The government has acquired three medium level fishing boats at a cost of sh 60 Million in the latest government's plan to help fishermen exploit the deep-sea fishing.

Mining and blue economy cabinet secretary Salim Mvurya said the pilot project is targeting fishermen in Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale counties where the boats will be handed over to County BMUs.

 “We have acquired three medium level boats  which have cost sh 60 million; we have one in Lamu, Kwale and Mombasa ,as a ministry we are committed in the next few months we will equip those boats then hand them over to county government BMUs so that they can facilitate fishing in the medium deep sea,” said Mvurya.

Mvurya said through the cooperation of coastal counties, they have identified landing sites that will be installed with cooling systems to facilitate value addition for their dilly catch. He said the government is working with the private sector to operationalise the Liwatoni fish landing site.

Speaking in Mombasa during the official opening of an induction workshop bringing together Agriculture County executive Committee Members and Chief Officers asked the county governments to tap into the blue economy opportunities that have remained untapped.

“We want to invite the private sector in areas of value addition of fish products. We want to facilitate our fisheries so that they can delay the sales and store the fish and sale when prices are good,” said Mvurya.

 In addition the Cs said small ports will be expanded to provide for handling fishing boats to enable fishermen to have a docking place.Mvurya also launched a 250 million dollars national value chain development project that will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and is funded by the World Bank.

The project will be implemented in the next five years in all the 47 counties. It will help farmers in value chain projects. It also targets increasing market participation for targeted farmers.

Council of governors Agriculture chair Ken Lusaka who also doubles as Bungoma governor said county governors and central government should harmoniously work to deliver the best for the government.

He challenges counties to direct 10 percent of their budgets to Agriculture in line with the Maputo declaration. He called for good entrenchment of good governance to help leverage on Agriculture.

"We call upon CECM's to be stewards of the governor's to achieve the purpose of the devolution,” said Lusaka.

Lamu governor Issa Timamy who also doubles as the chair of the council of governor’s Blue economy chairman said the blue economy has a great potential to the growth of the country’s economy thus needs a lot of focus.

"There is growing appreciation that it's critical to leverage on the blue economy for the growth of the country's GDP, it was well thought to have a fully fledged docket to champion blue economy affairs in the country, “said Timmamy.

He said Counties are relevant in utilization of the blue economy resources which have largely remained untapped. He said there is a need for enough budgets, skills, labour and research for the blue economy to be fully realized.

The council of governors COG executive officer CEO Mary Mwiti called on the county government to embrace professionalism on all deliverables to be able to achieve the desired development.

"We ask you as you embark on a count to embrace innovation and accountability the resources that have been allocated to the counties,” said Mwiti.

The meeting brought together Chairs of Agriculture and Blue economy from the council of governors and county chief’s officers and CEC's in the respective dockets.

“I want to ask the County leadership to strengthen county policy and legislative processes to` support the much-needed growth and development for the agriculture and blue economy sectors,” Mwiti added.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has finally appointed his cabinet.

In an executive order signed on 15th January 2023, Nassir who has been under pressure to appoint his cabinet sent home all the members of the executive serving his predecessor Hassan Joho, bringing in new faces.

The 10 member list consists of three Women.

Deputy Governor Francis Thoya will be in charge of the Environment and Solid waste management docket. Nassir's long serving personal assistant Mohammed Hussein (Amadoh) will be in charge of the Lands, urban renewal and housing docket.

Others are Dr Mbwarali Kame ( Education and digital transformation), Evans Oanda (Finance and Economic planning), Dr Swabah Ahmed (Health), Daniel Otieno (Transport and Infrastructure), Emily Achieng (Water Natural resources and climate change resilience), Kenneth Muigai (Public service administration, youth gender, social services and sports), Kibibi Abdallah (Blue Economy, Agriculture and Livestock) and Mohammed Osman (Tourism).

"I am confident that these individuals are qualified and offer the best potential for serving the people of Mombasa." said Nassir.

The members will be presented to the county assembly of Mombasa for vetting and approval.

Noah Akala has been appointed as the Chief of staff.

Nassir has also appointed his team of advisers which includes Mahmoud Noor (Innovation and digital), Mohammed Tenge (Political), Goshi Juma (Youth and gender affairs), Dorcas Mutheu (Urban renewal), Gilbert Langat (Port and maritime affairs) Dr Fauziya Karama (Economic affairs)

Mombasa County assembly speaker Aharub Khatri has recalled members of the county assembly for a special sitting on Monday, 16th January 2022.

According to a special gazette notice the sitting expected to start at 11am is for the MCAs to consider and approve the Mombasa county finance bill 2022.

"Pursuant to standing order 26(1-4) of the Mombasa county Assembly standing orders, it is notified for the information of members of county assembly of Mombasa and the general public that I have appointed Monday, 16th January 2023 to be a day for a special sitting at the County assembly chambers, Mombasa county assembly buildings, Mombasa at 11am for the purpose of considering and approving the Mombasa County finance bill 2022" reads the gazette notice signed by speaker Khatri.

The assembly went on recess on December 7, 2022 and was to resume on February 6, 2022.

On Friday 16, 2022 the assembly convened for another special sitting to adopt the finance bill.

In a recent joint media interview, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the finance bill will among other things ease the burden of traders in doing business by reducing licenses.

"We want to reduce corruption by ensuring that we provide an opportunity for all traders to pay tax levies without being victimised, we have synchronised everything to ensure a systemic payment of levies," said Nassir.

The county conducted public hearing for the finance bill from Tuesday 3rd January 2023 to Thursday 5th January 2023, in all the 6 sub counties.

Former Kinango Mp Benjamin Tayari is the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Tayari who lost to Gonzi Rai in the 2022 general elections was appointed through a special gazette notice dated 13th January 2023 signed by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Tayari takes over from General (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana. 

Kibwana's term was reappointed to the position in July last year after leaving the office after his term for the same position expired in June 2021.

Tayari's first task will be to oversee the appointment of the new Managing Director. A total of 61 applicants have so far applied for the position. 

According to a source, the current general manager in charge of corporate services Edward Kamau is among the applicants.

KPA advertised for the MD position in the local dailies last month, the term of the current acting MD John Mwangemi is set to come to an end on March this year.

Tanzania's showman Karim "Mtukazi" Mandonga is the magnet that pulled in the massive turnout in Saturday's 10-bout professional boxing card at the KICC Tsavo Ballroom.

The huge turnout brought back memories of 1987 when a similar crowd watched Kenya's Hit Squad win eight gold medals in the boxing finals of the African Games and the first post independence professional boxing contest in July 2,1983 when Kenya's Napunyi Oduori KO'd Tanzania's Onesmo Ngowi in the third round of the main fight to win the East African featherweight title.

Both events took place at the same venue.

Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC) President Reuben Ndolo and Secretary-General Franklin Imbenzi were over the moon. Their move to invite Mandonga was a gem.

Promoter Mike Odongo of Solid Rock Promotions was equally elated by the huge turnout at KICC.

"I will meet with my team to review the whole show and way forward but Mandonga will definitely be back," said Odongo.

"We will bring Mandonga to Kenya again, he's a good marketer," said Ndolo.

Mandonga defeated Kenya's Daniel Wanyonyi who refused to answer the bell for the sixth round in this super middleweight bout. Not that Wanyonyi received a thorough beating from the Tanzanian but he looked unfit and ill prepared for the fight which was transmitted live through KPBC's online Ndondi TV.

"This is our new project we're proud for the big leap forward we now have our own online TV, we will be showing all our fights through Ndondi TV," said Imbenzi.

The fight itself lacked the expected  fireworks with Wanyonyi holding his own in the opening two rounds but from there it was Mandonga carrying the fight to the Kenyan. His punches were however not strong enough to KO Wanyonyi who was at times forced to burry his face under both gloves for safety as Mtukazi attacked in waves.

Soon after referee Julius Odhiambo signaled the end of the fight, an excited Mandonga punched the air in joy, doing some shuffling and was joined by his manager Juma Ndambire.

"Mandonga is now a brand in Tanzania through his gifted marketing skills," said Ndambire.

"He has a contract with Wasafi Bet, Robi One and K4 Security to advertise their products. We're now in talks with a prominent betting company for Mandonga to be their ambassador."

Big-talking Mandonga, 43, thanked Kenyans for their warm welcome and said he will be back in April.

"Nimesema na kutenda, Mandonga Mtukazi nimempiga Wanyonyi mpaka akaogopa kuja kwa raundi ya sita maanake angeramba sakafu. Naja Kenya tena mwezi wa nne." Mandonga has improved his record to 4-3-1 (2 KOs).

In the co-main supporting middleweight bout, Kenya's Rayton Okwiri outpointed Tanzania's Shabani Ndaro who was warned several times by the referee George Athman for constantly holding his opponent.

"He messed up my plans for the fight, whenever I wanted to set up my attack he was holding me, and the referee was also too lenient," said Okwiri.

With that victory, Okwiri has improved his record to 9-1-1 (6 KOs) and Ndaro dropped to 5-1-1 (2 KOs). It was Ndaro's first defeat in his professional boxing career.

Selected results

Super-featherweight: Jean John Colin outpointed David Omollo (Kenya)

Featherweight: Reddy Bellehumeur (Mauritius) lost on points to Albert Kimario (Kenya)

Featherweight: Jane Kavulani lost on points to Praxides Anyango. All Kenyans

Heavyweight: Kennedy St-Pierre (Mauritius) TKO'd  Yannick Mandu Katuta (DRC) first round

Heavyweight: Louis Cedric Oliver (Mauritius) outpointed James Nyariki (Kenya)

Super-middleweight Adel Motean (Mauritius) KO'd  Lucien Botumbe (DRC) in round two

Middleweight: Rayton Okwiri (Kenya) outpointed Shabani Ndaro (Tanzania)

Super-middleweight: Karim Mandonga (Tanzania) TKO'd Daniel Wanyonyi (Kenya) round 6

Still riding off global hit singles like Amarulah, African Woman and most recently My Baby feat Harmonize, Roberto serves us another smash hit, titled NOBODY with production by Himself and mastering by Paul Kruz.

Roberto seemingly on a afro beats take over, since his last Afro Hit Release with Harmonize, has been making waves across the globe, with an Invitation to host and perform at Uganda’s elite award Ceremony The Hipipo Awards and a planned Tour in 2023.

This release is set to get the engines raving.

Nobody was first performed at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka, on 5^th October 2022 quickly spread through social media, as the catchy hook got students singing and relating to the lyrics.

The song is rumoured to be one of Roberto’s best releases this quarter of the year. Hopefully, this record might soon set the Afro-classic crooner on a milestone due to its general acceptance.

Download 'NOBODY' Video & Music Video Teasers

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bCqrz1COCZXAr9RkE50OZqdVNCm9cCsn?usp=share_link

The Government has assured the media of a conducive environment to undertake its operations.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Prof Edward Kisiangani says relevant legislation to facilitate this will be put in place.

The PS at the same time commended the Media Council of Kenya for spearheading efforts to review laws around media operations, with a view to give the country a robust policy to guide media operations.

 “The Government recognises the critical place of independent and free media. We will support the media to play its role in contributing to matters of national interest through responsible reporting”, he said at a meeting convened by the Media Council of Kenya to review its Strategic Plan in Kwale.

Prof Kisiangani said the Government will work closely with the media towards pushing service delivery and delivering on its development agenda.

 “Countries that have a vibrant media have a vivacious development agenda. It is not in our brief to fight anybody, including the media as media freedom is enshrined in the Constitution. We will work closely with all stakeholders to institute laws that will streamline media operations. The Media Council should be at the forefront in these efforts”, said the PS.

 “The Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of our Constitution gives the media freedom to execute its mandate. However, this should come with utmost responsibility”, he said.

 The PS at the same time cautioned media organisations against maltreating their staff, in view of the recent layoffs and pay cuts across media houses.

“Private media owners should not be allowed to threaten existence of the media through unfriendly business practices. Media workers should be protected from rogue businesses”.

He revealed that the Government, through the Government Advertising Agency (GAA), is committed to supporting media viability, adding that it has so far released moneys towards settling pending bills.

 “Out of the pending KShs 1.2 billion, we have so far released KShs 244 million to media houses. However, no media house has reported that and most continue subjecting their staff to job cuts. This is unfair and should not be allowed”, he said.

He urged the Media Council to engage media owners towards adopting viable business models and professional reporting.

He also implored media organisations to embrace innovative approaches in their operations in view of the digital shift.

The PS asked the Media Council of Kenya to execute its mandate, to ultimately enhance professionalism in the Media.

“As a regulator the Media Council should ensure responsible reporting by the media. The Media Complaints Commission should pick any breaches to the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya and guide the media accordingly”, he said.

The PS advised the media to interrogate the government’s blueprint to report objectively on areas around agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, housing and settlement, healthcare, the digital superhighway, the creative economy and environment and climate change.

“The Government is committed to forge working relationships with the media in order to improve service delivery and quality of life for all Kenyans. Let us engage positively and I urge the media to avoid political inclinations as governments change from time to time. The media should play its watchdog role in a non-partisan manner”, said Prof Kisiangani.

Media Council of Kenya CEO Mr David Omwoyo said the Council has embarked on reviewing its Strategic Plan in line with the digital transformation of the media space.

He noted that liberalisation of the media space has seen exponential growth of media and asked media organisations to uphold professionalism.

 He said the Council will continue engaging stakeholders in efforts to promote viability and capacity building on coverage of matters of national interest.

Mombasa county assembly is set to adopt a health taskforce report that seeks to improve on health service delivery within public hospitals in Mombasa.

The report will be presented to the assembly by Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir for adoption before its implementation takes effect.

Speaking after receiving the report from the health taskforce committee at his office on Thursday, Governor Nassir expressed his commitment to revolutionising the health system in Mombasa County.

The health task force was formed shortly after he ascended to office. The 87 page report was launched on Thursday at the governor's office seeking better health services in Mombasa.

The report has recommended among other things to strengthen the community healthcare system by equipping all hospitals with modern equipment in line with technological advancements.

“We have recommended the strengthening of the community health care system by equipping and improving health care,” said Nassir after receiving the report.

He added “We have recommended that Tudor hospital be a child and maternity hospital, Mvita to cater for eye diseases, and coast general Utange to deal with infectious diseases.

On healthcare financing the report recommended a partnership with stakeholders to fund key functions of the health delivery by ensuring that more people are registered to the national hospital insurance fund NHIF.

The report also recommended the use of modern information sharing to reduce paperwork. It also recommends strengthening of universal health coverage within all hospitals.

"We want to ensure that resources channeled to the health sector are used prudently, and avert any form of corruption, “said Nassir, adding that some hospitals had turned the public into a cash cow.

The report also recommended that the county government build more rehabilitation centers in efforts to contain drug and substance use in Mombasa.

"We are going to use our CHW in the grassroots; we have also agreed to put them on retention to give them morale in service delivery,” said Nassir.

The report is set to be adopted by the Mombasa county assembly and when adopted it will start full implementation.

 The health taskforce was chaired by former Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Dr Chibanzi Mwachinda who said the recommendation came after comprehensive interviews in 46 health centers in Mombasa since the committee was initiated on September 2, 2022.

About 40,000 people are under NHIF in Mombasa County according to previous reports, and Nassir says efforts to increase the number are underway.