The second edition of African Crossroads will be held in Mombasa, Kenya from 20 to 23 November 2019.

Themed “Sense The City”, the event cuts across scientific, artistic, technological and entrepreneurial lines and will be held at different coastal venues including: County Offices - Old Town, Swahili Pot Hub, Little Theatre Club, Swahili Cultural Centre and Fort Jesus.

African Crossroads is a community of future-oriented African thinkers and doers who meet to critically reflect on the most cutting-edge developments anchored in African intellectual and technological traditions.

Hosted and organized by Hivos, the event is also a retreat where African creatives and the tech community convene annually to exchange ideas and debate on subjects that enrich Africa’s development agenda.

This year’s “Sense The City” theme asks the participating artists, entrepreneurs, computer scientists, designers, researchers, philosophers and thought leaders to come up with innovations and solutions that will bring positive change and advances to African cities.

This follows last year’s successful “The Fourth Industrial Revolution” theme, focusing on our role in shaping the ongoing technological and intellectual revolution across Africa.

Hivos East Africa’s Regional Director Mendi Njonjo says, ‘’Hivos has been keen on expanding alternatives spaces of free expression where change makers - artists, creatives, designers and the tech community - can contribute to societal issues such as good governance, inclusion of repressed voices and minorities, access to sustainable food and renewable energy.

Adding "The African Crossroads gathering exudes this principle.”

The gathering will bring together 170 participants from 30 different countries for the first three days and will be open to the general public on the final day (Nov 23).

However, all participants will connect, collaborate and explore the diversity of African cities in all their multi-sensory aspects through activities including panel discussions, art installations, workshops and music performances.

African Crossroads 2019 is working with a curatorial board drawn from different sectors and countries across the continent.

They will guide the vision of the event by lending their expertise to shape the agenda and ensure this second edition has impact culturally and economically across Africa.

The curatorial board includes: Ayman Ismail (international expert in economic development and entrepreneurship), Chiraz Skhiri (Middle East and North Africa Program Development Manager for Sustainable Food and Renewable Energy at Hivos), Femi Longe (social entrepreneur, enterprise trainer, innovation consultant and speaker).

Others are Michael Kwame Nkonu (Program Officer with the Open Society Foundations’ Economic Justice Program), Mhoze Chikowero (Associate Professor of African History at the University of California), Mwalimu Gregg Tendwa, (designer, creator, innovator and performing artist), Dana Whabira (from Njelele Art Station, artist and architect), Njoki Ngumi (from The Nest Collective, writer and feminist thinker), Sheila Oparaocha (International Coordinator and Program Manager of the ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy), Stephanie Muchai (advocate for open, responsive and accountable governments) and Takura Zhangazha (Resource of Open Minds (R.O.O.M.) Project Manager for Hivos Southern Africa).

The Kenyan and Russian delegations last evening resolved to establish a Russia-Kenya business council to oversee the implementation of joint trade and investment programmes.

The delegations led by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and his Russian host Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the first Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi.

During the bilateral talks, the two leaders underscored the need for the business council saying it will provide a framework within which Kenya and Russia will pursue partnerships in trade, investment and development.

The Heads of State said entrenching bilateral and multilateral partnerships would help their respective countries in achieving faster progress in trade and security.

"To enhance the shared development and modernization agenda of our two countries, I consider it important to deepen people-to-people contact and our cooperation in security and defence, trade and investment, tourism, energy, culture, science and technology," President Kenyatta said.

The President said although Kenya is the second largest trading partner of Russia in Africa, the full potential of the economic cooperation remains untapped. 

He said there is need to identify ways of improving trade between the two countries, which currently is in favour of Russia, with a trade deficit of 2.3 billion US dollars.

President Kenyatta said Kenya is keen on the establishment of regulatory environment that facilitate trade and investment flows and assured his host of his administration's agreement to the setting up of the business council.

He said there is need for Kenya and Russia to renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement so as to establish direct cargo flights between the two countries as a mechanism for boosting commerce between Moscow and Nairobi.

Russia mainly imports cut flowers, coffee, tea, fruits and vegetables from Kenya while cereals, iron and steel, fertilizers and paper, are the top Russian imports into the Kenyan market.

President Kenyatta invited Russians to invest in Kenya's Big 4 Agenda priority areas of manufacturing, affordable housing, universal health and manufacturing saying direct investments would help "enhance economic cooperation".

He singled out construction of affordable houses, tourist charter flight services and space technology as some of the opportunities available to Russian investors. 

In the sector of energy, the President said Kenya is interested in tapping Russia’s expertise as a leader in the sustainable exploration and development of renewable energy and natural gas resources.

The President asked the Russian government to expand its scholarship programme in engineering, medicine and related sciences to benefit more Kenyans saying the strong historical ties between the two nations will be strengthened further through such exchanges.

"Russia played an unforgettable and highly valued role in Africa’s struggle for liberation and independence.

“Africa’s aspiration for freedom and liberty is enriched by the relationship with Russia.  African heroes including Kenya’s founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta–drew from the vision of the Soviet Union," President Kenyatta said.

President Putin recalled the historic friendly ties that exist between Kenya and Russia saying the two nations share similar values and that Russia was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya.

“First of all, I would like to note that the history of friendly ties between Russia and Kenya goes back to the day when Kenya gained independence, which was proclaimed by your father, former President Jomo Kenyatta.

“And a day later, diplomatic ties were established, on December 12 and December 14, 1963, accordingly,” President Putin recalled.

He expressed hope that parliaments of the two countries will continue playing a key role in the development of bilateral ties as they were the first to initiate two Russian-Kenyan meetings in 2011 and 2012.

“I hope that this cooperation between our parliaments will also continue and will create favourable conditions for the development of our relations,” the Russian President said.

To bridge the trade imbalance that exists between Nairobi and Moscow, President Putin said the two nations need to prioritise cooperation in trade and investment.

“Last year it grew only a little, but it was still 1.2 percent growth. We are glad that several Russian companies have gained a foothold in the Kenyan market,” President Putin said as he encouraged more Russian private sector actors to invest in Kenya.

On peace and security, President Putin commended Kenya for her steadfastness in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in Eastern and the Horn of Africa region.

The Russia leader cited how Kenya swiftly and firmly dealt with the Dusit Hotel terrorist attack saying it was an indication of how effective the country's security agencies can become in dealing with emerging security threats in the country and the region.

Bookings Africa is a leading Pan-African marketplace that leverages technology to disrupt and revolutionise how talent in the lifestyle, entertainment & media industries across Africa is sourced.

Founder and CEO, Fade Ogunro has announced the launch of the new mobile app and the successful completion of the company’s latest fundraising round.

Through the app, users can search for a variety of talent, compare their transparent prices, book online, pay securely and provide ratings and reviews for services across Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

This is in line with Bookings Africa’s mission to unlock the earning potential of young entrepreneurial Africans and monetise their latent skillset.

Currently, Bookings Africa offers over 14 talent categories including make-up artists, photographers, DJs, hair stylists, and social media influencers with plans of increasing to over 40 categories and expand to other countries across Africa by December this year.

Since its launch in April 2019, Bookings Africa has signed up over 2,000 freelancers and served clients such as: Coca-Cola, Anap Jets, May D, Film Factory and The Luxury Lifestyle Market.

Speaking on the new launch, Fadé Ogunro, CEO of Bookings Africa, said, “I believe Africa is the future, yet, the biggest problem we face is unemployment. Bookings Africa tackles this issue by enabling millions of freelancers gain recognition, monetize their talent and build a sustainable career on their own terms"

Addding"This means you can create your personal profile, upload your work portfolio, set your own rates, availability and manage your business better with guaranteed payments all at the tap of a button.”

She further added, “Working in the media industry as a producer for over a decade, I found many limitations when trying to source creatives across the continent. The process is currently expensive, time consuming and extremely inefficient. I have dedicated the last 3 years of my life creating this innovative tech-enabled solution that will reshape Africa’s workforce. This is my vision for Bookings Africa; an Africa that works.”

Mayowa Ayodele, Chief Investment Officer of Unicorn Group said, “We are excited to partner with Fadé and her team who have built a strong technology-led and scalable business that is harnessing and monetising the latent talent of Africans across the continent. We believe that investing in Bookings Africa has the potential to revolutionise a highly fragmented industry and positively impact lives.

Kenya Ferry Services Managing Director Bakari Gowa has summoned all of his staff to an urgent crisis meeting.

According to a source who spoke to Ommy Dallah on condition of anonymity, tension is high among the staff following the move by the MD, the meeting is set for this afternoon at the headquarters.

"We still don't know the reason or the agenda of the meeting, we are waiting to see" said the source.

This comes just days after President Kenyatta fired the entire board of the parastatal including chairman Dan Mwazo.

The President revoked the appointment of the five board members in a Kenya Gazette notice dated October 17.

“In exercise of powers conferred by section 7 (3) of the State Corporations Act, I Uhuru Kenyatta, President and the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya revokes the appointments of Dan Mwazo, Daula Omar, Naima Amir, Phillip Ndolo, and Nasigha Mruttu as Non-Executive Chairperson and Members of Kenya Services Limited, with immediate effect from 16^th October 2019.” reads the gazette notice.

The Kenya Ferry service has been on the receiving end from Kenyans following the September tragedy which saw Miriam Kaghenda and her daughter Amanda Mutheu perish after their vehicle sunk on the Likoni Channel. Their bodies were retrieved 13 days later. 

Kenyans have been talking to social media to complain the poor state of some of the ferries especially the ramps.

Leading chain of hotels Sarova Hotels & Resorts has this year clinched 2 continental awards at the 13th edition of the World Luxury Hotel Awards that took place in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland.

Sarova Stanley which sits in the heart of the city was voted as the best Luxury City Hotel in the continent at the awards ceremony that saw more than 300 guests attend from around the world.

Popularly known as Kenya’s first Hotel, Sarova Stanley has over the years managed to retain its historical charm while at the same time offering all the luxuries and amenities of a five-star hotel.

The Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa also bagged the best Luxury Beach Resort in Africa title at the ceremony.

The hotel which enjoys perhaps the most enviable location right on the edge of the resort, with magnificent panoramic views of the Indian Ocean towards Mombasa Island. World Luxury Hotel Awards recognize establishments for world-class service excellence.

Sarova Hotels & Resorts Managing Director Jimi Kariuki applauded the entire Sarova fraternity for their unequivocal support and dedication in offering quality services saying “The awards are a statement that Sarova has stood the test of time and a true testament of utmost devotion towards sustaining the highest of standards in the industry.”

Awards are presented on a country, regional, continent and global basis. Winners are selected by public vote online, providing true recognition that reflects the hard work and dedication exhibited by staff.

Furthermore, it is the world’s most prestigious and exclusive Awards recognising the best facilities and service quality the hotel industry has to offer, aiming to not only recognise but also maintain overall service excellence by building staff morale.

Winners are purely judged on service delivery and effective management voted for by International tour operators, travel agents and hotel guests who get the opportunity to cast their valuable votes annually.

AU High Representative for Infrastructure Raila Odinga today today  held a meeting with the organisers of the anti SGR weekly protests fast action business movement.

The  meeting which took place at Raila's residence in Nyali was also attended by rights groups, Haki Africa and Muhuri.

According to a source who was present at the meeting,  they resolved that there should be free movement of cargo and that the SGR should compete with local trucks.

"It was also resolved that no shipping line should interfere with the local clearing and forwarding and warehousing business as per the Merchant Shipping Act and that all cargo should be cleared in Mombasa and not Nairobi" said the source.

 Also present at the meeting  were Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

At the end of the meeting they resolved that Raila will address a media briefing tomorrow in Nairobi to avert  more demonstrations and seek for a permanent solution which will not sabotage the county's economy.

Raila assured the transport sector the government will have a round table to iron out the teething problems  and chart the way forward.

He told the forum the government will engage them to avert future demonstrations in the coast region.

Fast action business movement together with the rights groups have been organising the protests every Monday to put pressure on the government to revoke an order requesting all cargo from the Mombasa port be transported by the standard gauge railway (SGR).

According to a study done by the University of Nairobi School of Business and published last month, Mombasa has already lost Sh17.4 billion and 2,987 jobs equivalent to 8.4 per cent of its annual earnings since the implementation of government policies requiring mandatory transfer of most import cargo through the SGR.

Early this month, Mombasa leaders led by Governor Hassan Joho met with the Transport CS Jmaes Macharia and his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang'i over the issue where they announced that the order had been suspended.

"The suspension of the directive on compulsory cargo haulage from Mombasa via SGR is still in effect until we find solutions to the issues affecting our freight services. My colleague" said Matiang'i.

Truck drivers have however maintained that the directive has not been implemented.

Tanzanian singer Rajab Abdul Kahali popularly known as Harmonize is set to release his new song dubbed 'Uno' in Nairobi this week.

This is his first song under his label Konde Music worldwide after leaving Wasafi.

The release party will be at the Gosip ultra lounge this Friday.

Meanwhile the artist launched a free feeding programme over the weekend.

The programme ' Konde Boy Mgahawa'  will be supplying free food for the next six months to the needy every Sunday.

Speaking during the launch, Harmonize said the restaurant has been part of his ambitions for quite some time and he is planning to expand it to other parts of Tanzania.