Revital Healthcare Ltd is in the process of coming up with a diagnostic tool that will be used to test for the disease.
Revital Healthcare Sales and Marketing Director Roneek Vora said the company’s Research Department was in its final steps of research to develop and launch a Mpox diagnosis tool.
“WHO recently declared Mpox a world pandemic and as a company we are on our toes to come up with a tool that can be used to test Mpox in Kenya and the whole world,” Vora said.
Vora added that the company was working hard to be the first in Africa to launch a tool that will be used worldwide.
He spoke at the Revital Healthcare facility in Kilifi County during a media tour organized by the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG).
KEG program officer Kenya Editors Guild Ken Bosire said it’s high time for journalists to focus on the potential of local manufacturers.
“We have the capacity in Africa to do our things, we are now rewriting the story, Africa is changing, we are not importing products from outside but making our own,” Bosire said.
Bosire added that the ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ initiative will boost local manufacturers thus creating job opportunities for the youth.
Photo circulating online purporting mining operations going on in Tsavo East National Park./COURTESY
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has denied claims of mining activities in Tsavo East National Park.
This is after images circulated on social media purportedly showing mining operations in the park.
Through a press statement, KWS clarified that the images being shared on social media were of the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project.
“We wish to clarify that the images being shared online are not from the said Tsavo East National Park and that there were no mining activities taking place there,” read the statement from KWS.
KWS said that the food security project is located in the Galana Ranch managed by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) which is adjacent to Tsavo East National Park.
“This project is being spearheaded by the State Department of Irrigation and is aimed at enhancing food security in Kenya through large-scale irrigation and sustainable farming practices. As part of the project, canals are being dug to facilitate water flow into irrigation farms,” said KWS.
Junior School teachers demos in Mombasa. Teachers have threatened to hold a nationwide strike if their demands are not met.
A national teachers’ strike is looming should the government fail to address their concerns.
Kenya National Union of Teachers has insisted that they will participate in a nationwide strike should the government fail to pay teachers per their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Kilindini KNUT Secretary General Dan Aloo has lashed at the government claiming that it has failed to address their plight.
“The strike is just around the corner. We shall begin our strike this August if the government fails us,” Aloo said.
Aloo was speaking on Baraka FM’s Mega Breakfast show hosted by George Otieno.
He noted that for a long time, their employer TSC had been playing cat-and-mouse games with teachers.
At the same time, Aloo accused former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u on claims of embezzling public funds.
Illegal pesticides recovered during a crackdown conducted by the Pest Control Products Board in Mombasa./COURTESY
Two people have been fined sh.100,000 by a Mombasa court after they were found guilty of selling fake pest control products.
The two who were arrested following a crackdown on fake pesticides by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) will have to pay a sh.100k fine or serve a one-year prison sentence.
“The Pest Control Products Board in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) managed to arrest two suspects in Biashara Street, Mombasa County, selling fake pesticides and pesticides that had not been registered,” said Stanley Mruu Ng’ang’a, the Regional Manager Pest Control Products Board, Coast Region.
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Speaking after the sentencing, PCPB Coast Region Manager Stanley Ng’ang’a said the sentence was to serve as a warning to others involved in the sale of illegal pest control products.
“I would also like to warn those hawking pesticides, that it is against the law to hawk pesticides. The long arms of the law will catch up with you,” said Ng’ang’a.
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PCPB raided dealers of illegal pest control products at the Coast on 21st February 2024.
Kenyan-based Congolese musician Empaya is in the final stages of unveiling a recording studio in Mombasa County that will serve artists free of charge.
Speaking to Baraka FM on Pozi 254 show, Empaya, Christian Namegabe, said the studio will be open to serious artists with real talent who have not had a chance to record music because of financial struggles.
The ‘Rhumba’ hitmaker added that the Onex recording label will be looking to sign five talents they will scout.
The studio will be ready for unveiling in a week or so in Utange Bamburi. I have a team and working closely with fellow artists like Happy C, the producer is a top talent from Rwanda who has created great songs in East Africa.
The Afro-Fusion artist who incorporates his native language and sounds with Swahili adds that he got support from Kilifi County officials to open the studio.
Empaya who came to Kenya to study a course in Information Technology in the United States International University Africa (USIU) says he has never regretted his decision to drop out of school for a music career.
Kenya is a beautiful and peaceful country that is why I came and refused to go back when my parents sent me to Kenya to study and dropped out. Life as a musician is so good people look at you differently than a normal person.
Empaya has collaborations with big names in the African music industry such as Nigeria’s Ketchup, Susumila, and Benzema.
The ‘Rhumba’ hitmaker hinted that he was working on an album saying that his fans should expect more and better music.
Martin Mugera, Marketing Manager at Safaricom(Left) and Cosmas Albert, Territory Business Lead at Safaricom, Kilifi (Right)
handing over Sh. 1 Milion dummy cheque to Tabu Khamisi Ndonga at the awards ceremony of Shine Kenya Shinda Mamili kama Bingwa
Campaign held at Mtwapa in Kilifi County./COURTESY
A 45-year-old woman from Mariakani, Mombasa County, is among five more Kenyans who were awarded one million shillings each in the ongoing countrywide Safaricom ‘Shine Kenya Shinda Mamili Kama Bingwa’ campaign.
Tabu Khamisi Ndonga was among the winners awarded by Safaricom on Wednesday in Mtwapa, Kilifi County.
The five, Tabu Ndonga from Mombasa, Samuel Kuria from Nairobi, Emmanuel Mbogo from Murang’a, Kevin Bitienyi from Kakamega, and Geoffrey Langat from Mulot, were the week five winners in the ongoing promotion, bringing the total number of weekly millionaires to 25.
Speaking during the award ceremony, Tabu Ndonga said the money would help her significantly in supporting her family.
“I really don’t know what to say at this point, as it’s still unbelievable. I am a mother of four and have really struggled raising my kids with my limited income. I believe this is a new beginning, as I feel my life changing. I plan to start a small business, build a decent house, and pay school fees for my kids,” said Mrs. Ndonga.
The winners were also awarded an extra sh.250,000 which Tabu Ndonga plans to use to support her local dispensary.
Martin Mugera, Marketing Manager at Safaricom(Left) and Cosmas Albert, Territory Business Lead at Safaricom, Kilifi (Right) handing over Sh. 1 Milion dummy cheque to Timothy Mulei Maingi at the awards ceremony of Shine Kenya Shinda Mamili kama Bingwa Campaign held at Mtwapa in Kilifi County
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Mbogo, an 18-year-old winner from Murang’a County said he planned to use part of his winnings to repay the loan his father took to fund his secondary education. He also planned to go back to school.
“I am grateful to Safaricom for remembering the less fortunate in society. I never imagined I would win something that could transform my life and revive my shattered dreams. We have struggled a lot as a family, to the extent that my father had to take a loan to educate me and some of my siblings, which is still pending. First, I want to clear the loan, then enroll in a plumbing course, and pay for my siblings’ school fees,” said Mbogo.
Similar sentiments about school fees and returning to education were echoed by Samuel Kuria, a part-time lecturer at a private university in the country. Samuel said, “We are living in tough economic times, and many people are struggling to make ends meet. I feel this is a great initiative by Safaricom to support and transform Kenyans’ lives. I have a few projects that have stalled due to financial constraints. With this money, my hopes of going back to school to pursue my PhD have come true, and I can expand my poultry project, which I have partnered on with my mum.”
Kevin Bitienyi, a 33-year-old casual worker from Shimanyiro, Kakamega County said he planned to venture into serious agricultural business to grow himself and support his family.
Martin Mugera, Marketing Manager at Safaricom(Left) and Cosmas Albert, Territory Business Lead at Safaricom, Kilifi (Right)
handing over Sh. 1 Milion dummy cheque to Kamwenga Nyondo Tsimba at the awards ceremony of Shine Kenya Shinda Mamili kama Bingwa
Campaign held at Mtwapa in Kilifi County./COURTESY
The five winners were selected after transacting on M-PESA and purchasing Safaricom’s Shine Kenya bundles for as little as KES 20. In addition to the KES 1 million received by each winner, they also received KES 250,000 from the Safaricom Foundation to support any community initiative of their choice.
“The truth of the matter is that we are living in tough economic times, and many Kenyans are struggling to make ends meet. At Safaricom, we continue to support, transform and empower Kenyans to have a tangible impact on society through our various community-based projects and campaigns such as Shine Kenya Shinda Mamilii Kama Bingwa. Since launching this campaign in early May, we have made 25 millionaires across the country and supported various community projects of their choice. We still have six more winners to announce, including the grand prize winner who will receive KES 5 million,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom PLC.
As part of bringing services closer to the people, Safaricom also opened four new franchises in various parts of the Coast region.
Farmers go through training at the Coast Region Agribusiness Expo./COURTESY
Small-scale farmers have been urged to join farmers’ groups to increase their chances of getting better deals in the market.
East African Grain Council (EAGC) Chief Executive Officer Gerald Masila said working in groups will help farmers when it comes to navigating the market.
“Working as a group is part of our African culture. As a group, farmers can decide which crops to grow, and even sell their products in bulk as a group at fair prices which will also reduce the chances of someone taking advantage of a small-scale farmer,” said CEO Masila.
Masila was speaking on Friday in Matuga, Kwale County during the Coast Region Agribusiness Expo organised by EAGC and hosted by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
The Agrobusiness Expo attracted more than 1,000 farmers from all the Coastal counties.
Speaking while officially opening the Expo, Kwale Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo said the County was constructing collection centers in Kinango and Shimoni to ensure farmers’ produce is sold at the correct prices.
“We are producing but the challenge comes when it to gets to market. It is our responsibility as leaders to ensure that our farmers get the best prices for their produce,” said Chirema.
During the Expo, farmers were trained on how to use modern technology in their farming and how to determine what crops to grow depending on the soil suitability.
The next Expo will be held in Nakuru County followed by Uasin Gishu. Similar Expos by EAGC are also being held in Uganda and Tanzania.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced new changes in the Kenyan currency banknotes.
In a press release from the regulator, CBK announced that the new notes would bear the signatures of the CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge, and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo.
“The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is mandated to issue currency as conferred by Article 231 (2) of the Consitution of Kenya and Section 22 (2) of the Central Bank of Kenya Act. In fulfillment of this mandate, the Bank has made some changes to the denominations of Kenyan currency banknotes,” read the release.
Additional features will be the year of print – 2024 and a new security thread with color-changing effects specific to each denomination.
“The rest of the features remain the same as those of those series issued in 2019. All banknotes currently in circulation remain legal tender and will circulate alongside the released banknotes,” said CBK.
The new changes will affect the sh.50, sh.100, sh.200, sh.500, and sh.1,000 banknotes.
“Release of the banknotes will commence with sh.1,000, while other denominations will progressively follow in the coming months,” added CBK.
The current banknotes only bear CBK Governor and Board Member signatures.
The inclusion of the PS of the National Treasury is provided for in Legal Notice 72 of 2019.
The 2024 Olympics is ongoing in Paris, France and the next one might just have the Tong-Il Moo-Do category.
According to Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President, Clarence Mwakio, the sport is making strides to get into the Olympics.
Speaking at the Federation’s headquarters offices in Mombasa, Mwakio said with the previous performance of Team Kenya, ‘Jasiri’, during the 11th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship, the sport might add more medals to Kenya’s Olympics basket.
“So we are appealing to the government of Kenya to fully support our campaign towards getting Tong-Il Moo-Do to the Olympics by assisting us to expand the sport in Africa as the other continents also do their part so that when we get to the final level of making our pitch to the International Olympic Committee, the sport will be accepted,” said Mwakio.
Mwakio was speaking during a press briefing on the upcoming 12th edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championships that will be held from the 23rd to the 25th of August.
The Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship has been held in the country for the last 11 years and has seen good sports growth.
“We have had a very steady trajectory which is very visible in the number of countries intending to come to Kenya, the past countries which have attended this event, and the interest in the countries which are visiting,” said Mwakio.
“This event is of great importance to the city of Mombasa, Kenya, Africa, and the World Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation,” he added.
More countries have shown interest in the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship with this year’s edition of the tournament seeing new entrants.
Speaking at the Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation headquarters offices in Mombasa, the Federation’s President Clarence Mwakio said that over 25 countries had already confirmed participation in this 12th edition of the championship.
“This year we have several new entrants, we are delighted to announce that Germany, for the first time, will attend this tournament. We also have participants from Finland, and, from Africa, we have Sao Tome & Principe amongst a few other countries,” said Mwakio.
The championship is set for the 23rd to 25th of August with teams expected to start arriving from the 15th of August.
“The notable countries planning to come are S.Korea, Philipines, Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Cambodia, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola, Ethiopia, Cote D’Ivoire among others,” said the Kenya Tong-Il Moo-Do Federation President.
Team Kenya Preparedness
Team Kenya has been preparing for the championship and is expected to get into an indoor camp to do final preparations.
“As we all know Kenya is the defending champion, but by the looks of things and the number of countries intending to come, we are open to any new winners taking the Mombasa Open Tong-Il Moo-Do International Martial Art Championship title,” said President Mwakio.
The event will be held on the 23rd-25th of August at the Aga Khan multipurpose hall. The competition will feature fierce battles in sparring, forms, and special techniques, showcasing the highest level of martial arts talents from around the world.
Mwakio urged the government, both national and county governments, to partner with the federation to make this year’s tournament a success.
“We have worked very closely with the government of Kenya for the last 11 years. We are hopeful that before the championship begins, the government, through the Ministry of Sports will come on board and partner with us so that we can again host a very successful championship,” said Mwakio.
“We have also made contact with the county government of Mombasa and believe that this year we will be in a position to partner with them. The main purpose of the Mombasa Open is to have as many visitors come to Mombasa for two weeks. We want to make it a serious calendar event for sports and tourism,” he added.
