Shaban Omar

Kenya

Journalist at The Star (Kenya)

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Articles

Players push for seaweed to be categorised as cash crop

2 weeks ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| A section of stakeholders is calling on the national government to formally recognise seaweed as a cash crop and unlock its full economic potential for coastal communities. According to Alfred Rono, the Seaweed Project Coordinator at Plan International, the marine plant is currently categorised and treated like fish, despite being fundamentally different in its nature and production.
Mutua orders DCI probe into job recruitment scams

4 weeks ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to immediately investigate and apprehend individuals posing as Kazi Majuu agents, following a rise in fraud cases during the program’s recruitment exercises. The directive follows an incident in Mombasa County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, where a group of fraudsters reportedly attempted to scam job seekers during a recruitment drive for overseas employment opportunities.
Maraga faults State over transfer of Public Seal from AG’s office

1 month ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Former Chief Justice David Maraga (pictured) has criticised the government over the transfer of the public seal from the Office of the Attorney General to the Head of Public Service. Maraga termed the move unconstitutional and a gateway to corruption. The public seal is a constitutional symbol used to authenticate official state documents. Traditionally, it has been under the custody of the Attorney General, who serves as the government’s principal legal advisor.
Maraga denies claims of interfering with Tanzania affairs

1 month ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Former Chief Justice David Maraga has dismissed accusations that a delegation of regional activists, including himself, intended to disrupt peace in Tanzania during their recent visit. Maraga was responding to remarks made by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who alleged that the group was attempting to stir unnecessary tension within the country. The president’s comments sparked regional debate over the role of external actors in internal political matters.
Kwale growers embrace smart farms to tackle climate change

1 month ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Under the sweltering sun of Mwabandari village, Kikoneni in Kwale County, rows of orange trees sway gently beside thriving plots of spinach, tomatoes, maize and green grams, symbols of a quiet agricultural revolution. Here, local farmers are turning to climate-smart agriculture, blending fruit trees with vegetables not just to feed their families, but to fight back against the mounting threat of climate change.
Residents cry foul over dam activities, urge speedy completion

1 month ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| A section of residents in Fulugani village, Kinango sub-county, Kwale County, have raised alarm over acute water shortages, poor sanitation, and deteriorating road conditions attributed to the ongoing construction of the Mwache Dam. The residents, who were previously dependent on River Mwache for domestic water use and farming, say the construction has cut off their access to the river due to pollution and restricted movement around the site.
State to release royalties before Base Titanium exit

2 months ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| The national government has assured Kwale residents that it will release mineral royalties amounting to Sh1.7 billion and Sh900 million to community before the mining licence for Base Titanium expires on June 30. Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said the funds, which have been delayed for years, will be disbursed to the county and local communities as part of their rightful share from the lucrative titanium mining operations in the region.
Massage therapists in post-pandemic blues, high taxes

2 months ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Once a thriving hub of relaxation and rejuvenation, Diani’s local massage industry in Kwale County now lies in near silence. Its tranquil rooms are empty, the scent of essential oils replaced by the barren sting of economic loss. What was once a booming trade, usually driven by foreign tourists seeking luxury and wellness along Kenya’s southern coast, began to unravel in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marine transport college takes shape in Kwale

2 months ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Construction work for the long-awaited Sh1.2 billion regional centre for Marine Transport and Port Logistics in Chitsakamatsa, Matuga, Kwale County is finally taking shape. The first phase of the flagship institution, which involves putting up and equipping tuition blocks, is 82 per cent complete, bringing renewed hope to the region’s maritime education ambitions.
Kwale leaders slam report on juvenile gangs and demand accurate data

2 months ago | peopledaily.digital | Shaban Omar

| Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani and County Commissioner Steve Orinde have dismissed a recent report by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) that ranked Kwale among counties most affected by juvenile gangs. During events at Matuga Girls and Kwale High National Schools, the two leaders said the findings were misleading. They acknowledged the existence of isolated juvenile gang incidents but insisted the situation is not as dire as painted in the report.