One of Mombasa's oldest restaurant, singh restaurant will be closing it's doors in July.

Operating since 1962, Singh restaurant has been an iconic spot especially for the lovers of Punjabi cuisine.

According to a statement from the proprietor Darshan Singh Wilkhu the rising cost of running the business has pushed them to shut down the establishment.

"Over the years, we have had the immense joy of serving millions of customers from around the world, including ministers and celebrities who came to enjoy our traditional home-made dishes. We have had the pleasure of serving generations of families in the years since Singh Restaurant started." reads the statement.

Adding "Unfortunately, since the pandemic, we have faced significant increases in costs (licenses, food, drinks, energy bills, rent, and more). I have done everything possible to absorb these expenses so that our customers could continue to enjoy our food at reasonable prices. However, to sustain the business further, we would need to raise prices significantly, which goes against the ethos of Singh Restaurant. My father instilled this core ethos into Singh Restaurant, promoting quality over profit, and that has remained consistent throughout the years."

"At 81 years old, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved with Singh Restaurant. However, due to my age, a desire to spend more time with my children and grandchildren, and to honor my father's legacy, I have made the difficult decision to close Singh Restaurant in Mombasa after 62 years of service. We plan to serve our last customers on July 9, 2024."

Mr Darshan who inherited the business from his late father Dalip Singh Wilkhu remained confident that his sons will maintain the name and legacy of the restaurant.

Darshan "But this is not the end for Singh Restaurant. My sons, who have grown up with Singh Restaurant as an integral part of their lives, are already discussing ways to bring our beloved dishes to you at the same affordable prices. We hope Singh Restaurant will evolve further, and we will keep you informed about our progress.."

Today, uber-talented singer ShineTTW released his highly anticipated new EP, ‘The Chosen   One’. This 8-track album is not just a collection of songs, but a profound declaration of intent, showcasing ShineTTW's immense talent and versatility that sets him apart in the African music scene.

‘The Chosen One’ is a rich ensemble of diverse sounds from across the world, intricately woven together by ShineTTW's unique musical perspective. Following the successful release of the project’s lead single, ‘Sakura’, the EP promises to leave listeners spellbound by Shine’s enchanting vocals and atmospheric production. The project also reflects the artist’s Afro Sentio style—a distinctive twist on Nigerian R&B and pop music that offers a chill, sensual, and enthralling listening experience, designed to create an out-of-body sensation for fans.

‘The Chosen One’ is a story of my journey and my declaration of who I am as an artist. It's about standing out and embracing the path I chose. Each track is a showcase of my musical range and the emotions that define my music. It's a celebration of feeling, perceiving, and experiencing life through sound,” said ShineTTW.

Born Chukwuma Chinaza Ferdinand, the Anambra native has been passionate about music since his secondary school days, where his prowess earned him a tag as the ‘entertainment student’. His previous singles, including the crowd-pleasing 'Alinko', the conscious 'No Religion', and the stylish 'Designer', have all received widespread acclaim, cementing his status as one of the most promising new voices in the Nigerian music industry.

This EP is a must-listen for anyone looking to experience the innovative and calming artistry of one of Nigeria's brightest rising stars.

Fast-rising artiste Vasa is back with a bang, dropping his latest single, "Trabaye," featuring the sensational Mavin-signed artiste and "Ngozi" crooner, Crayon. This track is the lead single off Vasa’s forthcoming project, Book Of Vasa, slated for release in just a few weeks.

In "Trabaye," Vasa joins forces with Crayon to deliver a track that promises to dominate the airwaves. Vasa is known for his silky melodies and introspective lyrics, bringing a fresh and dynamic energy to this collaboration. Crayon’s distinctive style, rhythm, flow, and appealing vocals add an electrifying layer to the song, making "Trabaye" a standout hit.

Vasa’s rise to fame has been nothing short of remarkable. Signed to Ize Records, he has consistently impressed and showcased his range, from romantic ballads like "Bolanle" and "Treasure" to the more aspirational single, "50-50," which amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify and led to an intriguing remix featuring Bella Shmurda.

Following the widespread success of his remix "50-50" with Bella Shmurda, Vasa continues to push boundaries and showcase his versatility. At just 19 years old, Vasa, born Freedom Ali, has already carved a niche in the vibrant Nigerian music scene. His unique ability to blend Afrosoul with contemporary sounds has earned him a dedicated fanbase, critical acclaim, and recognition from notable successful music artistes such as Zlatan.

Drawing inspiration from musical greats like Tuface Idibia, Jon Bellion, NF, Koffee, and Burna Boy, Vasa's sound transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences worldwide.

Keep an eye out for "Trabaye" as it hits the airwaves and prepare for the highly anticipated Book Of Vasa.

Changamwe Mp Omar Mwinyi Omar Mwinyi has challenged the Mombasa county government to invest heavily in sports activities to boost it's fight against drug abuse.

Speaking on Thursday at the Kenya School of Government Mombasa, Mwinyi said Sports is critical in bringing up responsible youths able to eke a living and putting them away from the vice.

"Right now there is a debate goin on concerning the banning of a certain drug, I don't want to mention it's name because it belongs to the same category as all other drugs. Mine is just to tell the Mombasa to ensure that they invest heavily in sporting activities to help our youth stay away from these drug" said Mwinyi.

Adding "During our days we used to have local football teams in each and every area in Mombasa. Nobody had time for drugs because we would spend most of our time in the playing fields and not idling around taking the drugs."

On Tuesday Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya launched a  10-day campaign against consumption of Muguka in the county.

The campaign  which will involve political and religious leaders, stakeholders will include radio and Tv talk shows, street protests, community and school engagements. visiting rehabilitation centres, offering counseling services among other activities.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3751-mombasa-joins-10-day-campaign-against-muguka

Mp Mwinyi further called on the Mombasa county government to come up with a strategy to improve the intake of students from the county to universities.

Mwinyi argued that education is also another avenue of fighting the vice of drug abuse.

Mwinyi charged "It is so shameful that the number of university intake in Makueni county alone is more that all Coast counties combined, something needs to be done." 

He added "If you round our county now, you will see students at home because of lack of school fees, let the county government change it's ways and strategies on issuance of bursaries and scholarships."

Pharmacies and Chemists are among the weak link in the war against drug abuse.

According to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua some pharmacies have been selling drugs over the counter without prescription thus contributing to abuse of drugs

Speaking during the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya's International Scientific Conference 2024 in Mombasa, Gachagua said existence of rogue pharmacists in the industry pose a major challenge in the war against drug abuse.

"I want to say that I'm leading the fight against drug and substance use. And one of our weak points are pharmacies and chemists, some properly licensed and run by professions yet they dispense drugs that are supposed to dispensed against prescription over the counter" said Gachagua.

Adding " We have alot of young people even in this town of Mombasa getting alot of syrups and mixing them with other things to get a very dangerous combination that is harmful to our Children. I want to call upon all those professionals who run pharmacies and chemists to live up to your oath and do the right thing. Please don't dispense drugs that are supposed to be dispensed by prescription over the counter "

The deputy president expressing government’s willingness to deploy security forces in all the 47 counties to work with the licensed pharmacists to root out those conducting the business illegally.

“There are quacks who have opened pharmacists that are not licensed and not ran by professionals. We are asking you to work with us and we are willing to pair you with our county security teams to crack down on unlicensed pharmacists and chemists. Shut them down and take those running them to jail.”

“We are ready to give you law enforcement officers in all the 47 counties to shut down all unlicensed facilities across the country. Those professionals who lease out their licenses, how do you do that? It is insulting to yourself. Those are merchants who don’t care. Please be professional and let us respect our professionals. Don’t allow merchants in such a noble profession?”

The deputy president also appealed to members of the Pharmaceutical  Society of Kenya to exercise the moral obligation of not allowing their licensed facilities to be the dens where drugs that are harmful to humanity get their way into the hands of unprescribed users.

He noted the need for everyone to exercise individual responsibility and contribute where possible in the effort to rid the country of the drug abuse menace.

After a week of anticipation and intrigue, Kaka Empire is thrilled to officially announce the signing of Azeezah Hashim, renowned media personality and events MC, to our dynamic roster of talent.

Azeezah Hashim, a powerhouse in the media and events industry, has made a name for herself with her dynamic presence, exceptional hosting skills, and engaging on-screen charisma.

She brings with her a wealth of experience and a magnetic personality that has captivated audiences across the nation.

To celebrate this exciting new chapter, Head of Talent, Dennis Njenga and CEO King Kaka hosted Azeezah, along with the Kaka Empire team, for a warm and intimate welcoming dinner at the prestigious Mister Wok restaurant.

The event was a vibrant mix of camaraderie and celebration, marking the beginning of a promising collaboration.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Azeezah to the Kaka Empire family," said Dennis Njenga. "Her talent, professionalism, and vibrant energy align perfectly with our vision and values. We are confident that this partnership will bring about innovative and groundbreaking projects."

King Kaka, CEO of Kaka Empire, echoed these sentiments: "Azeezah is a trailblazer in the media industry, and we are honored to have her join us. This collaboration signifies our commitment to expanding our horizons and continuously delivering top-notch entertainment and talent to our audience."

Azeezah expressed her enthusiasm about the new partnership: " I am overwhelmed with joy as I say this! Joining Kaka Empire feels like the perfect next step in my career. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to creating magic together with the amazing team."

This signing is a testament to Kaka Empire's dedication to nurturing and promoting top-tier talent in Africa and beyond.

Mombasa county has joined the 10-day campaign against Muguka.

The campaign running from June 10 to June 20, seeks to highlight the negative impacts of the stimulant especially on the youth.

On Monday, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya launched the campaign at the Kibaoni Social Hall in Kilifi town.

Speaking to the Press at the Governor's office on Tuesday, Mombasa Deputy Governor Francis Thoya said Coast leaders have been forced to come up with the campaign after the government 'ignored' them.

"We have realised that the national government has decided to ignore us on this. The president has been meeting leaders from areas where Muguka comes from, just yesterday he had a meeting with leaders from Meru but has ignored to meet the six governors from the Coastal counties" said Thoya.

Adding " For us we have now resolved that the issue of Muguka is no longer about the leaders but our people and that is why we are starting this campaign , it will be a nationwide campaign starting with our Coast counties. We have now decided to get out of the boardrooms and go to our people and educate them on the effects of Muguka and why we should not allow it in our region."

The campaign which will involve political and religious leaders, stakeholders will include radio and Tv talk shows, street protests, community and school engagements. visiting rehabilitation centres, offering counseling services among other activities.

"If the government does not want to listen to the leaders, then it will now be forced to listen to the people. We know it is not going to be an easy fight but we are ready for it. Prepare for a major announcement after this campaign" said Thoya.

The campaign will also include advocating for support  for the draft Crops (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes removing miraa from the list of scheduled/ cash crops.

Thoya accused the government of being insensitive to the concerns of leaders from the Coast region.

"The reason why the president is engaging leaders from Meru and Embu is because he got majority of his votes from those areas, if at all he could have got majority votes from the Coast then he could be here speaking to us" argued Thoya.

Stanbic Bank Kenya has launched the "Switch Campaign," an initiative aimed at mobilising deposits and rewarding new and existing customers.

During the campaign period the Bank will award new and existing clients with cash rewards amounting to KES 7.2 million.

The 'Switch Campaign' positions Stanbic Bank as the ideal partner, offering a range of benefits tailored to clients' diverse needs.

Salaried Kenyans can open new accounts, while existing clients can reactivate their dormant accounts and enjoy enhanced banking experiences and rewards.

Abraham Ongenge, Head of Personal and Private Banking, Stanbic Bank Kenya, said, “Stanbic is committed to providing financial solutions that drive growth. To this effect, we have designed a deposit account that provides access to additional loan and protection services. With a digitized and seamless account opening process, we are enabling financial inclusion and equipping individuals with the right tools for sustained growth.”

The "Switch Campaign" will run for three months, during which select participants will win cash prizes. Every month, three lucky New-to-Bank Salary Switch participants will receive KES 200,000, KES 100,000, and KES 50,000 for the winner, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up, respectively.  Similarly, three existing clients will win a similar amount every month for increasing their deposits”, he added.

The Grand Draw will be done at the end of the three-month campaign period, with the grand draw winner receiving KES 1,000,000. In total, 66 participants will win cash prizes during the campaign period.

Individuals can quickly and conveniently open a Stanbic Account through the Stanbic Mobile APP. Stanbic Bank offers accounts with retrenchment cover, a crucial feature that ensures financial security in case of job loss, for as little as KES 200 per month. Moreover, Stanbic Bank clients can access cash advances from KES 30,000 and unsecured personal loans up to KES 6 million, all through the mobile app.

Additionally, Stanbic Bank ensures a smooth transition for personal loans, including unsecured, secured, and home loans.

This includes the provision of home loans up to KES 10.5 million with a fixed rate of 9.5% per annum and a maximum repayment period of 25 years.

L'Oréal Paris proudly unveils its partnership with the multi-talented actress, entrepreneur, and global influencer Temi Otedola as the new African Digital Brand Ambassador for L'Oréal Paris Makeup.

This is a historic partnership as Otedola will serve as the new digital Ambassador for Africa and the first Nigerian to ever represent the iconic brand.

Standing alongside fellow ambassadors including Kendall Jenner and Viola Davis, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in celebrating beauty in all its forms across the African continent and reaffirms L'Oréal Paris's commitment to diversity and empowerment.

 In 2023, L'Oréal Paris announced talented South African actress Thusi Mbedu as L'Oréal Paris brand ambassador and spokesperson in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

As the face of L'Oréal Paris Makeup, Temi will headline the latest Infallible Makeup Range campaigns, showcasing her unique style and celebrating the diverse beauty of Africa.

Temi expressed her excitement and honor in her statement: "Words cannot describe how honored I am to partner with L'Oréal Paris Makeup. L'Oréal Paris was amongst the first beauty products I was introduced to as a young girl playing with my mother's makeup."

Adding " I have grown up loving their products and deeply respecting the company's values and vision. The L'Oréal Paris woman is someone I deeply resonate with—confident, unapologetic, and always striving to make a difference in the world. I'm so excited to begin this beautiful journey with a brand that truly inspires me.”

Issima Oniangue, General Manager for Makeup in the Sub-Saharan Africa Zone at L'Oréal Paris, shared her excitement about the partnership: "Temi's unique style, confidence, and passion for beauty perfectly embody the L'Oréal Paris ethos of empowerment and sophistication."

He added "This partnership marks a new era of glamour and innovation in beauty for the region as we continue to celebrate and cater to the diverse beauty of African women. We are excited to inspire and bring the best of beauty to every corner of the continent." 

Politicians from Mombasa have expressed their heartfelt condolences following the tragic passing of renowned youth leader Brenda Wasike. 

Brenda who was the President, Mombasa Youth Assembly died on Saturday evening through a road accident, at Bangladesh.

A statement from Mombasa Youth Assembly reads "In loving memory of Brenda Wasike, a dedicated leader and advocate for youth empowerment. Her passion and commitment inspired us all. May her legacy continue to shine brightly through the Mombasa Youth Assembly, Rest in peace Brenda."

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed eulogised the late Brenda as a good grassroot mobilizer and a champion of youth empowerment..

"It is with great sadness that I have learned of the tragic passing of BRENDA WASIKE. It is hard to comprehend how the cruel hand of death has suddenly snatched her from our midst. She was an energetic, jovial and an extremely pleasant person to deal with." posted Zamzam.

Adding "Her participation in social activities which saw her being the president of Mombasa Youth Assembly was a valuable contribution to the growth of youth empowerment and a good grassroots mobilizer in the county. May her soul rest in peace."

On his part Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki noted " Nimepokea kwa masikitiko makubwa kifo cha Mmoja wa mwanachama wa kamati ya Seneti ya Uangalizi wa Eneo la Changamwe (Changamwe Ward Oversight Committe) Brenda Wasike kilichotokea Leo katika kaunti ya Mombasa.kwaniaba Yangu na Watu wa Kaunti ya Mombasa natuma salamu za rambi rambi kwa ndugu, jamaa na marafiki kwa msiba huu Mola Awape subra wakati huu mgumu na ailaze roho ya Mpendwa wetu mahali pema peponi Ameen."