Award winning Nigerian singer, songwriter and afro pop sensation – Reekado Banks aka “Reeky Tom Tom” is set to headline the second edition of the Naifest dubbed the Tsingtao edition. 

The Katapot and Rora hit maker will be the festival’s international act at the event slated for 4^th April 2020 at Ngong Racecourse Nairobi. 

Watch Rora: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC93pNSrRP8

“We are thrilled to announce the second edition of Naifest 2 – TsingTao Edition featuring Nigerian sensation Reekado Banks,” said Bridget Achieng, Naifest Founder. “We couldn’t have chosen a better artist than Reekado Banks for this edition.” She Added.

Reekado Banks shot to fame under Don Jazzy’s Mavin records until 2018 when he started his own record label Banks Music.

The Katapot singer has one album to his name – Spotlight which featured collaborations with stars like D’Prince, Sarkodie, Falz The Bahd Guy, Vanessa Mdee and Patoranking.

Watch Katapot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nURR7Hzay4Q

Reekado Banks has performed at countless sold-out shows in and outside the country and his unique singing talent has won him several awards which include Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2014, Next Rated award at The Headies 2015, Most Promising Act of The Year award at the City People Entertainment Awards 2015 among others.

Concert & Ticket Details

Venue- Ngong Racecourse Nairobi, Advance Tickets are on sale at www.mtickets.com and *229*89# Regular Tickets Kshs 1,500, VIP Ticket Kshs 3,000 and Golden Circle Kshs 5000.

Naifest seeks to celebrate Africa through music, art, fashion and food with a focus on the Nairobi Entertainment scene.

The Naifest 2- TsingTao edition is a partnership between Bridget Achieng Foundation and the SMANT Group.

Homabay county Woman Representative Gladys Wanga has said the move by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Gatundu South Mp Moses Kuria to walk out of the weekend BBI rally in Meru is juvenile and kiddish.

Speaking in Mombasa after meeting members of the Kochia welfare association, Wanga accused Murkomen and Kuria who are allies of Deputy President William Ruto of planning to disrupt the rally which was also attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Wanga also challenged Deputy President William Ruto to come out and explain to Kenyans his true position on the BBI.

On Saturday Murkomen denied claims that he intentionally walked out of the BBI meeting at Kinoru Stadium. He said that the reason he had to leave in a hurry was so that he could catch a lift offered by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.

It isn’t true that I stormed out of the Kinoru BBI meeting.Moses Kuria who gave me lift was leaving for another engagement.I had no choice but to follow.I also had parental duties in my children’s school.I apologize that wanachi followed us out of the stadium.We intended Not"he tweeted

Listening to "I Know Myself" album by US based Kenyan balladeer Josky Suda aka OchiChi.The.Artist rhymes out a musical masterclass that in no doubt rivals some of the best of legendary artists.

Throughout the album in a classical hip-hop charisma the artist in collaboration with a group of US based artists, addresses deep rooted issues cutting across his personal life and the general society.

OchiChi did not mince his words when Ommydalla.co.ke sought to understand what informed his assertive hardcore hiphop approach in the album.

He recalls that during his stay in Kenya he planned a string of collabos with some big artists who shortchanged him by hijacking the whole deal even though the track was originally his.

“The record blew up and I was left out of the plot. It was a heartbreaking situation but I picked myself up and decided to face the mic in studio and let out my frustrations. This is the raw truth and the A to Z of how this album was born,” the musician explains and further recalls how at one time found himself behind bars just because his family was opposed to his idea of pursuing music career.

“Actually I am more than determined to prove to the world that music is in my blood and is what I love. I want to eat, drink, dress and ride music,” he says.

He started music 15 years ago as a budding producer after being inspired by the grandpa who was a singer cum band musician.  

OchiChi who has released three albums namely- MBK, Black and Real and I know Myself, believes he has what it takes to spiral his brand to greater heights beyond grandpa levels.

 And as a sign of affirming his determination to glide up the industry ladder,  this week he unleashes new track “Whats The Deal.”

Ochichi.The.Artist has his own label “ChiengWay Music” where he has signed 6 other artists under him. He plans to release more music and to become a household name locally and internationally.

Social Media:

FaceBook: Ochichitheartist

Instagram: Ochichitheartist

Twitter: Ochichitheartist

YouTube: Ochichitheartist

Fast rising Montreal based Nigerian Afro-fusion songstress Tome is back with a new single titled #TheMoney.

Tome who recently toured with Africa’s top artistes – Burna Boy and Mr. Eazi has performed at Wembley SSE, Afrofest 2019, Uppsala Reggae Festival 2019 in Sweden and the SXSW in Texas and is signed to Kiza music which has affiliates in Nigeria, Kenya, UAE and Canada.

Tõme who is considered an Entertainment powerhouse is out to conquer the world music scene through her unique blend of French Lyrics, sultry vocals and a mix of Afro, Reggae, Hip-hop and RnB.

Speaking on her career, Tome says “I have truly found my sound and know what my music should be” And in doing so, I am also unearthing a personal connection with my middle name, Tõme which means ‘Enough’. My music is enough to me, I am enough”.

Tõme whose songs revolve around relationships has several singles to her name- L’amour, an EP titled – Tõmesroom that features tracks like “Kickback and 1.45”

Tõme is set to commence an East African tour in the coming weeks.

Like many great things, the first experience to a new place remains etched in your memory for a very long time, and being Sneha Namanandi’s first visit to Kenya, taking the heritage tour at Sarova Stanley was enough to tell her that not all hotels are just but structures.

The Indian actress, model, dancer, and singer was in Kenya for the Indirica Festival - the first-ever Indo – African cultural extravaganza.

She was hosted by Sarova Stanley during her stay in the country.

Out of all the things she could do in the city, doing the heritage tour at Sarova Stanley was a great opportunity for her to learn about Kenya’s history, particularly how Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, came to be.

Walking through Sarova Stanley’s grand fixtures took Sneha Namanandi back to the year 1902 when the hotel was first established. The hotel would later grow to become a host to prominent people from across the globe and in 1952, then Princess Elizabeth now Queen visited the hotel as part of her world tour.

To keep the memorabilia and preserve the history of its growth, seven thematic suites bearing names of the famous people who were influenced or hosted by the hotel were established.

Each of these rooms has its own history and is adorned with artifacts from a period long gone, and they are exactly what constitutes the heritage tour, as Sneha would come to learn.

The actress began her heritage tour at the entrance of the hotel by pushing the more than a century old, revolving mahogany door, there she was, greeted by ancient framed photos, among them a picture of the two-storied hotel taken in 1904.

The Thorn Tree

At Thorn tree café, a third-generation acacia tree stands smack in the middle of the hotel. Here, she learns that the tree dates to a ‘Tree Mail’ which was akin to a post office since travelers used to send and receive messages by pinning notes on the tree trunk. The tree is today used by guests who still pin notes on a modernized message board. Of course, Sneha left a message on her experience in the country.

Interesting to note is that after every 50 years, a new acacia tree is planted and each time this happens, a capsule is buried under the tree. The next planting will be in 2038 and the buried capsule will be opened. Meanwhile, you too can leave a message on the board!

Candlestick Telephone

Next on the heritage walk was the lobby where there’s an old antique candlestick telephone, which was common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. Surprisingly, the phone has been preserved all these years and is still working just fine!

The Churchill Ballroom

On first floor is the Churchill Ballroom and The Exchange Bar. The Churchill Ballroom was named after Winston Churchill, who was then a Member of Parliament after he visited the hotel in 1907. The ballroom’s walls are filled with black and white photographs highlighting Sarova Stanley’s history and the growth of Nairobi.

The Exchange Bar

The Exchange bar, on the other hand, is dotted with exquisite furnishing that gives you a Victorian feel. It was this room that hosted the first Nairobi Stock Exchange. It also has a bell that rings when the most expensive drink has been bought, and when you ring the bell you must buy everyone a drink!

Princess Elizabeth’s Palm Fans

Another striking feature that took Sneha Namanandi’s breath are the ceiling fans. Princess Elizabeth once dined here, and with air conditioning being non-existent at the time, she was kept cool by a series of palm fans, which were operated by a staff member on a bicycle. The fans still exist but are today operated by electricity.

The Karen Blixen Suite

Sneha also visited The Karen Blixen Suite, a room that commemorates the Baroness and Author during her stay between 1914 and 1931. She wrote the books Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass and she would, on most occasions lunch at the Sarova Stanley. The room contains replicas of her famous paintings ‘Juma’ and ‘The Kikuyu Girl’.

The 1902 Lounge

The executive vibes of the Sarova Stanley suites do not end there, which is how Sneha Namanandi’s heritage walk took her up the floating stairs to the 1902 Lounge. Here, occupants of the room enjoy exclusive boardroom access, specialized services including secretarial services, whole day refreshments among others. Sneha had to try some of the savory cuisines offered by the lounge including some coffee! It just looked too good to pass up!

Unfortunately for Sneha, she didn’t get to visit other suites including the Lamu Suite, one that is reminiscent of the beautiful Swahili culture, and the Presidential Suite, whose name tells it all, a haven for world leaders.

Other places she never got to finish due to time limitation – it was well over an hour already – comprised of the courtyard and the pool deck. Nevertheless, the experience was one of a kind and although only a few suites have been mentioned, it is worth noting that over the years, many people have taken the heritage walk at the Sarova Stanley, which has also hosted celebrities like Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Gregory Peck, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, and Frank Sinatra.

Sarova Stanley’s Heritage Tour is free. You can make a request and walk through the corridors of history like Sneha Namanandi, and actually complete the heritage walk. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll get inspiration for a movie, or a book like Ernest Hemingway when he made his notes for his novels The Green Hills of Africa and The Snows of Kilimanjaro or Colonel John Henry Patterson, who was inspired to write The Man-eaters of Tsavo which inspired the film The Ghost and the Darkness, during his stay at the hotel.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said young people are Africa's biggest untapped resource that countries seeking to invest on the continent ought to prioritise.

The President said the African continent has one of the highly innovative and skilled youthful manpower which if properly deployed, has the potential to tilt the world economy.

“We always look at the continent (Africa) and look at its resources that lie below the ground but I want to assure you the greatest resource we have is not what is below the ground but it is the men and women that God has given us who given an opportunity can help transform not just their respective countries and continent but the world at large,” the President said.

President Kenyatta spoke last night at State House, Nairobi when he and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta hosted a state banquet in honour of the visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Head of State said the first ever visit to Kenya by a German President was historic adding that Kenya was keen on benefitting from a technology transfer arrangement with the European nation.

Besides technology, the President said Kenya and Germany were pursuing avenues for more people-to-people interactions and enriching cultural exchanges.

“Kenya is a country of great diverse and rich culture and we have no intention of losing it but Germany too is a country which is bestowed with a deep and rich culture and these cultures should not be antagonistic to each other but should be a source of joy and deeper partnership between our two people,” he said.

The President, who was joined at the banquet by Deputy President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, said Kenya will continue working closely with Germany in ensuring global peace, stability and security.

He said economic prosperity would not be achieved if nations are not able to establish structures for peaceful co-existence.

“We live in a difficult neighbourhood but we also know that to survive and to prosper we need to work with our neighbours. Germany too believes that to survive and prosper it cannot do it alone you need partners. And Kenya is here to say that we want to be a willing partner for Germany,” President Kenyatta said.

President Steinmeier said the world is faced with a myriad of challenges that can largely be solved through partnerships.

He singled out climate change as an issue that requires a collective approach by all global actors to manage.

“We are the first generation to live in an age in which humanity is able to irreversibly change the living conditions on the planet.

“Only the concept of a global order offers the opportunity to formulate persuasive answers to the challenges of the anthropocene. Africa and Europe need one another if they are to find these answers  as part of the international community," the German President said.

President Steinmeier said it is only through deeper international cooperation that countries will be able to effectively deal with the effects of climate change.

He said Germany has a lot to learn from Kenya’s innovativeness especially in the energy and telecommunications sectors where the country has made tremendous progress.

“We Germans can learn a great deal in and from Kenya. How solar energy can be used to power cargo bikes, how mobile phone based electronic payment systems work and how an upcoming start-up sector is producing sustainable fashion,” the German leader told an audience that included several senior government officials, diplomats and businessmen.

Coast based artist Ally B has team up with Masauti in his latest release titled 'Genye Genye'.

The audio has been produced by Totti who also directed the video.

Watch the video below

Nyali member of parliament Mohammed Ali has hit out at critics questioning his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto.

Speaking during the launch of Nyali CDF bursary fund today, the Mp said he has the right to choose who he associates with and no one can choose a friend for him.

"No one has the right to choose a friend for me, stay with your friend while i too stay with mine. Why should you be bothered with my friendship with the deputy president" said Ali.

Adding "My friend (Ruto) has always been attacked especially in the media and political rallies but one good thing about him is that he still remains strong. The tree that bears fruits is the tree that people throw stones at".

Ali who previously worked for KTN also called on the media and the director of criminal investigations (DCI) to stop being 'used' to tarnish the image of the Deputy President William Ruto.

"I have worked in the media before and i know how it operates, please stop being used to tarnish the image of other people. I would also like to address the DCI, if you have prove that the deputy president is a thief why dont you go ahead and arrest him instead of playing with our minds". he charged.

Ali further called on his constituents not to support the building bridges initiative(BBI) claiming its meant to benefit few individuals.

He noted "This is an initiative by few individuals who only want to enrich themselves and stay in power so please stay away from it. Let them first unite Uhuru, Raila and Ruto before they think of uniting all Kenyans".