There was a sigh of relief for a widow after the court of appeal in Mombasa thwarted an order to exhume the body of her late husband.

The court of appeal  delivered the judgment in favour of Kiran Nazerali, her 20-year old daughter Mahek Fatima and her 18-year old second daughter Nurjehan Nazerali for the body of Anverali Nazerail who was a businessman not to be exhumed according to the family’s wish saying they find no merit in the appeal to allow to quash an earlier order.

Court of appeal Judges Gatembu, P. Nyamweya and G. Odunga set aside a lower court and a high court order made at Mombasa law court under criminal revision application.

The court of appeal judges said in a 15-page judgment delivered through virtual means that there was no enough evidence of suspicious circumstances warranting the exhumation of the deceased's body.

They argued in their judgment that without such evidence the court finds that the case did not meet the stringent threshold to disturb the dead.

"Accordingly, we find that there was irregularity in the manner in which the exhumation proceedings were conducted," the judges ruled.

The court of appeal added that inquires appropriate to such an order were not  made by the lower court before the said orders were made.  

The judges argued although the court has power  to give an order for exhumation it is  not an order to be issued lightly.

They argued it has always been accepted that after death there should be a decent and reverend burial of the body 

The court said therefore the dead should remain undisturbed for all purposes except when otherwise directed by a  court of law since that is the primary function of the court. 

The bereaved family, through their counsel Mohamed Balala and Sborne Lijoodi, had moved to the court of appeal to challenge both the lower court's and high court's rulings in an application by the coast Regional Criminal Investigation office to exhume the body of Nazerali for autopsy to establish the cause of his death.

The two courts had given a ruling to exhume the body which was buried in May last year at the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri graveyard in Mombasa county in line with Islamic teachings.

The deceased's estranged brother Shakir Awar, a Pakistani national who cried foul over his brother's death, resurfaced two weeks after the burial to seek for the exhumation of the late businessman's body. The prosecution was led by Hillary Isiaho.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has unveiled its new members of the council of imminent personalities.

The personalities includes Catherin Ndereba, Paul Teragat and Kenya council of elders John Seii who will now represent Kenya.

Others are Kassim Isaac Osman former minister of health in Djibouti, Aisha Mohamed Robleh of Djibouti, Hailey Gebrselassie,renown sportsman and entrepreneur from Ethiopia ,Deratu Tulu, renown sportswoman and peace advocate and  Prof. Ahmed Zakaria,a renown scholar from Ethiopia.

From Somalia include Ugas Ali Ugas,a respected clan elder,Prof Idil Osman , professor of communication. In the public of South Sudan is Amb Deng Alier Deng,Rev Dr.Gabriel and  Rai Riam.Sudan and Uganda are yet to submit the names of their representative.

Dereba and Teragat were appointed in Mombasa on Wednesday during the official state of the IGAD region address attended by a delegation of senior representatives from region member states.

Speaking shortly after the appointments, Ndereba said she is determined to deliver the best in her new endeavour, thanking the IGAD team for considering her due to the contribution she has made both by representing the country in world Athletic competitions.

“My work was not only representing my country, and the region and now I feel there is more work to be done for my region. I am thankful for the people who saw it wise to appoint me for the position,”Dereba said.

Kenya director Africa and Africa Union directorate Amb Yabesh Monari said the Kenyan government recognizes the role of imminent persons and will offer full support to the appointed.

He said their work is well cut out including ensuring Social cohesion, political stability, and sustainable progress in all spheres of life within IGAD member states.

"The work is already cut out for the team and I want to congratulate those who have been appointed, they have the potential to represent the country and we believe the region will get the best out of their experience,” said Monari.

Speaking after the appointment major retired general and Kenya council of elders John Seii vowed to focus on the task of social cohesion and political stability of the region without any favour.

"I am emotionally moved because this is history in my life, for many years since I left the government service, I hoped one day I will give wisdom to the region,” said the emotional elder.

Seii said the region is endowed with a sports excellence which has significantly brought peace to the region saying unity of the region is paramount.

"We will celebrate our people including sports women and men from the IGAD region, it’s a great honour to dedicate our strength to the region, we take this appointment with great humility, commitment and are prepared to serve,” said Seii.

He said he is prepared to take up the position because their work is well cut out. He said no kind of favouritism wills clod their urge to serve the region.

He added, "As long as energy runs through my knees, I dedicate myself to serve the region to ensure peace prevails in the region, as a military man,I know the importance of peace,".

They will also be tasked with influencing decisions and agendas of the region because they know the challenges of the region.

They will also be required to identify the problem and assist regional countries on matters of gender, peace and security and climate change.

The IGAD executive secretary general Workneh Gebeyehu  said the imminent persons have their role cut out to stabilize the region both security,e economically and all other agendas steered by IGAD.

"To minimize the challenges that we have in the region, climate change, insecurity, as a region we have to bring a solution to bring unity and ensure economic prosperity through the imminent personalities,"he said.

They will also be tasked with influencing decisions and agendas of the region because they know the challenges of the region.

They will also be required to identify the problem and assist regional countries on matters of gender, peace and security and climate change.

Mombasa activist Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil also known as ‘Mama Shamsa’ is the recipient of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023, jointly with the Community of Sant'Egidio.

A community mobilizer and peacebuilder in Kenya, Mama Shamsa is being recognized for nurturing youth and saving young people from lives of violence, crime, and extremism by providing them with counseling, care, and training.

Mama Shamsa who is the Chairperson of the Mombasa Women of Faith Network has led major campaigns in Kenya and greater Africa to draw awareness to violence against women as well as women's and youth empowerment.

In 2022 Mama Shamsa was recognised and featured by the UN Women Africa for her efforts in peace building.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honors and celebrates her drive to promote unity, integration, and acceptance of diversity among women, regardless of tribe, religion, status, or political affiliation.

In a statement judging committee member Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur, said: “From over 200 nominees of outstanding individuals and entities, we chose the Community of Sant’Egidio and Mama Shamsa as the honorees of the award, which is named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates,  who was a champion of all humanity – young, old, rich, poor, male and female.”

The official ceremony celebrating her work will be held on 4th February 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

"Thank you ZAHF this indeed an honour for Women of Kenya" said Shamsa in a tweet.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has been awarded annually for the last four years in recognition of winners’ “contributions to building a more peaceful and compassionate world through advancing the values of human fraternity and setting an inspiring example of promoting peaceful coexistence.” It comes with one million dollars in prize-money.

The award was launched in 2019 to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity.

The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, renowned for his humanitarianism and dedication to helping people no matter their background.

The Media Council of Kenya and the Council of Governors have underscored the critical role of the media in promoting devolution.

Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo and the Council of Governors ICT and Knowledge Management Committee Chair Governor Wisley Rotich have pledged the two entities’ commitment to support the media to foster professional coverage of devolved units.

The two spoke in Mombasa this morning when they signed a working pact that will see the media working closely with County Governments to disseminate information from the counties.

The MoU will, among others, seek to enhance collaborative capacity building of county communications and media staff, improving relations between county governments and journalists and development of training curricula on devolution for the media from model practical perspectives in the County Governments.

“While it is within the rights of the media to highlight shortcomings of government and those in authority they have an obligation to showcase successes and achievements after 10 years of devolution in Kenya. It is critical that Kenyans get access to timely relevant information from the counties”, said MCK CEO Mr Omwoyo.

He said the MOU seeks to promote knowledge management and information sharing from and within the devolved units.

“The media plays a crucial role in devolved governance by informing the public about the actions and decisions of elected officials and government bodies at the local level. The media has progressively become a platform for the citizenry to voice their concerns and opinions on governance issues”, he added.

He implored county governments to grant journalists access to information, saying it will address misinformation and unnecessary conflicts that have often led to strained relationship between the media and devolved units.

“ I urge County Governments to uphold the Access to Information law by enabling media to obtain the right information to facilitate informed and accurate coverage of matters of public interest”, said Mr Omwoyo.

He urged the media to cover stories from the counties in a balanced manner, in strict adherence to journalistic ethics. Mr Rotich who is also Elgeyo Marakwet Governor affirmed the Council’s commitment to working with the media towards ensuring visibility of the counties.

“We are seeking collaborations with the media to market our counties. We want to showcase counties as centres of investments and development, he said.

Governor Rotich said the counties will operationalise knowledge centres, which will grant access to the media to enable report accurately. He pledged the counties’ commitment to provide conducive working environment for the media.

Sarova Hotels and Resort’s city property, Sarova Panafric Hotel scooped a top award at the World Luxury Hotel Awards, in a global exercise that required both existing and potential customers to vote for their favorite luxury hotel and resort.

The luxury Nairobi-based hotel scooped the award for the continental winner in the Luxury Banqueting/Event Hotel category further stamping its authority as a dream destination for visitors locally and across the globe.

Despite being a luxurious hotel, Sarova Panafric has remained among the top choice for both organizations and individuals, locally and internationally who host both regional and global events, as well as life-changing and memorable social events such as weddings.

“We do not take this win for granted. For us, these are not just normal wins, but a vote of trust, confidence, and faith that our customers within Kenya and outside Kenya have in us. Many players sell products and services, but for us, at Sarova Panafric we offer trust and memories. We offer a home and a place that someone will always long to be,” said Managing Director Sarova Hotels and Resorts, Jimi Kariuki.

“We would like to thank our customers and all those who gave this confidence vote. We are because of them and we shall always strive to give them the best. We cannot thank them enough,” he added.

Sarova Panafric Hotel is an idyllic city getaway in the hub of Nairobi that recently re-emerged and newly expanded, with enhanced suites and rooms following the completion of a phase of comprehensive renovations that began in October 2018. The hotel now has some of the most iconic looks and luxurious suites for visitors with the preservation of tradition and culture.

“The Sarova Panafric Hotel has been a story of uniting people, celebrating culture and warm hospitality. Today, we are bringing forth our history as we revolutionize your experiences with bold contemporary design, one-of-a-kind restaurants and bars, sustainable sourcing, and homage to tradition,” he added.

Nigerian singer 23Drey is back with yet another banger.

The song titled 'Dey Play' features Leexon.

has been produced by SB THAPRODUCER and is expected to be the first of many more hot singles and projects from the artist.

Listen to the song https://onerpm.link/23Drey-deyplay

Living to see a hundred years is nothing more than a blessing and Kisumu-based musician Gabiro Mtu Necessary’s grandpa lived 105 years old.

On the 2nd of January, 2023 Gabiro sent out a tweet to inform his fans and followers of the passing on of Mzee Edward Washington Ogonda.

Gabiro and his cousin Pulalah Master, a media personality who adds up as a musician and Dj have teamed up to release a tribute song to the fallen family hero. The dancehall-oriented jam brings out the two’s lyrical wit and flows as they blend Luo dialect, English, and Swahili in their lyrics.

The song dubbed “Mudho” which is a Luo word that translates to darkness allows them to let out their feelings of sadness as they mourn the demise of their old man.

Mtu Necessary just had his debut album Saint John considered for a Grammy at the 65th Grammy awards making him the first Kisumu-based musician to be in the coveted awards for yet a second time in a row. He dedicated the said album to his late father John who succumbed to cancer in 2019.

Mudho was written by Gabiro and Pulalah and produced by Blakangel at Jodifa studios in Kisumu.

Watch Mudho on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kk8JlVTH2hY

Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Mr Eliud Owalo has today unveiled the team that will select the new Media Council of Kenya Board.

The 13-member panel comprises representatives from media associations, the private sector, Government and academia. CS Owalo urged the panel to strive at being impartial, objective and fair as possible as they select the fourth Board of the Media Council of Kenya under the new Constitution.

 The Board which will oversee the strategic direction of the Media Council of Kenya over the next three years.

“I urge this panel to embrace objectivity and select a board that will work for the good of the industry”, said Mr Owalo.

 “We wish to see a harmonious relationship between the players in the media industry which will create a favourable working relationship that serve the interest of the media”, he said.

The Principal Secretary, State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunication Prof Edward Kisiangáni reiterated the government's commitment to accord media conducive working environment in line with the Constitution of Kenya.

 “The panel should ensure that the procedures agreed are inline with the constitution. We want the media industry to flourish, and therefore you are tasked with the responsibility of getting us the right people to do the job”, noted Prof Kisiang’ani.

The new MCK Board will comprise a Chairperson and eight members who will include a member nominated by the Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary.

Members of the selection panel and their respective institutions are: Oscar Obonyo – Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), Mr Emmanuel Juma – Media Owners Association (MOA), Mr Macharia Gaitho – Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), Ms Marlene Achieng Abongó – Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Mr William Oloo Janak – Kenya Correspondence Association (KCA), Ms Sylvia Mwichuli – Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), Mr Daniel Waitere – National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Mr Julius Melli- Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA), Mr Benjamin Langwen – Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), Ms Juliana Yiapan – Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Ms Josephine Kinuthia – Kenya News Agency (KNA), Dr Kinya Mwithia -School of Journalism Private Universities and Dr Jane Thuo – School of Journalism Public Universities

The government on Wednesday released sh 4 Billion, allocation to the National government constituency development fund( NG-CDF), ending a two days stalemate between the treasury and members of parliament.

The news was broken by  National assembly NG-CDF committee chair Musa Sirma who confirmed that about sh 4 Billion had been reflected into their respective accounts.

The move comes as a relief to constituents who largely depend on the kitty  to pay school fees for needy children.The legislators who are holding a retreat at the Pride In resort expressed their joy when the news was delivered by speaker of national assembly Moses Wetangua.

“They have given us two billion shillings on Tuesday and another two billion shillings on Wednesday and they have promised that next week they will release another 2 Billion on Tuesday that translates that every constituency getting 34 Million shillings to start off on the bursary allocation,” said Sirma.

The members of parliament, who stayed away from the ongoing retreat for two consecutive days protesting remittance of the kitty funds, yesterday resumed sittings after their demand was honored.

The row was amicably solved when speaker of the national assembly Moses Wetangula convened a one hour closed door meeting with the legislators and after walking out of the meeting room, they announced to end the deadlock.

 “We want to thank the president and the speaker of the national assembly for having taken our cry as a serious agenda because without it this meeting would not have taken place, we are also human we do understand at the time this government took over they inherited a lot of debts,” said Sirma.

Earlier in the morning chairs of different committees had convened a separate meeting at Serena hotel what is seen as the one that brokered the deal.

 According to Sirma,all constituencies will now receive sh 34 Million. Many legislators promised to get back to their committees to compensate for time lost.   

“What we have done so far is that there is a big improvement from the default, so we are ready to go on,” he added, saying the stalemate that had paralyzed the sittings for two consecutive days is now a thing of the past.

Sirma also ruled out any division between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio members of parliament saying they were united for a common purpose.

 “There is no division because all political factions want money, so who has another agenda, we have unity of purpose on this matter and even the women reps their NGAAF they were given their money yesterday,” said Sirma.

“I don’t know where they got the money, for us what we wanted is money we don’t know where they got it from,” said Sirma.

Kiharu Mp Ndindi Nyoro said they are ready to proceed with the meeting until Saturday because many of the important discussions were disrupted when Mps walked out of the retreat.

His Kipipiri counterpart Wanjiku Muhia confirmed that money had already reflected in the accounts and they were ready to carry on the development affairs that have stalled due to the impasse.

“We are happy this matter has been resolved,we are now ready to get to retreat because all what we wanted has been resolved,” confirmed Muhia during a media interview.Her sentiments were echoed by Emuhaya Mp Amboko Milemba who expressed his joy stating learners who depend on bursaries can now go to school.

Members of Parliament yesterday embarked on signature collection with a motive to impeach Treasury C's Njuguna Ndungu.

The Over 200 MPS irrespective of their political affiliation said failure to release NG-CDF money amounted to inability to perform as a cabinet secretary.

Funyula Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala denied that there was division even as it was evident that Kenya Kwanza Mps played calm on the matter of (NG-CDF) delay.

The Mps questioned why the Treasury was quick to release the hustler fund and failed to release NGCDF money which the Mps have passed the budget.

"It has nothing to do with the party. We are all members of Parliament and we are speaking in one unity, It’s a national parliamentary issue that involves all of us,” said Poul Katana, Kaloleni MP.

Kibarek Reuben Mogotio Mp said Mps will continue to push for the full release of the remaining money for bursaries to ensure learners don’t suffer due to lack of school fees.

Seme Mp Dr James Nyikal said failure to release NG-CDF fund kitty means all constituency development.

Embakasi Mp Babu Owino said it's their inherent right to get education was being breached by the treasury for failure to release the kitty. 

"We want to impeach the treasury cabinet secretary if he cannot do their job. We have so far collected  300 signatures to impeach the C's when we resume sitting if he fails to honor the release of monies as promised,” said Owino.

Owino also dispelled rumours that there is political division saying all MPS are united to ensure NG-CDF money gets to accounts as soon as possible.

"This is not apolitical party affair,we are all united by the York of poverty,our common interest is the interest of the people,” said Owino.

Moris Kakai, Kiminini Mp said as MPS they will not divide themselves in the matter of agitating for the Money’s .He said very little is happening in the constituencies following the delay.