Hundreds of Kenyan gaming enthusiasts gathered on Saturday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for the thrilling 2025 Otamatsuri Gaming Convention.

The event transformed the venue into an electrifying hub of energy, skill, and creativity, as gamers competed and showcased their talent in an immersive high-energy environment.

As part of its support, Safaricom powered the gaming experience with 5G network connectivity, giving participants a chance to experience firsthand the speed, low latency, and reliability of the network.

This ensured smooth gameplay and seamless online interactions, a critical component for competitive and social gaming alike.

“We are proud to partner with Otamatsuri to power this year’s convention with our 5G network. This is not just about showcasing speed and reliability, it is about enabling experiences, connecting communities, and supporting the growth of gaming culture in Kenya.” Said, Fawzia Ali, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC.  

Beyond gaming, the event celebrated diverse aspects of pop culture including movies, TV shows, music, technology, cosplay, performances, and merchandise exhibitions.

 “The turnout this year has been incredible, with an overwhelming number of gamers joining us to experience the event and showcase their talent. I would like to thank our key sponsors, especially Safaricom, for their strong support in powering this event with 5G. The speed and stability of their network has been a game-changer for our competitors. We are optimistic about growing this convention to even greater heights in the coming year.” Jotham Micah, organizer.

The highlight of the event was a Local Area Network (LAN) Party, an electrifying all-night gaming marathon where participants brought their own PCs or consoles, connected to a blazing-fast local network, and battled head-to-head in nonstop competition. Mixing the thrill of a tournament with the atmosphere of a festival, the LAN Party featured intense matchups across multiple genres, including shooters, strategy games, sports titles, and more. Fueled by adrenaline, energy drinks, and the drive for victory, gamers played through the night, competing for prizes, bragging rights, and community glory.

Otamatsuri, an annual anime, manga, and multi-entertainment convention, has become one of the most vibrant pop culture festivals in Kenya, attracting a youthful and dynamic fanbase. Beyond gaming, the event celebrates diverse aspects of pop culture including movies, TV shows, music, technology, cosplay, performances, and merchandise exhibitions.

From the gamers’ perspective, the convention highlighted just how far Kenya’s gaming scene has evolved. Murray Lidambiza, a veteran gamer with two decades of experience, reflected on the journey of local e-sport.  “I started gaming 20 years ago and seeing how the community has grown is incredible. Events like this show how far we have come. Reliable network connectivity is at the heart of gaming, and providers like Safaricom have been instrumental in making gaming and e-sports possible in Kenya. Without strong internet, we simply can’t game.”

With thousands in attendance, a buzzing atmosphere, and Safaricom’s 5G network connectivity at its core, the 2025 Otamatsuri Gaming Convention reaffirmed its position as one of Kenya’s biggest gaming and pop culture events.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the expansion of its proprietary One UI platform to its home appliance lineup, delivering a unified and intuitive software experience across smartphones, TVs and now smart appliances.

As a part of this initiative, smart appliances will be receiving software updates for 7 years after launching, starting from 2024-launched home appliances being updated in September.

“By bringing One UI to smart appliances, we are transforming the way people interact with technology in their homes,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the R&D Team of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics. “This consistency ensures that the experience feels natural and familiar across all our devices.”

A Unified Software Experience Across Samsung Products

With One UI, Samsung is unifying the user experience for the product categories of mobile devices, TVs and home appliances through the application of consistent design elements and functionality.

This includes Apps & Services like Bixby, Gallery and Samsung TV Plus, which are being made available across various types of screens to enable seamless device interaction and media consumption. 

Device Connectivity is also enhanced through SmartThings, integrating the home’s devices into a unified ecosystem with easy access to helpful services like Family Care, Pet Care and Home Care.

When it comes to Common UI, users will get the benefit of familiar interfaces like Now Brief, which deliver personalized and relevant information at a glance.

Now Brief offers family members a curated selection of useful content, including daily weather updates, family schedules, tailored recipes, and home insights such as how much time is left on the washing machine.

7-Year Software Support for Smart Appliances

Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung home appliances will be eligible for software updates for up to seven years after launching, starting from models launched in 2024. This commitment supports product longevity, enhanced functionality and prolonged security throughout the product lifecycle.

Coming This September: Updates for 2024 Smart Appliances

Beginning in September, eligible 2024 launched models will be receiving various software updates that bring enhancements in usability, intelligence and security:

Upgraded Security: Knox Matrix, Samsung’s comprehensive security solution extending protection across devices based on private block chain technology, will be extended to Wi-Fi enabled refrigerators, washers and dryers, air conditioners, EHS, and slide-in induction ranges launched in 2024.

All of these products will be protected through Trust Chain, which allows connected appliances to monitor each other’s security status. Screen-equipped models like the refrigerator with Family Hub or 9” screen and Bespoke AI washers with the 7” screen will also be receiving advanced protections like encrypted Credential Sync and Passkey support.

These screen appliances will also be updated with the Knox Security dashboard provided on 2025 models, which allow users to easily monitor the security status of connected appliances in real time.

Smarter Features: Refrigerators with the Family Hub™ and 9” screens will benefit from the upgraded AI Vision Inside applied to 2025 products, which now supports the recognition of frequently used packaged foods in addition to a larger number of fresh foods.

Bixby is also upgraded to support Voice ID, allowing it to recognize user voices and provide personalized experiences on shared devices. Users can also enable Bixby quickly and intuitively by simply double tapping on the screen.

Service Expansion: Samsung TV Plus, supported on refrigerators with Family Hub, will also expand to Canada, Brazil and India in addition to the originally supported countries, and 7″-screen washing machines will support eight additional Indian local languages such as Bengali, Punjabi, and Gujarati.

Refined Interface: A refreshed One UI design — first seen on 2025 appliances — will come to 2024 models like refrigerators, washers, ranges and EHS products, offering intuitive navigation and region-specific settings.

By expanding One UI across product lines, Samsung is realizing its vision of a cohesive, intelligent and secure home — where users enjoy familiar interfaces, personalized services and consistent control regardless of screen or device.

A section of Suppliers across Mombasa County has officially joined hands to launch the Mombasa Suppliers Association (MSA), a new umbrella body that will represent their collective voice and push for reforms in the sector.

The association was born out of the need to address long-standing challenges facing suppliers, including delayed payments, lack of representation, and limited engagement with policymakers.

Leaders of the association say their mission is to create a platform that unites suppliers, safeguards their businesses, and promotes fair competition.

"Our coming together is a big win for suppliers in Mombasa. For too long, many have operated in isolation, facing challenges individually. With this association, we now speak with one voice and can better engage government, private sector, and other stakeholders,” said the Chairman Evans Momanyi.

Adding" Our association brings together different groups of people including persons  living with disabilities"

The MSA also plans to roll out training and mentorship programs to empower members with skills in financial management, compliance, and modern business practices. According to its leaders, this will not only benefit suppliers but also uplift the overall standards of service delivery in the county.

Additionally, the association will act as a watchdog to ensure transparency in procurement processes and fight against corruption that has often locked out genuine suppliers.

Members have pledged to uphold integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all their dealings.

The Mombasa Suppliers Association is expected to begin member registration in the coming weeks, with plans to hold its first Annual General Meeting later this year.

More than 100 women groups in Kwale County have benefited from over  Sh5 million disbursed through the office of the Women Representative.

According to Kwale Women Represenatative Fatuma Masito, the funds will help the different Women groups in sustaining their businesses and activities.

" So far we have disbursed the funds to 140 Women groups, we divided the groups into 5 main groups with each main group getting kshs 200 000."  said Masito.

Adding " My main goal is to ensure that our Women are fully empowered and can sustain their lives"

Masito further called on Women in the county to come together and form groups in order to benefit the different empowerement programmes from her and the government.

"We have several empoweremnt programs in the country but you will only benefit from them when you inare groups and united" se argued.

National Assembly Speaker  Moses Wetang’ula has voiced concern over the frequent issuance of conservatory orders by judges against the National Assembly, saying the practice disrupts the legislative process.

Speaking during a joint session between the National Assembly leadership and the Judiciary on the second day of the Third Leadership Retreat, Wetang’ula noted that several matters before Committees and the House have been halted due to such orders.

“This is a matter that needs to be addressed by the Judiciary urgently,” he said, adding that some hearings are pushed up to six months ahead, adversely affecting the progress of legislation.

The retreat was attended by Chief Justice Martha Koome and senior Judiciary officers.

Wetang’ula further urged the Judiciary to centralize cases filed against Parliament in Nairobi, where the institution is domiciled. He argued that such a move would cut costs and enable Parliament’s legal team to respond more effectively.

"Currently, our lawyers are forced to travel to upcountry courts, only to find magistrates on leave or transferred along with files,” he explained.

On Judiciary funding, Wetang’ula assured Chief Justice Koome of Parliament’s support in enhancing its budget.

He acknowledged that the Judiciary’s requests were justified, particularly in light of its ambitious programme to expand access to justice.

Koome revealed that the Judiciary plans to establish magistrate courts in all 290 constituencies but currently has only 143.

She said underfunding by the National Treasury had slowed this effort and appealed to the National Assembly to intervene.

"The Judiciary requires enhanced allocations for infrastructure development. This will ensure equitable access to justice across the country,” she stated.

Koome emphasized that cooperation between the Judiciary and Legislature does not erode institutional independence.

Instead, she argued, structured dialogue would prevent adversarial relations that often paralyze governance.

"This conversation is long overdue. Had we convened earlier, some misunderstandings and instances of working at cross purposes might have been avoided,” she said.

She added that the principle of separation of powers secures checks and balances but must be exercised in a spirit of constructive engagement.

“Institutional comity does not erode independence. There is a difference between institutional independence and decisional independence. While institutions may engage, decisional independence remains sacrosanct,” she affirmed.

National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge also called for enhanced knowledge sharing between Parliament and the Judiciary through their respective training institutions, the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training and the Kenya Judiciary Academy.

"Collaboration between our institutions of learning will strengthen capacity-building and reinforce professional growth for our officers,” he said.

The retreat, themed “Social Transformation through Institutional Comity,” sought to build consensus on shared priorities, fiscal planning for the 2025/26 financial year, and improved cooperation between Parliament and the Judiciary.

The East Africa Oceans Festival (TEAOF) in conjuction with other partners and stakeholders has organised a major beach clean up exercise set for this Saturday,

According to the organisers, this is among the activities lined up ahead of the festival set to take place in October.

Addressing the media on Thursday morning, TEAOF co-founder Hamisi Mwaguya noted that the exercise combat ocean plastic pollution and protect Kenya’s marine ecosystems along the Kenya’s coastline.

“We will be kicking off the East African Ocean Festival 2025 with an exciting line-up: a Health Walk from Sabasaba to Jumeirah Beach in Nyali, a Beach Cleanup to restore our shores, and to crown it all ,a spectacular Camel Race competition expected to draw both local and international tourists,” charged Mwaguya.

Mwaguya called on Mombasa residents to come out in large numbers and participate in the events.

On her part Kenya Coast Guard Services Sub-Lieutenant Deborah Karimi emphasized the need to protect marine life from plastic waste.

“We continue to urge beachgoers to keep our ocean clean. Littering along the shores poses a serious threat to fish and other marine organisms,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Baus Taka co-founder Dr Dr. Tayba Hatimy who called on beach users to work together with other stakehokders in regular cleaning of the beaches.

Other partners of the event include, Mombasa Walk Movement, Texas alarms, Jumeriah Hotel, Mombasa County Government, KWS,  the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) among others.

The Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning together with the Committee on Public Debt and Privatization today held a public hearing in Mombasa County, to gather views on the proposed Privatization Bill, 2025.

The consultative forum saw residents voice both support and concerns over the government’s proposal to privatize state-owned enterprises.

Finance Committee Chairperson Hon. Kimani Kuria (Molo) defended the push for privatization, saying it was a strategic move to improve efficiency as well as enhancing service delivery.

He gave an example of Safaricom’s evolution, noting that the company grew exponentially after the government reduced its ownership stake to 35% and letting private sector run its operations.

"Safaricom today is a global benchmark in efficiency, innovation and profitability, but it was not always so when it was fully owned by Government. Privatization opened the door to expansion, increased profits, and thousands of jobs for Kenyans,” Hon. Kuria noted.

He further argued that privatization ensures expansion of companies and increases profits, which in turn means more employment opportunities for Kenyans and higher tax revenues for the government. 

"It is also about removing layers of bureaucracy that often frustrate progress. When we privatization we reduce bureaucracy and companies are able to innovate and adapt to changing market trends,” he added.

Residents, however, raised questions on how the process would be carried out and how ordinary Kenyans are to benefit from the process.

“How will ordinary Kenyans benefit from buying shares when most of us cannot afford them?” One of the residents posed. 

“We don’t want a situation where only the rich have access to shares ownership and the ordinary kenyans are excluded.”

Job security was also a recurring concern. Participants argued that every time government sells its stake, the first casualties are always workers. 

"What assurances do we have that our people won’t lose jobs once privatization takes place?” They questioned.

Other residents questioned the transparency of the process saying Privatization must be done in a way that benefits the public and not just a small circle of elites.

While some participants supported the bill, believing private investment could revive struggling institutions and improve services, others cautioned that safeguards must be put in place to protect workers, ensure broad participation in shareholding, and prevent loss of strategic national assets.

Female legislators have established a new caucus to champion women’s land rights in Kenya.

The Kenya Women Parliamentarians Sub-Caucus on Women’s Land Rights was formally launched today during a breakfast meeting.

The formation of the group follows resolutions of meeting convened by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) last month, which called for the creation of female parliamentary caucuses to advance land rights.

At the regional forum held on July 9th- 11, 2025 which brought together women lawmakers from the IGAD member states, it was agreed that the caucus would influence national and continental agendas on women’s rights. 

The caucus is also expected to strengthen advocacy, promote experience sharing, and enhance networking among women legislators.

The new action group will operate as a Sub-Caucus of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA). 

During the session, Hon. Lilian Gogo (Rangwe) was elected Chairperson, while Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian was chosen as Vice Chairperson.

KEWOPA Chairperson Hon. Leah Sankaire (Kajiado) congratulated the newly elected leaders, pledging full support from the Association.

“The Parliamentary sub-caucus is not going to be about us as lawmakers, but it will fight for the rights of the ordinary women of Kenya, the children of Kenya, our girls, and our generations to come,” she said.

“Congratulations to the members that will be spearheading this caucus. We have a lot of faith in you that you will steer this up and scale it up so that the women of Kenya can actually benefit from our time,” she added.

In her acceptance speech, Hon. Dr. Gogo thanked her colleagues for entrusting her with the leadership role, saying she was ready for the task.

"Thank you for giving me the responsibility to serve humanity in the capacity of following up on women’s rights to land and other freedoms. When we pursue land rights for women, we are pursuing freedom for women,” she stated.

"For the responsibility you have given me, I want to say I have accepted it with honour and grace. This Sub-Caucus should be capacitated so that it continues existing even beyond this 13th Parliament,” she added.

Mombasa county suffers the highest rate of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in Kenya, with 60 per cent of its supply lost through illegal connections, leakages, meter tampering and weak enforcement. 

In a bid to combat this, the county government has now launched a 100- day special programme , led jointly by the Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO), the infrastructure department, public health officials and enforcement.

Addressing the media on Tuesday afternoon, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir named Changamwe and Mvita sub counties as the most notorious areas recording the majority cases of illegal water connections.

"We will not allow the people of Mombasa to suffer just because of few individuals with personal interests with some seeking financial gains. This can be equated to treason." said Nassir.

Nassir revealed that they have so far arrested 21 individuals involved in the illegal connections.

Nassir argued "Among those found to be involved in this act are top national and county government officials. I have already issued an order to the county secretary on what action to be taken against the county government officials. No one is going to be spared on this."

"At the end of this initiative we expect to increase household water connections from 20,000 to 120,000. Reducing the non revenue water by half is a critical enabler of this goal."

Mombasa County needs approximately 200,000 m³ of water daily but currently receives less than 40,000 m³—largely due to illegal connections, theft, and leakages.

This bilateral connection creates meaningful opportunities for Kenyan talent to engage globally, gain new perspectives, and build lasting networks. It’s a powerful example of how UK–Kenya partnerships can drive creative and economic impact across borders.’

Farai Ncube Tarwireyi, Regional Arts Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council highlighted that,  ‘Africa’s fashion industry holds immense potential. It is estimated that it could generate over $15 billion in revenue by 2025 and create millions of jobs across the continent. But to truly unlock that potential, emerging designers need access to markets, visibility, and global networks. "

Adding "Africa Fashion Week London offers a powerful platform for just that. Through our Creative DNA programme, the British Council is proud to support a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs as they connect with international audiences, explore new opportunities, and shape the future of fashion on their own terms.’

Kimani, who founded Sevaria in 2018, draws inspiration from his upbringing in Kiserian, a town located in Kenya’s Rift Valley. His designs mirror the garments worn by the Maasai community and sub-religious groups such as the Akorino from Central Kenya. Kimani’s life experiences and his drive to challenge gender stereotypes also influence his designs.  

Kevin and his father, Abwova, founded Kisero in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This father-and-son luxury brand produces handcrafted, premium leather bags, shoes, and accessories that blend timeless African heritage with contemporary global elegance.

From its humble beginnings as a shoe-repair workshop, Kisero has grown into a symbol of curated African luxury, collaborating with international brands, inspiring local artisans, and telling powerful stories through their work with leather.

Wendo founded Epica in 2018 after participating in a government entrepreneurship programme. Her brand celebrates the rich diversity of African cultures through wearable art. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted, paying homage to the diverse traditions, symbols, and aesthetics of various African cultures.

This year’s British Council Pavilion looked ahead to the future of fashion, showcasing where fashion meets technology.

The exhibition will showcase the work of African designers and fashion weeks that are collaborating with AI labs and robotics engineers from Ethiopia’s Guzo Technologies to explore tech-enabled storytelling and virtual reality runways on digital avatars, paving the way for cross-continental virtual fashion presentations.    

The engagement reflects the British Council’s ongoing commitment to placing creativity, cultural exchange, and enterprise at the centre of inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa and the UK. 

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Founder of Africa Fashion Week London, emphasised that, ‘This partnership with the British Council represents a bold step forward in our mission to elevate African fashion on the global stage. By showcasing these visionary designers in London, we’re not only celebrating their talents but also forging deeper cross-cultural connections within the global fashion ecosystem.’