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Over the weekend, radio queen and social activist Adelle Onyango joined three other top female personalities in a
mentorship event dubbed #NajijuaNajiamini held at Machakos Girls High School. Hosted under Champs Foundation, the campaign is a brainchild of radio presenter Mwende Macharia, who hopes to use the campaign to “create awareness among young people aged 15-24 years on self empowerment, self confidence and self appreciation”. For this edition Mwende invited Adelle together with radio presenter Mwalimu Rachel, gospel star Bahati and Liz Marami, the first female marine pilot.

“It’s powerful when, we, ladies in the media get together to inspire and mentor our little sisters. The illusion of jealousy is just that, an illusion. What we are doing is bigger than us,” Adelle explained. Adelle gave a talk to the hall full of teenagers about the importance of being self aware. “I spoke about my journey, roughing it out even after losing my parents, especially my mum. I gave a speech about speaking your success into existence. Moulding your identity but leaving room for you to grow and unlearn things. I emphasized about the company you keep, basically, you are the average of the four people you hang out with,” Adelle said.

After her talk, one of the student’s – Georgina – was overwhelmed with emotion and narrated how “she always listens to me since I joined Kiss FM. She even knew I joined in 2013!!!!! She always dreams about joining not any radio station but Kiss FM! So the emotions just rolled down her face,” an equally emotional Adelle said, “It was so humbling. And a reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!”

_“…__So the emotions just rolled down her face. It was so humbling. A reminder that, what I’m doing and my story, is influencing and inspiring so many people!__” – Adelle Onyango_ This is part of Adelle’s desire to create social change and empower the girl child; she is also the brand ambassador of Intel® She Will Connect. Recently, she joined over 150 women from Narok in a week long digital literacy programme that is aimed at giving women and girls the opportunity to acquire or improve their digital skills while expanding their understanding and use of technology.

A unique platform was used to dispense the training – a custom built trailer with a 40ft container that has been redesigned to become a digital classroom equipped with PCs, internet connectivity, digital screens and trainers that can accommodate 30 women at a time for training. Narok became the first county to benefit from the Intel® She Will Connect Digital Caravan that will embark on a nationwide tour visiting other counties including Machakos, Muranga and Nairobi and will be a major boost to ongoing sector efforts to bride the large technology gender gap in Kenya.

Following the week long training in Narok, it is envisaged that the women and girls will have tools to enable them to attain skills to improve their education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities available online.

President Kenyatta has urged Jubilee party aspirants for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat to work together to deliver the seat to their party, and to let residents to decide who amongst them will lead the city. Speaking yesterday when he made an impromptu visit of the county, the President said Jubilee leaders should agree to support whoever the residents will pick as their prefered candidate for the Governor’s position during the nomination.

“Whether they pick Margaret Wanjiru, Mike Sonko, Johnson Sakaja or any other candidate for the Jubilee ticket, we will have to respect the people’s decision,” President Kenyatta said. The Jubilee party leader emphasised the need for leaders to shun negative politics and hatred, saying they should always work to serve the interests of the wananchi. “Let us put the interests of Kenyans ahead of our own and stop unnecessary wrangles that would divide us,” President Kenyatta said when he addressed residents of Mlango Kubwa in Mathare constituency.

According to the presidential website, the President also took a swipe at the opposition, saying they should keep off Jubilee affairs. “We know what we want for our party. The opposition should not interfere with our party affairs,” the President said. The Head of State said Jubilee will remain focused on its development agenda and ensure that Kenyans continue receiving efficient and effective services. President Kenyatta was accompanied by Mathare Member of Parliament Stephen Kariuki who recently decamped from ODM to join the Jubilee Party, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Nairobi Women Rep Rachel Shebesh, Starehe MP Maina Kamanda and Johnson Sakaja.

The President first visited Kenyatta Market where he shared nyama choma with Jubilee leaders and addressed traders. He later headed to Muthurwa Market where he also addressed traders. President Kenyatta concluded his impromptu tour by addressing people and Mlango Kubwa. Mr Sakaja, Sonko and Shebesh – who spoke during the tour — vowed to work together to ensure Jubilee bags the Nairobi Governor’s seat, saying they will support whoever clinches the party ticket during the nomination.

President Uhuru on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will see the exit of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners. The president signed the bill following the approval of the Election Laws (Amendment) bill 2016 through the National Assembly and the Senate.

The signing of the bill will implement the Election Laws (Amendment) Act and the Election Offenses Act. The Act introduces a wide range of electoral reforms including the recruitment of IEBC Commissioners, while creating a platform for the orderly exit of the current office holders.

He also signed into law The Kenya Regiment (Territorial force) (Repeal) Bill 2015, the Water Bill 2014, Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the National Government Constituency Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2016.

A statement has been released through the Presidential official website declaring Monday 12th September a national holiday to celebrate the islamic holiday of Idd-ul-Adha (also known as Eid-al-Adha).

“In recognition of the pivotal role played by religion in fostering cohesion and positive social order, and in solidarity with Kenyans of the Islamic Faith who on Monday, 12thSeptember, 2016 shall celebrate Idd-ul-Adha (also known as Eid-al-Adha).
Through the Kenya Gazette Notice No. 7315 of 9th September 2016, the Government is pleased to declare that the Idd-ul-Adha falling on Monday, 12 September 2016 shall be a Public Holiday for all persons throughout the Republic.
This Declaration is in line with Section 2(2) of the Public Holidays Act (Cap.110 of the Laws of Kenya),as read together with Section 3 of the Act.
The Government has taken this step so as to allow all Kenyans to share in celebrating that auspicious Holy Day together with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters; on a day that celebrates sacrifice and unwavering obedience to the Greater Good, the Government urges Kenyans of all faiths to contemplate how each and every one of us can align our actions towards making our Society better for ourselves as well as for future generations.
We wish to take this opportunity to wish Muslims around the World, and all those of other beliefs who will join them in celebrating Idd-ul-Adha, a blessed Holy Day.”

Manoah Esipisu, MBS
State House Spokesperson
9th September, 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism which shows Kenya’s effort to fight terrorism.

According to media max network, the strategy will be implemented by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government and will rally all sections of government, communities, civil society, the private sector and international partners in the war against terror.

The president said that the launch of the strategy comes at a time that increased investments by the government in innovative approaches and technology to countering terrorism. “This has resulted in a sharp increase in operational tempo, coordination and equipment aimed at detecting, deterring and disrupting the activities of terrorists. I wish here to commend Cabinet secretary Joseph Nkaissery for his pioneering role in prevention and returnee reintegration efforts. The Interior ministry will be a primary implementation vehicle for this strategy.” said the President when he launched the strategy at State House, Nairobi.

He also said that rehabilitation of foreign terrorist fighters who completely disavow the use of violence and adherence to the ideology and aims of terrorist groups is one of the crucial tasks being addressed by the new strategy.