Ommy Dallah
Raila Returns To Coast Weeks After Ruto's Tour
ODM leader Raila Odinga returns to the Coast region to woo residents to back his 2022 presidential bid.
Raila arrived in Mombasa on Saturday and was received by Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir, he also held a brief meeting with party officials led by the ODM Mombasa chairman Mohammed Khamis Dhee.
On Sunday, Raila is expected to visit Lamu for a series of rallies in Mpeketoni, Mkunguni and Witu.
He is also expected to visit Malindi, Kilifi and Mtwapa on Monday before heading to Mombasa, Kwale and Lunga Lunga on Tuesday.
"Coast region remains our (ODM) stronghold. We will be having a major rally at caltex grounds in Likoni on Tuesday" said a source on condition of anonymity.
Raila's visit comes just weeks after Deputy President visited the region few weeks ago.
Ruto held rallies in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Mombasa.
Shahbal Urges Leaders To Shun Divisive Politics
Mombasa businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal has asked leaders to shun divisive politics that may cause violence ahead of 2022 polls.
Shahbal said there is an urgent need to embrace mature politics and insisted the country is bigger than any individual.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of officials of the Boda Boda safety association of Kenya [BAK] Mombasa chapter held at the famous Tononoka playing ground, Shahbal cautioned the electorate not to allow anyone to divide them and cause chaos and skirmishes before and after the polls.
“Let us respect others' opinions, do not insult someone just because you don't agree with them. Mayhem has no place in the current political dispensation,” he pointed out.
Shahbal who is set to make his third attempt at the county gubernatorial position to succeed incumbent Hassan Ali Joho challenged the electorate to learn to tolerate each other before and after the 2022 general elections.
He condemned the violence which marred Deputy President William Ruto’s campaign tour in Kisumu county.
His sentiments were echoed by Mvita sub county police commander Joseph Ongaya who said the police are ready to face anyone causing violence and disturbing peace.
The law enforcement officers are ready to face and deal with those who break the law ahead of next year’s polls,” he pointed out.
He also warned the association members not to be used by politicians to cause chaos before and after the 2022 polls.
Jambojet Introduces Inflight Entertainment Service
Regional low-cost carrier Jambojet has announced the introduction of In-flight Entertainment (IFE) service for their passengers.
The IFE service, in partnership with Global Onboard Partners, enables customers to access content stored on the IFE box through their mobile and other electronic devices like laptops via a wireless network only available in the aircraft.
“Passengers spend an average one hour on the flight. The in-flight entertainment system will feature Jambojet Destination Explorer and also have videos, games, and reading material to keep them entertained, informed and engaged during the flight,” said Karanja Ndegwa, Managing Director and CEO, Jambojet.
“The in-flight entertainment service also offers an opportunity for corporates and other potential advertisers to promote their goods and services on the platform through video or static image placement,” he added.
With exclusive offers, rewards, and dynamic maps to help passengers find the best places to stay, food to eat and attractions to visit, passengers can use Jambojet Destination Explorer to make the most out of their travel experience and see the best of each incredible destination in Jambojet’s network.
About the new partnership, Global Onboard Partners CEO Kirk Adams says, “Today, we warmly welcome Jambojet as our latest airline partner. Jambojet is an innovative, forward thinking and a digitally focused airline that flies to some of the most popular destinations in Kenya.”
Mr Adams continued, “Our innovative platform has been designed to provide a win-win for everyone through the delivery of destination experiences and special offers to passengers, through important new revenue streams to airlines and at the same time, providing greater access to tourism and hospitality partners to participate at affordable prices and receive direct contact with passengers.”
Jambojet currently flies to seven local destinations namely Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Lamu and Ukunda (Diani) from its hub in Nairobi. The airline also flies to Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Most People Working In Mombasa Unhappy With Their Jobs, Report Reveals
Majority of people working in Mombasa are unhappy with their jobs, a recent report has revealed.
The Kenya Employee Satisfaction Report 2021, released on Wednesday by BrighterMonday, Nairobi has the highest number of respondents who are neutral about their happiness and the majority of respondents in Kisumu are happy with their employer.
“Mombasa has the most unhappy respondents and poses the highest flight risk as the majority sampled are willing to leave their current employer in the next 6 months,” reads the report.
Adding" 52% of Kisumu residents on their part said they are happy with their current roles while 31% are neutral about whether they are willing to leave their current employer.”
classified the respondents into different age groups, where it found that a majority of people between the ages of 18-24 are satisfied with their current employers.
The report also found that those between the ages of 25-35, 36-45 and over 45 are neutral. It also found that there is a high flight risk rate across all age groups, especially among those over 45 years of age.
"Regarding organisational flight risk and employer advocacy by gender, the report shows that men are slightly happier with their employer but pose a slightly higher flight risk than women. This means they are more likely to leave their employer. 43% of them are happy but 55% are willing to leave their job. On the flip side, 54% of women said they are willing to leave their current employer while 42% are happy with their current role.”
A total of 1,760 respondents from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and other cities took part in the research.
We Warned Ruto Against Visiting Kondele - Police
The National Police Service (NPS) has released a statement on violence during the Deputy President William Ruto's tour to Kondele, Kisumu.
In the statement signed by police spokesperson Bruno Isohi, police had earlier warned Ruto against visiting the area after receiving intelligence report of tension in the area.
"Based on inteligence gathered, there was tension within Kondele owing to alledged distribution of campaign logistical funds amongst local groups." says the statement.
Adding " This inteligence was promptly shared by police with H.E Depurt President's team with reccomendation to skip the affected area during the tour".
According to the police, the violence was between the agitated groups who engaged in stone throwing and other unruly behaviour.
During the violence police engaged the youth in running battles, with teargas hurled to disperse the crowd. Some of the youth were chanting pro-ODM leader Raila Odinga slogans.
Some youth pelted his convoy with stones.
Through his twitter handle, Deputy President William Ruto castigated leaders and political groupings that use violence to advance their selfish cause after his rally in Kondele was disrupted and his motorcade pelted with stones, forcing police officers to lob tear-gas at the rowdy crowd.
"The Hustler Nation disassociates with leaders and political groupings that use violence to advance their selfish cause." the Dp tweeted.
Adding "Our plans and programmes will ensure that the youth are liberated from regressive stone-throwing culture by engaging them in gainful activities that will better their lives through the Bottom-Up Economic Model,"
Sauti Sol Joins New E-Commerce Firm Hustle Sasa As Co-Founders
Hustle, the first mobile platform designed for the creative economy in Kenya, has announced Sauti Sol as co-founders.
Hustle enables creators to sell directly to their audiences and get paid instantly. Hustle aims to empower 100,000 creatives across Africa by 2025.
Launching as a mobile app, Hustle, is a central hub for creatives to manage the entirety of their business from creating storefronts, adding physical and digital products, recording orders, and accepting payments.
Creatives can share their unique store link with their audiences on social and messaging platforms and start earning from their fans immediately.
“We’re building mobile-first tools to empower creators to grow their business, build relationships with their fans, and manage their finances,” explains CMO Rizz Jiwani, adding, “We’re excited that Sauti Sol has joined our team. Their success as artists and passion for the creative industry aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Sauti Sol is a Grammy-certified music group who started their career in Nairobi over a decade ago. Their experiences in the local and global creative industry helped shape the Hustle platform.
“We want it to be a creative’s best friend that can cater to all of their business needs,” says Sauti Sol member Bien.
Adding “You can visit my site at bienaime.hustlesasa.shop and purchase my merchandise, album and a special NFT for his newly released EP ‘Bald Men Love Better’. This is the future and we’re excited to take this journey together.”
The creative economy in Kenya is a key contributor to economic growth and employment - it accounts for more than 5% of Kenya’s GDP. This sector includes music, books, performing arts, film, fashion and software industries among others.
“Hustle enables every creative to build an independent business with no setup costs and no monthly fees,” says Sauti Sol member Savara. “We want to make it easy for creators to build business around their passions.”
In addition to Sauti Sol, Hustle is currently powering commerce for creatives in music such as H_art The Band, Harry Kimani, Yaba, and Sylvia Ssaru; digital artists like Kidd Volt and Njero Hanzo; chefs like Ma Phoebe’s and Bagel Studios; fashion designers like Vinzarts and Sharon Otieno, and beauty brands like Ythera and Washindi Naturals.
Why Otile Brown Is Mad With Mbosso And Zuchu
Have you listened to Mbosso and Zuchu new song 'For your love?, well the duo have been accused of stealing the melody.
According to Kenyan singer Otile Brown, the melody of the song belongs to his hit song 'Baby Love'.
Taking to social media, Otile Brown blasted the two Tanzanian singers for stealing his melody.
"Punguzeni mazoea basi..Hio ni melody nzima ya baby love, if you know you know" said Otile.
Adding " Mnabahati sina utoto na roho mbaya".
First Lady Thanks Well-wishers For Supporting Ghetto Classics Transform Lives Of Underprivileged Children
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has thanked well-wishers and partners of Ghetto Classics for supporting the musical group in its efforts to improve the lives of underprivileged children.
The First Lady, who is the Patron of the Art of Music Foundation that runs the Ghetto Classics music education programme, said the support from well-wishers and partners has helped the group to expand the music education programme.
Ghetto Classics, a flagship programme of the Art of Music Foundation founded by Ms Elizabeth Njoroge in 2007, has to date benefitted 1500 children and youth from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds as well as the lives of Korogocho and other satellite communities.
“The theme of this evening is gratitude. The story of Ghetto Classics, and the impact it has made on thousands of boys and girls is truly a special story.
“Many of you here who have worked hard to make this programme a success, I extend my deepest appreciation for your sustaining the vision,” the First Lady said.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta spoke on Tuesday evening in Nairobi during the Ghetto Classics thanksgiving concert attended by Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa among other dignitaries.
The First Lady noted that the scholarships provided by well-wishers and partners of Ghetto Classics have expanded opportunities for many more children, enabling them to participate in the music education programme or pursue further education.
She added that the financial grants from well-wishers and partners have ensured sustainability of the music education programme by helping in the purchase of music equipment as well as provision of learning spaces for underprivileged children who express their creativity and diversity through music.
“United with one voice, you have embraced your civic responsibility and shown that we can help change lives of people who have less opportunities or face challenges. You have contributed in creating opportunities for many many boys and girls,” the First Lady said.
At the same time, the First Lady commended the Ghetto Classics family for embracing innovation that enabled them to offer concerts online at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She also applauded Ghetto Classics for caring for the elderly through food, masks and clothing donations during the pandemic.
“This demonstrates the impact this programme has had in nurturing the spirit of teamwork to produce change. It demonstrates the power we all have, despite our circumstances, to improve lives.
“I congratulate the entire Ghetto Classics family for your solidarity and admire you for the love that you have shown for one another and for your community,” the First Lady said.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said his company’s direct contribution towards supporting Ghetto Classics currently stands at Kshs 90 million.
Mr Ndegwa thanked First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for being the Patron of a great cause, the Ghetto Classics, which he said is transforming the lives of vulnerable children in some of Nairobi's informal settlements.
Other speakers at the colorful celebrations were the Art of Music Foundation Chairperson Rachel Mbai as well as the foundation’s founder and Executive Director Ms Elizabeth Njoroge.
Manolo Releases 'Tawala'
Award winning Kenyan Gospel singer and song-writer Manolo presents his new music video titled 'Tawala', a straight banger.
Check out "TAWALA" Video Here: https://youtu.be/jlv WN6 PhWg
ABOUT THE SONG - TAWALA
It's been three years since Manolo ventured out as a solo artiste, after 6 years in the urban gospel group Recapp.
Within this period Manolo has reinvented himself both as a great songwriter and singer. His music has transitioned from the urban gospel sound into a mainstream sound that endears to a wider audience.
The quality music videos that accompany his singles have also played a part in the massive airplay he has been receiving especially in the year 2020.
Tawala the song is how God reigns over everything. How overwhelming it is that HE exists in and out of time. How everything is HIS. It's a joyful song because God reigning means everything is in good hands and under control.
Manolo has had an impactful music career; having began his professional music career in 2012 as the lead member of Recapp, an urban gospel group, together for 6 years before going solo. As part of Recapp; they released a total of 2 albums – Ambition and Proud to Be a Christian.
Manolo’s won in the Afro-Pop Song of the year category in the 2020 Verse 5ve Awards and his song Testimony was nominated and won in the 2021 Rhema Awards.
He is the founder of Siko Solo; An initiative aimed at creating and sustaining a platform to address mental health issues.
Kenya 3 x 3 Basketball Teams, Shujaa Qualify For Commonwealth Games
Kenya’s Men’s and Women’s 3 x 3 Basketball teams have qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Both teams booked automatic slots by virtue of being ranked second best teams in the continent since Egypt is not a member of the Commonwealth Country.
The games will be held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
This is Basketball 3×3’s first ever appearance at the Commonwealth Games with the more familiar 5 x 5 version of the game being contested twice at the Commonwealth Games, first in Melbourne in 2006 and Gold Coast in 2018.
The men’s team comprises of Fidel Akoth, Ronald Gundo and Martin Buluma while the women are Oluoch Taudencia, Melissa Akinyi, Natali Mwangale and Christine Akinyi.
In 2019, the team participated at the All-African Games and came in fourth then took part in the African Cup Games in Kampala where they finished sixth last year.
