Author - Jammy

Your name and what do you do?

My name is Solomon Jefwa Zully, I am a Reporter, Presenter and a news Anchor at Radio Salaam and also do M. Ceeing as a side Hustle.

How did you become a Radio presenter?

Well, I have always had a passion for Radio it Goes way back to my Primary School days, I had the Urge to help highlight the plights Kenyans go through in their day to day life. After Clearing Primary School I joined Ribe Boys and was among the best students in both Kiswahili and English to me this was a step towards the right direction. I used to tell my friends that I wanted to be a Journalists ,I meet some of them today and they say “Kumbe”I was serious.!! I Thank Radio Salaam because they gave me an internship opportunity while in College,  my first time to go on air was during a sports program Hosted by J. K Makanaki lol funny thing is I knew nothing about sports so later on my current Boss Salim Cheka gave me an opportunity in his show it was a drive show which airs from 4pm to 6pm of course I was shy having come from the newsroom where I only used to write stories and features, but he encouraged me.

After sometime I was assigned the mid-morning show alongside my Colleague Sophia Abdhillahi, moved to the drive show hosted it for a year with Farouk Mwabege, moved again to the Morning show and now I do the stations political program Kongamano.  Ibrahim Mahmoud, program controller was a great mentor in who I am today.  My former colleagues Calvin Onsarigo and Asha Bekidusa showed me around the newsroom and how to become a successful radio personnel

What do you love about your career?

Touching people’s lives, Journalism is powerful  I thank God we have touched people’s lives through various initiatives on Radio. We have held authorities accountable for the benefit of the common mwananchi. Most of all, Journalism is about Educating, I have been very instrumental on highlighting matters on Devolution from 2013 to date I was even nicknamed “Governor” this shows we made an impact. Journalism is Interesting.

You have won several awards, can you tell us about them?

Yes, I have managed to get 4 awards and other recognitions I thank God for the far He has brought me. I got my First award in 2014 at the annual Journalism excellence awards I had highlighted on Issues affecting Street Children who had traveled all the way from Nairobi to Mombasa. In 2015 I got two awards one was for the best News Anchor Countrywide in the Radio Category the other award was for highlighting the ailing Tourism industry and what should be done to help the  industry grow again. I also got a recognition from the C. E. C who was in-charge of the Ministry of Tourism then in Mombasa, Hon Joab Tumbo.

In 2016 I also got another award on best governance award Radio Category for highlighting on issues about Terrorism in Mombasa.

I hope 2018 is going to be great.

You are an MC (Master of ceremony) as well, what skills help you in being a successful MC?

M.ceeing is One of the hardest jobs but it becomes easier once you understand what your client needs and the kind of event you are doing that is what I look at most lest you end up making unnecessary mistakes on your clients big day. To all M.Cs, do not press that power button on the microphone if you do not understand what is needed  of you that’s all I can say.

Are there enough resources for the youth in Mombasa to grow their different talent and skills?

Depends with how one looks at it but I believe we shouldn’t be cry babies let’s use what we have to reach the stars. Resources will never be enough for everyone. Youths need to stand up and be counted for doing something positive. Those who have talent and are stranded at home can join SwahiliPot Hub one of the best innovations hub  In Mombasa big up to Mahmoud Noor for coming up with such an idea to help the youths.

The County governments also have a ministry of Youth Gender and Sports but how many of us drop proposals for help?

Are you a member of any initiative to mentor upcoming young journalists?

Yes,  though doing it in a small way,  I am in-charge of the Internship training department at my place of work. We will soon expand it by visiting schools and talking to students who are interested in Joining the media world. Hopefully we will make an impact.

With social Media, news travel faster than print media. Do you think print media will become obsolete in the future?

Sincerely Speaking Social media has taken over means of relaying information. Sad reality is eventually the print media will have to do away with newspapers. Good thing is currently all the print media houses have gone online to keep up with the evolving nature of relaying news.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I have bigger plans God Willing I will let the Success do the talking then.

Parting shot.

Journalism is a calling, if you are getting into Journalism for money or fame find something else to do.

Your name and what do you do?

Ahmed Al-Amin Ahmed also known as Papaa; I am currently the Ward Administrator for Majengo ward in Mombasa County

What is the Job description of Ward administrator?

To supervise, Coordinate and manage the general administrative functions in the ward unit including; to ensure efficient delivery of services to Mwananchi and to ensure public participation on plans regarding developments in the ward unit.

You got into politics at an early age, running for MCA 2013. Why did you decide to join politics?

Being a developmental oriented young man in my community, I was, in 23^rd May 2011, elected as the youth representative for Mwembe Tayari ward into the National Youth Council of Kenya. This position opened up more opportunities for me to work and serve my community on developmental issues both socially and economically. This then raised a lot of public demand from the community that by 2013 saw me vying for the Member of County Assembly seat representative for Majengo/Mwembe Tayari ward. It wasn’t an easy position to run for; I had to sacrifice a lot in my life as a young man who still was a student at Moi University.

Who inspires you?

My best inspiration alive to date is my Father. He is a leader naturally born and always a person with great principles.

You were born and bred in old town; a lot of youth get into drugs. What do you think needs to be done to help them?

As an ‘old towner’ I am deeply concerned by the rates of young boys getting into drug addiction at a very early age of 12-18 years. Personally I had volunteered my two years at Reachout Centre Trust, an organization dealing with anti-drugs programs and Harm reduction projects, that see lots of drug users being treated and being given psycho-social support and therapies to keep them off addiction. I have gone deep into the drug dens (like Magodawni, Magodoroni and Maboxini) to socialize and interact with drug users on a personal level and even making referrals to those who are infected with TB and HIV/AIDS but do not go for treatment and medication.

As a professional social worker, my vast experience dealing with drug users, made me realize that Drug addiction is a global issue that needs a wholesome inclusiveness of each and everyone in the community. It starts at home with proper parental guidance and moves out to the community on maintaining a healthy and a conducive environment free from unlawful drugs and then the law enforcers to deal with drug traffickers.

Do you think there are enough resources for young entrepreneurs in Mombasa?

Thanks to the new constitution of Kenya for bringing Devolution into our great Nation. Resources, service delivery and citizen participation has been brought to the grassroots of the country, Mwananchi is closer to the resources than ever in Kenya. Talking of resources I mean opportunities here for all, youth have been given priority to Government Tenders through AGPO (Access to Government Procurement Opportunities), in Mombasa you just need to visit your Youth department for Enquiries and assistance; youth have access to the County Revolving Funds, in Mombasa you just need to visit your Ward Administrator’s office or YGS office for the Application forms; UWEZO funds, youths in Mombasa need to visit their Member of Parliament’s office for enquiries and application forms; Young Women have the opportunity of NGAAF (National Government Affirmative Action Fund), you need to visit your area Women representative office for the application forms; Young Entrepreneurs also have the opportunity of YEDF (Youth Enterprise Development Funds), in Mombasa visit Bima Tower for enquiry of the funds and Lastly Young Women Entrepreneurs have WEF (Women Enterprise Funds) also visit Bima tower for enquiry of the funds and more.

So young entrepreneurs wake up there’s no time to slumber.

Art in Mombasa is still emerging, but currently there isn’t enough spaces for youth to grow their Art. What can we do as residents of Mombasa to support upcoming artist? 

I love what Swahili pot hub is doing, that is an amazing initiative for the youths in Mombasa. A centre for realizing talents and exploring talents for Young Turks is all we need in Mombasa County. I even acknowledge HAKI Africa for it’s eye-opening Amani Mashinani Youth Initiative (AMYI) for youth to learn and explore outside opportunities through youth engagement activities. I even acknowledge the office of Mvita Member of Parliament for partnering with various stakeholders in ensuring talents and skills are being sponsored for through Skills Mitaani Project. The county government of Mombasa however through the Department of Youth Gender and Sports have built 7 aside football fields for residents and more to be built, and again through the department of tourism and Culture, the county Government of Mombasa has promoted culture and art through cultural festivals.

With all these initiatives, residents of Mombasa should be willing to engage their children into such opportunities.

What advice would you give to the youth of today?

Stay focused, be yourself and work smart!

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

In shaa Allah I see myself serving my people on a higher position from what I am now.

Parting shot

Allah above all