Rachel Habona Maliwa famously known as Pokomo Princess is a young Kenyan music artist currently based in Malindi, Kilifi county.

She has recorded several songs including Unavyonipa, Sio Shida zangu, My Boy, Tsea, Moto among others.

Early this year she got two nominations at the  E360 Awards, she was nominated as "The breakthrough female artist of the year” and her song 'TSEA' nominated as "The song of the year.”

In an exclusive interview with Ommy Dallah, Rachel opens up about her music and more.

1...Briefly describe yourself, who is Rachel?

Rachel is a Kenyan Songwriter, Recording & Performing Artist populary known as Pokomo Princess.

2...How old are you?

When it comes to age , we ladies are always sweet 16, we don't grow old at all.

3... Why the name Pokomo Princess?

The name is derived from my background, where it helps me to represent my community with taste of our culture in music and arts. 

4...What first got you into music?

Music has been there in my lineage though I started loving music at a tender age of 13 years while in Church Choir.

5...Who inspired you to make music?

This is something that is rooted in our family where my father and grandparents were all musicians.

6...How would you describe the music that you typically create?

My music is more African culture, expressing love of my land fused with urban taste that soothes the mind and soul.

7...What is your creative process like?

My creative process is not complicated, it is  about daily activities, life experience and educational, where you know truth doesn't contradict at all.

8...Who would you most like to collaborate with?

When growing up I used to have several artists in mind but with time and life experiences, things have changed and I learnt alot of creating my own foundation first before collaboration, though am open for anyone who need to feature me in their projects.

9...If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Like I have said earlier, through life experience I have learnt alot on that, life experience is the best teacher, I would prefer the new artists who are starting up now, though right now am working on building my own foundation in all areas of music plus entertainment scene.

10...What is one message you would give to your fans?

There is alot in store and I appreciate alot their support since day one. I would wish them to get in touch with me on all  my social media platforms which is  'Pokomo Princess' where they will also be posted on all my new projects. NAWAPENDA SANA'. God Bless you.

11...Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

I can't deny that, because sometimes I just find myself singing a new song.

12...What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

Music is too much sauce in me, though am an accountant by profession, I could be in that area or doing some farming.

13...Which famous Musician do you admire?

I mostly get into likes of Celine Deon, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson, and other few artists in Africa, Nandy and Nyota Ndogo, I May not sound exactly like them but they stand to a place where they speak both inner peace and physical. 

14...If you could change anything about the Kenyan industry, what would it be?

If I were to change anything in our Industry, I would change the process of all, from creations, sound, market and way of reaching out audiences which I can’t say more about it because am working towards the change.

15...What’s next for you?

Change is envitable, that will let my fans to keep posted on all my digital platforms to see what is cooking plus I got alot in store. Check out Pokomo Princess on all social media platforms.*

Mombasa County Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed has noted with concern the shocking rise in cases of rape and defilement of teenage girls in the county.

According to Zamzam, it is high time that authorities and leadership take action to address the issue.

Speaking while issuing bursaries, Zamzam noted that there have also been cases of school girls being sexually abused by close relatives and neighbours.

"It is very sad that there are some people who have taken advantage of the fact that some of our girls cannot access sanitary pads, they end up abusing them sexually" said Zamzam.

The Mp called on Chief Justice Martha Koome to deploy more magistrates to deal with cases of rape in the county noting there has been a backlog of the cases at the Mombasa court.

Zamzam noted "We have so many cases of rape that have not yet been resolved. I would like to appeal to our CJ to deploy more magistrates to Mombasa to deal with this cases and perpetrators brought to book."

She further called on President William Ruto to revert the school girls’ sanitary pads programme from Education ministry to that of Gender.

"As Women representatives in our respective counties we are the ones who interact with these girls on a daily basis and are the ones who can easily distribute the sanitary pads. I would like to appeal to our president to ensure that the programme is reverted to the gender ministry" argued Zamzam.

Leading online sports betting company 22Bet has announced the appointment of Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones as their new brand ambassador.

The announcement marks the beginning of a new partnership between 22Bet and the award-winning artist, who is widely recognized as one of the most talented and influential musicians in Kenya.

Khaligraph Jones, whose real name is Brian Ouko Robert, has been a major force in the Kenyan music scene for over a decade, and has won numerous awards for his work, including the coveted Soundcity MVP Award for Best Hip Hop in Africa in 2020.

Speaking at the press briefing, Khaligraph Jones expressed his excitement at being named the new brand ambassador for 22Bet.

"I am thrilled to be partnering with 22Bet, a company that has established itself as a leading player in the sports betting industry. As an artist, I am always looking for new and exciting ways to connect with my fans, and I believe that this partnership will enable me to do just that. I look forward to working with 22Bet to create engaging and innovative content that will resonate with our audiences." said Jones

For its part, 22Bet emphasised the importance of the partnership with Khaligraph Jones, saying that the rapper's popularity and influence in Kenya and beyond made him an ideal choice as their new brand ambassador.

"We are delighted to welcome Khaligraph Jones to the 22Bet family," said a spokesperson for the company.

Adding "As a brand, we are committed to working with the best and most talented individuals in all areas of our business, and we believe that Khaligraph Jones is the perfect partner to help us connect with our customers and fans in new and exciting ways."

The partnership between 22Bet and Khaligraph Jones is expected to lead to a number of exciting new initiatives, including social media campaigns, live events, and exclusive content for 22Bet customers.

With Khaligraph Jones on board as their new brand ambassador, 22Bet is looking forward to continuing to grow its brand and connect with its customers in Kenya and beyond.

After a long wait, Mombasa based Banadri FC has finally unveiled their new replica jerseys.

The jersey is a representation of the team's identity, with the iconic blue and white stripes and the club crest prominently displayed on the front

Through it's official social media page, the club announced that fans can now get the new jerseys at the club's official ground, Mbaraki sports grounds.

"Mliitisha, tunawapa . Jezi za viwango vya juu zimefika .Kwa sasa, zitapatikana uwanjani Mbaraki kuanzia kesho, mpaka tutakapowatangazia sehemu zingine, kwa bei ya Sh. 2,000 pekee.Kesho njoo uwanjani kifua wazi, jezi utavalia huku" reads the tweet.

According to a source at the club, various outlets will be opened as well as online shops to sell the replica jerseys and other merchandise such as mugs and towels.

Residents of Changamwe and who are staunch viewers of  Boss television station have appealed to president William Ruto to help revive the station he unveiled last year and which has ever since shut down.

President Ruto launched the station in December 2021 during the campaign period and is said to have promised to support it but it has since shut down due to what is believed to be harsh economic times.

Among the viewers is Pastor Kennedy Omondi of light of salvation church, who regretted that since the station was unveiled by President William Ruto, while he was then the deputy president it is no longer operational.

It is not clear what could be ailing the station but residents who spoke to this blog revealed that the station shut down due to harsh economic times thus rendering hundreds of youth jobless.

 “We ask the president to help in reviving the station so that we can get benefits that we used to get when the station was live, we ask the president to honour the promise he made to help in sustaining the station,” said pastor Omondi.

Another resident John Mukaria said the boss tv channel that broadcasted most of its news from the locality should be revived to help locals continue enjoying local content.

“We are asking that Boss Tv be revived, it used to give us the best local content that we couldn't get anywhere else because the station is based in Changamwe Mombasa,” said Mukaria saying that the matter should not be seen as political.

According to James Kimondiu,a staunch viewer of boss Tv, residents are now unable to get local content after the station was shut. They claim many youth have lost jobs and talents gone to waste after it was closed.

“We are no longer getting local news like we used to get, it’s unfortunate that the station was opened by the then deputy president William Ruto last year, and has now shut down, we ask him in the spirit of hustler to help it be revived,” said Kimondiu.

Adding " This station provided job opportunities to our youths around here, they used to support their families through this station. Mr. President you promised to uplift the lives of hustlers and local mwananchi please help us in this."

Former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho has quietly arrived in the country after being away for some months.

Joho arrived in the country on Friday evening from the United States (US).

The former county boss was last seen in public during the swearing-in ceremony of the current Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, on September 23, 2022 at the Mama Ngina Waterfront.

Joho who is also known for his taste for the finest things has been posting photographs of himself in Dubai, Netherlands and the US in his instagram page which boosts of over 1.3 million followers, mainly the youth.

Joho was on Monday evening spotted interacting with Mombasa residents after breaking the fast at the busy Makadara street while enjoying snacks from local vendors. He was later spotted in Tudor, at the office of Mvita Mp Mohammed Machele interacting with the legislator and supporters.

The ODM deputy party leader has been quiet on current political affairs in the country even as his party leader Raila Odinga has been leading street protests over the current regime, something that has baffled friends and foes. He was among the vocal supporters of Odinga during the campaigns and was poised to be the Lands cabinet secretary once Odinga takes over the government.

Last month, Joho got netizens talking once again after he was spotted in a hooded jacket estimated to be worth a staggering Ksh.227,150 while in the US.

In the photograph which he shared on his instagram page, he was wearing a minty Moncler's Dincer hooded jacket ,a puffy, white, red and blue stripped fashion show-stopper which according to the official brand site costs about $1,750  equivalent to Ksh.227,150. He was standing next  toa sleek Range Rover whose number plate is designed with his initials 'HAJ.'

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has scrapped medical assessment fee charged to persons with disability in Mombasa as the county seeks to roll out a comprehensive medical cover of the vulnerable groups.

Speaking at Tononoka hall, during an exercise to register persons with autism in the county, Nassir also ordered for immediate mapping of all persons with disability among them children with autism within Mombasa County so that they can benefit from cash transfer programs among other services.

“Money that people with disabilities pay to get medical assessment will be free from now going forward, we will hold meetings with my cabinet to tell them the importance of mapping up all children with disabilities so that they can reap benefits from the county.

Nassir said after the mapping the county will now roll out a comprehensive medical cover of the National insurance fund NHIF to over 10,000 persons in Mombasa with priority given to persons with disability.

“After Ramadhan,in the first week, we will start giving universal health care coverage to over 10,000 families, among them children coming from poor backgrounds,orphans,disability widows and widowers,” said Nassir.

Nassir was responding to a cry by  Mombasa county (NCPWD) coordinator Juliet Ruwa, who decried that persons living with autism have continued to bear the brunt of marginalization in health, education and development due to lack of registration cards.

“We are requesting the assessment money to be scrapped because without that they will not be registered, and they will not also benefit from cash transfer and other services offered, “said Ruwa.

Ruwa said registration of persons with disability in Mombasa will highlight the nature of their disability, it will also easen the burden of addressing their plight and needs without victimization.

“If they fail to get the cards, it will be difficult for them to be recognized as among persons with disability,” she added. She was speaking at Tononoka hall during a meeting convened by the Mombasa county government.

Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has decried delayed disbursement of the county revenue allocation, thus affecting service delivery.

The governor claimed Mombasa is being victimized because it’s leadership is allied to the Orange Democratic Party ODM.Nassir claims that all other counties have received their share, but Mombasa was left out.

“Leadership is not about victimization, leadership is solving problems people have, we must speak, the national government should not be in the fore from to kill devolution, going for four months without money is not easy and we can’t allow that,” said Nassir.

Nassir said Mombasa is struggling to meet some of its functions owing to the delay of the monies for the last four Months. He asked the people including leaders to stay united and focus on development.

“We are saying even if they deny us money, we will thrive, even if Mombasa leadership is ODM ,this does not mean we are less people, and we must talk about the rights of our people, because monies have been delayed,” claimed Nassir.

On his part Jomvu mp Badi Twalib asked leaders to unite and deliver for the people of Mombasa.

“The central government must release funds to counties, because counties cannot manage themselves, let them know that the people of Mombasa also have a right,” said Twalib who urged leaders in Mombasa to stay united irrespective of party affiliations.

The leaders were speaking during an iftar dinner hosted by the Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib, on Saturday evening.

Speaking at the same function EALA Mp Hassan Omar said the government will not victimize anyone instead it will deliver the pledges it gave to the people of Mombasa.

Omar said it is evident that the Kenya Kwanza government is considerate about the Mombasa people when it returned port operations to Mombasa port.

“We want to promise Mombasa people that the government has big plans for Mombasa, we will not victimize anyone, and the plans are underway to ensure as the special economic zone takes shape, we will create more jobs in Mombasa.

Omar further called on Mombasa residents not to take part in the Azimio la Umoja Monday protests.

"Let them continue with their protests in other areas, as for Mombasa let us remain peaceful and ensure that our tourism industry remains steady". said Omar