Ommy Dallah
Diani's Shakatak Club Faces Auction
Is it the end of Shaktak disco, the once popular and top notch club in Diani after property agents seized its properties?
Through an advert placed on the Star Newspaper, items belonging to Shakatak Disco are expected to be auctioned over unpaid rent.
The auctioneering which will be carried out by Makuri auctioneers is expected to take place on August 17 in Mombasa.
Shakatak club is owned by German national Jurgen Fuks.
According to Makuri’s executive director Titus Muasya, Shakatak club had failed to pay rent arrears amounting to sh 12 million.
Muasya said the arrears have been piling up for months now before the property owners through Diani property limited decided to seize the club's properties.
“The club owner escaped paying the rent by hoping from one court to the other in a bid to stop property owners from either evicting them or seizing their properties," he said.
Some of the items placed for auction include a Mercedes Benz vehicle, speakers, amplifiers, TV sets, generator, freezers, air conditioners, seats as well as assorted beers and bottles of whisky.
But Mercelyne Njoki of Shakatak said they were in court over the same and declined to comment further over the issue.
“I’m not allowed or in a position to talk about the issue. We are in court over the same,” she said.
She also declined to comment on whether the club was still open or will remain closed due to the new development.
Last year, Fuks moved to court seeking to stop Kenya power (KPLC) from disconnecting electricity in the club over non-payment of sh 80,000 bill.
Fuks said he had paid sh 100,000 but KPLC had threatened to disconnect electricity over the balance.
He said he was in a position to pay the entire amount since he had closed the club following government decision to close down entertainment joints as a measure to curb spread of Covid-19.
The Germany national said the pandemic had greatly affected his income which is contrary to initial where he would pay as soon as he received the bill.
Shakatak is rated among the top clubs in Diani, Kwale County by Trip advisor and other hotel rating sites.
It is one of “must visit club” in Diani and it is not attached to any hotel.
Jomvu Model Hospital Set To Go Digital
The Jomvu Model Hospital is expected to complete the process of digitasing patients records in the next two weeks.
The new electronic medical records management system an initiative of the national government is expected to usher in a new era in the hospital through coordination with the Mombasa county government.
Speaking during a tour of the facility, Jomvu Mp Bwadi Twalib noted that the new system is expected to significantly improve operations at the facility where services will now be paperless.
"This new system will make work easier for our health workers in the facility and also improve service delivery. We will not be seeing patients queueing with books, they will just be walking present themselves to the staff and all their details will be available with just a click of a button" said Badi.
Adding " These are the kind of things that we need for our people, they are already facing several problems so we should not create more problems to them but solutions".
Badi said doctors at the facility will have an easier time getting patients history while patients will be saved the agony of retaking medical examinations due to loss of personal files.
The Mp also revealed that the county government has been able revive several health centres in the constituency including the Jomvu Kuu and Mungusi health centres.
Badi noted "I would like to commend the county government for their efforts and work towards improving our health centres. I also call upon other well wishers and stakeholders to come out nd help us improve our facilities to ensure our people get good services."
On her part Mombasa County Medical services Chief officer Dr Khadija Shikely revealed that the facility will also be undergoing a total facelift and expansion to help cater for more patients.
Shikely also noted that specialised doctors will now be visiting different facilities in the county to handle cases that need referrals instead of sending the patients to the major hospitals.
''Through this system, It will now be easier for our health workers in this facilities to consult with doctors from our major hospitals and treat a patient. We also be rolling this system to other facilities so that they can all be integrated" said Shikely
Adding "We now want to ensure that specialised doctors visit these health centres at least twice a week and avoid taking patients to those hospital. We want to bring services to the grassroots."
Gabiro Mtu Necessary Back With 'Kula Nao' Ft Blak Angel
Fast rising star Gabiro Mtu Necessary has dropped the visuals to his latest release Kula Nao featuring Blakangel, a singer and a producer based in Kisumu.
The video has been produced and directed by Crizo Mzeyah
Watch Kula Nao: https://youtu.be/WW9LKS16H5Q
Song is about friendship and betrayal and was inspired by real life events, how friends betray us, how we stay with them but not know they are enemies (kikulacho ki nguoni mwako).
Speaking about the effects of the pandemic on his musical career, Gabiro says. "COVID-19 has affected my music and personal life a lot because I don't go on tour anymore because of lockdown in other countries, especially Europe where I used to frequent with other bands."
Gabiro intends to focus more on his singles to be released later in the year.
The budding artiste is also back to school pursuing his Masters.
Kula Nao is available for streaming on Boomplay, Audiomack and Spotify.
I'm Still In Mombasa Governorship Race- Mbogo
Kisauni Mp Ali Mbogo has insisted that he is still in the 2022 Mombasa gubernatorial race.
According to Mbogo, the decision run for the governor seat is irreversible.
Speaking to the press, Mbogo outlined his two major agendas which are education and land.
"As you all I have always been passionate about education and I have been able to improve the standards of education in Kisauni by constructing several schools and the issue of bursaries, I now want to extend this to the entire county and ensure all our students from poor backgrounds get scholarship." said Mbogo.
Adding " My other agenda is the issue of land. We must ensure we finish the issue of squatters in Mombasa."
The legislators challenged his main rivals to show the residents what they have been able to do during their tenures and not seek 'favors' from political parties.
Mbogo argued "Go and ask them to show what they have done to the people of Mombasa and you will be shocked. They should stop seeking favors from parties and party leaders. Let us all face the electorates with facts and prove of what we have done for them."
The race has so far attracted several individuals including Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir (ODM), businessman Suleiman Shahbal (ODM), Deputy Governor William Kingi (ODM) and former senator Hassan Omar (UDA).
Mombasa County Official Among Those Nominated For IEBC Commissioner Job
Mombasa County Government official Juliana Cherera is among the four individuals who have been nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta for the position of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries (IEBC) Commissioner.
Others who have also been nominated are Justus Abonyo, Irene Cherop and Francis Wanderi, they are now waiting for vetting and approval from parliament.
Cherera, a former teacher was the second interviewee to face the selection panel on day six of the intyerviews for the position, last month.
During the interview Cherera who currently works at the stategic delivery unit at the Mombasa County government, told the IEBC selection panel that top of her strategy will be to ensure inclusiveness during the election period.
Cherera questioned the nature of elections in Kenya, noting its violent adding that is what has inspired to serve at the IEBC.
“In the next elections, I look at it in terms of are we making Kenya a better place to live, are we improving the living conditions of our people?” she said.
35 candidates had been shortlisted for the job.
Report: Kenyan Media Houses Leading In Sexual Harrasement Cases
A report by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra) Women in News’ has revealed that Kenyan media houses lead in cases of sexual harrasement.
The research carried out between July and November, 2020 covering eight African countries and with 584 respondents, shows 56 per cent of women suffered both verbal and physical sexual harassment.
It also revealed that women stay silent because of fear of retaliation and lack of faith that their organisations will do anything about their reports.
Comparably, 24 per cent of men faced verbal sexual harassment and physical form 15 percent.
Women were most subjected to verbal sexual harassment with Kenya leading with 79 per cent, followed by Zambia (66 per cent) and Uganda (63.1 per cent).
Those harassed physically in Malawi, 57.8 per cent of the women suffered the same, Tanzania (47 per cent), Zimbabwe (41 per cent) and Rwanda (40.7 per cent).
In Botswana, more women experienced physical sexual harassment (48 per cent) than those who reported having been sexually harassed physically (40 per cent).
Overall, the executives are the main perpetrators (41 per cent) of the sexual harassment, followed by colleagues (38 per cent) and news sources (17 per cent).The managers are neither immune to the harassment.
“It all starts with a conversation on what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour in your media organisation being explicit about sexual harassment sharing definitions, what behaviours are unacceptable and communicating the right of every employee to be treated equally. It is far better to be proactive and prepared than pushed into a crisis management position when a case emerges,” said Women in News Executive Director Melanie Walker.
Fifty per cent of the 32 executives interviewed said they had been victims of sexual harassment but only nine per cent reported.There are, however, two major barriers to ending sexual harassment in the newsrooms - fear and top leadership’s blindness to the issue.
The 44.9 per cent of the interviewed media professionals cited fear as the main reason barring them from reporting. Only three per cent of the managers said they discuss the issue in senior management meetings.
While change may be slow in coming, however, there are small wins being recorded across the region. Women in News, for instance, through its advisory partnerships in Africa, is working with 30 member organisations across eight countries to institute sexual harassment policies that provide clear reporting mechanisms to make newsrooms safer.
“Newsrooms need as much information and support as possible to ameliorate the challenges posed by sexual harassment within the workplace by colleagues and in the field by sources,” said WIN Advisory Manager Susan Makore.
Watch: Eddy Kenzo Involved In Nasty Road Accident
Ugandan singer Edriisa Musuuza a.k.a Eddy Kenzo was on Thursday morning involved in a nasty road accident.
In a video he shared on his facebook page, the singer is seen being pulled out of the vehicle which had overturned, by onlookers.
"We got an accident earlier today but we thank God for the protection we are all okay." he posted.
Adding "The road was wet and slippery due to rain and when we reached Maya there was a hump in the road next to Stabex Petro station that caused my car to skid in a remarkable fashion. It did a 180-degree spin in the middle of the road, facing the wrong way!”
According to reports, the singer sustained severe injuries including a broken arm and he was bleeding profusely after being rescued from the wreck.
Javett Art Centre And The Tim Hetherington Trust Collaborate To Present Art & Photography Award
The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) and the Tim Hetherington Trust have announced the launch of the 2021/2022 Visionary Award.
This version of the annual award takes on a Pan-African focus which is designed to discover, nurture and support talent working within the mediums of art and photography across the African continent.
Initiated to commemorate the memory of the late British documentary photographer and filmmaker Tim Hetherington, the annual Visionary Award recognises and fosters innovative approaches to visual storytelling, by incubating visionary individuals and offering inspiration to others.
Both Javett-UP and the Trust are calling for submissions from practitioners who are currently conceptualising new bodies of work across the extended field of lens-based mediums.
Submissions should showcase new experimental forms within image-making practice, as well as diverse and alternative engagement with exhibition and curatorial processes.
“The Visionary Award will capture the ever-evolving innovative artistic production coming out of the continent of Africa. As Javett-UP we find it vitally important to create opportunities that contribute to the nurturing of the diverse voices and stories from across our continent, and to give them the recognition they deserve." said Gabi Ngcobo, Curatorial Director of Javett-UP.
Adding" This award gives us a chance to recognise and stay close to the next generation of influential artists and to provide a platform that mediates their work to the world”
“Tim Hetherington used his art to facilitate a better understanding of Africa and the world. Art and photography play a vital role in helping us understand the culture, conflict and nuance of our communities. We hope the recipients of this award continue to build upon Tim’s legacy and use their work to tell impactful African stories” said Stephen Mayes of the Tim Hetherington Trust.
Prospective applicants can apply by submitting a portfolio limited to seven images. The submitted images should be accompanied with written short descriptions.
The portfolio should not exceed 5MB. Entrants can include links to other work and/or relevant websites (Vimeo, YouTube etc.) They should also include an artist statement not exceeding 250 words.
Applications to the Visionary Award close on the 16th of August 2021. Please send your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line: “VISIONARY AWARD”.
Entrants to the Visionary Award need to be 40 years or younger during the year of their submission, and applicants need to live and work on the African continent at the time of entry.
The winning individual and/or collective will receive a sponsorship of £20 000. This amount can be used for a research residency, as well as the production and exhibition of new work at the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria.
This also includes a cash prize of £5000 for the chosen recipient of the award.
The prize will be awarded by a jury consisting of members from different partner institutions across the African continent, after a shortlist has been compiled by a selection committee.
The shortlist will be announced on August 30, 2021.
Nandy Joins emPawa
Tanzanian singer Nandy has joined emPawa, a record label owned by Nigerian singer and songwriter, Mr Eazi.
Nandy will now join the likes of Joe Boy, Lady Donli, whom are currently under the label.
Mr Eazi made the announcement through his instagram page.
“Welcome @officialnandy to The emPawa Family & Big Congratulations!!! We Just Getting Started.” He wrote.
In 2018, Mr Eazi launched emPawa Africa program, a charity and investment program to equip Africa’s most promising music talents with tools, network and money to become independent music entrepreneurs. He also revealed thirty new artists set to join the emPawa program early last year.
Watch: Shahbal Wows Netizens As He Enjoys Traditional Dance
Mombasa businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal has wowed many after a video of him dancing to an Arabic traditional dance emerged.
The traditional dance known as 'Samar' is a Yemeni dance for the bridegroom during or before a wedding.
In the video, Mr. Shahbal is seen holding a tray of henna which is usually applied to the bridegroom as part of the wedding ceremony traditions.
The gubernatorial hopeful, later on, posted the video on his social media platforms and captioned it, “ Enjoying traditional “Samar Dance” with my son-in-law Ahmed Asad Al Husseiny during my daughter's wedding.”
On his Facebook, the video has recorded 17, 000 views in less than 24 hours since it was posted.
A quick survey of his posts showed that the video is so far the most-watched on the businessman’s Facebook account.
The video which also received several congratulatory comments has also brought to the people the social life of Mr. Shahbal.
