Coca-Cola has officially unveiled Charged, a new sparkling caffeinated beverage, in Kenya’s coastal region, introducing consumers to a bold and refreshing way to stay energised throughout the day.

Following its successful debut in Nairobi last month and rollout in markets such as India, Nepal, Vietnam and South Africa, Charged now expands Coca-Cola’s growing beverage portfolio in Kenya.

Charged is available in two vibrant flavors; Lemon Burst and Electric Pineapple, delivering a refreshing taste combined with caffeine to ensure an unmatched refreshment experience that helps consumers stay invigorated.

“We are excited to introduce Charged to the coastal region, offering consumers a refreshing boost to power through their day,” said Monique Katana, Director of Frontline Marketing, Coca-Cola Kenya.

"This launch highlights The Coca-Cola Company’s dedication to innovation and our mission to provide a diverse range of beverages that meet the evolving tastes and lifestyles of our consumers." 

To introduce the new drink, The Coca-Cola Company and its authorized bottler, Coca-Cola Coastal Bottlers Ltd, is rolling out a dynamic five-day roadshow activation across key locations in Mombasa and Kilifi Counties. 

The campaign will take the Charged experience directly to consumers in high-energy hubs such as Kongowea Market, Likoni Ferry, Tudor, Shimanzi, Jomvu and Kilifi Town.

The roadshow will feature music, live entertainment and extensive product sampling, engaging communities where the region’s daily hustle thrives; from market traders and boda boda riders to students, mechanics and transport workers.

Loyce Odhiambo, Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Coastal Bottlers Ltd noted: “Charged brings bold flavours and is designed for active consumers. 

It is a refreshing way to fuel hardworking people throughout their day, and this campaign allows us to connect directly with communities and be part of their daily lives.” 

Charged packaging reflects the brand’s bold and dynamic personality, featuring a vibrant thunderbolt design that highlights the drink’s invigorating properties, making it easily recognizable on shelves.

Charged is now available across Kenya in 330ml bottles

The Port of Lamu has achieved a historic milestone after welcoming the largest vessel ever to dock at any port in East and Central Africa, further cementing Kenya’s position on the global maritime stage.

On Sunday evening, the colossal MV Baltimore Express, measuring an impressive 369 meters in length overall, arrived at Lamu from Salalah Port in Oman, marking an unprecedented feat for the region’s shipping and logistics sector.

The vessel stretches nearly the length of three football pitches.

The vessel, operated by German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, handled specialized restows of dangerous cargo during its stay, repositioning hazardous goods onboard in full compliance with International Maritime Organization regulations.

Speaking during the vessel’s arrival, Kenya Ports Authority General Manager for Lamu Port, Capt. Abdulaziz Mzee, hailed the docking as a transformative moment for both Kenya and Africa’s maritime future.

“This call lifts Lamu’s profile on the global maritime map and places it alongside some of the world’s most developed ports such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Hamburg,” said Capt. Mzee.

He added that the successful handling of MV Baltimore Express demonstrates Lamu Port’s readiness to serve as a major international transshipment hub.

"Our infrastructure, natural depth, and strategic location make Lamu uniquely positioned to handle the new generation of mega vessels. We are not just competing regionally; we are now entering the league of world-class ports,” he said.

This latest achievement surpasses the previous regional record set in August 2025 when the 335-meter MV Nagoya Express, a sister vessel, docked at the same port.

"This natural advantage gives us a sustainable edge and positions Lamu as the port of the future,” Capt. Mzee emphasized.

Since the beginning of the year, Lamu Port has handled more than 120 vessels, with more ship calls expected in the coming weeks. To support the growing traffic, Kenya Ports Authority is investing heavily in additional cranes, terminal tractors, and modern cargo-handling equipment.

Capt. Mzee also revealed progress in vehicle cargo operations, confirming that 90 motor vehicles out of the 5,000 units discharged in March have already been evacuated from the port.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the county’s education sector through infrastructure development, digital learning, scholarships and vocational empowerment.

Speaking during the disbursement of bursaries for students in private and boarding schools, Governor Nassir outlined several key initiatives aimed at securing a brighter future for Mombasa’s children and youth.

“We are currently constructing 12 ECD centres, and six are already complete,” said Governor Nassir. “Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to quality early education in a conducive environment.”

The governor announced that Mombasa County will soon launch a comprehensive digital literacy programme in schools, where learners will receive tablets to enhance classroom learning and support homework.

“We will be rolling out a digital literacy programme in our schools. Our children will be provided with tablets, which they will use both for learning and doing homework,” he stated.

In a move designed to support working families, Nassir said all ECD centres across the county will also be equipped with daycare facilities.

“The county government will ensure that all ECD centres have daycare services because we understand the needs of our families and working parents,” he added.

Governor Nassir further revealed that his administration is partnering with the Technical University of Mombasa to sponsor 12 students every year to pursue medical studies.

“Currently, we are in partnership with the Technical University to support 12 students pursuing medicine annually. This is part of our broader strategy to invest in education and secure our county’s future workforce,” he noted.

The governor also announced plans to launch the “Skills Mtaani” initiative, which will work with local colleges and institutions to equip youth with practical and marketable skills.

“We will soon roll out Skills Mtaani in partnership with local colleges and other institutions so that our young people can gain skills, secure opportunities and build better lives,” he said.

Nassir emphasized that education remains one of the county government’s top priorities.

“We are investing in our education because it is the future of our children. By strengthening our schools, supporting higher education and empowering youth with practical skills, we are building a stronger Mombasa,” he said.

A section of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) in Mombasa have publicly reaffirmed their unwavering support for Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, pledging to back his leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Saturday during a bursary issuance event presided over by the Governor, the leaders praised his administration’s development record and urged residents to remain united behind his leadership.

Bofu Ward MCA Juma Manuari declared that Mombasa has one clear leader, emphasizing that Governor Abdulswamad has demonstrated his commitment through service delivery.

“As the people of Mombasa, we only have one leader, and that is Governor Abdulswamad Nassir. We will ensure he returns to office in the next election because he has proven his work. To those opponents moving around making noise, they should cool down because they are going nowhere,” said Manuari.

Chaani Ward MCA Frank Hosana also lauded the Governor’s development agenda, encouraging him to remain focused despite criticism from political opponents.

“To our Governor, continue delivering to the people of Mombasa and do not focus on critics. They will always have something to say, but we, as your foot soldiers, will stand firm with you,” Hosana stated.

Mjambere Ward MCA Amriya Juma echoed similar sentiments, noting that the current focus should remain on development rather than early political campaigns.

“This is not yet campaign season. Governor, continue serving the people of Mombasa. When the right time comes, we will address the political landscape properly. You have already achieved significant progress across nearly every sector despite existing challenges,” Amriya said.

Mkomani Ward MCA Eliud Kimari highlighted the Governor’s visible development record across the county, saying residents would ultimately judge him based on his achievements.

“The Governor has taken development to every corner of Mombasa, and his work is visible. This is what the people will use to judge his leadership in 2027. As MCAs, we pledge our support and will continue standing with him in service to the people,” Kimari affirmed.

The bursary issuance exercise formed part of the county government’s broader efforts to support education and uplift vulnerable families, while also serving as a platform for local leaders to express confidence in Governor Abdulswamad’s administration.

By Steven Ole-Naiko, Managing Director, Workforce Staffing Tanzania

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in East Africa are moving forward again after several years of delays. Now, the focus needs to shift to delivering on time and within budget. Project success will come down to execution, which in turn depends on the availability of skilled and experienced people.

Sustainable growth will require a strong pipeline of local skills, supported by partners who can bring in experienced professionals where gaps still exist and ensure effective skills transfer. Without this, projects risk delays, higher costs, and ongoing reliance on expatriate labour, limiting both delivery and local economic benefit.

A critical skills gap

The abundance of LNG resources across Tanzania, Mozambique and Namibia represents a significant opportunity for East Africa to become an important player in the global energy transition. There are, however, not enough skilled and experienced local professionals to support these projects at scale.

Both operators and governments have invested in training initiatives, including partnerships with universities and vocational institutions. However, there is a lack of mid- to senior-level professionals. The gap is concentrated in highly specialised roles across subsurface, offshore engineering and LNG plant operations, as well as digital and automation functions. These roles require not only technical expertise but also experience across full LNG project cycles, which is still limited in the region.

These skills are essential for keeping projects on schedule, maintaining compliance, and ensuring safe operations. Without them, projects face delays, increased costs, and execution risk. Mobilising this expertise is essential and, in many cases, requires bringing in expatriate professionals to fill immediate gaps. This needs to be paired with structured skills transfer to ensure local capacity is developed for long-term sustainability.

Investing early is key to a sustainable local talent pipeline

As these projects get off the ground, international expertise will be necessary to plug the gaps, but long-term success depends on building a local talent base. This requires early engagement with universities and technical institutions to align training with the specific needs of LNG operations. It also requires vocational programmes to be directly linked to the skills needed on-site.

Practical experience is equally important. Structured apprenticeships and on-the-job training will allow local professionals to gain exposure to LNG projects. Over time, this experience helps them progress into more specialised and leadership roles. There also needs to be a focus on mid-career development. Accelerating local professionals into senior positions is essential to reduce reliance on expatriate labour.

Staffing is central to project delivery

Addressing the skills requirements of these projects requires careful planning and the mobilisation of large numbers of specialised professionals, often to short timelines, under strict regulatory conditions.

This includes meeting local content requirements, managing work permits and aligning with national employment targets. As a result, traditional, reactive recruitment approaches often fall short.

A specialist, turnkey staffing partner with a presence in the region is instrumental in managing this complexity. They have access to global networks of experienced professionals who can be mobilised quickly, as well as a thorough understanding of local regulatory and compliance requirements.

Their role also extends beyond recruitment. They support workforce planning, training, and deployment, helping to build a pipeline that is aligned to project needs over time. This ensures a balance between meeting immediate skills gaps and developing local capability for long-term growth.

LNG projects will ultimately be delivered by people

The development of LNG in East Africa is a significant opportunity, but its success will depend on mobilising the right skills at the right time. LNG projects are delivered by people, not just resources. Skilled and experienced professionals help projects stay on schedule, meet regulatory requirements and operate safely. Without them, projects are more likely to experience delays, cost overruns and compliance risks.

Workforce strategy needs to be a core part of project planning. Specialist staffing partners play a central role in enabling delivery at scale while supporting the development of local capability through structured skills transfer. This helps to build a strong local talent pipeline to meet local content requirements and ensure the long-term economic benefits of these projects are realised within the region.

The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) has officially triggered the countdown to the 2026 BAKE Awards, announcing that public voting is now live nationwide. Marking its tenth anniversary, the awards continue to benchmark excellence in Kenya’s digital landscape.

This year’s edition arrives at a transformative moment for the local creator economy. Beyond simple entertainment, the awards aim to recognize the resilience of storytellers who have become influential drivers of public discourse and economic opportunity within a globalized digital market.

The judging process

Before the public cast their first ballots, a rigorous five-week vetting process was conducted to ensure every nominee met professional standards of ethics, consistency, and innovation. 

The 2026 judges were: 

1. Dr. Martin Mburu: Author and academic focused on literary quality.
2. Leo Mutisya: Expert in media policy and civic ethics.
3. Ahmad Salim: Creative strategist specializing in audience connection.
4. Rayhab Gachango: Managing Editor of Potentash and veteran of African storytelling.
5. Vanencia Otieno: Advertising professional with a sharp eye for brand strategy.

From the massive pool of entries, the judges narrowed the field down to five outstanding nominees across 22 diverse categories, ranging from financial literacy to grassroots journalism.

Spotlight on the 2026 Nominees

The 2026 roster reflects a sophisticated evolution in Kenyan content. Notable nominees include: 

1. The Manicured Farmer, recognized for blending agriculture with creative prose
2. Financially Incorrect, which has popularized personal finance through raw video content
3. The Ugunja Magazine, a vital voice for community-driven journalism
4. Sports fans are also represented by high-energy outlets like Eleven Eleven TV
5. The pulse of the city is captured by nominees like Nairobi Lifestyle.

How to Participate

The power now shifts to the public to decide who will take home the trophies. Voting is simple:

1. Visit the official portal at bakeawards.co.ke/vote.
2. Review the five nominees in each of the 23 categories.
3. Submit your choices before the deadline.

Key Dates

• Voting Opens: May 6, 2026
• Voting Closes: June 4, 2026
• Gala Night: June 6, 2026 (Nairobi)

Police in Mombasa have arrested one suspect after foiling an attempted armed robbery at a business premises in Mwembe Tayari early Wednesday morning.

According to authorities, officers from Mombasa Central Police Station were on routine foot patrol when they received a distress call reporting a robbery in progress. The officers responded immediately, arriving at the scene to find three individuals posing as customers who had turned on patrons and staff while armed with machetes, locally known as pangas.

“The suspects had already begun terrorising people inside the establishment when our officers intervened,” a police spokesperson said. “Thanks to their swift response, the situation was brought under control before anyone was seriously harmed.”

During the operation, officers managed to subdue and arrest one of the suspects. A sharp panga believed to have been used in the attempted robbery was recovered from him. However, two accomplices escaped and are currently being pursued by law enforcement.

“The arrested individual is in custody and will be processed and arraigned in court,” the spokesperson added. “Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing, and efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects have been intensified.”

Witnesses at the scene described moments of panic before police arrived. “They came in like normal customers, then suddenly pulled out weapons and started threatening everyone,” said one employee who requested anonymity. “We’re grateful the police got here quickly—it could have been much worse.”

The National Police Service praised the officers involved, highlighting their rapid response as a key factor in preventing the robbery from escalating.

“This incident demonstrates our officers’ vigilance and commitment to public safety,” the spokesperson said. “We remain dedicated to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the security of all Kenyans.”

Police have urged members of the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity as investigations continue.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has formally requested a comprehensive statement regarding the decision to place the Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) under a special regulatory framework by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).

While presenting his request before the Senate under the Standing Orders, Senator Faki called on the Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to provide a clear explanation on the circumstances that led to MOWASSCO being placed under special administration, as well as the legal basis for the decision.

WASREB recently placed MOWASSCO under a six-month special regulatory mechanism pursuant to Section 101 of the Water Act, a move aimed at improving service delivery to Mombasa residents.

“It is important for the Committee to explain the specific reasons that necessitated this action, and whether the company was given an opportunity to address the existing challenges before being placed under special management,” said Senator Faki.

The Senator emphasized that Mombasa residents deserve transparency on the matter, particularly concerning the operational and governance issues that may have informed the regulator’s intervention.

Senator Faki further sought clarification on the measures being undertaken by the WASREB Chief Executive Officer to ensure uninterrupted water supply and sanitation services throughout the six-month intervention period.

“We must ensure that the people of Mombasa continue to receive reliable water services without disruption during this regulatory process,” he stated.

Additionally, he urged the Committee to outline the long-term strategies being implemented to improve MOWASSCO’s performance and guarantee sustainable, efficient service delivery beyond the special oversight period.

Senator Faki also questioned whether there are specific agreements, conditions, or performance benchmarks attached to the intervention, and whether an effective monitoring and evaluation framework has been established to track progress.

“Water is a fundamental right for every citizen. Transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the water sector are essential to safeguarding this right,” Senator Faki added.

The Senator’s push underscores growing concern over water service delivery in Mombasa and reinforces the need for stronger governance, oversight, and reforms to ensure residents receive dependable and quality water services.

The vibrant spirit of Uganda was on full display in Mombasa as the 2nd Uganda Cultural Exhibition brought together leaders, tourism stakeholders, and cultural enthusiasts in a colorful celebration of heritage, unity, and East African cooperation.

Organized by the Uganda Consulate in Mombasa, the event offered guests a unique opportunity to experience Uganda’s rich traditions through music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and cultural showcases, while promoting stronger diplomatic and social connections between Uganda and Kenya.

Speaking during the event, Uganda’s Ambassador Herbert Kiguli highlighted the importance of cultural exhibitions in opening doors for deeper understanding and regional partnerships.

“We are here basically to celebrate our culture. This is a key trigger because it opens up what Uganda is and our culture,” said Ambassador Herbert Kiguli.

He added that the event goes beyond cultural celebration by fostering stronger ties between neighboring communities.

“This is also an opportunity to extend our relationship, strengthen our bonds, and promote greater understanding between our communities,” he noted.

Tourism stakeholders also emphasized the exhibition’s role in positioning Uganda as a key travel destination for Kenyans and international visitors.

Eddy Kirya, Managing Director of Eyalama Tours, said the showcase would inspire more people to explore Uganda firsthand.

“We believe this will make people from here want to travel to Uganda and experience it for themselves. Uganda is very rich in culture,” said Eddy Kirya.

Kirya noted that Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage, natural attractions, and warm hospitality make it a unique destination for travelers seeking authentic African experiences.

The exhibition drew participation from government officials, business leaders, and members of the public, with many praising the initiative for promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and regional integration.

Traditional performances, cultural artifacts, and tourism exhibitions gave attendees a glimpse into Uganda’s identity while reinforcing the role of culture as a bridge for economic and diplomatic collaboration.

The Uganda Cultural Exhibition in Mombasa stands as a testament to the growing partnership between Uganda and Kenya, using culture and tourism as powerful tools to deepen regional unity and showcase East Africa’s shared heritage.