Ommy Dallah
COUNTIES TO RECEIVE KSHS 7.387 BILLION COUNTY CLIMATE RESILIENCE (CCRI) GRANTS IN FY 2023/2024
Kenyan Counties are set to receive Kshs. 7.387 billion Climate Resilience Investment Grants from the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program.
The disbursement comes after a total of Kshs. 979 million institutional strengthening grants already disbursed to counties last financial year.
The Kshs. 7.387 billion will be shared amongst the 44 counties that met FLLoCA minimum performance conditions with each county receiving a share based on their performance score.
To be eligible for funding counties had to put in place county climate finance institutions such as a County Climate Change Fund, County Climate Change Unit and carry out a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment and Action Planning at the ward level.
Another important condition was for counties to devote 1.5% of their development towards the County Climate Change Fund.
This has seen counties allocate a total of Kshs. 3 billion in the current financial year.
The program is managed by the National Treasury and Planning working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry and the Council of Governors.
It is funded by the national and county governments as well as the World Bank and the Governments of Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden.
The funding will help counties develop and implement tailored climate resilience strategies to respond to the risks identified by communities in sectors such as agriculture, water and natural resource management.
This will result in a more sustainable and secure future for local communities across Kenya.
While handing over the cheque President William Samoei Ruto said that FLLoCA resonates with his vision.
"The program has moved from pilots to scale, targeting communities across Kenya; and has done so by working through our own public financial management systems and offered a platform for coordinating and crowding in multiple development partners." said Ruto.
Adding "It views communities not just as victims of climate change but as powerful agents in responding to the impacts of climate change."
" It has a focus on community-led climate action echoing my Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda."
Commenting on the initiative, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Njuguna Ndung’u, CBS, noted: "We believe that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level, and this is why we are committed to involving communities in the decision-making process."
Adding "By strengthening local engagement, we are not only equipping citizens with the tools and knowledge to combat climate change but also inspiring the next generation of climate leaders”.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry, Soipan Tuya, CBS, said that there was a need to focus on the grassroots to make climate change mitigation a reality.
"We are at a critical stage in our fight against climate change, and it is therefore paramount to take bold, decisive action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants. " she said
"The CCRI grants are designed to provide the necessary resources and support to communities and innovators as they develop creative, and effective locally-led strategies to combat the impact of climate change and mitigate its consequences thereof."
The Chairperson Council of Governors H.E. Anne Mumbi Waiguru, who is also the Governor of Kirinyaga, noted that by actively involving local communities in the decision-making process, the county governments can develop more effective and context-specific strategies that take into account the unique challenges faced by each county.
"The disbursement of the grants represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a climate-resilient Kenya. By equipping communities and governments with the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge, we can ensure that communities are better prepared for the challenges brought by climate change”.
Meet Fredrick Mukabana AKA FD, Fast- Rising Kenya Singer
Fredrick Mukabana aka FD is a fast- rising Kenyan singer and writer. He recently released his new song titled 'Sema'.
The young and talented singer who is ready and eager to take over the Kenyan music industry talked to Ommy Dallah about his career.
1...Let's start with Introduction, who is FD, how old are you?
Show goers Assured Of Enough Security
Members of the public intending to attend this year's Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Mombasa show have been assured of enough security.
According to the show Chairman Anisa Abdallah the organisers and security agencies have already put in place adequate security measures.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Anisa noted that security will be beefed in and outside the Mkomani showgrounds where the show is expected to kick off on Wednesday.
''Our security agencies led by the county commissioners have assured us of enough security, so I would like to tell all those who wish to come that all will be well and they have nothing to fear'' said Anisa.
Anisa urged showgoers to turn up in large numbers to learn from the exhibitions and share ideas from different sectors.
Anisa further revealed that over 190 exhibitors have so far registered for the show.
''Our target was 200 exhibitors so far so good, we have got a total of 190 exhibitors' she noted.
https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/3422-mombasa-ask-show-2023-to-open-its-doors-wednesday
County Officials Challenged To Work On Drainage As Country Braces For Heavy Rainfall
As the country braces itself for heavy rainfall, the Mombasa county government has been challenged to work on the drainage system especially within the central business district (CBD).
According to nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi, Mombasa has always suffered whenever there is heavy rainfall this she says is due to the poor drainage system in the county.
Speaking in Kisauni on Monday during the distribution of relief food, Miraj challenged Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to ensure that the county is not caught unaware when the time for heavy rainfall comes.
"The weatherman has warned us that the country will soon experience heavy rainfall and Elnino. When it rains for just two hours in Mombasa the town comes to a standstill and it becomes a disaster" said Miraj.
"Adding "Mine is just to challenge our governor to ensure that he starts preparing for this season and make proper plans to ensure that the water will be well harvested to also help our people."
Speaking at the same time former Kisauni Mp Ali Mbogo called on the county government to take seriously the warning from the weatherman.
"The county government should have by now embarked on a mission to prepare itself by working on the drainage system and unclogging the sewer sysetem. We are looking at a disaster if we don to prepare ourselves, this is not politics but our lives, El Nino is not a joke" said Mbogo.
Last month the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of a 99 per cent likelihood of high rainfall across parts of the country as El Niño returns this year.
The weatherman pointed out Mombasa as one of the flooding hotspots.
The rains will begin in September and go on until January. They are expected to peak in October.
"Counties such as Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale are expected to receive rainfall throughout the season. " reads the forecast.
ODM Is Still Strong, Says Shahbal
EALA Mp Suleiman Shahbal has maintained that the ODM party is still strong especially in Mombasa and Coast region contrary to ongoing reports that the party is losing it's grip.
Critics have been arguing that ODM is slowly losing it's grip in the region (Coast) to the ruling party UDA led by President William Ruto.
Speaking on Saturday while attending the weeding of his head of communication team, Ahmed Mohammed, Shahbal cautioned critics against downplaying the ODM party.
"I'm still a member of ODM and anyone who says that ODM is dying does not know the reality on the ground." said Shahbal.
Shahbal who was vying for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in 2022 but stepped down in favour of the current governor Abdulswamad Nassir called on Mombasa residents to give time to Nassir's administration to deliver on their promises.
Shahbal charged "I think it is still early for us to start judging them, let us give them time then we can start judging them."
During the 2022 general elections ODM won five of the six Mp seats in Mombasa county.
Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali was the only Mp elected on UDA party.
In the County assembly ODM bagged 23 seats, UDA clinched four, two are independent and one for Wiper.
Mombasa ASK Show 2023 To Open Its Doors Wednesday
The Mombasa Agricultural society of Kenya (ASK) show 2023 is set to begin on Wednesday the Mkomani showground.
Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Coast Branch Chairperson Anisa Abdallah said they are ready to receive visitors at the show.
Speaking on Sunday after a special church service at the ACK Cathedral church Mombasa, Anisa noted that President William Ruto is expected to officially open the show on Thursday.
"We are good to go, tomorrow Monday we will be opening our gates, it will be the pre-show. Tuesday will be the judging day, Wednesday will be the Governor's day. We expect our President William Ruto to officially the show on Thursday" said Anisa.
The show is expected to end on Sunday.
According to the show committee over 150 exhibitors have already registered for this year's show.
Anisa noted "We are also expecting students from all of our schools in the region to attend this year's show."
This year's theme is 'Promoting climate smart Agriculture and trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth'.
Charges are. kshs 200 for Children/ students and kshs 300 for adults.
Veteran Mombasa Based Photojournalist Joseph Okanga Dies
The Mombasa media fraternity is mourning the death of veteran photojournalist Joseph Okanga.
Okanga died early today (Saturday) at the Coast general hospital where he had been admitted, receiving treatment.
Okanga had plied his trade with several media houses both locally and internationally including Nation and Reuters.
Speaking to Ommy Dallah, Okanga's elder brother Moses Okanga confirmed the sad news adding that the family will be meeting to arrange for his funeral.
"He just fell ill suddenly and was taken to hospital few days ago but unfortunately he left us today (Saturday) around 8am" said Moses.
Several journalists have come out to mourn the late Okanga.
"He was one of the best photojournalists not only in Kenya but the entire region. He was a cool and humble guy, we will really miss him" said Maarufu Mohammed, veteran photojournalist.
On his part KTN camera man Moses Baya eulogised him as a polite and courageous photojournalist.
"He was Agile and courageous. He stuck to his mission as a photographer and would spend hours waiting for only one picture that is creative and above the rest. He also had a nose for news and will go out of his way to get photos under whatever circumstances. I worked with him at both at Nation and Reuters covering really news especially on piracy, terrorism and ethnic clashes in Tana River. He was ethical and played by the rules. I will miss him" said Baya.
Among the veteran photojournalists he has worked with are Gideon Maundu, Titus Musau, Adam Hussein, Maarufu Mohamed, Omondi Onyango.
How Massive Graft Marred Covid-19 Testing, Vaccination In Coast's Largest Referral Facility
Details have emerged of how massive graft marred Covid-19 testing and vaccination at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) in Mombasa, as desperate citizens scrambled for jabs at the height of Covid-19 crisis in the better part of 2021.
It has now emerged desperate Kenyans were forced to part with between Sh 1,000 and Sh 2,000 for the services.
The said graft was reportedly being perpetrated by rogue officials at the facility who were tasked with the mandate of spearheading a network of brokers and individuals from outside the hospital.
A number of Kenyans who went through the Coast’s largest referral hospital at the time have given a blow by blow account of how corrupt networks within the facility molded a cash cow out of Covid-19 vaccination and testing.
According to sources familiar with the said networks, priority for services especially vaccination and testing was reportedly given to clients who were ready to remit cash.
Christine Dena said she had gone for a third retest after having tested positive for Covid-19 when she noticed the unnecessary delays.
She said results for her samples which had been collected for her third retest could not be tracked and she was forced to return to the facility the following day for another sample collection.
“Since my first test, everything was free of charge but during the third test I noticed there were extreme delays. When my result could not be tracked one of the nurses asked me if I remitted cash and when I expressed my disappointment at the level of extortion at the facility and threatened to expose the rot, they pleaded with me to maintain my cool,” she said adding one of the nurses even offered to send her the results via whatsapp but she declined the offer.
Within the same facility, David Odongo, explained how at one point he witnessed Money exchanging hands at the waiting bay just next to the vaccination room.
“The queue was long. We were kept waiting since morning and at some point they even sent a security guard to tell us that the doses were out. Then I saw a young woman make a call and walk straight towards the vaccination room. While at the waiting bay she handed one of the clinical officers a Sh 1000 note,” explained Odongo noting the woman reportedly claimed to be in a rush to travel.
On receiving the cash, the said clinical officer was immediately spotted stuffing the cash in his shoulder bag.
The officer then went on to rummage through a hip of used vaccine vials, and used a needle and syringe to suck out remaining drops of vaccines from five of the vials to make one dose and gave her the jab.
According to Odongo, the fraudulent operation was brokered by a group of brokers that strategically took position at vaccination stations whose main job was to receive calls from desperate members of the public and record their particulars on a piece of paper to prepare their jabs.
“I remember very well it was on a Friday and there was one person with a hat and blue robe. He was seated at the second last center next to the vaccination room. His job was to receive calls and record personal details on a sheet of paper and submit it to those in charge of the exercise,” he said adding he received had second dose after returning to the hospital four times
Peter Mwaro, a Mombasa based sales executive said they were in a long queue awaiting their second jab but they were surprised to see priority being given to Kenya Revenue Authority staffers and a group of Asians who claimed to be part of a committee that coordinated and negotiated for their services.
“We were six of us from our company. We arrived at the facility at 8.00am but we waited until afternoon then we were told that the doses were finished and we had to come again the next morning. That morning when we arrived the queues were long and the scene was chaotic. We watched as people were being allowed in and when we asked they said they had booked earlier,” said Mwaro.
At some point a bitter altercation ensued and led to exchange of blows in the queue
Besides vaccination, the County government of Mombasa spent Sh 14.6 million in the financial year 2020/2021 on purchase and installation of sanitizing booths and tents despite the move by the Ministry of Health to declare such booths ineffective and irrelevant.
A summary of the Sh 200 million Covid-19 budgets and expenditure for Mombasa County as captured in the County Governments Budget implementation review report of the first nine month of the financial year 2020/2021 indicates the Governor Hassan Joho’s administration spent a total of Sh 14,656,351 as of March 31, 2021 on the irrelevant booths.
In the financial year, the County had allocated Sh200 million for Covid-19 and by March 31, a total of Sh 142,100,245, translating to more than 50 per cent of the budget had been spent already.
Acting health Director General Patrick Amoth was on record saying that the sanitization booths installed in various parts of the country are neither safe nor helpful in combating the spread of coronavirus.
According to Amoth, the chemicals used may expose people to severe respiratory conditions which can lead to death.
“When using chemicals like chlorine or hydrogen peroxide which are used commonly in those booths; in case you are asthmatic, you can get a severe attack which can lead to respiratory failure and even death,” the Director General said as he further warned that the chemicals can cause skin irritation that may cause dermatitis and eye irritation.
His remarks came at a time when installation of the booths in public spaces had almost become a norm by both County and National Government authorities across the country.
Mombasa County had set aside Sh 10 million for Purchase and Installation of Sanitizing Booths and tents but as of March the County had spent Sh 14,656,351 according to the report.
A further Sh 8 million was spent on supply of the sanitizing booths and tents sanitizing chemicals meaning that more than Sh 22 million may have gone to waste.
KEMRI And Kenya Biovax Sign MOU on Vaccine Manufacturing
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Kenya Biovax Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pave way to new scales and opportunities in vaccine manufacturing, supply security and capacity building in Kenya.
According to KEMRI this is in line with the Institute’s mission to Improve Human Health and Quality of Life through Research, Capacity Building and Service Delivery.
The MoU enables KEMRI and KBI to partner in research and production of human vaccines, as a long-term measure to ensure Kenya becomes self -sufficient in its vaccine and in building security of supply.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, KEMRI acting Director General Elijah Songok highlighted that the MoU is in line with the governments agenda of advancing the economic pillar of local manufacturing and the development objective on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
KEMRI Board of Directors Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ali welcomed the collaboration citing that government is working tirelessly to ensure that the country is able to develop and produce its own vaccines, informed by the aftermath of COVID -19, where African countries were not on priority list to access COVID-19 vaccines.
Additionally, GAVI (Global Vaccine Initiative) the organization that has been supporting Kenya and other countries to access affordable vaccines for their Immunization programs shall cease support from 2027, hence a dire need for Kenya to be independent.
Kenyan Crooner Xeniah Manasseh Delivers 'Love/Hate' Pt 1
Alternative R&B Kenyan singer-songwriter, Xenia Manasseh takes listeners on a rollercoaster of love’s uncertainty with her eagerly-awaited debut album ‘Love/Hate Pt. 1’- released today.
The 11-track masterpiece is delicate, fierce and woven with raw and vulnerable lyrics that begs to be heard from top to bottom.
Xenia Manasseh's poignant debut album takes listeners on a captivating journey through the tumultuous rollercoaster of love while artfully weaving together soulful melodies, introspective lyrics, and relatable dilemmas that resonate with every heart.
The stripped-down visualizer for track “Love/Hate” unveils Xenia’s real truth. It drips with sorrow, hope, and with an eclectic energy that captures the listener at every turn. Taking the viewer through acres of greenery, the R&B sensation glazes off into a brighter future.
The single touches on the necessity of letting go and looking forward to a bright future.
Xenia speaks on the album and the newly released visualizer, “Love/Hate is also one of the songs and I felt that was the song that encompassed all the feelings that are spoken about in the album–the good, the bad, and in-between. I try to remember that balance as a lifeline."
Adding, “I feel like everything in the album falls under those two words. It’s like a pendulum swing - you’re in and you’re out. When people listen, the title will resonate with them.”
Tracklist:
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GI’s Intro feat. Edgar Manasseh
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Soul Lovers
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Late Night Check Up feat. Shalom Dubas
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Southwards feat. Tay Iwar
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Anticipate feat. Karun
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Temporary Love
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Cheza Chini Interlude
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Lowkey
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Niambie
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Precious
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Love / Hate
The album opens with "GI’s Intro" , a soft, soulful Swahili song Intro that features Xenia’s grandfather Manasseh. They harmonize and bond over a Swahili composition by Luka Tututu from the Coast Province, where Xenia’s family comes from, a prelude that sets the tone for the emotional rollercoaster that follows.
"Soul Lovers" then kicks in, capturing Xenia's yearning for a renewed and balanced love, a sentiment that many can relate to.
As the album progresses, Xenia takes us on a deep dive into the many facets of love.
"Late Night Check Up" featuring American-Nigerian rapper Shalom Dubas explores late-night introspections, while "Southwards" with Tay Iwar delves into daydreaming about someone who may not be the right fit for her.
"Anticipate" showcases Xenia's vulnerability, with the haunting vocals of Karun echoing her worries about the longevity of a romantic relationship.
However, in "Temporary Love," she finds the courage to express her true desires and overcomes anxieties that might have held her back.
In the interlude "Cheza Chini" Xenia is asking her partner to safeguard their love in the privacy of their connection, echoing her desire to protect what they have.
In "Lowkey," Xenia explores the notion of keeping love under wraps, leading to heartfelt conversations about the need to preserve the intimacy and sanctity of relationships.
The captivating journey continues with "Niambie," where Xenia flawlessly leads us through the complexities of feeling wanted in a relationship and the necessity of assurance asking her partner to proclaim their love in Swahili; “Niambie ni mimi” (Tell me I am the one)
"Precious" takes us on a journey of self-discovery, as Xenia realizes her self-worth within the relationship. She sets her boundaries and shows us how self-love can be the foundation for all forms of love. And finally, "Love-Hate" concludes the album.
The album serves as an incredible introduction to Xenia Manasseh's artistry, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating what comes next in her musical journey.
With "Love-Hate Pt 1," Xenia Manasseh delivers an album that captures the essence of love's highs and lows, inviting listeners to resonate with the emotions and experiences shared through her soulful music.
Xenia continues to make waves as an artist who blends stunning lyrical relatability with lush vocals and intricate songwriting. Her music is relatable and honest and a reflection of her life, values and experiences.
She is renowned for bringing a refreshing new sound to the music scene following the success of her 2019 debut EP Fallin' Apart.
She has captivated a varied audience with the clarity and the purity of her tone and successful collaborations like Maybe 2022 EP with Kenyan producer/artist Ukweli.
