Tanzanian singer Harmonize has been forced to cut short his music tour in his home country after falling ill.

The 'Haunishtui' hitmaker took to his social media pages to apologise to his fans for the move  revealing that new dates for the tour will be set.

He had already visited several towns especially in the Lake side of Tanzania including Geita, Shinyanga, Mwanza.

"Natamani sana kuendelea na hili vibe #INTHECLUBTOUR but i have to go back for check up IM F*** SICK. RATIBA MPYA INSHALLAH" he posted.

The tour titled ' IN DA CLUB TOUR' started on January 29 in Mwanza and was scheduled to end on March 20 in Zanzibar.

Meanwhile, singer Ibra who is signed under Harmonize's record label Konde gang is currently in Kenya, Nairobi for a media tour and popularising his songs.

Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta today received her 2019 Macky Sall Prize for Dialogue in Africa from Defence Cabinet Secretary Dr Amb Monica Juma.

The prize was awarded on 11^th December last year at the Museum of Black Civilization in Dakar, Senegal by President Macky Sall and received by Dr Juma on behalf of the Former First Lady who couldn't travel because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The annual prize is awarded to African personalities who use dialogue to avert conflict on the continent and is named after the Senegalese President Macky Sall who is a celebrated African mediator.

The Former First Lady was awarded for continuously and quietly using dialogue to diffuse tension in the country and the region over the years especially for her leading role in ending the political tension that followed Kenya's 2017 General Election.

Speaking when she received the award from Dr Juma at her Nairobi home, the Former First Lady thanked CIRID for the recognition saying it was an honour for Kenya's frontline role in the search for lasting peace and stability in Eastern Africa.

"I didn't know that there are people who know where we've come from as a country and how they settled on me as the recipient of the award. I am grateful," the Former First Lady said, and thanked Dr Juma for collecting the award on her behalf.

At the prize handover ceremony attended by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Dr Juma was accompanied by Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua and Foreign Affairs PS Amb Macharia Kamau.

The Mombasa county government has come up with stringent measures and strategies to rid the county of careless garbage dumping and littering which has been the main challenge facing the county.

First to happen is going to be fresh registration of serious waste collectors by the department of Environment in a one month exercise that is going to begin on Monday February 8, 2021, at the Environment offices based at the Yard - next to the Fire Station in Majengo/ Mwembe Tayari Ward.

Waste collectors, their carts and vehicles that are registered/ licensed after this activity will then be dressed uniquely in uniforms as per the wards they operate in as well as have county badges and stickers clearly displayed on their carts or vehicles identifying them to residents, wananchi, landlords businessmen and other waste generators.

Those found to be still using unregistered waste collectors for their garbage collection after this activity are going to face full consequences as they will be tracked and together with their collector, arrested and held responsible for the garbage found dumped carelessly in their neighborhood.

This will also result to a fine of Ksh500,000 to 1,000,000 depending on the quantity of the garbage dumped.

These measures were addressed on Saturday by County officers during a forum with community leaders and environment stakeholders drawn from across the six sub counties at the newly refurbished Railways Roundabout Park whose agenda was ridding the county off nuisance garbage dumping by uncouth individuals and groups.

Led by Chief Officer for Environment Ilhan Abass who also doubles up as the Devolution & Public Service Administration chief officer, it was also agreed that all residents will sort their garbage at the household level in decomposing and non decomposing matter and bag them for easier and speedy collection by waste collectors.

It was also agreed that their will be a continuous monthly clean up exercise - held every last Saturday of the month involving all area residents and businesses men. The first clean up activity will be held on February 27, 2021 in every Ward in Mombasa .

Also noted during the meeting that was attended by the head of Illegal dumping Richard Monanka as well as Sub County & Ward Administrators, is that every Ward and Sub County, is to identify its own waste collection and transfer point where their garbage will be regularly collected by environment vehicles.

In the new rules ,no waste collector will be allowed to dispose or transfer waste to other Wards or neighboring Sub Counties.

Kenya and the United Kingdom will co-host a two-day conference on global partnership for education financing on July 25 and 26, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced.

The President said the aim of the education financing conference is to raise 5 billion US dollars to ensure that all children, particularly those in developing countries, have equitable access to quality education.

He invited African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government to join the effort and commit to protect education budgets in their respective countries.

“You will all agree with me that our children received the harshest brunt of the (COVID-19) pandemic; the lockdowns resulted in significant loss of income of the caregivers.

“We need to show up and hold our governments accountable in setting aside the adequate resources to ensure that all children, both girls and boys and those in vulnerable situations, can go back to school and complete their studies,” President Kenyatta said. 

The President spoke Saturday at State House, Nairobi, at the start of the two-day virtual 34^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU whose theme is “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”.

The Kenyan Head of State expressed the need for African Governments to invest more aggressively in improving education access and quality, including the area of teaching and learning technologies, to bridge the education divide.

“Our children, are the future of this continent and we, as leaders, must guarantee a better tomorrow for them. We, as leaders today, must preserve and protect their wellbeing,” the President told the summit during which President Cyril Ramaphosa of South handed over the AU chairmanship to President Félix Tshisekedi of DRC.

President Kenyatta also emphasized the need to not slacken in the fight against malaria even as the continent tackles the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Even as we continue the fight against COVID-19, restore our economies and secure the future of our children through education, let us know that malaria remains amongst one of the greatest threats to the health of our children and all our citizens across the continent,” he said.

As Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), President Kenyatta appreciated the unwavering commitment by AU member states towards elimination of malaria by 2030.

He noted that 19 African countries are implementing the flagship campaign of “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” and urged those who have not yet launched the campaign to do so.

The President also took the opportunity to thank President Ramaphosa, the outgoing AU Chairman, for steering the continental organization during the unprecedented period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You have ably shepherd our continent to respond to the pandemic in a timely and effective manner,” President Kenyatta commended his South African counterpart.

The Kenyan leader also congratulated President Tshisekedi for taking over the chairmanship of AU, assuring him of Kenya’s full support.

“My delegation expresses full confidence in your solid leadership and ability to take our Union to greater heights,” President Kenyatta assured the Congolese leader.

President Kenyatta also thanked AU member states for their support that enabled Kenya to secure the Non-Permanent Member position of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term from 2021 to 2022.

Speaking as he handed over the AU chairmanship, President Ramaphosa said he was glad that the continent’s response to COVID-19 has been driven, coordinated and capacitated by its own scientists and medical experts, domiciled within the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

“In establishing this platform, we have given practical meaning to the mantra we often repeat, that we are committed to developing African solutions to African problems,” President Ramaphosa said.

On his part, President Tshisekedi assured of his commitment to working closely with all AU member states to achieve the objectives of the continental organization.

Gearing up for the release of his debut EP, award-winning producer, Pheelz has delivered a sensual new single, “Wayward Girl”.

The single is a follow up of previously released, “One Life” which he shared in 2020.

On “Wayward Girl”, he describes falling in love with an independent woman who lives a life of adventure while taking advantage of men for money and sex.

“Wayward Girl” has been released alongside a music video directed by Ibidunni Oladayo. In the video, Pheelz goes on a late-night drive with a girl while performing the song.

The new single will appear on his upcoming EP, Hear Me Out, which will be released on February 19. The 5-track project is a collection of feel-good tunes about success, love, and relationships.

Listen to “Wayward Girl”

About Pheelz

Phillip Kayode Moses (known by his stage name, Pheelz) is an award-winning producer based in Lagos, Nigeria. Since 2012, Pheelz has consistently created chart-topping singles for various artists in Nigeria. He is a hit maker who is known for his rhythmic Afropop beats and producer tag, “Ridimaculayo”. He has produced songs and albums for artists like Fireboy DML, Olamide, Mr Eazi, Tiwa Savage, Teni, and Adekunle Gold amongst other talents.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has called for a special meeting with members of the Mombasa county assembly (MCAs).

According to a message sent to the MCAs and seen by this blog, the meeting is expected to take place tomorrow (Sunday) at the Bahari beach resort.

"Dear Hon Member, H.E Governor invites you for a meeting at Bahari Beach Resort Tomorrow 07/02/2021 at 9.00am" reads the message from the assembly majority chief whip Junior Wambua.

According to a source, top on the agenda in the meeting will be the building bridges initiative (BBI). Joho is expected to convince the MCAs to pass the bill.

The assembly which is currently on recess will resume on Monday.

It is still not yet clear if the rebel MCAs who include Charles Kitula (Frere Town), Fahad Kassim (Mjambere) and Abrari Omar (Kongowea) Faith Mwende (Kipevu) and  Abdalla Shebe (Jomvu Kuu) will attend the meeting.

Speaking to this blog, Frere Town MCA Charles Kitula who has been accompanying Deputy President William Ruto during his Mombasa tour which started yesterday said he has not been invited for the meeting.

"I don't know about the meeting, I have not been invited, Infact you are the one telling me about it" Kitula told Ommydalla.co.ke.

The source also revealed to this blog  that Joho held a similar meeting last week with Mombasa county Mps at Mombasa golf club, Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali a close ally of deputy president William Ruto did not attend the meeting

On Wednesday last week, the Siaya county assembly passed the BBI bill becoming the first county assembly to pass the bill.

Construction works to rehabilitate Moi International Airport’s (MIAs) aircraft pavements and Airfield Ground Lighting systems (AGL) funded by French Development Agency a Sh7 billion facility is on course for completion.

The project had been by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) Ag. Managing Director, Alex Gitari noted that the works, which were originally meant to be completed in December last year were delayed and pushed to March 2021, due to the Covid-19 health protocols.

The mitigation measures (curfew) put in place reduced construction hours.  

“The Moi International Airport’s rehabilitation works will ensure that all pavements offer safe operations to aircraft and avoidance of operational delays and disruptions occasioned by poor airfield ground lighting, “said Gitari

The rehabilitation of MIA will involve replacing the existing AGL systems and all approach lighting masts from steel to fiberglass.

The upgraded pavements will have a sustainable maintenance regime to keep the runway and aprons in good condition throughout the 20 years design life, and also ensure the airport land is neither undermined, nor destroyed due to unstable ground.

It will also enhance MIA’s green rating through rainwater water harvesting.

Mr Gitari also inspected the construction progress at Ukunda Airport. The Authority is rehabilitating the Ukunda aerodrome’s security and Mkwakwani Primary School fences.

Ukunda Airport has in recent past seen growth in passenger numbers, necessitating introduction of larger planes. It is served by Jambojet, Air Kenya, Safari link, Fly 540, Aeronav and a number of private charters.

“Passenger numbers have rapidly grown from 55,207 in 2014/15 to 175,460 in be 2017/18, reflecting an overall growth of 240 per cent, in 4 years “said Gitari.

The Coast projects inspection tour is part of a country wide exercise in which Kenya Airports Authority Management is inspecting the ongoing infrastructural projects. 

Young Rich TV show, Foods of Kenya returns to the screens bigger and better  for the fifth from 6pm this Saturday 6th February 2021 on KTN. 

The weekly show that explores the traditional culinary history and cooking methods of the different Kenyan communities since time immemorial. 

The show delves into the details of where and how the meals are prepared, their cultural significance as well as how these methods have evolved over the years, incorporating dance, culture, clothing and interesting tradions. 

Speaking about the show, Eugene says,  " We are excited to document healthy foods and recipes from way back and at the same time enjoy our rich culture as it evolves in this modern-day, while holding on to some other things that our forefathers taught us.

Following a one year break, the new season returns with fresh content and promises its viewers great insights from the shores of  Muhuru Bay to Kalokol, Lake Jipe to Mount Sagallia and Rumuruti to Busia. 

Viewers will get to experience various dishes from  Akop of the  Dinka community, Curu Wa Mukiyo of the Kikuyu Community, Suqaar from the Somali Community, and the delectable  Sambar from the Indian Community among others. 

The show that  premiered in March 2019 has been created by Eugene Mbugua of Documentary and Reality television limited and is hosted by the charismatic renowned Kenyan ptoducer, Mwaniki Mageria. 

The show is aimed at appreciating Kenya’s unique delicacies  and equipping the audience with the knowledge of it's rich and exciting  local foods, and traditions. 

The new season has been  directed by David Mutuku and  Caroline Ngunjiri and Debrah Metto as production managers. 

It’s so exciting to be a part of this because we have new people to meet, new communities and even going back to the old ones but having new and fresh experiences from them" says Mwaniki Mageria. 

When news of the deadly Covid-19 virus broke in China’s Wuhan City in December 2019, the world sunk in shock as the virus swept across Asia, Europe and American continents, consuming souls mercilessly.

African continent followed painstakingly, awaiting their turn. Indeed it was a question of when.

On February 25, 2020 Africa reported its first case of COVID-19 in Algeria.

Two and half weeks later the virus struck Kenya. Today, 10 months down the line, the country has lost more than 1, 700 people to the pandemic.

For most Kenyans, the year 2020 will go on record as a year of painful loss.

High profiled Kenyans among them frontline workers including health workers, respected leaders, gifted entertainers, University dons, and people who have inspired and enriched our lives in one way or the other, have all fallen victims of a pandemic that has continued to cause death and suffering around the world.

To lose these people is perhaps a reminder of the fragility of life and a reminder to take care of one another to the best of our ability when we can. But in the midst of feeling sorrow for people who are no longer with us, we should also take comfort in the gifts they gave us while they were here.

Here, Ommydallah.co.ke pays tribute to those who left us in 2020, people who changed the country for the better and helped show us a path forward.

Dr Doreen Lugaliki

Dr Doreen Lugaliki, an obstetrician/gynaecologist, was the first Kenyan doctor to succumb to coronavirus. She was 39 when she died on July 10, 2020.

The mother of two had worked at Nairobi South Hospital caring for Covid-19 patients.

Dr Lugaliki had been admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital on July 5, and was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin.

Lugaliki started her career at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital immediately after her undergraduate studies. She later worked at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital as a gynaecologist consultant.

"Until her demise, she worked at The Nairobi South Hospital. Her pride and joy was helping mothers safely bring forth life,” the family said.

Papa Shirandula

Celebrated TV actor and comedian Charles Bukeko popularly known by his stage name as Papa Shirandula, is another household name to have died from the virus in July 25, 2020.

He was buried at his rural home in Funyula, in Western Kenya.

He reportedly tested positive for the virus a week before and went into isolation.

His condition worsened when he started having breathing difficulties. He was rushed to Karen hospital in Nairobi where he was declared dead on arrival.

The late Bukeko was known for portraying the titular character in the television series Papa Shirandula, which he also created and won the 2010 Kalasha Award for Best Actor in a TV Series.

If there are any characters of a TV programme that had triggered echoes of laughter in homestead across the country, then that is undoubtedly Papa Shirandula.

Throughout the long-running series - Papa Shirandula walked tight-rope in the funniest fashion. He duped his wife into believing that he had an office job.

Whenever he left home every morning he would leave donning his office wear characterized by a dark suit, bright shirt and unusually oversized tie. Perhaps to portray confidence that muffles the systemic lies, he always walks out of the house and walks away whistling.

He would however divert into a bush and change into his trademark maroon suit, as soon as he walks out of sight. He would then straddle his bicycle and cycle off to his real job as a security guard.

Professors

In the same month of July, Covid-19 claimed the life of renowned academician Maurice Wamang'oli who before his death was a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering at the University of Nairobi.

The academic giant died at The Nairobi Hospital.

The University of Nairobi further lost yet another lecturer, the renowned Dr. Ken Ouko. Ouko passed away on August 1, while admitted at Aga Khan Hospital.

UoN Communications Director John Orindi confirmed that the renowned lecturer Ouko succumbed to Coronavirus (Covid-19).

People known to him described don Ken Ouko as a soft-spoken and eloquent person who got along well with people.

Hatimy

In Mombasa, nominated MCA Mohamed Hatimy, who was also the ODM party chairman, also succumbed to Covid-19 after battling the virus in an intensive care unit at a Mombasa hospital for three weeks.

Before his death, Hatimy was the chairperson of the assembly’s Finance committee until his death.

He was among the seven MCAs who contracted the deadly virus prompting the closure of the assembly for 14 days.

The Kajembes

If there is a family in Kenya which has known the real wrath of Covid-19, then it should be that of former Coast Politician, the late Ramadhan Seif Kajembe where the pandemic claimed the lives of three family members within a span of just one month.

In the month of July, the late Kajembe’s second wife Aziza contracted the virus and died later that month. She became the first casualty of the virus in that homestead.

Two weeks later August 7, Kajembe himself succumbed to the virus and the politician’s eldest daughter Langoni Kajembe 46 died of Covid-19 at Pandya Memorial Hospital just a week after her father died in the same hospital and a month after her mother’s demise.

The cycles of death in the Coast politicians homestead shook the entire country.

And as family, friends, relatives and Kenyans at large struggled to come to terms with the harsh reality of the third death in one homestead within a span of one month, it became evident that all the three had succumbed to the deadly virus.

Kajembe did not attend his wife’s burial because he was admitted to hospital, just like his daughter was unable to attend his burial and now she has succumbed.

Reports indicate that several family members had been taken into quarantine after their parents contracted the virus.

The tragedy that struck the Kajembe’s is perhaps a testimony of how Covid-19 pandemic can easily wipe out a family within a short period of time.

Just like her father and her mother the late Aziza Kajembe who both succumbed to the pandemic, the late Langoni who was laid to rest at Kwa Shee cemetery in Mikindani also succumbed to the virus.

The family said she had tested positive for the virus late last July and was admitted at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa where her parents were also admitted.

Two weeks later, the late Langoni would be declared Covid-19 free and she was discharged before her condition deteriorated afterwards prompting readmission.

Family spokeman Mbaruk Juma would say the late was admitted at Pandya hospital on July 28 after developing breathing complications.

She was tested for Covid-19 on July 29, and results turned out positive but after 15 days the doctor conducted the second test and found she was negative.

She returned to the hospital where she was admitted in the ICU after developing breathing difficulties and was further treated for high blood pressure.

The family spokesperson said the late Langoni did not attend the burial of her father who succumbed to the Covid-19 because she was already at the hospital undergoing treatment.

Mustafa Idd

In November, former Kilifi South legislator Mustafa Idd also added to the list of Coast politicians who succumbed to Covid-19, as the second wave of the pandemic began to wreak havoc across the country.

Idd who was also Coast Water Works Development Agency Chairman, was hospitalized at Coast General Teaching and Referral hospital where he succumbed.

He was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic burial rites at his home in Bomani Kikambala area in Kilifi South after Swalatul Dhuhr- 1.00pm prayers.

Family said he fell ill on November 16 and was rushed to Premier Hospital in Nyali where immediate chest radiograph revealed that he was suffering from pneumonia.

Samples for Covid-19 tests were collected for testing and three days later they returned positive according to family.