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The scintillating second season of the entertaining Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament is set for a thrilling climax in the finals slated for June 20th – 23rd at Kinoru Stadium, Meru County.

A living Kop legend, Luis Garcia is set to grace the occasion as the chief guest. The Champions League winner who was immortalised following Liverpool's unforgettable heroics in Istanbul 2005, is expected to host several mentorship workshops aimed at improving the budding local talent.

Having come through the highly acclaimed La Masia Academy that groomed the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, it’s safe to say football fanatics, especially Kop fans, will find their way to Meru this coming weekend.

Dubbed the tournament of future global stars by most fans and head-hunters, the season has lived up to its billing, with some gems finding their way to the top.

Over 1600 games were played across the country leading up to the final 8 boys' and girls' teams. That's a mind-boggling 144,000 minutes of football.

One thing is for certain, we are set to witness new champions as last year’s winners across both genders, Kapenguria Heroes and Plateau Queens, were both edged out earlier on.

This is a testament to the amazing level of talent just waiting to be unleashed on the world stage.

Thanks to Safaricom, young Kenyan boys and girls have been granted a ticket to realizing their potential, with the winners set to bag Ksh1 Million in cash as well as top of the range phones, airtime and all sorts of goodies.

More importantly, players who grab the opportunity by the horns and push themselves even further are likely to get scooped up by scouts who have been traversing the country in search of the next big thing.

In the previous season, star players James Omsinde and John Njuguna were called up to the national under-20 team, with David Majak, Fredrick Krop and Oscar Kengwa getting tapped by Kenya Premier League teams.

At the same time, the team that will represent Kenya in the CECAFA U20 Women Championship will comprise a number of players scouted from the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom youth tournament.

“The list largely features top performers among them St. Mary’s Ndovea’s Nuru Hensley, Bishop Njenga’s Lavenda Murumwa, Barcelona Ladies’ Jane Njeri, and Kwale Girls’ Joy KingLady, who all made the team to Spain with the Chapa Dimba All-Stars,” FKF unveiled via their official portal.

The revolutionary tournament has already showcased just how promising Kenya's young players are, following the recently concluded all-stars Spain tour.

32 players were handpicked for the training boot camp in Barcelona spain where they not only got the chance to watch Messi's Barcelona side face-up against Getafe, but even got to play several games as well.

The girls’ side ended their tour on a high by whooping Tecnofutbol Ladies 6-0, with Ndhiwa Queens starlet, Ivonne Ogada proving to be the 'one to watch' following a jaw-dropping display.

Both teams did the country proud, losing only once in the 3 matches they each played.

It’s all systems go regarding the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom finals set for the weekend, where teams are set to battle it out not only for the grand prize, but for their individual futures as well.

Here's a full fixture list of the finals timetable just to wet your appetite in anticipation of the star-studded final:

Safaricom customers have something to smile about after the firm introduced a feature in which the receiver will foot the call's bill.

In a Tuesday press release, the company announced the rollout of the 'Reverse Call' feature in whereby the caller will be able to make a request for the bill to be deducted from the recipient's bill.

The caller will be able to transfer the cost to the receiver by simply dialling "#" before entering the number the person intends to call.

Safaricom's Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge explained that the feature was created in line with the needs of consumers who are always seeking to stay connected with their loved ones.

“At Safaricom, we maintain our commitment to always provide our customers with relevant products in line with their needs. This innovation is in line with this commitment and has been tailored to mirror the relationships between our customers with a goal of empowering them to always remain connected with their loved ones,” stated Mulinge.

This new feature is an extension of the popular 'please call me' service that allows their customers to ask the receiver to call them back.

The recipient will, however, also have a say when such a call comes by selecting '1' as a way of accepting to foot the charges.

The details of the caller will just appear on the screen as has always been the case.

The press release further clarified that the feature would be available to 'on-net' calls only and that 'off-net', 'roaming' and 'international calls' customers will not be able to use the feature.

Below is the press release:

A Kenya Airways pilot on Monday saved 95 passengers and 5 crew members who were headed to Nairobi from Mombasa.

The captain was forced to take precautionary measures after the aircraft's warning system raised a false mechanical alarm.

The flight KQ605 departed Mombasa at 1754 hours and was airborne at 1807hours. However, it was forced to land back in Mombasa at 1834hours.

In a press statement by Kenya Airways, engineers declared the aircraft grounded after they assessed it.

"Other passengers with connections beyond Nairobi have been given accommodation in Mombasa to travel tomorrow to their final destinations," part of the statement read.

The airline apologized for the inconvenience and further advised its clients to contact customer care for any queries.

In yet another incident that occurred on March 28, 2019, the pilot of a Kisumu-bound plane saved the lives of over 70 passengers after the plane was unable to land at the Kisumu International Airport.

Upon reaching Kisumu, the pilot observed that the weather conditions were not optimal for landing. 

After circling above Lake Victoria for some time to wait for the weather to clear up, he decided to fly back to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. 

Imagine going out of your way to get a loved one a gift that you think is perfect but he or she receives it half-heartedly because they do not like it or rather say they do, when they actually don't.

This is the kind of predicament that some face as finding the perfect gift for a loved one can take a tall order on anyone.

Two Rivers Mall comes bearing gift as they have partnered with E-gift Africa to launch the Two Rivers Gift card.

With father's day around the corner, the perfect gift would be the Two Rivers Gift Card.

The dad would redeem it for that leather shoe he has been requesting from Bata, purchase some supplements at Healthy U across the corridor or sit down for lunch at the restaurants overlooking the dancing fountains and the Ferris Wheel.

The gift card offers more value through access to a variety of retailers and is redeemable in over 60 participating stores within the mall such as Chandarana Supermarket, Bata, La Elegant, Delvis Exclusive, Dr Jays, Manix and a variety of over 13 food and beverage restaurants.

The minimum gift card value can also be used to treat children to a fun day at Magic Planet and access an array of video games, trampoline, bumper cars and drop tower.

It gets better, one can redeem the cards full value or partially depending on their preference due to the extended validity period of 6 months from the date of purchase.

Unlike most shopping vouchers, the Gift Card is digitally monitored with every purchase redeemed real time hence the customer can keep track of his balance.

The mall has also provided channels for customers to purchase the card online through redemption of accrued loyalty points from the Stanchart 360-degree program, KCB Simba Points, Etihad Guest Miles

and purchase through the Two Rivers website and the Two Rivers App.

For more details visit https://tworiversmall.com/giftcard  or call 0709 190000/516.

The Co-operative Bank of Kenya, together with the leading leasing company, Super Group of South Africa, on Tuesday, reiterated a partnership aimed at growing their customers' businesses.

During the first board meeting held on Tuesday 4th June 2019, Mr. Murugu, the Chairman of the Board of the Co-operative Bank of Kenya was elected Chairman of Co-op Bank Fleet Africa Limited.

At the same meeting, Mr. Robert Mbugua was appointed as the founding Chief Executive of Co-op Bank Fleet Africa Limited. Robert spent a significant portion of his senior professional life in South Africa. He served as a Partner in the Johannesburg office of PwC followed by a stint as a Regional Managing Director in Standard Bank’s Africa business. He has been tasked with specific mandates to fully leverage opportunities offered by the joint venture partners - Co-op Bank and Super Group -  to best serve clients of the new company.

Through a joint venture titled 'Co-op Bank Fleet Africa Leasing Limited', also known as 'Co-op Bank Fleet', the bank intends at penetrating and growing a modern leasing business aiming at market leadership, securing long-term partnerships and joint ventures to sustainably support growth and build on world-class competencies in supply chain among others.

In January of this year, the new partnership cemented itself as a long-lasting solution of the leasing industry players especially after successfully concluding its first leasing deal worth over Ksh890 million.

This maiden transaction, which is part of a larger Ksh2.2 billion deal, entails the financing and delivery of a fleet of 125 vehicles to the Ministry of Interior.

Leasing is gaining traction in Kenya with the government setting the pace notably by opting to re-tool, equip and modernize public institutions by way of leasing.

According to Co-operative Bank Group Managing Director & CEO Dr. Gideon Muriuki, "Co-op Bank Fleet enables the bank to better support customers to acquire the assets, technologies and equipment they require at the same time enable the bank to diversify its income streams.”

This ensures that customers do not have to fully buy equipment which are quite pricey but can hire them for a significantly reduced fee.

Experts say the availability of leasing implies that it does not make commercial sense any longer to buy assets to own, whereas you can hire to use them as and when you need them.

Leasing is widely being seen as the most cost-effective model of acquiring business assets. “Instead of spending all your money buying fixed assets, you can actually lease assets, you’ll be able to lease a lot more assets with the same amount of money,” Edna Kihara the Chairperson of the Leasing Association of Kenya was once quoted as saying.

“Secondly you will be able to manage your cash flow. The lump sum requirement for capital items when you are starting up a business, you don’t really require that. You can actually lease and then pay monthly or quarterly installments on the cost of that equipment," continued Kihara.

This new partnership presents the opportunity to fully cut costs while maximizing revenues in all industries.

In agriculture, experts say farmers can quickly mechanize food production by leasing farm and irrigation equipment, storage, refrigeration and transportation vehicles.

Some players feel that investors in Public Service Transport should stop buying the vehicles to own, as they can simply lease.

Other sectors that are expected to drive high uptake of the leasing product include Oil and Gas, Co-operatives, Manufacturing, Construction, Transport, Mining and ICT.

Gospel Music industry's biggest day beckons. Glam and frantic search for the Groove Golden ticket and anticipation best describes the road to Groove Awards 2019 slated for 1st June at Mövenpick Hotel Westlands.

This year’s event, the 14th Annual Groove Awards will be the most exclusive Groove Awards ever in the history of the Gala Night. This year’s nominees list, which was unveiled at a red-carpet event earlier in the month, was laced with surprises including many new entries into some of the most tightly contested categories.

A new record was set by Jabidii who bagged 11 nominations in total. The announcement of the nominees followed a rigorous process of reviewing 154,371 submissions from the public.

Public participation in the nomination process generated a lot of excitement amongst stakeholders and the industry, giving greater ownership and participation to music fans across the country.

The new categories, which were necessitated by continuous insights and changing industry dynamics include Online/Digital Personality of the Year, Young Groover of the Year and the Diaspora Artists of the Year category respectively.

Groove Awards is undoubtedly the biggest Gospel Awards show with a high profile red carpet guest list that ranges from top Government Officials, the Media, Gospel Industry Stakeholders, Artists and Lucky Fans from around the region.

This year’s Awards Gala will be transmitted for the first time ever on Groove Award’s YouTube and Facebook channels in a bid to offer an uninterrupted viewing experience for all music lovers.

In line with the theme “Better Together,” this year’s awards season has focused on the message of unity in building better relationships, synergies and societies. It encourages a spirit of togetherness and highlights how togetherness helps build powerful and stronger bonds.

Fans can continue voting online through www.grooveawards.co.ke or SMS by sending the word Groove followed by the nominee code to 811 or by Dialling *811#- until midnight 31st May 2019.

The 14th Annual Groove Awards will be produced by MoSound Events and is proudly sponsored by NRG Radio, Coke Studio, Little Cab, M-Akiba, Bonfire Adventures, Coca Cola, Pace Africa, Vivo Energy and Infinix/Tecno.

After months of teasing on their social media platforms, NRG Radio has finally unveiled their two new stations.

The radio station, which has only been on the airwaves for one year has been running a promo claiming that it's pregnant with twins, leaving the audience curious.

In a press release sent to newsrooms, the station revealed that Choice Radio and Fun X are the new kids on the block.

Choice radio, which is accessible on 87.7FM will target an audience aged 30 years and above with urban, grown and sexy content that the audience will find hard to turn off.

"The Radio's playlist will be loaded with a head-nodding mix of old school and timeless hits," Beverlyne Wangari, the Group Digital and Communications lead stated.

NRG radio has also revealed another station, FunX which will be accessible on 91.3FM. Unlike Choice Radio, FunX is aimed to target a modern, fun-loving teen and represents the new centennial audience.

The station has revealed that the music, which will be aired on the station will be the epitome of edgy, fun and adventurous.

"This is an exciting milestone because we can now cater to the varying needs of our audience and listeners across the age spectrum," Wangari cited.

NRG was crowned the radio digital king after leading in social media numbers, visual and digital content.

The station is also the first visual radio station in Kenya and Africa.

Every day is Mother's day! Don’t you agree?

A mother who took care of you in all aspects of your growing up comes first in all your life and plays a very significant role but in most instances, we don’t get to reciprocate the love as she deserves.

It is, however, not the fault of the children for failing to appreciate their mums the right way. Most heirs have it misconstrued that the ideal scenario of appreciation has to cost a dime but this is practically impossible with this economy.

You, however, do not have to be loaded or get a super-expensive gift for you to melt her heart.

Here are some affordable but valuable gifts you can surprise your mum with this Mother’s day:

1. Dedicated necklace engraved with a message

Simple things like getting your mother a dedicated jewelry piece such as a necklace or bracelet engraved with her name or her favourite quote goes a long way in strengthening the bond between the two of you.

The necklace does not have to be an expensive one made of pure gold, but the thought of you taking your time to make something that distinguishes her from the rest will surely have her smiling.

    2. Her favourite flower bouquet

There is a flower bouquet, then there's a thoughtful, handpicked and specially designed flower bouquet for your mother.

It is important to take your time, do your diligent research of the kinds of flowers and colours your mum prefers, then arrange them in a pattern you know she likes best and don’t forget to accompany it with a card containing a message from your heart to hers. She will appreciate your effort.

  3. Take Care of her monthly shopping

Why not surprise her and take care of her shopping for the month? Tell her to prepare a shopping list and get whatever she may need.

The best part is, you do not have to burden yourself carrying the cash to her favourite shopping center, all you have to do is swipe your MCo-op Visa Card at no extra cost.

  4. A trip to her preferred vacation spot

Chances are, there are places you mum has always dreamed about visiting just to have a good time.

You can find out where the places are, book her a trip for two and give her the freedom to choose whoever she wants to take the trip with. Make her day special in a way she feels she is in control.

  5. Nice Spa package or Salon treat

Maybe it's time for you to return the favor, pamper her and for a day take on her burdens.

Help her clear her schedule for a spa day. If she is not familiar with the idea of a massage, convince her that it is for her own good. She will thank you later as a day of rest and relaxation coupled with a professional massage can do wonders in regenerating the body.

  6. Organise Family Dinner with her favourite dish

It is her special day but some mothers grow the more spastic when they see their family together, even for one dinner.

To honour her wishes, you can bankroll a simple dinner with close family members and then proceed to furnish the table with her favourite meal, even if that is indigenous vegetables.

She will live to remember the laughter the day brought in everyone.

  7. Buy her a thoughtful gift

Months can pass by before a mother sees a gift from anyone. To make the month of May special for her, you can just surprise her with a gift that may range from a special Kitenge dress (of Ksh 5,000) you know she likes, a good handbag of Ksh 2,000, an out-of-the box kitchen accessory that you can afford.

You cannot buy her love but you will definitely make her heart smile. And you are not limited with options in case you spot a gift you feel is special for her.

  8. Spend time with her

You were probably grinding in the city for the better part of the year and it’s been a while since you saw your mother in person - both situations are deeply understandable.

It is, therefore, a very special gesture when, from the blues, she sees you at her doorstep. She will forever cherish the moment.

You are her favourite and you both know it.

  9. Make her a digital card

In special instances, miles of distance could be the hindrance between you and your mother meeting, in your quest to make ends meet.

In that case, make her a thoughtful and special digital card to make her know that you still love her and always think of her and drop it on her Whatsapp.

Nothing can replace a mother in your life, cherish her.

Co-operative Bank, through its subsidiary, Co-op Consultancy and Insurance Agency has kicked off its Annual National Co-operatives workshop where CEOs from across the country will deliberate key issues concerning the industry.

The workshop themed Co-operatives Tomorrow: Technology and Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Development was presided over by the PS State Department for Co-operative Development, Mr. Ali Noor Ismail, who in his keynote speech highlighted the importance of leveraging technology in Co-operatives to spur innovation.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Noor Ismail stated, “With adoption of technology in Co-operatives, we have seen new types of products introduced that meet more specific needs of members, improve liquidity in Saccos and even yield better margins for Co-operatives. In short, Co-operatives today operate smarter than they did in the past.”

The three-day workshop will focus on engaging the CEOs on how to revolutionize their societies and operate within the competitive business environment with the constantly changing market dynamics. The Bank’s subsidiary Co-op Consultancy’s main role is to enhance the institutional capacities of co-operative societies, who are the core stakeholders of the bank.

Speaking at the workshop, Co-op Bank Director Co-operatives Division, Mr. Vincent Marangu stated, “We understand that organizations are faced with numerous institutional challenges which they must address in order to attain their goals in the dynamic business environment in the country.

"As Co-operatives are the key stakeholders of the bank, we facilitate such workshops every year to create an environment where they can deliberate, share learnings and build each other.”

This year’s workshop will cover a wide range of topics such as building technological capabilities in Co-operatives which will help the participants think strategically about technology beyond adoption and managing the associated risks.

It will include a panel discussion focusing on three key areas, building capacity in terms of strategy, governance and security. It will also cover demystifying digital transformation in Co-operatives; many Co-operatives have carried out system changes and adopted new technologies but they are not fully digital.

This session will breakdown what digital transformation is and demonstrate what the Co-operatives need to do to achieve it. They will also cover management and expansion of the Agricultural value chain, this session will challenge the participants to think further on what they can do to expand their value chain and introduce new alternatives to their existing business models.

The Co-operatives CEOs will also cover managing technology partnership, leadership and coaching and the Impact of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti Money Laundering Act (PoCAMLA) to bring on board Deposit-taking SACCOs into mandatory reporting of large transactions in respect to prevention of money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.

This workshop is one of several pieces of training offered to Co-operatives by Co-operative Bank, through Co-op Consultancy and Insurance Agency, to help them in capacity building, development and growth.

The vibrant and dynamic co-operative movement in Kenya is a key player in the economy, controlling about over 40 percent of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The Co-operative Societies in Kenya employs more than 500,000 people, besides providing opportunities for self-employment to many more. Savings and credit societies (SACCOs), the fastest growing sub-sector in the movement, controls over 30 percent of national savings.

The Groove Awards 2019 is set to be one of the most competitive editions to date - if the list of nominees is anything to go by.

Under the theme, "Better Together" the nominees were unveiled at an exclusive red carpet event held at the Kenyan National Theatre on Wednesday.

Artists Willy Paul and Bahati missed out on the nominations despite being active in the music scene in the past year.

Jabidii broke his own record bagging the most nominations with 11 nods, bettering his seven nominations from the 2018 edition.

He got recognized in the Artist of the Year category, Collabo of the Year, Song of the Year, Teens Choice Song of the Year (in which he received 2 nominations), Reggae/Ragga Song of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the year, Collabo of the year and Dance style/song of the Year – a category that saw him receive 3 nominations.

Timeless Noel and Moji ShortBabaa impressively received 6 nominations each.

There was a split of the Breakthrough Artists Category to accommodate both the Male and Female artists separately and the introduction of new categories; – Online/Digital Personality of the Year, Young Groover of the Year and the Diaspora Artists of the Year category respectively.

Online voting has been opened and one can vote for their favorite nominee by logging onto the Groove Awards website.

Voting closes at midnight on the 31st of May 2019.

This year’s winners will be announced on 1st June 2019 at the Gala Awards ceremony, to be held in Nairobi.

A winner’s concert is then slated shortly after the awards ceremony on 8th June 2019 in Mombasa.

Here is the full list of nominees: