The Kenya Ports Authority has recorded excellent performance at the Kisumu ASK Show taking the best position in six categories.

KPA was ranked the Best Large Trade Stand Commercial and Industry, Best Local Stand in Strategies of International Trade and Exports.

The Authhority was also ranked as Best Non-Agricultural Based Statutory Body/Commission Stand, Best Stand in Youth Activities, Empowerment and Capacity Building, Best Stand in demonstrating application of environmental quality standards and the best stand embracing Information Technology and Communication System.

The show which started on 24th July is expected to end on 28th July.

Meanwhile, KPA has began transporting equipments to the Kisumu Port ahead of the launch next month. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to commission the facility that has been idle for several years.

President kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, PS Esther Koimett are among top Government officials who have so far visited the project which will cost the government Sh3 billion.

According to Raila the facility will provide jobs to many jobless youths in Kisumu county.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta this morning led her visiting Botswana counterpart Neo Jane Masisi on a tour of Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Centre in Karen, Nairobi County.

The factory is an empowerment project for disadvantaged women that specialises in the production of handmade ceramic jewelery and pottery mostly for the export market. 

Founded as a tiny workshop in 1975, the factory has grown over the decades to become a multimillion investment offering employment to over 340 Kenyans, mostly single mothers from Nairobi's poor neighbourhoods. 

During the visit, the two First Ladies interacted with the employees of the factory, asking questions on the process of making the items that include necklaces, bracelets and earrings. 

First Lady Jane Masisi said she was impressed by the factory's operational efficiency and quality of products, and rallied the management and employees to work harder and expand the factory even further so as to create more employment opportunities for vulnerable women. 

She thanked her host First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for the guided tour and applauded her for being at the forefront in championing for the empowerment of vulnerable women and children through the Beyond Zero initiative. 

The Botswana First Lady is in the country accompanying her spouse President Mokgweetsi Masisi who is on a three-day state visit.

Navio –the multi-award winning Ugandan artist and one of the most versatile rappers in East Africa, has released a brand new single – KYEKYO.

This comes ahead of his upcoming album #SiN (Strength In Numbers). Produced by Aethan, KYEKYO was recorded at Icon Studios by Mio Made.

The single has an eclectic but modern beat coupled with live instrumentation from Congo guitar sensation Charmant, adding another dynamic to the song.

Ahead of the release, Navio talks about his upcoming album, “My #SiN Album (Strength In Numbers) is about balance, showing people that good music, versatility and a clear vision is what’s needed,” adding, “They say in order to lead sometimes you have to follow.

After winning 50 awards I really had to take a step back from the industry to see what’s really going on.

A lot of new acts are coming into the industry with low goals or high ones before good music and proving their worth.

” Pronounced ‘Che-cho’, KYEKYO is a word used when somebody likes what you’re doing and they want you to keep doing it.

The expressive term in Uganda used to mean: “That’s what’s up”, “Like that” or “That’s how to do it”.

This release comes right after a life event (his wedding with long-time lover) and is yet a new direction for Navio and the industry and shows the versatility that we have come to expect from the rapper.

His ability to blend seamlessly Urban sound into African Rhythms saw him win “Best Album” at the HiPipo awards 2017 for his critically acclaimed album “The Chosen”.

Young talented Kenyan artist Leyla Mohammed has finally joined the 1 million you tube views club thanks to her popular song 'Wimbo wa Historia'.

The patriotic song is known for its emotive tone in expressing the tales of the Kapenguria Six, particularly Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

The original song was written by Enock Ondego was praised for uniting Kenyans.

The song which was released October last year saw Leyla meet the president and perform during last year's Mahujaa day celebrations.

Tanzania's singing sensation Mbosso's manager Sandra Brown  has decided to quit and focus on personal issues.

In an interview with Ommy Dallah, Sandra who has been managing Mbosso for one year and three months now revealed that poor pay, harsh working conditions, mistreatment from her overall bosses at Diamond's record label WCB were the main reasons why she had to quit.

"Kuna vitu vilinichosha sitting down and discussing them was not going to help change anything, in the end I have a career to build if the place doesn't fit me why stay. I quietly made my exit" she said.

Adding " We just could no longer move forward and i'd rather pursue other things. Every side has their reasons, they have their reasons i have mine".

In an earlier interview with a local media outlet in Tanzania Mbosso stated that Sandra has just been transferred to another department.

"I believe in Women that is why even my Dj is a Woman but they sometimes let me down because their behaviours change, they are moody sometimes. She might have quarelled with her man and at the end bring her personal issues to work. As for her she has just been moved to another department" Said Mbosso

Sandra has refuted Mbosso's claims.

"No and No, but they are still family, and I would support and assist them in any way possible  but as for now i'm focusing on other endeavours and building my personal brand" She told Ommy Dallah

Concerning her next move Sandra stated "Cant say for now.When its time nyote mtajua. But all good things, would also love to do alot of other stuff within the industry, also taking more time to focus on building my personal brand and develop alot of valuable content around myself".

Mbosso now has a new manager, a female Almah Bronx.

Sandra is not the first manager to leave WCB, few months ago Harmonize's manager Joel Vincent, popularly known as Mr Puaz also had to quit over what he termed as misunderstanding, accusing the singer of pride.

Uganda's young vocal powerhouse currently under purple chord rercord label, Naira Ali is set to launch her new song this Thursday, 25 July.

The song titled 'Fever' will be launched at an exclusive invite only dinner at the Golf Course Hotel Kampala.

The audio is already out and available on you tube.

After being out in the cold for close to four months, Mamaa Madikodiko is finally making a comeback on radio.

Madikodiko who was part of the team sent home by the management of mediamax network limited after rebranding PiliPili fm to Msenangu fm, has now joined Kaya fm.

http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/930-pili-pili-fm-reinvesting-presenters-declared-redundant

She will be hosting the taarab show 'Mirindimo' which airs everyday, Monday to Friday from 1pm to 4pm.

Msenangu fm poached several presenters from Kaya fm and also Pwani fm.

Chris who was hosting the breakfast show at Pilipili fm also got a soft landing after he joined Milele fm, a station which is also owned by Mediamax network Limited.

Eng Vincent Sidai has been recruited by the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] as General Manager in charge of infrastructure development.

Sidai vied for the Busia County Gubernatorial post in the last general elections but lost to Sospeter Ojamong.

Sidai is to succeed Eng Abdullah Samatar who was transferred to take over the newly created post of General manager in charge of Lamu port.

He is perceived to be President Uhuru Kenyatta’s point man at the port of Mombasa.

Sidai’s employment has caused panic as the position he is holding is powerful and he is likely to succeed KPA managing director Daniel Manduku after his three year contract comes to an end.

Sidai, worked at Bamburi Cement Limited as project manager and also serves as aboard member of the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation .

Sidai’s appointment comes barely two months after the appointment of Daniel Ogutu as General Manager Human Resources and Administration.

Sidai is faced with the challenges of streamlining the crucial department, the position had been vacant for one year with several individuals holding it in an acting capacity.

Eng. Alfred Masha Nyanje was in an acting capacity, Chief registrar of the judiciary Anne Atieno Amadi’s husband Dan Amadi also held the post in an acting capacity. 

Before being promoted Amadi was head of projects development and management.

Gramps, Peetah and Mr. Mojo are the holy trinity comprising the iconic Reggae based, Grammy-winning family band, Morgan Heritage.

Their brand new album, ”Loyalty”, was created across several continents and completed in unorthodox fashion with the three brothers all in different locations – Mojo in Kenya focusing on the group’s philanthropic efforts, Gramps travelling the world healing people with the Masaya CBD products created by his wife Dr. Annabelle Manalo and Peetah in Miami anchoring the production.

This meant utilizing technology to bring them together virtually in one studio to orchestrate the finishing touches to their new masterpiece.

”Loyalty” is the trio’s twelfth studio record and is set for release in August on their CTBC (Cool To Be Conscious) Music Group label in partnership with Membran.

Morgan Heritage are known worldwide for their riveting stage presence and exciting showmanship, so it is no surprise that the Royal Family of Reggae will trek globally from Africa to Europe, North to South America and beyond during 2019 and 2020.

Their itinerary not only embodies the group’s global citizenship but is testament to the siblings embrace of unifying cultures that is prominent in their music, with the brothers stating: ”The new album showcases the universal state of Reggae and Jamaican music today. Our music is not one dimensional and we’re not loyal to one dimension of the music, rather we’re loyal to our genre”.

Personified by an impressive discography with each release displaying the eclectic fusion of sounds that have influenced each member, including Reggae, Rock, Hip-Hop, Jazz, R&B and Afrobeat, the common thread throughout has been authentic original Reggae.

”Loyalty” can certainly be defined as a globetrotting work of art and offers 16 diverse songs produced by Morgan Heritage with co-production from fellow GRAMMY award winners such as Jerry Wonda, Jason ‘J-Vibe’ Farmer, Shane Brown and Aston Barrett Jr.

The album also features star-studded appearances from African superstars Diamond Platnumz, Stonebwoy and Patoranking, Reggae Rock stars, Pepper and Iration, Dancehall sensation, Popcaan, plus the voice of Emmy Award winning journalist and broadcaster, Jeff Koinange on the album intro track.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has commissioned the Lake Turkana Wind Power farm, Africa’s largest wind power project, with an installed capacity of 310 megawatts of clean, reliable and low cost electricity.  

At the same time, the President commissioned the 428 kilometre high voltage power transmission line as well as the upgrading of Loyangalani to South Horr road. 

The double circuit 1,200 megawatt capacity line constructed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) evacuates the electricity generated at the plant to Suswa where it is injected into the national grid. 

In the last eight months, the wind power project has saved Kenyans more than Shs 8 billion from reduced usage of the expensive diesel generated thermal power. Over the same period, the plant injected more than 1.2 billion kilowatt hours (KWh) of electricity.

President Kenyatta, speaking at the event also attended by Deputy President William Ruto, said the commissioning of the project was a proud moment for Kenya.

“With this monumental feat, as Kenya scores another first in Africa, I challenge all Kenyans to remain resilient builders who build best when called upon to build greatly,” said President Kenyatta.

Kenya is one of the countries leading globally in the development of renewable energy especially in the geothermal sector. 

The President, who made an extensive tour of the expansive plant, said the government has stepped up efforts to encourage development of wind farms and other renewable green sources of electricity, by both KenGen and the private sector.  

Kenya’s installed power capacity has increased from 1,768 MW in March 2013 to the current 2,712 MW, with the Lake Turkana Wind, Garissa Solar Power (54 MW) and Ngong Wind Plants (26 MW) joining the grid within the last year.

President Kenyatta said the  commissioning of the project is a testament of Kenya's commitment to pursue clean sources of energy. It is also a major boost to the country's international commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

He said globally, Kenya is celebrated as one of the leading countries in the world with an energy mix of over 85 percent from renewable sources especially from geothermal, a technology in which the country has become a continental centre of excellence.

“The successful implementation of Lake Turkana Wind Power demonstrates Kenya's outstanding credentials as an investment destination in Africa and is a perfect example of the immense potential of the public private partnership model of implementing development projects,” said the President.

The President said Kenya’s progress in renewable energy will ensure the country’s scenic beauty and unique ecosystems are preserved and protected for both present and future generations.

He said the successful completion and operation of the project is a testimony of the vital role played by collaboration between the public and private sectors in the development of the country. 

“I invite other investors, not only within the energy sector but across the full spectrum of the economy, to join hands with government in conceptualizing and delivering transformative projects that secure measurable returns for our people as well as the investors,” said the President.

Deputy President Ruto said the success of the project was a result of unity and commitment of all stakeholders who included host communities, various development partners and the private sector.

Dr Ruto thanked the President for personally taking charge in ensuring the project which consists of 365 turbines each with a capacity to generate 850 kilowatts of power was successfully executed.

Energy CS Charles Keter said the ministry is working to ensure that locals are connected to the national grid as soon as possible while the chairman of Lake Turkana Wind Power Mugo Kibati said the Vision 2030 flagship project is a showcase of Kenya's maturing profile as an investment destination of choice in Africa.

Other speakers included Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali and his Samburu counterpart Moses Lenolkulal. The two leaders commended the President for his commitment to improving the livelihoods of all Kenyans by undertaking transformative development projects throughout the country.