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Ommy Dallah

Ommy Dallah

Kilifi County Senator and Senate Minority Leader, Stewart Madzayo, has called for urgent investigations into the death of a pupil, Anestine Dzidza of Gongoni Primary School, who allegedly succumbed to corporal punishment in Kilifi County.

While seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Education, Sen. Madzayo said the incident raises grave concerns given the existing ban on corporal punishment in schools.

He termed the case a violation of children’s rights and a tragic reminder of the need to enforce laws safeguarding learners.

"This tragic incident is a painful reminder of the dangers of corporal punishment. Schools must remain safe spaces for our children,” he said.

The Senator asked the committee to state the circumstances under which the pupil was subjected to corporal punishment, explain how such a violation could occur despite the ban, and outline enforcement, monitoring, and sensitization measures in place to prevent recurrence in schools.

He urged the committee chaired by Sen. Betty Montent to probe the incident, ensure prosecution of the suspect, and outline measures to strengthen child protection frameworks in schools.

The race to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games continues for Kenyan golfers as the PGK Equator Tour enters its fifth leg this week at the par-73 Nakuru Golf Club in Nakuru County.

The leg is set to tee off on Thursday running through to Sunday, 5th October, with more than 40 Kenyan professionals expected to fight for the coveted Olympic qualification slots.

among those headlining the action in Nakuru are four Safaricom-sponsored golfers Mohit Mediratta, Mutahi Kibugu, Matthew Wahome and Samuel Njoroge, all ready to battle it out on the fairways.

"My dream of playing at the Olympics is still alive, and I will keep pushing forward because, as you know, golf can be very unpredictable. My last four games have been fairly good, though the competition is stiff, with everyone fighting hard for a spot.” Said Mohit Mediratta.

So far, Muthaiga’s Greg Snow is blazing the trail at the top of the leaderboard with 3,330 points from four events.

The in-form golfer has clinched three victories, at Great Rift Lodge Golf Club, Mt. Kipipiri Golf Resort, and Limuru Country Club after opening the tour with a seventh-place finish at Ruiru Sports Club.

Hot on his heels is Njoroge Kibugu in second place, followed by Daniel Nduva in third.

Safaricom-sponsored players Samuel Njoroge, Mohit Mediratta and Mutahi Kibugu sit in sixth, seventh and ninth place overall, respectively with John Karichu closing out the top ten.

Since its launch, the Tour has become a critical platform for nurturing homegrown talent, testing players in diverse conditions, and enabling them to consistently earn points that count towards global rankings.

So far, four legs have been successfully completed: Ruiru Sports Club, Limuru Country Club, Mt. Kipipiri Golf & Resort and Great Rift Lodge Golf Club.

Each leg has challenged golfers to adapt and elevate their game, with strong performances signalling Kenya’s growing potential on the international stage.

This tour is supported by partners, including Safaricom, who has committed KES 3 million over three years to support four golfers.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has drawn a sharp line on the future of Kenya’s dairy industry, declaring that milk exports will only thrive if farmers and feed manufacturers eliminate aflatoxin contamination and embrace a quality-based payment scheme.

Speaking at the official opening of the 17th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition (AFDA17) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Kagwe warned that contaminated feeds are directly undermining Kenya’s export ambitions.

"No export without quality. Aflatoxin in maize feeds passes straight into milk and locks us out of lucrative markets. If we are serious about doubling production and exporting, we must fix feed quality first,” he said.

The CS announced that the Government will soon launch a Good Quality Milk certification programme, which will set clear benchmarks for hygiene and safety.

Farmers delivering high-quality milk will earn premium payments, while those supplying substandard produce will no longer be paid the same.

"We must all produce good quality milk, and the farmer must be recognised for doing the right thing. It cannot be the same amount for bad and good. Those who produce better will earn better,” Kagwe stressed.

To address the aflatoxin threat, Kagwe urged feed manufacturers and farmers to adopt Aflasafe, a proven biological product that suppresses aflatoxin in maize. He sent a direct message to the feed industry:

"Use aflatoxin-free maize. Adopt Aflasafe. This is the only way to guarantee the best milk for Kenyans and protect our place in global markets.”

Kenya produced 5.3 billion litres of milk in 2024, but under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda the Government aims to double output to 10 billion litres within the next few years.

Achieving this, Kagwe said, will require tackling aflatoxin, reducing feed costs, improving cattle breeds, and incentivising farmers for quality.

Kagwe also challenged African nations to exchange best practices and harmonise standards under AfCFTA, saying Africa cannot continue importing milk powders while sitting on vast potential.

Motorists and pedestrians at the Sabasaba intersection can now breathe a sigh of relief after the installation of new traffic lights at the busy intersection, by the County Government of Mombasa.

The key intersection connects the Central Business District (CBD) to Ronald Ngala towards Nyali Bridge and also Jomo Kenyatta Avenue.

This move is expected to ease traffic congestion, reduce accidents, and improve the overall flow of vehicles in one of the town’s most chaotic intersections.

Residents and road users have welcomed the development, noting that the lights will not only bring order to the junction but also save time lost in endless traffic jams.

"This is a great relief for us as pedestrians. Previously, there was a lot of disorder, but with the installation of these new traffic lights, we believe there will be improved order and a significant reduction in traffic congestion." said Rashid Ali, one of the road users.

On his part the Chief Officer Department of Transport and Infrastructure Engineer Ali Shariff called on the road users to ensure they observe the traffic rules and utilize the traffic lights.

"The county government has fulfilled its role by restoring the traffic lights. It is now up to you both motorists and pedestrians to do your part by observing the traffic rules. We understand it may take some time to adjust, especially since the lights have been out for a long time, but there is no alternative. Simply follow the rules." said Engineer Ali.

Adding "As directed by the Governor, we will now begin work on the Buxton intersection. Our primary goal is to restore sanity and bring order to our roads."

His sentiments were echoed by the Coast Regional Traffic Enforcement Officer George Kashmir who called for compliance.

"We want members of the public to comply and follow the rules so that we have a smooth running. Go as per the light indication. To those who will fail to comply and observe the rules, we will have no option but to arrest and charge them.

Adding "These new lights will also assist our officers on the ground and make their work easy unlike before where they had to physically control the jam." said Kashmir.

Early this year, Mombasa County Government in conjuction with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS), released the 2023 Mombasa Road Safety Report.

Findings from the report shows that the reported number of road traffic deaths increased by 36% in 2023, from 69 in 2022 to 94, while serious injuries rose by 17%, from 161 in 2022 to 188.

Vulnerable road users’ pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists—made up 92% of the reported deaths in 2023, with pedestrians alone accounting for 56% of these deaths.

 

 

 

By Niall McNulty, AI Product & Innovation Leader, Cambridge University Press & Assessment

The opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) offer African teachers and students are immense; the AI education market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to hit $1.7 billion by 2030.

Yet in Sub-Saharan Africa, where student–teacher ratios can reach 50:1 and many children still lack access to quality learning resources, the need for innovative solutions is urgent.

What excites me most about AI in African education is the potential to address persistent inequalities in ways that haven’t been possible before.

For too long, students in under-resourced schools have had fewer opportunities simply because their teachers lacked access to support, materials, or professional development.

AI can change this dynamic fundamentally, making world-class support accessible even in the most remote classrooms.

Across Africa, AI has the potential to drive change in schools, but only if it is shaped to fit the realities of African classrooms, rather than forcing classrooms to adapt to the technology.

The real promise lies in AI’s power to personalise learning at scale, helping teachers meet the needs of every student in classes that are often large and diverse.

When AI is guided by local priorities, cultural context and teacher expertise, it stops being a futuristic add-on and becomes a practical ally.

The challenges

Three obstacles stand out most clearly from our work across the continent.

Connectivity remains a major challenge across much of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Teachers want to use AI tools but can't always access them when they need them most.

That means that classroom tools need to have offline capabilities, such as pre-generated material, and tools need to work effectively with intermittent internet connections.

Language barriers present another complexity. While many teachers are comfortable teaching in English, this is not their students mother tongue and they often need to explain concepts in local languages.

We're working on multilingual capabilities through researching the African language capabilities of leading AI chatbots, but this remains an ongoing challenge that requires careful cultural and linguistic adaptation.

Perhaps most importantly, we're hearing that teachers want more time to explore and experiment with AI tools.

The demanding nature of teaching, particularly in resource-constrained environments, means that many educators struggle to find space for learning new technologies. 

If adoption is to succeed, professional development and time allowances must be built into the process from the start.

Making AI familiar

The beauty of AI integration in education lies not in expensive hardware or complex software, but in leveraging the tools teachers already have access to.

Through our work across Sub-Saharan Africa, we've discovered that the most practical entry point is often the smartphone in a teacher's pocket.

Our WhatsApp teacher support AI chatbot project in South Africa demonstrates this perfectly.

Teachers are already comfortable with WhatsApp; they understand how to send messages, and they can access support instantly without needing new apps or training on unfamiliar platforms.

When a teacher in a rural classroom needs help differentiating a lesson for mixed-ability learners or wants quick feedback on a lesson plan, they can simply message our AI assistant and receive immediate, contextualised support.

This approach works because it builds on existing digital behaviours rather than requiring teachers to learn entirely new systems. We've found that teachers who start with familiar interfaces, such as WhatsApp, develop confidence that naturally extends to other AI tools over time.

Empowering educators as architects of learning

At Cambridge, we believe the power of AI in education lies in a human-centred approach that starts "where teachers are," respecting their agency and empowering them as architects of learning, not just consumers of technology.

It is this human-centred approach that is key to helping students navigate change and use technology effectively.

A recent Cambridge report, ‘Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world’, which captures the views of nearly 7,000 teachers and students across 150 countries, shows that while technology is widely embraced to support teaching and learning, over a third of teachers surveyed (34%) selected over-reliance on technology as the greatest challenge that technology might pose in preparing students for the future.

In this age of AI, we believe that it is essential for students to develop a solid foundation of subject knowledge to help them interpret information critically and effectively.

This insight is one reason we are especially focused on helping African education systems avoid the challenges other regions have faced with technology adoption.

Our approach emphasises teacher training, infrastructure readiness, and gradual implementation, rather than rapid, large-scale deployments that too often fail to deliver their intended outcomes.

We've structured our Getting Started with AI in the Classroom guide around practical scenarios that teachers encounter daily and our professional development programme for STEM teachers exemplifies this philosophy too.

Rather than starting with "here's how to use this AI tool”, we begin with "here's how AI can solve real problems you face in your classroom”.

Teachers learn to evaluate AI outputs critically, asking questions like: Does this explanation match my students' cultural context? Are there biases in the examples provided? How can I adapt this suggestion to fit my teaching style?

A future built for teachers

Teachers in Africa are incredibly creative and adaptable, and we’re starting to see them use AI in ways that we never anticipated.

They're adapting tools to local languages, incorporating traditional knowledge systems, and developing approaches that reflect their deep understanding of their communities.

This innovation from the ground up suggests that AI integration in African classrooms will look quite different from implementations in other parts of the world, and that's exactly as it should be.

Our vision is AI that helps preserve what's best about African education while addressing its most persistent challenges.

This means supporting the strong relationships between teachers and students, the collaborative learning approaches, and the community connections that characterise many African classrooms, while using AI to reduce administrative burden, enhance personalisation and provide teachers with better support.

To make this vision real, three things are essential: deeper investment in teacher training, stronger collaboration with ministries and local tech innovators, and sustained infrastructure development to bridge connectivity gaps.

Ultimately, I'm excited about a future where every African student has access to excellent education, supported by teachers who feel confident, well-resourced and professionally fulfilled.

AI won't create this future by itself, but it can be a powerful tool in the hands of dedicated educators working toward that goal.

Wednesday, 01 October 2025 08:54

Nissan Africa Celebrates Top Performing Dealers

Nissan Africa’s best dealers from across sub-Saharan Africa are Anciens Comptoirs Ries of Djibouti in the Small National Sales Company of the Year category, Motus Zambia as the best Medium National Sales Company of the Year and Japan Motors in Ghana as the best Large National Sales Company of the Year.

The Nissan NIMA Ignition Awards 2024 recognises the dealerships and teams who delivered exceptional customer service and product support, while setting new benchmarks across Africa.

The award is separate from the dealer of the year awards for Nissan North Africa and Nissan South Africa.

“Our extensive dealer network forms the backbone of our operations in each of the 54 countries where Nissan operates across the continent,” says Jordi Villa, President of Nissan Africa. “They are the face of Nissan, delivering on our promise of providing reliable, quality, innovative and accessible products and services, no matter where you are.

“These awards are testament to our commitment to the African continent as we target significant growth through a strong sales and support network, as well as a versatile product range that includes award-winning models like the Nissan NAVARA, Nissan X-TRAIL, Nissan MAGNITE and the Nissan PATROL"

Nissan Africa is continuing to build its product portfolio locally, making it more relevant, and more aspirational.

"As one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing regions, Africa’s middle class is expanding, and mobility is one of the driving forces of this growth. I believe Nissan has the right partners to build on the brand’s success on the continent and to expand it even further,” says Villa.

“We celebrate each Nissan representative who goes the extra mile every day to bring our customers only the best service and support. Together with our partners, we are looking forward to a promising future.”

Nissan NIMA Ignition Awards 2024

Customer Satisfaction: Sales

Motorcare Limited – Uganda

Customer Satisfaction: Service

Motorcare Limited – Uganda

Customer Satisfaction: Overall

Motorcare Limited – Uganda

Aftersales NSC of the Year: Small

Anciens Comptoirs Ries – Djibouti

Aftersales NSC of the Year: Medium

Japan Motors – Mali

Aftersales NSC of the Year: Large

Japan Motors Trading Company – Ghana

Sales NSC of the Year: Small

Anciens Comptoirs Ries – Djibouti

Sales NSC of the Year: Medium

Japan Motors – Togo

Sales NSC of the Year: Large

Japan Motors Trading Company – Ghana

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 17:50

Bandari FC Sacks Head Coach

Mombasa based Bandari FC has parted ways with its head coach, Ken Odbiambo.

Thiss comes just two days after the Dockers lost to Shabana Fc at home ground, Mbaraki Stadium.

Announcing the news on Tuesday, Bandari Chief Executive Officer, Tony Kibwana, said they have appointed  John Baraza, as head coach on an interim basis.

“Bandari Football Club has, with immediate effect, appointed Mr. John Baraza as the interim head coach. Mr. Baraza has been serving as the assistant coach of the club and will now take charge of the team until a permanent head coach is appointed,” the statement read.

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 10:17

Linda Bach Appointed Kenya Editors Guild CEO

The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has announced the appointment of Linda Bach as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

In a statement on Monday, September 29, KEG President Zubeidah Kananu said Bach, who officially assumes office on October 16, 2025, will take over from Rosalia Omungo, who has served as CEO for the past eight years.

"We are pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Bach as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Editors Guild, effective October 16, 2025." reads the statement.

Kananu expressed confidence in Bach’s ability to lead the organization into its next chapter. 

"Linda brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, and we are confident that her leadership will drive the organisation forward," 

In news structural changes within KEG’s Executive Council, Andy Kagwa of Standard Group will assume the role of council member print.

Millicent Awuor has been appointed as chairperson of the Programmes Committee, a role previously held by Bach.

"Linda's appointment as CEO will necessitate her stepping down from her current position as Council Member print on the Executive Council. As per the KEG constitution (Article VI clause 6), the EC has appointed Andy Kagwa of Standard Group to that position. 

"Similarly, the EC has appointed Millicent Awuor as chairperson of the Programmes Committee, replacing Linda," the statement added.

 

Over the weekend, Waridi Foundation successfully hosted the 4th edition of the annual Lamu7s Rugby Tournament, continuing its mission to nurture sporting talent, promote sustainable tourism, and empower the youth of Lamu County.

The tournament attracted 12 registered teams, though 4 teams – Lamu7s, Mpeketoni Girls Rugby Team, Young Cubs Mpeketoni, and Malindi Turtles – competed due to logistical challenges. Malindi Turtles emerged victorious with a 12–0 win, defending their record as the most decorated champions in Waridi Foundation tournaments.

In a move to reward participation and nurture talent, the winners received Ksh. 20,000, while the other teams were awarded Ksh. 5,000 each.

This marked a shift from previous editions where only the winning team received a cash prize. The tournament, held at Tiger Ground, Lamu County, drew over 1,000 spectators, highlighting the growing passion for rugby in Lamu.

The event was graced by Lamu Deputy Governor Dr. Mubarak Bahjaj who pledged to support Lamu rugby clubs with jerseys and equipment.

Coinciding with World Tourism Day, the Lamu7s embraced the theme “Sustainable Tourism” through the Plant & Play initiative, where players and partners planted 5,000 mangroves along Lamu beaches, led a town clean-up initiative and promoted Lamu’s mainland and island tourism, including Pangani Forest, Lake Kenyatta, and the county’s 126+ bird species

Waridi Foundation founder and Women Representative aspirant for Lamu County , Jenniffer Waridi, noted:

"Lamu is a one-stop destination: from the island’s sandy beaches to the mainland’s wildlife and eco-tourism gems. Lamu7s blends sport, sustainability, and tourism to create opportunities for our youth.”

Launched in 2017 when Waridi was Miss Tourism Kenya – Lamu County, the Lamu7s Rugby Tournament has grown into a platform for youth empowerment, talent development, and the promotion of underrepresented sports in Kenya.

The tournament usually takes place at Tiger Ground, Mpeketoni, while Lamu Beach Rugby is held at Wiyoni, Lamu Island, showcasing sports tourism.

The next beach edition is scheduled for November 2025, featuring collaborations with Safaricom 7s, which helps expose local players to broader opportunities under Waridi Foundation’s sponsorship.

 

 

The Male Members of Parliament have been challenged to accelerate their support for Women MPs in advancing gender equity and strengthening governance structures.

In a meeting convened by the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and the Institute of Public Finance (IPF), Male MPs were asked to embrace the allyship to Women MPs and address gender gaps whilst promoting women's legislative priorities.

The Lawmakers were equally called upon to leverage on their power that they have to challenge gender biases and strengthen stereotypes, build legitimacy for gender issues and use their influence to amplify women's voices. 

Speaking at the meeting, Marakwet West MP Hon. Timothy Toroitich urged KEWOPA and IPF to hold a robust engagement with the rest of Parliamentarians and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), noting that many leaders still misunderstand gender issues.

"A majority of MPs don't understand what gender means. Even during the election period, women are told the Constituency and Senator seats are for men and that theirs is the Woman Representative seat," Hon. Toroitich said.

Lauding the initiative on Male MPs empowerment on gender issues, Mukurweini MP Hon. John Kaguchia dispelled the misconceptions about KEWOPA.

"These interactions are enlightening. We thought KEWOPA cripples men, but now we are enriched. Train more male MPs if possible," Hon. Kaguchia said.

Other MPs also voiced their views during the meeting. Kesses MP Hon. Julius Ruto asked Women Leaders to reciprocate on support for Male MPs.

"Girls are now coming out strong. I feel the discussions about gender should come out in all aspects," Hon. Ruto said.

Tharaka Nithi County MP Hon. Susan Ndunge asked Male MPs to always support the Women agenda. 

"We don't need more justification to empower women. We want sincere support by male MPs," Hon. Ndunge said.

Supporting Women empowerment, Naivasha MP Hon. Jayne Kihara asked the conveners of the meeting to extend trainings to more women at the grass root level.

"An empowered woman empowers the whole world. Assuming you train 50 women in Naivasha, these women will empower more women. Women are the ones who run the economy of this country, and so they need to know where we are coming from including matters budget," Hon. Kihara said.

Supporting Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiatives, Mwea MP Hon. Mary Maingi asked legislators to pick on areas that demand economic intervention for women and empower them.

Speaking of targeted engagement, Bungoma County MP Hon. Catherine Wambilianga called on facilitators to sensitize more women especially and bring them on board so as to champion the women's agenda with ease.

"We need to speak for each other. For instance, the funding allocated to County MPs is a mockery. Being allocated Ksh. 6M to run programs in each constituency is technically chaotic," Hon. Wambilianga said. 

Teso South MP Hon. Mary Emaase praised KEWOPA and IPF for the continuous trainings on capacity building.

"The trainings have impacted positively on the legislators. Train more male MPs for sustained impact to help demystify gender issues," Hon. Emaase said.

She added, "Having interacted with female MCAs in most counties, they feel KEWOPA should be expanded to accommodate them so that they may benefit from the trainings as well". 

Reflecting on the journey that KEWOPA and IPF has had, Ms. Mercy Mwangi, KEWOPA Executive Director, challenged both the Male and Women MPs to articulate gender issues in their campaigns.

"Are you incorporating gender issues in your campaign Manifestos? When talking to Women, do you just campaign or also push for the women's agenda?" Ms. Mwangi posed.

On her part, IPF's Programme Officer Ms. Victoria Wausi affirmed the vital role of a woman in leadership.

"From our research analysis, it has been demonstrated that Women leadership is a driver for fiscal and policy reforms," Ms. Wausi said.

Other Members of Parliament present in the meeting were: Baringo County MP. Hon. Jematiah Sergon, Nandi Hills MP Hon. Bernard Kitur, Moiben MP Hon. Phylis Bartoo, Mandera County MP Hon. Umul Ker Kassim, Ol Jororok MP Hon. Michael Machira, Kitui West MP Hon. Edith Nyenze and Yatta MP Hon. Basil Ngui.

Also present were Kenya Young Parliamentary Association CEO Mr. Anthony Buluma and Gender Mainstreaming Consultant, Mr. Anyona Gichuru.