President Uhuru Kenyatta has decried the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Africa saying the situation had reached global emergency levels.

He said Covid-19 had exacerbated the already dire global GBV situation and called for urgent corrective action by the international community.

"Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, and turned Gender Based Violence into a global emergency. Emerging data indicates a surge of at least 25% in violence against women around the world," President Kenyatta said.

The Kenyan Head of State spoke on Wednesday evening during a panel discussion at the opening session of Generation Equality Forum (GEF) in Paris, France. GEF is a global gender equality gathering convened by UN Women and co-hosted by Mexico and France.

President Kenyatta, who is accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), James Macharia (Infrastructure), and Prof Margaret Kobia (Gender), is in Paris on a two-day Official Visit during which he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

President Kenyatta noted that GBV is a global challenge affecting over 36 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years and pointed out that Africa had recorded a spike in gender related violence in the last one year.

He said Cameroon (35%), South Africa (37%), Central African Republic (50%), Liberia (50%), and Kenya (50%) had recorded some of the highest increases or GBV on the African continent in the last twelve months.

Once again, President Kenyatta reiterated Kenya's commitment to ending all forms of GBV by the year 2030 saying, the country will continue tightening its anti-GBV policies by adopting relevant international treaties including the ILO Convention 190.

"Kenya has made significant progress in addressing Gender Based Violence. I have made a personal commitment to end Female Genital Mutilation during my tenure and to end all forms of Gender Based Violence by 2030 as envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.

He said Kenya will invest over 23 million USD in GBV prevention programmes by 2022, and increase budgetary allocation to 50 million USD by 2026. The investment will include an annual 1 million USD research fund and a GBV survivors kitty.

Further, President Kenyatta announced Kenya's elaborate plans to introduce data supported policies in its anti-GBV efforts including a specific module in next year's annual demographic health survey, roll out of an electronic information management system, and integration of GBV in the country's ambitious universal health coverage program.

On enforcement of GBV laws and policies, President Kenyatta said Kenya will implement an integrated national police service response mechanism dubbed 'policare' as well as establish GBV recovery centres in all of its 47 counties.

At the session hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and attended by several global leaders among them UN Secretary General Antonio Guteress and EU Council President Charles Michel, President Kenyatta rallied the international community to commit more financial resources to the global fight against GBV.

"To meaningfully deliver on these commitments will require substantial funding. It is my hope that a key outcome of the GEF will be a significant increase in funding from international partners to boost domestic efforts to eliminate GBV," President Kenyatta said.

US Vice President Kamala Harris, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel also addressed the opening session of the three-day global conference.

Other notable speakers were Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin, President of Mexico Andres Obrador and his Argentina counterpart Alberto Fernandez as well as former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Melinda Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina.

 In their speeches, Prime Minister Marin and Mrs Gates announced financial commitments of 150 million Euros and 2.1 billion US Dollars in new funding for the global gender equality agenda.

Former Baraka fm presenter Eliakim Mwachoni has finally made a comeback to the media industry after a three - year hiatus.

He has been appointed as Head of Radio Ngoma.

Radio Ngoma is a new station based in Kitale Town, it will formally start broadcasting on July 1st. It will mainly cover the North Rift and Western Regions.

Mwachoni will also be hosting the breakfast show, Power breakfast that will feature discussions on current issues and newspapers reviews among other issues.

Speaking to Ommy Dallah, Mwachoni said "I am ready to face this new challenge and I thank God for this opportunity" 

Adding " As you know I also used to host the breakfast show at Baraka fm, so it is not something new. Listeners should be ready for new, fresh and unique content from us as Radio Ngoma".

Mwachoni left Baraka fm in 2018 to pursue personal business.

Tanzanian RnB heartthrob Juma Jux has just acquired a new Mercedes Benz AMG.

The singer shared the good news with his fans on Monday evening, posting live instagram videos  of the new German machine being delivered at his home in Daresalaam.

The most surprising part is that the 'Unaniweza' hitmaker has decided to name the new car 'Huddah'.

In a previous interview with one of the local news outlets in Tanzania, Jux said he regards her as his sister though admitting that that she possesses 80 per cent of the qualities that he says he is looking for in a woman.

“Ni msichana mrembo, ana asilimia kama themanini hivi ya vigezo ninavyovihitaji kwa mwanamke, lakini hiyo haifanyi mimi na yeye tukawa wapenzi, namheshimu kama dada yangu na tumekuwa tukishirikiana sana kwenye kazi, isitoshe Hudah ana mtu wake,” said Jux.

In a separate interview, Huddah on her part disclosed that she is smitten; charmed by Jux’s swag and looks, and, underscored that she would not mind if the two dated.

Huddah was quoted saying "I think he is a man I can get into a relationship with. He is single I think and I am available too. I love his swag, he knows how to look good,''

More fuel was added to the fire after they were spotted together in Zanzibar last year (2020) and kept on sharing similar videos on their social media pages.

In one of the videos, Huddah was spotted in all her immaculate glory standing in the background of Jux’s shot that he took while posing with a horse. Another video showed her relaxing at a balcony with a man's foot in black sandals similar to those worn by Jux on that similar day as he had shared on his instagram.

Tanzanian singer Harmonize has suffered a setback after his latest song 'Sandakalwe' was pulled down from You Tube.

The song was blocked  after a copyright infringement claim from music distribution company,Empire.

"This video contains content from EMPIRE, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds” reads a message from YouTube. 

The audio which was released on Friday, June 25 had already attracted over 600,000 views on You Tube and was among the trending songs.

Harmonize's management, Konde Gang has not yet released any statement concerning the issue so far.

This is not the first time that Harmonize is going through the experience, in 2020 July, a song (Amen) he had just released was pulled down on copyright claims, this is after Rosa Ree claimed Harmonize had sampled beats from her hit song Kenyor Aleng’.

In November 2019, the song UNO was also pulled down from YouTube after Kenyan Producer Magix Enga filed a copyright strike. He also accussed Harmonize of sampling his work without permission.

Sarova Hotels and Resorts has re-opened its Nairobi City Hotel, Sarova Stanley, to the public after a temporary closure last year following the COVID-19 outbreak that hit the globe.

The re-opening mirrors optimism in the industry, that despite the challenges facing the hotel industry, players are resilient. 

In recent times hotels across the country have been focusing on creating an environment ready for guests as travel begins to resume normalcy.

The city hotel’s popular restaurant Thorn Tree, located in the heart of the capital, has however been operational during the period in line with the stipulated guidelines from the authorities, offering a diverse menu of food and beverages to customers.

Sarova Stanley was the very first luxury hotel that was launched in Nairobi City in 1902, more than a decade before World War 1. 

It is the hallmark of heritage that has, for more than a century, played a key role in the growth of Nairobi as a city as well as in the conservation of tourism in Kenya.

Featuring a pool terrace and 3 restaurants, Sarova Stanley offers an eclectic mix of dining and entertainment options.

The Pool Deck Restaurant is located on the fifth floor and serves al fresco buffet-style meals. The Thorn Tree Café is an open-air, bistro style café while the Thai Chi offers authentic Thai cuisine.

The Exchange Bar on the first floor is an elegantly decadent, plush lounge bar and home to the Nairobi Stock Exchange since incorporation, for a period of over fifty years.

Over the years Sarova Hotels and Resorts has grown to become an exemplary hospitality group known both locally and globally for its commitment to preserving Kenya’s heritage and top-notch standards of service as evidenced by its diverse properties across the country.

Ugandan legendary singer Jose Chameleone real name Joseph Mayanja is planning to retire from music after more than 20 years in the industry.

Chameleone who broke into the limelight in the 1990’s and has had a successful career revealed that he is planning to retire in the next 8 years, when he hits the age 50.

In an interview with Uganda's Galaxy FM, the 42-year-old singer said he’s no longer young and energitic.

“Right now am 42 years and it’s true am no longer energetic as I was before. I can nolonger go around stages jumping. I have been around the music industry since I was 13 years. I’m going to step down for the younger artistes.” Chameleone said.

On matters music beef, Chameleone said he has been in the industry long enough and seen it all.

"You canot find me in musical fights anymore because I am contended, I have almost seen everything" he said.

The ‘Valu valu‘ Hit maker is not only popular in Uganda but East Africa with multiple hits and awards under his belt. He has groomed several artists including his brothers Weasal, the Ak-47, Radio, King Saha among others.

In starting to prepare for life after music,the singer has in the last year’s slowed down his pedal in the music arena and even trying his hand in politics .He recently ran for the Kampala city Lord Mayor post but lost.

Kenya will host the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally every year until 2026, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced.

The President said the Government secured the hosting rights of the elite motorsport event from the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the WRC after years of intense lobbying and preparations.

"It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to announce, that we have agreed, with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the World Rally Championship (WRC), to continue hosting the Safari Rally in Kenya, every year until 2026," the President announced.

At the same time, the President announced immediate Government plans to commence preparations for next year's WRC Safari Rally.

"In this regard, my administration will immediately start preparations for the next Safari Rally event, and I commit the required financial investment towards another successful championship in Kenya," he said.

President Kenyatta spoke on Sunday at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute (KWSTI) in Naivasha, Nakuru County when he presided over the presentation of prizes to winners of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally.

The grueling three-day event was won by French driver Sebastien Ogier followed by his Toyota teammate Takamoto Kasutsa of Japan while Hyundai's Ott Tanak of Estonia finished third.

Onkar Rai navigated by Drew Sturrock was the highest ranked Kenyan driver in position seven followed by Karan Patel and Carl 'Flash' Tundo in eighth and ninth positions respectively.

With the successful hosting of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally, the President said Kenya had demonstrated to the world that it was prepared to host global events despite the logistical challenges posed by Covid-19.

President Kenyatta reminded Kenyans that he had fulfilled his 2013 promise to bring back the WRC Safari Rally after years of absence.

“I am proud to say that after a 19 year-long pause, the Safari Rally is back home! Our efforts have paid off. We have staged a remarkable 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally that has challenged both man and machine, and which will be remembered for many years to come,” he said.

The President, who is the patron of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally, noted that the Kenyan leg of the world series event had confirmed the huge potential held by the country as a global motorsport destination.

“We dreamed and we delivered. We planned and we succeeded. Through all of our collective efforts, it is now certain that ‘the greatest show in motorsport in Africa’ will continue to thrill and inspire long into the future,” the President said.

The Head of State congratulated the 2021 Safari Rally participants and encouraged those that didn't succeed to press on for better results in future events. He wished quick recovery to those injured during the three-day showpiece and invited them to participate in next year's event.

Sports CS Amina Mohamed expressed satisfaction with the running of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally saying, the motorsport event had met international expectations.

“We want to thank you, Your Excellency. Your initiative to return the rally to our country and your support towards the planning and the hosting of the 2021 WRC Safari Rally has enabled this iconic and memorable event to take place,” CS Amina said.

Other speakers at the 2021 WRC Safari Rally closing ceremony included FIA Deputy President Graham Stalker and Kenya Motorsports Federation Chairman Phineas Kimathi. Mr Kimathi doubles up as the CEO of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya.

Earlier, President Kenyatta was joined by several national leaders among them former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui at the Power Stage Finish of the WRC Safari Rally at the competition's Hells Gate Circuit.

At a separate event, President Kenyatta officially opened KWSTI's pavilion at the institute’s grounds in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

President Uhuru Kenyatta today unveiled the Shs 10 billion Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development Project, a Government initiative aimed at uplifting income of fishing communities along the Kenyan coast.

President Kenyatta said the immense opportunity provided by the project must be exploited to generate investments, create jobs, increase tax revenues and sustainably improve local livelihoods.

He emphasized the need to commercialize the country’s enormous marine resources for the benefit of Kenyans by creating well thought strategic national systems to ensure landing of more than 300,000 metric tonnes of fish annually and in turn create at least 60,000 jobs over the next 10 years.

The World Bank supported project seeks to create over 60,000 new jobs in the fishing sector over the next decade and will benefit 19 sub-counties in Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu Counties.

Speaking at the projects launch, the President said the project is part of the Government's post Covid-19 recovery efforts adding that the initiative, to be rolled in 5 years, will lead to sustainable utilization of Kenya's marine fisheries resources.

“When successfully completed we expect this project to contribute to sustainable exploitation of Kenya’s marine fisheries. This represents a new dawn in the development of the coastal region; and it is a key pillar in my administration’s job and wealth creation agenda,” the President said.

Alongside livelihoods project, the President outlined several other interventions the Government is implementing to expand opportunities for employment and wealth creation in the emerging blue economy sector.

He listed the creation of a dedicated office to deal with oceans and blue economy, the revival of Liwatoni fish Port and Government's plan to set a fish processing factory in Lamu as some of the ongoing projects in the fisheries sector.

On capacity building in the sector, the President said the Government had designated the Bandari Maritime Academy to be the centre of excellence in training of seafarers and fisherfolk.

“Building the capacity of our fishers to world standards is an essential part of this effort. The enhanced management framework, under the Oceans and Blue Economy Office should ensure that fishing vessels licensed to operate in our waters provide job and training opportunities for our fishers and young people,” the President said.

Coast Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River) and Fahim Twaha (Lamu) hailed the project is a new frontier in improving the livelihoods of fishing communities and spurring growth of related industries in the region.

Mombasa Governor Ali Joho said the lives of people living at the Kenyan Coast were closely intertwined with fishing and called for investments and policy reforms so as to ensure the sector benefits more people.

On his part, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya who is also the Chairman of Jumuiya ya Pwani-a regional grouping of the six Coastal counties, called for the integrated development and exploitation of the blue economy and other sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure, tourism, education and training.

 Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives Peter Munya also spoke at the event which was attended by his Treasury counterpart Ukur Yattani, Chairman of the blue economy initiative Gen. (Rtd) Samson Mwathethe among other senior Government officials and regional leaders.

SAMA nominated group, Sauti Sol has released the music video for "Rhumba Japani" - their current lead single, featuring Bensoul, Xenia, Nviiri The Storyteller, Okello Max and NHP.

"Rhumba Japani" is a celebratory, trap inspired single with jazzy live instrumentation. 

With rhumba meaning dance, the group and enlisted features embody the jovial experience through the visuals of the music video. Sauti Sol takes fans on a pop art experience with the jovial and celebratory music video, with visuals lending from the sonic experience of the single.

The music video is available on YouTube. Click here

The music video’s release comes off the back of the group celebrating the one-year anniversary since the release of their fifth studio album 'Midnight Train'. Overall, the leading Kenyan quartet has had a lot to celebrate in the New Year.

Besides the release of their "Rhumba Japani" music video the group are the ambassadors of the newly launched Infinix Note Pro10, faces and partners of the Pace Sol wireless pods and the stars of the newly launched television show, Sol Family. This as they still call the shots as founders of Sol Generation.

About Rhumba Japani:

“There's a Congolose band called Rhumba Japan. We used to go watch them play at a pub in Nairobi after our practice to avoid rush hour bus fare, [that way it was affordable to go home later]. The jam is an ode to them and the significance of those times in our journey.”  explains Sauti Sol.

The construction of a youth centre in Changamwe is on it's final stage.

The centre funded by Changamwe NGCDF at sh 3.6 million will also comprise of a recording studio.

"We are investing in young people through creative arts which we believe can promote a positive impact in our society. Inspection work conducted by my office at the Changamwe Youth Resource Center, Chaani Ward whose work is almost complete." reads a post from the area Mp Omar Mwinyi.

Adding "The Center will not only allow artists to record their music, but will present opportunities to our youths in the vast digital world creating an avenue for socializing and brainstorming."

Speaking to Ommy Dallah, the Changamwe NGCDF projects co-ordinator Samuel Omondi revealed that the construction is 90% complete.

"This project will play a big role in empowering our youth who as you know have been having some challenges like unemployement. The first phase is 90% complete" said Omondi.

The second phase will also include an ICT hub.