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.