Twenty-four-year-old Kepher Okoth Ooko from Kanga, Migori County, is the grand winner of KES 5 million in the “Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa” promotion.

Okoth, who is a motorcycle mechanic based at Kanga Junction in Migori county, won the amount after participating in the campaign by purchasing KES 20 data bundles, which earned him an entry into the draw.

In addition to the KES 5 million, he also received KES 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation to support a community project of his choice in his home area.

Speaking during the award ceremony at Safaricom headquarters in Nairobi, the joyous father of two, who was accompanied by his wife Zuhura Akoth expressed his disbelief, saying he is still in shock. Okoth further shared that he plans to use some of the money to open his own motorcycle repair garage, purchase a piece of land, build a house, and buy a 14-seater matatu for a transport business. He also intends to support his wife by helping her start a business.

“I am still in disbelief since I received the call from Safaricom that I had won KES 5 million. This is a miracle and a huge blessing for me and my entire family. I never imagined that someone like me, would ever become a millionaire. I plan to start a garage, build a house, buy a 14-seater matatu, and support my wife, who has been a pillar in my life. To Safaricom, thank you so much for the incredible work you are doing, transforming the lives of many Kenyans,” said Kepher Okoth.

With the additional KES 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation meant to support a community project, Okoth chose to renovate and furnish three classrooms and connect water in his former primary school, Kitere Primary School.

This promotion was launched in June by Safaricom to reward, celebrate and empower its customers with daily and weekly cash prizes, including data bundles. It was also meant to support key community projects chosen by winners.

Each of the 30 weekly millionaires received an additional KES 250,000 to support a community project of their choice. This was to ensure that the benefits of this promotion extend beyond individual winners to positively impact wider communities creating a ripple effect of positive change.

The community projects are being actualised through the Safaricom Ndoto Zetu Uwezo Wetu program which supports various community initiatives that have a lasting impact on people's lives. Whether it’s building classrooms, providing clean water, or supporting healthcare initiatives.

“Today, we not only celebrate our 31^st millionaires, but also the 31 community projects that will benefit thousands of Kenyans.  When we began this campaign, we had our customers and the community in mind, aiming to celebrate and empower them by transforming their lives across the country. We believe that true success is shared success, and by supporting community initiatives, we can create a ripple effect of positive change,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom Plc CEO.

In addition to the millionaires, the campaign also rewarded customers with M-PESA cashbacks totalling KES 31.5 million, daily prizes that included airtime for 220,000 customers, data bundles for another 200,400 customers, SMS bundles for more than 301,000 customers, and digital content for over 1.2 million customers.

Popular Sultana actress Bwire Ndubi is dead.

Ndubi died today (Thursday) morning at Maslak Acibadem hospital in Turkey where she was receiving cancer treatment.

"It is with a heavy heart and humble acceptance of God's will that we announce Winfred Bwire Ndubi lost her battle to cancer on 5th September 2024 while undergoing treatment in Turkey," reads a statement from family.

The late Ndubi had travelled back to Turkey for treatment last week after developing some complications from her previous treatment.

In her last video appealing for help, which was shared on her social media pages on August 14, the actress revealed she was experiencing some side effects from her treatment.

"You wouldn't believe it—it has over 41 side effects, and you never know which one will hit. You experience some of them at different times, and it keeps changing," she narrated.

Friends and relatives held a fundraiser in Mombasa to raise the ksh 5 million needed for her to get back to Turkey for further treatment.

Ndubi who played 'Dida' in Sultana shared her struggle with breast cancer with fans in 2022.

Tanqueray has announced the renewal of its support of the Nairobi Polo Club’s competition calendar as the experience partner.

This renewed partnership underscores Tanqueray’s dedication to supporting polo and celebrating the magnificence and heritage that defines both polo and the brand’s ethos.

“We are happy to continue our partnership with Nairobi Polo Club as the sport embodies the very essence of magnificence that we strive for,” said Scaver Saitaga, Brand Manager at Tanqueray.

Adding “This partnership provides us with a platform to connect with both our loyal consumers and new audiences, as we showcase our brand values in a dynamic atmosphere. Polo offers our consumers an ideal setting to enjoy an exhilarating afternoon accompanied by our diverse range”.

Nairobi Polo club will be hosting the 10 Goal International Tournament between the 6th and 8th of September.

This will be followed by the 6 Goal International that will take place between the 13th and 15th of the September.

The two weekends will feature an exciting competition line – up that will showcase the pinnacle of skill and athleticism in the sport.

The tournaments at the Nairobi Polo club are a highlight of the season’s calendar providing an opportunity to celebrate style, elegance and the vibrant social scene that surrounds the sport.

The game of polo transcends itself and provides an immersive experience that allows one to enjoy the best of Kenyan culture and fashion.

The previous polo season concluded in spectacular fashion with Tanqueray collaborating with local fashion designers such as Afrostreet Kollections and NCNairobi to showcase high fashion at the Soldiers’ Salute and Chairman’s Cup tournaments.

Safaricom PLC (NSE:SCOM) has today hosted the fourth series of the ‘Grow with Safaricom Business’ targeting MSMEs in the Coast region.

The forum aims to equip the entrepreneurs with knowledge that will enable them scale their businesses through technology.

The engagement forum will also give the MSMEs an opportunity to exchange ideas on how they can leverage digital technologies to enhance their market reach, streamline operations, and create a strong brand presence online.

According to the Kenya Institute of Public Policy, Research and Analysis, there are over 7.4 million MSMEs, employing approximately 14.9 million Kenyans in various sectors of the economy, generating 30% of the GDP.

“Despite the significant contribution MSMEs make to the economy, they continue to face considerable challenges, such as inadequate knowledge and skills and rapid technology changes among others that hinder the growth of their businesses. At Safaricom, we believe in the power of technology and its potential to transform businesses, which is why we are hosting the Grow with Safaricom Business to empower MSMEs,” said Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom.

As the global economy rapidly digitalises, it is estimated that 70% of new value created over the coming decade will be based on digitally enabled platform business models.

Launched in March this year, the Grow with Safaricom Business forum will provide ample networking opportunities for MSMEs to connect with peers, industry experts, and potential partners.

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA)  has recognized outstanding journalists reporting on Environment and Climate change in Africa.

The ceremony took place in Abidjan on the sidelines of the 12^th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa CCDA-XII.

Among those who were recognized is Mombasa based journalist Jasmine Atieno.

Jasmine who works with the People daily newspaper was the only journalist from Kenya who won the award,  with Leleti Jassor from Nation media group being the runners up.

"I am very excited and humbled for this win. Thankful to Pan African Climate Justice Alliance for recognizing and rewarding our efforts and commitment as journalists in highlighting critical environmental issues and advocating for climate justice." said Jasmine.

Adding "I have to also say, the winning story was my first opinion article on climate change. I decided to write this article especially motivated by the devastating effects the floods had to Kenyan families and especially to women, which we all witnessed and reported about. As a features writer we are so used to collect everyone else's voice but we should never forget how important our voices and opinions also are in driving for change. And I really hope to see this change happen in terms of empowering Kenyan and African women to mitigate effects of climate change."

The theme for this edition was 'Advancing for accountability for Adaptation finance for enhanced resilience, climate justice and equity'.

478 journalists submitted their entries for the awards. Out of 478 candidates, 16 were selected winners in six categories.

Contestants submitted entries in six categories namely: print media, Broadcast media, Digital Activists, Investigative, Coverage of local Climate Change Issues, and opinion/commentary.

During his address to the participants at the gala night, Carlton Cofie, the chief judge, expressed his admiration for the impressive quality of all the entries. He emphasized the difficulty in selecting the winners due to the high level of competition.  He said that the next competition will be improved as journalists will be equipped with more skills in climate change and environmental issues.

The ACCER awards are currently in their 8th edition, with the inaugural event held in 2013. Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA, emphasized that the media is the strategic ally of PACJA in advancing and promoting climate justice advocacy in Africa and beyond.       

The African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards have been held biennially since 2013.

These awards aim to acknowledge and encourage exceptional journalists and media networks who utilize their skills, reach, and influence to simplify complex environmental-scientific discussions and raise awareness about how they affect people's lives, societies, economies, and the health of the planet.  The following annex indicates the winners of for  8^th ACCER Awards.

By Phenyo Mokgothu

When a species becomes extinct in the wild, the loss is permanent. For Africa, a serious loss is the extinction of the Tanzanian Kihansi spray toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) due to habitat change and infectious disease.

This should serve as a wakeup call for policy makers to prioritise and implement conservation measures for endangered species.

Found only in the Udzungwa Mountains, the species experienced a population decline after the construction of the Lower Kihansi Hydropower project and an outbreak of a fungal disease. This is according to a study co-authored by Prof Ché Weldon of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) subject group Zoology.

The hydropower project reduced water flow in the toads’ habitat tenfold, and by March 2001 the population had dropped to fewer than 2 000 toads. Although restoration efforts increased the population to nearly 18 000 by June 2003, this recovery did not last.

The final blow was an outbreak of chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This infection affects the outermost layers of amphibians’ skin, impairing their ability to breathe or thermoregulate correctly. This led to the toad population's rapid decline. By 2009, the Kihansi spray toad was declared extinct in the wild.

Putting two and two together

The NWU study used spatiotemporal surveillance and mitogenome assembly of the fungus from archived toad specimens. It showed that the outbreak was caused by the BdCAPE lineage of the fungus which, according to molecular dating, appeared in southern Africa around the time of the extinction of the spray toads.

Further surveillance of other amphibian species in the Udzungwa Mountains showed BdCAPE infection without noticeable health impacts, suggesting that these species can tolerate the fungus under stable conditions. However, the spray toad's vulnerability increased due to habitat change.

The findings show that despite habitat restoration efforts, the BdCAPE fungus led to the Kihansi spray toad's extinction. This is the first documented instance in Africa of a host species being driven to extinction by this specific pathogen.

The study highlighted the use of molecular techniques, such as shotgun sequencing, to analyse archived specimens and understand disease outbreaks and their impacts. It calls for comprehensive efforts to assess the risks posed by habitat modification, climate change and emerging diseases on vulnerable species.

According to the authors, the extinction of the Kihansi spray toad shows the need for integrated conservation strategies that consider environmental changes and disease dynamics.

They say policymakers must recognise the threats posed by habitat alteration and emerging infectious diseases to prioritise and implement conservation actions for endangered species.

Stanbic Bank Kenya has launched the Stanbic Money Market Fund (KES) and the Stanbic Fixed Income Fund (USD) following approval by the Capital Markets Authority earlier this year.

The funds will be managed by SBG Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Stanbic Holdings Plc.

This launch marks Stanbic Bank’s official entry into asset management through its newly established Insurance and Asset Management Unit, with plans to introduce more investment products in the future.

This initiative aligns with the Bank’s strategy to offer comprehensive solutions, creating a seamless, one-stop financial services hub tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients through a range of client-centric products and services.

It also supports the Bank’s purpose to drive growth by providing meaningful solutions.

With minimum investments of KES 1,000 and USD 100, the funds are designed for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and achieve long-term growth with minimal risk and high liquidity.

Clients’ investments will be managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals.

Commenting on this, Dr Joshua Oigara, Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Kenya and South Sudan said, “To drive growth, we must mobilise domestic savings and investments by strengthening our capital markets and developing investment products that cater to our people’s needs."

Adding "We need to create accessible entry points for investors, offering affordable and user-friendly solutions that lower barriers to investment. Our Asset Management unit is strategically positioned to deliver investment solutions that drive growth for both retail and institutional investors.”

"We strategically set up a fourth business unit called Insurance and Asset Management to ensure that we were offering a holistic suite of Banking and non-Banking solutions to our clients. Investing in Stanbic's Unit Trusts offers vast advantages, including expert management and diversification across various asset classes” said Anjali Harkoo, Head Insurance and Asset Management, Stanbic Bank Kenya.

"Licensed and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority, these funds adhere to stringent investment guidelines , ensuring stability and security for investors. Leveraging our extensive asset management experience across our Group network, we will implement best investment practices and utilise our robust internal capabilities to deliver value to our clients.” added Anjali.

The funds currently provide investors with an annualized yield of 15.12% for the Money Market Fund (KES) and 5.56% for the Fixed Income Fund (USD).

The Money Market Fund charges up to 2% in management fees, while the Fixed Income Fund charges up to 1%.

The funds will be available to both existing and new Stanbic Bank clients, catering to both individual and institutional investors.

Mombasa county has shut down the Frere town dumping site which has been eyesore for the residents for years.

The exercise , spearheaded by the Deputy Governor Francis Thoya, included a comprehensive community sensitization on the importance of environmental cleanliness and public health. Residents.

Speaking during the exercise, Thoya called on the local ward administrator to ensure that the area remains clean, free of garbage.

''It has taken us time to close this dumping site but we are thankful that we have finally managed. I now believe that the residents around here will live  peaceful and in good environment. We will see how to help those youth who were used to dumping waste here" said Thoya.

Adding " For us, we will leave immediately after so the work is now upon the ward administrator to ensure that no one dumps waste here again. As the county we will always be available and willing to help you whenever you need our help."

On his part Nyali sub county administrator Mohammed Abubakar called on the residents to take the responsibility of keeping the area clean.

"Just as your play your part as parents at home to ensure that your Children have good life, take up the responsibility to ensure that this place is clean. My office will work closely with all relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that this area remains clean and no one dumps waste again here."

According to the area elder Mzee Omar the move by the county government is timely.

"We would like to congratulate the Deputy Governor and the entire Mombasa county government for this bold move. This particular dumpsite has a history dating back to several years ago and has been a bother to us as residents." said Omar

Adding" We have lost do many tenants because of the dumping site, If you around here you will see many empty houses, people deserted this area leaving it to us who were born and raised here, I believe we will now be welcoming back the tenants and our houses will once again be full."

Mombasa industrialist and philanthropist Hasmukh 'Hasu' Patel was finally cremated on Sunday afternoon at a ceremony attended by several leaders from Kenya, Uganda and India.

The cremation took place at the Hindu Crematorium, Buxton, in line with Hindu customs.

The funeral procession of the tycoon which started at the Pandya memorial hospital few minutes past 9am brought Mombasa city at standstill as hundreds of residents who most have in one way or the other been touched by his charity gestures lined up the streets to say their final goodbye to a man who has touched many hearts not only in Mombasa but other neighbouring counties like Kilifi.

His body was placed in a chair, in a sitting position on a special vehicle well decorated with flowers, his close family members especially sons surrounding him on both sides while other family members at the back.

Among those who were with the body at the hearse was his former right hand man and religious leader Naran Mepani.

According to Mepani, they decided to give the late tycoon a special send off because of his status in the community and according to the hindu traditions.

"He was not just a normal person, he was like a king, in our Swaminarayan community we refer to him as Raja and that is why you see all this." Mepani told journalists during an interactive session at the late tycoon's home in Nyali.

Adding " This has never happened in Kenya, it only happens in India, to people who are highly regarded in the community. We always ensure that their corpses seat in a decorated hearse and there has to be a procession. This is also what happens to priests those who you see wearing orange clothes."

The body of the late businessman passed through four different Hindu temples where members of the respective temples came out with flowers and for special prayers.

"His status allows that he be taken through different temples on his way to the final place, the congregants at the temples have to come out and thrown flowers to the hearse carrying his body, symbolizing his status." explained Mepani.

The hearse carrying Patel's body was also escorted by several people living with disabilities who he mainly assisted especially with wheel chairs.

During his speech at the funeral service, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said he will present a request to the county assembly to have one of the roads and ECD centres in the county named after Patel.

Former president Daniel Moi's press secretary Lee Njiru has advised journalists to invest their earnings for easy landing upon retirement.

Speaking to journalists in Mombasa ,Njiru regretted that only a small percentage of journalists working in newsrooms have huge investments, therefore a majority end up living a miserable life and dying poor .

"I have established that only 1 percent of journalists put up huge investments,many end up being carried away by fame and incentives given to them by news sources,others end up too alcoholic and due to frustrations after leaving work,"he said.

Lee who served former presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi for over three decades said discipline,hard work, determination is paramount in the media sector for ones survival.

"Stop drinking alcohol, report to work on time,dress well, be consistent and ensure you deliver the best until nobody will victimize you anywhere, make people feel your work and they will fear it,"he said.

At times he says, journalists ego makes them think that they are equal to their bosses or sources thus forgetting to live within their means.

He is now urging practicing journalists to adjust accordingly and rethink about retirement.

" Am speaking to you as a father, colleague and grandfather to some of you,the work of a journalist if you are not careful you will perish, because when you work on a radio,Tv or a newspaper you grow horns, forget that the media house you are working for belongs to the owner,"he added.

Njiru said working for the head of state is a rare opportunity therefore it demands one to uphold much discipline and perseverance.

In his advice to practicing journalist the veteran spares no one saying retirement is awaiting them and many will end up suffering for failing to plan about their future.

"I would advise you,if you get any earnings invest it,the little you get make good use of it,I have seen many colleagues perish because of forgetting about life after retirement,"he said.

He added. "When l life is good build your own empire,don't live on borrowed fame,that media house belongs to the owner not yours,"he cautioned.

The veteran pressman advised parents and guardians to guide their children to take up marketable courses for job marketability.

He was responding to a question regarding the state of diminishing media jobs in the country.

"Relook at the marketability of the course,this world is very competitive and no one looks after you when you fail to get a job,"said Njiru.