The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu has called on Eastern African governments and development partners to increase investment in anticipatory action to mitigate the devastating effects of climate-related disasters.

Speaking during the second edition of the East Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa on Wednesday, Gebeyehu said the region must move beyond early warning systems and ensure resources reach vulnerable communities before disasters strike.

“A forecast alone does not protect a family, community or even a country,” he said, emphasising the need to link early warning information to timely decisions, funding and action on the ground.

Gebeyehu warned that droughts, floods, conflicts, economic pressures and public health emergencies continue to place immense strain on communities and institutions across Eastern Africa.

He noted that delayed responses often worsen humanitarian crises, even when warnings are issued in advance.

“We know, too often, that the warning comes before the disaster, but the resources arrive after the damage. That is the gap we have come here to close,” he said.

The IGAD chief said anticipatory action must be properly financed, institutionalised and integrated into national development and disaster risk management systems to deliver meaningful results.

He urged member states to incorporate anticipatory action into national budgets, contingency arrangements and disaster risk financing mechanisms.

“We cannot expect governments and local institutions to act before disasters if the resources are uncertain, fragmented or arrive too late,” Gebeyehu said.

He called for innovative and predictable financing that can be released once agreed risk thresholds are reached, allowing authorities to respond before the effects of disasters become irreversible.

Gebeyehu also urged development and humanitarian partners to invest in early warning systems, local institutions, community preparedness and financing mechanisms that enable timely interventions.

“Every dollar spent early can save several dollars in losses and response costs,” he said, arguing that investing before a disaster strikes can protect livelihoods, preserve assets and reduce the cost of humanitarian assistance and recovery.

Gebeyehu stressed the importance of empowering local communities to participate in decisions and interventions designed to protect them from climate extremes.

He said women, young people, pastoral communities and displaced populations must be meaningfully involved in shaping anticipatory action programmes.

“Anticipatory action must not only reach communities. Communities must shape and lead it,” he said.

He called for local actors to be equipped with the capacity, authority, information and resources needed to respond before disasters occur.

According to Gebeyehu, anticipatory action should be embedded in national policies, disaster risk management frameworks, sectoral plans, local government systems and development planning.

He said the approach should also be linked to institutions responsible for early warning, agriculture, water, livestock, health, social protection and humanitarian response.

Region urged to move from commitments to implementation

The second East Africa Dialogue Platform builds on the first meeting held in Mombasa in 2024, which established a shared regional ambition for anticipatory action.

Gebeyehu acknowledged progress made by member states and partners, including the development and strengthening of national anticipatory action roadmaps and improved regional collaboration through the Regional Technical Working Group on Anticipatory Action.

However, he said the region must now focus on translating those gains into sustainable systems and practical interventions.

“From pilots to systems. From isolated interventions to coordinated action. From commitments on paper to resources on the ground,” he said.

He reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment, through the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and its Disaster Risk Management Programme, to strengthening early warning and supporting member states in scaling up anticipatory action and disaster risk reduction.

The Executive Secretary also called on development partners to complement government efforts by investing in long-term systems rather than financing isolated emergency interventions.

The meeting brought together representatives of IGAD member states, humanitarian and development organisations, the United Nations, civil society, academia, research institutions, the private sector and communities across Eastern Africa.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on Eastern African governments to strengthen disaster preparedness and invest in early action, warning that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, severe and unpredictable.

Speaking during the official opening of the Second Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Mombasa on Wednesday, Murkomen said governments must move away from reactive disaster management and embed preparedness into national and county government systems.

“As of December 2025, an estimated 48.5 million people across our region required humanitarian assistance,” Murkomen said, highlighting the growing pressure climate-related emergencies are placing on public institutions and communities.

He said drought, floods and climate-related displacement increasingly affect several countries simultaneously, making regional cooperation essential in addressing the shared risks facing the Horn of Africa.

“Disasters do not respect national boundaries,” he said, calling for stronger regional frameworks and coordinated action among member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Murkomen warned that climate shocks extend beyond physical destruction, noting that disasters and conflicts often reinforce one another through the loss of livelihoods, competition for resources and growing instability.

“Anticipatory action is therefore not simply a technical intervention, but a vital instrument of public safety, national security, and responsible governance,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary said Kenya had made disaster risk reduction a national priority through legislative, financial and policy frameworks designed to strengthen preparedness and resilience.

These include the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026, the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2026–2030, the Kenya Anticipatory Action Roadmap for 2024–2029 and the National Framework for Climate Services.

Murkomen said disaster management must be integrated into both short- and long-term national planning, including infrastructure development and public financing, to protect communities and economic investments before emergencies occur.

The Interior CS said the anticipated strong El Niño conditions during the current season had made preparedness particularly urgent, adding that the government was taking the situation seriously.

“The urgency is real. Strong El Niño conditions are anticipated this season. Preparedness is a present test, and the Government is taking it seriously,” he said.

He called for meteorological forecasts and early warning information to be translated into practical action at the county and community levels.

Murkomen said county governments, local administrators, community leaders and grassroots organisations were at the forefront of disaster response and needed reliable information, adequate resources and clear authority to act.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring warnings reach everyone in time and in a language they understand, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

The government, he said, was integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific forecasting to improve community trust and ensure early warnings reach people most at risk.

Murkomen said anticipatory action must become a permanent government function rather than remain dependent on temporary projects or external partners.

“Anticipatory action must be embedded in how government works, with clear mandates, agreed procedures and accountability, not left to temporary projects or external partners,” he said.

He added that financing arrangements must be established before disasters strike to ensure resources are available when predetermined risk thresholds are reached.

“Anticipatory action cannot scale if financing arrives only after destruction has occurred,” Murkomen said.

Under the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2026–2030, Kenya intends to strengthen pre-arranged financing that can be released quickly and transparently when agreed triggers are met.

The government also plans to integrate anticipatory financing into national contingency budgets and social protection systems to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable populations before a crisis escalates.

Murkomen committed Kenya to making anticipatory action a core function of national and county disaster risk governance and fully operationalising the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2026.

The Cabinet Secretary urged IGAD member states to strengthen the sharing of risk information, improve coordination of early warning systems and establish harmonised triggers for anticipatory action.

He also called on development partners, international financial institutions and the private sector to provide predictable, flexible and multi-year financing to support government-led disaster preparedness systems.

The three-day dialogue, held under the theme “Transforming Risk into Resilience,” brings together government representatives, humanitarian and development partners, United Nations agencies, researchers, civil society and private sector actors.

Murkomen urged delegates to prioritise practical commitments that integrate early action into national legislation, development budgets and regional frameworks.

The meeting builds on the first Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform held in Mombasa in 2024, which established a shared regional vision and adopted a 17-point declaration.

The platform seeks to strengthen cooperation among Eastern African countries in anticipating and managing climate-related disasters, reducing humanitarian needs and building more resilient communities.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced a phased election dispute resolution training programme targeting more than 400 judges, judicial officers and relevant Judiciary personnel as the institution steps up preparations for Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Mombasa, Koome said the programme, being rolled out through the Kenya Judiciary Academy and the Judiciary Committee on Elections, is aimed at strengthening the courts’ capacity to handle electoral disputes independently, fairly and within timelines prescribed by law.

“As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the Judiciary is taking deliberate steps to ensure that it is adequately prepared to discharge its constitutional mandate of resolving electoral disputes independently, fairly and expeditiously,” Koome said in a media briefing on Wednesday, October 28.

The training follows the completion of a specialised Training of Trainers programme involving 40 participants, who will support the wider rollout. Training for High Court judges is already underway.

The programme will cover election petitions, pre-election disputes, jurisdiction, scrutiny and recounts, results management and transmission, emerging electoral jurisprudence and appeals. It will also focus on digital evidence, electoral technology, active case management and professional ethics.

Koome said early preparation was critical because electoral disputes are governed by strict constitutional and statutory timelines and often involve complex legal, evidentiary and electoral questions.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that the courts have the institutional capacity, professional competence and operational systems necessary to administer electoral justice effectively,” she said.

Beyond training, the Judiciary is strengthening its administrative and technological systems to ensure courts and registries are adequately prepared to handle the anticipated disputes.

The measures include improving case management, filing and records management, scheduling hearings and ensuring judgments are prepared and delivered on time.

Koome said the Judiciary was also assessing its human resource, financial and logistical needs to ensure sufficient staffing, reliable technology and functional court registries during the election dispute resolution period.

Electoral disputes increasingly involve electronic records, digital communication and technology-based results management systems, requiring judicial officers to develop the capacity to assess digital evidence and determine questions relating to electoral technology.

“We will identify and prioritise these needs and pursue the necessary institutional and budgetary arrangements to ensure that our courts can discharge their responsibilities effectively,” she said.

The Chief Justice reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to independence and impartiality, warning that courts would not be drawn into political contests as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

“Electoral disputes can generate intense political interest and public debate. However, our courts must remain faithful to their constitutional duty to administer justice without fear, favour, bias or prejudice,” she said.

She added that cases would be determined on their merits, based on the evidence presented and the applicable law, regardless of the political affiliation or status of the parties involved.

“I wish to assure Kenyans that the Judiciary will not be drawn into political contests or the determination of disputes in the court of public opinion,” Koome said.

She urged political leaders, parties, candidates and their supporters to respect judicial independence and allow legal proceedings to run their course without intimidation, improper influence or undue pressure.

“Political disagreements must be pursued through lawful channels, and judicial proceedings must be allowed to run their course without intimidation, improper influence or undue pressure,” she said.

Koome also called on journalists to uphold accuracy and responsibility when covering electoral matters and court proceedings, noting that media reporting plays a crucial role in informing citizens and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The media plays a vital role in informing citizens, promoting accountability and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions,” she said.

She urged journalists to distinguish allegations from established facts and political commentary from judicial determinations, while pledging continued engagement with the media and the public to improve understanding of electoral justice processes and counter misinformation.

As the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election, Koome said electoral preparedness remains a top institutional priority for the Judiciary.

“The Judiciary remains firmly committed to doing its part in safeguarding constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” she said.

“Our promise to Kenyans is that, whenever electoral disputes arise and are properly brought before our courts, they will find an independent, impartial and competent Judiciary ready to administer justice in accordance with the Constitution and the law.”

International film CALL ME QUEEN made its highly anticipated Kenyan debut at the 2026 NBO Film Festival (Prestige Cinema, Ngong Road on 17 October, 2026) ahead of its theatrical release across East Africa on 30 October, 2026 followed by an online release via YAKWETU™ from 13 November 2026.

The red carpet premiere welcomed German producer Gian Piero Ringel, director Emily Atef and lead Rwandan-French actress Eliane Umuhire, alongside Kenyan actors: Nice Githinji, Helen Keli, Peter Kawa, Michelle Tiren and Lwanda Jawar Kotengo, among the film’s 150+ Kenyan cast and crew members.

Directed by award-winning German-born French-Iranian filmmaker Emily Atef, CALL ME QUEEN stars Eliane Umuhire as Queen Achungo, alongside Irish actress Denise Gough, with Charlie Carrick, Dominic West, Laurent Lafitte and Danny Sapani.

The Kenyan cast includes Michelle Tiren, Nice Githinji, Lwanda Jawar, Helen Keli, Peter Kawa and Eddie Kimani, bringing together an international ensemble for a story firmly rooted in Kenya's history and social realities.

Set in Nairobi during the 1990s, against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, CALL ME QUEEN follows Queen, a Rwandan refugee and single mother living in Korogocho, whose determination to provide for her children, leads her to become a housekeeper for Anna, an international journalist living in an affluent Nairobi suburb.

What begins as an employer–employee relationship, develops into an unexpected friendship between two women from vastly different worlds, challenging their perspectives on privilege, inequality and the value of human life.

When Queen discovers she is HIV-positive, her personal struggle becomes part of a wider fight for access to life-saving medication, at a time when treatment remains beyond the reach of millions.

As Queen and Anna confront the inequalities shaping access to healthcare, the film examines the intersection of poverty, pharmaceutical patents, race and political responsibility, while highlighting the resilience of individuals and communities determined to fight for change.

Speaking about the film, director Emily Atef describes Queen as “The undisputed heroine of the film. A woman whose resilience and natural leadership emerge, as her personal struggle grows into a fight for her community. Her strength, humour, fearlessness and innate intelligence is what makes her a born leader. Queen and the people around her, take control of their own struggle, and fight for change on their own terms.”

Inspired by true events, the screenplay is based on veteran foreign correspondent Lara Santoro's novel MERCY. It was written by Atef, alongside Kenyan-Ghanaian screenwriter Hawa Essuman, German filmmaker Josune Hahnheiser and British writer Jeannine Dominy. The production brings together international filmmaking talent, and a largely female Kenyan cast and crew, placing local experiences at the centre of a story with global relevance.

Distributed across East Africa by Crimson Multimedia, and by YAKWETU™, CALL ME QUEEN opens in cinemas across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda on 30 October 2026, followed by an online release via YAKWETU™. Audiences can look forward to experiencing this powerful story of friendship, resilience and the fight for a more equitable world.

Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Managing Director of Crimson Multimedia and Co-Founder of YAKWETU™ says, “This film deserves to be watched widely, we have therefore pushed for a release across East Africa’s cinemas, and also Online via YAKWETU™ where cinemas cannot reach the audience.”

The film is an international production by Ringel Film, Les Films Pelléas, Cowboy Films and Streetcar Productions, in co-production with Zischlermann Filmproduktion, Construction Film and Ascent Films. It is dedicated to the memory of Appie Matere, the visionary Kenyan film and television producer, who collaborated with Ascent Films as a producer on the project before her passing. The distributors invite partnerships for impact screenings, focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing & treatment, equal access to healthcare, women's empowerment and social justice. 

With its compelling performances and intimate portrayal of two women whose lives become intertwined, CALL ME QUEEN revisits a defining period in Kenya's history, while raising questions about dignity, equality and access to life-saving treatment that remain relevant today. The film offers audiences an opportunity to engage with a Kenyan story, told through an international lens, bringing renewed attention to the people and communities whose struggles have shaped the fight for healthcare justice.

Kenya today launched the US$160 million Thamani Asili Programme at Tsavo West National Park, marking a significant milestone in thecountry's efforts to secure sustainable financing for wildlife conservation, ecosystem protection and community development.

The launch was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, who represented president William Samoei Ruto, President of

The ten-year initiative brings together the Government of Kenya, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Enduring Earth and other conservation partners to safeguard Kenya's natural heritage while strengthening community livelihoods, water security, climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.

Under the programme agreement, the Government of Kenya has committed US$80 million, matched by US$80 million in philanthropic support mobilized through TNC and its alliance partner, Enduring Earth. Using the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model, Thamani Asili establishes a long-term financing framework designed to move conservation beyond short-term funding cycles towards predictable investment, institutional accountability and measurable results.

Over the next decade, the initiative will support conservation across 31 Counties contributing to Kenya's ambition to bring at least 30 per cent of its lands, inland waters and near-shore ecosystems under effective conservation and management.

This includes establishing approximately 2.7 million hectares of conserved areas, improving the management of 11 million hectares of existing conservation areas, and enabling communities to better manage a further six million hectares.

The programme is expected to directly benefit approximately 1.6 million people, with a further 3.9 million potentially benefiting from improved land governance, natural resource management and nature-based economic opportunities.

Investments areexpected to support approximately 7,800 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs, creating opportunities in ecotourism, sustainable grazing, carbon initiatives and other nature- based enterprises.

Thamani Asili will initially focus on four priority landscapes: Tsavo to Coastal, Greater Ewaso, Greater Rift to Western, and Southern Kenya.

These landscapes are critical to biodiversity, wildlife movement, water security, climate resilience and the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.

In the Tsavo-to-Coastal landscape, the programme will support improved ecosystem management, strengthen responses to human-wildlife conflict, protect critical water sources and promote sustainable community enterprises. Across the other landscapes, interventions will support rangeland management, wildlife corridors, endangered species conservation, land-use planning and community-led natural resource governance.

Working alongside communities, county governments, conservation partners and other stakeholders, the Kenya Wildlife Service will play a key role in translating these investments into practical conservation outcomes, including wildlife protection, improved human-wildlife coexistence and sustainable management of protected areas and connected landscapes.

Speaking at the launch, KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga emphasised that successful conservation must protect both wildlife and the livelihoods, cultures and heritage of communities living alongside it.

“In Tsavo, conservation is not just about protecting wildlife; it is about protecting a way of life, honouring the cultures and heritage of our communities, and securing a future where people and wildlife thrive together. When elephants and livestock drink from the same water points, we are reminded that we share one landscape and one responsibility.

“Our communities are not separate from conservation; they are its heart. Together, we must ensure that the people who live alongside wildlife are not only its custodians but also beneficiaries of its value. Because when communities thrive, wildlife thrives,and our natural heritage lives on for generations to come,” said Prof. Kanga.

Ademola Ajagbe, Regional Managing Director for Africa at The Nature Conservancy, said Thamani Asili represents a fundamental shift towards predictable, long-term conservation financing, with community leadership and tangible benefits at the centre of its implementation.“Thamani Asili is a shift from short-term, project-based conservation to a long-term, sustainably financed model that secures Kenya's natural heritage for future generations. By aligning government, communities, conservation partners, and the private sector under a shared framework, the initiative will create lasting benefits for nature, livelihoods, and climate resilience at a national scale,” said Ajagbe.

He added that the programme's success would ultimately be measured by the difference it makes in people's lives and the opportunities it creates for communities to benefit from conservation.

“The true measure of Thamani Asili will not be the size of the fund. It will be the life of a herder made more secure by healthier rangelands; the young person who finds dignified work in the green economy; the woman who grows a conservation enterprise; the farmer whose soil holds more water; and the family that can prosper alongside wildlife.

“That is why community leadership is not an addition to this initiative. It is its centre of gravity,” said Ajagbe.

The programme will be administered through the newly established Thamani Asili Fund for Kenya, an independent conservation trust fund responsible for managing and disbursing programme financing and tracking progress against agreed conservation targets.

Thamani Asili is also expected to contribute to avoiding approximately 7.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2035, reinforcing the link between nature conservation, climate action and economic resilience.

The initiative supports Kenya's Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), national climate commitments and global biodiversity goals.

By aligning long-term financing with measurable conservation outcomes and community priorities, the partnership seeks to ensure that protecting nature also strengthens livelihoods, creates economic opportunities and safeguards Kenya's natural heritage for future generations.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced the extension of the county’s Baba Care free medical services to November, following a significant increase in the number of patients seeking treatment at public health facilities.

Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa, Nassir said the growing number of patients visiting county hospitals demonstrates the strong demand for the free medical programme, prompting the county government to extend the services beyond October.

“The number of patients coming to our hospitals has gone up significantly, and this shows that our people really want this free medical service. This is why we have decided to extend Baba Care in our county medical facilities to November, instead of ending it in October,” Nassir said.

The governor added that the county government had also installed additional medical equipment in its health facilities to strengthen service delivery and improve hospitals’ capacity to handle the growing number of patients benefiting from the programme.

"We have also put in place more equipment in our facilities to help in this,” he said.

The additional equipment is expected to complement the extension of the free medical services by enhancing the capacity of county hospitals to respond to the increasing demand for healthcare.

The extension of Baba Care reflects the county government’s efforts to expand access to healthcare and ease the financial burden of medical expenses on households, particularly residents who face challenges accessing affordable treatment.

Nassir said the decision to extend the programme was informed by the public response to the initiative and the need to ensure residents continue benefiting from free medical services as the county works to improve healthcare delivery.

Kayole Starlets forward Calta Nasambu has secured a move to Haymana Spor Kulübü, which competes in the Turkish Women's Football Super League.

This marks a significant milestone in her career and highlights the opportunities created through Safaricom Chapa Dimba.

The 21-year-old, who previously featured for Barcelona Ladies SC in Laikipia before joining Kayole Starlets in February 2026, left for Turkey on Monday 20th October to join her new club.

Her contract runs from October 2026 to the end of the season in May 2027, with an option for an extension.

Nasambu joined Kayole Starlets alongside Barcelona Ladies SC teammates Sonia Wambui and Naomi Nanjala.

Since joining the Starlets, she has played a key role in helping the team finish sixth in the Kenyan Women’s Premier League last season.

“This is a dream come true. It has always been my prayer to play outside the country, and today, I am heading to Turkey. I believe this is just the beginning, and I will do my best to go even further. Safaricom taking me to Spain through Chapa Dimba opened the door to international opportunities, and I cannot thank them enough. I am also grateful to Barcelona Ladies SC and Kayole Starlets for believing in me and giving me a platform to showcase my talent,” said Nasambu.

At Haymana Spor Kulübü, Nasambu will reunite with her former Kayole Starlets teammates Lavin Achola and Euphrasier Shilwatso, who joined the Turkish club in August.

Nasambu first rose to prominence during the fourth season of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, where she represented Barcelona Ladies SC and emerged as the competition’s top scorer, helping her team qualify for the national finals in Kisumu.

Her performances at the regional and national finals earned her a place in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars team that travelled to Huesca, Spain, in 2025 for a week-long training camp.

While in Spain, she also earned an opportunity to train with Huesca’s women’s first team after impressing during friendly matches played as part of the tour.

Born and raised in Sikhendu, Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, Nasambu developed her football career at Barcelona Ladies SC in Laikipia under the guidance of coach Emman Wafula Gullit before moving to Kayole Starlets, where she continued to develop her skills and showcase her talent.

"Calta is one of the most talented players at Kayole Starlets. The way she controls and possesses the ball clearly shows that she has a bright future ahead of her. As a club, we are happy that she has earned the opportunity to join Turkish women’s football club Haymana Spor Kulübü for the remainder of the season. I wish her all the best as she takes this important step in her career,” said Faith Odit, Team Manager of Kayole Starlets.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba is a nationwide football tournament targeting young people aged 14 to 17.

The initiative provides young footballers with a platform to showcase their talent, compete at a high level, and pursue opportunities both on and off the pitch.

Through the tournament, talented players gain exposure, access to professional development opportunities, and pathways to advance their football careers.

Businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal has called for unity and collective action among Mombasa political aspirants, saying the county’s transformation will depend on their ability to work together towards a common goal.

Shahbal made the remarks during a meeting with Mombasa aspirants at the New Democrats Party offices in Mombasa, where he shared his vision for the county’s future and urged leaders to put aside their differences in pursuit of a shared development agenda.

He said Mombasa needed a united approach focused on political change, economic growth and social development to create opportunities and improve residents’ livelihoods.

I believe that the future of Mombasa depends on our ability to work together towards a common goal,” Shahbal said.

He outlined three key areas he believes should guide the county’s transformation: a Political Revolution, an Economic Revolution and a Social Revolution.

"Together, we must champion a Political Revolution, an Economic Revolution, and a Social Revolution that will create opportunities, empower our people, and improve the lives of every Mombasa resident,” he said.

Shahbal stressed that political and personal differences should not undermine the collective responsibility of leaders to address the needs and aspirations of Mombasa residents.

“Our differences should never stand in the way of our shared responsibility to build a better Mombasa,” he said.

He further emphasised the importance of teamwork and a shared vision, noting that cooperation among leaders would be essential in pursuing meaningful change across the county.

“Through unity, teamwork, and a shared vision, we can achieve the transformation our people deserve,” Shahbal added.

The meeting comes as political leaders and aspirants continue engaging on the future direction of Mombasa ahead of the 2027 General Election. Shahbal’s message centred on the need for collaboration and a common development agenda to address residents’ social and economic aspirations.

His proposed three-pronged approach places political transformation, economic empowerment and social progress at the centre of his vision for Mombasa.

Nyali parliamentary aspirant Said Abdallah has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting education and empowering young people after visiting schools across Nyali Sub-County to encourage candidates ahead of their final examinations.

Abdallah used the visits to motivate learners, interact with teachers and issue success cards as a gesture of encouragement ahead of the crucial examinations.

He said the initiative was intended to inspire confidence among candidates and remind them that their efforts and aspirations matter to the wider community.

“I believe in supporting and uplifting our community through learning,” Abdallah said, adding that he looked forward to returning to celebrate the learners’ success when the results are released.

He commended the candidates for their dedication and determination, urging them to remain focused throughout the examination period.

“Your hard work will surely bear fruit. Your success is our pride,” he said.