Mombasa businessman turn politician Suleiman Shahbal has been petitioned to rescind his decision and contest as an independent candidate for Mombasa governor.

 Shahbal dropped his bid for Mvita Mp  Abdulswamad Nassir saying that that he resolved to back the lawmaker after the party leadership, led by Raila Odinga, called for consensus-building to ensure ODM retains the ticket.

On Tuesday, Shahbal almost shed tears when he met his emotional congregation of electorates at the Tononoka social hall who demanded him to join the race as an independent.

The supporters kept on chanting his slogan 'Change must come' as they asled him to run for the governor seat as an independent meeting.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2802-shahbal-steps-down-for-nassir-in-mombasa-governor-contest

Some of the speakers who attended the meeting could not hold their tears as the governor candidate delivered the heartbreaking message. Many believed that he was the change that Mombasa deserved.

“We are sick and tired of begging in Mombasa, the county has no development because of poor leadership and implanting of leaders, nothing will change even with Odinga as the president for Mombasa,” said Amina Abdalla, a women rep aspirant.

His running mate Selina Maitha a;sp asked Shahbal to change his mind and go independent. Maitha said many electorates feel betrayed by the decision, and the business man ought to listen to the plight of the majority.

This happens as a group of women, youth and the elderly from Mombasa have embarked on a petition signing to compel Shahbal rescind his decision and vie as an independent candidate.

“We the people of Mombasa County want Change. We believe that Shahbal is the only one with the desire and ability to bring change. We need jobs and a friendly business environment. Your decision to step down for another candidate is not welcome,”said Hamisi Baya, one of those that have signed the petition.

The group has expressed its dissatisfaction with the governor aspirant saying he out to have consulted his supporters before he dropped his bid.

“We commit to supporting you through campaigning for you, voting for you, supporting you financially where necessary, and protecting the votes on the day of the election,”|he added.

Hawa Shafi, another petitioner, said he believed that Shahbal would bring the change that Mombasa has disrespected for the ten years governor Joho has been in power.

“I am a strong believer of positive change, I believe in Shahbal because he is the change we need in Mombasa. I listened to his agendas and felt that he is the solution to our problems,” wrote Hawa in the online petition that has so far received over 1,000 signatures.

Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir is now the undisputed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party flag bearer for the Mombasa gubernatorial race in the August polls.

Nassir was given the party ticket following negotiations that saw his political rival and businessman Suleiman Shahbal drop his bid to support him.

South African pure-play software testing company, Inspired Testing (www.InspiredTesting.com), is on a continent-wide drive to attract, develop and place Africa’s digital talent on the global stage.

The company is on a determined path to ensure that African talent plays a meaningful role in the 4th Industrial Revolution and believes that the continent’s digital-savvy talent is the answer to a worldwide software skills shortage.

Andre Barnard, Chief People and Culture Officer at Inspired Testing says, “ Our endeavour to further grow into other territories means that we’re unlocking employment opportunities for software testers from the likes of Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Zambia and from other countries on our continent.”

“We want to partner with potential employees, be they senior or intermediate automation engineers or graduates seeking to further a career in software testing.” says Barnard.

Inspired Testing describes the candidates it seeks as ideally in possession of an ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) Certification or willing to acquire this qualification within 3 months, coupled with a readiness to grow and engage and someone who wants to take control of their progression in software testing.

The company aligns a career map for each employee and is committed to advancing them from a “start” to a “vision” position in their career.

Barnard says that the company’s employees and its leadership are known for possessing a “mentality of abundance”.

He describes this notion as, “Being intentional in always giving away our best.”

“Our purpose is to make way for potential, “says Barnard when asked what Inspired Testing had to offer persons seeking employment at the organisation.

He went on to explain that truly making way for potential has to go beyond just paying a market-related remuneration.

Noting  ”It comprises access to leadership, a functional mentorship programme, the opportunity to upskill and self-develop, with funding assistance from the company, and global work exposure to multinational companies of varying sizes.”

Inspired Testing’s global clients span across Legal, Banking, Financial Services, Telecommunications, e-Commerce and Retail sectors, to name a few.

Barnard points out that the business verticals that they currently service have grown exponentially during the Covid-19 pandemic and the strategic migration and deeper advancement to digital-first platforms and operations have indeed created quite an upsurge in the software industry, thereby creating the need for more resources in software testing as a discipline.

Inspired Testing also runs The Inspired Academy, that tailor makes programmes and curriculums designed specifically for the upskilling of clients’ software testing teams and individuals who wants to advance their career.

The academy, borne from the organisation's desire to positively impact both society and the industry sector they operate in, has seen many successfully completed training courses in the six months passed.

The programmes run here directly contribute to ramping up software testing skills sets and often leads to career progression for the incumbents.

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM party members of the Mombasa county assembly have welcomed the installation of Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Sharif Nassir to succeed governor Hassan Joho.

The both sitting and aspiring MCAs have vowed to elect and rally behind Nassir as the next Mombasa governor terming him as a leader who has been tested in leadership.

Speaking during a press conference at the Treasury square the MCA's have slammed former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar for calling Nassir as a project.

According to Tudor ward MCA Tobias Samba, Nassir is the best candidate for the Mombasa governor seat.

Samba also called on Omar to focus on his campaigns and stop attacking Nassir.

 “Abdulswamad has been tested and proven. We have all seen what he has achieved in parliament as chairman of the public accounts committee. In Abdulswamad we have trust.”  said Samba.

Adding “Omar is a non issue in the Mombasa race, he has no impact. We are going to defeat him because Mombasa is a ODM strong hold.”

On his part, Likoni MCA Athman Mwamiri noted "Nassir is a project of the people therefore we want to ask his competitors to brace for a tough political duel in the August 9 general elections.”

According to Fatma Kushe,a sitting MCA said the ODM party will sweep all elective seats in Mombasa. Kushe said the instalment of Nassir is a complete deal that he is the best bet for Mombasa.

"Abdulswamad is not going to answer you, we are his foot soldiers and the ones who will answer you. You are the weak candidate and not Nassir.” Said Kushe

Adding “We are confident that Nassir will form the next county government and all seats for elective positions will go to ODM party," said Kushe.

The MCAs have vowed to conduct extensive campaigns for Nassir in Mombasa to ensure he becomes the next governor.

"As aspirants of ODM we will prove to them that no any other part will be in the county assembly except ODM party alone. Infact Hassan Omar’s party has the weakest candidates in the MCAseats "added Allan Katana Majaoni MCA aspirant who won the ODM ticket.

On Sunday, Former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar said the United democratic Alliance UDA party with clinch key political positions in the August 9 polls.

Kenyan celebrity couple, Bahati and his wife Diana Marua have landed yet another ambassadorial deal.

On Sunday, an elated Bahati took to soicial media and announced to his fans that he is now the Oppo brand ambassador, together with his wife Diana Marua.

"So excited to partner with OPPO Kenya] @wabosha.maxine and Wifey @Diana_Marua as we officially introduce to you the new OPPO Reno 7!" posted Bahati.

On her part Diana posted "Another Win!!! I'm Excitttteeeeeeeeed to Announce that we are Officially The Brand Ambassadors of the New #OPPORENO7 under the range of highly upgraded features in the @oppo_kenya family ?

Currently, Bahati and Diana are among the most sought after brand endorsers in the country. They are also the brand ambassadors for several brands including the Raha premium maize flour, Indomie noodles among others.

When Purity Mathe conceived her first child at 19 years of age, her worst fears were confirmed. It was obvious that she would not pursue her education dreams because marriage came calling.

Mathe, now 45 years old, narrates how her journey in young parenthood taught her a lesson she is proud of today.

She says , were it not for her determination in life, she would have ended as a careless woman.

But as she narrates, Buoyed by her passion to read, Mathe was able to graduate as a primary school teacher after completing her studies at the Shanzu teachers college.

It is through her early pregnancy and marriage experience that opened her eyes about the plight of girl child.

During her time many girls abandoned education to get married while others lacked school fees to secure their higher education and their dreams remained just a wishful dream.

This situation touched her heart and vowed to make a change in the society.

"When I conceived at 19 years of age and got married, I knew I was finished, I knew I would not achieve my dreams, but something kept telling me that I can still make it in life despite the situation am in, I decided I will not accept to be derailed by being a young mother. I went to college after giving birth and graduated as a teacher,"narates Mathe.

Adding “I was later divorced and ended up bringing up my kids alone and I always feel like I wasn't mature enough to learn what I really wanted , that brought alot of weight in advocating education to girls.

Since then, Mathe became a girl child rights champion. Her work is evident as very many girls have attained their life dreams of education through her hands.

She says through the help of an American founded non governmental organization she has been able to uplift girl child education in the society.

Mathe is a girl power coordinator for the Mombasa relief initiative MRI,an American based organisation which was formed in 1992 by an American but it operates its activities in Mombasa county.

"I work for the girl power programe which consists of Victoria baptist and Mnazi Mmoja primary schools, where she handles several girls aged between 10-17 years. I have been catering for their fees and few basic needs they needs like sanitary towels and food stuffs for their families." said Mathe.

Her passion to uplift girl child was inspired by the fact that majority of girl children in the coastal region don't realize their life dreams due to abject poverty as the majority of the children are orphans while others from less fortunate families.

"Many girls in the coast don't join high school because most of them don't have dreams of joining high  schools because the children undergo challenges of food in their families that makes them drop out of schools because of poverty, this is where we come in and seal the gap," she says.

She says the Organisation has been instrumental in dealing with girl child in the informal settlement schools and those orphaned in Mombasa and says their dreams get realized when they join high schools and universities.

"Since the programme no girl among those I deal with has ever encountered challenges like teenage pregnancy, we take care of them from their primary level up to secondary level." she says.

Her mission is to see the organisation spread its wings to Kilifi and other coastal counties to rescue the girl child from the hooks of social vices.

So far  she is handling a total of 54 needy children with 30 in primary school and 24 in secondary schools in Mombasa.

"We want to spread our wings to Nairobi and other parts of the country so that we can reach the most vulnerable girl child," said Mathe who now throws a challenge to the government to put more focus on girl child education.

The Mombasa Relief Initiative (MRI) was conceived based on the collective vision of seven Americans and two Kenyans who wanted to find a uniform way to provide help and assistance to the children of Mombasa, Kenya.

Beginning in 1993, these individuals started going to Kenya on vacation to buy art for sale in the U.S. These trips grew into a great love for the people and culture of Kenya. Eventually, in March 2001, they formed MRI, a non-profit organization.

MRI’s mission is to serve the children of Mombasa, Kenya through three key initiatives: Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. 

Mombasa governor Aspirant Ali Mbogo has dismissed claims that he would step down for former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko terming the reports as mere propaganda.

Mbogo says as it stands ,he is the preferred candidate of Mombasa governor through Wiper party claiming that the party has already handed him an interim certificate to vie for Mombasa governor seat.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2793-sonko-still-in-the-race-for-mombasa-governor-wiper-party

"We have an interim certificate already duly signed, to show that I am the candidate for Mombasa governor seat and therefore I want to announce to my supporters that nothing has changed, we are in the race till the end." said Mbogo.

Speaking in Mishoromoni on Saturday Morning, Mbogo categorically stated that his candidature for Mombasa is unshaken.

"There has been unfounded rumours that some other people have a ticket to contest for Mombasa ,that is not true, I want to thank our party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for handing me a ticket for Mombasa unopposed, so that means we are in the race," added Mbogo.

He warned those party officials in Mombasa purporting to speak on behalf of the party to stop it.

"There is no nomination in Mombasa in Wiper party,w hat we know is that we are the team to beat ODM in August 9,and we will win it, let them know that." said Mbogo.

Adding " We don't have a spokesperson in Mombasa, so those pretending to be speaking on behalf of the party should stop. The only person who can speak on behalf of the party is Kalonzo Musyoka, who is our party leader"

The Kisauni Mp has also warned his Orange Democratic Movement ODM opponents to brace for a tough political duel in the race to succeed governor Hassan Joho.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2802-shahbal-steps-down-for-nassir-in-mombasa-governor-contest

"If there is any nomination they would not have given me an interim certificate, so our supporters should get ready to a real campaign," he added.

Businessman Suleiman Shahbal has stepped down for Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir in the race to succeed Hassan Joho as the next governor of Mombasa.

This was announced by the ODM party leader Raila Odinga on Friday evening.

"We have had negotiations and Suleiman Shahbal has agreed to support Abdulswamad Nassir as the governor of Mombasa. Nassir will fly our party's flag in the governor race" said Odinga.

The party has also settled on Senator Mohammed Faki to be the flag bearer in the Senator race in the coming August election.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho welcomed the move by Shahbal noting that both Nassir and Shahbal have been strong competitors.

"Both of them are very strong and worthy competitors and for Shahbal to agree to support Nassir is a good thing" said Joho.

Adding " What is now remaining is for us to hit the ground running and start campaigning immediately."

On his part Suleiman Shahbal revealed that he has been assigned to focus on Raila Odinga's presidential campaign.

" I have been aspiring to be governor of Mombasa for the last ten years, but the objective was not for Suleiman Shahbal, but to bring change and development to the people of Mombasa." said Shahbal.

Adding "We have agreed to work with Abdulswamad Nassir towards bringing this change. To all my fans and supporters we have agreed that we will work with Nassir." 

Former National Police Service Commission commissioner Murshid Mohammed has said he is the best suited to be the next Mvita Mp.

According to Murshid who once served as the Chairman, Mvita NGF CDF, his work and experience puts him ahead of other aspirants eyeing the seat which is currently being held by Abdulswamad Nassir. Nassir is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat.

"My work speaks for itself. With my background and having worked for different constitutional institutions,  I believe I'm best suited for the job. It is now my turn to serve my people of Mvita." said Murshid.

Adding " This job needs someone who is sober and one who understands the constitution and can help in the process of making laws, not just someone who distributes football jerseys, issues out handouts. The people of Mvita need real developement, Mvita is the heart of Mombasa and needs good representation".

Murshid, a lawyer by profession revealed that he was forced to shelve his Mombasa governor ambitions after consultations from close friends and associates.

"When we came back for forensic assessment of the ground we found out that it was a little bit to late to mount a successful campaign and we know our politics require alot of politics and because of those imperatives we thought as stakeholders that it will be more appropriate that I go for the Mvita Mp seat." In future I might consider going for the governor seat."  said Murshid.

He is vying for the seat through the United Green Movement (UGM) party.

He charged "I believe I represent the transformation leadership that our people require. My agenda is economic, provision of clean water, improvement of health and education standards" 

He will battle it out with Mohammed Machele (ODM), Omar Shallo (UDA), Mohammed Juma (Wiper) and Said Twaha (PAA).

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) presents music productions from the National Youth Talent Development Programme - Eldoret Edition.

Watch all the music and dance videos on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgIQUPvj3QW82FRx2ShuxysxbjM2oE7Qr

About the Programme

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage through The Permanent Presidential Music Commission has been undertaking a series of National Youth Talent Development Programmes in music and dance since the beginning of this year.

The program aims at equipping and empowering out of school youth in music and dance with proficiency skills in music geared towards transforming the music industry from a purely entertainment sector into a vibrant and dynamic industry that will make substantial contribution to the social economic development at both county and national levels.

To be selected for the programme, an audition call out was done and auditions were conducted in Nairobi, Nyanza, Western, Central, Rift Valley, Coast, Eastern and North Eastern regions. After auditions, selected youth are absorbed into a residential training camp to elevate their skills.

The program is funded by the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund in partnership with the State Department of Culture and Heritage.

Participants are taken through a vigorous skills development program that touches on voice, performance, music instruments, copyright, music business, marketing, dance and choreography, as well as music production and recording.

As a culmination, a graduation concert is held at the end of each training programme where the participants perform their original music productions and music videos for these productions are then released to the public via the PPMC YouTube channel – PPMC TV.

ABOUT PPMC

The Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) is a Government Department under the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage mandated to coordinate music and dance activities in the country and spearhead the development of the same from mere entertainment activities into a stable industry.

The commission was formed through Kenya Gazette notice No. 2132 of April 1988. It was mandated to implement the report of a task force established to look into the development and preservation of music and dance in Kenya, covering the areas of music education, music research, music in the media, music performances, musicians’ rights and obligations and preservation and conservation of the music and heritage of Kenya, among others. Get to learn more about the Permanent Presidential Music Commission and its programs by visiting their website here www.ppmc.go.ke

President Uhuru  Kenyatta has advised Kenyans to elect steadfast leaders capable of uniting the country and offering solutions to challenges facing wananchi, pointing out that building the nation was not an easy task.

Speaking on Thursday evening at State House, Nairobi, when he hosted close to 2,000 Muslim leaders from across the country for Iftar, President Kenyatta noted that Kenya requires a leader who cherishes peace and unity, and not one who is driven by selfish interests.

“I want to tell you building a nation is not easy as most people think. It is not easy. There are so many storms and it requires A steady hand not a hand that looks at everything from a selfish point of view. Not a hand that rather than seek to resolve problems you seek to look for somebody to blame.

“Now if you are looking for somebody to blame instead of fixing the problem how can you be a problem solver? You are a problem identifier. And this country requires a problem solver because there is no day where problems will cease, problems will continue to arise,” President Kenyatta said.

The President urged Kenyans to continue praying for their nation as they prepare to elect leaders who will strive to provide solutions to problems affecting the country by uniting all Kenyans irrespective of their religious, colour or race in the forthcoming elections.

“So you need people who are willing to pull together and solve problems because that is the only way a country develops. And that’s why I am requesting my Muslim brothers and sisters this time round and in this Holy month, I ask you, we pray for peace and unity.

“We pray that we get a leader who will unite us and continue tackling our problems,” he said.

President Kenyatta drummed up support for the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya political coalition Raila Odinga saying he was the best suited to inherit the country's leadership from him after the August polls.

He said Mr Odinga was a genuine and mature leader with a deep sense of love for his country and a track record of political steadfastness.

“I request you that we all unite under the umbrella of Azimio. And when I look left or right ,I see no other (person) who has the capability of uniting us, who has the capacity to forgive, who has the capacity to be calm and patient other than Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

"I am not saying that because I hate anyone. I don’t hate anybody but there are actions that human beings hate. Maybe one day we will forgive those others when they remember that patience pays, peace is important and humility is a great virtue. Pride is not the way to leadership but humility. One has to be humble to get leadership,” President Kenyatta elaborated.

Once again, the President likened the country's leadership to a relay race where one administration builds upon the foundation laid by others who were before them, and urged Kenyans to shun divisive leaders.

“Let me say building a nation is not a one day affair but a continuous exercise. It is what we call relay race. You run and hand over the baton to your colleague. And Kenya is here and it will continue to endure even after we are long gone.

“Many have been with us and many have left and we thank them for what they did and the achievements they made,” he said.

On development, the President pointed out that Kenya had made tremendous progress in infrastructure and other sectors of the economy noting that it would have been impossible to achieve such monumental successes without peace and tranquillity.

“We have peace, we have achieved some progress as we worked together. We are united and wananchi have the freedom and democracy to express themselves freely and most important they have the freedom of worship. All religions are accepted and honoured without discrimination or favouritism and that is the foundation of a great nation.

“The fact that any Kenyan wherever you maybe, whatever your colour, whatever your religion, whatever your gender, that you are free and feel that Kenya is your home. That is the basic essence of a society that is moving in the right direction.

The President also spoke about ongoing efforts to address the human suffering caused by the drought and famine ravaging parts of country saying the Government was doing everything possible to address the dire situation.

The clergy and leaders who spoke at the event expressed gratitude to President Kenyatta for hosting them every year during the Holy Month of Ramadhan noting that for the last nine years, the Muslim community have had a great time sharing Iftar with the Head of State at State House, Nairobi.

Tourism CS Najib Balala noted that President Kenyatta will go into history books as one of the greatest leaders who worked extremely hard to unite all Kenyans.

Mr Balala said under President Kenyatta’s leadership, the Muslim community had been brought to the centre of Kenya's development agenda thereby enabling them to play their role in nation building.

“It is only in your government that we Muslim leaders and we who work under you know what you mean for this country. You have built infrastructure even from where you did not get votes. You built communities and bridges where their were no bridges to build. You brought people together," the Tourism CS said.

Muslim leaders among them Sports CS Amina Mohamed, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, National Chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Hassan Ole Naado, Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi also spoke at the event, commending President Kenyatta for his magnanimity which they said makes every Kenyan to feel appreciated by their Government.

The Muslim leaders assured the President of their continued support saying their immediate focus was helping the Head of State to cement his legacy of progressive and peaceful Kenya.

The event was attended by several Governors, parliamentarians, Government officials and captains of industry representing all sectors of the Kenyan economy.