Crown Paints Kenya Plc has today announced a donation of Ksh. 1m through its ‘Crown Iftar’ initiative.

The initiative is aimed at providing Iftar food support to vulnerable Muslim families and several faith-based institutions whilst educating the community and re-emphasizing the Covid-19 guidelines put in place by the Ministry of Health during Ramadhan.

Crown Paints will donate ‘Crown Iftar’ food hampers containing 4Kgs of wheat flour, two packets of spaghetti, 3L of cooking oil, 1Kgs of Green Grams, 2Kgs of sugar and 1kg of Dates.

Several institutions including Pangani Shauri Moyo Mosque, Madrasatul Al-Iman Pangani Mosque, Mama Fauzia Children’s Nairobi and Helping Hands, an NGO based in Mombasa will also benefit from the ‘Crown Iftar’ initiative.

A recent study on how Covid-19 had caused an economic toll in nine countries, including Kenya, shows that 45 percent of people were forced to miss or reduce meals while only 11 percent were able to access relief aid of any kind from governments or NGOs, and in some communities, it was zero percent.

 “Ramadhan is the most important period of the year for Muslims with a month marked by gratitude, prayer, family and community. We must show our brothers and sisters WE ARE ONE despite the current economic hardships brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.” says Nicholas Wanambisi ,Crown Paints Group Human Resources Manager.

To run the initiative, Crown Paints has partnered with IQRA a Muslim-based radio station based in Nairobi  to emphasise the Covid-19 protocols during Ramadhan as well as identify 30 vulnerable families that deserve support. 

The radio station will ask listeners to nominate vulnerable families that deserve the Crown Iftar food hampers. The packages will be delivered by the radio station on behalf of Crown Paints and all contacts forwarded to Crown Paints to follow up.

Smartphones have been a part of our lifestyle for several years now.

The year 2012 was the time smartphones became very popular as before people were content with the mulika mwizi which at the time served the required needs. 

Over the years, the smartphone market has grown one with increasing innovative trends.

One of the major evolutions that happened in the smartphone industry is that of the charging technique and speed of charging.

The first smartphones that came to the market had slow charging systems which required lengthy amounts of time to get the device fully charged.

The battery capacity on initial smartphones was of low capacity which sent manufacturers to the drawing board to invent ways to improve this.

Initially, smartphone features such as fast charging were only limited to high-end devices, but thanks to increased competition and the offering of new features with every new release, it has become one of the top considerations people look at before making a purchase.

People are increasingly looking for a smartphone that has powerful batteries and charge faster compared to other options in the market.

This has led to phone makers embracing the fast-charging solutions that are now taking the market by storm.

The technology has reduced the torturous waiting periods for charging from 3 to 4 hours or nightlong charging culture to a few minutes of charge that lasts you through your busy day.

This technology has enabled people to have more time interacting with their phones as opposed to waiting for hours for them to charge.

Studies show that most users charge their phone upon waking up in the morning, with most charging their phone for only half an hour, and around 50 percent responding that they are most likely to only charge for 15 minutes.

Since many of the latest smartphones are equipped with a battery of 4000mAh or larger, this poses greater demands on charging technology.

One of the market players that has integrated the fast-charging technology is realme. It has incorporated the fast charging technology in its latest portfolio of phones from realme in Kenya which include realme C12 and realme 7i that added to four other realme smartphones and three AIoT products in Kenya including realme C3, realme C11, realme C15, realme 6, realme Band, Air Neo, and Buds Q have which also feature the same .

One thing that cuts across the realme phones is the massive capacity of their batteries and how fast they charge.

The company believes that it is through the redefining of the charging system that it will be able to crack the highly competitive market.

The realme 7i is undoubtedly one of the best realme fast charging supported mobile phones.

A powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 sits at the core of this phone along with 8 GB of RAM makes it a spectacular masterpiece.

The battery is a massive one with a 5000mAh with an 18W fast charge feature.

The battery charges faster and lasts longer as compared to other players in the market.

At the same time, realme C3 is easily one of the top realme fast charging supported mobile phones. The performance is handled by a MediaTek Helio 80G SoC, which makes the phone fairly powerful.

realme C12 has the same powerful charging features too. The C12 has a fast charging of 10W.

The best fast-charging phone within the realme is realme 6 that has a fast-charging feature of 30W, and able to charge 100 percent of the phone within 55 minutes.

realme C15 has a fast charging of 18W too.

Fast-charging has numerous advantages. It makes charging more convenient by lessening the time it takes for a battery to get a substantial amount of power needed to operate a mobile device.

Besides, some portable battery packs or power banks have fast charging features. These accessories improve further the usability and mobility of mobile devices.

The problem with devices equipped with a higher-than-average battery capacity is that they take longer to charge fully.

It would be impractical to wait for them to reach full charge. During time-critical scenarios, users would just unplug them from an outlet and settle for partially charged batteries.

However, because fast charging tries to provide as much charge as possible for a shorter period, the technology makes batteries with higher capacities practical.

Another advantage of fast charging technology is that it also includes hardware and software mechanisms for protecting the integrity of the batteries, primarily by protecting against overheating and power surge that could lead to internal circuitry damages and explosions.

To illustrate further, the adaptive charging standard from Samsung fast charge batteries until they reach a certain charge level or percentage.

Upon reaching such a percentage, the technology adapts to normal charging mode. 

On 7^th April, Rwanda, and Rwandese around the world, began ‘Kwibuka’ meaning “to Remember”, which is an annual Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The week-long official Commemoration reflects on the 100 days, between April and July 1994, during which over 800,000 men, women & children, of the Tutsi and moderate Hutu, were slaughtered.

This made headlines around the world.

A lesser-known Story, however, is that of “The 600”.

When the Genocide began on 7^th April 1994, a group of 600 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), in Kigali for Peace Talks, became surrounded by over 10,000 Soldiers of the Hutu Power Government.

“The 600: The Soldiers’ Story is an important and inspirational Film, that not only honours self-sacrifice and courage, but also honours the memory of those who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994”, says its Hollywood Writer & Producer – Richard Hall.

Adding “It also makes a connection between the RPA soldiers, and the civilians they were trying to protect, in one of the most desperate military missions of all time, in stopping this Genocide. The 600 soldiers, surrounded and outnumbered by Government soldiers and Militias, rescued hundreds of civilians and began the counter-attack that restored order in Rwanda by 100 days.”

The 114-minute Action Docufilm, by Great Blue Production, was officially Released in Rwanda on 4^th July 2019 - the 25th official Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, when the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) stopped the Genocide and liberated the country.

Internationally acclaimed, The 600 has won Best Documentary at the Winter Film Awards in New York City, Best Director for a Feature Documentary at the Golden State Film Festival and Best Feature at the Austria International Film Festival 2020.

It was Directed by Laurent Basset - a renowned Hollywood Cinematographer, and Executive Produced by Richard Hall, also from Hollywood, as well as Annette Uwizeye a seasoned Kigali-based Filmmaker.

“We are grateful that the Producers have entrusted this very important piece of Rwandan history with MyMovies.Africa™, to make it available Worldwide in 190 Countries & Territories, in time for the Commemoration”, says Trushna Buddhdev-Patel, Co-Founder & Content Director.

International Commemoration activities were held this Week at the African Union and United Nations, among others and Kwibuka27 activities are being held at the Household level by Rwandans everywhere and in Rwanda’s High Commissions worldwide, while observing the prevention measures against COVID-19.

Tanzanian police have launched an investigation into the leak and subsequent circulation of nude photos attributed to singer Harmonize.

Addressing the media on Tuesday evening, Daresalaam police commander Lazaro Mambosasa said they have so far summoned six individuals and recorded their statements.

Among those who have been summoned is Rayvanny , Harmonize's immediate ex girlfriend Kajala Masanja and her daughter Paula Kajala. Wasafi artist and radio presenter Baba Levo was also among those summoned.

"All the six individuals are currently out on police bond as we continue with our investigations. Once the investigations are over we will hand over the case to prosecutors who will then proceed with the next step" said Mambosasa.

Adding "I want to appeal to all of us, please let us use technology and the social media in a positive way. Even If you see someone getting out of the bathroom half naked and you take that photo and circulate it, that's illegal and against our values as Tanzanians. Our artists are notorious for this due their own competition, I would like to warn them against this since the law will catch up with them"

This comes just days after Harmonize revealed that he was going to legal action against those involved in leaking and circulating the photos.

Read more :http://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/2148-angry-harmonize-now-to-sue-ex-colleague-rayvanny-over-trending-nudes

Diamond Platnumz's manager Mkubwa Fella has said he is tired of the artist's philandering ways and wants him to settle down, get married.

Speaking in an interview with Wasafi fm, Fella revealed that he has on numerous occasions tried to convince Diamond to get married.

Fella stated that he was once forced to approach the former Daresalaam regional commissioner Paul Makonda to intervene and convince Diamond to get married.

"What I hate most from Diamond is his philandering ways and he knows it. I want him to get married" said Fella.

Adding "He will also make his mother proud. I have tried talking to him several times but he keeps saying that he is waiting for the right time, but at least for now he has slowed down on his ways".

Fella is not the person to come out publicly and ask the singer to get married, late last year his mother Sandra Kassim 'Mama Dangote' begged hin to get married before she dies.

Speaking in an interview with Wasafi fm, Sandra said she wishes he gets a responsible wife who can take care of family.

"What I pray most is that my son gets a woman so that he gets married. I want him to marry a woman who takes care of the family. A good wife. I really pray for him to marry before I die." she said.

Diamond has in the past been in romantic relationships with Zari Hassan, Hamisa Mobetto, Wema Sepetu and Tanasha Donna.

In a previous interview Diamond said it was during the time when he was with Tanasha that he decided to do away with all his philandering ways and was ready to settle down.

"Seriously, it was during the time that I was with Tanasha that I decided to do away with all my past childish behavior and dedicated my time to her,”  he said.

Adding "“I seriously wanted to marry Tanasha at 100 per cent or even one million per cent and that was why if someone spoke bad of her, I would simply post her picture as a clear message of how I love and respect her,”.

The two welcomed their son Naseeb Junior in October 2019.  

President Uhuru Kenyatta has decried the growing number of conflicts in Africa and called for the upscaling of conflict resolution efforts on the continent.

"Regrettably, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are still too many conflicts brewing in Africa and which requires our concerted effort to contain...I want to propose that time has come to scale up our conflict resolution efforts, particularly in Africa," he said.

The President spoke Monday at State House, Nairobi during a virtual United Nations Security Council (UNSC) high-level open debate on the cooperation between the UN, regional and sub-regional organizations in conflict prevention and resolution.

President Kenyatta, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, told the meeting chaired by the newly elected President of Vietnam Nuyen Shuan Phuc that peace and stability was a key priority for Africa.

"With nearly half of all global peace operations taking place in Africa, the African Union has put the peace agenda high on its priority list; and established several institutional structures to address conflict prevention and resolution," he noted.

To lessen the burden of conflicts on the African continent, President Kenyatta made five recommendations to the UNSC. He proposed more support for peace keeping efforts, consideration of the cross-border dimensions of conflicts, and proper disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes.

Further, the President challenged the UN to be at the forefront in assisting countries that are emerging from conflict to develop their civil service and to provide more humanitarian assistance in conflict environments.

On strengthening peace keeping activities in Africa, the President challenged the UN to consult and leverage more on regional conflict resolution mechanisms.

"History and experience remind us that the closer you are to a problem, the better you understand its complexity and its workable solutions. Regional and sub-regional organisations have a greater stake in the conflict and provide the proximity and insights, which are critical in conflict resolution," he said.

President Kenyatta said disarmament programs should ensure that fighters are returned to lawful civilian life so as to guarantee sustainable peace and successful post-conflict reconstruction. 

He said Kenya had developed one of the most comprehensive conflict disengagement and reintegration programmes in Africa.

"Our disengagement programme is nationwide; and assists individuals, newly recruited into violent extremism and others who are returnees from foreign battlefields.

"We have designed the programme so that it is a platform that can offer capacity building and training to others. We welcome the United Nations to support and make use of this facility," the President said.

On assisting countries emerging from conflict to develop their civil service, President Kenyatta pledged Kenya's readiness to partner with the UN in supporting regional states.

"In this context, Kenya has provided such support to states in the region that have appealed for our assistance. Our South Sudan Liaison Office, for example, has trained hundreds of public servants for South Sudan. We are ready to do more for countries in the region, if requested," the President pledged.

14-year old budding Kenyan artist based in the US, Audrey Hinya, has released “More Than Friends” - her debut single produced by Hinya and King Kanja. The R&B single captures the raw emotion and tug of war before lovers come clean about their feelings for each other. It’s what comes before the relationship kicks off.

Listen to “More Than Friends”

Ahead of the release, Audrey says “‘More than Friends’ is about that small segment of time before you actually get into boyfriend-girlfriend stage when you’re still crushing on each other but you are both too shy to make a move.” The release is a culmination of Audrey’s childhood efforts and dreams to make it as a recording artist.

The gifted singer-songwriter is currently signed to King Kanja’s label, King Kanja Empire. Audrey says, “It doesn’t matter who you are, how old you are or where you're from. Chase after your dreams and never stop running. In order to do this, you have to look at yourself and not be deterred by what others think of you.”

Kanja - the successful US- based Kenyan artist explains that he discovered Audrey through mutual friends and family, specifically her mother Ms. Eva Muiruri, who is her biggest support system.

“When I heard her sing; her abilities at such a young age blew my mind instantly. Later on when I mentioned our collaborative efforts to her mother she was overjoyed as she recalled a time we met at her brother's wedding where she was singing.” Audrey Hinya described working alongside King Kanja as an amazing, life changing experience while stating her confidence that King Kanja Empire will equip her with the necessary music skills towards her stardom.

Audrey’s love for music started at a young age. Her mom and now manager introduced her daughter to music while still pregnant. She’s been playing the clarinet since fourth grade, an instrument she credits for helping her learn a lot of new things about herself musically-speaking.

Apart from producing more music, Audrey’s other 2021 plans include pursuing her studies while focusing on time with  family and friends.

She concludes, “2020 was a very eventful year that taught me to manage my expectations and to enjoy life while going with the flow,” sending a word of encouragement: “It doesn’t matter how bad life can sometimes seem to be. You will see the light throughout the darkness, as long as you have a pure heart and a clear conscience.”

Amid an uproar by Kenyans online over the Thika Super Highway roadblock scene, a section of artists took to their social networks to lament the new Covid-19 containment measures.

The artists cried foul after police officers mounted roadblocks on various roads in Nairobi County on Saturday night causing traffic snarl-up that prevented motorists from reaching their places of residence in time.

 Thika Super Highway, the most affected, saw hundreds of motorists stranded for hours as police enforced curfew rules.

This led to an online protest by netizens including some famed artists. 

In a post directed to Deputy President William Ruto, rapper Khaligraph Jones asked the second in command to intervene in exchange for an unpaid campaign service in the 2022 presidential elections.

"Hustler, other hustlers are hurting. Some are sleeping hungry. If you help us in this situation, I will campaign for you for free in the coming elections. Kindly help unlock our country," wrote Khaligraph on his Instagram page.

Musician Otile Brown questioned Khaligraph's offer to campaign for DP Ruto voluntarily adding that the leaders should not be caressed into discharging their duties.

 "But why campaign for free? If he cannot stand with citizens right now, it is upon us to decide whether he deserves the top seat or not," Otile responded.

He added: "Let's open our eyes this time around or do another 10 years of msoto."

In a long post, former gospel artist Willy Paul expressed his disappointment in President Uhuru Kenyatta's move to impose an 8 pm curfew in Nairobi and restricting movement in and out of the county.

"Kenyans are suffering now more than ever. They elected you with hopes of a better life not what they are going through now," he wrote.

Willy Paul challenged the president to show Kenyans that he is feeling their pain by easing the Covid-19 restrictions.

"Now that you have locked the country and curfew is still alive, how do you expect Kenyans to survive? Unlock our country, sir. We want to work, make money, feed our families and pay bills" We are tired!" he wrote.

On the same, comedian and radio presenter Felix Odwour popularly known as Jalang'o disclosed that artists are suffering in silence thanks to the government's order to impose an 8 pm curfew in Nairobi.

"I swear people are suffering including well-established artists and DJs. They are hungry and depression is checking in," wrote Jalang'o on his Instagram page.

He urged artists who depend on performances to earn a living to apply for a pass and leave Nairobi for other places in the country to set up shows.

"Team up and go to Homabay, Kisii, Nyeri, Meru, Mombasa, Mtwapa and accept small pay, small gigs and build a new audience. Hunger will you before Corona," advised Jalang'o.

American rapper DMX's memories will continue to be celebrated as Instagram has memorialised his account, adding “remembering” to his bio.

DMX died on April 9 at the White Plains hospital in US where he was receiving treatment following complications from a drug overdose which left him on life support for a week.

The last Instagram photo that DMX shared on his account was uploaded on March 24. The photo featured a sweatshirt that read “DMX” across the chest. The post was liked more than 25,000 times. The account enjoys over 3 million followers.

According to the photo-video sharing website (Instagram), no one can log into a memorialised account. The posts the deceased person shared, including photos and videos, stay on their page and are visible to the users they were shared with. Also, once the account is memorialised, no one will be able to make changes to any of the existing posts or information. The word Remembering will be shown next to the person’s name on their profile. Memorialized accounts don't appear in public spaces, like people's Explore section of the app.

The new feature was introduced by instagram early this year.

Mewanwhile DMX will be honored by his family, friends, loved ones and fans in one of the premier entertainment venues in the us, The Barclays Center.

The  public memorial will be held on Saturday, April 24 at the arena

Former Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] General manager for corporate services Justus Omae Nyarandi has emerged top among six shortlisted candidates interviewed for the position of KPA Managing Director.

The position became vacant after former MD Daniel Manduku resigned March last year (2020).

Nyarandi is currently the Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) based in Mombasa county.

According to a reliable source, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission [IEBC] chief executive officer [CEO] Ezra Chiloba came second during the interview conducted by a panel of interviewers led by KPA board of directors chairman Joseph Kibwana.

The interview which took place last week at KPA headquarters saw former Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor chief executive officer Silvester Kasuku becoming third at the end of the three day exercise.

The three names have already been forwarded to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani who is expected to recommend the appointee to be approved by the Head of State before the end of next week.

Other candidates who had been shortlisted for the fresh interviews are former KPA General Manager in charge of Kisumu port Sudi Mwasingo who has now been  transferred back to his former post as General Manager Operation and Harbour master to take over from Captain William Ruto, former Principal Secretary at the Gender Ministry Mwanamaka Mabruki who previously worked at the port, former NSSF Managing Trustee-turned-politician Alex Kazongo who served as KPA General manager finance and little known Jimmy Ziro.

In previous interviews three candidates who had passed the short-listing stage failed to meet the required 70 percent mark to clinch the post forcing the government to repeat the whole process.

The KPA board was forced to go back to the drawing board after Yatani ordered a repeat of the recruitment exercise for Manduku’s successor.

It has also emerged that there was no age limit for the applicants to fill the post at the port which is perceived to be a cash cow for the 2022 general elections.