Celebrating Wangari Maathai

"I don't want to die before finishing my work".
Those were the words of celebrated Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai, in her memoir, Unbowed.
wangari-mathai
Nairobi woke up to a gloomy and cloudy sky, as if to mourn the passing of one of Kenya’s most celebrated and honoured women, Wangari Maathai.
She became a household name when she fought back against Daniel Arap Moi’s regime, taking on police brutality and the aching agony of being thrown into jail. Through it all, she has proven tried and tested, and come out a phenomenal woman, inspiring us all to live our lives to the full.

In her book, Unbowed, she explained:
“I don’t tend to invite challenges, but I meet them. And once I do, I stick with it. I know that the situation is not going to be resolved overnight, and I don’t hurry to meet a second challenge until the first one is concluded. That, perhaps, has been my strong point. I have seen time and time again that if you stay with a challenge, if you are convinced that you are right to do so, and if you give it everything you have, it is amazing what can happen.”

If that is not the testament of a strong woman, I don’t know what is. From humble beginnings, to being a global icon, she is a testament to what one can do, given commitment, perseverance and sheer willpower.
 There’s a story in her book that she used to love to tell.

A forest was on fire, and all the animals decided to save themselves....

"They dashed to the edge of the forest and watched, overwhelmed and feeling helpless, as the fire engulfed their home.
That is, all animals except one: a hummingbird, who said, "I'm going to do something about the fire!" So she flew to the nearest stream and scooped up a drop of water in her beak and deposited it on the conflagration. Back and forth she flew from the stream to the inferno, tireless and focused, without losing patience and speed. Each time she carried a droplet and let it fall on the flames.
In the meantime, as the fire raged, the other animals looked on in amazement and disbelief. "You are too small," they said to the hummingbird. "You cannot hope to put out the fire. What do you think you're doing?"
As she prepared to dive again, the hummingbird turned to the animals and nodded her head. "I'm doing the best I can!"
And this is what we are called to do, no matter who or where we are, or what our capabilities. We are called to do the best we can! 
There is nothing as infuriating as being ignored, pilloried, ridiculed and despised for pursuing what genuinely gives you pride. That was the lot of Prof Wangari Maathai. She was the prophet that was not recognised at home and found fame, favour and respect abroad. In death, however, she will be eulogised, feted and lionised by the same society that paid lip service to her efforts at environmental conservation.
Elsewhere in this newspaper, we tell Maathai’s story, her resilience, and even stubbornness, in the face of truncheon-wielding policemen and hired hooligans. Her’s is a beautiful tale for she single-handedly took the battle to save Mother Earth to all the corners of the globe, spoke at any forum that would hear her campaign.
She made entreaties to prime ministers, scientists, presidents, senators, headmasters, simple farmers, students and writers, linking the very essence of life to the health of the environment around them.
In her words and wisdom, forests are the lungs of the planet and without healthy lungs, all life is at risk of becoming extinct. This simple truism demonstrated her passionate attachment to forests, nature and people. Here was a pillar of strength that failed to take up a coveted political position to pursue her life’s crusade to green — not just Kenya but — the whole world.
Brave new WorldIn a society that idolises political power, Prof Maathai turned her back to the ministerial flags that could have been hers for the taking in exchange for environmental health management. No wonder she was dismissed by detractors for refusing to embrace "the finer things in life".
But in her memoir titled "Unbowed" she insists she neither found, nor hungered for any other calling than the planet’s.
The recognition as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate transformed Maathai into an extraordinary custodian of life and pitched sleepy Tetu, in faraway Kenya, into prominence in a brave new world.
Suddenly, it dawned on leaders and researchers across the world that there is a definite link between depletion of forest cover and net reduction of resources.
This erosion triggered conflicts for basics like pasture, arable land, watering points and, ultimately, all sources of livelihood. The result: the breakdown of society as neighbouring communities turn arms on each other, with deadly consequences.
Prof Maathai resolutely took a stand with and for humanity at an age when it was fashionable and economically sound to fell trees, practice unsustainable agriculture, without due regard to regeneration. It was a lonely journey that was eventually recognised at the highest forum of the world — the Nobel Peace Prize.
In this accolade, she has trodden the same path as other international icons such as Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, FW De Klerk, Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres, as an outstanding citizen who has made a positive difference in world affairs.
The gangly, barefoot kid from Tetu will forever be recognised as an icon and the best we can do is not mourn her passing. The world should instead celebrate her life’s work, take up her hoe, watering jerrican, plant a tree for posterity, and ensure her efforts live beyond her 61 short years.
Who would have known words like biodiversity, restoration, ecosystems, environmental preservation would be part of everyday lexicon?
Mother NatureHer grassroots campaign to put an end illegal logging, uncontrolled grazing, unsustainable farming methods, grabbing of forestland and unbridled charcoal burning to feed urban stoves has yielded tangible benefits. Indeed, the looting and pillage of the Mau Forest catchment area is the best example of a planet that needs reining in.
The recent national and international relief effort to feed communities that should not have gone hungry in the first place is a clarion call to ensure Maathai’s work becomes compulsory instruction in schools and colleges
Where better to plant the seed of environmental conservation than in the young minds of impressionable youth, who also stand to lose the most if certain practices destroy their homelands?
What an example of tenacity, courage and tribute to our common ancestry to preserve Mother Nature for future generations? Go out today and plant a tree in honour of Wangari Muta Maathai.
She certainly will not be forgotten.
Join Kenyans as they plant trees to celebrate and honor her legacy.

Patrick Makau breaks Haile Gebrselassie's marathon world record in Berlin

Kenya's Patrick Makau
Makau sets marathon record in Berlin
Patrick Makau retained the Berlin men's marathon title in a world record time.
The Kenyan finished in a time of two hours, three minutes and 38 seconds to shave 21 seconds off the record set by Haile Gebrselassie on the same course.
The Ethiopian great failed to finish having experienced apparent stomach problems around the 27km mark.
"In the morning my body was not good but, after I started the race, it started reacting very well. I started thinking about the record," said Makau.

GEBRSELASSIE'S RECORD AT BERLIN MARATHON

  • 2006 - First in 2:05.56 (fastest time of year)
  • 2007 - First in 2:04.26 (world record)
  • 2008 - First in 2:03.59 (world record)
  • 2009 - First in 2:06.08
  • 2010 - Did not compete
"I didn't have any problems in the race. Last year I had some problems with my soles inside my shoe, but today everything went very well."
Gebrselassie, the 38-year-old double Olympic champion at 10,000m, had also been looking to post a fast time and ease the pressure on him to qualify for the Games ahead of strong Ethiopian rivals.
But he found himself forced to step off the road midway through the race as Makau, sensing the Ethiopian great was struggling, upped the pace.
Gebrselassie set the previous world record time with a mark of 2:03.59 in the third of his four consecutive Berlin victories between 2006 and 2009.
However, this year he halted for a full minute as his hopes of a quick time evaporated, then pulled out for good at the 35km mark.
"He was still feeling good at 25km but then his lungs started tightening up. He could not breathe - we don't know why," his agent Jos Hermens said.
Hermens added that Gebrselassie suffers from asthma and is allowed to take medicine, but had not taken any because he had not had any problems for months.
"Maybe this was a mistake, but he felt fine before, his preparation was good," he said.
"Qualifying [for London 2012] may be a problem now, we don't really know where to get it."
Gebrselassie is now expected to head to Dubai in a bid to ensure he reaches the London Olympics.

10 Things Kenyan Women Can Learn From Ugandan Ladies


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It would appear from the few responses that many Kenyan women are content with the manner in which they conduct their relations with the opposite sex. It’s sad that those who refuse to take direction are often the first ones to complain about their single status; I cannot count how many times I’ve heard a number of Kenyan women moan that there are no nice men out there. However, if you wish to avoid the deluded mass or those in denial and want to catapult yourself into a happier and more fruitful relationship, I share the next five gems that Ugandan ladies possess vis-à-vis their Kenyan sisters.
Alcohol has become a major part of our lifestyles. The need for human beings to belong to certain social classes (albeit heathen) has been met by the partaking of strong, medium and lethal drinks: different poisons for different folks. Alcohol differs in quality, price, potency and…gender. It’s important to know the QPPGs (Quality Price Potency Gender) of alcohol. I however wish to focus on the latter, the gender. When a guy asks you to go for drinks the QPPGs is very crucial. Ugandan women cleverly avoid the second P (potency) so not to ‘regret’ the evening and stay in control. Kenyan women, on the other hand, only focus on the double Ps (price and potency) of the QPPG system, ignoring both the quality and gender. Drinks do have a gender. If a man takes you out for drinks never ever never order for beer. The QPPG dictates that a lady should order wine, champagne, gin, sherry, rum or cream liquor. These drinks reaffirm your femininity and the man automatically responds to it. Ugandan ladies never order ‘masculine drinks’…yes, you may enjoy drinking a beer and that is your right BUT not when you go out, you are free to drink so in the privacy of your own house. I can see eyebrows raised, mouths wide open and heads bopping so I ask this: why do you wear a stoking over your head in the house then remove it when leaving the house? I thought so! The need to style up your palates in public is equally as important.
A number of Kenyan women often complain they lack a companion. Being single has become a way of life for some for they can never find the ‘ideal partner’. The ‘knight in shining armour’ bullshit is stuck in their heads and they sit and wait for him to come. If you are one of these deluded types, WAKE UP! The reason you are single is because you are stuck up and refuse to be receptive to men’s flirtation. Flirting is a very innocent way of getting to know another beyond mundane banter. Sadly, Kenyan women are allergic to flirting! They totally avoid it (unless drunk) or shoot you down when you attempt it because they believe it always leads to something…but I ask, isn’t that idea? If you want something to lead to nothing then be happy with nothing and stop moaning that you are single! Ugandan women are not only receptive to flirting but gladly partake of this social necessity. Kenyan women need to understand that flirting is okay. In fact it shows that you have self-confidence and are ‘with it’. Who wants a boring stuck in the mud partner. Next time a guy throws a line at you don’t shoot him down or avoid it (that is so rural), reciprocate with a wittier line and walk away…it shall leave the oga happy and wanting more.
africanwomanAccents define who we are and where we are from. Your accent is the pride of your culture, your belonging and your essence. A familiar accent when abroad can draw two strangers closer but a strange accent when at home can alienate you as a stranger. Ugandans have their own unique accents, whether you are from the North, East, West, South or Central particular pronunciations and intonations controls one tongue. It becomes a part of you and one eventually warms up to it. As I watched Project Fame I appreciated the different accents that the Rwandese, Ugandans and the one Kenyan (Steve) brought to the show. Steve impressed me thoroughly because he was proud and confident enough to speak with a ‘naked’ tongue. Sadly the Kenyan sista tried to convince us that Mombasa was sharing a border with the USA with that her accent. But we can’t blame her as this is a very common trait amongst Kenyan women. In Uganda, the psychological need to mask ones heritage is very rare amongst their ladies. One may have a heavy accent when they speak English but they understand that a lady, an African lady, is worth more than the manner in which she speaks; her essence is in the way she carries herself, the confidence she oozes and the panache she expels. A fake accent can never equate those traits. Faking an accent shows a lack of confidence, a lack of self-awareness, a lack of self-appreciation and lack of a lack of honesty. So please appreciate who you are, where you are from and speak not to impress but to communicate. The reasons I often get for this phenomenon is that the individuals have spent 2 years in the UK or in the US but my retort is always the same: ‘If they spent 2 years in India, would they have an Indian accent?’
 One of the best but most controversial manners that Ugandans ladies practice is kneeling. Even though it shall conjure a huge uproar, I highly recommend that Kenyan women too adopt this trait. Some may perceive it as demeaning or as ‘worshiping a man’ but it’s all to do with respect, nothing more, but respect. This open display of humility sets Ugandans apart from the rest of East Africa and in return elicits a lifestyle elevation. Am sure if Kenyan women begun kneeling when they meet their partners (in public or private), when serving their partners food , when receiving gifts from their partners or even when asking their partner for some money to go to the salon their lifestyles would truly change for the better. It’s not capitulation of independence or self-derogation, it’s the elevation of the one you love and he, in reciprocation, shall elevate you too in magnanimity. It’s a bi-directional process similar to the popular cliché ‘smile & the world will smile with you’... I’ve never heard anyone argue “Why should I smile first, why can’t the world smile with me first?” Respect is not a competition, so get on them knees and your world is bound to change.

Lastly, I only beg you to learn how to speak softly. Shouting in social places and laughing like a midget is jumping on your lungs is totally unacceptable. In Uganda, Kenyan women are known for their notorious vocal range. I overheard a Ugandan lady once say ‘Those Kenyan girls are so loud I pity their men, no wonder they can never hear us when we speak to them, they are deaf banange.’ Social mannerisms define you and classify you to a particular tier, so even if you have financial independence or educational excellence your loud shrieking voice and Neanderthal laughter efface all those qualities.

Media Madness

Fuck it! 367

Fuck it is becoming quite a popular term in the Radio Africa corridors. Remember Linda Kimaru? The lady who DROVE everyone mad with her mindless verbal diarrhea on Classic 105? Well, she did something MOST of us don’t have balls to do; she said FUCK IT and QUIT her late night gig on Classic 105. For those who have no idea, who she is, please take a look at this post http://www.frankierants.com/2010/11/bit-pieces/ I’ll never forget that post, cause ‘Moongose’ said this about Linda’s Chin

hahahaha!Enyewe that chin looks like a farm implement! Jembe ya ku-harvest ngwaci!
Away from that, why did she quit? Well she felt Classic 105 was NOT recognizing her awesome radio skills and they were short changing her, she was once overheard saying she was paid kidogo (she’s been on radio for a hot minute) this is the problem with Gen Y (watu kama mimi) you want to drive a Super Charged Range Rover Sport after WORKING FOR SOMEONE for a year, please … take a damn \__ Gen Y is un-happy, they want everything within a year and it’s NOT like they’re putting in a lot of effort, all they do is bitch about how little they’re being paid and their performance in the shitter … but at least Linda quit, she got into radio through the fence (Her boyfriend works for Radio Africa) … I hope she finds something else to do, pia being a farmer is an option.
ION, y’all know X Fm right? Umm for those who have no idea who they are … they’re on 105.5, if you’re in a jav and it’s playing rock music, it’s because the dere missed classic by a few bands hehe. Well, the station was dubbed the ‘Capital Killer’ … three year later; they’re still trying to cut away Capital’s audience with a plastic knife.
The station is experiencing a lot of walk outs these days, they hired a very soft spoken girl called Ms. Mpinga a few weeks back and the GIRL quit this week, sources say she looked around and saw the station had no GROWTH opportunities, she was on the drive show.
One of the first people to go on air on X Fm, Raabia (It’s not a kuyu shrub for labia) is about to exit the station, she’s being replaced by Mao (their lispy producer) the station just needs a new strategy, a rock station is UNIQUE, they’re not.  (Although their TA is so bougie it hurts)
Away from radio mushene … if you didn’t squirm when the lovely ‘Naahgerian’ Prosecutor at the ICC was reading out the rape charges, you’re rotten inside.

Introducing… 229

Just like Ron. Coming soon. Just like wrong number. Coming soon. I have never suffered chronic fuckery in my life but these trailers have been another challenge all together. Brutal. What in scorching hell??? They decided to unveil the goddamn thing juzi and it is a soap opera. Yes folks, things are getting desperate. Somebody hold my weave as I knock some sense into these guys.
Something has gone terribly wrong, fuck! It’s like producers have stripped down to their thongs and are walking around town butt naked. Kenyan TV is on a one way ticket to hell!! The name is Mali. Mali is one of  those soaps where everyone back-stabbs everyone. *YAWWWWN*. It stars the likes of Nick Wang’ondu- who can’t act if you ask me, and a host of other new faces. It’s a good thing they don’t have the same old Sarah Hussein ( waving dust and cobwebs) and Lizz Njagah na hao wengine who have been recycled mpaka we know the size of their hips *cough*. Brendah Wairimu is on it too, you will remember her as Shariffah of Shay-Jing Times, the lying pointy.
I can’t wait for people to get addicted to it though. Then, I will have a legit reason to go around frying people with my electric fly trap, then dropping their dead smoking asses in The Nairobi Dam. Authorities ‘plan’ to spend hundreds of millions on rehabilitating it. We all know hiyo pesa inaenda wapi. *Walks away whistling*
This ‘stuff’ (I will never have proper words to describe soap operas) will be airing on NTV. Apparently they want to slot it right after the 9 p.m. news on Mondays, so they give Tabasamu a run for their dorrar$.
Good luck with that!
P.S. Shout out to the mama who mailed me asking for Andrew Siro. 1. I don’t keep the Guy in my dark, deserted thatched hut in the middle of Matuu. 2.He produces and directs Gossip Girl on Kiss TV. Enda ukamtafute huko.

Oops … sorry for the late posting … forgot to click publish .. Oh well

Open Post! 401

Ha! I can see someone of you praying I get herpes for doing this LOL
I have nothing interesting to post today, Viv will save me kesho. Since, I don’t want to lie to y’all ati sijui someone is making 800k ama sijui SK has suspended 10 people, I’ll just sit and watch all of you discuss STUFF! DEUCES!


Bitchfest! 374

I’ll start with the folks who are demanding an explanation about Friday. Have y’all forgotten we’re in fucking Kenya? Yaani, you guys don’t GET IT when we try and kanyangia a story? We heard about the story on Wednesday, even before the police talked to the media. By dawn, we noticed the story was becoming ‘weird’, by the end of the day, we realized … oh fuck! This is not a kawaida story, we let it slide ‘cause there is no way I’ll take a bullet for akina Odhis so that he can come here and say good job MM … good job kitu gani, I’ll be DEAD!
Have you guys listened to Easy Fm of late? I cannot believe my fucking ears! There is a pastor on that show and I swear me and her will be adding kunis to the fire in hell!! WHO IS SHE?! Okay, when did ‘Pastors’ go all out commercial and became SEX therapists?? Sexual Healing achia akina Marvin Gaye mami, stick to spiritual healing, if you still want to see the gates of heaven
Still on matters heavenly, it seems the good Lord left KBC to its own devices … have y’all seen the new set!!!! Some kao colours RIGHT THURR! And you wonder why Citizen has numbers
Double Standards in this country make me mad … jana a rumour started that a certain MP twangad her huuby. The same MP cock blocked Mr. Miller from a gava job ati cause he used to chapa his wife. Guys, laughed at the guy jana when he was saying he was not chapwad, where was his wife? She was too busy to attend the press conference … yeah, your HOSEBAND had one foot in the grave and the other one on a banana peel and you’re too busy to even sit with him in hosi … kuna KITU hapo!!! Where are all these feminist cunts who always scream domestic violence is wrong? Ama battered men is not within your bitching JD?
So jana, I was on a 7C bus, and this guy stood up and started giving his SOB story about how his wife is dead, and he needs to clear his mortuary fees … after he was done … one brave mama shouted ‘Wewe si urikuwa unaoba hii pesa ya moshary mpaka rast year dee-seba’? HEHEHE I laughed out loud! This idiot just shukad the bus!
Then there’s the deaf beggar on the 7C route, who now even has money to kanga his nywele! Is it that bad out there? I hear some of these beggars make more than 200k a freaking month!!!
Where is Jogoo??? Look at your star MP in action!

Rumour has it 244

That Gathoni Wa Mushomba might be making a comeback to national radio … before I tell you which station she might be on, let me ‘Terro’ (Wish I told you about Terro this week hehe) you about Gathoni.

Gathoni started her radio career on Kameme fm, she was their breakfast host for a long time, but her potential was FULLY recognized when she was poached by Inooro FM, she basically BUILT Inooro into what it is now, she was ROUUUUGH, her listeners LISTENED to her every word! Advertisers loved her! Politicians hated her! But there was soon durama at Inooro Fm and she had to leave, the ‘Break-up’ with Inooro was soo bloody messy at one point she made the top news item on RMS media outlets ati ‘She was spreading malicious’ gossip about RMS.
She soon started a media insttitte on Roast House (Where we get Mshikakis after cuming on ourselves at Liddos) I have no idea how that went
She also had a stint at Bahasha Fm (Now Countryside FM) a media outlet owned by Mututho, she was in several duramas while at the station, Jayne Kihara (the then Naivasha MP) was famously quoted as saying ‘Gathoni ni KULOpokwa tu’ ‘cause Gathoni used to ‘Hate’ on Jayne like every day.
I have no idea where she is now, back to her … unconfirmed reports say that Radio Africa is seriously thinking of turning their frequency 103.5 into a Kikuyu station. Sources say, if the move does go through, Gathoni will lead the new venture.
It would be interesting for Radio Africa to venture into a Kikuyu station and having Gathoni on board might work wonders for them, cause Chick KNOWS radio!

Open Post! 777

Good Morning!
We haven’t had one in a long time. A lot of things are going down, I slept at 3 Am trying to get confirmation on a breaking story. You might see the story tomorrow, trust me … this one … I’ll even post it from the border, then vuka PAP!
In the meantime, have fun Y’all (Like you always do) and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Thank you CCTV! 127

As you all know by now, CCTV has ‘raided’ our lackluster media fraternity as they seek to set-up an African Office.
They are here with lots of mbecha to buy off talent, word on the corridors of Mombasa road is that all folks who have moved to CCTV are getting at least 3X what their current employer is offering them. Now, at NTV … it seems the bosses there want to throw a party cause Peninah has left,  they were so happy she left, they never bothered to even negotiate with her. They had been trying to let her go for a long time.
Mark Maasai is also on the CCTV boat, with the exception of KTN, most stations are happy their ‘Old talent’ has left bila durama. IN fact, NTV is debuting new faces (They better be HOT ama natupa mawe) in two weeks. Rumor has it, some boys and girls from their in-house training institute are ripe for TV.
What’s the sad thing about the latest moves? They are all motivated by money, well you might say we all strive to make more money, but my boss keeps telling me. Never move JUST for money, do a SWOT analysis of where you’re going. For CCTV, I don’t see them being all that and a bag of nyanyas, first, they are owned by the Chinese Government, so Beatrice Marshall can forget doing ‘Ground breaking’ reporting, secondly, their move into Africa is being seen to compliment their current policy in Africa. Give aid bila questions. So CCTV, might just end up being an ass kissing fest, I don’t see HOW ONE can grow their career at a place where everything will be dictated.
CCTV will most likely make them irrelevant even with the ‘Big’ platform they’re being offered
I won’t be surprised if all these journalists (if journalism is their passion) quit and beg for their jobs back.

Save the whale!!!!!!!! 215

Some radio shows make me want to shove my hands down my throat and puke food I ate last week. It slays me that there are people out there who listen to Kiss 100. It just boggles the mind! Rush Hour with Shaffie Weru and now, Linda Nyangweso just happens to be one of these shows. Can you believe the torture of actually listening to their mathogothanio all the way home after an outrageously catastrophic day?? In this goddamn freakish weather?? . These two have NO chemistry on radio. Shaffie, being the douche bag he is, keeps making fun of Linda’s weight.  My heart bleeds for this mama. Ukweli. Now, all blatantly sick jokes aside, call me fat on fucking radio and I will make it my goal in life to kill you and char your remains beyond recognition. Listening to them is tiring. Like walking through the Libyan sand dunes with Susan Boyle strapped to one foot and Mike Sonko to the other and a bottle of Kevian Afia juice tied around my neck(This stuff is disgustiiiiiiiiiing!). We all know that the producers at Kiss have this annoying we-must-play-each- song-178,654-times a day fetish. Based on that fact alone, I have no idea how I could possibly like the station.Now its just C.M. and the Katumbo dance mafia (I forget his name) on the morning show I hear. I can’t stand their ujuaji. Radio Africa really does wish us death by Fuckiolitis
Ka-dumdum-lekye on the other hand, mambo yanaenda down south a.k.a. segemnege. Apparently, She called in sick eons and eons ago, na huko Sunday. So sick she was fighting for her life (go, yokozuna, GO!!), writhing in pain, bed ridden, and foaming at the mouth.. Yeah, it was that bad. Except, she dragged her silly ass to Social media and started yapping about how great ‘Last night’s party’ was. “That party was the beeeeest. AWESOME”. Someone in power saw this shit. My friends, to be this stupid is a talent. Kama una bonge la ujinga like that by the way, social media will ruin you. For life! Someone needs to save this person.
The dark days are not over

Please excuse me while I mention Kiss 100 and Capital FM in the same post. This is an abomination. I should just go ahead and offer a burnt offering after this.
If you are an ardent Capital FM listener, you have unearthed the treasure that is The Cypher. This show, my good friends, airs on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday 11 p.m. to Monday 1 a.m. aaaaaaaand, it is from the gods. Joe Muchiri does this show professionally yaani, no talk, no mayhem, just great hip hop and the occasional ad or two. I like this guy’s style. He knows what listeners want to hear and he plays it. Always fresh. This is genuine hip hop by the way, the kind we all love to love. And as for you who are too busy listening to Trey Songz and his gay sorority you cannot squeeze Common in, I say, SHOOOOOOOOOO!
P.S.:
1.Social media is not your grandfather’s thingira*. If you tweet “Can’t sleep, fuck Insomnia” at fucking 10 p.m., you are on my wanted list. I will hunt you down and we are gonna have a lot of fun together. Idiot!!  Insomnia is a medical condition and you offend the people who need tranquilizers to catch a wink!
2. Writh: Make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body. If you have already pictured Ka-dumdums writhing, call your shrink. NOOOOOOOOOW!

WHY? 314

Well a few things, I’m MAD as fuck. So there I was, gobbling down my liver and chapati and the TVs in the Café were on Citizen TV and WITH NO WARNING, they started showing severe burns victims. Did I puke? NO, this is not ‘Todo Sombre Camilla’ I still kept my lunch in but I was MAD as fuck and I saw one woman TURN away.
I hear KTN was worse. When did we lose our BRAINS? Did SHIT replace YOUR BRAINS, Mr. Editor or whoever was responsible for the shit minutes of TV we saw yesterday? Y’all sit and scream how Aljazeera demeans Africans by showing dead bodies of our citizens and y’all were up in that field like white on rice … beaming shots of a woman with bad bad burns on her face and hands.
What a severe lack of JUDGEMENT!!! I’m sure y’all were doing this so that you’re fucking scooped!!!  That was shallow journalism, fuck it! Y’all are SHIT! I have no words FOR Abdi whatever on Citizen TV! I just can’t deal with such fuckery right now.
Secondly, our MPs need to get a fucking life, they all went down there like it was a titty bar, causing all manner of gridlock in and around the area. The PM with his massive motorcade, REALLY? Wasn’t Sonko the cunt that was there protesting when a road was proposed to pass through the area?! Where is Reuben Ndolo??? Your ‘Voters’ NEED YOU! Didn’t you tell them to ‘Weka taya’ … where are you???
I won’t blame KPC, they tried … but the stupidity that rules this city was against them. They tried, they’re NOT perfect, but they tried.
I won’t blame the folks who live in that area … hey, if I see ‘Money’ flowing on the fucking sewer and I’m broke, I won’t run and try and warn the ‘Authorities’ I’ll scoop it and see if I can feed my 5 or so kids.
Mosande, a blogger says on her latest blog post … ‘Those ‘idiots’ (Folks living in the slum) are driven by need, not greed. It doesn’t make what they did right, but it makes it sadder’
Shit happens, but we need to always be a step ahead, there have been many warnings about the slum but no one listened.
We’re fucked. For those living near the railroad in Kibera and (I’m not so sure about the network), chungeni sana.
Sonko was admitted at Nairobi Hospital yesterday, high blood pressure and shit …

Random … 386

Monday 12th September
Larry Asego is back on the Big Breakfast this morning, yaani this guy just TAKES IT! On today, off tomorrow. Madharau kama hayo siwezi tolerate
Moving on, there’s a new TV show kicking off at the end of this month. Why I’m I telling you NOW? Well because I want you to apply for the show. The show is called The CfC Stanbic Bank Magnate, it’s going to run for 13 weeks on Kiss TV and KBC (Weird, weird, weird media selection) especially since their target audience rarely watches the two stations. Anyway, the show is a business reality program, like the Apprentice. The contestants will be put up in a house and they will be given weekly challenges, as they go through the show, they will be coached on many business like activities, like putting together a business plan (I got a credit *Maringo nayo* cause of my business plan)
The show has mentors; among them is Moses Nderitu, the guy who owns Excloosive. The winner of the show will get 1.5 Million bob in seed capital. There are no requirements to join the show, just download the application forms on http://www.the-magnate.com/backup2/
Still on TV shows, NTV is promo-ing it’s new daily show. Yes, they have a daily (Kenyan) Soap Opera. Y’all can watch the trailer below.

I really don’t know what to think, the first few seconds of the trailer got me all confused … plus the acting looks a bit eer delayed … too slow. I won’t watch it, the acting for me is completely off, if we’re to judge the show with the trailer. The show is shot and produced by the same lady who produces Siri (one of the region’s best shows) I wonder if they will hack extending a story line for 5 months, especially since they’re going the ‘Evil family’ ‘Bad family’ route … I wish they took lesson from Generations (It’s been running FOREVER) and it still kicks ass in SA!
Now, Exodus to Stardom aired its last episode jana. I’m still in shock, if you’re going to come here and tell me that the show was good for a first trial, I’ll hunt you down and kick you in the privates!!! You cannot run a show on a two bob budget and expect folks to clap for your shit ass efforts!!
The lighting was horrible, the SOUND … oh my goodness … the SOUND!!! The show looked and felt like a high school talent day competition COMPLETE with a HUUUGE plastic Trophy!
THE SINGING, THE SINGING *walks away to cry*

Kenya smash Senegal to inch closer to World Cup

Kenya have one foot in the FIVB World Cup set to be held in Japan in November after romping to the finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations volleyball tournament at the Africa Nazarene University.
The Kenyan girls booked the final ticket without breaking a sweat as they demolished a youthful Senegalese side in straight sets 25-10, 25-15, 25-18 and will meet the winner of the North African derby between Egypt and Algeria, which was being played late Monday.
Coach David Lungaho was, however, not in a celebratory mood preferring to only congratulate his charges for playing well, but said the hard part is yet to come.
“I am happy to be in the finals and we are on course of making it to the World Cup after losing out to Algeria last year, but the hardest part is yet to come as we have to win the finals on Wednesday (tomorrow) to be sure of going to Japan,” Lungaho told Feverpitch.
On her part the team captain Brackcides Agala, who had s superb game both in attack and defence said she was elated that her team was in the final and will be looking forward to winning Wednesday’s final.
“I am happy with the way we played and can say that the hardest part is done, but we have to fight hard in the finals to ensure that we play at the World Cup,” Agala said after the match.
It looked an easier match for the Kenyans from the word go as the Senegalese simply had to answer to the attacking prowess of Prisons youngster Everline Makuto.

Different Clash
Makuto, who had shown tremendous improvement since the tournament started, was in a different class but she also had the supporting cast of Mercy Moim, Lydia Maiyo, Diana Khisa, Agala and setter Janet Wanja.
Apart from the attacking prowess of Makuto, Moim also weighed in with good work in ball service, which didn’t give the Senegalese easy time in retrieving the ball to their setter so as to initiate the attack.
Despite the good work of Diouck Niane in attack for Senegal in the first set, it proved mission impossible as the Kenyan attackers, led by Maiyo in right attack, answered with equal measure.
The Kenyans finished off the visitors with a quick attack by Khisa at the centre as the hosts won the set 25-10.
The visitors, however, managed to put up some resistance in the second set and at one time led Kenya 3-5 before the hosts went up a gear with good ball service once again by Moim and also expert backcourt play by Agala and libero Mildred Odwako.

Sensed Blood
The teams tied at 5-5, 6-6 before the Kenyans sensed blood and went on the offensive with the introduction of Edna Rotich for the tiring Moim.
The change worked and the Kenyans opened a huge gap at 22-14 before wrapping up the set at 25-15.
Coach Lungaho introduced Prisons setter Jane Wacu in the third set and it was business as usual for the attack as Wacu combined well with her Prisons teammate Agala to finish of the visitors 25-18 and a passage to the finals.

And here's the news with Kirigo Ng'arua



We caught up with the new kid on the news-reading block Kirigo Ng'arua of Citizen TV and spent some time trying to get to know more about her.
Here's what she had to say...

Izvipi: Who is Kirigo?
Kirigo: A fun loving person who is very shy and strictly private. She keeps to herself all the time and loves her space too much. She is outgoing around the people she knows and she loves laughing. She is a go-getter.
How long have you been presenting news?
I clocked a year on May 25
You were first on HOT 96, what made you move?
Yes I was. It's not something I ever thought of but someone saw something in me. That person was Mike Okinyi, a sports anchor at Citizen. He wanted me as a female sports anchor but my boss thought otherwise. I did the screen test and she liked what she saw so she decided to grant me the opportunity to read the news and so far so good.
You had a radio stint in the US?
That was back in 2008. I was lucky to work for a radio channel called G105 in North Carolina. It falls under the biggest media conglomerate in the world known as Clear Channel 1. That was a fantastic time! 2008 was my best year since I learnt so much from those guys and I would go back in a heartbeat. They are so passionate and strict about how things are done there. It makes Kenyan radio look like a big joke. But there are a few stations that have the
same line of thought as G105.
How does it feel being labeled one of the hottest women on Kenyan TV?
I have been labelled that? You are telling me that now. If that's the case, I am very humbled. Extremely humbled.
You are what we call a triple threat. You have brains, voice and beauty. How cool is that?
Hee hee... Triple threat, that sounds so neat and I appreciate the compliment... Wait, it's a compliment right?
Yes it is. Do you think many female news anchors are just face?
No they are not... It's a stereotype. We are a bright bunch out here. I read a lot, practically read everything...

How do you handle your new celebrity status?
Come on, if you call me a celebrity what will we call Diddy? I am not one. I always say that mine is a job like any other. Its just that you see me on TV looking all pretty but imagine it’s a job like any other only you are not exposed to the millions of people who log into your site.
I am not a celebrity. The day I own a yacht and build a school maybe you can call me and ask me this question.

Who are your role models?
I don’t think I want to emulate someone cause I want to leave a legacy. But people I admire, my mother for her strength. She is one strong woman. Dr Eddah Gachukia. Woman believes in the girl child more than anyone I have met.
Then there is Gloria Steinem, the first American feminist. She is the one of the reasons we women have been able to get this far. She fought for our rights. Hala Gorani of CNN, I love how she does her job, full of energy and Anderson Cooper. He has been through so much in life and whenever he tells a story you can tell that he is passionate about what he is doing and what he is saying.

What inspires you?
The dream to be the best and succeed in life. By succeed I do not mean in monetary terms, all I want in life is to be happy, healthy and joyful. The money will come in later. That simply inspires me.

Pet peeves?
Untidiness. Guys who cannot spell right when sending a text, that thing pisses me off and guys who chew their nails.

Big Brother: Millicent's Nightmare


Millicent was yesterday  given a Secret Task that will earn her some extra goodies if she is successful.
As per Big Brother's instructions, Millicent will have to wake up in the middle of the night and act like she has just had a terrible nightmare.
Everyone should be fast asleep when Millicent does this and she should get at least one of her fellow Housemates to give her a hug. Millicent looked eager to pull the wool over her fellow Housemates eyes and professed she would do her best to not get caught.
The timing of Millicent’s Secret Task is quite interesting considering that this Week the housemates are busy with their spooky Haunted House Task. Will her fellow Housemates catch on, or will Millicent’s acting skills help her ace this Task?
And in eviction news, five contestants are up for eviction this week as the thirteen housemates start to play game as they can see the finish line.
Bernadina, Lomwe, Vina, Mumba and Zeus all found themselves in the firing line after Head of House Vimbai saved Wendall and put Mumba up in his place.

Here's how they voted;

Vimbai didn’t waste much time in saving her fellow Zimbabwean – and love interest – Wendall when she headed to the Chat Room, but the big surprise was that she replaced him with Mumba instead of Karen. She and the Nigerian have not seen eye-to-eye since Karen gave Wendall a massage. Vimbai had also nominated Karen for the last two weeks running, so it was a surprise that she didn’t take the opportunity to put her back in the firing line.
During the nomination sessions, the ladies stuck to their strategy of nominating the men. Most surprising was Kim’s nomination of Lomwe, with whom she has shared some intimate moments. She told Big Brother that he is “too reserved”, making it hard for her to trust him.
Both Vimbai and Vina nominated Zeus – the former because of the way his dalliance with Karen showed disregard for his girlfriend outside the House and the latter because she felt he was “using” her fellow Nigerian.
Kim, Bernadina, Millicent, Mumba, Vina, Karen and Sharon O all nominated Wendall for a variety of reasons – mostly, it seems, his strategy of keeping a low profile while being extremely competitive has caught up with him.
Millicent, Hanni, Vimbai and Karen are the only women who nominated other women. Unsurprisingly, Karen and Vimbai’s ongoing feud saw them nominate each other.
Millicent nominated Vina and Hanni chose Bernadina alongside her nomination of Zeus.
Lomwe based his decision on the people he has interacted least with, naming Hanni and Mumba.
Zeus nominated Kim and Vina (who coincidentally returned the favour!).
Luclay nominated Bernadina and Zeus, while Wendall named Zeus and Vina as his choices.

Can Churchill Survive A Sex Scandal?


Word on the street has it that Kenya's top comedian, Dan Ndambuki alias Churchill, is a worried man after he was caught red-handed and photographed having relations with a married woman. This has Kenyans excited like fat kids in a candy store.
Reports claim Churchill met the woman during a live screening of his highly rated show "Churchill Live". They started flirting and a sexual affair started. When this alleged affair was discovered, the comedian was set up and as he was getting ready for a nookie with the woman, a man with a camera emerged unexpectedly and snapped him dressed in nothing but his birthday suit. Now the woman's husband, said to be Nigerian, wants Sh5 million or he will leak the damning pictures.
Churchill on his part says there was no affair, though he is yet to issue a statement on the matter. He claims it is a ploy by some Nigerians to try and extort money from him and he will not give in.
These have to be the most anxiously awaited pictures in Kenya's entertainment history. This scandal dwarfs any other, including Kaz's and Avril's nude pictures and the sex tape involving the Inooro FM marketing fellow.
This is Churchill, perhaps the biggest entertainment brand in Kenya, and it is unimaginable what would happen to his name if the pictures were to surface. What differentiates Churchill from Kaz and Avril is the fact that he is a darling with corporate Kenya and has made a fortune hosting their functions. It is no secret how much the corporate world abhors scandals of any kind.
Aside from that, his show is backed by some of the biggest corporates in Kenya - NTV, which hosts his show, Safaricom, the title sponsors of the show, and Coca Cola.
These are brands that are highly rated and are known to be ruthless in maintaining a clean image and if Churchill's scandal turns out to be true, then we should expect he will be dropped by these three faster than he can say; "Let me explain". He is expected to make over Sh10 million through his show alone but this won't happen if the brands behind his show back off.
As for his gig at Classic 105, that would not be in jeopardy because he has a boss like no other. Patrick Quarcoo is a maverick, and the publicity that Churchill would generate would not be viewed as a scandal in his eyes. He would find a way to use the publicity and market Churchill and, who knows, he might even give him a show and get him sponsors!
So we wait with bated breath to see if the scandal is true or just a ploy by some con artist to get money off of Churchill.

Safaricom Hangs Up On Churchill Live as Coke Fizzles Out


One of the biggest shows in Kenya, Churchill Live, is reeling after two of its main sponsors appeared to have pulled out of the show with no reason given.
If you watched the show this week, the Safaricom banners were conspicuously absent from the set while Coke brands like Novida have not been spotted on the show for two weeks now.
We are told the two giant brands had signed a contract for 23 episodes for season two but Churchill and co decided to extend the show to 32 episodes. The corporates decided not to extend as they figure out whether to continue with the top rated comedy show.
The two brands contribute a total of Sh1.2million per week for the show: Safaricom was spending some reportedly Sh750,000 while Coke was chipping in about Sh500,000. Churchill makes a reported Sh300,000 per week from the show while Eric Omondi makes Sh120,000 per month.

Wanja's volley

Tell us... who is Janet Wanja?
Wanja: I am just a kawaida chick from a humble background, so I have learnt to just live within my means. I would never do anything to climb up the social ladder. I can eat in a kibanda as well as The Hilton.
Janet Wanja

 How was your childhood?W: It was tough. After clearing class eight, I spent a whole year at home doing nothing until a sponsor came along and paid my fees. I joined Mukumu Girls’ on bursary. It was the hardest moment in my life.
 And your job...W: Volleyball is my life. I have managed to go places I never dreamt I would. I have met people I wouldn’t have met were it not for volleyball. It has opened doors for me. It’s my life.
Do you have any investments?W: Not at the moment. However, I manage my money wisely. I have rented a nice apartment in Westlands. I have plans of building my own house once I have saved enough. As for now, I seriously want to go back to school and get a degree in fashion design.
 It’s rumoured that you prefer dating white men, is it true?W:I don’t know why people think I like dating white men, but that’s not the case, I prefer black men. In fact, men are all the same.
Had a volleyball colleague snatched your man?W: Contrary to the rumours, no girl in the volleyball team ever took my man. Even if it happened, why would it only happen to me and we are many women in the national team? You can get one cheating bastard, just the same way, you can get one who really loves you.
 What’s is your dating philosophy?W: As much as money is important, I prefer real love rather than richness. Everybody needs money to survive, but I prefer real love. I would rather be alone, than be with a rich man who doesn’t love me. I am serious about that. With real love, nothing else in a relationship can be difficult. You will always work out your differences.
Are you in a relationship?W: I love my current man. I won’t talk about him, but he is a good man. I can’t wait to have babies and raise a family.
 What have you learnt about relationships?W: Communication is important. My past relationships failed because there was lack of communication. I would rather have a man tell me, ‘Baby, I don’t like this or that’ than keep quiet. And if you break up, then perhaps the relationship wasn’t meant to be.
P: What do you hate in men?W: Fat men. How can a man let himself grow fat and round? All my boyfriends have had an athlete build. Sio kwa ubaya, but I would never date an athlete. Those guys who run, wakifukuza upepo? No way. Not my type.
P: Which is the most outrageous rumour you have heard about yourself?W: Ati Wanja analala na coaches. That was just malicious. I can’t do such a thing. In fact, I can never be in a relationship with workmates. It can’t work. When you are beautiful people want to speculate on your social life. It is sad.
Were you at one time dropped out of the national team because of indiscipline?W: That was a lie. I just saw it in the papers. Why can’t you just confirm with the coach? I am an international player. I can play anywhere in the world, why compromise my career? But I have learnt to ignore such things. I believe God has greater plans for me, and I wont let rumours and lies cloud my life.
 Your teammate, Jane Wacu is getting a lot of media attention. Do you envy her?W: She is my close friend, and a very good player. I am not jealous. She is like a sister to me. Even off the court, we spend lots of time together.
You look superb, how do you maintain your figure?W: In high school, I weighed 78 kilogrammes. I lost all the weight and people said I had had an abortion, and then some said I was using slimming pills. Come on, I am a sportswoman, how can I add weight and I train everyday?
 How do you handle attention from men?W: I know I am beautiful. I am used to attention from men. As a public figure, I try to be courteous at all times. There is a man in my life, and I love him. Uceleb ni jina tu. Being a celebrity doesn’t pay my bills.
 Where do you shop for your clothes?W: I get lots of good stuff at Gikomba’s mitumba market. I can afford expensive items, but if I can get good stuff in Gikomba, why not ?
 You are known for heavy partying; does it affect your career?W: I was a party girl. Yes, I used to party a lot between 2004 to 2008. Those were my party days. I think age is catching up (laughs) I am only 27, but I have gotten tired of clubbing. I prefer a nice evening at home, with a loved one, watching movies. Nowadays I rarely indulge in alcohol.
 What is your unfulfilled dream?W: I desperately wish to start a children’s home. That’s the only thing I ask from God. I love children, I can’t wait to have my own. I visit children’s homes and spend time with them; I do it because I love kids. I never invite the media to tag along and see me make donations to an orphanage. That’s between me and God.
 What is your take on the current moral decadence amongst the youth?W: I advocate against premarital sex. I am deeply spiritual. I don’t want to talk about myself, but sex before marriage is against the Bible teachings. But kama ni lazima, tumia protection.
 Where do you draw strength when in a moment of weakness?W: My strength comes from my family. I wouldn’t be working this hard if I didn’t have my family. I am not yet married, so I am talking about my mother, brother and sisters. I have got lots of responsibilities, so I have to work hard, that’s why siwezi get watoi now juu mabeste wangu wako nao.

Made in Kenya

Kenya is the cradle of the greater lakes region, musically. Most artistes from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania or Uganda who have made it big in the region have been embraced by Kenya, writes DAVID ODONGO
During the infancy of the Pulse generation showbiz, Nairobi bestowed itself as the entertainment hub of East Africa with most international imports making it their preferred destination for their East African concerts.
But there was something else quite interesting. As leading recording labels such as Ogopa and the Tedd Josiah owned Blu Zebra opened doors, artistes from Uganda and Tanzania chose Nairobi as their career-launching base.
Kidum
Chameleone
Bobby Wine

It is said that back then, any artiste who aspired to make it big in East Africa had first to come to Nairobi, record their music and launch their music here before going back to their hometowns to a celebrated homecoming. Consequently, others came, saw and conquered before making a permanent base here.
Tact may have changed since but still; it is impossible to rate any successful East African celebrity without including Kenya in their profile. In fact, they say, unless Pulse has talked about you, you probably don’t exist in the local showbiz arena.
Going down memory lane, we sample just a few of the said ‘Made in Kenya’ artistes.
Jose ChameleoneUganda’s biggest artiste has his roots deeply entrenched in the Kenyan music industry. In the late 1990s, Jose Chameleone made a smart career move, a shift that he has never regretted. As his music career was budding, the then little known singer relocated to Kenya.
Together with DJ Mose and another Ugandan Bebe Cool, the trio found their way to Dimples Entertainment offices at Afya Centre. The trio hooked up with Redsan who was then part of the group One II Moja and headed to Sync Sounds.
A story is told of how Chameleone, broke with nothing apart from dreams and determination he worked hard for the big breakthrough.
His big break came with Bageya, a single featuring Bebe Cool and Redsan. Later the trio moved to Ogopa Deejays where Chameleone churned Njoki — a love turn sour hit — that ruled the airwaves.
Riding in his newfound fame, there was no turning back for the son of Mayanja. Now a star, he went back to Uganda and as they say, the rest is history. Chameleone’s musical style is a combination of Ugandan folk music, central African rumba, zouk and ragga. Ogopa DJs take the credit for this unique Chameleone touch fusion.
The singer went ahead to release his debut album in Kenya in 1999. He has since released several albums including Bageya (2000), Mama Mia (2001), Njo Karibu (2002), The Golden Voice (2003), Mambo Bado (2004) and Kipepeo (2005).
KidumJean Pierre Nimbona aka Kidum is currently one of the most celebrated artistes in East Africa. Born in Bujumbura, Burundi, he started his career as a drummer when he was only ten years old in 1984. Ten years later, he launched his own band called Electric Power, which lasted for only a year due to the war in Burundi.
Due to the political instability in the country, he ran from his country to Kenya in 1995 to continue with his career. Since establishing roots in Kenya, Kidum’s music career has experienced a tremendous rise.
Kidum joined the Hot Rod Band before forming Boda Boda Band in 2004. He still runs the band. The multi-talented award winning Burundian artiste who operates from Nairobi is a household name in urban East Africa.
His new album, Haturudi Nyuma, exhibits his multiple talents as a composer, vocalist, drummer and arranger par excellence. Although most of his earlier songs were all in Kirundi, Kidum has recently switched to Kiswahili and this has enabled him massive following in Kenya and Tanzania. He has several regional awards under his name.
Peter MilesAnother Uganda dancehall king and heartthrob, Peter Miles has been in the music industry since he was fourteen. However, his road to stardom became smoother after he linked up with Ogopa DJs, who recorded and shot a video for his hit, One Time. So phenomenal was the song that the little known Miles was nominated for the 2004 Kisima Awards edition. Then came the collabos with the then high-riding boy band Swahili Nation and Mr Googz, which further cemented Miles position in the regional music industry.
"Kenya will always be a second home. I get so much love from the Kenyan public," says Miles
Since then, Miles has won numerous awards besides becoming one of the biggest names in the region’s showbiz history. He now records in his home based Road Block Records. Fame has brought Mile great fortune. A Mercedes was his latest acquisition, the last time we checked.
Angela ChibalonzaThe late Angela Chibalonza Runiga found a home in Kenya where she got married and settled before her shocking demise through a road accident as she was driving from a concert in Eldoret three years ago.
A musician with albums that sold in thousands in the East Africa region, Chibalonza had warmed her way into the hearts of thousands of music lovers even though some of her compositions were in Lingala.
Born in DRC, Angela moved to Kenya in1996 to pursue her music career. It is reported that she had never recorded any music in her native Congo.
Upon getting to Kenya, the budding musician released her maiden album, Nikuabudu. She then released Jina la Yesu the following year. Come 1999, she released Mwisho wa Dunia and then Ninapotembea.
This was quite a coup for the young Congolese who was barely 21 when she arrived in Nairobi and had to quickly learn Kiswahili so she could compose and perform in the Kenyan national language where Gospel music reigns.
Rising to be one of the most celebrated gospel stars in East and Central Africa, Kenyans embraced Angela as one of their own.
Bebe CoolUgandan king of drama, Moses Ssali started his career in 1997 in Nairobi. Together with Redsan and now his archrival, Chameleone, they were the first artistes to be affiliated to Ogopa DJs. Having gained a foundation in music in Kenya; Bebe went back to Uganda where he has continued to wow fans with his lyrical prowess as well as his danceable ragga hits.
He has released two solo albums, Maisha and Senta. His lyrics are in Luganda, Swahili, and English. Bebe Cool is husband to model and former Miss Uganda contestant Zuena Kirema and is now a father of two —Alpha Thierry and Beata.
Bebe Cool is one of the most consistent and successful Ugandan artistes.
He was recently voted the best artiste in Uganda for the second time besides having won several prizes at the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards) and Kora Awards. Bebe has also toured extensively in the UK and the US.
Bebe Cool

Keeping his Kenyan roots, the ragga king still works with the Necessary Noize duo of Wyre and Nazizi, together forming the East African Bashment Crew.
Robert KamanziRobert Kamanzi aka RKay is the gospel don in Kenya. There was a time in the early years of the millennium when all hit gospel track bore his trademark. He either wrote the lyrics, or played an instrument or recorded the song. Producer, composer, songwriter, actor, multi-lingual charmer, manager and singer, the born again musical genius has come from far.
Having been in the industry for longer than anyone can remember, that R Kay, people are surprised to learn, is originally from Burundi. In 1998, he started a gospel group Shammah, famed for the hit song, Ukilya Moko.
Together with Henrie Mutuku and Pastor Pete Odera, Izzo the group laid foundation to contemporary gospel music in the country. RKay later joined Maurice Oyando’s Next Level Studios, where he worked as a sound engineer. With skill garnered from years in production, he moved to Sound Minds Production in 2000 as a producer.
 With his top notch productions, it’s no surprise that his work with Rufftone and Henrie Mutuku in Usichoke and Mwikulu was nominated for 2003 Kora Awards. He also worked on the highly acclaimed, Furahia, Esther Wahome’s album. Based in Nairobi, RKay stands out as the most celebrated gospel music producer in the region to-date.
AmbasadaThe mellow-voiced Ugandan singer was a hit back in 2005 after his Watoto Inkane release. The song has a Kwaito groove. It brought out Ambasada’s immense singing talent. During his stay in Kenya all was rosy for the singer with back-to-back gigs boosting him to great fame and financial gains. But alas! When he left the country, everything about him went quiet. Working hard to redeem his diminishing fame, Ambasada is now back, working with a Kenyan promoter who has been pushing his new album through leading music stars and media houses.
JIThe Bongo crooner shot into the limelight with his single, Kidato Kimoja. Having tasted and enjoyed the reception in Kenya, JI has made Kenya his official base of operation. He has also been signed by a Kenyan label, Grandpa Records, which manages him. He has bought a house in Mombasa, where he now resides. "Hapa ni kwangu, nilikuja mara ya kwanza, nikalakiwa vyema. Napenda Bongo lakini huku, kazi na biashara yananiweka;" says JI, who also imports clothes from Dubai and sells them to stalls.
Kenya has been good to him indeed as the last time we checked, he was in a serious relationship with a Kenyan woman, whom he swears he will marry. He joins the likes of South Sudanese singer Baby One who relocated to Kenyan and got a home at Ogopa DJs studios.
Another Sudanese who has permanently relocated to Kenya is K-Denk. Thrust into the limelight by Tusker Project Fame, K-Denk went ahead to wow Kenyans by his rap skills during the reality television show.
After being kicked out of TPF, he signed a record deal with Refigah’s Grandpa Records. He recently released a collabo with Sanaipei Tande. The song has landed a Kisima Awards nomination. "I will always be Sudanese but Kenya is also home. It’s my base of operations for my music career," insists K-Denk.

Revealed: The Girl In Avril's Pictures


She is not Semenya and she is not a lesbian. She is Melisa Nyawade; that we can reveal of the shaggy, smiling and kissing girl who seems to have the time of her life in the leaked girl-on-girl nude photos of singer Avril.
The 23-year old fashion designer and model is said to be devastated with the now infamous exposure so much so she has not dared go home. No one would especially if your are from a very Christian family as Melisa and your father is a pastor to boot.
Though the father has not heard of the scandal yet (thank God for small mercies), we are informed she has not been home since Wednesday.
Melisa, a University of Nairobi graduate, with a fashion line, Lisachi Fashion Junkie, has not gone the 'that-is-photoshop-at-its-evil-worst' way. She admits to her friends it is her in the photo but adds that she had this belief that the pictures were in few trusted hands, well, until that naked Wednesday.
We are informed that the pictures were taken last year during an "arty" photoshoot with some of Melisa's and Avril's friends from the UoN.
"I don't know what kind of photoshoot they were doing but they thought whoever took them and gave them the copies had deleted them," a source told us. "She couldn't believe it when she received a call informing her of the leak. She still hopes it is a bad dream."
We are told she was the designer behind Avril's beautiful blue dress for the Chaguo La Teeniez awards and she has a fashion company. She has since deactivated her Facebook and Twitter accounts where she describes herself as "Designer, Creative director and last but not least, Model.

Kaz Bares It All Again...Well, Almost


We all remember the infamous nude photos of singer Kaz three years ago. She seems to have handled the scandal well and moved on and for those of you who think she still bares the scars of the leaked photos, think again. On Sunday she showed she's past that.
A quite Sunday afternoon was shattered when Kaz posted her bikini-ready body on Twitter with a message "Oh by the way check this body out. thanks Jim (gym)". #KenyansOnTwitter went on overdrive with many expressing disgust while others admired her well toned body.
Basking in the scandal, Kaz went further and put it up as her avi. We won't hate, that body looks really good.

Eve D'Souza And Janet Mbugua Team Up For A New TV Show


Two top Kenyan media personalities, Eve D'Souza and Janet Mbugua want to become your tour guides across Kenya. The two are launching a new travel show the "Travel Diaries" in an attempt to get you "to step out of your front door and discover the beauty that is Kenya."
Janet and Eve teamed up early this year and started a production company "Moonbeam Productions" and are working on TV program production, directing, script writing, commercial production, documentaries and events.
Mbugua is not new on the travel shows circuit while Eve, who has been all over our screens looks like she had lots of fun shooting the show so we can only hope it will be a fantastic show.

Morgan Heritage's Gramps And Peetah To Tour Kenya For Charity


Two of the biggest names in Reggae, brothers Gramps and Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage are said to be planning on coming to Kenya in October for various projects related to the famine relief efforts.
They also hope to travel to Northern Kenya where they will help with distribution of the various supplies.
The two, who are part of the band formed in 1994 by five children of reggae artist Denroy Morgan, will also be taking part in benefit concert in Dallas TX next month organised by Uhuru Clothing, one of the biggest Kenyan fashion brands based in the US.
The concert dubbed "Give Africa hope" has been organised in conjunction with the greater African Dallas Community and Music Orchestrating Miracles.
Thomas Mwicigi, Uhuru Clothing's founder says: "The concert will help raise awareness and money for our starving brothers and sisters which will be by far the biggest reggae benefit concert in the USA."
"Morgan Heritage have enjoyed tremendous support from Kenyans and have agreed to work with us at Uhuru Clothing to help with the famine relief efforts in Kenya and the entire horn of Africa region, in an effort to give back to a country that has shown them so much love."
The event is scheduled in Dallas TX for 23rd and 24th September and tickets are available online at $20 Advance http://giveafricahope.eventbrite.com/
Uhuru Clothing has also designed a "give AFRICA hope" tshirt and will give all the profits to the Kenyans4kenyan initiative. You can buy them at www.uhuruclothing.bigcartel.com.

McDonald Mariga Moves to Spain's Real Sociedad


Kenya and Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga has moved to Spain with Real Sociedad on a season long loan.
According to Italian and Spanish media, the 24-year-old's loan spell can be extended to two years.
Mariga, who moved to Inter from Parma in January 2010, could not secure a regular first-team spot making just 26 appearances since his move. Inter was ready to offload him if a good deal came along.
The Real Sociedad move looked impossible last week after Inter said Sociedad's price was too low.
Sociedad's head coach Philippe Montanier allegedly sees the 24-year-old Mariga as the perfect signing as he looks to boost his midfield.
Mariga's contract with Inter was set to expire next year. We wish him all the best at his new club.

Shaggy, Eve and Cabo Snoop Confirm Tusker All-Stars Concert


Worry no more, star attractions of the Tusker All-Stars concert rapper Eve, Windeck star Cabo Snoop and Jamaican legend Shaggy are coming to Kenya.
The artists have released video links confirming they are indeed coming for the October 1 mega bash at the Carnivore.
"Make sure you come see me at the Carnivore Gardens," says Eve in her video link.
Gates open at 12pm and performances start at 2pm with a yet to be announced line-up of top Kenyan artistes and dance crews who will join Alpha, Msechu and Davies, winners of the TPF Allstars, on stage.
There will be no tickets sold at the gate so get your advance tickets available at selected Nakumatt branches now. Oh and another thing, you must be 18 years and older to get in. IDs will be required at the gate.
VIP tickets for the golden circle are going for Sh3,500 and Sh1,500 for the main arena.
Broke? No problem, follow @Tuskerlager on Twitter and you can win tickets to the show.