Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir has firmly thrown his weight behind the Council of Governors (CoG) in opposing the recent directive by the Controller of Budget barring county governments from issuing bursaries to secondary school students.

The Governor condemned the move as a direct attack on the rights of vulnerable students during a speech at the launch of last-mile water connection projects in Jomvu, where he was accompanied by area MP Hon. Bady Twalib.

Addressing a gathering of residents, Governor Nassir described the decision as “a threat to the social safety net” established by devolved governments to bridge gaps in education access for the most disadvantaged.

"At a time when families are grappling with the harsh realities of an economic downturn, denying students bursaries is tantamount to cutting off their lifeline. This directive must be reconsidered,” the Governor stated passionately.

He further emphasized the critical role counties play in supplementing national efforts to promote education.

"Here in Mombasa, programs such as the Governor’s Scholarship, the No Child Left Behind initiative, and the Boarding School Bursary program support over 55,000 students. These initiatives ensure that no child is left out of school due to financial challenges,” he added.

The Governor echoed the CoG’s stance that the directive undermines the principles of devolution and contravenes the constitutional rights of county governments to manage their budgets in a manner that directly addresses local needs. 

He called for a more collaborative approach between the national and county governments to ensure that education remains accessible to all, especially in economically marginalized areas.

"Devolution was designed to bring services closer to the people. Education is a cornerstone of this commitment. Denying counties the ability to fund bursaries is not just unfair—it is unconstitutional,” Governor Nassir asserted.

During the event, Bady Twalib, the MP for Jomvu, also voiced his support for the Governor’s position, highlighting the significant role county bursaries play in keeping students in school.

"We cannot allow our children to suffer due to bureaucratic decisions. Education is the key to unlocking the potential of our communities, and we must safeguard it at all costs,” Hon. Twalib remarked.

The event, which marked the launch of crucial last-mile water connection projects, underscored the county government’s commitment to improving basic services even amid fiscal challenges.

Governor Nassir reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritizing projects that directly benefit residents, ensuring that both education and essential infrastructure remain at the forefront of his agenda.

As the Council of Governors continues to lobby for the reversal of the directive, Governor Nassir’s vocal support adds weight to the growing call for equitable treatment of devolved functions, especially in critical sectors like education.

The Governor urged all stakeholders, including the Controller of Budget, to reconsider the implications of such decisions, warning that they could exacerbate existing inequalities and derail progress made in ensuring access to quality education for all.

"This is not just about counties—it is about the future of our children and our nation. We must protect their right to education at all costs,” he concluded, to resounding applause from the Jomvu residents.

Rwandan super star Bruce Melodie has  released his highly anticipated debut album ‘Colorful Generation’ on S-Curve Records —available to stream worldwide.

The album marks a significant milestone in Bruce’s already impressive career, showcasing his diverse musical influences and further cementing his place as one of East Africa and Africa’s brightest stars. 

Ahead of the release, Bruce Melodie expressed his excitement about the release of his new album.

“This album is for the new generation—Gen Z, Gen Alpha. It shows that it's okay to be seen as different. This album describes our struggles, our happiness and our perspectives on various matters, while also embracing the stories and melodies in songs.” he said.

Alongside his latest album, Bruce Melodie has released the album’s lead single “Beauty on Fire”, a captivating collaboration with Nigeria's Afro-pop sensation Joeboy.

Directed by Bahali Ruth and J. Chretien Munezero, the music video tells a compelling story of a lover who refuses to give up on their partner despite the challenges they face

 In the end, it is her fiery beauty that always saves the day.

The single blends infectious Afropop rhythms with heartfelt emotion, celebrating both love and beauty—the very essence of the genius that fans adore in Bruce and Joeboy.

Colorful Generation is a 21-track album that masterfully blends Afropop, Amapiano and R&B, showcasing Bruce Melodie’s diverse musical range.

A standout track is “When She’s Around (Funga Macho)”, a bonus collaboration with GRAMMY-winning Jamaican reggae legend Shaggy, highlighting Bruce’s versatility and international appeal.

The album also features an exciting array of collaborations with top African artists, including South African chart-topping duo Blaq Diamond as well as Kenyan hitmakers Bensoul and Bien.

One of the album's key tracks is “Niki Minaji”, a smash hit with Blaq Diamond that took the continent by storm. Its infectious Amapiano beats continue to resonate across Africa and beyond.

Another major highlight is the album’s debut single “Iyo Foto”, featuring pop star Bien of Sauti Sol, who was recently named Kenya’s most streamed artist on Spotify in 2024.

The track has amassed over 100 million views on TikTok in just three months, topping East African charts and further solidifying Bruce Melodie’s growing influence in the music scene.

Mombasa County Executive Committee Members have signed performance contracts, committing to deliver the highest possible quality of services.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir who oversaw the exercise emphasized the need for citizen focused and digitized services.

Nassir noted that the performance contracts signing will be cascaded downwards to Chief Officers and Directors while other officers upto the lowest in rank will sign performance appraisals.

"I signed my performance contract with the people of Mombasa the day I was sworn in, today is our turn, make sure that you stay true to what you have signed. As we reach the mid-term mark of our mandate, this important step ensures that we remain focused, aligned, and driven to deliver tangible results for the residents of Mombasa. Together, we are setting the pace to finish strong and transform our vision into reality. said Nassir.

Adding "Whatever we are doing today has to be replicated downwards, it has to be forwarded."

GRAMMY-nominated Afropop sensation Yemi Alade has released the highly anticipated remix of her hit single “Baddie” featuring Femi One from Kenya and Konshens from Jamaica.

The cross-continental collaboration released under Effyzzie Music Group unites Africa and the Caribbean, through a fusion of Afrobeats, Hip Hop and Dancehall.

Shot in Kenya and Miami, the music video, directed by award-winning filmmaker Ovie, amplifies the song's global appeal, perfectly capturing the essence of Yemi Alade’s international aura.

Ovie’s creative vision brings the track to life, blending cityscapes with cultural elements and modern aesthetics.

The video highlights the superstars’ undeniable chemistry, unique style and influence in music and culture.

Yemi Alade, known for her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence, delivers yet another electrifying remix, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s top music exports.

Femi One, Kenya’s trailblazing rapper adds her signature fierce lyricism in the track while dancehall heavyweight Konshens injects his unmistakable Jamaican flavour to the remix.

Speaking on the collaboration transcending borders Yemi Alade said, “I'm a huge fan of Konshens, and we connected via Instagram DM and made good music. Femi one has always been one of my favorite female MCs. I'm happy we made this remix.”

Femi One added, “Being part of ‘Baddie Remix’ is a milestone. Collaborating with Yemi and Konshens has been a dream and I’m excited for the world to hear what we’ve created. This is more than a song; it’s a vibe!”

Konshens echoed the excitement, stating, “This remix is fire! It’s an honour for me to be in one track with two of Africa’s baddies. Yemi and Femi brought their A-game and together we’ve created a banger that represents the best of Africa and the Caribbean.”

This release follows closely on the heels of Yemi Alade’s first solo Grammy nomination for her hit single "Tomorrow" off her album ‘Rebel Queen’ from which the single “Baddie Remix” is taken.

Yemi Alade says, “Tomorrow is about my inner thoughts, desires and prayers, and it goes to show that the gift of tomorrow is the number desire and need for every human on the face of the earth.”

‘Rebel Queen’ album has received critical acclaim for its bold themes and innovative sound, further cementing Yemi’s place in the global music scene.

The 2025 GRAMMYs will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where Yemi will compete in the Best African Music Performance category. 

Yemi sums it up, “Rebel queen album is an album that keeps giving, each song is a piece of my life's journey in melody and rhythm. It gives me unfathomable joy when I see my people connect with any of the songs. Thank you for rocking with me over the years. I promise to keep it coming

Kenyan wine brand Lolie Wines has been nominated for the prestigious V d’Or awards 2025.

The V d’Or, Vinexposium’s Business Awards  encompass four categories across wine and spirits: Best Sustainability, Best Digital Strategy, Best New Product Strategy, and Best Education & Knowledge Sharing.

The awards are designed to celebrate “the most innovative and sustainable initiatives” in the world of wine and spirits

Lolie wines known for it's high-end quality wine made from premium French grapes has been nominated in the 'Best New Strategy' category.

This category is for a brand, a winery or a distillery rolling out an innovative strategy aimed at a new product launch that responds to changing consumer tastes.

"This is a proud moment as we showcase the innovation and excellence behind African wines." reads a statement from Lolie Wines.

The winners will be announced during the V d’Or awards ceremony, which will take place on 9 February 2025 at the Pavillon Gabriel in Paris, France.

Meanwhile Lolie Wines C.E.O Judy Ngene has been selected as a panelist at Wine Paris 2025, discussing the topic: "The Rush for Africa, Why Now?" alongside global wine industry leaders.

Wine Paris 2025 will take place from 10-12 February at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The 2024 iteration of the event hosted a record-breaking 4,000 exhibitors from 48 countries, with international exhibitors up by 53% compared with last year.

The Mombasa ladies hokey team has come out to appeal for for financial assistance as the team prepares to represent the country at the upcoming African Club Championship (ACCC) in Port Said, Egypt.

According to officials, the team requires Kshs 6.3 million to enable it take part in the tournament.

Speaking to members of the press at the Mombasa sports club, Mombasa county hockey association President Oliver Mascarenhas said the team is ready and eager to make the trip to Egypt to represent the county and country at large.

“We are excited about this opportunity and are calling to all well-wishers out there to come out and support our girls. We are currently in need of kshs 6.3 million for travel, accommodation and visa, as you know the visa fees have now gone up from kshs 5,000 to kshs 12,000 thus also making our budget go up. We are thankful to the Mombasa sports club, they have been able to give us Kshs 600,000 as part of their support” said Mascarenhas.

Adding “We are very proud that a Mombasa team can qualify to go and represent the country. We want to send our young girls to Egypt to show what Mombasa can offer. This is the time for our girls to shine internationally. Please come out and support them.

His sentiments were echoed by the Mombasa Sports Club sports convener Rajab Babu noting that the team participating in the tournament will help in promoting the country.

“By the team going to Egypt it will be a game changer for our ladies. This is a market, this is where we can shout about our talent. I can see some of the ladies not coming back, joining professional leagues and international teams and this is key to us because this is a market, they are going to a big market in Africa. So we need to understand the extent of this tournament.”

Adding “With this we are selling Mombasa and Kenya as a country. We are asking all stakeholders to come and chip in. Every player in the world dreams of playing in the higher level and so let us make this a reality for our girls.”

On her part the team captain Esther Mwende noted ” It has not been easy reaching where we are. It will be demoralizing if we do not travel.”

The tournament starts from 30th January to 7th February 2025.

Female lawmakers are set to launch a nation wide grass roots campaign to combat the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya. 

Dubbed "Komesha Dhuluma", the initiative has been spearheaded by the H.E President William Ruto through an allocation of Kshs. 100 million. 

The campaign will involve 102 Members of Parliament, including 47 Woman Representatives, 28 constituency MPs, 6 nominated National Assembly Members, 3 elected Senators, and 18 nominated Senators. 

Each MP will lead community sensitization barazas and community outreach programmes unique to their constituencies to address the root cause of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide.

The funds will facilitate sensitization campaigns across 102 constituencies, ensuring grassroots reach and community engagement. 

Speaking during a consultative meeting ahead of the launch, Hon. Leah Sankaire, Chairperson of Kewopa Kenya , emphasized the importance of addressing GBV at its roots.

"This campaign is for our people at the grassroots level. Previous national campaigns have raised awareness, but we must now bring the message closer to the community," she stated.

The initiative will also bring together key stakeholders, including the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Center for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), the Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN) Trust, and the National Gender and Equality Commission.

President Ruto, in his remarks delivered by a representative from the Women's Rights Advisor, Office of the President, called for a diverse and inclusive grass roots campaign. 

"Counties with high rates of GBV may require more emergency response resources, while others might need programs focusing on education, prevention, and community engagement,” the message read. 

In his message, President Ruto further stressed the importance of grounding the campaign in local realities to ensure no region is left behind.  

The initiative comes amid an alarming surge in femicide cases in 2024, with civil society organizations calling for femicide to be declared a national disaster. High-profile cases, including the brutal killings of three family members in Eastleigh and journalist Lillian Achieng' Aluko that have led to public outcry.

Hon. Lilian Gogo called for the involvement of law enforcement and judicial systems in addressing GBV.

"We must work closely with the Inspector General of Police and the Judiciary to ensure perpetrators are held accountable," she urged.

On her part, Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action, Ms. Anne Wang’ombe, stressed the importance of engaging men and boys in the campaign.

"Gender-based violence is a societal issue. We need our men and boys to stand up and join us," she said.

The "Komesha Dhuluma" campaign, set to run for two and a half months, will culminate on International Women’s Day in March 2025 in Parliament Buildings.

Café Deli, a leading name in the Kenyan food and beverage industry, is set to launch a new conference and events space at its Moi Avenue branch this January.

This strategic expansion diversifies the restaurant’s offering and responds to the growing demand for convenient and high-quality meeting and event venues in the heart of Nairobi.

The newly renovated space at the Moi Avenue branch is designed to accommodate a range of events, from intimate business meetings and product launches to small conferences and social gatherings.

Businesses seeking a professional and comfortable setting for their events will find it an ideal choice.

This is due to the seamless integration of the new space with Café Deli's existing catering services, providing clients with a one-stop-shop for all their event needs.

Café Deli boasts a renowned culinary team specializing in a wide array of cuisines, including African and Continental dishes.

The café's celebrated pastry chefs also provide a delectable dessert selection to enhance any event. Situated in the heart of Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD), the Moi Avenue branch offers unparalleled accessibility and convenience for both local and international guests.

"We are thrilled to introduce this exciting new chapter for Café Deli," said CEO and Founder Obado Obadoh.

"This expansion reflects our commitment to providing our customers with exceptional experiences and innovative solutions. The new conference and events space will allow us to cater to a wider range of needs and further solidify our position as a premier destination for dining and social gatherings in Nairobi."

Africa's unbanked population now have a reason to smile as the Umoja coin officially starts trading today, January 8th 2024.

Created and launched in the East Africa nation of Tanzania in 2021, Umoja coin seeks to eliminate financial obstacles and uniting Africans, it mainly targets the unbanked African population.

According to the World Bank, 66% of adults in Nigeria, 57% in Kenya, and 50% in Tanzania are unbanked. This leaves millions unable to access credit, save securely, or participate fully in global trade.

Umoja Coin leverages the Polygon blockchain to address the unique financial challenges faced by Africa’s unbanked population.

Polygon is a decentralized Ethereum scaling platform that enables developers to build scalable user-friendly Apps with low transaction fees without ever sacrificing on security. Polygon is a crypto asset that can provide opportunities for crypto investors to earn significant profits.

Unlike traditional banking systems, Umoja Coin offers transparency, low transaction costs, and decentralized accessibility. Transactions are recorded immutably on the blockchain, eliminating the need for collateral or formal credit records.

"There have been concerns about the safety of the mobile applications in cryptocurrency, but ours which is Meta Mask is very secured, so much security measures have been invested in it, this app is your wallet so that's the need for enhanced security. No one can manipulate this application" said Paul Oloo, Umoja coin Chief marketing officer.

Adding " Once you see a coin store in the market, like ours, alot has gone through to ensure it's safety. there has been alot of auditing conducted so let no one have doubt about it."

Umoja Coin’s blockchain-based solution not only lowers barriers but also aligns with Africa’s growing digital economy. By leveraging the Polygon blockchain, the platform ensures transactions are fast, secure, and cost-effective.

"We are also looking at coming up with business models to support farmers across Africa who want to purchase things like fertilizers from abroad." said Oloo

"Our starting prize for trading and transacting starts at 0.75 US dollars."

 John Mwangi, a Kenyan electronics dealer in Nairobi’s bustling Gikomba Market the introduction of Umoja coin has reshaped his business and live.

For years, John Mwangi struggled to import affordable electronics from his Chinese suppliers.

“The bank charges on international transfers were eating into my profits,” he explains. “And then there’s the delay—sometimes the money takes days to reflect. By the time it arrives, the exchange rate might have shifted.”

His sentiments are echoed by  Fatima Adebayo, a Nigerian entrepreneur who recently relocated to Tanzania to expand her fabric business.

Fatima’s vibrant textiles attract customers from across the region, but behind her colorful stall lies a story of frustration and ingenuity—one that’s shared by millions of entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa.

Fatima, like 57% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa, is unbanked. Traditional banking systems, riddled with high fees, rigid collateral requirements, and lack of accessibility, have long hindered small businesses like hers.

“Banks look at me like I’m invisible,” Fatima says. “I don’t have formal records or property to use as collateral, so I’m always turned away when I ask for credit.”

By Adero Joy Achola

Born on the 23^rd of April 1525… I know that’s a strange thing to say about a Grand Cru vineyard or Chateau, but indeed this is a claim made by the Chateau itself; Chateau Haut-Brion. One of the most famous and revered Chateaux in Bordeaux- and the world at large.

The land and the Chateau have changed hands several times from family to family. This is not surprising when one considers the age of the establishment and the changes that have occurred in the world over all the centuries. From the original owners Jean de Pontac and Jeanne de Bellon who birthed the first iteration of a joint Haut-Brion property in the 16^th Century to Joseph de Fumel who was guillotined in 1794 during the French ‘Reign of Terror’ to the current owners via the Dillon family and Clarence Dillon’s grandson Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the Chateau is steeped in History.

I was in the company of my four fellow Team Wine Kenya teammates namely: Victoria Mulu Munywoki, Kenyalynn Odennyo, Janet Kang’ethe and Soraiya Ladak. So basically, I was in great company! Having travelled to Bordeaux to take part in the annual World Blind Tasting Championship organized by La Revue du Vin magazine we had our list of chateaux that we would have loved to attend and Chateau Haut-Brion was definitely on the list.

We drove from Blanqefort in the Medoc to Chateau Haut-Brion in the Pessac region of Bordeaux, after being picked up by our very capable ‘taxi driver’; owner and CEO of The Wine Box Kenya - Dan Davies. He was our link and introduction to the Chateau, and patron of the day.

You can feel the historic energy as soon as you drive in through the gates. Obviously, there have been several buildings erected on the property over time, and some are newer than others. However, there is an in extricable energy that lives over the land; almost like spiritual annals.

As we drove in, there was still the glistening dew on the gravel, the grass and the beautiful porcelain like limestone of the building tiles. The air was crisp but with a warm breath to it. It was an uncharacteristic sunny day which was very welcome to us as the day before, we had been caught in a deluge that left us drenched in the center town. There were broken umbrellas and everything- but that’s a story for another day; back to Chateau Haut-Brion…

We were welcomed by a friendly team of representatives ready to show us the winery and take us through the wines. Joining us on the visit were two gentlemen, wine connoisseurs and there on separate trips. Each coming as a fan to pay homage to the great Chateau. Our hosts led us into a quaint little room. Once a chapel, but now converted into a viewing room and reception. Here, we were able to watch an introduction video informing us of the history of the chateau and the vision that they have of the future, presented by the afore mentioned Prince Robert of Luxembourg himself.

After this, were led to a grand room for the fun part! The tasting. We were about to find out the reason for the attraction to these storied wines.

The room, like many old rooms in French historic buildings, feels like it could tell a hundred stories, more even. Wooden floor boards in intricate geometric patterns, cast iron candelabra style chandeliers, wooden moulding and panelling all very beautiful. But it’s the artwork and old iconography in gilded golden frames against the brilliant royal blue wall tapestry that really stands out.

On a large table in the middle of the room, sat the goods.

Chateau Haut-Brion Premier Grand Cru Classe 2017

Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 2017

Two exquisite wines that I honestly truly enjoyed. It would be easy to be swayed by the history and the circumstance (and the price!) around the wines, but in such cases, one has to separate oneself from the supposed hype.

Iron fist in a velvet glove. It sounds trite to describe them as such, but it’s definitely the experience.

My sisters in wine would agree as I believed that we all thoroughly enjoyed the wine and experience as a whole. So much so that one of us forgot her electronic gadget once we left the Chateau. Possibly as a ruse to have an excuse to go back! Unfortunately, it didn’t work and they dutifully had it sent to us. Ah, well! We’d just have to live with the memories…

And that my dear friends, was our time at Chateau Haut-Brion. An unforgettable experience. Should you ever find yourself in Pessac, do yourself a favour and visit. And should you do, please raise a glass and remember me, your wine friend. Salut!