The 7th edition of the Pwani International Fashion Week and Awards(PIFWA) 2022 is set to go down this coming weekend.

The event, one of the most anticipated Fashion moments on the East African fashion calendar is set to take place at the City mall rooftop.

Several nominees are battling out in different categories.

The event failed to take place in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The awards started in 2015 seeks to celebrate the fashion and lux world by providing an innovative platform for designers to showcase their collection.

Radio presenters Joan kimani and Solomon Zully will be the hosts.

Primary school head teachers have welcomed the government’s plan to employ 30,000 teachers by January next year ahead of the official roll out of junior secondary schools competence based curriculum (CBC) programs.

Kenya Primary school heads association (Kepsha), chairperson Johnson Nzioka, said even as the teacher’s service commission TSC races against time to train and employ teachers, the institutions have the capacity for the roll out.

“We thank TSC for indicating that it will employ 30,000 teachers, that has been our prayer and we are happy, because this will go a long way to alleviate the teachers shortage that the country has faced,” said Nzioka.

This is as all grade 6 learners who completed their grade 6 Kenya Primary schools Education Assessment (KPSEA) will transition to junior secondary schools domiciled in existing primary schools.

To enhance the capacity, President William Ruto has announced that the government will recruit more teachers by January, and asked the teachers commission TSC to ensure retooling of teachers who are compliant with CBC.

“We have the capacity to take care of our children from grade 7-9 in our primary schools; sometimes we are surprised when we talk about capacity, because when we talk about teachers, they have upgraded themselves by furthering education, right now we have more than 60 percent of teachers in primary as graduates,” said Nzioka.

Speaking in Mombasa ahead of the annual Primary school head teacher’s conference, Nzioka noted that there was no cause for alarm in terms of teacher preparedness, since most of the teachers have advanced their studies in compliance with CBC teachers.

“In terms of infrastructure, the children who are transiting to grade seven, they already have the rooms that have been vacated to those who have moved to standard eight, so we have the capacity,’Nzioka added.

The CBC task force appointed by the president has recommended that junior secondary learners be domiciled in existing primary schools.The report submitted to the President on Thursday further directed that the ministry adds additional classrooms and a laboratory.

“We have seen the interim report recommending the domiciling of the junior secondary in primary, this alone will save the government the agony of the 100 percent transition, so we are leaving the secondary to create the space,” he added.

Nzioka said they are not worried about private schools supplementing public schools because of the huge investment that they have put in place. He said the domiciling of junior secondary has saved the disability learners from the most disadvantaged they would have faced.

The conference that has so far attracted over 10,000 delegates, among them head teachers and exhibitors, seeks to come with plans of easing the burden of parents. This is as concerns emerged that some teachers had taken advantage of asking learners to bring chicken, only to be eaten by teachers after teaching sessions.

“These are the gaps that we are working towards bridging, because we are saying the designs have various options of tackling certain topics, so you don’t have a chicken in school, there are options which are given in the designs, in such a way that we can handle lessons with locally available materials in the schools,” he added.

On delocalization, KEPSA says there are no longer issues of delocalization because most of the teachers are happy with their new working stations. He says if there are concerns can be handled internally.

This year's conference theme of the conference is "managing transition of competence based Based curriculum for effective nurturing of each learner's potential'.The conference is expected to be opened by president william Ruto on Tuesday,and will run till Friday Dec 9,2022.

Sarova Hotels & Resorts Kenya has announced operations of its latest hotel management acquisition, Sarova Imperial Kisumu, on December 1st 2022. 

This addition is the 8th hotel under the group’s portfolio in Kenya. The move is set to bring a new feel and touch to the hospitality industry in Kenya’s third-largest city, Kisumu. 

Sarova signed a management agreement with the owner of the Kisumu hotel in April 2022, rebranding it to Sarova Imperial Kisumu and thus making the hospitality brand the only major player with iconic properties in Kenya’s four main cities, including Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru.

After the management deal kicked off, major refurbishments have been undertaken with an aim to align the hotel to international standards in line with that of Sarova’s other properties across the country. 

“We are very excited to have started operations in the lakeside City of Kisumu. Our customers have a unique taste for quality and refreshing African hospitality. That is why we are always striving to give them the best. Sarova Imperial Kisumu will offer nothing but the best of service to make our customers feel at home. We welcome both domestic and international visitors,” said Jimi Kariuki, Managing Director Sarova Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel has a total of 95 guest bedrooms including 3 signature suites with amazing views of Lake Victoria. All guest bedrooms feature air-conditioning, safety-deposit box, a telephone, a flat-screen TV with satellite connectivity and high-speed WIFI.

It also offers spacious conferencing and meeting rooms, a fitness room, a lobby patisserie, an indoor open courtyard and a rooftop lounge, ‘The Perch’. From the hotel’s lobby through to the guest bedrooms, the hotel’s main restaurant and all the guest areas, modern furnishings complement the hotel’s contemporary-chic theme. 

The culinary experience at the Sarova Imperial, while connecting diners to the local culture and history, will feature various international influences through a variety of sustainably sourced ingredients that guarantee our guests fresh and delicious meals.

At Sarova, we have a shared appreciation for sustainable tourism and enriching the lives of our host communities with the active participation of our guests. Initiatives that preserve the Kenyan heritage, restore natural resources and provide social-economic gains are at the core of our vision.

The annual Diaspora homecoming convention is set to take place on the 7th to 9th of December 2022 at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

This year's convention is dubbed Kenya Diaspora Alliance Homecoming is set around the Theme:Inclusive Growth - Leveraging Diaspora Resources. 

The Convention is the annual premier event that brings together the largest assembly of diaspora, business leaders, opinion shapers, government representatives, industry and academia.

There will be several sessions spread across the 3 days.

The sessions seek to deepen conversations around Smart/Secure Investments, Project Finance, Trade Finance, Diaspora Cooperatives, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Rural/Cottage Industries, ‘Mama Mboga’ Diaspora Fund, Creative Industries, Agribusiness, Green Energy, IT-enabled services (ITES), Affordable Housing, Climate Smart Fund, Health/COVID-19 Interventions, Traditional Foods & Medicines, and Emerging Opportunities like AfCFTA, Blue Economy, Natural Resource Management, etc. Some of these are critical in the attainment of the UN SDGs, AU’s Agenda 2063, and Kenya Government’s long-term vision.

The Convention offers a platform to facilitate consultative, immersive interaction between the diaspora and other stakeholders, and creates awareness on investment opportunities (both at national and county levels), in line with government plans and policies (e.g. the National Diaspora Policy, Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030).

Chairman of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance Dr Shem Ochuodho has announced that the conference will be seeking to explore ways in which the Government can bolster diaspora remittances and investment opportunities in the country.

“Kenyans living abroad are set to engage the Government on new investment opportunities and how to create jobs for Kenyans who are at home and abroad,” said Dr Ochuodho.

The leadership of the alliance has exuded confidence in Kenya Kwanza regime’s creation of a diaspora portfolio.

Through an upcoming investment conference to be held next month, Dr Ochuodho explained they are championing a mind shift, negative African narrative and advocating for respect, building business partnership on a win-win basis and bringing back Africa into their rightful place in geopolitics and international trade.

“We are focusing on a cordial working relationship between the new Government and Kenyans in diaspora because there are numerous investment opportunities that are yet to be tapped,” Dr Ochuodho added.

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua is expected to engage with Kenyans living abroad in the convention to deepen the ministry’s relationship with the diaspora, as many have over the last decades felt alienated from the foreign affairs ministry.

Other government officials are also expected to be in attendance. 

Hindu prominent spiritual leader His Divine Holiness Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj has commended Kenyans for maintaining peace during and after the last general elections.

The spiritual leader who arrived in Mombasa yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon called on Kenyans to continue maintaining the peace arguing peace is key for prosperous of the country.

The spiritual leader who was received by tens of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi devotees in Mombasa County is expected to pray for the drought situation currently facing some parts of the country, during his six days stay in Kenya.

After Kenya, Maharaj will be heading to Tanzania and Uganda.

“Today we are receiving his holiness from India, he normally comes here every year. The purpose of his visit is to pray for Kenya for having peaceful elections and pray for all elected leaders to have wisdom to run the country,” said Harshadkynar Shangani.

Adding "“His holiness aims at bring all the people together as we are currently planning to mark 70 years of our first temple in Nairobi. The celebrations will coincide with the Christmas festivities."

The leader is also expected to visit the refurbished Kibarani miracle park and also meet devotees and worship together with them.

Maharaj is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descents directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.

Former Tv47 Coast senior reporter Patronila Goren was on Tuesday evening feted for her reporting on human rights.

Goren who has now joined the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI ) won the overal Best female journalist in human rights award.

The awards 'Women Human Rights Defenders Awards' an initiative of several human rights bodies based at the Coast region, seeks to recognise Women including journalists who are on the forefront on the fight against human rights violation.

While working for Tv47, Patronila alongside her camera man Brian Barasa was following up on a series of human rights violation cases especially of Kenyan female workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Her stories prompted most leaders to act including former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko who has been helping in bringing back the bodies of Kenyans who have died while working abroad.

"The award is timely and l want to thank my sources members of the network which was formed two years ago,under Article 19, protect, MUHURI and female journalists under the able leadership of Seasoned court reporter, Sophie Njoka as the Sec General,Grace Oloo as the treasurer and Khadija Yusuf as the Network chair lady who have contributed to my stories and moulded me in fighting for human rights," said Patronila who was not present to pick the award following the death of her mother early this month.

Jasmine Atieno of the People Daily newspaper won the Best in digital empowerment award

Citizen Tv journalist Mwanahamisi Hamadi was also awarded as the Best female journalist in women empowerment. 

Verteran Mombasa Women rights activist Irene Randu was awarded the Lifetime Women rights defender while Jane Jilani got the Lifetime human rights defender award. 

Mohammed Musa was recognized as the Best male champion Women rights.

The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA)  is working with journalists to develop strategies and best communication practices for reporting and countering disinformation and fake news.

KCA has identified 70 journalists from Coast , Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega counties who are undergoing training to generate stories to counter disinformation and fake news.

The project supported by Deutsch Wella Akademie kicked off in September 2022 and is expected to end in March 2023.

Speaking after a two- day training for Coast based journalists held in Mombasa, KCA Chairman William Janak said spread of disinformation and fake news was rampant during the last general elections.

"We had our own monitors during the last campaigns and it was evident that there was a wide spread of disinformation and fake news during that time. We want our journalists to have the necessary skills on how to detect disinformation and fake news" said Janak.

Adding "We are building a community of journalists that is sensitive to the needs of the society."

Janak said most journalists have found themselves reporting fake news due to lack of necessary skills and tools to detect fake news and disinformation.

The journalists undergoing the trainings are expected to produce stories on topical issues ranging from economics, politics, environment, social, among other areas which they will share through their media houses, social media handles and their own blogs.

Janak also called on both national and county government officials to co-operate with journalists through sharing critical information.

"If you don't share information to journalists then you are making their work harder, so I would like to appeal to our newly elected governors and government officials to work closely with journalists" said Janak.

Janak further called for proper  remuneration for journalists from media owners.

The Kenya Tourism industry got a major boost  after receiving her maiden cruise ship vessel, MV World Odyssey, at the port of Mombasa on Sunday after almost four years.

 MV Odyssey, which has 800 tourists (passengers and crew) docked at the Sh350 million cruise ship terminal that was completed in 2019.

No cruise ship has made call to the port since the onset of Covid-19 in 2020.

The timely arrival of the vessel towards peak tourism season is expected to boost the economy of the region and regain the glory of the Coastal city as a hub for tourism.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza, KPA management led by acting MD Ambassador John Mwangemi and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) management were on site to receive the guests.

"The arrivial  of MV Odyssey is a much needed kicker to the industry which is recovering from the adverse effect of the pandemic," said Malonza.

Malonza said that the ministry will continue to actively engage with relevant stakeholders among them the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to ensure thar the cruise industry benefits from the presence of essential infrastructure at the Kenyan coast

She said Kenya is ready to be part of the cruise tourism industry saying that the construction of the cruise ship terminal at the port by KPA is a laudable move and the first step towards tapping into the lucrative segment.

"The government will continue to develop and implement tourism policies that will improve the experiences of tourists visiting Kenya more specifically the coast region. These will include infrastructure projects such as the upgrading of the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Ukunda Airstrip in Kwale as well as road infrastructure to support tourism," she said.

The KPA acting Managing Director Ambassador John Mwangemi said this was the first cruise ship to call to port at the newly constructed Cruise ship terminal after construction was completed in 2019.

 "The arrival of World Odyssey to the Kenyan coast is a positive nod and an affirmation of our country as a premier tourism destination and hub due to the varied fascinating experiences ‘Magical Kenya’ has to offer," he said.

 He reiterated that KPA is well equipped with all the facilities needed to welcome guests into the country. 

"We have customs and security installation together with all the necessary requirement. The next stage for KPA is to continue branding and marketing Kenya as a destination for this segment of the tourist industry," said Mwangemi.

He said that Cruise tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors that is international and has leveraged on the shipping and maritime industry to expand.  He added that before the advent of the covid-19 pandemic which significantly slowed it down, it was the fastest growing segment within 

the larger tourism industry.

"Since the early 2000’s, the Port of Mombasa has received numerous  cruise vessels bringing in thousands of tourists from all over the world to our shores," he said.

Mwangemi said KPA  has partnered with KTB and Port Management Association of East & Southern Africa (PMAESA) in promoting the Port of Mombasa as a cruise tourism destination to attract more vessels to the Indian seaboard through the Cruise Africa Association (CAA).

 He added that the state-of the art terminal is built to modern standards complete with various amenities including duty free shops, restaurants, conference facilities, passenger baggage areas, and offices for key stakeholders in the industry.

"The World Odyssey which has called our port today, operates the Worlds floating campus, an academic voyage for students commonly known as Semester at Sea," he said.

The Semester at Sea started its journey in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 9th September 2022 and has cruised to Lisbon-Portugal, Casablanca Morocco, Valencia- Spain, Dubrovnik-Croatia, Piraeus-Greece, Limassol -Cyprus, Aqaba in Jordan and now Mombasa-Kenya.

 From Mombasa it heads to Mumbai India then to Dubai before returning to Mombasa again on January 29 for a five day stay.

"This is my first time in Kenya. I'm expecting to meet the local people interact with them and get to learn more about the culture" said Kanon Mori, one of the visitors.