Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) is proud to present its first-ever full-length musical, Oliver, which will take place from June 9th-11th. This internationally acclaimed musical takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England, following the story of young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates London’s underworld of theft and violence in search of a home, a family, and most importantly, love.
Based on the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, the book was adapted for the stage by Lionel Bart, who also composed the music and wrote the lyrics. The musical premiered in London’s West End in 1960 and became a huge hit, winning several awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score. It has since been performed all over the world and has been adapted into a successful film and television series. The timeless story of Oliver Twist and his journey to find love and family continues to captivate audiences of all ages.
With live music by Safaricom Youth Orchestra led by Musical Director Levi Wataka, and guest performers like John Sibi-Okumu, David Mwenji, and Njeri Kiereini, Oliver promises to be a must-see show. Cooper Rust directs the show, with Caroline Slot and May Ombara serving as assistant directors.
The lead role of Oliver will be played by Abdoulaye Diebate, with Benji Mudondo as the Artful Dodger, Mazuruni Khan as Nancy, and Alex Stow as Bill Sykes.
DCK is Kenya’s leading dance school, with over 500 students taking classes in three studios and 1,000 more taking DCK-taught classes in 20 schools throughout Nairobi. Founded in 2015, DCK has grown to offer a range of dance classes and performances, including annual productions of The Nutcracker. DCK is committed to reaching into the Kenyan community to find talented students, irrespective of their ability to pay for training, and its sponsorship program has already affected the lives of many future dancers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Oliver is a show that will inspire all of us to dream bigger and believe that absolutely anything is possible. Don’t miss this exciting performance! Tickets are available for purchase at the DCK studios or online.
For more information, please contact Dance Centre Kenya at info@dancecentre.co.ke or visit their website at www.dancecentre.co.ke
KEPSA is Championing Outsourcing Sector in Kenya. Davis Waithaka, chair of the Digital skills and values subsector of the KEPSA ICT Sector Board said that KEPSA has been actively involved in advocating for policies and initiatives that promote the growth of the BPO sector in Kenya. “This includes engaging with the government to develop an enabling regulatory framework, incentives, and infrastructure to attract BPO investments,” Waithaka said. He added that KEPSA recognizes the importance of developing a skilled workforce for the BPO sector. “It collaborates with relevant stakeholders, including educational institutions, training centers, and industry experts, to design and implement training programs that equip individuals with the necessary skills for BPO jobs,” he said. Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is one of the partners and implementors of the great Program by the government, the Ajira Digital Program, where we link young people to digital and digitally-enabled work while providing He noted that one sector that the Ajira Digital program focuses on is the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. BPO is a crucial industry that provides a range of services to businesses around the world. These services are key due to their benefits such as increased flexibility, reduced costs, and enhanced service quality, allowing businesses to refocus on their core activities, and hence deliver incremental value to their customers and processes. These benefits together with the need by businesses to survive in the constantly changing business dynamics drive the growth of the business process outsourcing market.
The Acting managing director of Kenya investment authority June Chepkemei has continued with exemplary work.
“This morning @JuneChepkemei hosted a Korean delegation together with the Baringo County Government lead by @BenjaminCCheboi! KenInvest is thrilled to facilitate investment from Korean companies looking to enter the Kenyan market
The delegation is seeking for investment opportunities in Baringo and have had a longstanding friendship with the people of Baringo County.
The Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan Nairobi enumerates the latest developments in the Sudan, following the Rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)after their failed coup d’etat that they staged on the 15th of April, 2023
After the expiry of a shorter humanitarian truce, a new one for seven days was agreed upon, starting from the 4th May, 2023. The two sides agreed principally to hold talks in Saudi Arabia on the humanitarian situation in the country. The first humanitarian plane landed in Port Sudan on the 30th April, 2023 carrying medicines and medical supplies from ICRe. Humanitarian assistance from Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait have been received in Port Sudan. Consignments of humanitarian assistance from other sisterly countries are expected in the coming days . On the other hand, the RSFrebels are continuing their flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law by occupying 11 hospitals in Khartoum State and the Central
Medical Laboratory. They are still detaining families of the army officers, senior officials, and university professors, including women and children, and using them as human shields. Using the rooftops of houses as sites for snipers, establishing illegal checkpoints, harassment of civilians and looting their properties have not stopped. Looting of universities, banks, companies, factories, and other institutions is going on. The rebels continued their violations against diplomatic missions. The recent incidents were in attacking and looting the embassies of the Republic of Korea, India, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and Turkey. They also targeted a Turkish plane that was evacuating Turkish citizens. Life for ordinary citizens in the area cleared from the rebels in Khartoum State is gradually improving
The Sudan Government reiterates that the strongest condemnation of the rebels’ heinous crimes by the international community is of importance to achieving peace and ending the
Kilifi County Speaker the Honorable Teddy Mwambire has taken a moment to share with us his thoughts pertaining county government disbursements.
He notes
“County government disbursements from the national treasury should not be pegged on protests from the Council of Governors or public. Timely disbursements will bring effective delivery of services by counties. Let the national treasury be sensitive and do the expected timely.
Hoping that all the challenges are addressed at the Intergovermental coordination level.”
Renowned real estate entrepreneur and CEO of Optiven Group, George Wachiuri, has urged forward-thinking investors in Africa and the United States of America (USA) to capitalize on the real estate sector for fostering individual and national socioeconomic progress. Speaking at an investment expo in Washington DC, Wachiuri emphasized that real estate presents the most favorable avenue to drive the revitalization of both personal and countrywide growth.
Wachiuri pointed out the fast-tracked infrastructural expansion, high rate of urbanization, favorable government policies as solid factors that continue to solidify real estate sector as the place to place growing bucks.
Casting light on the fast-tracked infrastructural expansion across Kenyan cities, he pointed out the great development that has recently taken place in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, as a development that has further accelerated the real estate potential in Kenya. He also highlighted upcoming developments such as Silicon Savana-Konza Technopolis, as well as booming towns like Nyeri, Nanyuki, Isiolo, and Kajiado. With the urban population projected to increase significantly, reaching 50% of Africa’s population by 2050, Kenya offers enormous opportunities for real estate investors.
“Nairobi, for example has greatly been transformed by the massive expansion of infrastructure, such as the Nairobi Expressways and the dial-carriage by-passes that now form a ring around the city. These infrastructure initiatives, supported by significant investments, are poised to boost economic growth and attract foreign investors to Kenya’s real estate market,” said Wachiuri.
The OVC Business Expo in Washington DC was organized by ‘One Voice Consortium and brought together investors and entrepreneurs from Africa and the United States, with a particular focus on the African diaspora community.
The event was graced by esteemed speakers, including Bennett Harman, Deputy Assistant U.S and Trade Representative for Africa; Roseline Njogu, PS Diaspora Affairs, Kenya; and Lazarus Amayo, Kenya Ambassador to the USA.
Wachiuri noted that Kenya’s latest inroads into infrastructural expansion hasn’t been a preserve for Nairobi. Various counties across the country including Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu have also greatly benefited from great new roads networking.
In fact, infrastructure spending in Kenya is projected to reach Kshs 1.7 trillion (approx. USD 16 billion) by 2025, compared to Kshs 1.1 trillion (approx. USD 10 billion) in 2020. This substantial investment aims to create a conducive environment for businesses and facilitate sustainable economic development in the country. This is according to a recent Deloitte report.
Wachiuri emphasized the favorable government policies on land ownership and capital movement, including long-term leases for foreigners. Additionally, Kenya’s skilled population, proficient in English, French, and Kiswahili, ensures access to competent labor and a conducive work environment.
“The real estate opportunities in Kenya span across several areas. Residential real estate stands out with a staggering housing deficit of 2 million units, which translates to a demand for 200,000 housing units annually. Currently, only 50,000 units are being constructed, leaving a housing gap of 150,000 units per year. The demand for commercial real estate, including residential homes, office spaces, restaurants, business hubs, theme parks, and entertainment joints, is simply massive,” said Wachiuri.
The Kenyan real estate market is a ready plug in offering solution to this affordable housing need and the sector must position itself as a critical player in addressing the housing needs of the population. By attracting foreign direct investment, real estate development in Kenya stimulates economic growth and supports the overall development agenda of the country.
Moreover, he noted, land investments present a significant opportunity in Kenya, with 68% of land still untitled, according to the Kenya Land Alliance. This untitled land holds immense potential for development, necessitating the application of advanced technology, such as geospatial planning, to unlock its value.
Real estate development in Kenya plays a vital role in the country’s socio-economic development. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2021, the real estate sector in Kenya grew by 3.2% in 2020, contributing 7.3% to the country’s GDP. Although there was a slight decline in employment numbers, with 213,500 people employed in the sector in 2020 compared to 227,800 in 2019, real estate remains a significant source of employment for many Kenyans.
The Kenyan diaspora community has a substantial impact on Kenya’s real estate sector. In 2020 alone, an estimated 3 billion USD in remittances were sent back home, contributing to the growth of the industry. Recognizing the challenges faced by diaspora investors, Wachiuri acknowledged that some real estate developers in Kenya have been involved in fraudulent activities, resulting in financial losses. However, he encouraged investors to conduct thorough due diligence and collaborate with reputable developers and real estate professionals to ensure the security of their investments and contribute to the socio-economic development of Kenya.
By partnering with reputable developers, conducting due diligence, and embracing sustainable practices, investors can contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic growth while ensuring the security and impact of their real estate investments. As Kenya continues to flourish, bridging business opportunities between Africa and the United States remains essential for mutual prosperity and development.
A delegation from the National Assembly and the Senate attending a Kenyan Diaspora forum in the United States has called on Kenyans living abroad to interest themselves and actively participate in the country’s development agenda.
Speaking during the opening session of the Global Diaspora One Voice Consortium (GDDF-OVC) forum, the legislators underscored the need for regular engagements with global market leaders from Kenya living in the diaspora, so as to incorporate their contribution in policy development,while providing an opportunity for them to create a footprint in the economic development of the country.
The MPs drawn from the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers, and the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations had been invited to the forum to engage with the Kenyan Business Community in the USA.
The 3-day engagement being held at the Hilton Rockville Hotel in Washington DC is geared towards connecting Kenyan businesses, policy makers and the diaspora community.
The delegation led by Gilgil MP, Hon. Martha Wangari appealed to the Kenyan Diaspora to take advantage of Kenya Kwanza Government’s goodwill towards the diaspora community to tap into the numerous investment opportunities in their constituencies.
The MPs also urged their constituents living abroad to come forward and engage them within the framework of constructive partnership so to accelerate development in their home counties.
They noted that although business opportunities for developing countries in Africa created by initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are abound in the United States, opportunities remain largely unexploited because of lack of information.
The legislators also decried that though some of the issues raised by the diaspora community in past forums had been addressed, the diaspora community had remained oblivious because of lack of feedback mechanisms.
Hon. Wangari cited the recent rollout of mobile registration for passports by the Kenyan Embassy in USA, which was a result of previous engagements between legislators and the diaspora community.
Members led by Hon. Wangari and Hon. Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) also called on Kenyans living abroad to interest themselves with the business of Parliament and to embrace participative governance, through petitions and submissions on Bills.
At the same time, the lawmakers have called on the Kenyan Missions across the world to scale up their efforts in sharing information on the existing policies and opportunities for Kenyans living abroad.
The call was made this morning when the delegation met the Kenyan Ambassador to the United States of America, Amb. Lazarus Amayo.
On his part, the Ambassador encouraged the legislators to upscale engagements with their counterparts in the Congress so as to unlock opportunities bogged down by normal bureaucracies that characterize government-government negotiations.
The diaspora community also called on the lawmakers to ensure that good structures for progressive engagements are set up to facilitate their participation in governance matters.
They noted that although the Government was quick to acknowledge the role remittances from the diaspora play in the growth in the economy, the diaspora remained largely excluded from the decision making table. They underscored the need to cut down on red tape so as to interest returnees who wish to participate in nation building.
East Africa Community Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano is a Peacemaker.
She notes,
“Peace across the region remains a fundamental component of our strategic growth in the EAC regional economic block. The ongoing discussions regarding peace in DRC is timely and due.”
Hon. Rebecca Miano is currently in Bujumbura-Republic of Burundi accompanying the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi ahead of the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Framework Agreement for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Security is a very paramount aspect in any establishment be it a high end office, a high-rise building a commercial outlet or even your everyday retail shopping centre.
In light of this, a security expert with the reknown Sheer Logistic Management Consultants firm, Mr Philip Mwendwa Harrison took a moment to advise Kenyans on the need to accord security the importance and prominence it deserves.
Speaking to this writer on the sidelines of Fingo Ecobank Digital launch at the Sarit Centre, Mr Harrison said that Sheer Logic Management Consultant Limited is a firm that offers end to end HR solutions including employee background check services, recruitment, training and labor outsourcing. The company has offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, Uganda and Rwanda. The company was won an award in the category of Outstanding Background Screening Company in the just concluded Nairobi Security Expo 2023.
He pointed out that one of the security challenges with establishments that are coming up is that management do not engage professionals when it comes to matters of security risk management and audit.
He said that many organizations sacrifice quality on the altar of cost which can negatively affect the name and the services you offer. So he advised that organizations need to invest in security and improve the budget for the same for smooth service delivery.
I am an accountant by training, did auditing for over 10 years, but even then, I often times get it wrong, in matters control.
At times you think the person you have put there is trusted and so you let go of part or all the check and balances in the business.
A business without controls especially if it in retails can come to collapse, not because the business is bad, but because the controls are bad.
Controls help you have a grip of the business
Controls define the process from beginning to the end.
Controls have counter check, ie checks and balances
Controls produce reports which must be checked( this is where most of SMEs go wrong)
Controls must be reviewed periodically, for me any time I get into a problem, I analyze it, and put necessary controls for future mitigation..
Guess what, we need to ensure our business has strong controls.
I Am just re-establishing back some controls that I realised had fallen off, covid effect, leading to little by little losses, which with time can be huge.
Today I just want to challenge you to look at and review the controls in your business.
Start from where you are feeling uneasy eg bankings, procurement or any other.
It could just turn out to be, the proverbial: a stitch in time saves nine, just maybe.”
Esther Muchemi is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Samchi Group.
