Year: 2023

The tourism sector at the coast received a major boost as the cruise ship MV Bollete, carrying 859 tourists, docked at the port of Mombasa.

This is the sixth and last cruise ship to dock at the port of Mombasa this season.

A section of the tourists embarked on various travel expeditions, with some heading to Shimba Hills, Tsavo, and Diani, and others choosing to explore Mombasa city.

Addressing the media after receiving the tourists at the Kenya Ports Authority Cruise Terminal in Mombasa, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Acting Chief Executive Officer John Chirchir said that this presents an opportunity for the six coastal counties to work together to capitalise on the cruise ship tourism sector.

Tourists who arrived aboard MV Bolette being entertained by traditional dancers in Mombasa. Photo by Haniel Mengistu

‘We are seeing an opportunity for the Jumuia ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP) to work together to tap into the business of cruise tourism,’ said Chirchir.

Chirchir said that KTB is working round the clock to r
evive cruise tourism in Kenya, hinting that campaigns are going on to attract more vessels to Kenya.

‘There is a lot of marketing going on, and we expect to receive about 13 ships by April next year,’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, KPA General Manager Cargo Operations Dr. Sudi Mwasinago said that the port plays a pivotal role in reviving the cruise ship business in Kenya.

Mwasinago said that KPA is at the centre of the business, and the port plays an interface role between land and sea for the vessels.

‘Our role is to support and facilitate this type of business because it is good for the port because we are gaining through the charges. The county, the country, and the economy are gaining momentum,’ said Mwasinago.

He said that what cruises are doing to the port is invaluable, adding that for the last year, the port received six cruise ships, and they expect more next year.

Mombasa County Trade, Tourism, and Culture Executive Mohammed Osman hailed the arrival
of the vessel as a sign of confidence that Mombasa remains the preferred tourist destination for both local and international tourists.

The city is flocking with tourists during this festive season, with thousands thronging beaches and other tourist sites within the city.

The refurbished Mama Ngina Waterfront Park is currently playing host to the Mombasa International Festival, which began on Christmas Day and will go all the way to December 31.

‘The Mombasa County Government will continue working closely with KPA and other stakeholders in the tourism industry to ensure that we revamp our city as the number one leading tourist destination in Kenya,’ said Osman.

MV Bolette, belonging to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, docked at the Port Cruise Terminal from Port Victoria in the Seychelles with passengers of mixed nationalities and 1000 crew members and will leave for Zanzibar after an overnight stay in Mombasa to continue with its Indian Ocean voyage.
Source: Kenya News Agency

Bura Municipality in Garissa County has now been fully operationalized, as the board members took the oath of office and are expected to assume their duties immediately.

The municipality, which was launched on October 20 during the Mashujaa Day celebrations, is the fourth in the county after Garissa Town, Masalani, and Dadaab, as the area Governor Nathif Jama pushes for more units to devolve services further.

Those who were sworn in by Garissa Chief Magistrate Stephen Mbungi are Mohamed Gabow Kharbat (Chairperson) and members who include Ibrahim Ismail Khalif, Mahat Moulid Bashir, Elias Ahmed Lebi, Abdirauf Osman Abdi, Halima Ali Gure, and Nasra Farah Gure.

In his address during the event, Governor Jama congratulated the new Municipality Board members for making it to the capacity of serving the people of Bura by taking services closer to them.

Jama has been advocating for more municipalities to enable towns to attract investors and donors, who are likely to supplement the efforts by both the national an
d county governments for urban development.

‘The way forward for our country and for the counties in particular is through the municipalities. That is where the action is supposed to take place. That is where a lot of funding is supposed to go. Indeed, that is where we, as key stakeholders in devolution, believe that by creating these municipalities, we are also devolving further,’ Jama said in a previous interview with KNA on the need to create more municipalities.

Among the functions that will be performed by the municipality are the promotion, regulation, and provision of refuse collection and solid waste management services.

Others are the promotion and provision of water and sanitation services and infrastructure (in areas within the municipality not served by the Water and Sanitation Provider).

The status will further attract investors, and residents will enjoy more development in infrastructure, agriculture, drainage, education, and other social amenities.

According to the Urban Areas and Cities A
ct of 2011, a municipality must have a population of 70,000 to 249,000.

Additionally, it should have an integrated development plan and demonstrable capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations.

It should have sufficient space for expansion as well as the capacity to effectively deliver essential services to its residents, among other requirements.
Source: Kenya News Agency

Security officers have recovered 54 camels that were stolen by bandits at the Mlango grazing area in Isiolo County yesterday night.

The police, in hot pursuit of the rustlers, engaged the suspects in a two-hour exchange of fire and managed to recover the animals at Lekuk in Laikipia North Sub-County this morning.

Confirming the incident, Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Patrick Musango commended the effort of the police and the local National Police Reservists (NPRs) that bore fruit but called on the area residents to divulge information that could help in arresting the crime suspects.

Mr. Musango said that the security officers are still on the ground tracking down the suspects but warned that NPRs who are working from town instead of staying in the areas where their service is required would be suspended.

The DCC claimed that some NPRs who are supposed to ensure grazing areas and watering points are safe for the herders are seen loitering in towns, giving the criminals room to steal animals from i
nnocent residents.

He added that 19 goats that were stolen from the Mutuati area of Meru County three months ago have been recovered at the Ngaremara location in Isiolo County and handed back to their owners.

Mr. Musango said that two suspects are also being held at the Isiolo Police Station, waiting to be taken to court.

He said frequent police patrols had been intensified and appealed to chiefs and the NPRs to collaborate with commanders so as to eradicate common crimes like rustling in the area.
Source: Kenya News Agency

The Coordination of Progressive Democratic Forces, the Forum of Democratic Forces and the Republican Party (Al-Joumhouri) said Friday they are “utterly opposed to the political system which the President of the Republic is endeavouring to put in place, notwithstanding his failure to convince Tunisians.”

These political formations said in a joint statement issued following the announcement of the preliminary results of December 24 elections they are “ready to stand firm against” what they called “a dictatorial populist project.”

They urged “all active political forces to close ranks” in a bid to create a “national democratic and social alternative.” The latter, signatories further said, ” lays the foundations for a civic State which champions national soverreignty and which constitution respects the will of citizens.”
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

More than 200 youth engaged in a three-hour clean-up exercise in Nanyuki town on Friday as a voluntary activity to mark the end of the year.

In the 2024 message, they encouraged fellow youth to be sensitive to the environment through reduction, recycling, and reuse in an effort to address the problem of tonnes of solid waste management in the county.

Youth load some waste in a truck during a clean-up exercise in Nanyuki, Laikipia County on Friday, December 29, 2023. Photo by Muturi Mwangi

Nanyuki alone generates about 20,000 metric tonnes of solid waste in a month, and the Laikipia County government has admitted challenges in dealing with the plastic waste menace.

The county has been calling for partnerships from environmental stakeholders to address the situation of waste, with only 30 per cent of plastics being recycled by entrepreneurs and sold to plastic industries in Nairobi City and other major towns.

The environmental youth champions noted that solid waste could be used in a creative way to gener
ate income for them and address the issue of unemployment in the county.

‘Our main aim is to sensitise youth on the importance of a clean environment and, at the same time, create opportunities for themselves through waste. As next year begins, let us be environmental champions,’ said John Maigwa, Ng’arisha mtaa CEO, a community-based organisation that promotes environmental conservation in Laikipia County.

Dickson Maina from the Dedan Kimathi Foundation, an institution that supports environment-led initiatives in the country, appealed for prudent use of plastic materials in a bid to ensure efforts towards solid waste management were achieved.

‘I appeal to people that next year they should be environmentally friendly; let’s reduce plastic use through reuse and recycling. Solid waste should also be segregated for proper use,’ noted Maina.

Laikipia County Government Representative Chris Thumbi applauded the youth for coming together and conducting the clean-up exercise, where he noted they were setting good
examples for other areas.
Source: Kenya News Agency

The Coordination of Progressive Democratic Forces, the Forum of Democratic Forces and the Republican Party (Al-Joumhouri) said Friday they are “utterly opposed to the political system which the President of the Republic is endeavouring to put in place, notwithstanding his failure to convince Tunisians.”

These political formations said in a joint statement issued following the announcement of the preliminary results of December 24 elections they are “ready to stand firm against” what they called “a dictatorial populist project.”

They urged “all active political forces to close ranks” in a bid to create a “national democratic and social alternative.” The latter, signatories further said, ” lays the foundations for a civic State which champions national soverreignty and which constitution respects the will of citizens.”
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

Voters’ personal data are “fully protected” and there is “no risk of it being hacked” or accessed by unauthorised users, IT security specialist and Board member of the Independent High Authority for Elections (French:ISIE) Belgacem Ayachi told TAP on Friday.

His remarks follow a statement published by the “I Watch” organisation, which said that “the ISIE asked the directors and members of the polling stations to transmit the national identity card numbers of each voter immediately after voting, using USSD technology, a mobile phone application”.

The “194 USSD” service, on which the ISIE worked with Tunisie Télécom, is a service provided exclusively to ISIE registration staff at polling stations, Belgacem explained, adding that “the operator itself did not have access to the voter database”.

He also pointed out that the National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data (INPDP) had audited and monitored the entire process with the ISIE in order to protect voters’ personal data and ensure the security of all procedures related to these data.

The ISIE’s own IT system is regularly audited by an IT security expert, he pointed out.

For his part, ISIE Executive Director Ridha Missaoui said that the “194 USSD” only serves as a “meter” to calculate the turnout on election day. “This service is well secured,” he said, adding that “all countries in the world use modern technologies to collect data during elections”.

“I Watch” on Thursday criticised the collection of voters’ personal data without their knowledge, pointing the finger at what it called the “lack of necessary guarantees” and what could result from the ISIE’s collection of data on those who voted and those who did not.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

“Those who waste public money, inhibit the implementation of projects and prevent the employment of young people will not be tolerated,» President of the Republic, Kais Saied, said on ,Friday, following his meeting with Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani, who handed him the 2022 Annual Report on the Control of Public Spending .

The Head of State called for exercising greater control over public spending and prosecute all those who mismanage public money, reads a press release of the Presidency of the Republic.

He ordered the implementation of all projects by the deadlines, pointing out that any delay in their completion leads to a waste of public funds.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

Minister of Justice Leila Jaffel made an unannounced visit to the Beja Civil Prison on Friday, where she scrutinised the conditions of inmate confinement and the sustenance services provided to them.

The Minister examined the smooth operation of social and cultural services, the penal team within the prison, and its role in overseeing detainees.

She also exhibited the ministry’s programmes for alternative sanctions, the development of support office operations, and the pivotal role assigned to judges.

The Justice Minister engaged with several detainees, listening to their various concerns. She also met with executives and staff of the Beja Civil Prison, acknowledging the ministry’s commitment to positively engage with all their concerns to streamline the proper execution of their professional duties, ensuring the security of prison units and the well-being of the detainees.

Minister Jaffel urged utmost vigilance, perseverance, and dedication in fulfilling their entrusted tasks within the framework of law enforcement and the promotion of equality among all detainees.

She emphasised the need to enhance infrastructure to improve detention conditions, as well as working conditions for staff and executives.

Following the visit, the Minister of Justice inspected the progress of the new Beja Civil Prison construction project, which has completed the first phase.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

Minister of Justice Leila Jaffel undertook an unannounced visit on Friday afternoon to the civil prison in Jendouba, following her earlier visit to the civil prison in Beja.

The minister inspected the operations of the prison unit, examined the conditions of detainees, assessed the level of services provided to them, and scrutinised the preparation of meals in the prison kitchen, according to a Ministry statement.

She also inspected the prison infirmary, ensuring the availability of medications for inmates and monitoring their health conditions.

Emphasising the significance of prison healthcare, she underscored its potential in addressing specific cases among the detainees.

The minister also took note of the activities of rehabilitation and training workshops available to the inmates, stressing the need to put all rehabilitation and support programmes in action, to streamline the reintegration of detainees into their social environments.

Minister Jaffel engaged in discussions with several officials and staff members of the Jendouba prison, gaining insight into their primary concerns. She commended their dedicated efforts in providing support and care for the detainees.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English

The turnout rate for the December 24 local elections in Siliana governorate reached 21.58%, i.e. 18,856 voters out of a total of 40,573 eligible voters, placing the region in first place in terms of turnout at the national level, said the Independent Regional Authority for Elections (IRIE) in Siliana.

Here follows the results in the Makther, Errouhia, Laroussa, El Krib and Bargou delegations:

Makther delegation:

-Constituency of Essoualem : Abdelsattar Khadraui : 419 votes, Mourad Baldi : 91 votes

-Constituency of Chouarniaa : Ahmed Daboussi : 121 votes, Hafedh Klach : 97 votes

-Constituency of El Kara: Haithem Zahi : 86 votes, Yassine Zahi : 63 votes

-Constituency of El Bez : Hamdi Bel Aouaid : 137 votes, Kais Mansour 116 votes

-Constituency of Béni Hazem : Nasser Ben Hamida : 175 votes

-Constituency of Ras El Wadi : Ahlem Ben Amara : 183 votes, Anis Kotbi : 112 votes

-Constituency of Senad El Haddad : Siham Aouassi : 246 votes, Noureddine Amri : 112 votes

-Constituency of Seddine : Mammar Bahri 1
40 votes

-Constituency of Sayar : Mokdad Bougarda: 214 votes

-Constituency of Makther-Sud : Nizar Atiri : 330 votes, Hamdi ben Rbiha : 318 votes

-Constituency of Makther North: Nabil Marzouki Bougarda: 214 votes

Candidate with disability Imed Aouidet won a seat on the next local council.

Errouhia delegation:

-Constituency of Jmilet : Najeh Dhahabi : 127 votes, Aymen Nasr : 119 votes

-Constituency of Hbabsa South: Khaled Hamed: 206 votes

-Constituency of Hbabsa North: Mohamed Habib Daghbouj: 262 votes

-Constituency of Hmaima : Helmi Hamoudi: 167 votes

-Constituency of Errouhia : Monji Touaibi : 481 votes, Chaker Marzouk : 390 votes

-Constituency of Smirat South: Najem Dhib: 197 votes

-Constituency of Smirat North: Mohammed Hacmi Bouhamla : 181 votes, Mohammed Ali Zannadi : 179 votes

-Constituency of Msahla: Omar Ben Sassi : 143 votes, Abdelhmid Hafedh : 110 votes

-Constituency of El Hariya : Ridha Hraisi: 220 votes

-Constituency of Bouajila : Lamine Msalem : 158 votes, El Aidi Loussif : 157 vote
s

Candidate with disability Walid Latrech won a seat on the next local council.

Laroussa delegation :

-Constituency of Remil : Hamdi Oueslati: 130 votes

-Constituency of Laroussa : Ibrahim Oueslati : 247 votes, Hassan kanaouati : 233 votes

-Constituency of Boujlida : Saad Oueslati : 162votes, Kamel Oueslati : 154 votes

-Constituency of Sidi Ayed : Akrem Mahouchi: 133 votes

-Constituency of Misrata : Sami Ferchichi : 84 votes, Bilel Ferchichi : 57 votes

Candidate with disability Moez Oueslati won a seat on the next local council.

El Krib delegation :

-Constituency of El Krib: Tarek Rezgui : 173 votes, Moez Nafouti : 91 votes

-Constituency of El Krib South: Nader Trabelsi : 617 votes, Kamel Abidi : 202 votes

-Constituency ofEl Krib-Nord : Fadhel Channoufi : 243 votes, Wissem Argoubi : 172 votes

-Constituency of Borj Massoudi South: Hichem Talbi : 179 votes, Issa Mannaï : 82 votes

-Constituency of Borj Massoudi North: Haykel Boubakri : 322 votes, Bilel Boubakri : 240 votes

-Constituency of Hammam
Biadha South: Fathi Zoghlami : 172 votes, Mourad Bendhiaoui 123 votes

-Constituency of Hammam Biadha North : Abdelhafidh Mejri: 108 votes

Candidate with disability Naoufel Abdrabbou won a seat on the next local council.

Bargou delegation:

-Constituency of Ahouaz Bargou: Chokri Sassi : 74 votes

-Constituency of Bhirine : Moez Kirati: 172 vvotes

-Constituency of Drija : Samir Youssef: 134 votes

-Constituency of Ouled Fraj : Walid Mimouni: 189 votes

-Constituency of Bargou : Ahmed Nagati : 323 votes, Fatima Ayari : 162 votes

-Constituency of Sidi Said : Hatem Yahiaoui: 230 votes

-Constituency of Ain Bou Saida : Moncef Bargaoui: 231 votes
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English