure for the future.” said Mr. Njoroge.  

Mikindani Ward MCA, Renson Juma Thoya, who mobilized the riders to open the accounts at Faulu, decried the rising cases of accidents involving boda bodas, citing recklessness on the part of the riders as a major factor.   

“We are losing many of our young men to accidents and many others getting seriously injured rendering them unable to work. This can be avoided by adhering to road safety rules,” said Mr. Thoya.  

While thanking Faulu for providing affordable financial products targeting the ordinary Kenyan, the MCA urged the riders to take advantage of such products to be empowered economically.   

Faulu Bank is also partnering with Motorcycle manufacturing companies to issue Boda boda loans at subsidized prices to its customers.

According to data from the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), more than 800 motorcyclists perished in road crashes last year.

A total of 350 pillion passengers died during the same period. 

Recklessness, drunkenness and failure to wear helmets were cited as the main causes for the rising fatalities. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Congolese host Felix Tshisekedi today witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement between Kenya Airways and Congo Airways.

The agreement signed in Kinshasa, on the last day of President Kenyatta's three-day State visit of DR Congo, will see the two national carriers partner in areas of mutual interest including air craft maintenance, training and sharing of excess capacity.

Also included in the two-year agreement, whose overarching objective is viability and sustainability of the airlines, is a route and code sharing provision aimed at expanding the carriers domestic, African and international networks.

The partnership agreement was signed by Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka and his Congo Airways counterpart Desire Balazire Bantu.

Present during the signing ceremony were Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo, her Devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa and Kenya's Ambassador to DR Congo Dr George Masafu.