Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has finally appointed his cabinet.

In an executive order signed on 15th January 2023, Nassir who has been under pressure to appoint his cabinet sent home all the members of the executive serving his predecessor Hassan Joho, bringing in new faces.

The 10 member list consists of three Women.

Deputy Governor Francis Thoya will be in charge of the Environment and Solid waste management docket. Nassir's long serving personal assistant Mohammed Hussein (Amadoh) will be in charge of the Lands, urban renewal and housing docket.

Others are Dr Mbwarali Kame ( Education and digital transformation), Evans Oanda (Finance and Economic planning), Dr Swabah Ahmed (Health), Daniel Otieno (Transport and Infrastructure), Emily Achieng (Water Natural resources and climate change resilience), Kenneth Muigai (Public service administration, youth gender, social services and sports), Kibibi Abdallah (Blue Economy, Agriculture and Livestock) and Mohammed Osman (Tourism).

"I am confident that these individuals are qualified and offer the best potential for serving the people of Mombasa." said Nassir.

The members will be presented to the county assembly of Mombasa for vetting and approval.

Noah Akala has been appointed as the Chief of staff.

Nassir has also appointed his team of advisers which includes Mahmoud Noor (Innovation and digital), Mohammed Tenge (Political), Goshi Juma (Youth and gender affairs), Dorcas Mutheu (Urban renewal), Gilbert Langat (Port and maritime affairs) Dr Fauziya Karama (Economic affairs)

Mombasa County assembly speaker Aharub Khatri has recalled members of the county assembly for a special sitting on Monday, 16th January 2022.

According to a special gazette notice the sitting expected to start at 11am is for the MCAs to consider and approve the Mombasa county finance bill 2022.

"Pursuant to standing order 26(1-4) of the Mombasa county Assembly standing orders, it is notified for the information of members of county assembly of Mombasa and the general public that I have appointed Monday, 16th January 2023 to be a day for a special sitting at the County assembly chambers, Mombasa county assembly buildings, Mombasa at 11am for the purpose of considering and approving the Mombasa County finance bill 2022" reads the gazette notice signed by speaker Khatri.

The assembly went on recess on December 7, 2022 and was to resume on February 6, 2022.

On Friday 16, 2022 the assembly convened for another special sitting to adopt the finance bill.

In a recent joint media interview, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the finance bill will among other things ease the burden of traders in doing business by reducing licenses.

"We want to reduce corruption by ensuring that we provide an opportunity for all traders to pay tax levies without being victimised, we have synchronised everything to ensure a systemic payment of levies," said Nassir.

The county conducted public hearing for the finance bill from Tuesday 3rd January 2023 to Thursday 5th January 2023, in all the 6 sub counties.

Former Kinango Mp Benjamin Tayari is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Tayari who lost to Gonzi Rai in the 2022 general elections was appointed through a special gazette notice dated 13th January 2023 signed by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Tayari takes over from General (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana. 

Kibwana's term was reappointed to the position in July last year after leaving the office after his term for the same position expired in June 2021.

Tayari's first task will be to oversee the appointment of the new Managing Director. A total of 61 applicants have so far applied for the position. 

According to a source, the current general manager in charge of corporate services Edward Kamau is among the applicants.

KPA advertised for the MD position in the local dailies last month, the term of the current acting MD John Mwangemi is set to come to an end on March this year.

Tanzania's showman Karim "Mtukazi" Mandonga is the magnet that pulled in the massive turnout in Saturday's 10-bout professional boxing card at the KICC Tsavo Ballroom.

The huge turnout brought back memories of 1987 when a similar crowd watched Kenya's Hit Squad win eight gold medals in the boxing finals of the African Games and the first post independence professional boxing contest in July 2,1983 when Kenya's Napunyi Oduori KO'd Tanzania's Onesmo Ngowi in the third round of the main fight to win the East African featherweight title.

Both events took place at the same venue.

Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) President Reuben Ndolo and Secretary-General Franklin Imbenzi were over the moon. Their move to invite Mandonga was a gem.

Promoter Mike Odongo of Solid Rock Promotions was equally elated by the huge turnout at KICC.

"I will meet with my team to review the whole show and way forward but Mandonga will definitely be back," said Odongo.

"We will bring Mandonga to Kenya again, he's a good marketer," said Ndolo.

Mandonga defeated Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi who refused to answer the bell for the sixth round in this super middleweight bout. Not that Wanyonyi received a thorough beating from the Tanzanian but he looked unfit and ill prepared for the fight which was transmitted live through KPBC's online Ndondi TV.

"This is our new project we're proud for the big leap forward we now have our own online TV, we will be showing all our fights through Ndondi TV," said Imbenzi.

The fight itself lacked the expected  fireworks with Wanyonyi holding his own in the opening two rounds but from there it was Mandonga carrying the fight to the Kenyan. His punches were however not strong enough to KO Wanyonyi who was at times forced to burry his face under both gloves for safety as Mtukazi attacked in waves.

Soon after referee Julius Odhiambo signaled the end of the fight, an excited Mandonga punched the air in joy, doing some shuffling and was joined by his manager Juma Ndambire.

"Mandonga is now a brand in Tanzania through his gifted marketing skills," said Ndambire.

"He has a contract with Wasafi Bet, Robi One and K4 Security to advertise their products. We're now in talks with a prominent betting company for Mandonga to be their ambassador."

Big-talking Mandonga, 43, thanked Kenyans for their warm welcome and said he will be back in April.

"Nimesema na kutenda, Mandonga Mtukazi nimempiga Wanyonyi mpaka akaogopa kuja kwa raundi ya sita maanake angeramba sakafu. Naja Kenya tena mwezi wa nne." Mandonga has improved his record to 4-3-1 (2 KOs).

In the co-main supporting middleweight bout, Kenya's Rayton Okwiri outpointed Tanzania's Shabani Ndaro who was warned several times by the referee George Athman for constantly holding his opponent.

"He messed up my plans for the fight, whenever I wanted to set up my attack he was holding me, and the referee was also too lenient," said Okwiri.

With that victory, Okwiri has improved his record to 9-1-1 (6 KOs) and Ndaro dropped to 5-1-1 (2 KOs). It was Ndaro's first defeat in his professional boxing career.

Selected results

Super-featherweight: Jean John Colin outpointed David Omollo (Kenya)

Featherweight: Reddy Bellehumeur (Mauritius) lost on points to Albert Kimario (Kenya)

Featherweight: Jane Kavulani lost on points to Praxides Anyango. All Kenyans

Heavyweight: Kennedy St-Pierre (Mauritius) TKO'd  Yannick Mandu Katuta (DRC) first round

Heavyweight: Louis Cedric Oliver (Mauritius) outpointed James Nyariki (Kenya)

Super-middleweight Adel Motean (Mauritius) KO'd  Lucien Botumbe (DRC) in round two

Middleweight: Rayton Okwiri (Kenya) outpointed Shabani Ndaro (Tanzania)

Super-middleweight: Karim Mandonga (Tanzania) TKO'd Daniel Wanyonyi (Kenya) round 6

Still riding off global hit singles like Amarulah, African Woman and most recently My Baby feat Harmonize, Roberto serves us another smash hit, titled NOBODY with production by Himself and mastering by Paul Kruz.

Roberto seemingly on a afro beats take over, since his last Afro Hit Release with Harmonize, has been making waves across the globe, with an Invitation to host and perform at Uganda’s elite award Ceremony The Hipipo Awards and a planned Tour in 2023.

This release is set to get the engines raving.

Nobody was first performed at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka, on 5^th October 2022 quickly spread through social media, as the catchy hook got students singing and relating to the lyrics.

The song is rumoured to be one of Roberto’s best releases this quarter of the year. Hopefully, this record might soon set the Afro-classic crooner on a milestone due to its general acceptance.

Download 'NOBODY' Video & Music Video Teasers

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bCqrz1COCZXAr9RkE50OZqdVNCm9cCsn?usp=share_link

The Government has assured the media of a conducive environment to undertake its operations.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Prof Edward Kisiangani says relevant legislation to facilitate this will be put in place.

The PS at the same time commended the Media Council of Kenya for spearheading efforts to review laws around media operations, with a view to give the country a robust policy to guide media operations.

 “The Government recognises the critical place of independent and free media. We will support the media to play its role in contributing to matters of national interest through responsible reporting”, he said at a meeting convened by the Media Council of Kenya to review its Strategic Plan in Kwale.

Prof Kisiangani said the Government will work closely with the media towards pushing service delivery and delivering on its development agenda.

 “Countries that have a vibrant media have a vivacious development agenda. It is not in our brief to fight anybody, including the media as media freedom is enshrined in the Constitution. We will work closely with all stakeholders to institute laws that will streamline media operations. The Media Council should be at the forefront in these efforts”, said the PS.

 “The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of our Constitution gives the media freedom to execute its mandate. However, this should come with utmost responsibility”, he said.

 The PS at the same time cautioned media organisations against maltreating their staff, in view of the recent layoffs and pay cuts across media houses.

“Private media owners should not be allowed to threaten existence of the media through unfriendly business practices. Media workers should be protected from rogue businesses”.

He revealed that the Government, through the Government Advertising Agency (GAA), is committed to supporting media viability, adding that it has so far released moneys towards settling pending bills.

 “Out of the pending KShs 1.2 billion, we have so far released KShs 244 million to media houses. However, no media house has reported that and most continue subjecting their staff to job cuts. This is unfair and should not be allowed”, he said.

He urged the Media Council to engage media owners towards adopting viable business models and professional reporting.

He also implored media organisations to embrace innovative approaches in their operations in view of the digital shift.

The PS asked the Media Council of Kenya to execute its mandate, to ultimately enhance professionalism in the Media.

“As a regulator the Media Council should ensure responsible reporting by the media. The Media Complaints Commission should pick any breaches to the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya and guide the media accordingly”, he said.

The PS advised the media to interrogate the government’s blueprint to report objectively on areas around agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, housing and settlement, healthcare, the digital superhighway, the creative economy and environment and climate change.

“The Government is committed to forge working relationships with the media in order to improve service delivery and quality of life for all Kenyans. Let us engage positively and I urge the media to avoid political inclinations as governments change from time to time. The media should play its watchdog role in a non-partisan manner”, said Prof Kisiangani.

Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo said the Council has embarked on reviewing its Strategic Plan in line with the digital transformation of the media space.

He noted that liberalisation of the media space has seen exponential growth of media and asked media organisations to uphold professionalism.

 He said the Council will continue engaging stakeholders in efforts to promote viability and capacity building on coverage of matters of national interest.

Mombasa county assembly is set to adopt a health taskforce report that seeks to improve on health service delivery within public hospitals in Mombasa.

The report will be presented to the assembly by Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir for adoption before its implementation takes effect.

Speaking after receiving the report from the health taskforce committee at his office on Thursday, Governor Nassir expressed his commitment to revolutionising the health system in Mombasa County.

The health task force was formed shortly after he ascended to office. The 87 page report was launched on Thursday at the governor's office seeking better health services in Mombasa.

The report has recommended among other things to strengthen the community healthcare system by equipping all hospitals with modern equipment in line with technological advancements.

“We have recommended the strengthening of the community health care system by equipping and improving health care,” said Nassir after receiving the report.

He added “We have recommended that Tudor hospital be a child and maternity hospital, Mvita to cater for eye diseases, and coast general Utange to deal with infectious diseases.

On healthcare financing the report recommended a partnership with stakeholders to fund key functions of the health delivery by ensuring that more people are registered to the national hospital insurance fund NHIF.

The report also recommended the use of modern information sharing to reduce paperwork. It also recommends strengthening of universal health coverage within all hospitals.

"We want to ensure that resources channeled to the health sector are used prudently, and avert any form of corruption, “said Nassir, adding that some hospitals had turned the public into a cash cow.

The report also recommended that the county government build more rehabilitation centers in efforts to contain drug and substance use in Mombasa.

"We are going to use our CHW in the grassroots; we have also agreed to put them on retention to give them morale in service delivery,” said Nassir.

The report is set to be adopted by the Mombasa county assembly and when adopted it will start full implementation.

 The health taskforce was chaired by former Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Dr Chibanzi Mwachinda who said the recommendation came after comprehensive interviews in 46 health centers in Mombasa since the committee was initiated on September 2, 2022.

About 40,000 people are under NHIF in Mombasa County according to previous reports, and Nassir says efforts to increase the number are underway.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By soundtrack, produced by Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan is out.

The soundtrack which was released on November 4 2022 is available for Pre-Save/Pre-Add/pre-order here.

Rihanna’s lead single “Lift Me Up” made history as it becomes the most-added song in U.S. radio history, amassing the most ever single day spins and the largest ever single day audience.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By soundtrack features over 40 international artists recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, Mexico City, London and Los Angeles.

Featured artists include Rihanna, Tems, Fireboy DML, OG DAYV Ft. Future, CKay Ft. PinkPantheress, E-40 and many more.

Ludwig Göransson, who has two Emmys®, two Grammys® and an Oscar® to his credit, composed and produced both the score and the original songs on the soundtrack.

His extensive work producing artists (Childish Gambino, Adele, Haim, Justin Timberlake) as well as his work scoring films and TV series (Black Panther, Creed, The Mandalorian) made him uniquely qualified to helm both parts of the soundscape. 

For their fourth cinematic collaboration, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Coogler and Göransson set out to create an innovative soundscape where Göransson says, “The songs and score are one.”

The two artists have talked about this approach since their days attending USC Film School, and finally made it a reality with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In what became a massive labor of love, Göransson spent over 2500 hours recording the score and soundtrack – which involved six studios, across three continents and five countries. Over the course of the film, the audience will hear over 250 musicians, two orchestras, two choirs and over 40 vocalists. 

Coogler was intimately involved in the creation of the music for the film, from co-writing lyrics on the Rihanna track “Lift Me Up” to suggesting the cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” performed by Nigerian singer/songwriter Tems and bridged together with Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” for the film’s instantly viral trailer.

Göransson said, “Ryan and I talked about the importance of creating an immersive journey of sound and voice. If we used a song in the film, we wanted it to be the entire song, and to be connected to the story."

Adding "Thematically, we wanted to move the audience from grief to celebration. When you listen to the soundtrack, you can close your eyes and relive the experience of the movie. That was the intention.”

Given the story is inspired by both Nigerian and Mesoamerican cultures, recording sessions were set up in both Lagos, Nigeria, and Mexico City, Mexico, as well as Abbey Road Studios in London. 

Producers worked with popular artists from Lagos including Tems, which has become a hotbed of musical innovation. In addition, emerging rappers and artists from Mexico City are featured on the soundtrack including rapper Pat Boy, who raps entirely in Mayan. 

While in Mexico City, Göransson worked closely with music archeologist Alejandro Rojas to explore and research Mayan music. Instruments native to both Nigerian and Mesoamerican cultures were featured in the creation of the soundscape. 

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By tracklisting follows:
 

1. Lift Me Up Performed by Rihanna
2. Love & Loyalty (Believe) Performed by DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa
3. Alone Performed by Burna Boy
4. No Woman No Cry Performed by Tems
5. Árboles Bajo El Mar Performed by Vivir Quintana and Mare Advertencia
6. Con La Brisa Performed by Foudeqush and Ludwig Göransson
7. La Vida Performed by Snow Tha Product featuring E-40
8. Interlude Performed by Stormzy
9. Coming Back For You Performed by Fireboy DML
10. They Want It, But No Performed by Tobe Nwigwe and Fat Nwigwe
11. Laayli' kuxa'ano'one Performed by ADN Maya Colectivo: Pat Boy, Yaalen K'uj, All Mayan Winik
12. Limoncello Performed by OG DAYV featuring Future
13. Anya Mmiri Performed by CKay featuring PinkPantheress
14. Wake Up Performed by Bloody Civilian featuring Rema
15. Pantera Performed by Alemán featuring Rema
16. Jele Performed by DBN Gogo, Sino Msolo, Kamo Mphela, Young Stunna and Busiswa
17. Inframundo Performed by Blue Rojo
18. No Digas Mi Nombre Performed by calle x vida and Foudeqush
19. Mi Pueblo Performed by Guadalupe de Jesús Chan Poot

Highflying Kenyan artist and performer based in the US, King Kanja, fires up the new year with debut single “Maliah” featuring Brooklyn and New York native, Kai Ca$h.

The Afrobeats collision track produced by Skool Beatz flaunts the duo’s sharp lyricism and skillful wit.

On this track the two artists spotlight the everyday ups and downs of relationships and how to cope when lied to. 

The single follows the success of King Kanja's previous hit release “Doing It For Me”.

Kanja confirms that the visuals for “Maliah” are set to drop soon and further assures his fans to be prepared in 2023 for more timeless music and big collaborations from him.”

“Maliah” also showcases Kanja’s eye for exemplary collaborative combinations. This collaboration brings out Kai Ca$h’s unique sound and lyrical prowess. The CYN Mob co-founder is destined to be a great emcee.

Powerhouse rapper Kai Ca$h crossed paths with King Kanja through Kai’s father, BK Rube, the Brooklyn legend of the Notorious B.I.G’s Junior Mafia and Grammy award-winning R&B / Soul legend Faith Evans who were very close to Kanja’s mentor, the late super producer Chucky Thompson. This destined collaboration is aimed to cross borders from Brooklyn, New York to Nairobi, Kenya and around the world! 

It’s been two years since the superstar was last home in Kenya and is set to commence a Kenyan media tour with this new release.

He says, “I anticipate being in touch with family, friends and fans to share the growth I’ve had as a person and recording artist, but also to gain inspiration from being in my homeland Kenya. Nothing, absolutely nothing and nowhere feels like home”.

Paula Kahumbu, a renowned conservationist and the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year for 2021 winner, has shed light on some of Kenya's most remarkable conservation heroes who are working to protect and restore the country's diverse but threatened, ecosystems.

As CNN's Call to Earth Guest Editor, Kahumbu has chosen three stories to highlight Kenya’s current drought is affecting wildlife and how the country’s conservancy movement can be a solution to these kinds of climate catastrophes, efforts to eradicate elephant and rhino poaching, a focus on Kenya’s marine life, and a look at sustainable wildlife tourism.

“The programme has allowed us to highlight Kenya’s efforts to tackle the current environmental crisis. The achievement so far puts Kenya as a global leader in wildlife and environmental conservation”, said Kahumbu.  

The stories highlighted ran individually on air, but also collectively as a half-hour special Call to Earth: Voice of the Wild which can be watched in full here. The links to individual stories:

• Paula Kahumbu: Voice of the wild
• How an underwater film inspired a marine protected area off Kenya’s coast
• Why the world needs African wildlife filmmakers

As climate events such as drought grow more extreme in Kenya, conservancies will become increasingly important for the survival of wildlife. Conservancies make up 13% of Kenya’s land area and are managed and protected by the people or communities who own the land.

A conservancy, defined by Dickson Kaelo, CEO of Kenya Wildlife Conservancies, “tackles the underlying factors that are driving biodiversity loss.”

Kenya is currently in the midst of its worst drought in 40 years.

Kaelo explains the impacts of drought on both people and wildlife, “When you have perennial, long-term, severe droughts happening like this one, people have limited choices and they end up selling the land to survive, it has a big impact on tourism and a big impact on wildlife.”

“If wildlife are not able to move over large distances, they affect the environment in a way that negatively impacts them. If the territories of lions are much smaller and have little prey, the lions fight and prides kill each other as a result. The conservancy actually expands the area available for wildlife. In the [Maasai] Mara now it has doubled by the creation of the 22 conservancies,” Kaelo adds.

The success of the conservancies movement not only helps wildlife but also the local community, according to Kaelo.

Kahumbu visits the fishing community in the village of Kuruwitu, which has become a model for community-led marine conservation as the locals manage and regulate their own marine sanctuaries.

Environmental Program Manager of Oceans Alive, Ledama Masidza, highlights the importance of community-led conservation efforts within marine life.

“Through appreciating and recognizing the authority of the elders, this led to a massive comeback in the fish by almost 400% fish biomass increase, a huge recovery in the seagrass by 17% recovery, and 30% recovery in the coral reefs, bringing back that colour.”

Jawahi Bertrolli, a filmmaker using art to increase awareness in his community, later tells Kahumbu how his film inspired change.

In response to community screenings of the film, local beach management units agreed to begin setting up a new marine protected area.

Kahumbu admires all types of conservation efforts and is hopeful for Kenya’s future.

“What really gives me hope is when I see so many people getting on with conservation in their own way. There's a lot of, not just ownership, but pride in conservation now in Kenya.”

The stories further emphasise the importance of education surrounding wildlife and marine conservation and how community-led conservation is making a difference in Kenya, both on land and underwater.

Kahumbu believes that education is key to conservation efforts and will inspire people to take action.

She encourages young people to get involved by giving them a platform to learn about wildlife and marine conservation.

The result, Kahumbu hopes, will be that young people “will be the voice for the animals that can't speak for themselves, the voice for nature, the voice for rivers, the voice for mountains.”

Kahumbu has devoted her career to protecting elephants from environmental changes and poachers. 

During her career, Kahumbu has worked as CEO of WildlifeDirect, and mounted a national campaign in 2014, ‘Hands Off Our Elephants’, which has since seen elephant poaching decrease by 80%