The Ministry of youth affairs, Art and Sports has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chinese government on Arts & film development.

The MOU was signed by Youth affairs, Arts and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and the Chinese Minister for Culture and Tourism Hu Heping on Monday evening.

The signing of the MOU which was witnessed by Chinese ambassador to Kenya Zhou PingJian,  PS Ismail Maalim and Kenya's representative from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, seeks to strengthen cinematic ties between the two nations as well as deepening the 60-year relationship between Kenya and China.

"We are delighted to sign this MOU between our nations, to develop the areas of arts and film and also to celebrate the corporation in film between China and Kenya. We believe the potential in Film and the arts is immense and that film is a major component of our flagship #TalantaHela program, which seeks to monetize talents and build sustainable livelihoods," said Namwamba.

"We consider Film as a powerful tool for exposing our culture and cultural corporation besides being a powerful tool for employment creation, " he added.

CS Ababu assured the Chinese delegation that Kenya was happy to continue exploring new areas of collaboration that can further strengthen the 60-year-old bond as well as improve Kenya-China bilateral engagements.

"I have had a good conversation with Ambassador on exploring areas of creative economy, and I am happy that he has been welcoming in exploring these areas of partnership. The government considers the creative economy as an important Frontier for driving the economy and providing opportunities for employment. This administration has prioritized the creative economy as a key driver of economic development and is currently implementing a new policy direction called Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) which is about providing opportunities for all segments of the population from the lowest level. The creative economy is considered a key ignition for this."

The CS added that through the MOU, his ministry envisaged organising exchange programs, Co-productions arrangements as well as exchange of technology and key skills between Kenya's and Chinese artists. 

"Through the film and creative industry, we can expand the people-to-people interaction as we celebrate 60 years of friendship and diplomatic relations. We consider you a valuable and cherishable partner in this relationship," added CS Ababu.

On his part, the Chinese Ambassador Zhou PingJian highlighted the historical significance of film production in China and how, if harnessed well in Kenya, had the potential to create employment opportunities for the youth.

"This collaboration between Kenya and China resonates with the spirit of unity, creativity, and shared prosperity as witnessed in our 60 years of good relations, " he said

"Through this partnership, we anticipate a dynamic exchange of artistic excellence and cultural insights that will not only enrich our film industries but also enhance the lives of our people, " he added.

The MoU will see the two nations collaborate in capacity-building programs, technological exchanges, and cultural enrichment, with a view to elevating Kenya's film and arts space towards positively impacting the country's cinematic creations.

Also present was the Kenya Film Commission CEO Dr. Timothy Owase, Kenya Film and Classification Board acting CEO Mr. Joel Wamalwa and Kenya Cultural Centre CEO Mr. Michael Pundo.

At the same time, the Kenya film commission (KFC) signed a letter of intent for collaboration with the China Film Administration b(CFA). A delegation from CFA also had the opportunity to have a roundtable meeeting with Kenyan film makers and discussed to explore ways of partnerships in production and distribution.

"We look forward to greater partnership and developement of Kenya and China" reads a statement from KFC.

The occasions also marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between Kenya and China.

Mombasa port has registered 3.3 percent increase on cargo throughput in the first six months as government promises to restore workers’ bonuses to motivate them further.

The increment has been attributed to investment by the government in the past few years as competition from other regional ports increase.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said in the first half of 2023, the Port of Mombasa saw remarkable growth of cargo handled from 17.48 million tons handled in 2022 in the first half of the year to an impressive 18.06 million tons this year.

During the period, container traffic shared a similar narrative, rising from 722,063 Twenty-foot equivalent Units (TEUs) to 783,125 TEUs, signifying an impressive 8.5 percent surge. 

Mr Murkomen said the numbers reflect Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) strategic dedication to increase efficiency in different port facilities.

“We are not only investing on infrastructure but also on human resource that is why we are considering bonuses for those who handle these equipments,” said Mr Murkomen.

He added, “Our projection of handling 34.5 million tons (1.4 percent more than 2022) and 1.56 million TEUs (7.7 percent growth from 2022) underscores our unwavering commitment to progress.” 

Speaking at the port of Mombasa while witnessing offloading of four Ship to Shore (STS) Gantry cranes, the CS said the investment by the government resonates with their commitment to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our partners, stakeholders, and the global trade network that we contribute to.

Murkomen was accompanied by KPA Managing Director captain William Ruto, Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari among other officials.

Murkomen noted “The government is not merely acquiring equipment, we are fostering our capacity to handle current trade volumes while seamlessly embracing future growth. We want to remain one of the efficient ports in the region and we focus in equipping port facilities in Mombasa and Lamu.”

Adding" Don't listen to those people who are saying that our port has been overtaken by I don't know which port from another country. Our port is doing well and we will continue to improve it"

The new cranes bring a total of sixteen STSs, twenty-five Reach stackers positioned at different berths at the port of Mombasa with four more anticipated, and a fleet of twenty-seven empty container handlers poised for procurement. 

Additionally, the Port of Lamu is set to receive three Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes, further solidifying KPA’s commitment to modernization and capacity expansion.

The four cranes worth more than Sh5.8 billion from a Chinese company; Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co.Ltd (ZPMC) now poised to be strategically deployed at berth no. 16.

EALA Mp Suleiman Shahbal is a proud father following the wedding of his second born son, Samir Suleiman.

Samir who is the Chief finance officer at Buxton Point got married to his better half Fatma Wahid on Sunday at TSS mosque.

The wedding was presided by the Chief Kadhi Athman Abdulhamin who advised couples in marriage to maintain communication and patience.

"Most of our marriages these days break because of lack of communication and patience. These two things are very important in a marriage. Marriages are made in heaven and are supposed to last but because most couples lack patience and do not communicate then they end up separating" said Athman.

The wedding was attended by several leaders led by Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir. Other leaders present at the wedding are Mohammed Faki (Senator), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Mohammed Machele (Mvita), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni) former Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Major General Mohammed Badi.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nasir has called on members of the Mombasa county assembly to make laws that will help generate more revenue for the county.

Nassir said for the county to tackle the level of unemployment,it needs to generate more revenues so as to employ more youth in the county employment program dubbed Mombasa Yangu.

"I can't employ youth unless there are laws that will help generate more revenue,we tell you the MCAs to make laws that will help the county and ensure more revenue is generated to employ more youth,"said Nasir.

The governor defended the Mombasa Yangu,that has employed young people in the initiative sponsored by the county government to keep Mombasa clean.

"Make laws that will be there to cater for the majority poor and not the minority rich,"said Nassir as he told off some MCAs who had begun politicizing it.

The governor said he will not sit to watch someone discredit the program he started days after swearing in as the second governor.

"I don't want to be dictated by someone about what to do about the project,am the one who I initiated it and therefore we know i know it's benefits,and I will employ the young people in this program without being coarced or pushed by someone,"said Nassir.

Adding "And I want to tell the MCAs that don't be carried away,you are younger than me in both age and politics,I beseage you to look for what is right for the poor without being influenced,"said infuriated Nasir while defending the recent plan to reduce PSV fees.

On his part, Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib asked Nassir to employ youth in the program to tackle what he termed as serious unemployment levels.The jomvu Mp further cautioned the young people to avoid indulging on social vices like crime.

"Since COVID 19 came,the level of unemployment has doubled,we apploud the governor for the initiative but we ask him to ensure more young people are employed on permanent and pensionable,"said Twalib.

They say the memories we make with our family is everything. With family being one of nature's masterpieces, Kisumu-based award-winning musician, Gabiro Mtu Necessary has seen it fit to join hands with fellow hometown musicians to work on a new song.

Gabiro is indisputably the most sought-after musician from the lakeside city of Kisumu, from having been considered twice for a Grammy nomination to having his debut album hit over 2 million streams on Boomplay.

His diversity has seen him transition from being a rapper to an online sensation known for his funny Luo skits and freestyles on Tiktok where he has managed to build a solid and interactive fan base.

Mtu Necessary as he is famously known, is steadily building a reputation as Kisumu’s best lyricist but also shares his personal struggles through his art.

From working as a matatu tout to battling drug abuse, Gabiro’s ability to tell stories separates him from rap music’s status quo.

While many rappers tell us their stories, Gabiro possesses the ability to bring you into his world and show it to you.

He features four Kisumu-based musicians on his latest release “Family” which he clearly states is not an anthem, it is a song. A song about family and its substantial value to oneself and society at large.

All the artists come out strong and worthy of time with their lyrics and flow and it is clearly evident that they all understood the assignment.

Featured artists are Venna who is a young female singer with a sassy and mellow voice, Blakangel who also adds up as the producer of this brilliant masterpiece, Just Ken who introduces the song with a rap verse before Gabiro Mtu Necessary joins in with a quote and tight-lipped verse and finally comes Kamwana who ensures that nothing is left to waste.

Watch “Family” by Gabiro Mtu Necessary featuring Venna, Just Ken, Blakangel and Kamwana below:

https://youtu.be/wOkpIDdLqgY

It's a dark day for the staff of  Mombasa based Islamic radio station, Radio Rahma as the station owners shut down the news department, firing all news staff.

The station owned by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has been struggling financially in recent years.

In a letter dated August 9 addressed to all staff, the station CEO Nasra Abdulswamad declared the news staff redundant giving them a 30 day notice.

"The last couple of years have been bundled with huge financial challenges. As a result we have had to take tough task of strategizing and downscaling our operations. With a heavy heart and as communicated on 8th August 2023 at the consultative meeting held at Istiqama Group of Schools, we have had to make sorry decisions of doing away with the news department. It is our considered view that going forward we need to reduce the wage bill before the whole ship comes sinking on us. In the light of the same, we have made the painful decision of declaring redundant the News team in its entirely." reads part of the letter seen by this blog.

Adding “Please take note that this notice serves as a the 1-month advance notice , and any employee in the afore mentioned list shall be deemed not an employee of Rahma Broadcasting Limited at the close of 30 days” 

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3138-is-this-the-end-of-radio-rahma

The station management has also been forced to do away with some of the programs including Swabahal- Kheir, Ulimwengu wa Wanawake and Rahma Drive.

The letter further states "We do not currently require you to work for us during your notice period. However you should remain available for work in case this changes. You are entitled to take a reasonable amount of paid time off work to look for alternative employment and attend job interviews. Before taking any such time off, you should get your managers agreement."

Those affected included top radio presenters and reporters that have served the station for many years.

They include:

1.Ruth Keah – Chief editor.

2. Athuman Luchi –  Online editor in charge of the company website and podcast.

3. Nuru Mwalimu – Business News Editor.

4. Baya Kitsao – Reporter, Kilifi County.

5. Mwanaharusi Rashid – Reporter, Kwale County.

6. Abdalla Mwanyiro – Reporter,   Lamu county.

7. Mkalla Seif – Reporter Mombasa county.

Other presenters and producers affected include

Ali Mwalim-Programs controller

Saumu Ali – Presenter

Rose – Producer

Saumu Ali – Producer

Mariam Juma among others.

Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi has sponsored a speciall bill in Senate that seeks to protect pregnant children and child parents.

The bill, the care and protection of child parents bill 2023 aims at protecting the rights of pregnant children and additionally ensuring that needy child parents and their caretakers receive assistance from the National and County Governments so as to enable them return to school after delivering.

Miraj argues that despite earlier interventions by authorities to address challenges that pregnant children and child parents go through, no significant results have been recorded.

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has intensified the crackdown on drug abuse in Mombasa and Coast at large..

On Tuesday, NACADA acting Chief executive officer Prof. John Muteti said a multi-sectoral team has been deployed to Mombasa to probe the use of Fentanyl by drug users in the county.

According to the authority many injecting drug users in the Coast and Mombasa to be specific are now engaging in multiple drug use, and a possibility of Fentanyl abuse may be rife.

“We have a multi-sectoral team which has been on the ground for some time collecting samples, which we intend to take for analysis at the government chemistry department, and we will produce a report in the next 14 days, we shall communicate the report to the country,” said Muteti.

Although there is no conclusive proof to point out the drug use  in the county, NACADA wants to ensure the drug is not among those currently abused by users.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic.

It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

An overdose of the highly potent opioid can lead to an almost instant death.

The crackdown according to Muteti was informed by the recent viral video suspected to be from the Kenyan Coast which went viral on social media showing a group of drug users intoxicated.

“We have seen some videos circuiting around showing people in bad state of intoxication, we are here to find out what substance they must have consumed, it’s not clear where this videos came from, it’s not clear whether they are from Kenya or which country, but this has forced us to take samples of other drugs to see whether it’s a case of multiple drugs use,” said Muteti.

The Drug authority is now throwing a caution to the public to report cases of multiple drug use to authorities.

Reach out Trust center chief executive officer Taib Abdurahman said the problem of polydrugs is rampant at the Mombasa.

“We have seen incidents of polydrugs, that’s why we are embarking on this investigation to establish which drugs they use, we don’t want to speculate because a report must be informed by findings,” said Taib.

The multi-agency team comprises the Government Chemist, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Mombasa based Community Based Organizations and officers of the National Government Administration (NGAO).

Players say this may have been attributed to the shocking shortage of Heroin in the market, a possibility that may plunge many drug users to indulge in poly drug use to satisfy their anxiety.

While addressing a joint media briefing MEWA hospital advocacy officer Hussein Taib alleged that the situation has become evident following a sharp rise of the price of the Heroin drug from sh 200 to sh 400 per sachet.

"We are currently experiencing shortage of Heroin, there is a crisis actually because the product has become too expensive and this may result in those who depend on it getting involved in poly drug use here at the coast,” said Husein.

Hussein said so far there is no evidence to prove whether the drug is in the country,but a threat of multiple drug use by users has become rampant in Mombasa.

"Let's not wait until this drug get into our neighbourhoods,we also ask government agencies and customs to be alert and ensure this new drug does not become a threat by finding a space into the market,"said Hussein.