Veteran Bongo Flava star Rich Mavoko has been quiet for some time now raising alot of questions and anxiety from his fans.

His current status has not only affected his fans but also former label mate at Wasafi, Harmonize.

Taking to instagram, Harmonize expressed his concern over the 'poor' state of Mavoko currently, he even went ahead to state the pain that Mavoko's mother is also going through due to her son's state, warning of a possible curse from the mother to all those who are behind Mavoko's state.

“Familia ngapi zipo nyuma ya Mavoko? Na zinamtegemea Yeye kwa kila jambo hasa hili la kupata mkate wa kila siku vipi kuhusu ndoto za familia hizo na zinaishije katikwa wakati huu?” He posted.

Adding ''“Ndoto ngapi za wasanii ambao wanategemea kuzifikia hizo ndoto kupitia Mavoko? Na nyuma ya hao wasanii kuna familia nyengine pia. Je maumivu, malalamiko ya wazazi wake hasa mama mzazi ambaye ndio kama roho yake! Ushajiuliza ni kauli ngapi za uchungu anazitoa ambazo zinaweza kumpata kila anaefurahishwa na hili kwa makusudi?”

The 'Bedroom' hitmaker also went to warn those who are after Mavoko's failure.

He charged ''“Mzazi wa mwenzio ni wako pia laana yake haishindwi kukupata ...!! La mwisho kabisa mgeukie mwenzio anaefurahia na kuifanya hii kuwa ni habari njema kwake ya kumfanya atembee kifua mbele na hata kuandika mtandaoni kwa furaha Mavoko kapotea muulize anafaidika na nini?”.

He further stated that he was ready to help Mavoko get back to the game ''“Mungu ana sababu na maana yake bro Mavoko kama mdogo ako nakuombea najua ukimya wako una maana Kubwa sana ndani yako ninachojua ni kujiweka sawa na kutuletea kazi zingine. Tunakupenda na tunakuombea Mungu akufanyie wepesi. Let's go bro mdogoako, rafiki yako nipo hapa muda wowote,”.

Harmonize recently formed his own music label, Konde gang immediately he left WCB and has since signed his first artist Ibraah.

Mavoko left WCB in 2018 just few months after he was signed under the label owned by Diamond Platnumz. He left before his contract ended. Mavoko released his last song 'Babylon' eight months ago and has since been quiet even on social media, the last post on his instagram page was posted on January 1, 2020.

Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho has pleaded with the residents especially from Old Town to avoid sideshows and focus on fighting the coronavirus.

Speaking during a press conference held at his office this afternoon, Joho called on the residents not to perceive the government as their enemy arguing that all the efforts put in place by the government is for their own benefit.

''To all my people in Mombasa, the enemy in this fight is not your government, the enemy is not your governor, the enemy is not your politician. The enemy for all of us is COVID-19. Let us all direct our energy to defeat the disease, other things don't matter for now'' said Joho.

Joho also called on the residents to avoid sideshows and criticism and support the government in the fight.

'' I appeal to you don't be drawn into this shenanigans and sideshows, let us remain focused, let us remember there is a pandemic, the only thing we need to do is to collectively find ways to defeat it. We don't want to be in situation where everyone is forced to stay in their houses" he charged.

Joho has been on the receiving end from residents of Old Town for demanding that they undergo mandatory mass testing for Covid-19 and calling for a total lock down in the area.

The Governor further noted that the county government has already put in place measures to ensure residents of Old Town access essential services and supply including water and food. Several points have been established where vendors will be allowed to sell food.

Yesterday, the government ordered cessation of movement in and out of  the area (Old Town) for the next 15 days.

Meanwhile ODM leader Raila Odinga has donated foodstuff to the Mombasa household relief programme, the donation was handed over to governor Joho by businessman Suleiman Shahbal on behalf of Odinga.

Jamaican singer Millie has died at the age of 72 after suffering a stroke.

The singer was most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop, which was Jamaica's first million-selling single.  The song  remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all time, with more than seven million sales.

Born Millicent Small in Clarendon, south Jamaica, she was one of seven brothers and five sisters, raised on the sugar plantation where her father was an overseer.

The news of her death was confirmed by her close friend and former producer Chris Blackwell.

Blackwell played a major role in Small's career,  it is reported he is the one who took her to London  in 1963 and produced her version of My Boy Lollipop, showcasing her childlike, high-pitched vocals.

"I would say she's the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Adding ''"It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it. She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special," 

In one of her interviews, Small said ''"I made a few songs, which didn't go anywhere, and then I recorded My Boy Lollipop in 1964, which got to number two over here and number one in many parts of the world. I never had singing lessons, my voice was just something I was born with."

Adding ''"My life seemed very normal to me - even though I was only 17, I took fame in its stride. What helped was that I had a good manager in Chris, who looked after me like a father wherever I went."

She retired from singing in 1970.

Veteran music producer and Grandpa Records C.E.O Yusufu Noah, better known as Refigah has suprised many after he decided to sell a new Mercedes Benz - 250 he had bought for his wife to feed residents of Kibra in Nairobi during this tough time of coronavirus.

According to Refigah, he had imported the car as a secret gift for his wife but by the time the car arrived in the country coronavirus had already hit and that is when he decided to sell the red sleek car to help the people of Kibra where he was born. 

The original price of the car is 2.6 million but he is selling it at 2.4 Million.

Speaking to Ommy Dallah, Refigah revealed that his wife did not know about the car but has since okayed the move.

''It was supposed to be a suprise gift for her but i decided to donate it to simama na kibra initiative to help support vulnerable families'' said Refigah

Adding '' The car is currently at Dinga world show room next to green house Adams arcade, anyone who would like to buy it or check can pass by''.

The initiative, simama na Kibra which was formed by Refigah and friends  is targeting 4300 needy families.

East Africa's largest tourism trade fair, Karibu- Kilifair that alternatives between the Cities of Arusha and Moshi , Tanzania has been shelved.

In a statement the organisers indicated that owing to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus ) pandemic, the event that was slated for Arusha this year from 5th June -7th June, 2020 will now be held from Septermber 4th -6th, 2020.

''Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are currently suffering from the virus in hospitals as well as families who have already lost their beloved ones. The global impact can be seen in all kinds of economy sectors and also massively in the tourism industry. Nevertheless, we all have to continue to develop new strategies and ways to survive, while preparing ourselves for the time after Corona,'' the statement said.

It went on to add that the directors and the team of KILIFAIR Promotion are keenly monitoring all developments regarding the pandemic and impact for the tourism industry.

''Following economists’ and researchers’ forecasts, the situation shall be “under control” again after the next 2-3 months. This is the time when businesses will re-open their doors to serve customers and tourists who will slowly start to travel again – for this time we all need to be ready,'' the organisers stated.

Organisers further said that there will be enlarged and improved 35,000 square metres Fair layout for 500 plus exihibitors with Arusha being the venue

KILIFAIR and KARIBU Fair originally separate entities  joined into a single tourism and travel exhibition entity targeting to market the African tourism in Moshi town on the foot hills of Mount Kilimanjaro and Arusha city, Tanzania’s leading safari capital.

The two travel trade show organizers are pulling in  more partners and key players in the tourism industry across East Africa and the entire African continent.

Through a partnership with other regional tourist and travel trade exhibition organizers, KILIFAIR team has been participating in major fairs including the Magical Kenya, Pearl of Africa in Uganda, World Travel Market London and WTM Africa in Cape Town, also the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

Key decision makers in 26 nations including Kenya and five continents have launched a new tourism initiative called Project Hope Travel.

Hashtag #projecthopetravel has been established to share ideas, initiatives for tomorrow’s tourism.

Kenya's Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala is among the brains behind the formation.

The initiative is a public-private partnership to prepare for a new reality of the travel and tourism industry after COVID-19.

“There is a lot of love, passion and hope for tourism. Tourism the way we know it will be history, but if we play our cards well, it will emerge even better and more beautiful”, said Juergen Steinmetz, CEO of the Travel News Group.

Steinmetz is also a founding member of this group.

Now is the time for everyone in this industry to take a seat on a virtual table and share ideas, projects and initiatives. Tourism is an industry of peace, and the chance for tourism to show this has never been better.

Apart from Balala,other founders of the initiative include Louis D’Amore, founder of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, Deepak Joshi, former CEO Nepal Tourism Board, Pascal Viroleau, CEO of the Vanilla Island Tourism Organization, Ambassador Dho Young-shim from South Korea, Tourism  minister Edmund Bartlett from Jamaica.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC  said that travel and tourism Tourism is a critical sector to the global economy, accounting for one in four of all new jobs worldwide and contributing 10.3% to GDP.

''Our sector touches everyone. It builds communities, reduces poverty in the world and improves the social impact of everyday lives. Yet we are uniquely exposed at this time due to Covid-19,'' she said.

Project Hope Travel was an initiative that emerged at a board meeting by the COVID-19 task force meeting of the  African Tourism Board last month.

Alain St.Ange, President of the African Tourism Board said that  Hope for Africa and for the World at large is today so needed.

''But just hoping will not make a difference by itself. This is why I am thankful that a group of dedicated tourism professionals has joined together to not only initiate Project Hope Travel, but to also make time to steer it for the benefit of everyone in the world,'' St Ange said.

Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary General said that the transformative power of travel and tourism, when well managed and utilized, is a cornerstone in establishing world peace and in turn a better world, for people and planet.

''Protecting our cultural and natural heritage, Empowering local communities. Breaking down stereotypes enabling us to experience, enjoy and celebrate the beauty of our rich cultural diversity. These are indeed some of tourism’s contributions to making the world a better place to live.

Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman African Tourism Board said: “As Africa is speaking with a united voice in curbing the scourge of the pandemic, this is an encouraging endeavor in a crisis that has driven the west and the east to shift their priorities. Together we will succeed and become stronger. Project Hope Travel is Africa’s contribution to the world of tourism.”

Doctors and nurses at Mbagathi Hospital ,Nairobi who are in the frontline fighting the novel Covid -19 pandemic were served lunch courtesy of Hillpark Hotel, Nairobi.

Close to 80 members of staff who work at the facility that was among the first to admit Covid-19 positive patients in the country benefited from the gesture.

''We wish to offer our support to these gallant men and women who have put their lives at risk as they go about their daily work in ensuring that all those who are admitted at the facility get the best treatment there is ,'' Hillpark Hotel General Manager, Mr Joseph Ndunda said.

On hand to receive the food donation was the chairman of the Mbagathi Hospital Management Board, Mr Frederick George Osewe who thanked Hillpark Hotel for the gesture.

''We salute the entire management of Hillpark Hotel for this very timely gesture. Thank you for remembering us here. We have stayed committed to our cause all since through this pandemic hit our beautiful motherland.We hope other many more stakeholders will follow suit and offer any possible help to boost staff morale,'' Osewe said.

Ndunda said that his hotel is one of those designated by the Ministry of Health  as a quarantine facility  and hosted its first batch of those who returned from abroad from March 23rd to April 7th,2020. All those who stayed with us turned negative including staff members.

The GM said that Hillpark Hotel management did a lockdown of its premises from March 20th, 2020  and had all its staff who were offering services to guests brought in as part of government quarantine accomodated inside the hotel.

''Our staff members are now well versed with the Ministry of Health standard guidelines in the control of Covid-19,'' he said.

Kenyan Afro-soul queen announces 30^th May 2020 as the release date for her debut album – Kuwe. 

Zulu for “For You”, Kuwe is a gift offering from the Serro to her fans.

The songstress who has been consistently churning out heartfelt singles for the past 5 years, made the announcement on her socials while revealing the Vogue-Esque album’s cover art.  

Speaking on the milestone Serro says, “I honestly can't believe that I’m even announcing this; a labour of love for the last 3 years and I'll finally be sharing it with the world. “ 

In the following weeks, SERRO promises to share the album’s tracklist, inspiration behind each song, the production team and a pre-release performance event to be live-streamed via her socials. The album will be available for Pre-order on Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, and Boomplay from 16^th May 2020.

About SERRO 

SERRO has built a name for herself continuously as one of Kenya’s top live performers since her days in Sauti Academy. SERRO tells the African story through her trademark Benga and Jazz meshed Afro-soul sounds laced with traditional Kenyan folk instrumentation. She recently caught Kenyans’ attention when her single “Kasyoki Wa Mitumba” went viral.