Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan has shot down rumours that she was secretly married to a popular Zimbabwean prophet identified as Edd.

Through a video message, Zari calls on her fans and social media users to ignore the ongoing rumours.

The stories started doing rounds after photos of the two in what looks like wedding attires surfaced online.

According to Zari the photos are from a video shoot.

With the 2022 64^th GRAMMY Awards nomination announcement set for Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 the Recording Academy has gone ahead to announce the 3rd annual "Behind The Record" initiative to continue to give credit to creators in music.

In the third annual Behind The Record initiative, the Recording Academy is giving credit to the creators behind our favorite records and is educating lawmakers in the process.

Now, artists are getting in on the movement to #GiveCredit to creators and among the artists highlighted this year are BTS, Jonas Brothers, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Kenya’s Victoria Kimani and Gabiro Mtu Necessary among others.

Even though singer Victoria Kimani already had her album AFREAKA for a GRAMMY consideration in 2020 it is evident that her efforts in her latest album Spirit Animal are already paying off with the album receiving rave reviews from music lovers across the globe and also from the GRAMMYs. Being her 4th album & arguably her best work to date the East African gem features stars like Yemi Alade, Bella Shmurda, Kidi, Peruzzi and Kenya’s boy band H_art The Band in this summer infectious 16-track album.

Also getting rare and surprising recognition in this years Behind The Record initiative is Kisumu based independent singer, songwriter and rapper, Gabiro Mtu Necessary who is steadily becoming a household name in Kisumu, Kenya and beyond.

Having released his new EP dubbed Jenesis a week ago he is already getting recognized by the Recording Academy making him the first artist from the lakeside region to ever be on this prestigious platform.

Earlier last month Gabiro announced his decision to quit music in an Instagram post that has since been deleted before he came back this month and renounced his comeback with a new EP.

He stated that his main reason for changing his mind was to keep the spirit of his deceased father alive by continuing the work they both started together before his demise in 2019.

He gives credit to his father as the production coordinator and executive producer in his latest album.

Mtu Necessary as is known by his fans and followers is already commanding a solid and huge social media influence with his style of music that comes with humour and hilarious metaphors as seen in his songs “Atago” and “Pop Star” that are both in his new EP.

Jenesis EP comes days after the Kisumu star hit a milestone with his music by garnering a total of 500,000 streams on Boomplay and another 300,000 streams with his last release on the same African music platform.

Grammy Post - https://www.instagram.com/p/CVG_R8Tshwk/

Atago - https://youtu.be/9cZv07Kyn60

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends, relatives and colleagues of veteran State House photographer Henry Muriithi Nyaga who passed away on Saturday evening.

The award-winning Nyaga, 56, was until his demise a principal State House photographer attached to the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU).

In his message of encouragement and comfort to the family, the President mourned the late Nyaga as a reliable and devoted top professional whose service to the country shall be dearly missed.

“I have received the sad news of the sudden death of Henry this morning with utter shock. Henry was a highly gifted photographer whose award-winning work made him one of the best in his field.

"He was a humble and amiable person whose virtues of hard work and dedication to duty will remain an inspiration to his colleagues and all those that interacted with him,” the President mourned Mr Nyaga who passed quietly in his sleep at his Embu home.

The Head of State said it was due to Henry's commitment to duty and excellent service that he rose through the ranks over the years to become a Principal Photographer at State House.

“Having interacted with him extensively in the course of his duty, Henry exemplified diligence and deep commitment to duty, and always worked hard to exceed the expectations of his assignments.

"It is because of his commitment to duty that he rose through the ranks of the public service to become a principal photographer at State House. Indeed, we will forever be grateful for the excellent service the late Henry rendered to this country over the years," the President eulogised.

The President noted that the late Henry Nyaga contributed immensely to the development of photojournalism in Kenya having won several prestigious international awards and recognitions.

“We appreciate that as a public servant, Henry Nyaga earned our nation great honour by winning several international awards among them the prestigious CNN Africa Photojournalist of the Year Award in 1999 while working with the Kenya News Agency (KNA). A devoted Christian, Henry also won two International Catholic photojournalism awards, which were presented, to him in Bangkok, Thailand and in Switzerland," the Head of State noted.

Mr Henry Nyaga has left behind a widow Mrs Lucy Wanjugu Muriithi and three children.

On his part Deputy President William Ruto described him as a creative, talented and patient with an eye for detail.

"We will fondly remember him as a brilliant storyteller." said Ruto in his condolence message.

Seems like Coast based singer Nyota Ndogo is closing off the year in a big way, by laughing all the way to the bank.

The 'Watu na viatu' hitmaker just landed herself a big endorsement deal with maize meal brand, Raha premium a product of Joy millers limited.  She is the new brand ambassador.

The excited singer took to social media to share the news with her fans.

"Kwanza Nichukue Nafasi Hii Kumshukuru MUNGU.. Pili Niwashkuru Nyie Mashabiki Zangu wanaonipenda na wasionipenda nyote ni wangu na Nawapenda sana... Hili Sio Jambo Dogo kwangu Na Nitoe Shukrani za Dhati kwa Joy Millers Limited kwa Kuniamini na Kunichagua.... Kwanzia Sasa Wateja Wangu wa Nyota Ndogo Jikoni hawatalalamika tena kuhusu Ugali maana Natumia Unga Bora Kenya Nzima @raha_premium #Kavaraga Unga huu sasa unapatikana Mombasa na Pwani kwa Ujumla...."

Nyota Ndogo also runs a restaurant in Voi.

Few months ago, celebrity couple Bahati and his wife Diana Marua were also unveiled as brand ambassadors for the brand which seeks to penetrate in the market.

Jamaican dancehall superstar Etana is set to jet into the country on the 27th October 2021 ahead of her concert dubbed Pamoja at the Waterfront,Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi on 30th October.

Award winning Nigerian artiste Simisola Ogunleye Kosoko aka Simi has released her latest single titled 'Woman'. A song about uplifting and celebrating women and also talking about the institutional barriers women have to go through in society.

Watch : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udnkr-pMRa8 

This is the first single from her upcoming project  set for release soon.

Speaking about the single, Simi says " I am grateful for every woman that is standing in the gap for all of us. Your vulnerability is courage and I hope that, going forward we are mindful of the words we say and the seeds that we plant".

The Nigerian singer is famed for songs that speak about various issues in the society especially those that directly affect women. In 2020, at the height of lockdowns and Covid 19, Simi released Duduke a song dedicated to women praying to be mothers, she also got to collaborate with other artistes on different projects. Duduke is currently at 46million views on YouTube.

The Afro Soul Artist, Simi, is currently driving a social media campaign tagged #NobodyLikeWoman ahead of the  forthcoming single that drops on the 15th of October 2021.

The campaign is targeted to celebrate EVERY WOMAN in the world. This is inline with the recently celebrated Day of the Girl Child and No Bra Day which celebrates women and Breast Cancer awareness respectively in our society. 

LISTEN TO Woman https://simi.ffm.to/woman

V-BE, a music duo made up of Spikes Mshairi, a rapper with a great influence of poetry and Tuku Kantu, a seasoned vocalist with an influence of pop and native East African sounds have released their new music video titled Eliza.

Watch "Eliza" Here: https://youtu.be/tAJv3lD3_Ns

About The Song Eliza

'ELIZA' tells the familiar story of love that is not reciprocated. It is a song written based on the real-life experiences of V-Be's Tuku Kantu. It tells a story that he has told one too many times about how this girl he once liked chose to ignore the chemistry they had on the basis that he was not as financially capable as she would have liked.

In the song, V-Be asks the girl, Eliza, to pick between leaving and staying while at the same time telling her that she is loved. The song leaves it to the listener to decide whether Eliza left or stayed. Will they stay together, or will she go?

About The EP

“As young up-and-coming musicians, so much doubt has clouded the vision of our musical future. Truth and reality are two things we have never been able to escape from, which is why we never lie to ourselves about what we must do to realize our dreams. We know that we only get out what we put in. Heartbreakingly, even with this being our philosophy, we have been faced with hurdles along our journey countless times. Our resolve has been challenged, our visions questioned, and our faith tested. Over and over again, we have had to sit together and remember why music is our first love. We are proud to say that our fire has never died out despite burning low a couple of times. This EP (Extended Playlist) comes to us as a gift and solid proof that we are on the right path. Through this EP, it is PROVEN that we were meant to do this. We sincerely hope that you will be entertained and encouraged by our work.” – V-Be.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for an integrated and multi-sectoral approach to tackling the societal challenge of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in the country.

The First Lady said the fight against SGBV will require joint efforts in advocacy and public awareness alongside strict enforcement of the law so that victims feel empowered and safe to report their encounters. 

“We are, however, aware that addressing gender based violence is complex, and requires multi-sectoral coordination and support from all sectors, including the courts, prisons, communities, non-governmental organizations and civil society,” the First Lady said.

The First Lady spoke at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi County where she presided over the launch of the National Police Service (NPS) Integrated Response to Gender Based Violence Operational Document (PoliCare).

The First Lady lauded NPS for the policy which she termed as progressive and urged the police and other agencies involved to ensure that the roadmap is fully implemented.

“Your public duty and responsibility in this instance is vital because you are at the frontline; you are at the first point of contact to help victims of gender based violence," the First Lady said, and advised law enforcement agencies to ensure that SGBV victims gain their trust at all times.

Once again, the First Lady reiterated her full backing of the Government's commitment to end all forms of SGBV, saying it will take more than law enforcement for Kenya to fully deal with the retrogressive customs, cultural practises and beliefs that enable the crimes.

“Further, we have committed to end all forms of gender-based violence – including child and forced marriages – by addressing social and cultural norms that propagate the vice whilst providing support to women and girls who have been affected,” the First Lady assured.

Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i, who also spoke at the launch, said PoliCare is part of the ongoing police service reforms saying that the new policy seeks to provide one-stop centres countrywide where SGBV victims will find all the help they require.

In her speech, Gender CS Professor Margaret Kobia said SGBV was related to poverty, and called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to address the underlying enablers of the crimes.

Other speakers at the event, also attended by Interior PS Dr Karanja Kibicho, were Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua and Gender CAS Linah Kilimo.