Ommy Dallah
KPA To Introduce Smart Gate Technology Payment System At The Likoni Ferry
The Kenya Ports authority (KPA) is planning to introduce the smart gate technology payment system at the Likoni ferry crossing channel.
There will also be four lanes to approach the ramps.
Drivers will be required to have a card that they will load (with) money, allowing them to use the ferry service without stopping along to pay with cash.
The process flow of making ferry toll charges session begins when a user requests a USSD code from their mobile phone.
As soon as the initial request is sent, the USSD gateway sends it on to a USSD application. The application calculates a response to the request and sends it back to the gateway, which prompts the motorists to the category charges of the vehicle and receives a message on their mobile phone screen.
According to the authority this will help in improving services at the ferry hence do away with the traffic usually experienced at the channel.
KPA is currently holding a stakeholders meeting to discuss the planned changes. among the partners attending the meeting are as the Kenya transport association (KTA), Kenya national chamber of commerce, Matatu welfare association, Kenya tour operators’ association, and other key business communities.
The Kenya ferry services (KFS) was dissolved in 2020 with KPA taking over its operations.
Before KFS was set up, ferry services used to be under KPA, which took them from the Kenya Bus Services, which ran the services until 1989 when it decided to pull out.
Mombasa Filmmakers Push For Policy To Develop The Industry
Mombasa film makers are pushing for the introduction of the Mombasa Film Policy which they say will aid the growth and development of the industry.
Over the last six months, the film makers have been convening under the Global Opportunity Youth Network Mombasa to draft the policy with the aid of partners and a number of people from the legal fraternity.
John Kamau, the creative pathway associate at the network said that they have so far held four working group engagements with the film makers.
“The first convening for the working group was last year and the other three were held this year, we have been meeting in after two months. The next meeting will be next month,” said Kamau.
Kamau said that they have already they are in the process of formulating the third and final draft which will undergo a public participation before they present it to the county government of Mombasa for adoption
“We have so far done the first and second draft, we are now going to the third draft which will entail a public participation forum in our next engagement”
“This will involve presenting the proposed draft Mombasa film policy document to the public so that they can analyze it and give us pointers on what they feel is right and what they feel needs to be adjusted,” he said.
Kamau said that it was important to have the policy in place to help grow the film industry in Mombasa.
He said, currently Mombasa film makers experience a myriad of challenges that would have been properly addressed if they had a policy in place to help and protect them.
According to him, the issue of licensing needs to be centralized because for one to film in Mombasa, they have to acquire a number of licenses from different offices.
“Local film makers are also being charged very high fees as if they are foreigners, in Mcahakos county for instance, you pay only Sh1,000 to do a film there so long as you mention Machakos in your film. You can’t do that in Mombasa,” he said.
“We are trying to find ways that will make it easy for film makers in Mombasa to do business and create job opportunities,” he added.
Kamau said that they have partnered with the Coast Film Assocition, IP Garage, Alliance Francaise Mombasa, Swahili pot hub, Little Theatre Club Mombasa and the Technical university of Mombasa among others in the push to have the policy in place.
During his campaign trail, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir promised to scrap off charges imposed on film makers for them to film in Mombasa.
“One of the greatest hindrances of the creative economy is this unnecessary charges that we have. My argument is very simple, if someone takes a video and posts it that person is selling Mombasa as a preferred destination,” he said then.
“We will not hinder, but we will encourage those doing TV series to come onboard so that it is easier for them to tap in to local talents than saying they have to bring in talents from outside” he said.
He also promised to introduce the Mombasa Film festival which he said would bring in renowned film makers and producers and film making companies from all over the world to come and sample Mombasa and the local talents available.
“We have the Zanzibar Film festival taking place annually, we want to have a similar thing here where we get in foreign producers and directors to come in and notice our local talents. The startup capital you would have won will be the seed capital for you to fully venture into the industry,” he said.
Mutua Meets Uganda High Commissioner To Kenya Hassan Galiwango To Quell Uganda Kenya Simmering Diplomatic Row
Kenya Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary nominee Dr Alfred Mutua on Tuesday held a meeting with Uganda High Commissioner to Kenya Hassan Galiwango amid disturbing tweets made by President Yoweri Museveni's son currently serving as the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People's Defence Force.
Mutua met the commissioner in the wake of social media condemnation over remarks made by the commander of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Muhoozi, who is President Yoweri Museveni's son, had Monday issued a veiled threat suggesting a possible incursion into the Kenyan territory, a move that sparked condemnation by Kenyans.
Some of the legislators led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon Uganda's ambassador to Kenya over the matter.
But on Tuesday,Mutua posted on his social media having met with the Kenyan commissioner and assured that all was well. In his first hard-hitting tweet that whipped up an uproar, Muhoozi said it wouldn't take the Ugandan army two weeks to capture Nairobi.
“This morning I shared a social cup of tea with Amb. Dr Hassan Galiwango - Uganda High Commissioner to Kenya. We discussed interesting matters. All is well,” Mutua said.
Cherargei said the sensational statements made by President Yoweri Museveni's son currently serving as the commander of the land forces of the Uganda People's Defence Force threatened the unity of the East Africa Community.
“I expect by morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon the Ugandan ambassador to shed light on Gen. Muhoozi's social media outbursts and subsequent apology. This is undermining the spirit of unity of EAC," Cherargei said.
Muhoozi, 49, rose to his current rank following his appointment in June 2021. It was the second time Museveni was promoting his son in the hierarchy of the army in six months.
The controversial commander of Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said he has no plans to attack Kenya after his father advised him against making such an ill move.
Photos: President Ruto Gets New ADC
The new ADC is Colonel Fabian Lengusuranga from the Kenya Army.
Col. Lengusuranga takes over from Stelu Lekolool who has been promoted to Brigadier and redeployed to the Department of Defence headquarters.
Lekolool was Uhuru's ADC until September 13, when William Ruto ascended to power.
Col. Lengusuranga was commissioned in 1999.
The new ADC is deputised by Lt. Col. Damaris Agnetta also from the Kenya Army. She takes over from Racheal Nduta Kamui who has also been promoted to a full Colonel and deployed to DoD.
The former ADC and his deputy were from the Kenya Navy.
The ADC is the military officer who stands behind the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces during official functions.
Two Femcee Greats Come Together: Femi One Features Wangechi For Lip Service
Friday marked an important day for Hip-hop in Kenya;especially female hip hop.
After eight years since their last collaboration, Greatness album hitmaker Femi One teamed up with the super dope Wangechi to deliver pure heat on Lip Service .
Just as the song title suggests, the two have used their signature flow and punchlines to pass their message across. In the year 2014, Femi One and Wangechi met on the set of the King Kaka megahit Lig Soo, since then they have both had numerous successes on their individual paths
"It is a great thing to see two female greats coming together to create such a dope song, we needed to do this for our fans and I know you will all love it. Big up to Wangechi, it is always a pleasure creating magic with you!" Femi One on Lip Service.
Watch the visuals
GSU Unit Wins Discpline Forces Title In Mombasa Shooting Competition
General Service Unit won the discipline forces title at the Kenya Shooting Sports Federation and Bamburi Rifle club 2022 league level 3 championship in Mombasa County.
At the national competition, the team garnered 195 points and was awarded sh 150,000 after scoping the title followed by the Prison team on the second position with 156.8 points and Kenya Police service with 122.1 points.
The Prisons received sh 100,000 while Kenya Police Service received sh 50,000 from Bamburi Rifle club who sponsored the awards.
During the Chalbi industries Ltd sponsored knockouts contested with a newly Kenya manufactured gun –Duma with an award of USD 500, the Kenya Police Service under the team leader inspector Mohammed Aden scoped the top prize.
In the championship, 7 teams participated among them Chalbi, Kenya Defence Force, Directorate of Criminal investigation (DCI),Kenya Police Services , Administration Police, National Gun Owners Association (NGao) and host Bamburi Rifle Club (BRC).
During the BRC International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) level 3 handgun match production category, the 2021 overall winner of the IPSC shooter Master Ibrahim Ndungu scored 1123.57 points to win the match. Inspector of Police Mohamed Aden scored 981.35 points to score the second position while the third position went to Issa Issa with 968.60 points.
The ladies’ production division was won by Agatha Muchiri with 545.11 points, second position went to Alice Njuguna with 500.58 points and Sharon Waruru 283.71 points respectively.
In the senior production division, Memba Muriuki won with 953.50 points followed by James Thuo and Gikonyo Mwangi with 691.44 and 646.41 points respectively.
Moreover, in the super senior Mahamad Ramadhan sailed to win with 455.62 points as the sole competitor.
Likewise, in the standard division, Sammy Onyango shot to win with 1073.77 points. Behind him was Mahir Omar and Mohammed Omar with 985.03 and 877.76 points respectively.
On the part of the ladies, Josephine Matoi emerged the winner with 617.21 points closely followed by Grace Wanjiku 478.85 points and the third position was won by Grace Kitinya 476.56 points.
The senior standard division competition went to Sammy Onyango with 1073.77 points ,second was Samuel Chacha with 936.38 points and Daniel Mutiso 909.72 points.
Under the open category, Sunny Syan won with 1097.46 points. The second and third positions went to Mahir Omar with 985.03 points and Mohamed Omar with 877.76 points.
For the ladies open, Irene Ndunda was the victor with 428.59 points and Pauline Gatitu with 114.80 points to emerge second position.
Super senior position, Sunny Syan won with 1097.46 points as the sole competitor in the open division.
Also, in the production optics division, Samier Muravvej earned 717.58 points to lead followed by Moosa Khan with 510.58 points.
In conclusion, in revolver division the front runner was Joel Warei with 193.13 points. Distant second was Robert Kabukuki with 103.28 points and Mark Aziz third with 0.765 pints respectively.
Other winners, in the BRC IPSS level 3 PCC match, Geoffrey Pesa became the overall winner to beat Simon Sunkuyia to the second position and Catherine Kavana to the third position.
The ladies in the same category saw Catherine Kavana taking the first slot leaving the second and third slot to Teresia Kathikwa and Eddah Chepwegon.
Chairman Kenya Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) Mohamed Shoaib Vayani said there will be an upcoming event the Jamhuri shot in December 2-3, 2022 at Stone Athi.
The Chairman lauded the Bamburi Rifle Club for modernizing their range and bases to world-class standards in readiness for level 4 and 5 competitions in the future.
Mombasa Residents Urge Governor Nassir To Prioritize Health
Mombasa county residents have asked the county governor Abdulswamad Nassir to enhance health services and ensure proper functionality of all public healthcare facilities in the county.
The residents led by Capital Youth Caucus Association secretary general Evans Momanyi, said the health department has been facing various challenges that need urgent intervention.
Momanyi urged the governor to make this as a priority during his first 100 days in office.
"I know the governor is a man who will save the situation, he has already given us hope since he took over especially with how he has been handling the garbage issue, we urge him to now also focus on health" said Momanyi.
Momanyi also urged the governor to make sure that he retains the current chief officer health department Pauline Odinga saying she has been spearheading some changes in the department.
Momanyi charged "We have faith in madam Odinga, she has been working hard to ensure that service delivery is improved and we believe if she works closely with the governor then we will see alot of changes in the department"
On her part Amina Suleiman, a resident from Likoni sub county called on the governor to ensure that he tackles the maternity services in county facilities saying they need an overhaul.
"As mothers we have been facing alot of challenges when delivering to an extend that we feel like giving up, some of the nurses are nude, some facilities lack medication and this are the things we want our governor together with madam Odinga address" said Suleiman.
Adding "Some of us cannot afford the services offered in other facilities and that is why we have no option but to seek services at the county facilities, what we can only ask from our governor is to please help us have better services."
Last week governor Nassir formed a taskforce on Healthcare Systems in the county.
The taskforce chaired by Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda is expected to audit and give back recommendations within two months.
“The Healthcare Task Force will provide a longtime strategic plan, suggesting ways of improving the health coverage and revealing what ails Mombasa’s healthcare system,” the governor said during the unveiling of the taskforce.
The task force consists of a representative from the Kenya Medical Associations, Mombasa Civil Society Organisations, the National Health Insurance Fund and six Community Health Volunteers representing each subcounty, the chief officer from public medical services and public health and the county Secretary.
The team is also expected to audit the current public healthcare human resource deployed and make recommendations to address skills gap, assess and recommend on addressing disease patterns and also formulate lasting solutions towards achieving universal health care that is affordable and accessible.
Behani Unveils Breathtaking Debut Single LET EM KNOW in East Africa
Pick CECs Who Can Deliver, Mombasa Residents Tell Governor Nassir
A section of Mombasa residents has urged the county governor Abdulswamad Nassir to ensure he nominates executives who can help him deliver services to residents.
The residents led by Capital Youth Caucus Association secretary general Evans Momanyi said the county needs development orientated executives who will help address the challenges facing residents.
Addressing the media, Momanyi cited the health department saying the department is currently facing a serious crises.
"We need changes in the health department. our nurses and doctors are demoralised. Our county health facilities are currently in a very bad state. Our mothers are having a hard time delivering in the county facilities" said Momnayi.
His sentiments were echoed by Jackline Wamboi who said mothers delivering at the Coast general hospital are forced to seek for medication outside the facility.
"Why should a mother who has delivered be left unattended and others forced to buy medicine elsewhere, when you have no money in your mpesa then you are denied services. Why should we as mothers suffer." said Wamboi.
On his part bunge la wananchi deputy chairman Cornelius Mkoba called on governor Nassir to ensure that he brings fresh individuals to his cabinet.
"We want our governor to emulate what president Ruto has done, come up with new new faces and do away with the old faces. " said Mkoba
AFRIMA 2022: Public Voting Starts Sunday Sept 25 PWC To Audit Awards Process
The voting portal for the 2022 edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) will be opened on Sunday, September 25, at 21:00 (CAT), to the public, globally, to decide the winners of each of the 39 award categories.
The International Committee of the All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA), in conjunction with the African Union Commission (AUC), made this announcement, on Friday, encouraging African music lovers to vote intensively using the voting portal live at www.afrima.org, before the portal closes on December 10, 2022, which is the eve of the awards.
More information on the voting process, which would also be audited by the International auditing firm, PriceWaterHouseCoopers (PWC), can also be found on the website, as well as AFRIMA’s social media (Instagram/TikTok - @Afrima.official; Facebook - Afrimawards; Twitter - @afrimaofficial).
Like it did at the AFRIMA 2021 edition, the PWC, which has audited other major global awards including the Oscars, will audit the voting portal, collate the votes and present them at the awards.
According to AFRIMA’s Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada, “AFRIMA’S core values of FACE IT – Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency remain at the heart of our operations. With PWC, we are further reinforcing these value drivers, ensuring that we remain as inclusive, credible and authentic as always.”
Recall that the list of nominees were unveiled globally, last Wednesday, revealing a total of 382 nominations across all 39 categories. The nominations, which have been greeted with positive acclaim across the world, are the fruit of a rigorous 10-day adjudication held by AFRIMA’s 13-member jury, in July.
Also, only entries within the validity period of August 20, 2021 to August 5, 2022, were considered for nomination for this year’s awards.
According to AFRIMA’s Executive Producer/President, Mr Mike Dada, the awards body remains the ultimate recognition of African music globally, also serving as a muse to other award bodies across the continent.
“We are not oblivious to the fact that there are some other award bodies that copy our nominations every year. As the ultimate recognition of African music, globally, we are a source of inspiration to both music gatekeepers and music lovers across the entire industry. AFRIMA continues to blaze the trail in celebrating African talent and developing our creative ecosystem, and this year’s edition is a step further in that direction,” he said.
On her part, the African Union Commission’s Head of Culture, Mrs Angela Martins encouraged music lovers to vote decisively and objectively.
She said, “We have done our part. It is left to you the fans to now decide your winners. Remember that these categories are highly competitive and are based on merit. Let your votes help the best person(s) emerge as champion.”
The 2022 All Africa Music Awards will now be held from the 8th to 11th December, 2022. A special announcement will be made on the host country and location for the awards, on 30th September, 2022.
The AFRIMA awards ceremony will feature a 4-day fiesta of music, glitz, and glamour aimed at celebrating
Africa, recognising talents and expanding the economic frontiers of the culture and creative industry on the continent. The event is scheduled to commence with the welcome soiree, followed by the AFRIMA Music Village, the host city tour, Africa Music Business Summit, and the exclusive nominees’ party and concluded with the live awards ceremony broadcast to over 84 countries around the world.
African music lovers can take part in the events on social media, live stream on the AFRIMA website at www.afrima.org and visit the social media platforms (IG/TikTok - @afrima.official; Facebook - Afrimawards; Twitter - @afrimaofficial; LinkedIn - AFRIMA) ), and they can watch the event coverage by tuning in to their local and cable TV providers.
In partnership with the African Union Commission, AFRIMA is a youth-focused music platform that recognizes and rewards the work and talents of African artistes across generations.
AFRIMA primarily stimulates conversations among Africans, and also the rest of the world, especially on the potential of the creative arts for fostering real human enterprise, as well as contributing significantly to social cohesion, as well as sustainable development in Africa.
The Programme of events is in line with the AU Agenda 2063 which outlines Aspiration 05 as the development of the arts and culture sector including its cultural and creative industries, to boost the development of the African economy.
