Grammy award-winning Nigerian superstars, Burna Boy and Wizkid have joined forces to create amonster masterpiece video for the African Giant’s new song ‘Ballon D’Or.

Produced by Nigerian British producer P2j, the banging track is inspired by one of the most prestigious trophies given to professional soccer players — Ballon D’Or whose recipient is regarded as the best male football player in the world.

The music stars announced the release of the visuals via their individual social media pages on Friday.

The feel-good video starts with Burna Boy and Wizkid on a boat cruise, savouring the serenity of the cool atmosphere at a beach in the company of several ladies.

The video also featured UFC champion, Kamaru Usman as both singers croon about their heroics in the music industry.

Tanzanian Bad boy and United States based independent record label, Legacy Records Inc. Loui just dropped the visuals to his latest release My Queen.

The vibrant colorful video was shot filmed on location in Zanzibar,Tanzania and directed by the Young Director making his debut2K Grapher.

This comes months after dropping his single “Hennessy” which did very well with over 4M views on YouTube charting on various charts and also after dropping ‘Selema Popo’ with award winning South African DJ and producer, Musa Keys.

Those two records have made Loui Top 5 with most Spotify monthly listeners of not only in Tanzania but the whole East African region. It’s a love composition with vibrant and melodious RNB feelings mixed with some Afro Bongo vibes. Loui serenades to his lady, telling her how beautiful she is, how she makes him feel and how he is going to give her everything and make her feel like a queen that she is.

 “This video is going take my career to the next video. We start the Year on a higher note. One of the best videos ever shot by a young and vibrant director who we share the same vision. The video is a bit different full of different happy moments that resonates with the song and my sound. Apart from showcasing my talent and the capacity I have to bring change in this Industry, I just wanted to show the world how beautiful my country is." said Loui.

Adding "This is a beautiful Song and I urge everyone to watch, enjoy & share this Afro Bongo masterpiece”.

Award-winning hip hop artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist King Kaka has linked up with the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site, Sportsbet.io, as a global ambassador across East Africa and beyond.

King Kaka is one of the biggest names in African rap, lauded both for his creativity and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

Now he’s joining Sportsbet.io, part of Yolo Group, as a global ambassador, with the first campaigns including King Kaka to launch later this month. Players in East Africa and other countries in the region will gain special access to promotions and bonuses, brought to you exclusively by King Kaka and Sportsbet.io.

King Kaka, Global Ambassador for Sportsbet.io, said: “Sportsbet.io are true innovators, and that’s always something I’ll value. Throughout my career and with my music, I’ve tried to follow my own path, and I respect Sportsbet.io for doing the same. I can’t wait to get started as a global ambassador for the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site.”

Albert Climent, Head of Africa at Sportsbet.io, said: “King Kaka is an inspiration to millions, not just for his game changing music, but also his humanitarian work. He’s the perfect match for our fun, fast and fair approach to crypto gaming, and we know this is going to be a showstopping partnership.”

Sportsbet.io is the world’s top crypto-led sports betting site, offering thousands of markets and events. It is globally renowned for sponsorships of leading football clubs, including Arsenal, Southampton and São Paulo.

Ugandan star rapper NAVIO, celebrated as East Africa’s King of Hip Hop has released “Raha” - brand new single and music video, experimenting with Amapiano / Rap. Tanzanian music genius, Daxochali, who is renowned for his mastery in Amapiano, produced this song with authority to create a massive hit. 

This is the first release off Navio’s upcoming studio album ‘Vibes Out The East’ (#VOTE) . Navio stands out on the new release, flowing effortlessly on Amapiano, the biggest genre sweeping through the African charts right now. 

It’s a daring and bold move as many rappers have refused to take the plunge as compared to their counterparts in other genres.

Navio says “I spent almost more than 8 years in South Africa when I was younger and in my prime club years so I’ve always been influenced by the region’s sound and more. Plus with a grandmother from that side it’s always hard for me to ignore any trend from there.”

The track’s high energy music video directed by Sasha Vybz, who stays true to his style, crafting a timeless video paying homage to the scale of the song, with big sweeping shots and a choreography centered on Afro Hip Hop dance, calling out for freedom, and expression.  

Navio says about the release, “Uganda has been locked up. No dancing, no concerts, no vibes and no good times allowed. Now that we’re coming to the end of that I think we needed an anthem that showed all of those qualities. Besides the fact that UG hasn’t been on the scene, we still have something to add to East African music and therefore Navcorp is proud to present the new hit to usher in 2022 - “Raha” - Leta Raha: bring on the good times!”

Seemingly not slowing down, Navio gets to exclusively share more about the upcoming body of work,

“The album is a bit more centered on Navio as compared to my 2020 album ‘Strength In Numbers’ whose whole theme was centered on the title and by that involving people I respect from across Africa. This next project ‘Vibes Out The East’ (#VOTE) is centered on my personal story and expression to the rest of the continent and world. It aims to still have that freestyle approach but push a new level of excellence.” he says.

Adiing,“The next divergence will be on this project in terms of experimenting with other genres.”

East African Hip Hop music, Ugandan music, Navio and all of his brothers in the industry are still very active and have a message for East African fans and beyond,.

“You can never overlook quality. This will never be a numbers game and the art form whether commercial or underground needs to actually contain ART. Let’s keep expressing ourselves and pushing further the right way. Support each other in East Africa and we will be the region to reckon with on the continent.”

Navio has undoubtedly proven himself in these dark times of the pandemic that tremendously had an impact on the music industry globally.

Having the most successful year of any rapper regionally, he released the ‘Strength In Numbers’ (SIN album) which sold 39,459 copies in the first few weeks before the street vendors pushed the sales to higher heights- off a well crafted boda delivery strategy in the heart of lockdown.

The album itself won awards - and the collaborations with Vanessa Mdee, Ice Prince, Joh Makini, Seyi Shay, Laylizzy and a Burna Boy Remix- makes it an instant classic. He had the first virtual concert in Uganda launching his album. 

A matatu driver and his conductor who assaulted a traffic officer on Thursday morning in Mikindani, Mombasa have been arrested.

The two, Emmanuel Lwamba and Nicholas Ngwava Peter descended on the officer with kicks and blows leaving him with a bruised nose and chest injuries.

They are said to have later took off with the officer’s phone and Sh2,000. The vehicle was registered KBF 578K.

According to a statement from the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) a manhunt was launched immediately after the incident leading to the arrest of the two

"Two suspects who assaulted a police officer on traffic duties in Mikindani, Mombasa county have finally been arrested.The officer was busy controlling traffic at around 6:30am, along the busy Changamwe - Mikindani road, when he was accosted by the two.The duo, a matatu driver and a conductor descended on the traffic cop with heavy blows and kicks, leaving him with a bruised nose and chest pains. They also took off with his mobile phone and Sh2,000. A manhunt for the two small operating a matatu KBF 578K, was launched leading to the arrest of the two identified as Emmanuel Lwamba and Nicholas Ngwava Peter, a few hours later. Detectives based at Jomvu police station are currently handling the matter. Members of the public are cautioned against attacking a police officer on duty, since it is a serious offence that may land one in serious conflict with the law." reads a statement from DCI.

Kisauni Member of Parliament Ali Mbogo has urged the youth to come out in numbers to support him in his 2022 gubernatorial bid.

Addressing a youth gathering in Junda ward Kisauni constituency, the aspiring governor of Mombasa said that the time has come for him to take over the leadership as the second governor of Mombasa.

“You are the people who will make me take the lead, you are the same people who will decide on who will be your leader after the general elections and therefore am urging you to give me your votes because I believe in you,” he said.

Mbogo said that he has confidence in his people and he believes that he will take the winning position.

He called upon the residents to put aside their differences and make same decision that will help him become the second governor of Mombasa County.

“You are the ones who will make me win or fail in this race. We all want change, job opportunities and we all want to improve our businesses and have good lives." he said.

Adding "These will be possible if we put aside our differences and stand together as one family of Junda and make same decision in the ballot papers."

He further said that this is the right time for people to vote for reform because leadership is not begged, it is grabbed.

 "This time we are going to grab the position because it is the right time for us to take the winning, you cannot beg anyone to give you the leadership, no one will give you or bring for you the leadership and that is why we have to grab it whether they like it or not."

"Am urging you to be with me, walk and win with me,” 

In the race to succeed incumbent Hassan Joho who is serving his last term as the county chief, Mbogo will battle against Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir, Businessman Suleiman Shahbal, Deputy Governor William Kingi and former Senator Hassan Omar.

The government has declared some parts of Lamu County as disturbed areas and ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew for 30 days. 

In a statement released by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i the move follows the recent surge of attacks in the region.

“Incidences of criminal attacks that have led to the loss of seven innocent lives have been reported in Widho Sub-location, Majembeni Location of Lamu County and Lamu Central Subcounty,” read the statement by the CS.

Adding “In accordance with Section 106 (1) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the National Security Council has declared the following parts of Lamu County as Disturbed Areas and ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew for a period of thirty (30) days effective Wednesday, January 5th, 2022.”

The areas in Lamu West Sub-county that will be affected by the curfew include: Mukunumbi Division (Majembeni location, Ndamwe Location, Mkunumbi Location),  Witu Division (Pandanguo Location, Binde Warinde location,  Witu location,  Hamasi Location)

In Mpeketoni the areas that will be affected by the curfew include: Bomani Location, Pongwe Location, Mpeketoni Location, Bahari Location and Mapenya Location. Hindi which is in Lamu central has also been classified as a disturbed area. 

Matiang’i  has also ordered the deployment of security forces in the region to beef up security in the region and ensure all illegal firearms are seized.

Five suspects were on Tuesday arrested over another attack at Widhu Majembeni in Lamu county, which saw six people killed on Monday.

"Residents in the Disturbed Areas are requested to cooperate with the Security agencies and to share information on suspicious persons and activities." said Matiang'i

Barely a week after his political foe Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir brandished a gubernatorial campaign song, banker Suleiman Shahbal has had his released.  

The duo is expected to jostle for the hotly contested Mombasa County governorship in the August 9^th 2022 general elections.

While Abdulswamad’s campaign song was done by Tanzania musician Aslay, Shahbal’s latest song promoting his gubernatorial bid was sang by  Masauti.

In a short clip seen by this blog, singer Masauti is seen at SS Media studios getting high on the jam dubbed as “tumpeleke” that he has released promoting Shahbal’s candidature.

Part of the song describes Shahbal as brave christening him “Commando.”

“It has been accepted that Shahbal is the Mombasa leader. He is deserves to be a leader. Shahbal is firm and calm,” a part of the song played.

In the video, Masauti was also heard declaring his support for Shahbal the businessman waked in the studio and hugged him then proceeded to listen to the song.

Aspirants for top seats in the coast region have been widely known for using popular musicians, mostly Bongo flava artists or coast-based musicians with local dialect to influence citizens to vote for them.

The artist contracted have a huge following. They have the capabilities to influence their fan base to ascribe to a certain politicians agenda and vote for the aspirant.

In the 2017 general election for instance, incumbent Mombasa County governor Hassan Ali Joho used a similar campaign strategy through songs from legendary Bongo Flava superstar Ali Kiba and Susumila.

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib who seeks to retain his seat also recently had his campaign song dubbed “Badi Tosha” released by musician Chikuzee.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is on Thursday expected to tour the Mombasa port and inspect the progress of ongoing works at the new Kipevu Oil Terminal(KOT).

According to a statement from KPA acting Managing Director John Mwangemi, the President will be accompanied by the State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the People’s Republic of China.Wang Yi.

The visit by President Uhuru Kenyatta comes just weeks after he unveiled the first modern shipyard at Mtongwe Kenya Navy Base within the port of Mombasa. 

The new KOT is an off-shore facility located at thePort of Mombasa, opposite to the existing Kipevu Oil Terminal.

The project consists of one offshore island terminal with four berths whose total length is 770m and one work boat wharf at Westmont area for landing facilities.

It also has five sub-sea pipelines which were buried 26meters under the seabed to allow for future dredging of the channel without interfering with the pipes. The new KES 40 billion Oil Terminal is financed by KPA and constructed by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC).

"Once complete the new oil terminal facility will have four berths (One not fully equipped) capable of handling six different hydrocarbon import and export products, it is also fitted with a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) facility, crude oil and heavy fuel oil." said KPA acting Managing Director John Mwangemi.

Adding "It also has provisions for handling three types of white oil products (DPK- aviation fuel, AGO – diesel and PMS – petrol)."

The terminal will for a start be able to accommodate three ships concurrently with a capacity of 200,000 tons each.

A fourth berth has already been constructed provisionally, which will be fitted with facilities in future commensurate with demand, to be able to handle a fourth ship.

This new Oil Terminal will effectively replace the old Kipevu Oil Terminal situated on the mainland Port Reitz, which was built in 1963 to serve the then East Africa Oil Refinery (EAOR) which later became the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL).

The Old KOT is a single jettywith a capacity to accommodate only one vessel at any given time. Then the discharge pipe sizes were smaller, product and discharge flow rates were also much slower although they served well at the time.