Ommy Dallah
Omwoyo Warns Journalists Againt Hate Speech, Political Partisanship Ahead of 2027 Elections
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo has urged journalists to uphold professionalism, impartiality and ethical standards as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an engagement with journalists in Mombasa, Omwoyo cautioned media practitioners against allowing their platforms to be used to spread hate speech, misinformation, disinformation or incitement.
“Do not provide platforms for spreading hate, misinformation and incitement. Do not engage in what the Constitution does not allow,” Omwoyo said.
He challenged journalists to remain conscious of their responsibility to protect democracy through accurate, balanced and credible reporting, particularly during the election period.
“We are heading to elections and you have a duty to protect democracy. Make sure you report both sides,” he said.
Omwoyo also cautioned journalists against compromising their professional responsibilities by becoming politically partisan or actively participating in political activities outside their newsroom duties.
“Do not be a journalist by the day and in the evening you are busy on politicians’ WhatsApp groups,” he said, urging journalists to maintain a clear distinction between their professional role and political interests.
He said journalists must remember that political seasons are temporary, while the consequences of irresponsible reporting can have lasting effects on individuals, communities and the country.
“Elections come and go, so let us be careful,” Omwoyo cautioned.
The MCK CEO further urged journalists to prioritise their personal safety while covering politically sensitive events, warning them to exercise caution as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 polls.
“As journalists, be cautious about your safety,” he said.
Omwoyo’s remarks come as the media industry prepares for an increasingly active political environment ahead of the 2027 General Election. MCK has published guidelines on 2027 election coverage as well as guidelines addressing media conduct, journalistic impartiality and political candidacy during the electoral period.
The Council has also continued to raise concerns over attacks against journalists, with Omwoyo previously calling for stronger protection of media workers and accountability for those who violate their rights.
The Mombasa engagement brought together journalists from different media organisations for discussions on professionalism, safety and the role of the media in safeguarding democratic processes ahead of the elections.
FORM IMEJIPA NA COUNTY AWARDS MILLION SHILLING WINNER AS CAMPAIGN REGISTERS OVER 300,000 WINNERS
Kenya Wine Agencies Limited’s (KWAL) National Consumer Promotion "Form Imejipa Na County" has surpassed 300,000 winners and distributed over Sh30 million in prizes since its launch in June 2026 a landmark result for the first National Consumer Promotion the company has run for the County brand.
Among this week's winners, Lilian Akoth from Nairobi became the latest recipient of the campaign's Sh1 million grand prize. Lilian received her award after purchasing a bottle of County Brandy, scratching the label panel to reveal her entry code.
"Form Imejipa Na County is the first National Consumer Promotion KWAL has run for this brand and the numbers tell their own story," said Ivy Kiarie, Brand Manager, Brown Spirits, KWAL. "Over 300,000 Kenyans have won something through this campaign. That scale reflects how deeply County resonates with its consumers."
Ms. Akoth was joined at the prize collection this week by laptop winners Edwin Mulongo, Friday Mutua, Martha Guhe, Quinter Adhiambo, Nicholas Ndunda and Kennedy Ochieng, pool table winner Mary Mwangi and by phone winners Joseph Munah, James Mwangi, Eric Juma, Tabitha Akoth and Brian Okila.
Launched in June 2026, the "Form Imejipa Na County" campaign celebrates the resilience and entrepreneurial drive of County's core market, widely regarded as the engine of Kenya's economic growth. The promotion features county-level activations sustained across its full duration.
KWAL has deployed the campaign nationwide, meeting consumers at establishments and markets across the country, with winners coming from Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and beyond.
Through the promotion, eligible participants stand the chance to win Sh1 million in cash through a monthly grand draw, or Pool Tables, Phones, Laptops and Content Creator Kits in monthly draws. Weekly draws offer Motor Bikes, Shopping Vouchers and Instant Cash Rewards of up to Sh10,000. Daily airtime prizes are also available through scratch and win opportunities on every participating bottle.
Likoni MP Calls for Calm After Burundian Nationals Seek Refuge in Church
Likoni Member of Parliament Mishi Mboko has called for calm and restraint after reports that some Burundian nationals sought refuge in a church in Likoni following alleged threats from some local residents.
Mboko expressed concern over the incident, urging residents to avoid actions that could create tension or threaten the safety of people living in the area.
“I have received with sadness reports that some Burundian nationals have been forced to seek refuge in a church here in Likoni after reportedly being threatened by some local residents,” Mboko said.
The MP said matters relating to immigration and work permits should be handled by the government and relevant authorities, rather than through intimidation or confrontation.
“The government has the mandate to manage immigration matters and ensure that everyone working in the country complies with the law and has the necessary documentation,” she said.
Mboko also urged Burundian nationals and other foreigners whose documentation may not be in order to use the time provided by the government to regularise their permits and comply with directions from the relevant authorities.
At the same time, she cautioned residents against discrimination, threats or actions that could make foreigners feel unsafe because of their nationality or immigration status.
“Differences in nationality or the status of permits should never be a reason for threats, discrimination or for anyone to feel unsafe,” Mboko said.
She noted that Likoni is home to people from diverse communities and backgrounds, making peaceful coexistence an important responsibility for everyone.
“Likoni is home to people from different communities and countries, and maintaining our peace is a responsibility we all share,” she added.
The MP called on residents to work closely with security agencies and local leaders to prevent the situation from escalating into panic or disrupting peace in the community.
“Likoni has been built by people from different communities. Let us protect our peace,” Mboko said.
Mombasa Governor Warns of Severe El Niño, Urges Residents to Prepare
Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir has warned residents to brace for what he described as an unusually severe El Niño weather phenomenon, saying the county is stepping up preparations to protect lives and property.
Speaking after a meeting with the Kenya Meteorological Department, Nassir said the county had been informed of a 98 per cent possibility of El Niño conditions, expected to begin towards the end of this month and continue for about three months.
The Governor said the anticipated weather pattern could be significantly more intense than previous events, with unusually high temperatures and heavy rainfall posing risks to communities, particularly those living near shorelines and other flood-prone areas.
“This one is different. We are anticipating that the heat level will be high. We must accept that we must take measures,” Nassir said.
He urged residents living along the coastline and near waterways to begin taking precautions, warning them not to wait until the situation deteriorates before acting.
Nassir also appealed to residents to take responsibility for protecting the environment, particularly by keeping drainage channels and waterways clear to reduce the risk of flooding.
The county government, he said, is working closely with security and emergency-response agencies, including the Kenya Navy, while other institutions are also being brought on board to strengthen preparedness.
As part of the response plan, Nassir said county social halls will be converted into rescue and temporary accommodation centres should the situation require the evacuation of residents.
The county’s health department is also preparing for a possible increase in waterborne diseases, with measures being put in place to respond to health risks associated with flooding and contaminated water.
“We will be notifying residents on a regular basis on what needs to be done,” the Governor said, stressing that the county’s main priority is to safeguard lives and property.
Nassir called for a coordinated response between the county government, national government agencies, security teams and residents, saying disaster preparedness cannot be left to authorities alone.
“Our priority is that we save lives and properties,” he said.
The Governor’s warning comes as authorities across the country intensify preparations for potentially disruptive weather conditions, with coastal communities expected to remain particularly vulnerable to flooding and other impacts.
KPA Takes Top Spot at Mombasa ASK Show with 11 Awards
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has emerged the overall top performer at the 2026 Mombasa International ASK Show, winning 11 awards for excellence in trade facilitation, innovation, environmental management and Blue Economy initiatives.
The Authority secured seven first-place awards, including recognition for excellence in transport services, international trade and export strategies, environmental quality standards and the use of information and communication technology.
KPA also won the award for the best large commercial and industrial stand, as well as top honours for showcasing the most Blue Economy innovations and inventions.
The Blue Economy award highlights KPA’s growing role in promoting maritime economic development and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
The Authority was further recognised as the government institution that best interpreted this year’s ASK Show theme, reinforcing its contribution to Kenya’s economic development through port operations, logistics and trade facilitation.
KPA won three second-place awards for its support for community projects, youth empowerment and capacity-building initiatives, alongside recognition among non-agricultural statutory boards. It also secured a third-place award for promoting national cohesion and integration.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who officially opened the exhibition at Mkomani Showground on behalf of President William Ruto, said the ASK Show remains an important platform for showcasing innovations driving the agricultural sector.
Kagwe said the government is implementing an economic revival strategy dubbed “From Farm to Port”, aimed at linking agricultural production to efficient logistics systems and international markets.
“Through the Ports of Mombasa and Lamu, Kenya is strategically positioned to provide a critical logistical link between East African agricultural producers and markets across the globe,” Kagwe said.
The CS toured the KPA stand, where he was received by KPA Board Member and Session Chairman Ahmed Muktar, General Manager Engineering Services Eng. Julius Tai, representing CEO Capt. William Ruto, Manager Corporate Communication Jones Buchere, and Manager Procurement and Contract Management Moses Sirgoi.
Principal Secretary for Transport Mohamed Daghar also visited the stand and commended KPA for its investment in innovation and its contribution to economic growth through efficient cargo movement and logistics services.
KPA Board Member Ahmed Muktar congratulated the Show Committee for its performance, noting that the latest awards continued the Authority’s winning streak at previous ASK exhibitions.
He challenged the team to sustain the momentum and continue pursuing excellence.
Held under the theme “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth,” this year’s exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors to the KPA stand, where they explored the Authority’s port operations, trade facilitation services, digital innovations and sustainable maritime development initiatives.
KPA’s strong performance comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen the link between agriculture, efficient logistics, international trade and the Blue Economy to drive sustainable economic growth.
Obunga FC, Plateau Queens out to defend their titles as Safaricom Chapa Dimba Enters Nyanza for County Finals
Mr Lenny Marks Return With Debut Album 'Hisia Zangu'
Mr. Lenny, one of the defining voices of the musicscene and a formative figure in East African urban music has announced the release of his debut album Hisia Zangu by Sapat Music. The album launch will take place on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at Bla Bla Nairobi, Fortis Tower, Woodvale Grove, Westlands.
Spanning twelve tracks, Hisia Zangu is a deeply personal record rooted in Mr Lenny's experience as both an artist and a man who came of age at the centre of a regional music revolution. The project pairs his signature melodic warmth with sleek Afro pop production, resonant live instrumentation, and lyrical depth that speaks directly to the realities of life and love in modern Kenya. For a generation that grew up singing his hooks off compilation CDs and late night radio, the album is a reunion. For those who are meeting him for the first time, it is an introduction.
Mr. Lenny of the ‘Leo’ and ‘Baby don’t go’ fame rose to prominence from the late 1990s, and is widely credited with lifting Kenya's urban music scene onto a regional stage. Mr Lenny was among the voices in the Ogopa label that built the blueprint for what became known as Boombaand in doing so becoming one of the artists that defined a decade of East African popular culture.
On Hisia Zangu, he does not try to replicate what made him familiar. Instead, he builds on it.
The production reflects where East African sound has arrived in 2026, drawing on Afrobeats architecture and layered live instrumentation while staying grounded in the melodic instincts that have always been central to his craft. The lyrics move between Swahili and English with the ease of everyday Nairobi speech, touching on romantic longing, personal growth, and the weight of time. It is music that does not ask the listener to choose between memory and the present.
"This album is my most honest work. Every song on it comes from something I actually lived, actually felt. Hisia Zangu means my feelings, and that is exactly what this is. I want people to hear themselves in it."Mr. Lenny.
The night will feature a live performance by Mr Lenny alongside select tracks from Hisia Zangu presented in full for the first time. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Africa CDC Calls for Stronger Community Engagement and Behavioural Intelligence to Boost Health Security
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for stronger community engagement, behavioural intelligence and coordinated health systems across Africa to improve the continent’s preparedness and response to disease outbreaks.
Speaking during the Continental Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management (BIIM) Harmonisation Workshop in Mombasa, Dr Lul Pout Riek, Africa CDC Senior Regional Representative, said the meeting was significant as African countries seek to establish a common framework for behavioural intelligence and strengthen health security across the continent.
“This meeting is extremely significant. Kenya was chosen because it has been showing leadership,” Dr Riek said.
He said the meeting was focused on harmonising a common framework for behavioural intelligence as part of Africa CDC’s broader efforts to implement the continent’s health security vision.
“Africa CDC is implementing the Africa health security vision, a framework on strengthening health security in the continent,” he said.
Dr Riek stressed that communities must remain at the centre of Africa’s health systems, particularly when responding to disease outbreaks.
“The health systems need the community. We cannot leave communities behind when responding to outbreaks,” he said.
He added that African countries must also take advantage of available technology to strengthen health surveillance, communication and response mechanisms.
“We also need to use the technology that is available,” he said.
Dr Riek further called for greater investment in Africa’s capacity to produce vaccines and medicines, saying the continent cannot achieve a strong and sustainable health system without strengthening local manufacturing.
“We cannot have a health system for Africa unless Africa has its own availability to produce vaccines and medicines,” he said.
He said listening to communities would be critical in building effective health systems and restoring public confidence.
“We don’t want to leave the community behind. We need to listen to the community,” Dr Riek said.
According to him, the proposed behavioural intelligence framework will help countries coordinate their responses to health challenges and ensure that community concerns are incorporated into decision-making.
“This framework will empower the countries in ensuring they are well coordinated in handling health issues,” he said.
The workshop brings together representatives from Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Mauritania, alongside health experts and partners, to strengthen Africa’s approach to behavioural intelligence, misinformation and community feedback in public health.
Kenya: Tackling perceptions and misinformation
Representing the Principal Secretary for Public Health, Dr Joseph Kamario said the meeting was aimed at developing a proper mechanism for behavioural intelligence that would support universal health care across member states.
“We are here as delegates from different countries to see how we can come up with a proper mechanism to deal with behavioural intelligence, which will go a long way in supporting universal health care for all member states,” Kamario said.
He noted that perceptions within communities can influence how health issues are understood and addressed, making reliable data and information critical in public health decision-making.
“You will find that there are a lot of perceptions which, in terms, affect how we deal with health issues,” he said.
Kamario said the countries were seeking to develop mechanisms for collecting the right data and information to help address concerns raised by communities, particularly during outbreaks and other health emergencies.
“We are focusing on outbreaks and health security,” he said.
He identified public trust as one of the major challenges facing behavioural intelligence initiatives.
“The main challenge with behavioural intelligence is public trust and this is what we want to address,” Kamario said.
He said effective behavioural intelligence would help governments build informed communities and counter misinformation.
“We want to have a community that is well informed, with no perceptions or misinformation,” he said.
Ghana: Learning from COVID-19
Bridget Anim, Deputy Director in charge of Health Communication in Ghana, said the country’s participation in the workshop was important in strengthening how health authorities understand and respond to community concerns.
“For us in Ghana, this is very important for us to be involved in this conference,” Anim said.
She said the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks had exposed gaps in the way community insights and concerns were captured and incorporated into health responses.
“We have seen over the course of COVID and other outbreaks that the insights and concerns from the community were something that we were missing,” she said.
Anim said Ghana was now seeking to address those gaps by strengthening the collection and use of community feedback.
“Now we want to address these concerns and deal with them,” she said.
She added that the meeting had also provided participating countries with an opportunity to learn from each other and share experiences in dealing with public health challenges.
“Participating in this meeting has also made us learn how other countries have been dealing with their issues,” she said.
Anim identified data, accurate information and security as critical elements in strengthening public health systems.
Sierra Leone: Towards a continental system
Meanwhile, Harold Thomas, Health Promotion and Communication Adviser from Sierra Leone, said countries were working towards developing a system that could eventually be rolled out across other African states with support from Africa CDC.
“We are trying to make this particular system work and at the end roll out to other member states through support of Africa CDC,” Thomas said.
He acknowledged that countries already have their own systems for dealing with health information and community engagement but said these systems need to be interoperable.
“Each country has its own system, but these systems should be able to work together,” he said.
Thomas also highlighted the importance of adopting a One Health approach, which brings together human, animal and environmental health.
“What we want to do is to bring on board One Health — human health, environmental and animal health,” he said.
He said the ultimate goal was to ensure that the behavioural intelligence system could be adopted across member states and contribute to a more coordinated continental response to health threats.
“We want to make sure that this system rolls out to other member states,” Thomas said.
The Mombasa workshop is therefore expected to contribute to efforts to establish a harmonised continental approach to behavioural intelligence and infodemic management, ensuring that community voices, reliable information, technology and public trust are incorporated into Africa’s health security agenda.
Mombasa Selected Among 300 Global Cities for Youth Climate Action Fund
Mombasa County has been selected among 300 cities globally to benefit from the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), a major initiative aimed at empowering young people to develop and implement local solutions to climate change.
Through the programme, Mombasa County will receive a USD 50,000 grant to support innovative, youth-led climate action projects targeting young people aged 15 to 24 years.
The County Government of Mombasa is now inviting applications from eligible youth and youth-serving organisations with practical ideas capable of delivering measurable environmental and community impact.
Priority areas include waste management and recycling, plastic pollution reduction, urban greening and tree planting, coastal ecosystem protection, climate education, water conservation, renewable energy, sustainable transport, climate-smart agriculture, circular economy, green innovation and nature-based solutions.
According to the programme, proposed projects should be youth-led, innovative, community-focused, practical, environmentally sustainable and capable of demonstrating measurable climate impact.
Eligible applicants include young people aged 15–24 residing in Mombasa County, youth groups, youth-led organisations and eligible youth-serving organisations, subject to programme guidelines.
The initiative is expected to provide young people with an opportunity to move beyond climate awareness and actively participate in creating solutions to environmental challenges facing Mombasa.
The County Government has urged eligible youth with innovative climate ideas to take advantage of the opportunity and submit their applications through the YCAF application portal.
Bolt and Mombasa County Launch Programme to license And Certify 400 Delivery Riders
Bolt, the leading on-demand mobility platform and the County Government of Mombasa have today launched the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Licensing Programme, which will give 400 delivery riders in the county the chance to have skills built up through years of practical work formally assessed, recognised and certified.
Presided over by Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir at Tononoka Social Hall, the launch marks a first major milestone under a wider partnership between Bolt and the County Government aimed at professionalising the delivery sector, enhancing safety and expanding access to dignified economic opportunities for young people.
Recognition of Prior Learning is a formal mechanism that allows experienced riders who have never held an official qualification to have their practical know-how, assessed against recognised standards, rather than starting training from scratch.
Under the programme, the 400 enrolled riders must complete 21 days of accredited training delivered by a certified driving school, after which the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) issues their licence based on demonstrated, certified competency, in line with traffic law requirements.
Speaking during the event, Benjamin Sulle, Public Policy Manager, Bolt said: “This is a deliberate policy intervention to correct a long-standing imbalance between the skills thousands of young riders already have and the formal recognition the system has never given them. A licence has to be earned through demonstrated, certified competency, which is why every rider on this programme completes 21 days of accredited training before they are licensed.
Adding”Once they are, the opportunity extends well beyond food delivery. Bolt is the only platform in Kenya with a national courier licence, and that opens access to parcels and the wider formal courier economy for riders who are properly licensed to take part in it.”
The programme flows from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Bolt and the County Government of Mombasa in January 2026, a multi-year partnership that also commits Bolt to helping local businesses adopt digital platforms and to sharing trip and demand data with the County to guide transport infrastructure planning, including the placement of EV charging points.
As part of that commitment, Bolt has invested KES 1.5 million to support rider and driver compliance, training, licensing, and the digitisation of transport businesses across the county.
Arthur Gacharia, Senior Operations Manager, Rides, Kenya, said: "At Bolt, we believe the future of mobility is built through meaningful partnerships. The investment made into the Recognition of Prior Learning is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting Mombasa County's vision for a modern, safe and technology-enabled transport ecosystem. By working together to promote compliance, empower riders, and help local businesses embrace digital opportunities, we are investing in the long-term growth and resilience of the county's economy.”
The County Government of Mombasa welcomed the partnership, noting that collaboration with the private sector plays a critical role in driving innovation, improving service delivery, and creating economic opportunities for residents.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir said: “We are very happy to be partnering with Bolt as we launch this training for our delivery riders. Our partnership with Bolt demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in delivering practical solutions that improve the lives of our residents. By formally recognising the skills our riders already have, and giving them a clear path to a licence and a livelihood they can be proud of, this programme reflects our vision of a competitive, inclusive and future-ready Mombasa”
Beyond improving compliance, the partnership seeks to create an enabling environment for innovation by strengthening collaboration between government and technology companies.
Through regular stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing and joint initiatives, Bolt and the County Government will work together to identify opportunities that enhance urban mobility while supporting sustainable economic development.
The investment also reinforces Bolt's broader mission of making cities more livable by improving access to safe, affordable and reliable mobility solutions. As one of Kenya's leading technology platforms, Bolt continues to invest in initiatives that support drivers, riders, businesses and communities while fostering constructive engagement with regulators and policymakers.
The partnership is expected to contribute to a more organised transport sector, greater adoption of digital services by small and medium-sized enterprises, and a stronger innovation ecosystem that benefits residents, visitors and businesses across Mombasa County.
As Kenya's second-largest city and one of East Africa's leading tourism and commercial hubs, Mombasa continues to play a vital role in the country's economic growth.
