NBK to finance buyers of new Bamburi homes

Lush Homes director Samuel Gichuru (left) explains the model of the house to NBK manager Elizabeth Kivusyu while Wycliffe Omuya looks on

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI -

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-124038/nbk-finance-buyers-new-bamburi-homes#sthash.xnJ0aejU.dpuf

The National Bank has entered into an agreement with Lush Homes to finance home buyers in a new development in Bamburi, Mombasa.
The development, dubbed Simba Village, which is being put up by the coast-based property developer, will sit on a three-acre piece of land near Braeburn International School and the Jesus Celebration Centre-Bamburi.
It will comprise 50 units of three-bedroom houses, which will be built in three phases over two years. Construction of the first phase of 15 houses has begun and the show-house will be ready in three months. The second phase will have 15 houses while the third will have 30 units.
The houses are on off-plan sale for Sh7 million, where buyers will be required to make a down payment of 10 per cent and the rest will be financed by the NBK.
Elizabeth Kivusyu, the NBK Changamwe branch manager, said demand for modern residential houses in Mombasa is huge.
“Fifteen houses have already been booked by our NBK staff while the remaining 35 will be for the open market where anyone is free to purchase,” she said during ground breaking at the weekend.
Wycliffe Muya, a director of Lush Homes, said the development will change the face of housing in Mombasa from the traditional Swahili homes to modern maisonettes and bungalows.
“We are targeting the middle-income earners in this project. We have chosen this prime area where residents will be living in a serene and tranquil environment, not far from the town centre,” he said.
Omuya said home owners in the development will benefit from recreational and social facilities in the proximity.
“The Jomo Kenyatta beach, Nyali City mall and Haller Park are just three kilometres away,” he said.
Simba Village will have a nursery school, shops and a recreational centre which will be built in the second phase.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-124038/nbk-finance-buyers-new-bamburi-homes

Ministry fights Dengue fever

Monday, June 10, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI
Ministry of Health and Kenya Red Cross Mombasa officials led a Dengue fever sensitisation programme in Shimanzi Railways estate Makande, Mombasa at the weekend.
The region is be prone to mosquito infestation due to its proximity to the Kibarani dumping site, a  bushy environment and the Indian Ocean.
Red Cross officials in charge of the programme, Gregory Okal, said they cleared the bushes and sprayed insecticide in the houses in the estate.
Speaking to the Star during the activity, Okal said Mombasa has 115 confirmed cases of Dengue fever and 356 results awaited from a comprehensive laboratory test in Nairobi.
“As the Red cross we have taken this early preventive measure because Dengue is still rampant in Mombasa despite the assurance from experts that it has been contained,” he said.
Okal said many areas in Mombasa have been sprayed and sensitisation sessions held for residents. He said the campaign against the fever will be extended to every region in the country.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-123719/ministry-fights-dengue-fever

New lease of life for 7 Mtwapa 'strippers'

Mombasa senator Emma Mbura weeps after she bailed out the seven Mtwapa strippers last week. Photo/Elkana Jacob

Monday, June 10, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI
The seven women arrested in a Mtwapa strip club last week over prostitution have received sponsorship. Mombasa Senator Emma Mbura, who bailed out the seven from the Shimo la Tewa Prison by paying Sh5,000 bond for each of them, said the sponsorship will enable them earn a decent living.
She said this while handing them to Mwembe Tayari salon, one of the sponsors. “We have worked out a sponsorship which will help these young ladies change their lives for the better and it is our responsibility to support them,” Mbura said.
Anne Wangari and Sophia Mustapha will benefit from a free beauty course, while Mwanajuma Khamis will be trained on hospitality by Human Capital Organisation.
The three are the first beneficiaries of the sponsorship. Mwanajuma said she is grateful for the support they have received from the Senator. “I am humbled that our mother has supported us. Lack of support pushed us into prostitution,” she said.
Ruth Lewa, the country director of Solidarity with Women in Distress, said they will counsel the women to help them overcome the trauma they went through after they were exposed to the public.
“We know what these girls have gone through, they need to be counseled and shown direction. We are experts in this field,” she said. Mbura said she has purchased a 4-acre piece of land in Mwakirunge to help the landless people in her county. READ MORE......http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-123763/new-lease-life-7-mtwapa-strippers

New plans for tourism at the Coast

Saturday, June 8, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI

TOURISM permanent secretary Ruth Solitei, has said plans are on to rejuvenate tourism sector at the coast under the second five year Medium Term Plan.
Speaking during the 65th Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association annual general meeting in Mombasa, Solitei said the plan will focus on beach and cruise tourism.
She said while the national tourism performance has been remarkable over the years, there has been marked decline on arrival to the coast.
The PS urged tourism sector investor sin the region to diversify to other products to compliment the beach tourism.
She said there are plans to develop a business and convention centre in Mombasa to promote meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions tourism.
“We are fortunate that Bamburi cement has already donated a land for this facility to be put up,” she said.
http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-123633/new-plans-tourism-coast

New fleet to fight crime in Mombasa

 Monday, June 3, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and the county commissioner Nelson Marwa have put criminals on notice over increased insecurity.
 Joho has said they will unveil security cars to patrol the county streets to fish out criminals. Speaking during the Madaraka Celebrations in Mombasa, the governor said the vehicles are at the Mombasa port and they will be unveiled in the next two weeks.
 “The cars are fixed with cameras that can capture a range of 40 metres, hence no one can afford to get away with criminal activities,” he said.
 Joho said the administration police, criminal investigation department officers and county askaris will partner in the operations. Marwa said they will have target patrols and not the usual ones.
“Whenever you see the car patrolling be sure someone has been targeted,” he said. “You all saw the failed Wells Fargo attack, the several Changamwe attacks where criminals were either arrested or shot by our officers,” he said.
Find More.... http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-122810/new-fleet-fight-crime-mombasa

Jomvu MP backs use of Bangla-Pesa food vouchers

A member of the Bangla business network show a Ten shilling Banga-Pesa voucher. Photo Elkana/Jacob

Monday, June 3, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI
JOMVU MP Badi Twalib, has defended his constituents in Bangladesh for introducing their own local currency—Bangla pesa— saying its objective was to support local businesses.
 Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Tononoka grounds Mombasa, Badi said the government should stop harassing the locals for trying to initiate programs that will grow local businesses.
 “The Bangla Pesa works as a voucher that residents and businesses will use as a way of supporting local business and entrepreneurs. The government should support the initiative instead of arresting people," he said.
 He said the harassment of the local people was based on ignorance and urged the government to support the project and any other that local communities may initiate to boost economic growth.
 He added that he has worked out a deal with the Equity bank that would train the residents on business skills and provide loans to them after the training.
 The MP said the deal will help the residents who want to change their lives through small business but lack capabilities and finances to start.
 Last week six people including a US national were arrested and charged with using Bangla-pesa as an alternative to the Kenyan currency.
 The five Kenyans, who are members of the Koru-Kenya initiative were released on a Sh50,000 bond while the organization's US co-founder William Ruddick was released on a bond of Sh100,000 and a surety of a similar amount.
Read More from......http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-122815/jomvu-mp-backs-use-bangla-pesa-food-vouchers

Youth leader faulted over his remarks on Cabinet nominee

Friday, May 31, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY CHARLES MGHENYI

MIJIKENDA Youth Forum officials have differed over the nomination of Kazungu Kambi in the docket of Labour, Social Security and Services. Mgandi Kalinga, who claims to be the organisation's South Coast coordinator, said the chairperson Nyonga wa Makemba's article in the Daily Nation faulting Kambi's nomination, is uncalled for.

Makemba wrote an article on May 26 saying that Kambi's nomination was malicious and he does not deserve it. In the article, Makembe said “Kambi’s nomination was an attempt by Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint an academically weak Mijikenda point man in the government.”

“He was poor to run the docket with ease and competence because of his academic background.” Makemba was further quoted saying that the Coast region has many qualified men and women who could fill that position in the government.

Mgandi faulted the remarks by the organisation's chairman saying Uhuru was trying to nominate a person who will bring in a fair representation of the coastal people in the government.

Makemba however told the Star that he has sorted out the issue with the board members and he now fully supports the nomination. “We have sorted out that issue and now Kambi has my full support,” he said.

Makemba said Kambi is a Mijikenda and he will represent them in the government. He however said Mgandi is not a member of the Mijikenda Youth Forum and should not comment on any matter within the organisation.

“He is a mijikenda by tribe but not a member of the Mijikenda Youth Forum. He has a right to comment as a coastal native but not as an official of our organisation,” said Makemba “Tell him to keep off our matters as he does not hold any post in our organisation.” READ MORE.....http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-122566/youth-leader-faulted-over-his-remarks-cabinet-nominee