Kenyan singer Rawbeena popular for the hit song 'Romantic' featuring Fena Gitu has just released a n'w song titled 'Mahaba'.

In an interview with Ommy Dallah, Rawbeena speaks about her music and the latest song.

1.. Who is Rawbeena?, kindly describe yourself.

Rawbeena is the most realistic Kenyan female artist,graduating with a degree in music production, simple understanding person who adores family. 

2..What kind of music do you do?

Hii hata me na Shirko hatujui bado,we just love cutting across many soulful genres , being creative with anything. I’d fall between swahili fusion of pop and zouk. When in studio we just create and vibe on a sound. 

3..What inspires your music?

People around me, human stories , my life . I write music for the people , so whatever I do I relate it to the people. 

Napenda mziki wa adabu kidogo. I don’t wanna be ashamed in future ama watoto wangu wawe mocked because of the music I sing or write. 

4..Who do you look up to in terms of music, your role model

Angelique kidgo always my role model but in Kenya for the few I’ve worked with nitamchagua shirko. Shirko is a creative , a super talented creative. I can’t wait for the day watu watajua uwezo wake 

5..What's your opinion about the status of Kenyan music industry currently?

We are growing and am among. Nashukuru sana kuona gengeton inakufa! Kids were lowering the standard of art in the country. I pray for a day the art industry will go back to entertaining and educating rather than promoting ills of the society. 

6..Who is your favourite Kenyan artist?..

 I miss nyota ndogo . I’ll just leave it there.

7..Tell us more about your new song 'Mahaba'?

 Mahaba ni nyimbo ya mapenzi, wakati huu many families are forced to stay indoors together. Mental health, stress ni vitu ambavyo havifai kuchukuliwa for granted. Hata kwenye msimu huu wa Ramadhan ni kueneza upendo tu kwa families na wapenzi. Najua tunachokana, especially now that we spending a lot of time at home.

8..Alot has been said about the cost of the video, how much did the video cost you?

This video serves as an introduction of my own record label (Solid Productions) so ilibidi nininvest saana. As an artist huwa sipendi kuongelea utajiri wangu kabisa Maana me ni tajiri sana. With whatever I have I bless God and I thank him for provision and I actually work so hard for it. So Hii video kiukweli imeni cost saana sai lets just say ni hela nyingi sana . I decided to invest a lot of my savings hapa we speaking of thousands of Euros , logistics and other things factored in. 

Ningeomba tu wakenya waipokee na kuni support kwa safari yangu nliyoianza nikishirikiana na Shirko Media.

When detective Jane Wawira Mugo hit the mainstream media in 2019, it was not for her numerous achievements and good deeds to the society. She was wanted for what she terms as being g a 'threat' to some individuals.

The headlines on the news were for a wanted female spy, the most dangerous woman.

For a woman who had taken years of hard work and love for peace, it seemed like the whole world around her was crumbling in a snap of someone’s powerful finger.  A lot of scary possibilities were posed right then.

But instead she did not choose to go into hiding or running away from the country, she immediately presented herself to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission as her only chance for vindication on the injustice towards her career.

It is said that a good name is worth more than gold and when her vindication swiftly came from activists, ordinary Kenyans and international organizations.

“These have been plans to intimidate me from doing my work. These intimidations and threats started in 2014 as the male colleagues in the industry felt that I am doing much better than them. They also felt that a woman should not keep asking them questions because they are untouchable. Their plans backfired. Last year, the purpose of these headlines was to instill fear in me so that I can stop handling high level cases, most of which touched senior government officials''.

"'These competitors also felt that I always get justice for my clients, which did not seem to go down well with them hence their move to spoil my name. During that period of sponsored shaming, I did not fear for my name, because the truth always prevails. My concern was mostly for my children, the orphans I support, and the people I mentor, because these headlines were affecting them directly.” Says Detective Jane Mugo.

The award winning private detective was born and raised in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County. Where she schooled at Kiaumbui Primary School then joined Karoti Girls’ High School.

After completing high school in 1997, she spearheaded the improvement of security in her home area Mururi, where she started a security project, including building a police post.

The post which is still functioning to date and is named in her honor.

“My passion for security matters was influenced and informed by the problem of rampant insecurity in my home area, with a lot of illicit brewing dens encouraging the problem of alcoholism. The area was also prone to numerous road accidents, theft among other evils. I even witnessed my own neighbor shot dead. We petitioned the government to put bumps on the roads among other measures to improve security''. she shares.

''These things made me want to pursue issues of security. Otherwise I initially wanted to be a nun because I love justice and my passion to help the needy”.

The fire to safe guard her home saw her join  Superior College in Embu, where she  pursued her studies in law while still working as coordinator of community policing in her local area.

“Among my most memorable incidents back then was when I led a demonstration against a court case involving a child who had been severely punished by his step mother for stealing a pencil. She chopped off his hand!  We demonstrated against the injustice given to this child and Honorable Martha Karua intervened in this case to give the child justice. This story even took a front page space in the local dailies''.

''I then came to Nairobi in early 2002 where I started working as an undercover agent posted at Kabete Police Station. I was given an opportunity to pursue a diploma in Criminology at Kenyatta University while still working part – time.” Intimates Mugo about her early journey in Security. 

The 41 years old detective is also the CEO of Trimo Security and Private Investigations Limited which was founded in 2008. This was inspired by the wide gap in the area of security matters in the country.

Police are overwhelmed with the cases that they handle. The company supports law enforcement, by handling sensitive cases.  

“When you see the amount of cases, and types of issues that the police handle daily, you would understand their frustrations. Joseph Nkaissery, Former Security CS, Hon John Michuki, and others in the internal security docket all encouraged me to continue offering my services to Kenyans after they saw how we worked on a number of cases successfully. They saw my passion for this work and how I am solving problems for the weak in the society.”

Trimo has created employment opportunity for 8 staff and other staff on standby especially for projects such as VIP protection. All the staff are trained and certified by the relevant government bodies, and recruited through referrals from law firms or the police sector by getting names of those who are trained.

Their clients range from government, corporate institutions, banks, private businesses, companies, non-governmental organization, the VIPs who are usually keen on their protection and safety.

Most importantly though, Detective Jane Mugo has won the hearts of many with her love for children, visiting and providing for the needy children from homes all over Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and giving a hand where it is most needed by the children in the homes.

She is also a director at Ruiru lions group and co director at Baraka Children’s home in Kayole, Nairobi.

“I have visited children homes in Nairobi, Kerugoya, Mombasa, Kisumu and other places. I don’t really have a particular schedule that I follow when I want to visit the needy, but I believe that my heart leads me. At times I get sponsors to accompany me on these visits, like when I took eye care doctors on a visit in Kirinyaga where they gave free eye test services to the children. I also helped those who needed eye spectacles to get them at affordable prices. I have visited homes in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania together with some of the societies and clubs that I am a member of ''.

'' I also do mentorship programs to anyone interested in joining this field,” says the detective who is also the last born from a family of 8 and a single mother of 2.

Her near future plan is to hold a forum to be held in Nairobi on August with representation from the 47 counties in Kenya.  It will focus on issues such as insurance fraud, VIP protection, forensic investigation, business investigation, investigating national matters  among other things.

This will be a free forum where she will share her experiences. The people who will be trained will also have the opportunity of working as Trimo ambassadors in the countries.

Detective Mugo is the first woman in Africa to ever undertake VIP protection in collaboration with Pansa Security of South Africa, the Kenyan government and her company.

Her work has seen her travel different countries including Burkina Faso, Ghana, Turkey, Rwanda, South Africa for training or on government assignment.

The most important thing and advice she could give to anyone in life journey she says is the fear of God.

“People must fear God, be passionate about their jobs, set goals and be determined to meet them. Be honest in your dealings and also remember what you give out, is an investment and it will come back to you in a bigger way. Always be good and kind to others. It is worth the investment.” She adds.

Recently, there were reports circulating on social media suggesting she is interested in the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat in 2022. She has dismissed the reports saying she has no interest in politics.

''I have never told anyone that i will be going for a political seat, i'm not interested in politics, i just want to give back to the community through my different projects and take care of my Children'' she noted.

Adding " I'm aware that there are some individuals who are using my name to obtain money from politicians, going to some offices saying i want the Kirinyiga seat which is not true''

As the world is still grappling with the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bongo crooner Diamond Platnumz has decided to come to the aid of vulnerable families in his local city Daresalaam.

Taking to social media, Diamond announced that he will be paying three months rent for five hundred families in.

"I pretty much know that at these terrible times where we are all fighting global pandemic COVID-19,countless life circumstances have changed especially in businesses, many businesses are drowning hence rendering to financial difficulties and life becoming a little bit tough to many of us" said Diamond

Adding ''Although I am amongst those affected by this pandemic on Economy, with the little that God has blessed me with, I have decided to atleast offer a helping hand by paying 3 Months house rent to 500 families as my kind gesture of helping one another during these terrible times of fighting COVID-19 for I believe i should share your troubles and your happiness too. On Monday i shall announce procedure on how these 500 families shall receive house rent''.

This move has touched several people with most congratulating him.

''How noble of you,??? God continue to bless the work of your hands, and don't forget your ardent fans and followers from +254 in this good gesture of yours we are all affected in some way or the other. Much blessings and keep safe'' commented Phelix Onditi.

''Mungu azidi kukubarik katika kazi zako Na maisha yako azidi kukupa imani yakuweza kusaidia wale walokua Na Hali ya chini Zaidi yako. Kutoa ni imani sio kuwa nacho!
Ramadhan Mubarak Simba mwenye roho ya imani '' Saada Alhrasy.

Kenyan female singer Akothee posted ''Baba Tee''

Yesterday we informed that the Kenya Ports authority acting managing director eng Rashid Salim  was not among those who were interested in succeeding Daniel Manduku as the managing director.

According to a source who we had earlier spoken to eng Rashid was not among those who had applied for the position.

Details have now emerged that Rashid submitted his application at the last minute due to some pressure from some quarters.

"The pressure was too much and he gave in, he applied last minute" said the source.

Rashid was named acting managing director after the resignation of Daniel Manduku as the managing director last month.

KPA advertised for the position of the managing director early this month with the deadline being set as April 24.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/1492-eng-rashid-salim-not-intrested-in-kpa-md-post

Veteran African singer & songwriter Angélique Kidjo, in collaboration with UNICEF, has re-released "Pata Pata" by the late South African music icon Miriam Makeba, in order to raise awareness around the coronavirus outbreak.

Makeba or "Mama Africa" as she was also known, wrote the now world-famous song referencing a dance that had become quite popular in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 60s.

Kidjo has kept "Pata Pata", which translates from Xhosa to "Touch Touch", the same in terms of its original musical elements.

Speaking about the re-working the classic song, in the hopes of raising greater awareness around the coronavirus outbreak, Kidjo also describes how she drew inspiration from both Makeba and Manu Dibango. 

Dibango passed away at the age of 86 last month due to the global pandemic coronavirus.

"Manu inspired me. Miriam inspired me. And Pata Pata gave me hope", said Kidjo. "We all know what needs to be done, but we also know how much communities are suffering. "Pata Pata" has always been there for people at a time of struggle. I hope it helps once more. And I hope from our confined spaces we can dance once more."

Some of the lines in the song  go: “In this time of coronavirus it’s not touch time.Everybody can help fight Covid-19. Stay at home and wait it out.“This is no-pata-pata … We need to keep our hands clean.”

Listen to the song below.

Kanye West is a billionaire, and he wants the world to know.

After months of requests, the hip-hop superstar shared his financial records with Forbes. “There’s only one number that West cares about. A billion, as in dollars. And he cares a lot,” writes the magazine.

Kanye was featured on the cover of Forbes last summer, which detailed his successful Yeezy empire. But the magazine didn’t declare him a billionaire at the time, much to his dismay. He blasted them while speaking on an industry panel in November and in private said Forbes was “purposely snubbing” him.

When Forbes released its annual billionaires list earlier this month, West was absent. “You know what you’re doing,” he texted. “You’re toying with me and I’m not finna lye [sic] down and take it anymore in Jesus name.” He also claimed Forbes was “purposely a part of a group of media” that was trying to undervalue his self-made success because of his race.

So he decided to make it official. On Thursday, West told his team to provide Forbes with “what we feel is an authentic numeric look into Kanye, Inc.”

He claims in his words and through paperwork that he’s worth more than $3 billion. West owns 100% of Yeezy, which is contractually tied to adidas for at least five-plus years. The Yeezy apparel division is not believed to make money. Based on documents, Forbes estimates the final revenue number for the shoes is closer to $1.3 billion.

West’s agreement calls for him to receive a royalty around 11%, which would put his Yeezy royalties over $140 million from last year. Forbes notes that West’s “aggressive” $3 billion self-appraisal is based on the idea that the business is infinitely portable, but separating Yeezy from adidas is “almost prohibitively cumbersome, if not contractually impossible.”

In conservative terms, a 10x multiple applied to West’s Yeezy cut of $140 million makes his stake worth about $1.4 billion. Due to the fact that the asset is not very liquid, Forbes reduced the value by 10%, arriving at $1.26 billion.

Kanye’s statement of assets supplied by his team lists just $17 million in cash and $35 million in stocks. The largest assets are $81 million in “buildings and improvements” and $21 million in land, including the Hidden Hills mansion he shares with his wife Kim Kardashian and four children, and a pair of $14 million Wyoming ranches. Documents reveal West’s G.O.O.D. Music label, his own recorded music, and publishing rights to be worth at least $90 million.

In the end, Forbes estimates Kanye’s current net worth at $1.3 billion, $300 million more than his sister-in-law Kylie Jenner and JAY-Z, who was declared hip-hop’s first billionaire in 2019.

Still, Kanye claims he’s worth triple that amount. “It’s not a billion,” he texted Forbes last night. “It’s $3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count.”

Courtesy of : Rap-Up

It has now been revealed that Kenya ports Authority acting managing director Eng Rashid Salim is not interested in replacing his former embattled boss Daniel Manduku.

Rashid was named acting managing director after the resignation of Daniel Manduku as the managing director last month.

KPA advertised for the position of the managing director early this month with the deadline being set as April 24.

According to a source who did not want to be mentioned, Rashid failed to apply for the position due to medical reasons and advise from family not to seek for the position.

"His family was against him applying for the position considering the pressure that comes with the office" said the source.

According to the source, Rashid who is also the general manager for engineering services is due for retirement by end of next year.

The race to succeed Manduku attracted several candidates including the general manager in charge of Lamu port Eng Abdillahi Samatar, former general manager engineering services Eng Atonga Ouma and head of strategy at the Kisumu Port Inland Container Depot Yobesh Oyaro.

This will be the third time that Eng Ouma will be applying for the post after failing twice before.

Sarova Hotels and Resorts, Kenya’s first indigenous hospitality company, has volunteered to provide food to frontline healthcare workers at both Kenyatta National Hospital and Mbagathi Hospital in an effort to help the Government manage the Coronavirus pandemic that is threatening to stretch the limits of the country’s health facilities.

The program which will run for 30 days will see Sarova provide daily lunches to the more than 200 healthcare workers who are providing the most critical services to patients at the facility.

The move is a gesture by Sarova to say thank you and  recognize the bravery and commitment of the heroes and heroines in the facilities who have put their lives on the frontline to lead the war to eradicate the virus.

While launching the exercise, Sarova Hotels and Resorts Managing Director Jimi Kariuki lauded the healthcare workers for their selfless devotion to save the lives of Kenyans during this trying period.

“It is indeed a trying time for humanity and at the end, we must all work together to flatten the curve. It is very important that we recognise and encourage the healthcare workers who are working flat out every day to save lives. We are privileged as a country to have dedicated healthcare workers who we need to support in every possible way”. Mr. Kariuki explained.

He added “This is a deadly disease which can be fought through strict adherence to the recommended guidelines from the Ministry of Health. If we do so, we shall overcome".

Kenyatta National Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Evanson Kamuri highlighted that “Feeding frontline healthcare workers is a direct pat on the back that will boost their morale and make them feel appreciated. Thank you Sarova Hotels for this kind gesture.”

Celebrated Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones seems to have had enough of online bullying, which has now become a norm in Kenya.

In his new song titled 'Hao' featuring Masauti, Khaligraph addresses the issue on cyberbullying highlighting the struggles Kenyan celebrities have to go through in their daily lives.

In the song the rapper uses examples of celebrities who have gone through cyberbullying, the recent cases being of Bahati and comedian Mulamwah.

"Kukuwa celebrity Kenya ni kujitolea kuapologizia watu haujakosea, kama wewe ni msofti utasema wanakuonea, kama wewe ni mjanja itabidi umeozea, wtakutusi ndio ucatch wakuceheke" states Jones.

Kenyan gospel artist pastor Anthony Musembi has found himself in trouble with Tuku music, the custodians of late Zimbabwe music icon Oliver Mtukudzi music and composition rights after using some elements of the song ' Todii' by the late Mtukudzi.

Pastor Musembi released a rendition of the song with the title  "Todii cover" last Saturday creating awareness for the COVID- 19 which went viral on social media.

In a statement, Tuku Music states "We were notified about the cover version of the song “Todii”  on the 19th of April 2020 and after watching it we immediately reached out to Pastor Athony Musembi via his Facebook. We did not get a response from him and after contacting our colleagues we managed to get his phone number and management made contact with him and are waiting for his official statement via email."

Adding "We have listened to his version of the song and we understand that it will help raise awareness in Kenya where Pastor Athony Musembi is from and possibly to other parts of Africa. Dr Mtukudzi considered himself an African musician who just happened to have been born in Zimbabwe and Kenya was and will always be home to Tuku Music".

According to Tuku Music, pastor Musembi did not seek permission from them before releasing the cover song  thus infringing on their rights.

"Pastor Athony Musembi however did not seek rights and pemission to use the song for the “COVID -19 “ awareness cover version for the song “Todii” and he has shown willingness to rectify the mistake and will work with our publishers and legal team to make sure the necessary paperwork is in order. We believe his version of the song will compliment efforts to flatten the curve in the fight against COVID -19 in Kenya and in Africa." reads the statement from Tuku Music

The statement further states" We encourage artists  to follow the correct protocols when they need to use copyright protected material to avoid unnecessary issues that can arise from violations of these protocols". 

Pastor Musembi has not yet responded to the issues raised.

OIliver Mtukudzi died last year (2019) January in Harare Zimbabwe.