Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir, has expressed grave concerns over the continued delay in the disbursement of funds from the exchequer to county governments, a situation that has now extended to three months.

Speaking during an event in Nyali, where he distributed cheques worth Ksh 25 million to Beach Management Units, the Governor emphasized the detrimental impact of these delays on the smooth functioning of devolved units.

Governor Nassir noted that while county governments are grappling with cash flow constraints due to delayed disbursements, certain leaders have been making misleading statements suggesting that counties are “returning” unspent funds to the national treasury.

He firmly dismissed these assertions, explaining that counties are not willingly “returning” funds but are being hampered by the national government’s failure to release the allocated resources in a timely manner.

“Let me be clear: counties are not returning funds to the exchequer. The reality is that the funds are not reaching us on time. This has created a backlog in payment of suppliers and implementation of critical projects, severely hampering service delivery,” Governor Nassir stated.

He further explained that counties across the country are currently facing unprecedented cash flow challenges, making it difficult to plan and execute key development initiatives.

The Governor pointed out that the delay in disbursement undermines the principles of devolution, which are meant to empower counties to address local needs efficiently.

During the cheque distribution ceremony, which saw Ksh 25 million allocated to various Beach Management Units in Nyali, the Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting local communities, particularly those that rely on coastal and marine activities for their livelihoods.

The funds are expected to bolster the operations of these units, enhance sustainability, and support efforts to protect the marine ecosystem.

Governor Nassir called on the National Treasury to expedite the release of funds to ensure counties can meet their financial obligations and implement projects critical to local development.

He underscored the importance of timely disbursements for the realization of the government’s agenda on service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic growth.

The Governor’s remarks have brought to light the ongoing financial challenges facing county governments and the urgent need for improved coordination between the national and county levels of government to ensure that devolution delivers on its promise to the people

"Delays in disbursement are not just a financial issue; they are a governance issue. When we are unable to access the funds that rightfully belong to the counties, the people who suffer the most are our constituents,” Governor Nassir concluded.

The remarks come at a time when county governments are increasingly vocal about their financial struggles, highlighting the urgent need for a review of the disbursement process to avoid further disruption of services.

The National Treasury is yet to respond to the Governor’s concerns.

Kaka Empire’s talented music duo, Jadi, has just released the music video for their latest single, Your Body.  Known for their soulful and romantic love songs, Jadi surprises fans with this refreshing and edgy release that brings a whole new energy to their music. 

Your Body fuses classic R&B rhythms with mid tempo afro beats, showcasing Jadi’s ability to redefine their sound. This shift shows the duo’s commitment to evolving music trends while giving their audience something new to enjoy. The visuals for Your Body amplify the track’s boldness, with warm and vibrant cinematography that perfectly complement the song. 

"We wanted to challenge ourselves and offer our fans a different side of Jadi," said Jadi. "This song allowed us to step out of our comfort zone, embrace new sounds, and have fun with a different vibe."

Your Body is available for streaming on all major platforms, and the music video is live on YouTube. 

Skyward Express is marking its 11th  anniversary with a special offer on the Nairobi - Dar es Salaam route.

According to the airline, customers will pay only kshs 11,000 from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam.

The booking period for the offer is from November 6 to November 11.

The travel duration is between November 15th (the Day of launch) and March 31st, 2025.

Last week, the airline launched the new route in Dar es Salaam, it is also expected to host another launch at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport Nairobi on November 15th.

This initiative aims to increase travel convenience for East African citizens while strengthening business and social connections between Kenya and Tanzania.

The airline will fly to Dar es Salaam three times a week, Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.

Tea auctioners in the country are staring at huge losses that could run into billions, in the wake of a major system failure at the Kenya Revenue Authority.

According to the traders, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) export payment systems (MSS levy) downtime, the failure of the Port Scanners and the perennial ICMS systems failure have resulted to container mapping challenges.

Speaking to the press in Mombasa, the Board of East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) Chairman George Omuga stated that the halting of exports will have negative ripple effects at the Mombasa Tea Auction which may further depress tea prices that have recently showed improvements at the tea auction.

"A daily average of 100-150 containers of tea are exported through the Mombasa Port and the KRA system downtime has resulted to enormous losses incurred by the tea producers and exporters resulting to accumulation of unshipped teas." said Omuga.

Adding" This is happening at a time when the global shipping industry have been affected by the suez canal closure and the middle east logistics challenges."

According to Omuga, In the recent past tea exports have encountered myriad challenges from the various Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) that has heavily hindered export, increased the operational and export costs for tea exporters and negatively impacted the tea trade.

Omuga charged "Mombasa Tea Auction offers teas from 10 African tea producing countries and the export inefficiencies at the Port of Mombasa may compel the member countries exporting their teas through the Port of Mombasa to consider using alternative neighbouring Ports in the region.

The tea sector is the largest foreign exchange earner to the Country and contributes significantly to the socio-economic development in the country. In 2023 Kenya exported tea worth Kshs. 186 billion through the Port of Mombasa equivalent to 4% of the GDP.

The traders are now calling on the government to address the issue to avoid more damage and loses.

They stating that they have not been able to ship any container from last week Thursday, revealing that exporters have been incurring huge loses in terms of demmurage and logistic costs

"We risk being black listed as unreliable supplier."

Among the issues they want to be urgently resolved includes rescan of containers which they argue costly and leads to delays, rotation of officers especially Verification Officers (Vos) and Head Verification Officers (HVOs) is done abruptly with the people taking over roles not aware of what is expected of them. The officers are also very few, delays encountered at Kilindini exports office and the frequent downtimes of the ICMS system.

The fifth edition of Tusker Oktobafest concluded with an exhilarating finale, uniting beer enthusiasts across Kenya in a month-long celebration of Kenyan beer, music and culture.

This year’s festival expanded across multiple regions, from Western Kenya to the Coast, and included cities and towns such as Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nanyuki, Juja, Karatina and Kitengela. Each event was carefully curated to reflect the character of the location’s community, featuring a dynamic lineup of local artists, MCs and DJs.

The final weekend wrapped up with events in Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa and Karatina, each offering a unique fusion of music and beer experiences. Headliners drew energetic crowds, captivating audiences and reinforcing Oktobafest’s spirit of celebration.

On Saturday, 2 November 2024, Tusker Oktobafest’s third weekend showcased the festival’s diversity, spreading across five locations with unique atmospheres.

The Orchid on Ngong Road was buzzing with MCs and DJs warming up the crowd for electrifying performances by Khaligraph Jones and Nviiri the Storyteller. Over at Bar XO in Runda, a lively set by Nadia Mukami and Fathermoh kept the energy high, with DJs and MCs adding flavour to the night. 

Mejja and Ndovu Kuu took Mombasa by storm at New Big Tree, while Ayrosh captivated the crowd at Derby Place & Lounge in Karatina.

“Tusker Oktobafest 2024 has been an amazing experience. We have enjoyed taking our flagship festival across the country and appreciate our consumers for turning up in great numbers and showing us how they do beer and culture. It has been a rewarding experience for the brand and we intend to reach more of our consumers across the country with our experiences just like we do with our products,” said Brigid Wambua, Senior Brand Manager, Tusker.

With over ten different beer experiences, including favourites like Tusker Lager, Tusker Lite and Tusker Cider, along with a special limited-edition Oktobafest brew and cocktails, festival goers explored fresh flavours and classic favourites.

Throughout the month, Tusker Oktobafest rewarded consumers with exclusive promotions, online flash sales and discounted experiences, making the festival accessible to all Kenyans and creating a sense of community.

Since its inception in 2019, Oktoberfest has evolved into a premier event that showcases Kenya’s rich brewing heritage and vibrant local talent, drawing passionate music lovers and beer connoisseurs from diverse backgrounds.

The Moi International Airport in Mombasa was on Tuesday Morning abuzz with excitement as the airport welcomed back TUI Fly to Mombasa.

The airline made its maiden flight to the port city of Mombasa after a 6-year hiatus, renewing the hopes of reviving the vibrancy of the airport to welcome international flights.

The charter plane landed in Mombasa carrying on board 70 Dutch tourists who are set to explore and enjoy the flora and fauna of the coast.

Speaking during the event to welcome the plane, Coast regional Airport manager Abel Gogo said that this will be a great addition to the airport and he hopes for more direct flights to Mombasa in the near future.

"This has been made possible through the efforts of both the national government and the county government of Mombasa together with stakeholders. We have a lot of potential as an airport, the county and the country,” said Gogo.

The airline is set to be operating twice a week from Amsterdam and is expected to bring more travel opportunities and enhancing connections between Kenya and Europe.

Mombasa County executive for tourism Osman Mohamed who was representing Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and the County Government of Mombasa lauded the return of the airline noting that the county has been very instrumental in pushing for the open skies policy in Mombasa.

“Mombasa has been on the frontline pushing for open skies to policy so that we can have more direct flights. The tourism season has just started and we hope and look forward to receive more visitors,” said Osman.

His sentiments were echoed by Patrick Kamanga, a member of the newly formed Mombasa Tourism Council (MTC) who alluded to a lot of planning and reaching out that has today culminated with the return of TUI Fly to Mombasa.

Kamanga also said that they were working round the clock with tourism stakeholders and the national government to realize the return of the Turkish Airline back to Mombasa soon.

"We want to have Mombasa rebounded back, hotels full and tour operators busy. We look forward to rebound Mombasa back to its glory,” said Kamanga.

Captain Robbert Gijsbertse representing TUI Fly said that the airline believes in Kenya with Mombasa as its arrival airport and as a growth destination for the Dutch market.

Kenya, he said, guarantees adventure and relaxation with magnificent game parks, beautiful beaches and excellent hotels.

"You combine the big five with the good life. This is a unique combination that has the opportunity to grow,” he said.

He added that now that they can be able to serve this destination with their 787 aircraft, it is a true milestone for the company.

"The first flight is an important step in the right direction. We are looking forward to a constructive cooperation which we can make of most of the potential in this new destination not only in terms of package holiday, but in terms of seat only and cargo.”

In a significant achievement for Kenyan Maritime training, Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) cadets Esther Wanjala, Chepkirui Chebole, and Nowel Watiiri participating in South Korea’s Global On-Board Training (GOBT) Program 2024 have concluded their training with remarkable results.

Among 13 participating countries, Kenya ranked 1st in Engineering and 3rd overall in the Deck department, showcasing the strength and dedication of Bandari Maritime Academy training and curriculum.

This achievement highlights Kenya’s strong presence in Maritime education, which has been strengthened by BMA’s commitment to fostering excellence in the Maritime and Blue Economy sectors.

The GOBT program provided Kenyan cadets with invaluable hands-on training, enhancing their professional competencies and setting them apart in international maritime standards.

In attendance to mark the occasion was Kenya’s Ambassador to South Korea,  Emmy Kipsoi, who met with the cadets, expressed her pride in their performance and commended the efforts of Bandari Maritime Academy and the Kenyan government in promoting Maritime education.

This success story underscores the strategic support provided by Principal Secretary (PS) State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs Geoffrey Kaituko who has been instrumental in advancing Maritime education and fostering international partnerships.

PS Kaituko guidance and dedication have enabled Kenyan cadets to thrive on the global stage, reinforcing the importance of Maritime skill development for national growth.

Bandari Maritime Academy CEO Dr. Eric Katana extended his congratulations to the cadets, emphasizing the Academy’s commitment to equipping future Maritime professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel globally.

BMA Deputy Director of Maritime Education and Training, Eng. Titus Kilonzi who also is the Coordinator for the GOBT 2024 between Kenyan Trainees and Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) said Bandari Maritime Academy’s participation in GOBT reflects the Academy's growing partnerships and dedication to producing world-class Maritime professionals.

The Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Utalii college aimed at promoting training on various courses.

This strategic partnership is set to unlock collaborative synergies and enhance the quality of training and education in the fields of Maritime, Blue Economy, and Hospitality.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Bandari Maritime Academy C.E.O Dr Eric Katana underscored the MOU's significance in advancing shared goals through multiple avenues of collaboration.

The MOU outlines comprehensive initiatives, including the joint use of specialized training facilities and equipment, the development of cutting-edge training curricula, and the reciprocal exchange of trainers, instructors, and students.

"By leveraging these shared resources, the partnership aims to elevate the standards of Maritime and Hospitality education in Kenya and beyond." reads a statement from BMA.

The MOU also emphasizes joint capacity-building programs for both staff and students and includes frameworks for collaborative research, professional workshops, seminars, and other key initiatives aimed at strengthening the management and operational expertise in hospitality and Maritime sectors.

On his part Kenya Utalii college principal Mr. Peter Muindi highlighted the MOU’s relevance in preparing students for the evolving job market.

"The collaboration will equip students with essential skills in Maritime and Blue Economy, thereby widening their career prospects within the Cruise Ship industry, Shipping companies, and related Blue Economy enterprises." said Muindi