Jamaican dancehall superstar Etana is set to jet into the country on the 27th October 2021 ahead of her concert dubbed Pamoja at the Waterfront,Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi on 30th October.

Award winning Nigerian artiste Simisola Ogunleye Kosoko aka Simi has released her latest single titled 'Woman'. A song about uplifting and celebrating women and also talking about the institutional barriers women have to go through in society.

Watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udnkr-pMRa8 

This is the first single from her upcoming project  set for release soon.

Speaking about the single, Simi says " I am grateful for every woman that is standing in the gap for all of us. Your vulnerability is courage and I hope that, going forward we are mindful of the words we say and the seeds that we plant".

The Nigerian singer is famed for songs that speak about various issues in the society especially those that directly affect women. In 2020, at the height of lockdowns and Covid 19, Simi released Duduke a song dedicated to women praying to be mothers, she also got to collaborate with other artistes on different projects. Duduke is currently at 46million views on YouTube.

The Afro Soul Artist, Simi, is currently driving a social media campaign tagged #NobodyLikeWoman ahead of the  forthcoming single that drops on the 15th of October 2021.

The campaign is targeted to celebrate EVERY WOMAN in the world. This is inline with the recently celebrated Day of the Girl Child and No Bra Day which celebrates women and Breast Cancer awareness respectively in our society. 

LISTEN TO Woman https://simi.ffm.to/woman

V-BE, a music duo made up of Spikes Mshairi, a rapper with a great influence of poetry and Tuku Kantu, a seasoned vocalist with an influence of pop and native East African sounds have released their new music video titled Eliza.

Watch "Eliza" Here: https://youtu.be/tAJv3lD3_Ns

About The Song Eliza

'ELIZA' tells the familiar story of love that is not reciprocated. It is a song written based on the real-life experiences of V-Be's Tuku Kantu. It tells a story that he has told one too many times about how this girl he once liked chose to ignore the chemistry they had on the basis that he was not as financially capable as she would have liked.

In the song, V-Be asks the girl, Eliza, to pick between leaving and staying while at the same time telling her that she is loved. The song leaves it to the listener to decide whether Eliza left or stayed. Will they stay together, or will she go?

About The EP

“As young up-and-coming musicians, so much doubt has clouded the vision of our musical future. Truth and reality are two things we have never been able to escape from, which is why we never lie to ourselves about what we must do to realize our dreams. We know that we only get out what we put in. Heartbreakingly, even with this being our philosophy, we have been faced with hurdles along our journey countless times. Our resolve has been challenged, our visions questioned, and our faith tested. Over and over again, we have had to sit together and remember why music is our first love. We are proud to say that our fire has never died out despite burning low a couple of times. This EP (Extended Playlist) comes to us as a gift and solid proof that we are on the right path. Through this EP, it is PROVEN that we were meant to do this. We sincerely hope that you will be entertained and encouraged by our work.” – V-Be.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for an integrated and multi-sectoral approach to tackling the societal challenge of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the country.

The First Lady said the fight against SGBV will require joint efforts in advocacy and public awareness alongside strict enforcement of the law so that victims feel empowered and safe to report their encounters. 

“We are, however, aware that addressing gender based violence is complex, and requires multi-sectoral coordination and support from all sectors, including the courts, prisons, communities, non-governmental organizations and civil society,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady spoke at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi County where she presided over the launch of the National Police Service (NPS) Integrated Response to Gender Based Violence Operational Document (PoliCare).

The First Lady lauded NPS for the policy which she termed as progressive and urged the police and other agencies involved to ensure that the roadmap is fully implemented.

“Your public duty and responsibility in this instance is vital because you are at the frontline; you are at the first point of contact to help victims of gender based violence," the First Lady said, and advised law enforcement agencies to ensure that SGBV victims gain their trust at all times.

Once again, the First Lady reiterated her full backing of the Government's commitment to end all forms of SGBV, saying it will take more than law enforcement for Kenya to fully deal with the retrogressive customs, cultural practises and beliefs that enable the crimes.

“Further, we have committed to end all forms of gender-based violence – including child and forced marriages – by addressing social and cultural norms that propagate the vice whilst providing support to women and girls who have been affected,” the First Lady assured.

Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i, who also spoke at the launch, said PoliCare is part of the ongoing police service reforms saying that the new policy seeks to provide one-stop centres countrywide where SGBV victims will find all the help they require.

In her speech, Gender CS Professor Margaret Kobia said SGBV was related to poverty, and called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to address the underlying enablers of the crimes.

Other speakers at the event, also attended by Interior PS Dr Karanja Kibicho, were Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua and Gender CAS Linah Kilimo.

Deputy President William Ruto is yet again expected to tour the Coast region in a bid to drum up support for his 2022 presidential bid.

Ruto is expected to kick-off his Coast tour on Thursday in Taita Taveta couny where he will be meeting Boda Boda operators and small scale traders to popularise his 'Hustler movement', he will be hosted by Taita Taveta Women representative Lydia Haika.

On Friday, Ruto is expected to visit Kwale and Kilifi counties for a series of rallies and meetings before heading to Mombasa on Saturday.

Speaking to Ommy Dallah, Mombasa UDA activist and Mvita Mp aspirant Mohammed Thenge said they welcome Ruto's visit and are looking forward to fruitful engagements.

"We welcome the Dp's visit and believe that he is going to meet the people of Mvita and speak to us as aspirants." said Thenge.

The Dp is expected to attend a church service in Miritini on Sunday.

"Apart from the meetings and rallies, he is also expected to host different groups for dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Mombasa" said a source.

On Monday the Dp is also expected to meet all Coast UDA aspirants at the Wildwaters, Mombasa before concluding his visit in Lamu on Tuesday.

This will be Ruto's third visit of the region this year, coming just weeks after ODM leader Raila Odinga met ODM Coast delegates at the Wildwaters where they resolved to endorse his candidature for president 2022.

The visit also comes amid wrangles within the party in Mombasa between two separate factions, one being led by Mohammed Thenge while the other by former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar who is also eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat and has always been seen very close to Ruto.

On Tuesday, Omar held a meeting with UDA aspirants and members from Mombasa ahead of Ruto's tour.

King Kaka has never been one to shy away from speaking on the realities of life in his signature poetic style. However, this time, the story is more personal.

He just released an emotive song that shows a side that many have never seen before, teaming up with the talented Nviiri The Storyteller in “Manifest”.

The thoughtfully written song gives listeners an insight into how King Kaka was feeling during his challenging illness. He recently opened up to his fans about being sick for three months following a misdiagnosis.

This led to adverse body reactions leaving him fighting for his life. Now on the road to recovery, King is showing the world the thoughts that were in his mind during his ordeal.

On Monday, King Kaka shared details on the ailment that left him hospitalized for over three months.

The singer took to social media to share a picture of himself in an hospital bed  where he appeared weak and emaciated adding that doctors performed a surgical procedure on him to get a sample of his bone Marrow.

“That’s me, still can’t believe it. 2days after I was admitted and they had just finished drilling on my hip bone for a bone marrow sample.I was in between worlds fighting to see my family once more. I would force my last smile when Nana & Moms visited but the truth is the nights got darker and I would be back in the ring with life.It’s a feeling and place you can’t put in words nights when the devil threw in a few suggestions but the light got stronger for me to listen,” he said.

‘Manifest’ is a mid-tempo song where Nviiri plays to his signature vocal strengths delivering the perfect poignant chorus for the song. The singer is complemented by King Kaka who delivers thought provoking and poetic bars that take you right into his frame of mind while writing the song.  

The track is produced by Wuod Omollo while the video is directed by Steve Mugo. The visuals also feature raw clips that were taken by King Kaka’s wife Nana Owiti during his numerous hospital visits.

Watch “Manifest “on YouTube now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOrtQEtQqdk

Mombasa politicians have decried low turnouts in the ongoing mass voter registration exercise being conducted country-wide by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

IEBC is targeting to register about 5 million new voters country-wide with the coastal region given a target of slightly above 800,000 new voters.

In Mombasa, IEBC was targeting to register 190,237 new voters, but since the exercise kicked off on October 4, they have managed only 4,486 representing only 2 percent of the target.

According to a report released by IEBC on Sunday, Mombasa has been listed among the counties that have recorded lowest percentage of targets in the last 7 days. Others are Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Embu, Laikipia, Muranga, Kitui, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Kiambu. The exercise is expected to be over after 30 days.

Mvita legislature Abdulswamad Nassir, his Jomvu counterpart Badi Twalib and Mombasa senator Mohammed Faki on Monday rallied Mombasa residents who are yet to be registered to turn out in large numbers.

Nassir and Faki were speaking during the launch of a mass voter registration campaign at the NG-CDF offices in Mvita Constituency.

“I am sure that I will be the next Mombasa governor through the ODM party, but we cannot do that with low numbers, I appeal to you to go and knock on the doors of everyone who is yet to register as a voter and urge them to do so,” said Nassir.

“Remember that bad leader are chosen by those who do not vote,” added Nassir

Nassir also used the platform to launch an onslaught on his political nemesis  Suleiman Shahbal whom he accused of being greedy and using money to buy Mombasa people.

The legislature stated that his tactic will not work calling on Mombasa people to eat the money but vote wisely when the time comes adding that “some people will soon defect from ODM.”

“Some people think that they can buy Mombasa people with their money, continue with your wishful thinking but note that you will not buy off people who are determined to ensure that I seat on the governor’s office come 2022,” said Nassir.

Nassir alluded that he had the people at heart stating that those surrounding him (Shahbal) were only after his money.

“”We will not sell our souls because of your greed, we are here because of our agenda and what we have done for the people,” said Nassir.

Senator Faki called on the youth who recently acquired their national Identity Cards to use the opportunity to go and register as voters if they want to cast their ballot for the first time in 2022.

He added that the youth had numbers and must be involved in the running of the county and country at large.

“The youth must be given space to lead, I want to urge the incoming Mombasa governor (Nassir) to ensure that you allocate more slots for the youth in your government especially the department of youth gender and sports must be led by the youth themselves,” said Faki.

Faki added that Nassir was best suited to take over from governor Joho given that he has been at the forefront of fighting for Mombasa people.

“We support Nassir because we have fought with him for our people while others were sleeping, he took the lead during the anti-SGR demonstrations that wanted to take port operations away from Mombasa, he has also been steadfast on the issue of forced disappearances of our people orchestrated by people said to be police, Mombasa will be safe with him,” added Faki.

Speaking at Amani Primary school during issuance of bursary cheques to his constituents, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib urged those living in the area to register as voters in the constituency to continue enjoying resources and development allocated to Jomvu.

“I believe it will be proper for one to be a bona fide voter in Jomvu to continue enjoying resources allocated to Jomvu people, lets come out and register as voters,” said Twalib.

Twalib also lashed out at United Democratic Alliance members in Mombasa accusing them of tricking people with development promises requiring their particulars to be registerd only to use the details to register them as UDA members.

“By law you cannot be a member of two political parties at same time, many of our ODM members have fallen prey to their tricks, we will soon embark on an exercise to register ODM members to ensure that our register is clean,” said Twalib.

Business at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport came to a standstill when Mister Deaf Fashion 2021 winner Teddy Wasonga jetted back into the county.

Wasonga was crowned winner during the just concluded inaugural Africa Edition held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last weekend.

He managed to beat 11 contestants to become the first Kenyan to win the prize.

His arrival caught passengers boarding the local carrier unawares with friends and relatives singing a gospel song.

Tears of joy flowed from the eyes of friends and relatives who gave him a rousing welcome with his mother Anne Otum being unable to hold back her tears of joy in receiving back home her second born child.

Nominated Mombasa Member of county Assembly [MCA] representing persons living with disability Ramula Said Omar, Mombasa county deaf community chairperson Ruth Akinyi and county representative in charge of gender, sports and culture Baberlynn Mukila were at the airport to receive him.

The reception got Teddy by surprise and he was speechless after qualifying to represent the continent in Brazil during a forthcoming international contest.

The Mister Deaf Fashion 2021 winner’s convoy caused a traffic snarl up on its way out of the airport after addressing journalists.

The convoy caused a heavy traffic jam along the Makupa Causeway as it snaked its away to the family residence at Tudor Valley apartments formerly known as Posta Estate in Mombasa county.

A brief prayer session was held amid congratulations at the family residence.