Youth  have been challenged to rise up and take up the role of oversight in their respective counties.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki said the role of oversight of the county governments cannot be left to the County assemblies and National assembly alone.

Speaking during the launch of the Mombasa International Republican Institute (IRI) youth cohort, Faki said the youth are at a better position to play the role of oversight.

"The role of oversight begins with the citizens themselves and it is very encouraging to see our youth as witnessed today coming out to also take that role." said Faki.

The Senator called on more donors and non- governmental organisations to come out to train and build capacity on the youth on the role of oversight.

"We need to train more youths and encourage them to take the role of oversight, we should not leave that role of our County assemblies and the Senate alone. This will help alot in preventing corruption and losing funds meant for development"

His sentiments were echoed by Mombasa youth leader and Kenyatta International conference centre (KICC) Director Mgeni Mboto who challenged the youth to also take charge of leadership.

"We have the potential and strength to bring change in our counties, let us not wait for someone to give us that opportunity, lets get out create and take the opportunities" argued Mboto.

On his part Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights Chairman Zedekiah Adika called on the National government to ensure that funds meant for development projects are disbursed to the counties on time.

"The allocation to counties should follow the law. Counties should get their funds, they should delay money to counties and start looking for excuses. The national government should release all functions meant for counties and release their funds." said Adika

Adding "As civil societies we will support and walk with the youths who have been trained on oversight"

Speaking at the same forum, Mombasa county secretary Jaizen Farouk challenged the youth from the county to put the county government on check and play their oversight role with no fear.

"As the county government we have been involving members of the public in our projects through public participation and budget making and we believe now that we have this group of youths our work will also be much easier and I believe we will all work together with the aim of making our county great."

Mombasa IRI youth cohort Chairman Hassan Athman said they will soon be working on their masterplan .

"We will be working with all the youths from our county, encourage my fellow youths to welcome and take up this project. I believe we have what it takes to perform the task of oversight" said Athman.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has noted that Kenya plans to construct its first nuclear power plant by 2034.

Mudavadi said that a research reactor will also be commissioned by the early 2030s in an initiative that begins in 2027 and aims to increase energy capacity, reduce CO2 emissions, and create significant job opportunities, boosting economic growth.

“Kenya is committed to leading in clean energy. Kenya focused on advancing nuclear technology as part of Kenya's sustainable energy strategy,” said Mudavadi.

Speaking after meeting with William D. Magwood, IV, Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) at his Railways office, Mudavadi appreciated NEA’s mentorship of young Kenyans in STEM. He highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration.

Their discussion focused on advancing nuclear technology as part of Kenya's sustainable energy strategy and aligns with NEA’s leadership goals to integrate atomic energy into our clean energy mix.

Key areas include deploying Small Modular Reactor technology, enhancing research, and building institutional sustainability.

Mudavadi said the government was keen to Strengthen partnership with NEA for Kenya’s long-term energy and development goals.
“As we move forward, this collaboration will play a vital role in the successful implementation of our nuclear energy program, contributing to the nation's prosperity and sustainability,” said Mudavadi.

In addition, Kenya will host the 2nd edition of the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES) from August 27-30.

The summit will assess the industry’s readiness for nuclear energy adoption in Africa and seek to address concerns hindering nuclear power adoption in the region.

It aims to bolster existing relationships and establish new ones to reinforce cooperation in the nuclear energy sector while underscoring the opportunities nuclear power presents to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

Participants will include policymakers, technical experts, and industry leaders, engaging in educational workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions, and multilateral discussions on topics such as financing, workforce development, and supply chain preparedness.

The first summit was held in Ghana by the US Department of Energy (DOE) in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

The Accra summit focused on fostering international cooperation on nuclear technology, sharing innovative solutions, and shaping policies.

President William Ruto, during his state visit to the US in May,  and his counterpart President Joe Biden held discussions centered on partnership on clean energy and resilience, including deepening US-Africa nuclear industry cooperation.

By Jonathan Duncan, technical director for Africa at Vertiv

The future of IT thermal management is here… and it’s a hybrid of air and liquid cooling technologies.

Enterprises across the globe are adopting high-performance computing (HPC) for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) model training and inference, causing a swift rise in chip, server, and rack power consumption, thus increasing heat dissipation levels.

Traditional air cooling alone within a data centre is not able to accommodate hot-running HPC equipment effectively, meaning that many data centre teams are strategising how best to design their cooling strategies future-ready in support of evolving business requirements.

Data centres must continue to be run efficiently, in a manner that addresses potential infrastructure risks. One such solution is the combined use of both air and liquid cooling options.

Anticipated growth of liquid cooling technology

According to a “MarketsandMarkets” ‘Data Center Liquid Cooling Market’ report, the global data centre liquid cooling market is projected to increase from USD 2.6 billion in 2023 to USD 7.8 billion by 2028; that’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4 percent during the forecast period^[1].

This development is primarily being driven by the requirements for increased cooling efficiency, energy savings, scalability, sustainability and higher performance.

In Africa, where climate and infrastructure issues loom large, there are additional pressing reasons to look at the efficiencies of liquid cooling technologies in data centres.

Fighting water issues with… water?

One of the main challenges when considering cooling solutions for data centres is the fact that servers need to be kept within certain temperature and humidity limits to function optimally.

As a case in point, Africa is the second-driest continent behind only Australia with two thirds of it classed as arid or semi-arid.

The 2023 / 2024 El Niño weather phenomenon has had a devastating effect on large parts of the region, creating extreme weather effects, including drought and heatwaves, which scientists say are becoming increasingly frequent and severe because of climate change.

At the same time, infrastructure issues around water availability and usage is another concern that must be constantly addressed within the data centre arena across the continent.

Using liquid cooling solutions within the data centre system offers one way to avert issues – if they are using ‘closed loop’ liquid cooling technology, which means that once the system pipes have been filled with water, there is no water waste.

Moreover, a closed water loop is capable of capturing heat to utilise it to warm nearby offices, homes or farms, supporting the circular economy.

Getting ready to deploy liquid cooling in the data centre

For African organisations preparing themselves to deploy liquid cooling, they must be aware of the fact that this is a significant initiative that requires careful planning and consideration of – among other factors - the existing facility’s footprint, current thermal management strategy, workloads, and budget.

A roadmap to kicking off this type of cooling strategy should include the following steps:

Determining current and future workflow requirements: IT and facility teams must decide how much space to allocate to new AI / HPC workloads to support current demand and growth over the next few years. Some will convert a few racks at a time, while others could allocate entire rooms for these workloads and supporting the addition of liquid cooling systems.

Conducting a site audit: Before developing a business case, teams need to know if retrofitting a facility with liquid cooling systems is technically and economically feasible. The IT and facility team should work with partners to conduct a thorough site audit, including the following steps:

• Performing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of existing airflows in the facility.
• Analysing existing air-cooling equipment to see if it provides enough capacity to be leveraged in the new hybrid cooling infrastructure and if current piping can be reused.

• Performing a flow network modelling (FNM) analysis to evaluate the ability of the liquid cooling system to support server liquid cooling requirements.
• Executing water and power usage effectiveness (WUE and PUE) analyses to determine how efficiently they are using water and power resources.
• Carrying out a total cost of ownership (TCO) study to optimise operations by replacing old or inefficient equipment to lower operational costs.

• Examining infrastructure to see if it can be adapted for use with more power-intensive workloads, such as AI.
• Reviewing physical space to see if raised floors can support the combined weight of new power and hybrid cooling systems, and determine access routes for piping.
• Checking the facility for potential required maintenance of existing infrastructure.
• Reviewing the on-site water supply, to determine if it is suitable for use in planned liquid cooling systems.

• Addressing any safety regulation compliance concerns.

 Modelling new infrastructure in the desired space: With this data and partner support, IT and facility teams can model the desired hybrid cooling infrastructure in the data centre and identify obstacles to overcome, such as weight restrictions, a lack of on-site water, the need to install new piping, access route concerns, and other issues.

Once all issues have been addressed, it is a good idea to contract with a vendor to construct a digital twin replica of the new design to explore new systems and processes in 3D.

Considering budget and site impacts: The audit and modelling exercise provides the IT and facility team with insight into how extensive the liquid cooling deployment will be to develop a business case for executive consideration.

The IT and facility team will also want to consider how on-site construction will disrupt current operations and what impact adding extra heat loads on site will have on current workloads and service-level agreements (SLAs).

Factoring in efficiency and sustainability gains: Since liquid cooling removes heat at the source, it can be more efficient than air cooling alone and lowers facilities’ PUE metrics. By using water or fluid to cool systems and allows teams to recapture and reuse heat, reducing wasted energy and supporting the circular economy.

These gains can reduce indirect or energy-regulated emissions for enterprises. As a result, liquid cooling can be an essential part of enterprises’ sustainability programmes.

Designing the new solution: With this information, a new solution customised for site requirements can be designed, whereafter a design with a bill of materials and required services, issue quote requests and select the manufacturers to build and integrate the liquid cooling system.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has asked education professionals to address critical issues affecting education, including conflict, climate change, and the impact of technology.

Mudavadi noted the alarming situation in the Sahel region and other parts of Africa, where approximately 100 million students are out of school due to ongoing conflicts.

He urged education leaders to develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges during the official opening of the 2024 International Confederation of Principals (ICP) World Convention.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic of Kenya, Mudavadi questioned how educational leaders can navigate the complexities of providing quality education in such challenging environments. “What will happen to the lives of these young people, given that the effects of conflict can last for up to 40 years?” he asked.
“We are on the brink of creating a lost generation, and we must find ways to ensure their futures are not bleak,” he added.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary also addressed the severe impacts of climate change. He cited recent events in Kenya, where the worst drought in 40 years destroyed over 4,000 classrooms, alongside critical infrastructure such as bridges and roads that provide access to schools.

“We must recognize that climate change is not just an environmental issue, it directly affects our educational systems and the opportunities available to our children,” Mudavadi stated.

Mudavadi emphasized the importance of economic empowerment for the youth. He noted that Africa is home to 1.4 billion people, 70% of whom are young. However, only 30% of intra-business is conducted within the continent, while 70% occurs outside.

PCS challenged education professionals to think critically about how to improve local economies and ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive. “How fast can we integrate language and communication skills into our curricula so that we can engage more effectively with each other?” he asked.

Mudavadi raised concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education. He questioned whether AI serves as a tool for positive change or whether it risks creating scenarios that could be detrimental to society.

“How are we harnessing AI? Are we using it to enrich education, or are we allowing it to create negative consequences?” Mudavadi posed.

Mudavadi also warned about the dangers of social media, which can be weaponized to incite hate and violence. He referenced recent global incidents where social media played a significant role in spreading misinformation and division.

“Education must play a crucial role in moderating these issues,” he asserted. “We need to equip our learners with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital age.”

In a related initiative, Mudavadi visited the newly built Mama Ngina Girls High School, where he participated in planting trees as part of the Jaza Miti initiative. This initiative is a presidential directive aimed at increasing Kenya’s forest cover. In partnership with Safaricom and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forest ICT, the initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees.

In closing, Mudavadi urged education leaders at the convention to collaborate and innovate in response to these challenges. He reiterated the importance of transforming education systems to better prepare young people for the realities of a changing world.

“As we engage in these discussions, let us work towards a vision where every child has access to quality education, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities,” he concluded.

The International Confederation of Principals (ICP), established in 1990, continues to serve as a vital platform for school leadership organizations globally. It promotes the development and support of education leaders across diverse educational contexts.

Mombasa county leadership has endorsed the construction of the multi-million state of the art Santana housing project nestled at Kwa Sonko area, in Kisauni.

The ground breaking ceremony of the sh 4.5 billion project on Tuesday was attended by a host of Mombasa leaders who endorsed the project terming it as a game changer to the economy of the area.

Megna Homes, the company implementing the project says the 816-unit housing project sitting on a 12 acre piece of land will change the landscape of the subcounty.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad asked investors of the project to employ locals around noting that the huge investment shows investor confidence and a good environment for multi-million investments in the county.

Nassir who was the official guest during the official groundbreaking said the project is a game changer to the economy of Mombasa.

"Magogoni people must be lucky, the young people here have a change to change their lives forever, by the time the project ends, hundreds of young people will be employed," said Nassir.

On his part area Mp Rashid Bedzimba noted "This project is a game changer because it will create jobs, we ask the developers to consider employing the local youth from here so that they can earn a living,"

Jomvu member of Parliament Bady Twalib expressed hopes that a majority of young people will have opportunity to earn a living.

"We are happy for the investors confidence to open a big project in an area that has had a record of insecurity, this project must bring down crime as it will open an opportunity for investment," said Twalib.

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed asked young people to form groups and access funds from the women representative office to empower themselves through sustainable projects.

"The ah 2.5 million shillings per unit is affordable, we ask young people from Kisauni to form groups so that they can start projects and get money to buy units," said Mohamed.

Megna Homes CEO Ahmed Badawy said the flagship project will feature modern amenities such as an olympic-sized swimming pool, modern multi-purpose community centre, children’s playground, a football pitch, jogging tracks, green spaces, food courts, parking spaces and a police post.

Already, the Kwa Sonko neighbourhood where the project is located, has started benefiting. Street lights have been put up along the 400-metre road that separates the project into two equal portions

Gabiro Mtu Necessary, a rising star in the Kenyan music scene, has dropped his latest single, "Hera Gima Iw Diel," a track that masterfully combines humor and cultural commentary with a catchy Afrobeat sound.

The phrase "Hera Gima Iw Diel" translates to "Love is like the tail of a goat," which implies that love can be a foolish or nonsensical thing.

With this song, Gabiro dives deep into the complexities of romantic relationships, using clever lyrics and cultural metaphors to highlight the often-absurd nature of love.

Gabiro Mtu Necessary has built a reputation for his ability to infuse traditional African themes into modern music, and "Hera Gima Iw Diel" is no exception.

The song is a perfect blend of contemporary beats with the rich linguistic heritage of the Luo community, making it both relatable and culturally significant.

As Gabiro explains, "Hera Gima Iw Diel" was inspired by the ups and downs of love—those moments that make us question our sanity, yet we continue to chase after it. "

Adding "I wanted to create something that speaks to everyone who's ever been in love and felt foolish for it," says Gabiro. The tail of a goat doesn't have much purpose, just like how love can sometimes feel pointless, but we still can't help but be drawn to it."

The song's infectious rhythm and relatable lyrics are sure to resonate with fans across Kenya and beyond.

Gabiro's ability to mix humor with deep cultural insights sets him apart as one of the most innovative artists in the region.

"Hera Gima Iw Diel" is now available on all major streaming platforms, and Gabiro Mtu Necessary has just released an accompanying music video today.

The video, filmed in the heart of Nairobi, is simple and captures the essence of the song with vibrant visuals and Gabiro's signature style.

Watch “Hera Gima Iw Diel” out now on YouTube - https://youtu.be/z5tlBpTJBIg

Thai Chi Restaurant, Nairobi’s premier destination for authentic Thai cuisine, is thrilled to announce its grand re-opening following extensive renovations.

Located in the heart of the Nairobi City within the prestigious Sarova Stanley hotel, Thai Chi continues to set the standard for Thai dining in East Africa.

The inception of Thai Chi was driven by the Sarova Stanley’s commitment to meeting the diverse culinary preferences of its international guests.

Recognizing a gap in Nairobi’s culinary landscape, the hotel introduced the versatile Thai dining experience, quickly becoming a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The reopening of Thai Chi features a reimagined menu that marries traditional Thai flavors with contemporary culinary trends.

The restaurant has introduced new dishes that reflect the evolving Thai culture while preserving beloved signature dishes. Guests can expect an exquisite selection of authentic Thai cuisine that promises to delight the senses. There is a seating capacity of just 52 guests. Reservation is highly encouraged in order to secure a seat for you and your loved ones.

Among the must-try dishes are the “Poh Pia Goong,” a delectable Thai-style prawn spring roll, and the famous Tom Yam soup.

The “Pla Prew Wan,” a golden fried tilapia fillet covered in a sweet and sour sauce and served with wok-fried rice, celebrates local ingredients and is a highlight of the diverse menu.

Thai Chi invites everyone and offers a dining experience that transports guests straight to Bangkok. With a blend of authentic Thai flavors, an inviting atmosphere, and exceptional service, Thai Chi promises an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Nairobi.

The Agricultural society of Kenya has announced an increase in the number of exhibitors who will take part in this year's Mombasa international show as preparation begun in earnest.

Mombasa ASK chairman Henry Nyaga says preparation for the annual event is 98 percent complete as exhibitors are finalizing on arrangements of exhibition stands.

This year, he says at over  250 local and international exhibitors have confirmed participation, an increase from 150 exhibitors who took part in the previous show.

"In 2023 the show attracted over 150 exhibitors in trade, livestock farm and dairy. This year, we expect to have an increase in the number of exhibitors to over 250,with several visitors likely to hit approximately over 250,000 over the five days",stated Nyaga.

The official also announced that some over 30 new exhibitors including the East Africa tea Auction will showcase their trade for the first time in the show.

"This is a sign of confidence that we have built overtime to different traders, we are on an upward trajectory in-terms of growing the number of stakeholders,"said Nyaga.

This year's show will kick off from September 4th- 8th under the theme "promoting climate smart Agriculture and trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth".

"The event will provide a platform for exhibitors to not only showcase the latest technologies in their sectors but will also enable them to interact directly with their customers," said Nyaga.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Mkomani show grounds arena, Nyaga also hinted that some 38 foreign companies will take part.

"We have reached to 38 foreign companies who have shown interest to participate, out of the 38,five of them have confirmed participation," Nyaga confirmed.

The official also assured exhibitors of sufficient water supply, enough security surveillance as well as emergency response Incase of an health emergency.

The annual event will also provide a platform for visitors to get goods at subsidized prices  of goods and services, government services, free farmer training and workshops, livestock parades and arena entertainment for free.

According to ASK schedule President William Ruto is expected officially open the show on September 5,2024.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) are crucial in achieving the Kenya Kwanza government’s goals of job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development in the country, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said.

Mudavadi said that the government was committed to creating an environment that encourages investment and job creation among the youths.

Speaking during a tour of Tatu City, Kenya’s first operational Special Economic Zone, Mudavadi SEZ projects like Tatu City were crucial in achieving the government’s goals of job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.

"Tatu City is more than just a place; it is a model for the kind of development we want to see across Kenya. It is about creating opportunities, empowering our youth, and building a future that we can all be proud of," Mudavadi said.

With its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and favorable investment climate, Mudavadi noted that Tatu City is set to play a pivotal role in Kenya’s economic future, important in empowering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

Mudavadi, also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs noted that Tatu City showed what can be achieved when the country mixes innovative infrastructure with strategic investments.

Mudavadi, focused on youth empowerment during his visit to Tatu City, highlighting the city's crucial role in creating opportunities for young Kenyans.

During the tour, Mudavadi met with the Executive Management team at Tatu City led by Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour and held discussion on how Tatu City was driving Kenya's economic transformation.

"The opportunities here are vast. They are key to our mission of empowering the youth, who are the backbone of our nation’s future," said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi stressed that the Digital Superhighway will open up many job opportunities for young people, especially in technology and communication.

“One key area we discussed is the Digital Superhighway initiative. It is part of the government's broader agenda to integrate technology into various sectors of the economy. I am happy that Africa’s largest call center, operated by Call Centre International (CCI) has employed 5000 and is expected to double the number in the near future,” said Mudavadi.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary also highlighted other sectors that will benefit from Tatu City's developments. These include agriculture, manufacturing, education, and affordable housing.

He noted that integrating these sectors into the city’s framework ensures that economic benefits reach a broad part of the population, particularly the youth.

Tatu City is one of Kenya’s first operational Special Economic Zones (SEZ). It offers a range of incentives to attract investors, that include reduced corporate taxes, zero-rated VAT, and import duty exemptions.

So far, over 60 companies have established a presence within Tatu City. These businesses represent more than $1 billion in investments. This level of investment highlights the city’s growing importance in Kenya’s economic landscape.

Mudavadi also visited the FullCare Medical garment production facility that is operational within the city. It currently employs 1,800 individuals, with plans to expand the workforce to 7,000.

The growth of FullCare Medical is vital in providing sustainable employment, especially for the youth in the manufacturing sector.

In addition to these key facilities, Mudavadi also toured Unity Homes and KWAL (Kenya Wines Agency Limited)

Unity Homes focuses on providing affordable housing. This sector is crucial to the government's agenda of ensuring that all Kenyans have access to decent living conditions.

KWAL, a major player in the manufacturing sector, further contributes to Tatu City’s economic vibrancy.

Tatu City is a 5,000-acre, new city with homes, schools, offices, a shopping district, medical clinics, nature areas, a sport & entertainment complex and manufacturing area for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors. Schools and businesses are already open at Tatu City, and a range of homes suit all incomes.

Tatu City is Kenya’s first operational Special Economic Zone, providing reduced corporate taxes, zero-rated VAT and import duty exemptions, among other benefits