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President William Ruto on Sunday (October 1) declared his intention to transform the Kibera informal settlement into a modern residential area by the time he’s done with his second term in office, should he be re-elected.

Speaking at Deliverance Church Langat’a, Dr Ruto revealed the government’s ambitious plans to build 200,000 houses in Nairobi over the next five years, with the twin goals of alleviating the country’s pressing slum crisis and creating jobs for the youth.

In the heart of Mombasa, a football revolution is quietly taking shape. Bandari FC, a club with a rich history and an even richer future, is pulling out all the stops to become one of the most recognisable teams in Kenya. With a dynamic marketing strategy that has captured the essence of community engagement, Bandari FC is setting sail towards sporting stardom.

One cannot ignore the importance of grassroots support in football. Bandari FC understands this fundamental truth, and they have embarked on a mission to build a passionate fan base from the ground up. The club’s proactive approach to fan engagement is a testament to their commitment to the beautiful game and their local community.

One of the standout initiatives that have been gaining traction in Mombasa is the regular roadshows organised by Bandari FC. Picture this: players and fans, united in their love for the team, touring different areas of Mombasa, inviting folks to the hallowed Mbaraki Grounds. It’s a sight to behold as the team’s supporters spread their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. This approach ensures maximum reach to fans across Mombasa and lays the foundation for a strong and loyal fan base.

But the club’s marketing magic doesn’t stop there. Bandari FC has strategically leveraged the star power of its players. Billboards showcasing the team’s talented athletes dot the landscape of Mombasa, transforming these football heroes into local celebrities. This move not only popularizes the players but also elevates the team’s profile, making Bandari FC a household name in the city.

However, the crown jewel of Bandari FC’s marketing arsenal is undoubtedly the utilisation of display screens at the Likoni Ferry. The Likoni Ferry, a bustling crossway that witnesses a daily influx of 400,000 to 700,000 people, is the ideal canvas for the club to paint its message. It’s not just a good idea; it’s a genius idea. 

Imagine the scene: commuters, tourists, and locals alike, all treated to captivating visuals of Bandari FC’s feats and the electrifying atmosphere at the Mbaraki Grounds. The ferry, strategically located near the heart of the city, serves as a gateway not only to the mainland but also to the hearts of potential fans. These thousands of daily ferry passengers are a captive audience, ripe for conversion into ardent supporters.

The proximity of the ferry to the Mbaraki Grounds is a marketing masterstroke. It not only makes the venue a household name but also ensures that Bandari FC gets maximum visibility where it matters most – right in the hearts and minds of the local population.

Bandari FC’s bold and innovative approach to marketing the team is not just a smart move; it’s a game-changer. It’s a testament to the club’s dedication to its fans and its ambition to be a force to be reckoned with in Kenyan football.

As the buzz around the team grows, it’s only a matter of time before Bandari FC attracts a slew of partners and sponsors eager to be associated with their success. The ripple effect of their marketing prowess will undoubtedly benefit the team in terms of financial support and resources, making their journey to the pinnacle of Kenyan football all the more attainable.

In conclusion, Bandari FC’s marketing blitz is a model that should be emulated not just in Kenyan football but across the sporting world. Their commitment to community engagement, player promotion, and innovative advertising strategies has positioned them as a rising star in the Kenyan football landscape.

With the wind in their sails and the city of Mombasa behind them, Bandari FC is well on its way to becoming a household name, both locally and nationally. The beautiful game has found a new home in Mombasa, and Bandari FC is the team leading the charge towards sporting stardom.

The national shooting team landed safely in Cairo on Sunday ready for the Africa Shooting Championships-cum-2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers in the Egyptian capital.

The team of 12 shooters, six men, five women and three officials, was received at the Cairo International Airport by the Africa Sports Shooting Federation President Hasem Hosney.

The team was due to leave the country on Friday night but delayed until Saturday night owing to lack of funds but Kenya Sports Shooting Federation (KSSF) chairman Shoiab Vayani, said all was well after Sports Fund stepped in. 

“They say a stitch in time saves nine…we are happy that our firers are finally out to chase their Olympic dream. We can only provide them with the opportunity then judge them from there,” said Vayani, who is confident of a good show upon arrival in Cairo.

Vayani, who oversaw the team’s last training session at the Nairobi Sailing Club before departure, said there are high chances of securing some slots.

The championships will feature men and women’s Air Rifle, Rifle Three Position, Air Pistol, Skeet and Trap. Also on the card are men’s Rapid Fire Pistol and women’s 25m Pistol.

Men and women gold and silver medallists in air rifle and air pistol will qualify for the Paris Summer Games while only gold medallists from the rest. 

The team that is handled by Gurupreet Dhanjal has the 2015  Africa the Smallbore 50m Prone champion Gulraj Sehmi, 2022 Africa 10m Air Pistol silver medallist Maurice Morara and fast-rising Priscilla Wangui, who is on Olympic Solidarity scholarship.

“We have prepared well, though not 100 percent as we would have loved but we have done the hard work,” said Dhanjal, pointing out that they have a good chance with several of them having attended some international shoots this year and high level training.

“Wangui was in France for two weeks while Moraa claimed silver in the previous continental event and that gives us a good chance with the additional chances in air weapon events too,” said Dhanjal, adding that the Olympic qualification has been changing gradually.

“The Olympic scholarship has enabled me to acquire good competition gear and ammunition besides accessing high level coaches in France,” said Wangui. “It is a dream I had for a long time, hence I am well equipped and ready for the championships.”

However, Wangui said they expect a tough war against firers from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria among other countries heading to Cairo.

“We have a good range and talented firers but I want the government or the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to bring in coaches or send us out there for exposure,” said Wangui.

Sehmi said this could be his last shot at the Olympic Games, having missed the 2016 Rio despite winning the African title the previous year. “We will have to try our best and hope that our best is good enough,” said Sehmi.

Morara said he hopes to produce a similar run like last year to finish in top two and make it to Paris in Air Pistol. “I tried to qualify for the previous Olympics unsuccessfully through the World Cup but we have a good chance here,” said Morara.

Sanford Otundo (10m Air Rifle, 50m Prone Rifle, 50m 3 Position Rifle)

Gulraj Sehmi (10m Air Rifle, 50m Prone Rifle, 50m 3 Position Rifle)

Gurupreet Dhanjal (10m Air Rifle, 50m Prone Rifle, 50m 3 Position Rifle)

Maurice Morara (10m Air Pistol)

David Kirui (10m Air Pistol)

Christopher Saina (10m Air Pistol)

Gibran Darr (Skeet Trap).

Marriane  Cherotich (10m Air Pistol)

Dorin Atieno Okiri (10m Air Pistol)

Priscilla Wangui (10m Air Rifle, 50m 3 Position Rifle)

Jane Wanjiru (10m Air Pistol)

Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu has called on the government to allocate more funds to political parties to strengthen them.

According to Ms Nderitu, there are more than 90 registered political parties in the country and the current allocation of funds is inadequate.

“We have been funding political parties since 2007 and the Political Parties Act of 2011 allocates 0.3 per cent of the national government’s revenue to fund their activities.”

“According to the Act, 70 per cent of the fund is distributed based on the total number of votes secured by each political party in the previous General Election,” said Ms Nderitu.

She added: “Other criteria for funding political parties must include the number of elected leaders from the special interest category, administrative expenses and the number of nominated leaders.”

Her comments come at a time when some Kenyans are calling for the funding to be scrapped.

During the last disbursement, at least 45 parties received Sh1.48 billion from the Political Parties Fund.

According to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, UDA received Sh577.2 million, followed by the Orange Democratic Movement (Sh308.3 million), Jubilee Party (Sh135.1 million), Wiper Democratic Movement (Sh72.1 million) and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), which will receive Sh31.6 million.

According to the National Assembly register, UDA has 145 MPs, ODM (86), Jubilee (28) and Wiper (26).

Others are United Democratic Movement (8), Amani National Congress (8), Ford-Kenya (6), KANU (6), DAP-K (5), PAA (3), Kenya Union Party (3), UPIA (2), Maendeleo Chap Chap (2) and The Service Party (2).

In the Senate, the UDA has the largest number of representatives with at least 32 of the 67 senators.

Ms Nderitu has, at the same time, warned politicians against party-hopping without following due process. She also warned parties against forcing members to join them.

Speaking during the opening of an office in Mombasa, Ms Nderitu said the law was clear on how one should join a political party.

“We have noticed that some people are moving from one party to another without first resigning from their previous party, which is against the Political Parties Act. There is a need for democracy in the country and we should not go back to the one party era we left in 1992,” said Ms Nderitu.

During the event attended by local leaders, Ms Nderitu urged politicians to work on internal democracy in their parties.

She said all parties that qualify for funding must account for the money they receive and use it in line with democratic principles.

Safety needs to be enhanced on university campuses to ensure a secure learning environment. Although universities often take preventive measures, cases of insecurity are common.

There have been horrifying incidents—such the death of an 18-year-old First Year student whose body was found in a hostel with stab wounds early last month, just four days after admission. Several similar deaths have also been reported on other campuses.

This might have prompted Maseno University Vice-Chancellor Julius Nyabundi to hold a special session for the more than 7,400 freshmen about their responsibility for own safety.

Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir unleashed a super kick in the last 50 metres to seal a hat-trick of world half marathons titles during the World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia on Sunday.

Jepchirchir, who celebrated her 30th birthday last Wednesday, officially corked the champagne bottle in celebration after romping home in one hour, 07 minutes and 25 seconds.

The victory that followed her previous wins 2016 and 2020 saw Jepchirchir lead compatriot Margaret Chelimo and youngster Catherine Reline to a sweep of the podium places.

It was a battle of four Kenyans, three Ethiopians Tsigie Gebreselama, Ftaw Zeray and Yalemget Yaregal and two Britons Calli Thackery and Clara Evans when they hit the 10km mark. Reline led them through in 32:19.

But Yaregal would wilt with Reline taking the pack through 15km in 48:33 as the Britons dropped behind the pack. Then Jepchirchir injected pace into the race to drag along her compatriots taking along Gebreselama.

It was a thriller after the Kenyan trio dropped Ethiopia’s Gebreselama in the last kilometre.

Chelimo, the 2019 world 5,000m silver medallist settled for silver in 1:07:26 as Reline took bronze in 1:07:34. 

Gebreselama came fourth in 1:07:50 while another Kenyan Irene Kamais finished fifth in 1:08:02.

Jepchirchir made history as the fourth athlete to complete a hat-trick after legendary Tegla Loroupe of Kenya, Kenyan born Lorna Kiplagat of the Netherlands and Briton Paula Radcliffe.

1. Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) 1:07:25;

2. Margaret Chelimo (Kenya) 1:07:26;

3. Catherine Reline (Kenya) 1:07:34

4. Tsigie Gebreselama (Ethiopia) 1:07:50;

5. Irene Kamais (Kenya) 1:08:02

6. Ftaw Zeray (Ethiopia) 1:08:31

My conservative nature may be to blame, but I never cease to get taken aback by the number of people I come across who lack such social awareness, people who are utterly devoid of social boundaries, they believe that it is acceptable to ask prying questions such as, for instance, why you are still not married or don’t have children yet you’ve been married for several years.

“What are you waiting for?” they will ask self-righteously. Or how much you earn, or how come you’ve put on so much weight, or why you have become so thin.

What is even more perplexing is that most of those who ask such insensitive questions ask them for the sake of asking, which simply makes them nosy ill-mannered people, and in some cases, they just want to embarrass you or compare themselves with you to determine who’s doing better than whom.

If you admire my shoes, outfit, curtains or cutlery and ask me where I bought them and roughly how much they cost me, or where I had my hair done and at what cost, I will readily tell you, after all, such information is not sacred, and we women readily market items that we’re satisfied with.

We also tend to ask one another such questions all the time, whether we know each other or not. For instance, I will bump into a woman, a total stranger, in a supermarket and notice her well-done nails.

Without any self-consciousness, I will stop her, compliment her nails and ask her to give me her nail technician’s phone number, and unless she is an alien that just fell on earth from Mars, she will readily give it to me and not consider it an invasion of privacy. She will even happily allow me to take a photo of her nails for reference. We will then graciously smile at each other and go on with our shopping.

When it comes to clothes, shoes and hair as well as household appliances and even furniture, we take it as a compliment when someone asks where we bought the items so that she can get something similar.

But there are some questions that you should never ask someone, especially if you don’t share a close relationship with this person, simply because it goes against social decorum. And, also, because it is none of your business. Think about it, you’re at a function and are seated with a group of people you don’t know very well and are making small talk. You start discussing the rising cost of living in the country when suddenly, one of them turns to you and asks, “How much is your rent?”

Now imagine eight pairs of eyes staring at you expectantly, waiting to hear how much you pay your landlord. Or how much your monthly mortgage is. Picture another scenario. You bump into someone you haven’t seen for years, and as you catch up, you tell her where you work, only for her to ask slyly, “Do they pay well?”

Now if ever there was a difficult question, this is it. You therefore give an evasive answer, “Is money ever enough?” If she is the shameless kind, she will insist, “Roughly how much?” never mind that she has no intention of looking for a job where you work. Money is never an easy subject to discuss.

I don’t know about you, but I find such prying, uninvited questions offensive because I believe there is some information about you that should be sacred, information that should not be privy to everyone. If people tend to avoid you, perhaps it is time to do some soul-searching to see whether you exhibit some of the qualities I have discussed.