The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has inaugrated the leadership development training for the first cohort of the IGAD Leadership Academy in Mombasa, Kenya.

The IGAD Leadership Academy was established to facilitate the mentorship and provisioning of future leaders with the critical sets necessary to steer the course of rapidly developing multi-cultural African society in the 21st century and beyond.

Speaking during the inaugration IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu extended sincere gratitude to the Governments of Kenya, Sweden, and Japan for their steadfast support in turning the vision of the Academy into reality.

Mercy Kwambai and Samson Lemayan are the winners of the 25th Edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon which was held today at the Lewa Conservancy in Meru County.

Thirty-six-year-old Kwambai, a mother of two, clocked 2:47:17 to win the women’s 42km race, successfully defending her title for the second year consecutively.

Finishing in second and third place were Evaline Lagat and Monica Watetu, who posted times of 3:02:31 and 3:20:21 respectively.

“It is exciting to defend my title for the second year. The course was quite hot and tough, with some challenging hilly terrain, but thanks to good preparation and training, I managed to win the race. This is my third time participating in this event, my first was in 2022, where I finished second in the half marathon. I use this race to prepare for other competitions, and I am glad for the positive impact it creates in the community,” said Mercy Kwambai.

Samson Lemayan from Maralal emerged the winner in the men’s race after crossing the finish line with a time of 2:28:35. Close behind were John Musee and Joseph Kariuki, who settled for second and third place who clocked 2:29:18 and 2:29:36 respectively.

“The first time I participated in this event was in 2018. I didn’t perform well then, but today I’m glad to have emerged as the overall winner. It’s really exciting to see how the marathon has grown and the impact it is creating in the community. I want to commend the organizers and sponsors like Safaricom for making this event a big success,” said Samson Lemayan.

The 21km men’s category was claimed by Michael Kamau with a time of 1:06:37. Justine Lelitan and Simon Saidimu followed closely, finishing in 1:07:48 and 1:08:07 respectively.

In the 21km women’s category, Mary Waithera, who was in her best form, carried the day with a time of 1:18:27. Pauline Ngigi and Susan Wanjiru secured second and third place with times of 1:28:21 and 1:29:04 respectively.

In the 10km corporate race, Reuben Ng’ang’a and Sara Van Der Laan were the winners in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.

Winners of the 42km and 21km races each walked away with KES 150,000. The first runners-up took home KES 80,000 each, while the second runners-up received KES 60,000 each.

“Thank you to all the winners and participants of this year’s Lewa Safari Marathon. As one of the key partners, we are proud of the impact the marathon has made over the past 25 years. We remain committed to this initiative, which supports wildlife conservation while also transforming lives.” Said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom PLC CEO.

This year’s marathon attracted over 1,400 participants, both local and international. Since its inception, the marathon has raised over $9 million with the funds going to support wildlife conservation.

“As we face unprecedented threats to our planet, it is essential that we take action to protect our wildlife and their habitats. Today’s Lewa Safari Marathon participants have seized the opportunity to challenge themselves and connect with nature. They have also made a positive impact on the communities and wildlife of northern Kenya and beyond. Thank you to everyone who took part in this truly challenging event, Kenya's most spectacular wildlife conservancy.” Said Mike Watson, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy CEO

The event was mainly sponsored by Safaricom and Huawei. Other sponsors this year included Access Bank, ICEA Lion, Highlands, AMREF, Elewana, Safarilink, GardaWorld, Tropical Heat, and African Originals.

Kibera Soccer Women FC are the new FKF Women’s Cup Champions after beating Vihiga Queens 1-0 in a tightly contested match played today at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.

Super-sub Stellah Odhiambo found the back of the net in the 90th minute after connecting with a well-placed cross from Yvonne Idagiza, sending the Kibera bench and fans into wild celebrations.

Earlier in the game, Kibera had a golden chance to take the lead in the 14th minute through Faith Mboya, but her powerful strike hit the crossbar, sending the game into the break goalless.

Vihiga Queens' late push for an equalizer proved futile, as Kibera maintained relentless pressure and attacking intent right up to the final whistle to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Speaking after the match, Kibera head coach David Busego praised his team’s resilience saying “ I am really proud of my girls. It was a tough match. We missed several chances in the first half, but in the second half, we corrected our mistakes, improved our attack, and got the result. Thanks to the organizers and betPawa for supporting women’s football. Since the introduction of the LBR, the players have shown great motivation."

On the other hand, Vihiga Queens’ head coach Boniface Nyamunyamu admitted that a lapse in concentration cost them the match. He said, “We lost a bit of concentration in the final minute, which led to a punishment. It was a great game though, as both teams played well. We will go back to the drawing board, review our mistakes and hope to come back stronger next season.

Kibera’s Faith Mboya was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Diana Cheron of Vihiga Queens claimed the Golden Boot. Vihiga’s goalkeeper Vivian Khayati walked away with the Best Goalkeeper award.

Kibera Soccer took home KSh 650,000, while Vihiga Queens received KSh 100,000, courtesy of betPawa.

Both Kibera Soccer and Vihiga had booked their spots in the final after overcoming Kenya Police Bullets and Bungoma Queens respectively in the semifinals.

Also speaking at the event, betPawa Kenya partner Cynthia Onyango commended the level of play, stating “Today, we witnessed world-class football from our ladies. Both teams were outstanding, showing just how much talent exists in women’s football in Kenya. We remain committed to supporting and growing the women’s game.

This year, the tournament  is powered by betPawa, and it has witnessed 32 teams participate. Through the Locker Room Bonus (LRB) initiative, betPawa has injected KES 4.3 million in direct rewards to players and technical staff, a move aimed at supporting, empowering, and motivating players, while contributing to the growth of women’s football in the country.

The Kenya Seafarers Wages Council has called for zero tolerance for harassment and bullying in the maritime industry.

In a statement, Kenya Seafarers Wages Council Chairman Mwinyi Jahazi called for implementation of clear anti-harassment policies.

"On this Day of the Seafarer, I stand in solidarity with maritime workers across the globe who continue to serve as the backbone of international trade and commerce. As Chairman of the Kenya Seafarers Wages Council, I extend my deepest appreciation to all seafarers whose dedication keeps our global economy moving." said Jahazi.

Adding "Today, I am proud to announce our unwavering support for the International Maritime Organisation's vital campaign "My Harassment - My Ship" launched on this significant day. This initiative represents a crucial step forward in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing our maritime community.

Jahazi also noted that the council will continue collaborating with international partners to establish uniform standards for harassment prevention across all vessels, Supporting comprehensive training programs for maritime employers and crew members on workplace dignity and respect, Advocating for robust reporting mechanisms that protect seafarers who speak out against harassment, Ensuring fair wage protection for seafarers who report harassment incidents in good faith, and Promoting mental health resources specifically tailored for maritime workers.

Jahazi noted "Our seafarers are key workers in a strategic industry that connects nations and enables global prosperity. They spend months away from their families, often in challenging conditions, to ensure that essential goods reach communities worldwide. They deserve nothing less than our complete commitment to their safety, dignity, and well-being."

"The "My Harassment - My Ship" campaign reminds us that every vessel should be a workplace where professionalism, respect, and human dignity prevail. When we protect our seafarers from harassment, we strengthen the entire maritime industry."

Global Afropop sensation Yemi Alade has released “My Padi”, a brand-new single produced by 9Fingers - out via Effyzzie Music and available to stream worldwide.

The Highlife/Afrobeats single is a breath of fresh air, thanks to its sweet traditional instrumentation and groove. 

Starting off as a love song, “My Padi” quickly evolved during its creation into a heartfelt tribute to friendship, loyalty and mutual respect.

Ahead of the release Yemi Alade says, “This song started as a love song, but by the end of the session, it became about love, respect and dedication to a friend you consider family—aka my padi,” .

Adding, “The instrumentation is rooted in a very traditional sound from the East of Nigeria. Some people call it ‘oghene’ (hypnotic music that makes you dance).” 

Written by Yemi Alade with contributions from her close collaborators, the song fuses her unmistakable vocals with a warm, rhythmic groove, delivering a message that resonates far beyond romance–into the enduring bonds.

The new single will have fans around the world celebrating authentic African music while dancing with their chosen family.

“For You” marks a significant moment in Yemi’s creative journey as she continues to evolve her sound while staying true to her roots. With more music and philanthropic projects on the horizon, Yemi is gearing up for an amazing 2025, promising her fans “more music, more life.”

Yemi Alade has been flying high with her tenth studio album, ‘Rebel Queen’ , which houses her Grammy-nominated hit single “Tomorrow”.

Her latest album, pushing creative boundaries, is a dynamic fusion of Afropop, Dancehall, Amapiano, Lingala, Afrobeats, Reggae and R&B, features collaborations with Ziggy Marley (Peace & Love), Konshens & Femi One (“Baddie Remix”), Angelique Kidjo (“African Woman”) and Innoss’B (“Lipeka”).

Yemi Alade is a powerhouse performer, who has graced some of the world’s biggest stages, from the United Nations and Global Citizen to the British Royal Family.

She continues to break barriers and redefine African music on the world stage, solidifying her place as one of Africa’s most influential and celebrated artists.

Known for her electrifying performances and unwavering dedication to celebrating African culture, Yemi’s global impact in shaping the contemporary African music landscape remains celebrated.

Safaricom PLC has once again cemented its position as a leading force in the continent’s brand landscape, after it was named the Most Admired Brand in Africa at the 2025 Annual Brand Africa Awards.

Established in 2010, Brand Africa set to inspire a brand-led African renaissance to drive Africa’s competitiveness.

The awards initiative uses research and consumer surveys to rank and celebrate leading brands in Africa.

The telco has won the award for the second consecutive year while also bagging four different awards in other categories underscoring its leadership in mobile money, internet services and voice and data communications.

The awards include:

1. Most Admired African Brand,
2. Most Admired Brand – Telecommunications,
3. Most Admired African Brand – Contributing to a Better Africa,
4. Most Admired African Brand – Doing Good for Society and the Environment and
5. Grand Prix Winner - For exceptional purpose led brand excellence and steadfast commitment to sustainability, social impact and building better Africa.

“These awards are a true reflection of what Safaricom stands for, putting purpose at the heart of everything we do. From transforming lives through technology to championing sustainability and empowering communities, we are proud to be part of Africa’s journey toward shared prosperity. " said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CBS, CEO, Safaricom PLC.

Adding "We dedicate this recognition to our customers, employees and partners who continue to inspire our mission every day and for the last 25 years,” 

The 2025 Brand Africa Awards come as Safaricom celebrates its 25th anniversary.

This milestone year underscores its unwavering commitment to innovation, customer obsession and building a more inclusive digital future for Africa.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) over the weekend busted an illegal LPG refilling plant in the Majengo area of Mombasa County.

According to EPRA, the facility which has now been shut down was found refilling and rebranding LPG cylinders from multiple licensed brands owners without the written consent from the rightful owners in violation of Section 99(1)(m) of the Petroleum Act, CAP 308

"Our ever-alert Surveillance and Enforcement team from the Coastal region over the weekend busted an illegal LPG refilling plant in the Majengo area of Mombasa County. The raid was coordinated by our Coast Regional Manager Mr. Francis Keri in collaboration with officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Police Service (NPS), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA)." reads a statement from EPRA.

Adding "Investigations also revealed that the facility had gone a step further by tampering with brand identities by removing valves, defacing cylinders, and altering logos. These actions breach Regulation 15 of the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Regulations, 2019, and pose serious safety risks."

Cummins C&G Limited organized a training dubbed ‘Cummins Power Train Kenya Symposium’ on Friday, June 20, 2025.

The training, conducted by a team from Cummins Africa and Middle East PowerGen specialised technical leaders, was meant for engineers and consultants from the entire East African region.

The attendees included the Cummins C&G appropriate staff and key clients, including banks, data centres and oil companies, consulting engineers and service teams. 

The training offered valuable knowledge on how to handle the Cummins equipment from generator set settings and transient performance, genset paralleling, installation layout and design, data center power systems design considerations, alternator and generator acoustic closures.

The Power Train Kenya Symposium was also used to introduce BESS, Battery Energy Storage System that stores excess energy generated during periods of low demand and released during demand periods.

Speaking after the symposium, Erick Sangoro, the Cummins C&G Managing Director said, “This is very important to us. BESS, apart from enhancing energy efficiency, it also improves the stability and reliability of the grid.”

Car & General became a distributor of Cummins products in 2007. In 2017, Cummins C&G was formed as a 50:50 joint venture between C&G and Cummins Inc.

In 2023, Car & General bought back the Cummins Inc shares and fully acquired Cummins CG from the joint venture.

It is now owned 100% by C&G and is the Cummins distributor for generators, engines and power solutions in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia.

Car & General is a diversified distributor of Cummins generators, TVS motorcycles, Piaggio three wheelers, Kubota tractors, Toyota forklifts, Develon earthmovers among other equipment in East Africa. 

Car & General held its 85th Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 19, 2025 for the year ending 31 December 2024.

During the virtual meeting, shareholders approved the recommended dividend of Shs 64,165,293 which is equal to Shs 0.80 per share.

Shareholders approved the retirement of Madabhushi Soundararajan as a member of the Board. Soundararajan joined the Board in 2008.

They also approved the appointment of Nikhil Rustam Hira as an Independent Non-Executive Director. 

Car & General saw various challenges during the period due to constraints in the Kenyan market, especially the boda boda business. Operational sustainability was achieved by the company’s transition to other business lines.

As a result, turnover for the twelve-month period ending 31 December 2024 was Shs 21 billion against Shs 27 billion achieved in the fifteen-month period ending 31 December 2023 compared to Shs 2.1 billion in prior year.

EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) was Shs 1.5 billon and the Group made a profit before tax of Shs 526 million against a loss of Kshs 273 million in the previous year.

The Company believes that uncertainty will persist in 2025 given the challenging global geo-politics although East Africa will see less turbulence.

Speaking after the AGM, Car & General CEO said, “Key to success will be maintaining strict fundamentals in terms of higher efficiency levels in all areas of business, maintaining market share in core products and achieving productivity across all business."

Adding "We have a balanced business with five distinct business lines; automotive and equipment distribution, real estate investment, financial services, poultry and helmet manufacturing. This diversity, coupled with a broader geographical reach is the backbone of our sustainability.”

Car & General is a diversified distributor of TVS motorcycles, Piaggio three wheelers, Kubota tractors, Toyota forklifts, Cummins generators, Develon earthmovers among other equipment in East Africa. Car & General was the pioneered the use of two and three wheelers as taxis in Kenya over two decades ago.

This past Saturday, award-winning rapper and philanthropist Femi One visited Kiambu Men’s Prison as part of the Kiambu Edition of her One For One Foundation’s Men’s Mental Health Month campaign.

The event, held within the correctional facility, brought together inmates, officers, and guests for an afternoon focused on mental health awareness, dignity, and brotherhood.

Femi One spent time engaging with the inmates, encouraging them to open up about their struggles and reminding them that healing is possible,even behind bars.

“It was an emotional and powerful experience,” Femi One shared. “Our men are carrying so much silently. This month is about reminding them that their pain is valid, their healing is important, and that as a society, we see them.”

A highlight of the day was the crowning of Mr. Kiambu, where inmates showcased their talents, leadership, and confidence. Femi One, who had the honor of crowning the winner, emphasized the importance of self-expression and second chances.

She also gave a heartfelt talk to the guests and inmates, focusing on the need for mental wellness support among men and the role of community in reducing stigma around mental health.

The visit is part of the One For One Foundation’s ongoing mission to create safe spaces and platforms for underrepresented communities; particularly youth and men in overlooked environments-to be seen, heard, and supported.