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Capt Ruto’s 32 yrs experience a plus to KPA, say stakeholders

By
Joyce Jura
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KPA Managing Director Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto. He takes over from Amb. John Mwangemi who was MD in Acting capacity./COURTESY

The appointment of Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto as Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director was the right move by the government.

This is according to Port Community Stakeholders.

Speaking in Mombasa after the appointment of Captain Ruto, the group said Captain Ruto who started working at KPA in 1991, was the right man for the job as he understood port operations better.

“He has been tried and tested and found to be fit. We look forward to streamlined operations at the Port of Mombasa, ICD Nairobi, and ICD Naivasha. We are also looking forward as a fraternity to working with Capt. Ruto and other stakeholders to have smooth cargo clearance services offered to Kenyans and East Africans,” said Roy Mwanthi, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) National Chair.

Mwanthi said the stakeholders were looking forward to increased productivity, efficiency, and growth in the port and even the re-awakening of the Lamu Port.

Also at the briefing was Salim Nasib Mbarak who commended the appointment saying it was encouraging to see an employee grow from scratch to KPA MD.

“This idea of getting personnel from outside the industry is not in the interest of stakeholders, we need people who understand port operations, people who have worked from scratch and come up to the level that he is in,” said Salim Nasib, KIFWA member and Chair of Cereal Millers Association at the Port.

On his part, KIFWA Mombasa Branch Chair Leonard Njiru urged businesspeople from the region; Rwanda, Uganda, DRC and S.Sudan, to highly consider using Mombasa Mombasa as their points of entry and exit for their imports and exports.

“The Port of Mombasa is the gateway to the region, East and Central Africa. We would wish to support Capt. Ruto in making sure the Port of Mombasa competes with other ports within the coastline of East Africa, especially the Port of Djibouti and Dar es Salaam.

Our maritime certificates meet international standards, says PS Mwadime

By
Joyce Jura
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Maritime and Shipping PS Shadrack Mwadime engages with Bandari Maritime Academy's Forklift and Empty Container Handler students after the launch of the institution's strategic plan./Joyce Jura

The Certificates awarded in the country’s maritime institutions meet international standards.

Speaking on Thursday during the Bandari Maritime Academy Strategic Plan launch, Maritime and Shipping Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime said that the perception that ‘certificates awarded in Kenya’s maritime institutions did not meet international standards’ was false.

“I wish to say this emphatically as the PS in Shipping and Maritime Affairs that the kind of certificates we issue here are internationally recognized and that is why a number of our young people have been able to access jobs in the shipping lines,” said PS Mwadime.

Mwadime assured the public that there was no need to be anxious or apprehensive about the courses offered.

Also read: Sh20 billion plan to internationalize Bandari Maritime Academy

“Since we began this program, about 6,000 of them have accessed employment opportunities, and going forward we want even more to be employed abroad,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bandari Maritime Academy Ag. Director CEO Francis Muraya has urged the government for financial resources for the students.

“The equipment need and infrastructure is very expensive. We are looking up at the ministry in terms of resources. Our students are in need of school fees,” said Muraya.

Employment and sea time challenge

In terms of securing employment for maritime graduates, PS Mwadime said that the ministry was working with a Danish Shipping line to get slots for Kenyan students.

“We want to enter into an MoU with all these countries that provide opportunities,” said Mwadime.

“Indeed we have agreed on a partnership program that they can come over to our institute and do some inspection and on the basis of that inspection then engage our young people in their shipping lines,” he added.

Speaking on the sea time experience, PS Mwadime said “We are already in partnership with CMA CGM, last year they picked six graduates, this year they are picking and going forward they will be picking 25. That is just one of the shipping companies to offer them the sea time they require.”

The PS also assured that the government was in discussions with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) which has offered 1,500 slots for students who graduate from Bandari Maritime Academy.

“Other than that, 1,500 who already have sea time experience are then absorbed as part of their employees,” he said.

During the launch, Bandari Maritime Academy Board Chair Prof. Kinandu Muragu said that the institution was working to set up a Placement Department in the next 12 months to ensure students are placed in the correct companies.

Sh20 billion plan to internationalize Bandari Maritime Academy

By
Joyce Jura
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Bandari Maritime Academy to transformed into a regional center./COURTESY

The Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Ministry has sent a request for sh.20 billion to the treasury for the revamping of the Bandari Maritime Academy.

Speaking at the Academy on Thursday during the Bandari Academy Strategic Plan launch, Maritime and Shipping Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime said the funds are to internationalize the institution.

“We want to convert it into a regional center of excellence and therefore going forward, we will be setting aside resources as a government to ensure that the kind of students we produce here are of the standard required internationally,” said PS Mwadime.

Also read: Our maritime certificates meet international standards, says PS Mwadime

Also speaking during the launch of the strategic plan, Bandari Maritime Academy Ag. Director CEO Francis Muraya said that the institution was looking at the ministry in terms of resources to expand the academy by opening several centers that will be key in ensuring students get employment as soon as they graduate.

“One of the most important ones is an Advanced Fire Fighting Centre (trains students about safety on the ship) and the other one is a Survival Training Centre,” said CEO Muraya.

The Maritime and Shipping PS said that this will also allow students from the academy access to international labor markets.

Maritime and Shipping PS Shadrack Mwadime addressing journalists during the launch of Bandari Maritime Academy strategic plan./Joyce Jura

“For us to access the international labor market, the quality of our certificates must be as high as possible. Therefore, we are determined as a government to ensure the same,” said PS Mwadime.

“We are setting resources aside but we are also calling upon development partners to assist us to truly convert this center into a center of excellence in the next three to four years,” he added.

PS Mwadime said that the European Union (EU) had already expressed interest and that they were looking for more partners.

Kaya Tiwi Girls can defend their national title, says coach Owino

By
Kibamba Victor
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Former Kenya Women’s basketball team head coach Ronny Owino is confident National Champions Kaya Tiwi has what it takes to defend their crown in school ball games this year.

Owino who is now managing Strathmore University said the Kwale County-based side has good players in all departments identifying some of them as dangerous players to face.

Among the players mentioned by the former Kenya Lionesses head Coach are; Wendy Atieno, Hilda Nyokabi, Mariam Wangari, Roseline Akinyi, and Angeline Adhiambo.

Kaya Tiwi team coach Philip Onyango said they are set for the games this year starting from the sub-county level before moving to the county level next week.

They were speaking during a three-day coaching course in Makande hall in Mombasa that attracted 68 local coaches.

Kaya Tiwi girls are the regional and National basketball school game champions of 2022.

The team was boosted by Kenya Ports Authorities who donated sets of playing kits and sports shoes.

Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Kwale get new County Commissioners

By
Joyce Jura
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New Mombasa County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa./COURTESY

Abdirisack Jaldesa is the new Mombasa County Commissioner.

This is according to the changes made by the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday.

“To enhance service delivery in the National Administration, changes have been made among County Commissioners in all the 47 counties of the Republic of Kenya with effect from 7th March 2023,” read a statement from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.

In the new changes, Josephine Onungo takes over from Loyford Kibaara as Taita Taveta County Commissioner. Commissioner Kibaara has been transferred to Nakuru.

Michael Mwangi Meru takes over as Kwale County Commissioner from Commissioner Gideon Oyagi who has been transferred to Trans Nzoia County.

In Tana River, Deputy County Commissioner Bejah M’mbesta has been promoted to County Commissioner with Commissioner Thomas Sankei being transferred to Bungoma.

Others in the Coastal Counties that have been promoted to County Commissioners are Lamu DCC Louis Rono and Kilifi DCC Josephat Biwott.

Tana North DCC James Taari has been transferred to Kajiado North, he will be replaced by Moranga Morekwa.

Former Buxton residents cry foul over Buxton Housing Project

By
Baraka FM Team
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Former Buxton residents protest in Mombasa./COURTESY

>>BY VINCENT OTIENO>>

Two years since being evicted from their homes for the construction of the Buxton housing project, former Buxton residents have come out to protest in what they term as unlawful eviction.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, the group, through their advocate Munira Ali Omar said the Buxton public land was unlawfully leased to Buxton Point Apartments Limited for individual and not public interest.

They added that the housing project had not benefitted low-income Kenyans.

Also read: Buxton Housing Project awarded Gold Star prior to its completion

“Buxton Point Apartment Limited {Investor} has a share of 90% (1,665 units) of total 1,850 Buxton Housing units and the county government of Mombasa’s share has been reduced to 10% (185units) and so we wonder is the government providing housing or increasing homelessness,” said Advocate Munira.

Buxton housing project./COURTESY

Joined in their protests with Haki Yetu Organization, the group claimed that affordable and decent housing has remained nothing but a pipedream to Buxton evictees and other low-income Kenyans.

They have asked the new Senate to finalize their investigations so as to give them a way forward.

I was the biggest ‘Kinuthia’, says Andrew Kibe

By
Julius Mwashumbe
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Controversial podcaster and former radio host Andrew Kibe has opened up on his past life saying he was a ‘lambistic’, man whose thoughts and actions were controlled by the opinions and expectations of others.

Speaking on his podcast Kibe advised young people to be in control of their life and not let others, mostly parents dictate their every move.

“I was the biggest Kinuthia, a mama’s boy. I used to call my mother every time I faced a hurdle in life. We used to talk over the phone and gossip until one day I almost made her fall because I didn’t want that life anymore,” he said.

The media personality who now resides in the United States further explained that Kenyan life is set up in a way that one’s life is controlled from a young age and when a person finally finds themselves, it is usually very late after making many wrong decisions.

“Your folks know when your life is changing and mostly is by your looks and when you go to those family functions they ask why you haven’t introduced a partner yet and then you start to look for someone who they find fit for you and so it’s never about you”

He added that after a while they feel that they have a copycat of their mother in the house as a wife dictating their life and now they can’t take it anymore is when now they start to research if they can walk out of a marriage or relationship after wasting a lot of time.

The outspoken man however warned men who are thinking of walking out on their relationships saying it is never easy. He said;

“You have to squash that ego of yours and start afresh. You have to look forward to sleeping on a mattress because that’s the price you pay for not having control of your life and doing things for people and not for yourself,” the former radio presenter said.

He weighed in on the XtianDela issue with his estranged mother after she accused the blogger of cutting ties with his family.

Kibe pointed out the mother was toxic and for her to talk about her son on national media platforms explains why Xtian doesn’t want anything to do with her. Kibe added that the language she used was very manipulative and her son has every reason not to be involved with her.

Five car carriers among 39 vessels to dock at the Mombasa Port

By
Joyce Jura
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Five car carriers are among the vessels that will be docking at the Mombasa Port in the next 14 days.

The five car carriers will discharge a cumulative 3,926 motor vehicle units.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the Mombasa port will handle 39 vessels in this period comprising 20 container vessels three tankers & 11 conventional cargo vessels.

Products being brought in include corn, bulk wheat, gas oil, bulk coal, bulk clinker, fuel oil, steel products, bulk iron, bulk fertilizer, ethanol, and bulk copper slag. Below is the list of vessels and their arrival dates:

Azziad Nasenya shuns critics with British High Commissioner meeting

By
Julius Mwashumbe
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Azziad Nasenya with British High Commissioner jane Marriott./COURTESY

Kenyan TikTok sensation Azziad Nasenya on Thursday met up with Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Kenya.

Through her social media pages, Azziad posted saying;

“I was honored to meet Jane Marriott. We explored how content creators can amplify key messages on initiatives tackling food security”

She said that the meeting was important in discussing advocacy which she sees as a progressive change that content creators can use their platforms for good.

Azziad seems to settle well despite backlash from part of the public after being named as part of the Talanta Hela Initiative Committee by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba

The radio host had earlier given an insight into how she got the government job on Instagram writing;

“Besides Tiktok, Azziad is a radio host, an actress, a content creator, and a social media personality, and guess what? She has a degree in mass media. So what makes her not qualified?”

She also took a swipe at those who questioned her appointment adding;

“Yall have said you want youth representation in the Government? You want the Government to hire youth like you and not the same old men. You’ve got it now you complaining”

Public figures like Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, Podcaster Andrew Kibe, and blogger-turned-politician Robert Alai are among Kenyans who expressed their doubts regarding Azziad landing the job.

‘My Baby’ took less than 30 minutes to make; Ayra Starr

By
Julius Mwashumbe
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Nigerian musician Ayra Starr. She is in the country for the Shoke Shoke festival./COURTESY

Nigerian songstress Ayra Starr has revealed it took them less than 30 minutes to make ‘My Baby’, the latest jam with Sauti Sol lead vocalist Bien.

Arya who jetted into the country for the Shoke Shoke concert said she linked up with Bien and were in the same room in London when making the song.

Speaking about rumors that she has been dating fellow countryman and musician Rema, Ayra said;

“I have never heard of these rumors before but Rema is my brother in Christ.”

Ayra has busted into the international scene securing collaborations with big artists such Kelly Rowland, Skip Marley, and will perform at this year’s Dreamville Festival alongside Drake, Usher, Sean Paul, Lil Durk, J. Cole, Burna Boy and many others.

My baby has been an instant hit with over 400k views on its visualizer video on YouTube as well as adding a whooping number of subscribers to Bien’s channel.

The Sauti Sol man had previously explained the reason why the song was not uploaded to the group’s account which has over 1 million subscribers saying;

“It’s part of growth and the deal I currently have with my distributor did not allow me to release the song on the Sauti Sol channel because it is monetized differently. We are just trying to create a payment structure for me to be able to monetize my music in a better way.”

Bien-Aime Baraza is currently in England to record his debut solo album accompanied by his wife Chiki Kuruka and has promised to have the album once he is back in Kenya.

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