The Port of Mombasa is projected to handle 1.8 million TEUs by the end of the year 2024.

KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto, on Saturday evening highlighted the port’s impressive performance, announcing that it had surpassed 1 million TEUs, reaching a total of 1,003,208 TEUs by yesterday.

Ruto, who was speaking at the Port of Mombasa during the inaugural visit of MV Ever Vim, a vessel owned by the Evergreen Shipping Line, attributed this success to the port's modernization efforts, a dedicated workforce, and enhanced operational efficiency.

In 2023, the port handled 1.6 million 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), a significant increase from the 1.45 million TEUs recorded in 2022.

"Our projections as a port this year is that we are targeting to do 1.8 million TEUS which is more than ten per cent growth compared to what we handled last year,” said Ruto

The KPA MD also announced that the port set a new performance record in the month of May, by handling 176,000 Teus, which translates to about 6,000 Teus per day.

The staller performance coupled with reduced waiting and turn-around time he said have increased confidence among globally renowned shipping lines to consider using Mombasa port as their port of choice.

“The presence of this vessel underscores the growing confidence that major shipping lines have in the Port of Mombasa. Evergreen are among the top users of our port and we recently welcomed MV EVER VOW, a vessel from the same shipping line, further solidifying our position as a preferred port of call,” he said.

The 3110-TEU capacity vessel is built with green shipping technology and is expected to discharge 2,499 TEUs and load about 2,700 Teus..

The ship’s particulars include a length overall of 209.8 meters, a draft of 11.5 meters and a gross tonnage of 35,697.

During the event, Capt. Ruto presented a certificate of first call to the captain of the vessel Liang Wei, acknowledging the vessel's maiden arrival.

Amr Abdesalam, Evergreen Line headquarter Representative lauded the efficiency at the port of Mombasa saying that this has contributed to them bringing in more vessels to Mombasa.

He said that as shipping line they have no doubt that their vessels are not only safe in Kenya, but the operations are also very efficient.

"We are happy with using this port of Mombasa because it is the best in Africa. This is not coming by chance but due to hard work”

“The performance of the port speaks volume, initially we could wait for five days or more but now has reduced to less than two,” he said.

 Femi One proudly reflects on the impactful milestones achieved by The One For One Foundation, an initiative she launched with a passion for empowering youth and fostering community development.

In February 2023, Femi One officially launched The One For One Foundation with a mentorship event at her former primary school, Murema Primary in Mwiki, Kasarani.

This inspiring event marked the beginning of the Foundation's mission to nurture young minds and provide them with opportunities for growth and learning.

Still in 2023, the One For One Foundation participated in the historic first-ever Menstrual Equity Summit held in Nanyuki. The two-day event featured a remarkable lineup of industry speakers and advocates, bringing attention to critical issues surrounding menstrual health and education. The Foundation's involvement underscored its commitment to addressing essential social issues and supporting young women.

In March 2024, as part of the release of her hit song "B.A," Femi One and The One For One Foundation mentored The Home Family Kenya. The Foundation facilitated a dance performance by the lovely children, celebrating their talents and creativity.

This initiative highlighted the Foundation's dedication to providing artistic and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.

Reflecting on these achievements, Femi One stated, "The journey with The One For One Foundation has been incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the positive impact we are making in the lives of young people and our communities inspires me to keep pushing forward. Together, we are building a brighter future."

The One For One Foundation continues to grow, with many more initiatives and events planned for the future. Femi One remains committed to using her platform and resources to create meaningful change and uplift those in need.

Annette Mulama, has been crowned the World Class Kenya Bartender Champion 2024. Annette who works at the Hero Bar at the Trademark Hotel, emerged victorious in the national finals held at the EABL Headquarters, Nairobi.

She emerged victorious after an intense final round against four other finalists and will now represent Kenya at the global finals in Shanghai, China in September.  

“I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” said Annette after receiving her award. This journey has been an incredible two years of hard work and dedication to my craft and to see it culminate in this victory is a dream come true. I am honoured to represent Kenya on the global stage in Shanghai. I hope to not only display my passion and skills but to also inspire other bartenders in the country to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.” 

The World Class Kenya Bartender Competition began in April with 278 participants facing off in online challenges, including the "Johnnie Walker Beyond a Night Cap" challenge.

This was followed by the "Singleton at the Disco" challenge in May, narrowing the field to 18. In June, these top contenders engaged in studio sessions before the Tanqueray Ten live challenge semifinals on July 4^th . Five finalists emerged to compete for the national title on July 5^th in the ‘Don Julio Classics of the Future’ live challenge.  

While announcing the winner Joel Kamau, Commercial Director EABL said, “I would like to congratulate all the participants on their considerable effort to make this competition a success. At EABL, we are all about celebrating Life. Our finalists have not only displayed their amazing skills but have also showed their deep understanding on how to captivate our consumers whose tastes and preferences continue to evolve. “

The World Class Global finals will take place between the 9^th and 13^th of September 2024 in Shanghai, China.  

President William Ruto has finally bowed to pressure from Kenyans and dismissed his entire cabinet, sending home all Cabinet Secretaries and Attorney general.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Ruto noted that the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who is also the Secretary for foreign affairs is the only one who will remain in office.

"Upon reflection and listening keenly to what the people of Kenya have been saying and after holistic appraisal of the performance of my Cabinet and its achievements and challenges,  I have decided to dismiss with immediate effect all cabinet secretaries and attorney general of the Cabinet of Kenya except the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs," Ruto said.

Adding ""And of course, the office of the Deputy President is not affected in any way."

Ruto said the affairs of the Ministry will be run by Principal Secretaries as he plans to appoint a new cabinet.

"I will immediately engage in extensive consultations across different sectors and political formations and other Kenyans both in public and private with the aim of setting up a broad base government that will assist me in accelerating and expediting the necessary urgent and irreversible implementation the program we have including other radical measures to deal with the burden of debt," Ruto said

For the last few weeks angry Kenyans have been taking to  the streets and social media urging the President to dissolve the cabinet saying it is marred by bad governance and allegations of corruption.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has launched the first edition of the IGAD Statistics Yearbook Facts and Figures.

The book is aimed at helping the IGAD member states in policy formulation and implementation.

Speaking at the report’s launch in Nairobi yesterday, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u said accurate, timely, reliable and comparable data is imperative for analytical work that leads to planning, and policy choices, making decision-making more reflective of the situation.

“When we don’t have timely data, it becomes a major setback as you cannot evaluate, predict, and assess where you are coming from,” said Prof Ndung’u.

The CS highlighted the importance of using accurate data in decision making noting that data collection is not an easy expedition.

"When you use data, you can design policies, programmes, projects and interventions that can correct discourse in development, if not done properly, it becomes difficult to recollect your direction,” he said.

On his part IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware emphasized that the IGAD Statistics Yearbook will serve as a reliable regional data source that provides harmonized statistics across member states, enhancing regional integration, economic development, effective planning, and impactful programming.

"As you know, it is through the availability of accurate, reliable, and timely data that we can develop evidence-based policies and national development plans to achieve the prospects of the IGAD Region—a resilient, peaceful, prosperous, and integrated region where citizens enjoy a high quality of life." said Ware.

Adding " To enhance data accessibility and utilization, we have made concerted efforts to ensure the yearbook is accessible to a wide range of users, including policymakers, researchers, and the public. I encourage all stakeholders to utilize this resource for evidence-based decision-making and to inform regional policies and programs."

Ware further urged urged member states to align their priorities on the global stage.

"Looking ahead, we are committed to ensuring the yearbook's sustainability and continuous improvement in future editions. We are working towards operationalizing our Regional Strategy for Development of Statistics, which aims to strengthen statistical capacities in the region. It is essential that we ensure alignment with the AU Continental Strategy on the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa." he noted.

According to a report in the book  Kenya registered a fiscal deficit of 6.3 percent in 2022, trailing South Sudan which recorded the highest deficit at 6.6 percent.

Uganda was ranked third with a budget deficit of 5.3 percent. The fiscal deficit, which represents the gap between a government’s revenue and its expenditure, highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by the member states.

Kenyan songstress PHY has collaborated with Okello Max on a heartfelt new track, "Nitawakumbusha."

In the song, the singers capture the deep sense of grief felt by families who lost loved ones in the recent protests through reflective, empathetic lyrics and emotive vocal performances.

PHY's lyrics take the perspective of a grieving mother burdened with regrets.

She has witnessed the person she voted for making the decision that led to her son's death.

Okello Max, on the other hand, captures the viewpoint of the fallen son.

He expresses his motivations for marching in the streets and his lack of regrets, even though it cost him his life.

PHY explains the inspiration behind the song, "This has been a revolutionary time for Kenya, with much-needed active participation by the youth. Sadly, people's lives have been collateral."

Adding" 'Nitawakumbusha' is what I imagine the heart of a grieving mother looks like. As a mother myself, I hope to lend my voice on behalf of the families of every courageous individual who went out to march and never came back home."

The song's evocative artwork was created by renowned photographer and all-round creative, Mutua Matheka.

The audio was produced by the fast-rising Nigerian beatmaker JostopacBeatz while mixing and mastering were handled by Trevor Magak.

"Nitawakumbusha" is artivism in action. Each creative involved felt the need to use their art to support the cause.

Together, they aim to call for justice and honor those who sacrificed their lives. This collaboration shows how art can drive social change and bring hope during tough times.

Danish singer-songwriter Mzungu Kichaa who found prominence in Tanzania, released his third studio ‘Fade Away’ this year (March 2024).

Kichaa is in Nairobi to promote the new album that carries and ignites East Africa’s live music sound.

Mirroring his dynamic stage and acoustic performances, his new album embodies live instrumentation, adding an authentic layer to his music and love for a raw musical experience.

The album focuses on having a deeper connection with nature and the importance of being present, content and free from materialistic baggage. 

Mzungu Kichaa’s latest music video of “Fade Away” features fellow Danish artist Wafande.

Shot in Sweden, Denmark, Bornholm and Holland, the video displays a heartfelt collaboration that brings home the song's message of unconditional love of life.

Mzungu Kichaa’s ongoing Kenyan media tour to promote the new album comes four years after his last trip to Nairobi.

He says, “During this period of unrest in Kenya, my message to the youth is to stay positive, loyal to their visions and keep hold of their freedom of speech."

Adding "The track “Uhuru” off my album is about the importance of this right and the most important line in the song is that without freedom, even the birds will not sing and by that I mean the whistleblowers and change-makers within the society will not have a voice.”

Love, loss, gratitude, spiritual progression and the complexities of navigating life’s challenges are among the album’s themes, creating a multifaceted storyline and inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences and aspirations.

Mzungu Kichaa delivers a powerful album with love songs such as “Fade Away”, “Fall in Love” and “London Town”, to the more political songs such as “Uhuru” which touches on freedom of speech.

The exploration of mental health and the interpretation of how we navigate life's uncertainties adds a layer of introspection as seen in songs like “Sleepy”.

With an infusion of adventure and confidence, ‘Fade Away’ champions the pursuit of dreams without compromising on freedom of expression.

Mzungu Kichaa says, “It’s important to be real and vulnerable and this album allowed me to free my inhibitions and the fear of sharing a true voice,” .

Adding, “ I also released a few acoustic versions recorded late at night in one take using vocals and guitar with imperfections. It doesn’t always need to be polished and decorated and I hope my listeners will appreciate this more raw sound.”

All is set for the 5th edition of the Rashid Abdallah super cup.

The edition is set to kick off on August 11th 2024 with 32 teams expected to take part in the tournament, a brainchild of media personality Rashid Abdallah.

Speaking during the launch of the draw in Kwale on Sunday, Rashid said the tournament has recorded a great impact and growth in the society.

"We have so far recorded a good growth, we have some players who have joined the top clubs in our country from this tournament" said Rashid.

Adding " However,  I cannot boast that we have achieved our main goal, it is you the fans and stakeholders who will tell us if the goal has been achieved".

The tournament has so far produced players who have joined some of the best clubs in the country, notable is Hamisi 'Sergio' Mwaphalu who has since joined Mombasa based club Banadari Fc.

The first match is expected to between the defending champions Kitivo United against Mende Fc.

Kitivo Fc walked away with kshs 1.5 million after winning the 4th edition with the second runners up Black Eagles bagging kshs 700,000.

The Changamka Kenya Shopping Festival, an initiative by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), has officially commenced at the Oshwal Community Centre in Mombasa.

This exciting festival offers Kenyans both within and beyond Mombasa City a unique chance to purchase high-quality products directly from local manufacturers at discounted prices, all under the inspiring banner of the Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative in a bid to promote devolved manufacturing.

The festival serves as a dynamic convergence point for Kenyan manufacturers and key stakeholders, allowing them to display their locally crafted products and connect directly with consumers.

This not only boosts sales but also fosters greater awareness and appreciation of Kenya's manufacturing sector. 

"Changamka Shopping Festival is a celebration and a showcase of the diverse, high-quality, and unique products that our local industries produce. It provides manufacturers with a golden opportunity to highlight the excellence and variety of their goods to local, regional, and international markets,” said Ms. Joyce Njogu, KAM’s Head of Consulting and Business Development. 

The Mombasa edition of Changamka comes at a pivotal moment as the government rolls out policies aimed at increasing the manufacturing sector's contribution to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current 7.6 percent to an ambitious 20 percent by 2030. 

KAM Coast Region Chairman Abdallah Athman, urged shoppers from across the county and the country to seize this opportunity to support local manufacturers and benefit from the festival's discounted prices.

He praised KAM for decentralizing the festival, ensuring every county reaps its benefits.

“One of the most exciting aspects of Changamka Mombasa is its representation of a devolved approach to economic development. Since the implementation of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya has embraced a decentralized system of governance, which aims to bring services closer to the people, reduce the cost of doing business, and stimulate regional economic growth,” he noted.

Speaking during the event Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad  Nassir encouraged local businesses to join KAM and take advantage of the platform to showcase their products, thereby elevating their presence on both national and global stages, fostering competition and creativity. 

"The Buy Kenya Build Kenya initiative is more than just a slogan; it is a rallying cry that should echo throughout the nation. By supporting local manufacturing, we can drive job creation and economic development. The Changamka Shopping Festival is a crucial platform that will propel our local entrepreneurs to new heights, enabling them to compete effectively on a continental and global scale,” Governor Nassir emphasized. 

"SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and at Stanbic Bank, we are dedicated to empowering these businesses with the resources and support they need to thrive. We are huge proponents of the "Buy Kenya, Build Kenya" initiative, and remain committed to supporting local manufacturers and SMEs to deliver sustainable economic growth and development in Kenya.’’ said Florence Wanja, Regional Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank. 

As the Changamka Shopping Festival unfolds, it promises to be a transformative event, igniting Mombasa with the spirit of local enterprise and innovation, and paving the way for a thriving Kenyan manufacturing sector. 

Now in its fourth edition in Mombasa County, the Changamka Shopping Festival will run from Thursday, 4th July 2024 to Sunday, 7th July 2024.

This four-day event promises to be a transformative experience, igniting Mombasa with the spirit of local enterprise and innovation, and paving the way for a thriving Kenya.