Ommy Dallah
Mombasa Port Receives First Ukrainian Grain Shipment Since The Russian Invasion Begun
Ukrainian ambassador to Kenya Andrii Pravednyk was at the port to receive the consignment aboard the vessel ‘Super Henry’ carrying 51,400 tons of Ukrainian wheat.
The ambassador said that two more vessels had already left the Ukrainian with a total tonnage of 78,000 tons of wheat also destined for Kenya.
“The departure of the two vessels from the port in Ukraine brings the total of wheat sent to Kenya to 128,200 metric tons which is still not enough,” said Pravednyk.
Pravednyk promised that Ukraine will continue working with Kenyan authorities and commercial companies to bring more wheat to Kenya to fill the shortage occasioned by the war going on in their country.
He said that war against Ukraine has affected about 25 per cent of the world cereal trade, caused an increase in world prices, food inflation, and reduced access to food in the countries that import food from Ukraine, in particular wheat and sunflower oil
Ukraine is one of the world largest grain suppliers of wheat with the share in global trade around 10 per cent.
“We are confident that the arrival of “Super Henry” to the Port of Mombasa with 51,400 tons of Ukrainian wheat on board will bring significant relief to Kenyan consumers, helping to mitigate the prices and remove the deficit,” Pravednyk said.
He added that Ukraine is important to Kenya and asked the Kenyan Government and public to speak in one voice demanding Russia to immediately stop its aggression, and keep its commitments under the ‘Grain corridor’ to the safety of commercial vehicles operating in the Black Sea.
According to Ukrainian statistics, in 2021 Ukraine exported to Kenya a record 355.5 thousand metric tons of wheat worth USD 89.7 million.
Pravednyk said that the Russian occupiers had damaged approximately 4 million tons Ukraines grain storage capacity saying they had also seized up to 1 million tons of grain crops and sunflower oil at the estimated cost of USD 600 million.
He added that the total damage to Ukrainian agricultural sector is currently estimated at USD 4.29 billion as market experts forecast the production of grain in Ukraine in 2022 at the level of 65 million tons.
“The missiles strikes and shelling by Russian troops had damaged and destroyed dozens of farms, stocks of food and seed, silos, warehouses, oil depots, agriculture machinery and equipment”
“At least 90 agribusinesses have been damaged in Ukraine and about 13 per cent of Ukrainian territory has been contaminated by Russian mines and explosive remnants of war,” he said.
He however reiterated that even under Russian attacks, Ukraine and Ukrainian farmers are resolved to fulfill their obligations in supplying grain and other agricultural products to those who need it the most.
“The crucial precondition is keeping our seaports unblocked and sea passages free to navigate,” the ambassador said.
He remained optimistic that despite the Russian pressure, the Grain Initiative brokered by the UN Secretary General and President of Turkey on July 22 will be prolonged and reinforced.
“Since the initiative became operational, 350 ships with 7.8 million tons of agricultural products were dispatched from Ukrainian ports, including more than 1.1 million tons for African countries,” he said.
First Batch Of Livestock Destined For Oman Set To Leave Lamu Port Tuesday
The first batch of livestock scheduled to be exported to Oman is today (Tuesday) expected to sail off from the Lamu Port destined for Port of Salalah , as the two countries agreed to boost livestock trade in the coming years.
Al Bashayer Meat Company, an Omani-based company, which bought the 15,600 animals from Kenya- 200 cattle and 15,400 sheep and goats, will now be doing a 30-day rotation between ports of Lamu and Salalah.
The company has also acquired some 100 acres of land adjacent to the Lamu Port, where it has established a holding ground for the animals for export.
Peter Masinde, Manager Cargo Operations Port of Lamu, said apart from Al Bashayer, the other UAE importer is also planning to put up another 100-acre animal holding facility in Hindi, Lamu.
“We now have two importers from Oman and UAE who have shown interest in Lamu. This other importer from Dubai, UAE may be coming on board within the next three months,” said Masinde.
Masinde said the livestock export business is poised to open Lamu and the northern frontier region where the animals are sourced from.
“The livestock market is wide and has a lot of potential. It provides an opportunity for the Kenyan farmers to invest in livestock for export,” he said.
Most of the animals for export are being sourced from Garissa, where they mainly keep the Black headed sheep and the Galla goats.
Black headed sheep and Galla goats are suited for low altitudes and they are also resistant to diseases that are why they are loved in Middle East countries.
Most of the cattle for export are sourced from Laikipia and the Merino sheep are sourced from Narok, whereas camels from Tana River County.
Apart from the Kenyan livestock, the port of Lamu will be handling animals from five other African countries including; Ethiopia, South Sudan, northern parts of Uganda and as far as Mali, said Masinde.
Annually, the Lamu Port will have a capacity to handle in excess of 300,000 heads of livestock when the project is fully realized.
To handle the livestock export business effectively, the Ministry of Agriculture in July said it had set aside Sh500 million for construction of livestock handling facilities around the Port of Lamu.
Masinde said the government will establish animal holding grounds in Bargoni near the Kenya Defense Forces Barracks in Lamu and a laboratory facility in Witu, also within Lamu.
The holding field near the port will be utilized as a quarantine facility for certifying livestock for export.
“The existing government holding grounds and laboratory facilities are at Mariakani in Mombasa, which is far from the port of Lamu. So the laboratory facility will be built at Witu and the livestock holding area will be built at Bargoni area, next to KDF barracks,” said Masinde.
Within the Lamu Port, the government will set up a holding yard on a 20-acre parcel of land next to berth number 1, said Masinde.
“The Ministry of Livestock is committed to fund the project. Funds have already been allocated and a contractor is being sought to carry out the project,” he said.
Jack Kisero, International Trader Manager at Al Bashayer, said this is the third time this year they are moving live animals from Kenya.
The first and second shipments were done in January and February through the Mombasa Port.
“This third shipment, we decided to move to Lamu because it is nearer to Salalah Port in Oman compared to Mombasa Port. From Lamu to Oman is a seven-day voyage when the sea is calm.”
Kisero said they have set up a pre-quarantine area for the animals.at the 100-acre parcel of land that they have acquired in Lamu.
“We are building a facility of international standards here in Lamu which will be able to handle live animals for export to Oman, Saudi, Qatar, Omar, Kuwait, and all other Middle East countries,” he said.
Al Bashayer Meat Company has also acquired Banyas 1, a Togo-flagged livestock vessel, which will be coming to Lamu Port for the next one year.
The vessel, which has an overall length overall (LOA) of 72 meters and width is 13 meters, has a capacity to carry 20,734 small animals (sheep and goats) and 2,200 cattle.
“We will be having a rotation every 30 days, until we see how best this port of Lamu works for us. Thereafter, we will start having a rotation every 21 days,” said Kisero.
The Port of Lamu was operationalized on May 20 last year by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and since then it has so far handled 13 vessels.
Murugi Munyi, Ajib Gathoni, Jackie Matubia and Blessing Lung'aho Among Those Feted At The Second Annual Pulse Influencer Awards
Murugi Munyi, Ajib Gathoni, Jackie Matubia and Blessing Lung'aho were among top celebrated influencers who were feted at the second annual Pulse Influencer Awards
The winners were presented with their awards at a gala event held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences and attended by Kenya’s top influencers.
The winners were selected after public nominations which shortlisted 10 nominees in each category and a public voting phase which drew up the awardees in September.
The Pulse Influencer Awards is a celebration of local creativity within each of the 6 Pulse Africa operating markets (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda & Cote d’Ivore).
The Awards are also a platform that enables Pulse to bring together highest-flying creators and give our sponsors a chance to connect with our audiences.
Kenya was represented in the Pan-African Category where nominees were selected from all Pulse operating markets for a chance to win the Positive Impact, Voice of Africa, Community or Most Innovative Influencer of the Year.
Ms Ivy Mugo “Just Ivy” claimed the Most Innovative Influencer title as well as Kenya’s 2022 Business Influencer of the Year.
In her speech moments after receiving the award, she stated: “Just Ivy Africa was born two months ago when I decided I’d like to give a voice to the voiceless in Africa, especially when it comes to women and money. I feel like this is validating in my journey and I just want to tell content creators out there that this business can pay and you can change lives and impact the world. The eye is on Africa right now especially if you are creating content. From Africa to the world, thank you Pulse.”
The TMI Podcast and Murugi Munyi were the biggest winners of the night, claiming three titles - YouTube Influencer of the Year, Podcast Influencers of the Year and Instagram Influencer of the Year.
Pulse East Africa MD, Wamuyu Kiragu stated: “I’d like to thank the Influencers, this night would not have been possible without the work you do. We honour the art, and the content you create and it is such a pleasure to offer a platform where you are celebrated. I wish you every success from here onwards and even if you didn’t win, your work is still of great value.”
This year’s event was proudly sponsored by Absa Bank, Xiaomi, Shop Zetu, Safari Beauty Spa, Little Cab, Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery, Denri, AAR Healthcare and Mövenpick Hotel.
List of Winners
Health & Fitness Influencer of the Year
Shiv Simani
Media Influencer of the Year
Natalie Githinji
Sports Influencer of the Year
Ferdinand Omanyala
Blogger Influencer of the Year
Edgar Obare
Food Influencer of the Year
Dennis Ombachi
Music Influencer of the Year
Nikita Kering
Travel & Leisure Influencer of the Year
Natalie Tewa
Business Influencer of the Year
Just Ivy
Fashion Influencer of the Year (Female)
Mercy Sande
Fashion Influencer of the Year (Male)
Lenana Kariba
Arts Influencer of the Year
Mini Cheps
Photography Influencer of the Year
Muma Pix
Comedy Influencer of the Year
Crazy Kennar
Acting Influencer of the Year (Female)
Jackie Matubia
Acting Influencer of the Year (Male)
Blessing Lung’aho
Beauty & Lifestyle Influencer of the Year
Joy Kendi
Dance Influencer of the Year
Ajib Gathoni
Tech Influencer of the Year
Daddie Marto
TikTok Influencer of the Year
Benawamalines
LinkedIn Influencer of the Year
Joan the Career Coach
YouTube Influencer of the Year
TMI Podcast
Facebook Influencer of the Year
Beryl Itindi
Instagram Influencer of the Year
Murugi Munyi
Twitter Influencer of the Year
Edgar Wabwire
Podcast Influencer of the Year
TMI Podcast
Pan-Africa’s Most Innovative Influencer of the Year
Just Ivy
Former Nation Coast Bureau Chief Njeri Rugene Appointed Dp Gachagua's Head Of Communication
Former Nation Media group Coast Bureau Chief Njeri Rugene has been appointed the head of communication, office of the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
The renowned journalist and political editor is among five individuals appointed by President William Ruto on Monday.
Rugene served in Mombasa for close to three years before being transferred to Nation centre Nairobi and assumed the role of political editor/
Other appointees include Reuben Maiyo who has been appointed as Private Secretary to the President, George Ng'ong'a Macgoye (Chief of Staff to the Deputy President), Paul Muraya Mwangi Guare(Private Secretary to the Deputy President) and Emmanuel Talam (Press Secretary, Presidential Communication Service).
In a statement signed by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, said the team will support the President in the implementation of his vision for Kenya as espoused in the Kenya Kwanza Plan.
"In Execution of the high mandate vested in the head of state and government, His Excellency the President continues to constitute the team that will support him in the implementation of his vision for Kenya as espoused in the Kenya Kwanza plan" reads the statement.
Mombasa County Partners With International Donors To Conduct Free Heart Surgeries
Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir on Monday officially opened the Free Heart Surgery Medical Camp at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The camp is being conducted by the county government through the hospital in partnership with the Sharjah Charity International organization.
Speaking during a tour of the Mombasa Cath Lab and the hospital main theatre, Governor Nassir said that the camp was a relief to the many vulnerable families who cannot afford the procedure.
“The procedure is very expensive, one may require about Sh1.5 million to cover the costs and would probably have to go to India,” said Nassir.
The governor lauded the partnership as he reiterated his government’s commitment to improving healthcare services in the county.
“We are happy for the partnership that will see needy cases benefit from the surgeries at no cost,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Sharja Chief Executive Officer Abdulhalim Saleh said that the process of identifying the 60 beneficiaries began four months ago through medical outreaches conducted in the six counties of the region.
“The patients were all picked from the outreaches we conducted in Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mombasa, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties. The procedure began about four months ago before we picked the cases to work on,” he said.
Saleh raised concern over the increasing numbers of cardiovascular related cases that remained unnoticed which he said continue to put the lives of many especially children at risk.
“We are going to sit down with the hospital’s management and see how best to address these challenges. From what we discovered through the outreaches, we have sent proposals to more donors to see how we can work together,” he said.
He said that for the camp, they had brought in 14 specialist doctors from United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Others we coming from Jordan, Egypt and the Netherlands who will conduct both open and closed heart surgeries.
Coast General Chief Executive Officer Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla, lauded the launch of the camp saying that the hospital was among the only two public hospitals in the country with the ability to carry out the heart procedures.
He said that one of the aims of having the camp was to ensure that heart surgery cases could be bale to be done locally.
Khandwalla also said that the camp was also meant to train the hospital staff so that soon they will be able to operate on the cases on their own,
“The essence of the camp was to ensure that we are able to do cases that could not have been done locally and would require one to go to higher centers in Nairobi or travel to India,” he said.
“We are working together with the hospital’s board, to position the hospital as a centralized center for cardiac and cancer cases through minimal access surgeries,” he added.
Buxton Housing Project Wins ITDP Gold Star Award
The Mombasa Buxton housing project has received an award for adherence to crime prevention through environmental design among other qualities.
The Gold star award awarded by the the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) Africa after achieving an 86 per cent mark.
The award also recognises the project's social amenities and facilities including having provisions for a community centre, disability and elderly friendly environment , connectivity to town, kindergarten, social hall, sports courts, green areas and swimming pool among others.
The project survey and scoring were done by both the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and ITDP Africa, a non-governmental organisation.
ITDP Africa is focused on providing technical expertise to accelerate the implementation of transport systems and urban development policies to improve inclusivity and resilience.
“The inclusion of the social amenities, the project connectivity time to town, the disability and elderly-friendly environment, its active amenable frontages and the project’s adherence to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design have made it possible for us to receive the award,” Ahmed Badawy, chief executive officer of the project said.
Adding " The award certificate will officially be received by the Buxton Affordable Housing project architect Yassir Brek who has been invited to Kigali, Rwanda."
The Kigali conference with the theme, “Transit Oriented Development: Planning for Development and Social Inclusion,” will be happening this week.
The Sh6 Billion housing project is currently the largest project in the country that is aimed at giving Mombasa residents not just apartments but modern lifestyle. The project has received the blessings of the national and county governments.
Raila, Mboko Scoff At Ruto's Hustle Fund Plan
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has scoffed at President William Ruto hustler fund plan.
According to Odinga, this will be just like any other financial transaction and not a special kitty as portrayed by Ruto's administration.
"It will just be another commercial transaction" said Odinga.
On her part, Likoni Mp Mishi Mboko wondered why President Ruto is insisting on setting up the kitty yet his deputy Rigathi Gachagua has been publicly complaining that the coffers are empty.
"Where will they get the money for all this yet they complain that the coffers are empty" said Mboko.
Speaking in Kericho on Sunday, deputy president Rigathi Gachagua said the new administration needs time to clean the economic mess of Kenya.
"To our detractors, we can’t clean the economic mess of five years in 30 days. We are cleaning your mess," said Gachagua.
President William Ruto announced that he will be launching the Hustler fund on December 1, 2022.
The fund, according to him, is aimed at spurring reforms in financial lending, particularly to low- and middle-income Kenyans.
President Ruto revealed that the funds will be in form of loans to be repaid and not as grant.
"On December 1 we will launch the Hustler Fund and so it is up to you now to organise yourselves into Chamas, SACCOs, cooperatives or individually. It is not free money, it is business money that you will repay. We will eliminate shylocks and repayment will be at less than a 10% interest," Ruto said.
Those seeking to benefit through the Ksh.50 billion annual kitty ought to have joined cooperative groups, which will act as their guarantors.
Kisumu’s Gabiro Mtu Necessary Makes it to the 65th Grammy Awards Consideration
The 65th Grammy Awards is set to unveil its nominations list this November and KiKisumu-based musician, Gabiro Mtu Necessary is the first Kenyan musician to receive consideration for the same.
Gabiro’s debut album; Saint John and another single dubbed Pok Alando have both been added to the voting list categories of Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance respectively.
This comes days after he hit the 2 million streams mark with his album across all digital streaming platforms with Boomplay leading with the highest number of streams at 520,000 streams at the time.
Last year, Mtu Necessary had his 3 track EP, JENESIS recognized by the Recording Academy in the annual Behind the Records project and later got considered for a Grammy nomination as the Best Global Music album alongside two other Kenyan musicians; Octopizzo and Victoria Kimani.
He recently got admitted to the Recording Academy as a member with voting rights.
All these came up at a time when the self-proclaimed Kisumu President had given up on music and had gone ahead to open a barbershop and venture into poultry farming.
He is a clear indication that strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle and this is more evident with the fact that he is a native of Kisumu city where he dwells and creates his music with very little at his disposal.
In another post on his Facebook page, Gabiro wrote; “Is it not appropriate to now say I am the first rapper to take Luo rap to the Grammys? We are bringing this to Kisumu one day, it's close and I can feel it...”
With the Grammys being the world's most prestigious award, it is not an effortless feat to have a musician’s work featured on their platform and for this, we give up to musicians like Gabiro who keep applying pressure to the necessary points.
Stream Gabiro’s debut album below:
Youth Told To Come Up With Business Solutions To Create Jobs
The Aga khan foundation in collaboration with other key stakeholders is targeting to empower youth create business solutions to employ themselves.
In the program dubbed, COVID-19 response program implemented by Agakhan foundation seeks to strengthen COVID strategies for the vulnerable in the community among them jobless youth.
The European Union is the main donor of the program.
Speaking in Mombasa Agakhan foundation program coordinator Stelamaris Mumbua said the program is implement in four countries namely Kenya Uganda,Tanzania and Mozambique.
Mumbua said they are partnering with Mombasa and Kwale counties to actualise Youth employability skills trainings ,which have helped youth with business skills.
"We are celebrating the milestone the youths have made is creating solutions therefore we are supporting them to Access trainings and give them grants to support their businesses," said Mumbua.
In the Coast it is being implemented in Kwale and Lamu with an objective to strengthen COVID 19 strategies and come up with interventions towards improving the lives of the vulnerable.
"We are also strengthening the health case systems by doing a lot of education to combat the virus, we are also supporting youth economic programs to access training youth on entrepreneurship," said Mumbua.
Mombasa county director Youth development Sabrina Yusuf termed the program a game changer to majority of youth struggling to economically stand on their feet.
"Since COVID 19 struck, alot of business for the young people were affected, we took it upon ourselves to look for these youth groups to empower them with knowledge and skills about business," said Yusuf.
Some of the beneficiaries of the program have expressed their joy over the program.
Mohamed Suleiman one of the applicants said his business idea, said the program will help many jobless youths. He is among majority of youth who are searching for jobs.
"We are happy for this program, I believe it will change the lives of many youths.," said Suleiman.
Video Of Woman Caught Breastfeeding Dogs Not Kenyan-Coast Recruitment Agencies say, Blaming Atwoli For Spreading lies
Coast Accredited recruitment agencies have demanded immediate arrest of the person behind an online viral video of a Kenyan Migrant worker allegedly breastfeeding dogs in Saudi Arabia.
They claim the video was edited and infused with misleading content to blackmail recruitment agencies and employers in Saudi Arabia. They now accuse COTU boss Francs Atwoli for propagating lies.
Speaking at a media briefing in Mombasa on Thursday, led by the Kenya Association of private employment Agencies, national chairman Mwalimu Mwaguzo claimed the video was allegedly retrieved from a pornographic site, edited with a voice with misleading content infused in it.
“We want to ask the DCI to investigate and arrest the person behind the edited video of the lady who was captured breastfeeding puppies, the person put a voice to taint the image of that country,” said Mwaguzo.
The Agencies flanked by other organizations like Haki Africa say the message was done in bad faith to taint the image of recruitment Agencies, saying since it circulated online; it has caused anxiety between recruitment Agencies employees, employers and Saudi Government.
“We can confirm that this photo was retrieved in a pornographic site, and edited to meet a certain agenda, so we want the government to apprehend the person who posted it, and be charged for blackmail,” said Mathia Shipeta,Haki Africa Human rights Rapid Response officer.
Shipeta has condemned the remarks by COTU boss Francis Atwoli when he called on the government to blacklist agencies, saying this has raised a lot of anxiety among agents and employers in Saudi Arabia.
On Sunday, Atwoli said he received a disturbing video from a woman in Saudi Arabia, who alleged that her employer forced her to breastfeed their dogs.
Atwoli urged the government to ban all employment agencies brokering job opportunities in foreign countries.
He said there is a need to protect migrant workers from Kenya and that can be achieved by banning the agencies promoting domestic jobs, especially in Saudi Arabia.
“We took time to research, but we blame Atwoli for the remarks he made, demanding agencies to be blacklisted, his move has raised a lot of anxiety among agents and employers in Saudi Arabia, we should retract his remarks,” said Shipeta.
They have now called on the government to sign the pending bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia as a measure to reduce cases of mistreatment of Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia.
The Agencies want the government to reign in rogue agencies transporting Kenyans to Saudi Arabia saying they are to blame for the rising violation of rights.
The organizations have vowed to continue agitating for the rights of Kenyans working in the gulf countries.
The organizations say the person who infused the voice in the video should be arrested for misleading and blackmailing genuine recruitment.
The agents say the image of genuine operators has been tainted by a few who operate illegally, therefore making the sector become one of the Entrusted sectors.
"We know there are people who are now colluding with some of us to ruin the sector, we have followed all the regulations required so we will name and shame them," he added.
About 300,000 agents in Kenya have played a part in transportation of Kenyans to Work in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
According to the agents, revenues from foreign domestic workers pumped into the country stands at 113 Billion annually, and this is as a result of government partnership with Saudi Arabia.
