Lawyer Seth Mwatela Kamanza has been elected the new Kwale county assembly Speaker after garnering 20 out of 30 votes during the second round of voting..

His closest rival Salim Gombeni got 10 votes.

Former speaker Sammy Ruwa was knocked out during the first round of voting after getting 7 votes. In the first round, Seth and Gombeni had garnered 13 and 9 votes respectively with former Msambweni Omar Zonga getting only 1 vote.

Ruwa previously vied for the county top seat but finished fifth after being trounced by Fatuma Achani.

Mwatela also vied for the Kinango parliamentary seat during the August election but lost to Gonzi Rai.

Meanwhile the newly elected members of the Mombasa county assembly are expected to be sworn into office on Friday, they are thereafter expected to elect their speaker and deputy speaker.

Mombasa county governor Abdulswamad Nassir has ordered for a review of licenses levied on public service vehicles and tuktuks operating within Mombasa County.

Matatu operators had complained of what they termed as exorbitant charges for licenses levied on matatus and  tuktuks by the county government during the governor Jho administration.

The announcement which is a sigh of relief, to the key players was made on Tuesday when the newly elected governor met the transport operators in a consultative meeting.

Nassir, who took over from Joho,  said as part of fulfilling some of his campaign pledges he will direct that the levies be reviewed downwards to cushion the sector players from the economic burden.

“It is my recommendation that these county fees be reviewed downwards subject to the approval of the County Assembly in the upcoming Finance Bill and the ease of compliance be improved so as to increase the collections for the county,” said Nassir.

Nassir promised that a detailed circular will be released by the county government before the end of next week detailing how to ease the cost of doing business in Mombasa.

Nassir said the county government will now automate the payment processes so as to ease the burden of queuing at the transport department in the Shimanzi area to make payments.

“We will no longer require operators to go all the way to Shimanzi for clearance then to Treasury Square for payment - we will enhance the simplicity of compliance by digitizing this process,” he added.

During his swearing in speech at the Mama Ngina waterfront last week,Nassir made a  first executive order to waive licence penalties levied on markets and businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Mombasa residents are struggling with the rising cost of living as income dwindles as our hotel industry and port-related businesses struggle,” Nassir said.

He said his  priority will be the revival of Mombasa's economy. He also promised that  dormant businesses will soon be revamped and existing ones expanded through his administration.

Speaking to this blog, Matatu Owners Association Mombasa Chairman Ali Batesi welcomed the move saying it will not help them as operators but also Mombasa residents and commuters.

"This is a very good move and we thank our governor for this. He has proven to us that he cares for us as businessmen and Mombasa residents at large" said Batesi.

Adding " It's timing is very right, now that the prices of fuel are always increasing and this will not only help us as businessman but commuters too. As you are aware we have not increased fares despite the high cost of fuel so this is something that we cannot take lightly and we promise the governor our support and cooperation as he settles in his new office"

Former Ganze Mp Teddy Mwambire has been elected as the speaker of the Kilifi county assembly.

Mwambire got a total of 37 votes against his close rival James Mlewa of the Pamoja African Alliance party (PAA) who got 13 votes during the election on Tuesday. Kilifi governor Gideon Mngaro was present during the speaker election.

In Kilifi, ODM won 18 out of the 35 elected MCA seats, PAA scooped six and the other parties shared the remaining slots.

Mwambire who is also the Kilifi ODM chairman lost the Ganze parliamentary seat to Kenneth Kazungu of the PAA party.

Radio Rahma presenter and reporter Ali Mwalimu has expressed interest in the Mombasa county assembly Speaker's position.

Mwalimu picked the nomination papers for the post on Monday morning at the Mombasa county assembly clerk's office.

"This is as an opportunity to grab as journalists, we have been pushing for change and we cannot just sit down and wait for that change, we need to get into the system to make things work, so this is one of the reason that pushed me to get into the race" Mwalimu told Ommy Dallah.

The Mombasa County Assembly has advertised for the speaker position on Friday through local dailies.

The deadline for the application is tomorrow, Tuesday, 20th September.

The constitution requires that the speaker be elected among persons who are not members of the County Assembly.

The first sitting of the county assembly will be held on Friday, 23 September at 10am.

The Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat Federation of Africa Tablig chairman Sheikh Sajaad Walliji has urged Kenyans to unite and continue living in peace.

He urged Kenyans to help the less fortunate in the society.

Speaking during a peaceful procession to mark the 40th day after the death of  Imam Hussein the grandson of prophet Muhammad,  Islamic religious teacher Ali Bahero urged Kenyans to love one another regardless of ethnicity, race or social status.

Ashura is marked on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

It is a particularly important period of mourning for Shia Muslims, as it marks the anniversary of the seventh-century Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq, when Hussein was killed.

The death of Hussein is considered by the Shia community as a symbol of humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression.

The primary rituals and observances on Ashura consist of public expressions of mourning. Sunni Muslims commemorate the day through voluntary fasting.

Some in the Shia community mark the day by flagellating themselves with chains and the blunt ends of swords. This is intended to exemplify the suffering Hussein experienced shortly before his beheading.

In Mombasa, members of the community dressed in black converged at the Jafery sports ground Mbaraki for a two hour procession that ended at the community cemetery in Mwembe Tayari, on Saturday.

Prominent Mombasa businessman Mohammad Jaffer was among those who took part in the procession.

The Mombasa County Assembly has advertised the vacant speaker position.

Applicants will be required to fill in and sign nomination forms and attach a copy of their resumes.

Nomination papers are to be collected in person by the interested applicants from the office of the clerk of the county assembly during working hours from Friday 16th September to Tuesday 20th September.

"Pursuant to article 178 of the constitution of Kenya 2010 section 9A of the county government act 2012 and standing order 5 of the county assembly standing orders, the office of the speaker of the county assembly shall become vacant upon the first sitting of the county assembly thus election of the speaker" reads an advert on the dailies.

The constitution requires that the speaker be elected among persons who are not members of the County Assembly.

The first sitting of the county assembly will be held on Friday, 23 September at 10am.

This comes just days after the swearing in of the governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

Aharub Khatri who was the speaker of the last assembly is said to be keen in defending the position.

ODM party remains the majority in the assembly after it bagged 23 seats in the August polls. UDA clinched four, two are independent and one for Wiper.

President William Ruto is expected to make his first official visit to Mombasa after being sworn into office on Saturday.

The head of state is expected to officially close the ongoing governor's and deputy governor's induction at the Pride Inn hotel Shanzu.

According to the program, the governor's are also expected to elect their new leadership today, Saturday.

Besides the chair position, deputy and whip, the governors will also lock horns in picking chairpersons of 18 various council committees with some perceived as lucrative.

Kenya Kwanza has fronted Kirinyaga governor Ann Waiguru for the chairperson position while Azimio has fronted Kajiado county governor Joseph Ole Lenku.

Mavin Records songstress, Ayra Starr proves her musical process yet again with a new single dubbed, Rush.

Hot off the back of his debut album ‘19 & Dangerous‘  which housed hits like Bloody Samaritan and Fashion Killa, Ayra Starr takes another step forward.

The talented female singer recently won the “Viewers Choice Award” at the 2022 Headies Awards in Atlanta.

However, on the new single “Rush”, Ayra Starr discusses a range of themes, most notably gloating about her money, the necessity to grind every day to preserve her status, and the need to avoid bad energy from her opponents while doing so, a theme that is similar to that of “Bloody Samaritan.”

Rush by Ayra Starr“, was produced by Henri Velasco and Andre Vibez, serves as one of the new records off the upcoming deluxe edition of her 19 & Dangerous album out next month.

Listen HERE..

Mombasa Governor Abduslwamad Nassir was on Thursday sworn into office to succeed Governor Hassan Joho with a full in tray to deliver for Mombasa residents.

Justice George Dulu and Martha Mutuku the Mombasa High Court chief magistrate presided over the swearing-in ceremony at the Mama Ngina Water front. 

In his speech, Nassir said he will sign an executive order to waive levies on businesses to facilitate a good economy bounce back.

Nassir said he will work with the government to ensure that the port of Mombasa benefits the Mombasa people through sharing of revenue.

“I shall engage the national government through the legal structures to advocate for Mombasa county to get a fair share of port revenue in line with global services,” said Nassir during his speech.

He said his mission is to create jobs, revive the economy and deliver services to the people at their grassroots. Nassir also vowed to scrap land rate levies imposed on churches as part of his promise during the campaign pledges.

The immediate former governor pledged to support his successor as he takes over the leadership of the county. Nassir said he will seek the prioritization of implementation of the Dongo Kundu industrial part to create hundreds of jobs in Mombasa.

He also said he will rally the government to implement an open sky policy that will facilitate chartered flights landing directly in Mombasa with tourists. He also said the county will implement a comprehensive school bursary program to help the needy with fees.

“I further challenge the government to implement the single African air transport agreement known as open sky policy to allow flights from 320 foreign countries to land in Mombasa directly so that we can boost our tourism,” said Nassir.

Nassir, who like Joho, is taking over the leadership of the county from being an MP. He is taking over the leadership mantle with deputy governor Francis Thoya.

Nassir also swore to an integrity cord by the ethics and anticorruption commission EACC against corruption in the county government.

“We would like to ask all governors before paying any pending bills, to do an audit to establish the genuine bills, and those who will pay for an illegality will face the wrath of the commission,” said Eric Ngumbi EACC official.

The inauguration event cost Sh6 million according to the Assumption of Office Committee. The event was graced by Azimio principals Martha Karua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking in Mombasa during the official swearing in ceremony of Mombasa governor elect Abdulswamand Nassir, NARK Kenya party leader Karua asked the leaders to work with the government but not blindly.

"Collaborate with the government that has grabbed power, but collaborate from a position of strength and not kneeling down," Karua urged Azimio elected leaders.

Karua said she still believes that Raila Odinga won the August 9 elections and  expressed her disappointment with how the Supreme Court handled their presidential petition saying she still reads mischief.

"We ask our people to stay united not to swing to the government, we ask you leaders to stay united,” said Karua asking Mombasa people to demand a stake of the port's shared revenue.

Karua said losing the election should not divide Azimio La Umoja one Kenya adding that she will still pursue her mission to the East Africa Court of justice to seek the truth from the Supreme Court.

"We are saying it’s not over until it’s over, we will be with you in every step, we will be active to protect the interests of the people.We know you voted for us, we ask you not to lose morale, because you have a county government,” said Karua.

The Nacr Kenya leader cautioned Mombasa residents against embracing a 'divide and rule' political strategy which she claimed will be brought to them.

On his part Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated that Azimio la Umoja still has the majority in the national assembly and elected governors and thus will stump their authority in keeping the government in check.

Kalonzo hinted that Azimio La umoja one Kenya will be holding a meeting with all elected members of Parliament and senators to chat the way forward.

"We are meeting in Mombasa with all members of parliament and senators to plan ahead, election is over and we have to organize ourselves,” said Kalonzo adding that they will steer opposition to keep government on check 

Musyoka said coastal people should not be duped by reverting of the port operations to Mombasa; instead they should push the government to expand port activities.

Kalonzo also asked for more funding of the judiciary by increasing it's budgets asking opposition MPs in parliament to up their game in keeping the government in check in the parliament.

"We are ready as Azimio La umoja to question the government because we have the majority, we have a voice, we are all part and parcel of a united Country,” said Kalonzo.

Outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho said he will not interfere with the Administration of incoming governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

"I will not interfere with the affairs of the country's government, I will not influence anything,1 have done what was supposed to be done, let me go and rest,” said Joho.

Joho said he has given his best in Mombasa leadership and his legacy speaks for itself. He expressed confidence that Nassir will offer preferred leadership.

Joho said a section of Mps from the other political divide have been trolling him for losing in the August 9 general election.

"We want the port operations to be back, because they announced it, they should honour that,"Joho said

.Joho says being in the opposition is not a death sentence. Joho said a UDA MP recently taunted him over the issue.

Other leaders who were present during the event present include outgoing Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and his deputy William Kingi, senators Mohammed Faki (Mombasa), Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), Nairobi Women Rep Esther Passaris, Mohammed Zamzam (Mombasa) and Fatuma Gedi of Wajir.

Nominated Jubilee MP Sabina Chege, Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Mohamed Soud Machele (Mvita), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe) and Mombasa county assembly speaker Harub Khatri were also present