Coca-Cola has launched its 2025 Christmas Caravan at the Coast, officially ushering in the festive season in the region with a celebration focused on joy, kindness, and community connection.

The Coast activation forms part of a nationwide Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan tour that kicked off in Nairobi last month with a Christmas-themed street party that marked the start of the brand’s annual festive campaign.

Following the Nairobi launchwhere thousands gathered for music, dance, and the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) the Caravan has travelled across Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Eastern, and Nairobi regions, engaging communities through mall activations and community visits.

This year’s campaign is anchored on Coca-Cola’s global theme, “The World Needs More Santas,” which encourages people to spread kindness through small but meaningful actions.

Speaking during the Coast launch at Pirates Beach in Mombasa County on Saturday, December 14, 2025, Ruth Mwake, Market Service Officer at Coastal Bottlers Limited, said the initiative celebrates everyday acts of generosity.

“We are celebrating the real Santas within our communities—people whose selfless actions embody the true spirit of Christmas,” Mwake said.

The Coastal leg of the Caravan, which attracted hundreds of residents, will run until December 21, with stops planned at malls, markets, and neighbourhoods across Mombasa.

Loyce Odhiambo, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Manager, said the festive season is a time for reflection and reconnection.

"Christmas invites us to pause, reconnect, and appreciate the moments and people that matter most,” she said.

Residents who participated in the event welcomed the campaign, saying it created a sense of belonging and appreciation.

“I received a gift and felt truly valued. It’s a wonderful way to spread joy during the festive season,” said Jacklin Wayua, a trader at Pirates Beach.

The Caravan features immersive cultural experiences alongside the distribution of locally valued essentials, including soda, goats, chickens, fish, and chapati flour.

A highlight of the global campaign is a refreshed version of Coca-Cola’s iconic “Holidays Are Coming” commercial, developed using generative AI in partnership with Silverside AI, blending nostalgia with modern storytelling.

Coca-Cola is also inviting Kenyans to share their personal “Santa moments” on its digital platforms, aiming to inspire a nationwide spirit of generosity, togetherness, and festive cheer

Evans Momanyi, Chairman of the Capital Youths Caucus, has called on the media to strengthen its role as a watchdog for the public, urging journalists to remain firm in holding leaders accountable.

Speaking during an end-year party for KBC Mombasa staff, Momanyi emphasized the trust citizens place in journalists to expose wrongdoing and safeguard public interest.

“It is you, the media, that we will look up to and depend on. Your duty is to ensure you report and highlight any wrongdoings in our society and also put our leaders on toes,” he said.

Momanyi also urged the government to guarantee that the media operates in a free and conducive environment, stressing that freedom of the press is essential for any democratic society. He appealed to authorities to respect and protect journalists’ rights as they carry out their watchdog role.

“The government must ensure the media works in a free space. Freedom of the media and freedom of expression are not privileges they are rights that must be upheld,” he added.

He further called for unity among the Mombasa media fraternity, noting that collaboration and solidarity are crucial in navigating the challenges facing the industry.

Momanyi encouraged journalists across different stations and platforms to support one another, share resources where possible, and foster a spirit of mutual respect to strengthen the region’s media landscape.

The Mombasa City County Government, in partnership with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), today launched the “Slow Down or Face the Consequences” mass media campaign to deter speeding alongside the release of the Mombasa Road Safety Report 2024.

The Mombasa Road Safety Report 2024 presents updated data and trends on road traffic deaths and injuries, revealing that speeding remains one of the leading contributors to crashes in both Mombasa and Kenya at large. Observational data collected between December 2022 and August 2024 show that speeding remains a major and persistent challenge in Mombasa, with 20–27% of vehicles exceeding posted speed limits and average travel speeds rising from 39 km/h to 44 km/h during the period.

SUVs and pickups/light trucks recorded the highest levels of speeding, followed closely by sedans, motorcycles, and minibuses posing heightened risks to vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and passengers.

Speeding was also found to be more common on weekends than weekdays, reflecting increased risky driving behavior.

These trends underscore the urgent need for intensified enforcement and public awareness efforts, making the speeding campaign both timely and critical for reducing preventable crashes in Mombasa.

 Running for one month, the campaign tagged “Slow Down or Face the Consequences”— highlights how speeding endangers the most vulnerable road users and highlights the legal consequences of violating speed limits.

The Coast Regional Traffic Officer and the Mombasa Inspectorate have issued strong warnings to the public and motorists to adhere to the recommended speed limits or face the full consequences of the law. The campaign is timed with enforcement operations, which will be carried out on high-risk corridors to reinforce safe speeds throughout the festive season.

The Coast region police will be able to use the newly acquired speed radar devices to enforce speed limits more effectively. This will be complemented by recent training and additional equipment, including reflector jackets and beacons.

The campaign will also be displayed on billboards, radio public service announcements, social media, and community sensitization efforts.

Coast Regional Traffic Officer George Kashimiri noted that this is a critical moment for the region to commit to saving lives by strengthening enforcement operations during this high-risk period.

“Through enhanced enforcement, we will ensure that motorists adhere to safe speeds and that all road users are protected. We urge everyone to be cautious on the roads and to follow the recommended speed limits throughout this festive season and beyond.”

Mombasa County Transport Minister,  Daniel Manyala, said that this campaign is a crucial step toward addressing the rise in speed-related crashes and strengthening the county’s overall road safety efforts.

"This report underscores the critical need for strengthened enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and targeted engineering interventions to address the most dangerous corridors and intersections. Together, we can reverse these alarming trends."

Dr. Raphael Awuah, Regional Technical Advisor for Africa at Vital Strategies, said, "The increase in road traffic deaths and injuries in Mombasa underscores the urgent need for a holistic approach to road safety. Findings from this report provide an opportunity to assess trends, identify high-risk groups, and develop targeted interventions to save lives. We applaud the Mombasa City County Government’s dedication to timely, accurate data collection on road traffic deaths and injuries which informed the launch of their new campaign to reduce speeding.”

Last year, during the 2024/25 festive season, the “Slow Down Speed Kills” speeding campaign run by Mombasa County Government and National Transport and Safety Authority reached nearly half of Mombasa’s adult drivers, yet the post-campaign evaluation exposed critical gaps, many motorists did not notice enforcement operations, over 20% still reported feeling safe driving above the speed limit, and more than 30% said it was acceptable to break the limit when they felt “in control.”

These findings make it clear that a stronger, more visible enforcement effort is essential this year.

This data helped shape the “Slow Down or Face the Consequences” campaign development.

The report identifies the county’s top five high-risk corridors: Mombasa–Nairobi Road, Mombasa–Malindi Road, Likoni–Ukunda Road, Port Reitz–Airport Road, and Makupa Causeway, underscoring the need for targeted and sustained interventions. The "Slow Down or Face the Consequences” campaign will run throughout the festive season, combining enforcement, public sensitization, and data-driven strategies to protect all road users. 

Standard Bank (Trading as Stanbic in Kenya), Africa’s biggest bank by assets, has partnered with Safaricom Telecommunications, Kenya’s largest telecommunications provider, to provide funding of USD138 million (approximately KES 17.94 billion) as part of investment towards Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia PLC, STEP.

The bank acted as the sole arranger, lender, and facility agent on the term facility to STEP and played an advisory role. Standard Bank’s financing facilitates Safaricom’s ongoing rollout of digital infrastructure and services in Ethiopia.

Dr Joshua Oigara, Regional Chief Executive for East Africa, Standard Bank Group, said, “This partnership reflects our commitment to enabling sustainable growth across the region. By supporting the expansion of digital connectivity in Ethiopia, we are strengthening economic linkages, opening new opportunities for businesses and communities, and contributing to the advancement of East Africa’s digital economy.”

Anthony Ndegwa, Executive Vice President for Telecoms, Media and Technology at Stanbic Kenya’s Corporate and Investment Banking, said, “We are honoured to have partnered with Safaricom again in enabling and supporting their ongoing vision to drive digital transformation and inclusion in Ethiopia.” 

The two businesses worked side by side in the development of the financial solutions that were bespoke to the business while responsive to the market’s needs.

Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom Plc Chief Executive Officer, said, “As a business, we are guided by innovation and strategic partnerships. We aim to transform lives at scale, empowering youth, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities to fully participate in Ethiopia’s digital economy and realise the promise of shared prosperity by 2030.” 

“Through this partnership we are given the opportunity to pursue this goal and grow further to digitally enable Africa,” added Ndegwa.

The telecommunication company acquired licence to operate in Ethiopia in 2021, and Standard Bank was one of the advisors and financiers who worked with them as they deployed services and built the network in the country.

The government of Ethiopia has also been deliberate in growing their economy through adaptation of regulations which has resulted in a significant growth in the uptake of internet.

According to the World Bank report, Empowering Ethiopians by Laying the Digital Foundations for Economic Growth, between 2020 and 2024, at least 4 million more people gained internet access, increasing coverage from 15 to 19 percent of the population.

Although each of the new mobile users has access to broadband internet, not all use data, so 4 million is a minimum estimate for new internet users.

Safaricom recently announced 10.1 million three-month active customers, after only being in the Ethiopian market for four years.

“As a bank we are dedicated in partnering with relevant parties to drive infrastructure development that will help accelerate the growth of the continent’s economy. Digital and financial inclusion in the African market has been one of the key objectives to break barriers and enabling individuals, communities and businesses to access affordable financial products and services that meet their needs,” says Taitu Wondwosen, Head of Standard Bank in Ethiopia.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in unlocking long term value. Standard Bank remains committed to enabling growth across the region through sustainable investment,” adds Dr. Joshua Oigara, Regional Chief Executive for Stanbic Bank.

Coast General Hospital has achieved a major medical breakthrough after successfully performing an advanced breast cancer management procedure, the first of its kind in any public hospital in the coastal region.

The landmark operation marks a significant step forward in expanding specialised cancer care for patients across the Coast region.

The beneficiary of the pioneering procedure was a young mother of one who underwent a Left Skin Sparing & Skin Reducing Mastectomy (SSM/SRM) with immediate reconstruction using a Latissimus Dorsi (LD) muscle flap. For aesthetic balance, the surgical team also conducted a right breast reduction to achieve symmetry.

The complex surgery was performed by a specialised team led by Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon Dr. Maryam Badawy, supported by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ruth Njoroge and Consultant Anaesthesiologist Dr. Khadija Maawy.

"Beyond removing the cancer, the procedure restored the patient’s self-image and psychological well-being, a vital step in her healing journey." reads a statement from the hospital

Blankets & Wine, a GoodTimes Africa production, is gearing towards the Kenyan Summer 2025 edition taking place on Sunday, December 2025.

The Kenyan Summer 2025 edition is set to deliver one of the boldest and most musically diverse lineups in Blankets history, featuring an explosive Kenyan lineup of stars including Iyanii, Matata, Okello Max, Ssaru, Bridget Blue, Elsy Wameyo and Shad Mziki, creating a powerful blend of Afro-fusion, Gengetone, soul, R&B, rap-dance and contemporary African pop. 

Taking center stage are South Africa’s Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa), the duo at the forefront of the global Amapiano wave, Tanzania’s chart-topping sensation Marioo of the “Nairobi” hit fame, whose smooth, melodic anthems have defined a regional sound and UK’s Donae’o bringing London’s unmistakable dance energy to Nairobi, with his iconic hits “Party Hard” and “I’m Fly” at the Onja Onja Stage.

South Africa’s Mi Casa will add their signature mix of house, jazz and soul, rounding off a continent-spanning lineup built to electrify the main stage. 

This year’s theme, “COME WE DANCE!” in partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, invites Kenyans and Africans at home and across the diaspora to immerse themselves in joy, rhythm and connection. Amid global uncertainty, the festival calls audiences to find release and celebration in the music and energy that define today’s African soundscape.

The Onja Onja Stage continues the momentum into the night, with an eclectic selection of electronic, house, Afro-house and alternative sounds from Foozak, Tina Ardor, Ms. Mika, Darkfruit, Shishi and a high-energy back-to-back finale from Aly Fresh, Mura and Big Nyagz — ensuring that every corner of the festival pulses with unstoppable rhythm.

Following Blankets & Wine’s successful and historic UK debut in Bradford earlier this year under the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, the partnership now extends its cultural exchange back to Nairobi.

This continued collaboration underlines a commitment to two-way creative engagement, linking artists and audiences between the UK and Kenya. The British Funky House trailblazer Donae’o joins the festival as a co-headliner, as part of this exchange and deepening the artistic dialogue between the two creative ecosystems.

Muthoni Drummer Queen, Creative Director of Blankets & Wine says, “Our debut in Bradford, UK this year, proved that the Blankets & Wine experience travels and that African creativity resonates globally. Bringing Donae’o to Nairobi is a full-circle celebration for us, showing that the UK/Kenya Season is not a moment but a movement.” 

As Blankets & Wine enters its 17th year, the festival is elevating production and user experience with renewed commitment. Muthoni says, “For years, we’ve worked tirelessly to delight audiences through exceptional artistry and dependable production. Now we are sharpening our operations, sound, staging, hospitality and accessibility to deliver an experience that is world-class at every touchpoint.” 

Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at B&W, emphasizes: “Each edition strengthens the cultural ecosystem. We are deeply focused on service excellence and creating a seamless experience from entry to exit.”

Returning this season is the Onja Onja Market, a diverse holiday marketplace showcasing Kenyan fashion, food, art, wellness and lifestyle brands.

The market is curated to celebrate local creativity and commerce, for festival goers to discover and support Kenyan artisans while enjoying the full Blankets & Wine experience. With two dynamic stages, a star-studded pan-African lineup, an elevated production design and a richer cultural marketplace, the December 21 Kenyan Summer edition promises to be one of the most exciting and musically powerful Blankets & Wine festivals to date.

After a much-anticipated hiatus, The Wine Fair officially returns to the Coast with its Mombasa Edition, promising a multi-day celebration of premium wines, culture and lifestyle experiences set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

This year’s edition unfolds as a carefully curated wine journey, bringing together international wine bodies, renowned producers, importers, creatives and wine lovers through a series of exclusive pre-events leading to the main fair on Saturday, 13th December 2025 at English Point Marina.

A Week of Curated Wine Experiences The festivities kick off on Wednesday, 10th December, with an exclusive pre-Wine Fair Yacht Party in Shanzu, hosted in collaboration with Wines of South Africa (WoSA) and Boland Cellar Wines.

Set aboard a luxury yacht, the intimate affair will feature guided tastings, exquisite coastal canapés, and the official unveiling of Boland Cellar’s refreshed packaging by Christopher Burger, International Sales Manager—setting the tone for a sophisticated wine week.

Following this, WoSA will host an Influencer Lunch in Diani, bringing together digital tastemakers and media for an immersive South African wine experience curated to spotlight storytelling, pairing and coastal elegance.

On the eve of the main event, guests will be welcomed to an Importers & Winemakers Dinner at English Point Marina a private, invitation-led gathering designed to foster meaningful connections between global producers, Kenyan importers, industry leaders, and hospitality professionals.

The Main Event:

The Wine Fair Mombasa Edition Saturday, 13th December 2025 | English Point Marina The highlight of the week culminates in The Wine Fair, a vibrant, lifestyle-driven wine exhibition featuring: Curated wine tastings from premium local and international importers Free educational masterclasses led by expert sommeliers DJ entertainment and live performances throughout the day A creative Sip & Paint experience overlooking the ocean A refreshing welcome spritz made with Deuce Gin for all guests Immersive brand activations, artisan showcases and interactive experiences Designed to be both educational and celebratory, the fair offers something for seasoned wine enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike—blending wine culture, music, art, and coastal luxury into one unmissable experience.

About The Wine Fair.

The Wine Fair is Kenya’s premier wine lifestyle platform, known for curating immersive wine experiences that connect consumers with producers, importers, and global wine stories—through taste, education, and culture. 

KO Fight Night by ANZA MMA made history on Friday, December 5th, 2025, delivering Kenya’s first-ever professionally sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts event at Broadwalk Mall, Nairobi.

After developing the region’s amateur MMA scene, ANZA brought together top professional fighters from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for a groundbreaking night of elite competition and world-class production never before seen in Kenyan combat sports. 

The sold-out arena was electric from start to finish, with every fighter stepping into the cage determined to make a statement and every single bout ending in a decisive finish.

Fans watching online were also able to experience the action through a high-quality live stream, which showcased world-class production, staging, lighting and broadcast standards.

The broadcast was elevated by expert commentary from Julio DeSouza (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Co-Founder of Nairobi Jiu-Jitsu Academy) and dynamic hosting by Alex Holi, further cementing the event’s professional calibre.

The night drew Kenya’s top entertainment heavyweights, including Savara, Octopizzo, Boutross, with Nviiri the Storyteller and Boutross thrilling the audience with live performances between fights.

The event seamlessly blended elite sport with premium entertainment, setting a new benchmark for combat sports in Kenya and East Africa.

Kenyan standouts Ouhsummer Ali Abad, George Itumo and Kelvin Odongo ignited the venue with dominant first-round victories on the main card. Odongo’s explosive performance earned him the KO of the Night bonus.

Tanzanian fighters: Dauda Rajabu and Rashidi Mlegelo delivered equally commanding performances, with Rajabu earning Submission of the Night honors.

The event showcased a level of professionalism that drew attention from global MMA organizations — including UFC PFL and AKO — who are monitoring East Africa’s rapidly rising talent.

Daniel Kijo, Director of Marketing & Operations – PFL Africa was also in attendance, as a show of PFL Africa’s interest in ANZA MMA and developing local talent. 

MAIN CARD RESULTS

• Ouhsummer Ali Abad “Ninja Turtle” (Kenya) defeated Stephen Rackara (Uganda) – Round 1 TKO (Ground & Pound) - Featherweight 

• George Itumo (Kenya) defeated Joel Ssemanda (Uganda) – Round 1 TKO (Ground & Pound) - Bantamweight 

• Kelvin Odongo (Kenya) defeated Jonani Tugume (Uganda) – Round 1 TKO (Strikes) - Heavyweight 

• Dauda Rajabu (Tanzania) defeated Farouk Ogwal (Uganda) – Round 1 Submission (Triangle Choke) - Flyweight
  
  

PRELIMS RESULTS

• Rashidi Mlegelo (Tanzania) defeated Justin Okot (Uganda) – Round 1 Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - Featherweight 

• Annet Rose Kiiza (Uganda) defeated Rael Ashubwe (Kenya) – Round 2 TKO (Ground & Pound) - Flyweight 

• Moses Musisi (Uganda) defeated Joakim Ikalakala (Kenya) – Round 2 Submission (Mother’s Milk) - Welterweight 

With a full card of finishes, an energized crowd at Broadwalk Mall and a broadcast production meeting international standards, KO Fight Nights by ANZA MMA set a new precedent for MMA events in East Africa.

Peng Chen, Founder of ANZA MMA, shared his excitement: “Tonight was a historic moment not only for ANZA MMA but for Kenya and East African combat sports. The athletes delivered world-class performances, the fans brought unforgettable energy and the entire country proved it is ready for elite professional MMA. We are so thankful to all the fighters, the whole combat sports community and the media fraternity for being supportive and collaborative, this has been instrumental in our journey towards building the sport of MMA in Kenya and East Africa,” adding, “Next year, fans can expect to see more ANZA MMA amateur and pro fights in Nairobi and different regions in the country.”

Realization of the Bill of Rights is a collective effort that requires collaboration and partnership among the three arms and two levels of government, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Senator Hillary Sigei has said. 

Speaking when he officially opened the 2025 High Court Human Rights Summit in Nairobi, Senator Sigei explained that the protection of human rights, cannot be left to the Courts alone but instead requires harmonised leadership: ethical, disciplined, and forward-looking.

He noted for instance that difficulties experienced in implementation of the African Court judgment in the situation of the Ogiek people remain a sobering reminder that judicial pronouncements often require coordinated State action to become reality.

He highlighted resource constraints, institutional fragmentation, emerging social tensions and implementation gaps as challenges that continue to undermine the impact of many progressive decisions.

He acknowledged the important role played by the High Court as the primary guardian of respecting, protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights, and to redress any violation, threat or infringement, the Senator noted that the High Court has continued to discharge this duty with jurisprudential courage adding that decisions the court has rendered demonstrate a Judiciary attuned to contemporary human-rights concerns and willing to confront institutional inertia, social prejudice and policy gaps.

“The Court has rendered decisions that have affirmed the legal identity, health rights and non-discrimination of intersex persons and other marginalized groups, protected the freedom of citizens to lawful assembly, to picket and to present petitions before state authorities, and deepened protections related to privacy, data protection and lawful surveillance.”

He assured that Parliament is ready to work with the Judiciary and all actors in advancing sustainable justice reform and safeguarding the dignity of every Kenyan.

He said it has also continued to strengthen the human-rights architecture through legislation, oversight and budgetary stewardship.

He called for continued building of a Republic where power is exercised with humility, where leadership is guided by integrity, where citizens are protected by the law and not endangered by it, and where institutions anchor, rather than distort, the constitutional promise.

“Let us commit to greater respect for constitutionalism, unwavering fidelity to the rule of law, ethical leadership at every level of public life,” said Senator Sigei.

He asked leaders in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, to model the constitutional morality, standards and benchmarks they expect from the citizenry. 

"We must speak consistently against violations of rights, whether committed by State agencies, private actors or even the public during political contestation. We must affirm that constitutionalism is not a shield for some: it is a responsibility for all,” he said.

He avered that this year’s theme “Upholding Human Dignity: Ethical Leadership as a Pillar of Constitutionalism” reminds each arm of government that constitutional authority is not an entitlement; but a moral responsibility anchored in integrity, fidelity to the rule of law, and respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every Kenyan.

Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya noted that the summit comes at a time when public trust in governance institutions is declining. 

She assured that the Judiciary will continue to stand as the national citadel of hope— a place where citizens burdened by injustice find a wellspring of integrity, discipline, and moral courage.

She said when the Constitution elevates ethics to an entire chapter—Chapter Six, this is not accidental but a clear instruction from the people of Kenya that integrity, accountability, and moral clarity must define public service.

High Court Principal Judge Eric Ogola noted that this year’s theme aligned with the transformative vision of the Constitution saying that the summit provides an opportunity to explore ethical leadership in depth, considering how principled leadership across all public institutions strengthens constitutionalism and ensures that human dignity remains central to governance.

“We remain committed, as the High Court, to giving full effect to the principles of Chapter Six of the Constitution, ensuring that leadership at all levels upholds integrity, accountability and public trust,” Justice Ogola assured.