The Travellers Beach Hotel Mombasa has been voted the best Hotel and Spa in the World Luxury Hotel and Spar Awards 2021.

The hotel beat over 20,000 other hotels to emerge the best in Africa after garnering majority of the votes to top the continent.

Addressing the media Wednesday afternoon, the Hotel general manager Hillary Siele said that the awards was a testament of the commitment they put to stay afloat amidst the pandemic that highly affected the Tourism industry.

Siele said that they had gone along way in terms of training and executing services to their clients, service recovery among other strategies

"We won the award well deserved through teamwork of members, Board of directors, guests and members of the public too to top the chart as an all inclusive hotel in Africa and the best spar," said Siele. 

He said that this was an assurance to their clients that their services stand tall and strong and that they will never compromise on their services.

He added that it was a mileage for the region and country at large that coast is an international tourist destination.

"The challenge In front of us now is consistency to maintain the award, I know with the team around we can do it," he said.

He stated that the pandemic adversely affected them but they managed to bounce back with things picking up slowly.

He added that they were in the process of making full recovery as hotels which were hard hit had to downscale in terms of workforce in order to remain afloat.

"This is a good indicator that we are headed towards the right direction, we are rolling out our holiday packages and are fully prepared in terms of programs and cuisines to tap into the school and Easter holidays, " he said.

In terms of bookings, the hotel has recorded about 50 to 60 percent with hopes of getting fully booked during the Easter holidays remaining high.

For 'Stock' a German tourist as he is popularly known by the hotel staff who has been a regular guest for the hotel said that the award is prove that the tourism industry in Kenya continues to dazzle the international market.

"I come here twice every year with my family and I'm very happy with service and the warm reception I always receive. It is a simple principal, gift the guests what they want and they will come back," he said.

He added that Kenya had an amazing coast line with white sandy beaches adding that he is always fascinated with the wildlife.

He added that the fact that hotel workers were vaccinated against the covid-19 virus gave confidence to more international tourists to visit the region and country at large. 

Congratulations are in order for Nnamdi Okafor, who has just been announced by entertainment company, Sony Music, as the new lead for the role of Digital Services and Partner Management operations covering all of Africa.

Nnamdi joined Sony Music Entertainment in 2019 under the role of Digital Specialist covering West Africa. He was responsible for managing key digital accounts (like Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, YouTube, TikTok), developing content strategies and managing CRM campaigns for local and international artists.

Having demonstrated impressive tact and skillful deployment of creative strategies in handling brands and product campaigns, he had the much-needed edge to advance over a pool of candidates vying for the new position.

In under 18 months of working with Sony Music, Nnamdi’s contributions have been astounding as they are valuable too.

He has impacted significantly on growing verticals of the business, increasing their market share, breaking multiple music talents globally including top selling artists like Gyakie, Ruger, Lojay, Mayorkun, T-Classic, Davido, King Promise and Wizkid as well as contributing to international campaigns for Lil Nas X, Beyonce, Elevation Worship, Adele, BTS and Doja Cat to mention a few.

He has worked very closely with DSPs and UGC partners to participate and manage the launch of several campaigns including Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio for their flagship episode which featured KDDO (Kiddominant), Gyakie as the pioneer Africa cover star for Spotify’s EQUAL campaign, Ruger’s Dior TikTok campaign, Boomplay’s For Your Ears Only FYEO and YouTube Shorts launch.

Expressing great delight over Nnamdi’s promotional feat, General Manager for West Africa, Oluwaseun Lloyd said  “In every business today, you must have a thriving technological department. Here at Sony Music WA our business is strictly digital and we found a great candidate in Nnamdi Okafor to lead the digital department with his skill and passion. We wish him all the best in his new role as he takes us to greater heights.”

Still full of commendation for Nnamdi, Taponeswa Mavunga who is the Director of Africa at Sony Music’s UK office and has worked with Nnamdi on numerous artistes roll-out and launch campaigns said; “Nnamdi is a hands-on executive and his reputation in the digital space is exemplary. He is also a genuine music man with incredible relationships across the board. These qualities make him perfect for this new role and I’m excited for this next chapter."

Nnamdi was also presented with a Recognition Master award by the MD of SMEA at the end of year event in South Africa and has promised to not relent his efforts in delivering with astounding strides.

Changamwe Mp Omar Mwinyi has declared his support for businessman Suleiman Shahbal as the next governor of Mombasa county.

According to Mwinyi his decision to support Shahbal is irreversible and based on his (Shahbal) qualities.

Speaking during an Azimio rally in Kwale, Mwinyi said Shahbal is the right individual to take over from Hassan Joho as the next Mombasa county boss.

" I believe Shahbal has the qualities and best plans to take our county, Mombasa forward. I don't support him blindly, I know what he is capable of " said Omar amid cheers from the crowd.

Adding " This seat deserves someone who is matured and not one who is just full of dramas , pride and theatrics."

Mwinyi is the only elected Mp from ODM party who has come out to declare support for Suleiman Shahbal.

Others who are Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Mishi Mboko ( Likoni) have declared their support for Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir who is also eyeing the seat.

A supremacy battle between the two main rivals Nassir and Shahbal played out on Sunday during the Azimio la umoja rally in Tononoka where supporters of the two camps engaged in a fight as the ODM party leader Raila Odinga watched.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/politics/item/2702-raila-moves-to-assure-fair-nomination-as-shahbal-and-nassir-supporters-clash-in-azimio-la-umoja-rally-in-tononoka

Nassir and Shahbal will battle out for the ODM party ticket during the party primaries.

Hot on the heels of his recent global collaboration deal with Italian luxury auto manufacturer Maserati, Olakira releases his latest single 'Fall'.

This is an expression of total commitment to LOVE. 

Produced by the seasoned multi-instrumentalist himself, Olakira dares to reveal a creatively vulnerable side to him in 'Fall', which takes the form of a slow, highlife sound with drizzles of Afrobeats.

In a love song that talks about reassurance and dedication to one's love, Olakira harnesses rich African sounds to create this original sound that's full of rich melodies.

'Fall' is a testimony to the slower groovy sound that boasts of rhythms from the west of the continent — slow, sweet, and sensual.

The internationally recognized singer and producer who has a huge following in Europe, Nigeria, East and Southern African countries, has managed to stay rooted in that element where confidence meets creative direction and delivery, positioning him to be one of the outstanding African Musicians who continues to shape the new Africa sound.

Listen to 'Fall' by Olakira HERE and on all digital platforms 

https://empawaafrica.lnk.to/OlakiraFall

The entertainment industry in Kenya has yet again been thrown into mourning following  the death of Popular actress Rehema Rajab who died on Sunday Night.

The late Rehema used to play mama Jinale on the popular Tv series, Pete, hosting the mermaids.

The news of her death was announced on Monday by her colleagues who eulogized her as a talented actor who had mastered her prowess.

“It is with great grief and sorrow that I got to learn the death of one of our actors,Rehema Rajab,who I happened to work within our recent Maisha Magic Last project ‘Pete’,As CEO of AR films and producer of Pete,I am deeply broken and sorrowed,” said Daud Anguka AR film production CEO.

She was also praised her for helping grow acting talents. It was reported that the latter succumbed to pressure and diabetes disease. She was laid to rest on Monday afternoon, in Likoni.

“Inna Lillahi Wa Ina Illayhi Rajiun,,we had plans for our upcoming project but Allah had better plans for you..we will truly Miss you ‘Bi Salama.” wrote Citizen Tv journalist Lulu Hassan on her instagram page.

Both Lulu and her husband Rashid Abdalla expressed their sadness to the fallen actress praising her for the exemplary work she did in latest’s projects she took part in.

#sisemikitu Nenda salama Bi Salama. Mola akailaze roho yako pema salama Bi Salama. Kwa pigo hili hakika hujatuacha salama Bi Salama lakini tunashukuru uwepo wako na mchango wako katika uhai wako." posted Rashid Abdallah

Her death comes just a few days after that of Savalas Otieno who played Telly the mermaid hunter. He died on February 5 and was laid to rest over the weekend at their home in Siaya county.

Last year, the Pete cast crew also lost another member, Gillie Owino popularly known as Mzee Siri.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2192-veteran-mombasa-based-actor-gillie-mzee-msiri-is-dead

Chaos broke out at the Azimio La Umoja Rally in Tononoka grounds on Sunday when supporters of Mombasa governor Aspirants Abdulswamand Nassir and Suleiman Shahbal clashed in a show of might.

The duo who are set to square it out for the Orange Party nominations ODM ,have escalated their rivalry that has attracted the attention of top party leadership.

It took the intervention of Mombasa governor Hassan Joho who intelligently asked both supporters to stop their rivalry, for the respect of ODM party Raila Odinga who was present during the Chaos.

Chaos started when several aspirants in Mombasa were making their speeches.

Joho expressed his disappointment by the level of division brought about by the two leaders' supporters exhibited in the presence of the party leader Raila Odinga.

“This is a meeting of Raila Odinga, let's respect that,” said Joho as the supporters of the two candidates threw stones, empty water bottles and sticks against one another at the Tononoka grounds.

The angered Joho grabbed a microphone from Shahbal and asked both Nassir and Shahbal to sit at their respective seats while he continued to rally the group of youth to calm down.

Shahbal was seen begging the youth not to disrupt the Raila Odinga rally saying he is a peaceful person who would not allow chaos to disrupt Odinga rally.

“I urge you please, this rally is for Odinga, don’t disrupt it, we are united as Mombasa people.” said Shahbal before his microphone was grabbed by governor Hassan Joho. Joho could be seen identifying the youth by names saying he knew their homes.

ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna was forced to read the riots act to the aspirants threatening to disqualify aspirants who promote violence and hatred.

"I'm here with my pen and paper just taking notes of what is going on. Some of you will come to my office seeking clearance to vie through our party, I will remind you of what you did at Baba's rally. You will have yourself to blame" said Sifuna.

Odinga who later moved in to quell the tension assured both candidates that the party will conduct a free, fair and transparent nomination in the party primaries.

Odinga cautioned the leaders against inciting their supporters, saying the electorates will suffer if the two leaders continue to exhibit their supremacy in public.

“They say when two oxes fight, the grass suffers most, and we don’t want grass to suffer most, we want this nomination to be friendly, there is no need for chaos, these two are friends, one will pass the other will fail and support each other.” said Odinga.

 “All of them are our party members and we don’t what to see war between two party candidates.” assured Odinga while holding Nassir and Shahbal hands high to show friendliness.

Skyward Express has today held its first ever curtain raiser league tournament in Lodwar.

The event dubbed Skyward Express League Curtain Raiser Edition 1 is set to run today the 19th and tomorrow the 20th.

The event will run at the Prisons play ground.

“As Skyward Express, we are here to nurture talent and empower the youth in Lodwar, one of our key destinations” Abdinasser Mohamed Remarked.

Filmmaker Cynthia Abdallah is set to unveil her one of a kind documentary titled Inyumba yu Mulogooli.

Ms Abdallah says the “aim of the documentary is to educate and to preserve stories from the Maragoli community. To create dialogue about the origins of our communities and how we ended up where we are.”

Watch Preview :

https://youtu.be/zK8Bo8R3xyI 

She added, “The project was inspired by the incessant tales from my grandfather. His knowledge of Muraguri (Mulogooli) and his insistence that this story be told so that the future Maragoli generation can understand how they came to be, and who they really are. 

Their journey, their customs, their traditions. His belief in the timelessness of the story and his cultural efforts within the cultural society in Vihiga county.”

So raw and real is the documentary that it is told in the local language, Kilogooli (Lulogooli), it brings together the Maragoli community and sparks debate about Mzee Lubang'a s account.

Ms Abdallah notes, “We have watched numerous other documentaries on other tribes in Kenya. But we are yet to see one that explores this particular community.”

She continued, “Preserving our indigenous languages is key and this documentary does exactly that. It is also the first of its kind to speak about who we are as people, where we come from and where we are headed. 

Other documentaries tend to generalise the luhya community. The second largest tribe in Kenya. This one singles out the second largest luhya sub tribe and delves deeper into its culture.”

To watch the documentary, you will need to pay Ksh 100 to access it on video streaming site Sharaha Videos.

“The documentary will be 40 minutes long. A lot of work has gone into the project and these funds will go towards documenting even more local communities. Tell more stories and appreciate the tales that the old generation keeps so well preserved,” she said.

Ms Abdalla said she opted to partner with Shahara in the distribution of the video because, “Shahara is setting the pace for digital content in Kenya. It is accessible and has made it easy for local content producers to get their products out into the market. The transparency and accessibility of the people in charge are quite appealing and it makes it easy for content creators to speak directly and openly about the vision for our content. Not to forget the fact that content creators can finally get paid for their hard work.”

The making of the documentary came with its own challenges.

Ms Abdallah explained, “Translating kilogooli (Lulogooli) into English has been the most challenging part. We have spent almost three months ensuring that this is done to a good standard as we would like to create credible translations for the rest of the listening tribes in Kenya. Our viewers should be able to understand the story with the meaningful translations that will be provided and simple voiceovers.”

Adding, “Another challenge would be the travel and weather conditions. It took the crew a few hours to access the burial site of Mulogooli. It was also quite rainy during this period but the crew managed to overcome this.”

Despite the challenges, Ms Abdallah pointed out that the greatest highlight of producing the documentary was “the journey to the villages. The interactions with the elders and the immersion into the Maragoli way of doing things.”

She continued, “Many members of my crew are not Luhya. So traversing the plains into unknown territory was not only exciting but also eye-opening.”

ABOUT CYNTHIA ABDALLAH

Cynthia Abdallah is a Kenyan author of the poetry chapbooks, My Six Little Fears and The Author's Feet and the short stories collection titled The Musunzu tree and other stories. Her work has appeared in numerous online magazines and print in Kenya and abroad.