Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] acting Managing Director Rashid Salim has been locked out of the succession battle at the state corporation’s helm.

We have established his name was not among those the KPA board of directors has shortlisted for interview to succeed embattled Daniel Manduku who resigned as MD of the state corporation.

Former KPA officer James Ng’ang’a is among those shortlisted for the interview to succeed Manduku.

Ng’ang’a currently works for the African development bank in Abidjan, Ivory Coast 

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He is making his third attempt to head the controversial state parastatal which has been the centre of attention.

Rashid’s former divisional boss, who had headed technical service, retired Eng Ouma Atonga will be making his third attempt at the post as he is expecting to sit for the interview next month.

KPA general manager in charge of Lamu port Eng Abdullah Samatar will make his first attempt as he is among those to be interviewed for the top job.

KPA General Manager in charge of Kisumu port Sudi Mwasingo is also short listed and will be making a second go at the post.

Only two General Managers from the authority have not joined the race to succeed Manduku. These are General Managers Corporate Services Edward Kamau and Operation and Harbour Master Captain William Ruto.

Controversial KPA General Manager Finance Patrick Nyoike was locked out of the race as he is facing economic sabotage charges in court.

KPA Head of strategy at the Kisumu port Inland Container Depot Yobesh Oyaro who had served as procurement manager and in the audit department and soft-spoken KPA General Manager in charge of infrastructure development Eng Vincent Sidai Esyepet who was employed on a three year contract with different terms of reference were the first to miss out in the shortlist stage.

Multi-talented U.S based Kenyan artist King Kanja has been on a steady rise. After a stint of successful EPs and a string of successful tours, he finally presents his debut album titled VIBE LORD, released under his imprint label King Kanja Empire.

From Singapore, Kenya, Atlanta, Nigeria, Zambia and London to L.A, the 10-track album features a cross section of artists including OC Osilliation, Wntaln, Shank, Meaku, DJ Fred Muks, Mcrayanthedj, Ke4, Kanyeria and Kiara Lanier.

Acclaimed music producers on the project include Samklef in “Tonight”, Ife Love in “Pointy”, 1414 IN “My Ting Ya” and Kanyeria in “Nakupenda Ma”.

Stream VIBE LORD: https://empire.ffm.to/vibelord

King Kanja is celebrated for his unique style that blends hip-hop, R&B, reggae and African polyrhythmic music, while infusing Kikuyu and Swahili language into his lyrics.

Speaking about his debut album, Kanja says, “I am extremely proud of VIBE LORD because it represents the energy I bring in when I walk into a room or onto stage and my growth as a man and as a musician''

Adding ''The different people, views and culture I have experienced from my tour last year influenced this album. In fact, a lot of these songs were recorded during the tour because I wanted to captivate the energy of the place and the audience from the concert.”

The Covid-19 pandemic did not stop or slow King Kanja’s music plans for 2020. Instead it was a motivator to release VIBE LORD and connect more with his fans.

He says, “During this Covid-19 period, I found myself transitioning into a different mindset and energy. It made me dig deeper inside me to pull out the biggest vibes I had to compete this album reflecting on the vibes I collected from each city during my U.S tour.”

WAVE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuiCzeyF8bU

MAMBO NI LEO on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqvAR827rIY

Executively produced by King Kanja, VIBE LORD singles include “Tonight”, “Oh Nana”, Kitty Purr”, “My Woman”, “Pointy”, “Fancy”, My Ting Ya”, “Nectar”, “Freak” and “Nakupenda Ma”.

The album’s music videos will be determined by fans favourites, Kanja is assertive, adding, “I wanted to give my fans a full studio album for them to fully experience my musical realm.” In the past three years, King Kanja has released two successful EPs: VIBES (2017) and MUCHOKI (2019).

This new album is the first of a 3-part full studio album trilogy by Kanja. King Kanja’s next projects are nearly ready and will be a reggae and hip-hop album, respectively.

ABOUT KANJA

KING KANJA is one of the most sought-after award-winning international recording artists in the music industry. Born in London to a Kenyan family and raised in the Silver Spring, MD area, Kanja Muchoki broke out after a performance on B.E.T’s legendary “106 and Park” in 2009. His style is often categorized as world music with a blend of hip hop, R&B, reggae and African polyrhythms.

He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA but regularly travels to London and Kenya.

He was also nominated at the 2017 AFRIMMA awards in Dallas, Texas for the “Crossing Boundaries with Music” award alongside international acts Wale, Wizkid, Maleek Berry, French Montana & Jidenna.

Over the years, he’s played at South by Southwest, starred in a Coca-Cola ad and become especially legendary in Kenya, in part because he often drops Kikuyu and Swahili into his lyrics. He has also performed in D.C. including at the John F. Kennedy Center.

Popular NBC Tv series The Blacklist closed out its seventh season with a twist, after production on the drama was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the show turned to animation to help complete the season finale.

The animated scenes for the 19th and final episode of the 7th season aired on May 15th 2020.

The episode, titled "The Kazanjian Brothers," was midway through filming in New York when production stopped in mid-March due to the pandemic. 

Actors recorded dialogue from their homes for the animated scenes, and all animation and editing was done remotely. As The Hollywood Reporter has reported, production on a number of animated series continued largely uninterrupted during the pandemic as studios and producers had adapted to working remotely.

The season finale follows  the task force as it investigates an accountant who works for criminals in order to find the violent and thuggish brothers hired for his protection.  

The 7th season was initially planned to be a 22-episode season but was turned into a 19-episode season considering the circumstances. The Blacklist has been renewed for the 8th season that will hopefully come in 2021.

The third edition of Kenya’s first curated online live music platform will be hosting more exciting acts from Nairobi Kenya on May 25, 2020 on IGTV, Facebook and YouTube.

This follows the successful launch of edition 1 and 2 of, the first ever online virtual concert that was graced by Kidum and Gravitti respectively.

Speaking about the previous edition, curator and founder Dan Aceda, says, “Videos by StudioTisa have reached over 170k people and over 60k interactions in comments and likes. This performance has surprised me. I also don't think that it's possible to do this with a real life show.”

He further adds, “This is confirmation that this is a new way of doing things that we need to change to immediately."

StudioTISA is a unique online live music platform that’s working to develop, celebrate and elevate the work of young musicians in Kenya from all genres and styles. It is the first platform of this kind to be based anywhere on the continent of Africa, leveraging high quality media production experience, technology and social media to provide a brand-new way to experience and consume music and follow their favorite  artistes.

StudioTISA has a genre blind booking policy that’s geared towards new and emerging acts. It is focused on finding and developing new acts with the potential to deliver live performances of distinguished artistic quality.

Gearing up for their first major label release, “Midnight Train”, Sauti Sol releases their second instant gratification track from the forthcoming album out 5 June 2020. After their infectious, singles "Suzanna”, and “Brighter Days”, Sauti Sol returns with "Insecure".

Between rhythmic guitar strums, the track oscillates between the perspectives of two lovers, each dealing with their respective insecurities. “Everyone is insecure about something in their lives” says band member Chimano. “The song encourages one to consciously attack their insecurities rather than conceal them”.

Fusing Swahili into the melodic song’s lyrics and bridge, Sauti Sol addresses the anxieties of letting your guard down for the person you love.

Rather than a dour outlook and tempo, lines like "before we crash and burn, I hope we see the light," are celebratory of what can be achieved when two lovers are considerate of each other's feelings about themselves.

The song was inspired by general discussions that the band has in-between studio sessions and shooting. “We were just chilling and decided to share around the table what insecurities we all had’ added Polycarp Otieno, guitarist and producer in Sauti Sol.

Watch the "Insecure" video HERE

The Priorgod produced “Insecure” video was directed by Director K and was shot in a classic vinyl record store in Cape Town.  Cocooned in the space is an intimate performance addressing an onlooking love interest. Matching the theme of the track, the visuals conceptually depict a lover's bid to access their significant other's innermost feelings. With insecurities cleverly depicted as a spirit hauntingly hovering over a lady - the ensuing choreography is one of her dancing as a form of escape. The melodic guitar strums of "Insecure" soundtrack to this tango and help break down the walls of insecurity. In addition, lyrics like "your body is a movie, and I hope you feel the same" encapsulate the tenderness the track carries. This consideration is perfectly captured in the closing scene of the video where her friends embrace her and protect her from the menacing spirit of her insecurities.

A section of people with hearing impairment from Mombasa county have benefited from special masks to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, courtesy of the Coast Association for Persons with Disability [CAPD].

The special transparent masks makes verbal communication easier compared to the normal masks used in the fight against the virus.

They were also given food to cushion them against the economic effects of the deadly virus.

Fatma Mohamed Ngoto a nurse from the Coast General Hospital who is also in charge of sign language was at hand to offer some lesson on how to use the masks and maintain hygiene during a ceremony held in Tudor, Wednesday afternoon.

Fatma said lack of sensitization and civic education is a big challenge in the fight against the spread of the virus.

CAPD  Chief Executive Officer Hamisa Maalim Zaja said her concern is to ensure they defeat the virus blaming the government for neglecting them during this tough times.

"I am doing the program purely on humanitarian principles. The government should also focus on people living with disabilities, they cannot go out and fight for the relief food and masks as it is with other people. ," she said.

Zaja also called on the government to produce special masks saying the masks currently in the market are are not appropriate for the persons living with hearing disabilities.

"It's not possible to communicate in sign language without using lips and making gestures and this is hard with the masks we currently have in the market''. She said

The CAPD boss she  understands the challenges they face in the person and will always champion for their rights.

She promised to extend the program to other counties in the coast region.

"Let me assure you that I will ensure you have enough food supply during these challenging times of the coronavirus," she said.

MTV Base, through their YouTube page will be broadcasting live a mega music concert on the 25^th of May 2020 at 6pm (CAT) AND ON THE MTV Base channel 322 at 9pm (CAT).

The show Dubbed Africa Day Benefit concert is aimed at commemorating the African Day and also raising awareness on the  COVID-19, it also aims to raise funds towards the health and nutritional needs of Children and  families most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa.

The celebrations of the African day commemorates the historic formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963, which is the precursor to the African Union (AU).

The 2-hour virtual cross-continent concert hosted by British actor, Idris Elba will see performance of Elba alongside a host of African music stars.

The star studded line-up for the live YouTube concert includes Grammy-award winning Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo, Kenya’s Afro-pop group Sauti Sol, South African stars Sho Madjozi, AKA and Nasty C, Nigeria’s Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and Teniola Apata.

Others include StoneBwoy & M.anifest from Ghana, Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz, and Congolese star Fally Ipupa.

The celebrity actor and also musician is one of the many celebrities who reported infection by the virus during its early outbreak stages and well recovered in March, hence it is also a platform to give hope and shed share awareness on the same.

“A continent of this size should find a way to dig deep and stand up for one another at a time like this. It’s important for the future and history will not forget,” said Idris ahead of the concert.

This two - hour concert will also do the most for  African art scene and for the benefit of  African nations.

“We’re pleased to be part of the #AfricaDay Benefit concert going down next week Monday, to raise funds for COVID 19,” shared Kenya’s Sauti Sol through their instagram page.

The concert is trending under the hash tags #AloneTogether and #AfricaDay Benefit Concert on all social media platforms.

Several initiatives have been launched to support the efforts of African governments and the World Health Organisation (WHO) since the COVID-19 outbreak.

The benefit concert will also be made available after Africa Day to encourage individuals and organisations to continue pledging towards funds for this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Medical underwriter AAR Insurance is rolling out a digital transformation strategy that will revamp its distribution channels to attract tech-savvy clientele and empower customers to make critical decisions about their health.   

The company has introduced several digital platforms that not only deliver flexibility and convenience to clients but also enable them track and manage their medical expenses.

The insurer is also banking on the digital model to enhance efficiency, innovation and transparency across its business processes.  

According to AAR Insurance Managing Director Nixon Shigoli, this is part of the company’s strategic direction towards delivering customer experience and innovating new ways of engaging with its clients.

“The AAR brand is on a digital transformation journey to empower our customers and create a delightful experience. Our goal is to create an enabling environment for our clients to enjoy end-to-end services through their mobile phones and other devices,” said Shigoli. 

For instance, AAR has partnered with e-commerce firm Carepay to roll out M-TIBA, a platform that enables customers to manage their medical expenses using their mobile phones. The new service replaced the medical cards previously used by clients to access treatment. Now, they only need to activate through the USSD code (*253#) using a mobile device.

“Mobile-based platforms are crucial in improving health care delivery and increasing uptake of medical insurance. In addition, technology enhances the customer service while lowering the cost of service delivery,” says Mr. Shigoli.

AAR has also introduced an online portal where clients can apply for medical insurance, get quotations, upload the requisite documents and pay for the cover. Customers no longer have to fill out physical forms as they can apply for a medical cover online anytime, anywhere.

Additionally, one can purchase travel insurance, personal accident cover and home insurance online, pay using mobile money payment platforms and get their policy in a matter of minutes.

Using the online portals, clients can manage their policy by checking cover utilization and ensuring personal data is accurate.   

Mr. Shigoli adds that his company is keen on harnessing its digital assets to drive the long-term sustainability of its business and relationships with customers.

The shift to digital is also key in curbing fraud and other malpractices involving medical insurance claims. Bureaucracy and opaque processes have been blamed for client over-billing by some service providers and in some cases fraudulent claims through impersonation.  

“Empowering the consumer and enhancing transparency is a critical factor in tackling fraud and other malpractices. Our clients are able to keep track of their expenses hence reducing opportunities for malpractices,” explains Mr. Shigoli.

Insurance firms have been seen as slow in responding to the digital disruption shaking up the industry and shifting decision-making power to consumers. But this is changing as companies like AAR Insurance ramp up their digital capabilities to grow their business and empower clients.

Following the launch of the Kshs. 100m Artists’ Stimulus Programme on 10^th May 2020 by Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed and the unveiling of the “Together at Home” campaign, the government has now announced the call for applications.

All interested artists, musicians and actors are invited to immediately submit their proposals on artistic productions for consideration by the Ministry.

According to the Principal Secretary State department for culture and Heritage Josephta Mukobe the available funding may not be sufficient to cover all artists engaged within the creative economy therefore, this will be a competitive process.

''We are cognizant of the fact that Kenya has over 100,000 creatives and that the available funding may not be sufficient to cover all artists engaged within the creative economy'' said Mukobe.

The programme will be implemented by the following Departments and Agencies who will also be responsible for disbursement of funds to persons selected to engage in the project: the Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) which will facilitate the participation of musicians, DJs, dancers and Acapella groups in all their categories.

Department of Culture will cover comedians and visual artists; the Kenya Cultural Centre responsible for actors, poets, story-tellers, theatre, including radio theatre and mimes; the National Museums of Kenya which will oversee mural and graffiti artists while the Kenya Film Commission will manage all matters film & content creation.

The application portal domiciled on the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage’s is now open. Creatives across the country are invited to submit their applications. Interested practitioners can now visit www.sportsheritage.go.ke and fill in the provided application forms for consideration. The criteria are spelt out on the website under the various genres.

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In a statement Mukobe noted "The Ministry shall endeavour to guarantee participation reach in all the 47 Counties, ensure gender parity and pay particular emphasis on the 30% reservation for vulnerable groups including Persons Living with Disability''.

Adding ''The Departments and Agencies will be assisted by an academy of professional creatives from different disciplines in the selection process''.

The PS further assured industry practitioners and the general public  that the selection process will be fair, transparent and accountable in the selection of content providers and distribution of funds.