Those who took part in the killing of three people in Junju, Kikambala last week must face the law, Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has said.

The Governor who was addressing journalists in Kilifi town, said it was sad that the three individuals were accosted, attacked and lynched, by a mob in a very sad case of hooliganism and gross injustice. 

The incident happened at a place where the victims are well known within the community. 

Already  the inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai has  said police will not rest until all those who took part in the killing of the three are arrested to face justice. 

“The three individuals who have since been identified by the Police as Sidik Anwarali Sumra, Rahil Zulfikar Mamdani and James Kazungu were inspecting land, with the intention of buying it when they were attacked by the mob,” said Kingi. 

Although the Governor said the matter was under active investigation by police, he condemned the incident and said it was disheartening that there still exists such kind of conduct in which a group of people took the law into their own hands, attacked and killed their fellow Kenyans for reasons that are simply inexplicable. 

“The sad thing about this whole incident is that the victims of this attack, particularly Mr Sumra, are well known to residents of that area. Mr Sumra owns a dairy farm in Kikambalala where he has employed a number of locals who, alongside their families, are direct beneficiaries of this investment,” he said in a statement to the media. 

He said it looked like the killers had their own motive for the act because definitely, the victims were not new to the village and were not strangers. 

“I want to assure the families of the victims and the people of Kilifi County that I have had talks with the police and given them my full support that whoever committed this heinous crime must face the full force of the law. “ he said

Adding “As the Governor of Kilifi County, I have been struggling to invite investors to our county to set up businesses and create jobs for our people. Unfortunately, incidents such as what happened only serve to convey the message that Kilifi is not open to investors,”. 

He said those who sat, planned and executed this outrageous deed will carry their own cross. If they were incited by anyone, let them reveal to us who incited them. 

“Kilifi residents are a law abiding people and, as leaders, we will not sit back and allow a few individuals to stain the good name of our county by such extreme acts of hooliganism,” he said. 

The governor also urged the community in Junju to fully cooperate with the police to make sure that those who carried the attacks or planned the whole thing face justice. 

Mr Mutyambai said initial investigations on the three people showed that they were attacked and killed with sharp and blunt objects as they surveyed a shamba in the area. 

“We are warning leaders suspected to be involved in goons and engaging in recklessness and inciteful activities around the area they will meet the fully force of the law,” said the IG in a statement on Sunday. 

Gopel song bird Libby Ndambo is thrilled to be releasing her new single I DO on the 9^th of July celebrating love and marriage.  The song is written by Libby Ndambo, produced by Modest Chabari.

The Lyrics are a blend of marriage vows and a celebration of the journey of love and commitment to your partner through ups and downs of it all till the end of time. The song is also her first single that includes a blend of English, Swahili, Taita (her native language).

Watch the Video here - https://youtu.be/uerlRfMTQLE

" One of Gods desires for his children is that we can spend the rest of our lives experiencing the love of Christ through marriage. When I found that love that emulates Christ's love for the church, I chose to commit to that love with all my heart mind and soul. My hope and prayer through this song you will not only celebrate the love you have -for those who are married- but you will also trust God to bring that kind of love when the time is right,” Libby remarked.

The song builds its foundation from the bible Ephesians 5:25: "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. The song is available on all music streaming platforms.

Years after "Alivyonipenda", King Kaka and Otile Brown team up again to deliver what will be a sure hit "Fight".

The song narrates an urban love story turned sour when the ladies older love interest finds out about her tryst with a younger man.

‘Fight’ is a mid-tempo song where Otile Brown plays to his signature vocal strengths delivering a catchy heart-warming tune.

The singer is complemented by King Kaka who delivers thought-provoking bars reminiscent of all his previous love songs.

This track is produced by Vicky Pon Dis while the video is directed by Steve Mugo.

The visuals feature a special appearance by renowned actor and media personality Ken Ambani, who plays the role of a gentleman scorned by his love interest.

Watch “Fight “on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/C5liVYABXCk

Royal Garment Industries EPZ Limited has expressed interest to invest at the Voi EPZ, Taita Taveta County governor Granton Samboja has announced.

Speaking at Athi River, Samboja said he has managed to secure the first investor for the project who is willing to establish an industry that will employ more than 2000 people.

Samboja had earlier in the day signed the MOU between County Government of Taita Taveta and EPZA for the establishment of the Voi EPZ in Ndi.

"Our county is at a vantage position for this big investment owing to its proximity to the Mombasa port, the SGR, Nairobi Mombasa highway, proximity to neighbouring Tanzania among other countries.

Our county has a big potential for industrial investment.We welcome investors to come and do business in our County," said the county boss.

Apart from creating employment to locals, the industries will boost the economy at the grassroot level.

There are plans to establish EPZ satellite parks in Wundanyi,Taveta and Mwatate to promote industrialisation in the region.

"We also have plans to revive cotton farming to supply the local garmet industry," said the Governor.

Ag.Chief Executive Officer EPZA Mr.Henry Obino said the Voi EPZ is part of President Uhuru Kenyattas Big 4 top agendas.

"The President knew the impact the manufacturing industry will bring to the economy that is why he directed that an EPZ should be established in Voi," he stressed.

He added that Voi will be a model for EPZ investment in the country.

"Voi enjoys a unique geographical location in that it runs parallel to the SGR , its close to Mombasa and Lamu port,electricity and water is readily available among other factors of production," the CEO said.

The County government will provide 250 acres for the project. 

The governor was accompanied by other top county officials and EPZA board members.

Mombasa businessman-cum- politician Suleiman Shahbal has officially quit Jubilee party and rejoined ODM.

In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Shahbal who is eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat said he will further put more effort in ensuring the merger between Jubilee and ODM parties is realized.

"I have, today, officially resigned from the Jubilee Party. This follows my announcement to join the ODM party" posted Shahbal on social media.

“In exercise of my constitution and legal rights to belong to a political party of my choice by the law through section 14 of the Political Parties Acts, 2011, I wish to resign as a member of Jubilee Party,” reads part of Shahbal’s resignation letter.

Last month, Shahbal told members of the Mombasa Luo Focus Group, that he will support Raila Odinga in 2022.

He noted "I support Baba because he has suffered for the people of Kenya. It is because of him that we have the Constitution, multi-partism and even the proposed changes in the BBI”.

Shahbal joined the ruling Jubilee party in 2013 after losing the ODM nominations to Governor Hassan Joho.

He was earlier a member of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) which is led by Musalia Mudavadi before joining ODM and later Wiper party, in a span of weeks.

Shahbal, a former fierce critic of governor Hassan Joho has now developed a close friendhip with the county boss and are sometimes seen attending functions together.

His move to rejoin ODM comes just days after a visit by the party leader Raila Odinga in Mombasa where he was hosted by Shahbal's main rival, Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir.

During his tour Raila resisted pressure from supporters to endorse Nassir as the next governor of Mombasa and steered away from the local politics maintaining that the party will conduct a free and fair nomination process.

" Hiyo ya ugavana ni yenu (The governorship decision is yours. You will decide who will become governor). As ODM we are going to conduct free and fair nomination" said Raila.

In a response to Raila's sentiments, Shahbal took to social media and posted " Asante Baba. Tukutane mashinani sasa!."

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday night commissioned five new hospitals in Nairobi County and directed them to offer 24 hour services to residents.

The new health facilities are part of 24 such hospitals being constructed by Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) as part of a broad Government plan to decongest Kenyatta National Hospital, Mama Lucy, Pumwani and Mbagathi hospitals.

The hospitals launched by the Head of State in the four-hour night operation were two level 2 hospitals at Gichagi in Kangemi and Gatina in Kawangware as well as level 3 hospitals in Mukuru Kwa Rueben, Tassia Kwa Ndege and Our Lady of Nazareth in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.

President Kenyatta, who was accompanied by NMS Director General Mohammed Badi and several senior Government officials, directed public hospitals in Nairobi to offer 24-hour services to ensure city residents access health services whenever they need them.

“The dispensaries and level 2 health facilities should operate 24 hours services in order to decongest Kenyatta National Hospital and Mama Lucy Hospital. Instead of someone using money to go and seek medical services at Kenyatta National Hospital, they need to access these services at the facilities which are near them,” President Kenyatta said.

Addressing journalists who accompanied him during the night operation at State House, Nairobi after the exercise, the President said he chose to commission the new hospitals at night so as to adhere to Covid-19 containment protocols.

“We went at night because we wanted to ensure that we were observing Covid-19 protocols. As you have seen for yourselves, it would have been impossible to go and do what we did today, during the day because of the number of people who would have been out there. It would have been very difficult for us to do the job we wanted to do and at the same time observe Covid protocols that the government has put in place,” he said.

Further, the Head of State said the operation was aimed at enabling him to assess the population of city residents, especially those in informal settlements where the hospitals are located, seeking healthcare at night so as to enable the Government to resource them adequately.

On his directive for 24-hour service by the new hospitals being put up by NMS across the metropolis, the President said he had observed during his inspection tours that most city health facilities operated only during the day denying residents much needed healthcare at night.

“We also discovered that Nairobi hospitals open at 8am and were closing at 6pm. Meaning that if somebody got sick or was in need of medical attention after 6pm the only medical facility they could access was Kenyatta National Hospital.

“So we decided it was important that these hospitals that we are building operate on a 24 hours basis. This is what we  also wanted to see whether it was possible both on accessibility point of view and staffing point of view,” the President said.

He announced that 19 out of the 24 new hospitals being constructed by NMS were complete saying, plans were underway to adequately resource for 24-hour operations.

Besides opening the new health facilities, President Kenyatta said the night tour was aimed at inspecting the ongoing road construction projects within the informal settlements saying so far a total of 400kms had been completed while another 450kms were underway.

“The other thing we wanted to see was the roads. We embarked on a programme where we are doing 400kms of roads in our inner cities. We have been able to travel in those informal settlements without challenges. These are roads we have been constructing over the past one year and we are now constructing 450kms and we want to increase the same with another 300kms in this financial year,” the President said.

The Head of State said the Government is keen on providing quality services to all Kenyans regardless of their status in life and pointed out that ongoing city sewerage expansion works, financed by the African Development Bank, will also benefit Nairobi slums.

On provision of clean water, the President said NMS had drilled hundreds of boreholes across the city which are providing free clean water to residents as the Government works on a longterm solution.

“Today even in our informal settlements there is no more issue of people having to pay for water. People used to pay 20 shillings for a jerrican of water but now we have build boreholes for them.

“What we are trying to do in this coming year is to make sure that instead of going to one watering point we are also expanding  water connections to ensure that people have access to clean water, sewage services, health, good roads and electricity” he said.

The Head of State regretted that despite generating over 50% of the country's GDP, Nairobi residents still struggle to access basic public services. He noted that the final phase of the city's transformational plan is the issuance of title deeds to residents who own land so as to empower them to own decent housing.

In Embakasi South, the President was received by area MP Musili Mawathe.

Former Kenyan Journalist Terry Atieno has made public her interest to vie for a political seat in Germany, where she is currently based.

Terry who worked for Ramogi fm as a presenter and famously known as 'Proud Chocolate' has expressed her interest in running for a seat in her town/county assembly in Buxtehude Stade District in Hamburg, Germany.

Taking to social, Terry who also runs an online podcast in Germany said God had chosen her and she cannot say no. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho are among the top Kenyan politicians she has hosted in her podcast.

"I Terry Atieno from Siaya Kenya will be running for a seat in my town assembly/ county assembly in Buxtehude Stade District in the outcasts of the great free city of Hamburg Germany this September 2021. Wish me only well my people. I'm going to face it all. Hate and support, but I am ready for it all," she posted.

Adding " My God had chosen me and i cant afford to say no . I am trying out whether i fail or pass I'll still be on the books as one of the black immigrants who tried a hand in leadership out here in the Western world".

Terry said she will for inclusivity for integrated immigrants. 

" I want equality in treatment. I want us to see beyong color. I want us to be taken seriously. I want our Children to grow up here feeling 100 percent at home" she noted.

South African group, Hush SA are the 2021 winners of the pan-African Old Mutual Amazing Voices crown and will walk away with a massive $ 100 000.  

After securing 5 Golden Voice wins for best performance throughout the season, Africa chose Hush SA as the winners of the sensational pan-African singing competition during a spectacular finale on Sunday evening (4 July 2021).

The finale was simulcasted on Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, (South Africa) Africa Magic (Nigeria), Maisha Magic (Kenya) Zambezi Magic (Zimbabwe) and Akwaaba (Ghana).

The group has taken their first small steps to achieve their dreams and do great things, not only at home but beyond to become global music sensations.  

An all-male Gospel group of six members, formed as a brotherhood of childhood friends spanning over a ten-year period. Tsholofelo Ntuli,  Phumlani Tshabalala, Sinethemba Magubane, Zamokuhle Nkosi, Thamsanqa Mthabela, Nicholas Malimba also known as Hush SA to their new fans who have followed their progress across the DStv Amazing Voices competition, all hail from Johannesburg, South Africa.  

The group entered the second season of Old Mutual Amazing Voices competition that attracted 546 initial online video entries from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa and have achieved stardom. 

Little did they know that their initial entry would see them beginning a long and rewarding process that would end in Johannesburg in June this year with an ultimate victory in Africa’s premier acapella event.

At the same time, they were awarded with the benefits of learning the skills and gaining the important insights needed for groups to succeed in the challenging world of music. 

Carol Kipsanai Group Head of Marketing, EA - UAP Old Mutual says “Our purpose at Old Mutual is to champion mutually positive futures across all the African markets in which we operate. 

This competition enables us to connect with Africans through the universal language of music and demonstrate that with the right financial partner, anyone can do great things and become their exceptional best. We have seen exactly this with the winners of Season 2 Amazing voices and congratulate Hush SA for their well-earned success” 

It all began in October 2020, when, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entrants were encouraged to submit online performance videos to Old Mutual and DStv for review and selection.

The winner’s opposition, drawn from the five countries included in the competition, were like them, all unsigned groups looking to take their careers to a new level.  

After an initial screening process, Hush SA advanced to the second gruelling step; attending closed auditions within their own country before celebrity judges (where two groups from each country were selected).

The group then succeeded in being elected to become part of the Amazing Voices Season 2 ‘Top 10 and got to attend an intensive musical Bootcamp at Sun City, about an hour from Johannesburg. 

The Covid bubble production and musical bootcamp at Sun City kicked into gear with the Top 10 unsigned groups, involving a total of 65 contestants.

The production required the  employment of 187 people to make the magic happen, a clear demonstration of DStv and Brightfire TV’s passion to empower creatives in the film and television industry.

Approximately 84 rooms were catered for over the 30 days of production and 315 COVID-19 antigen tests and 116 PCR tests were done with the crew and contestants on a regular basis with no positive cases reported. 

During the bootcamp at Sun City, the surviving groups, ranging between four and eight members, were put through vocal as well as stage presence training.

They were mentored by Khaya Mthethwa to refine their musicality. During this extreme three weeks the finalists prepared for the final phase sing-off by having their vocal and performance abilities honed by the Amazing Voices team.

The drama, the build-up, and tensions of Africa’s prime musical event has been eagerly followed by a pan African TV audience since Amazing Voices Season Two launched in April.

For many contestants not only Hush SA’s, it was their first exposure to the glittering but demanding world of world-class TV productions.  

What happened next may now be history but has left South Africa with an accolade of national singing sensations whose voices could be the ticket to international stardom and further ambassadorship for the country and its people. 

“MultiChoice Kenya believes that music is an international language that crosses borders and brings people of different nationalities together. We are happy to have been able to broadcast this competition to our DStv and GOtv customers as well as proud that 121 Selah represented our country and emerged as this season’s winner. We will continue to air content which showcases and recognises great African talents and our rich heritage.” says, Nancy Matimu, Managing Director at Multichoice Kenya.

Garden City Mall hosted a shopping spree contest at the newly opened Carrefour Market which is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Kenya.

The participants were challenged to shop for items from specific categories in less than 2 minutes 30 seconds.

The winners clinched Carrefour shopping vouchers while all items picked during the shopping spree were later donated to Missionaries of Charity, Home of Peace Ruaraka (Ngumba) by the Garden City Mall team.

Renowned Content Creator Sharon Mwangi emerged the winner in the high adrenaline shopping spree that was moderated by content King and Comedian Njugush.

The new store, which is now open to the public, will operate as a Carrefour Market, with a focus on stocking a wide range of food items and selected non-food items alongside small electrical appliances. 

Motorists using the Makupa causeway should brace themselves for disruption of traffic beginning Saturday, July 10.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) announced today (Tuesday) the closure of the Island bound carriageway on the causeway, all affected traffic will be diverted to the Nairobi bound carriageway which will then serve as the way in and out of Mombasa.

According to the Authority the diversion is to allow for the construction of the Makupa bridge and approach roads along the road.

"The works are being undertaken by M/S China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCC) and are due completion on or before January 4 2022" reads a statement from KENHA.

Adding "We urge all motorists to follow the signange and guidance provided by the traffic police and marshalls available to enable smooth traffic flow across the causeway."

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday commissioned the construction of the Sh4.5 billion Makupa bridge on December 2020.

The bridge which will replace the historic Makupa Causeway will offer a seamless flow of traffic in and out of Mombasa Island.  It is expected to be 450-metre long.