Thousands of revelers flocked the Mombasa sports club yesterday to usher in the biggest end year festival in Kenya dubbed the NRG WAVE.

The grand festival which will be running through to the 31^st of December brought together big artists in Kenya and East Africa on the first day, giving all the attendees a vibe of what is to be expected in the next following six days before the year officially closes down.

Among the artists who graced the night included Kenya’s Nadia Mukami, Kenyan favorites Bensoul, Willy Paul and Tanzania’s songstress Nandy, Nviiri, and The Sailors who closed down the show for the night.

“I did expect the party to be lit but this is so major like everything is beyond amazing. And the performance, and the drinks are very affordable- a tusker at 200 shillings. This is definitely my kind of festival and I will be around to the last day,” said Jacinta Muthoni who was attending the party.

According to another reveler, the festival was way under advertised for its magnitude, describing the set up as super amazing.

“Honestly, I came in because a friend of mine told me she was here…otherwise I saw it on TV a couple times I just did not know that it was going to be this big.  I came in and it was already a party in here. I know it is goi8ng to be even crazier on the day Burna will be performing and I am going to be in here. This is the biggest party in Kenya this year,” Added Charles Katana.

Some of Kenya’s best alcoholic brands had so much to offer all the party people while some of the best coastal dishes caterers graced the festival to ensure that everyone had more than enough to bite on.

While the next two day will be hosting kids party arenas, the 28^th will be graced by Africa’s own GOT- Burna Boy and Harmonize. And as the old wise people say that a good day is seen very early in the morning it is very correct to predict that it is going to be one super blown party at the NRG WAVE!!

Kenya’s popular award-winning actor Tyler Mbaya popularly known as Baha, in partnership with his Management Company Moonsun Pictures International held a successful Meet & Greet at the Thika Road Mall on Sunday 22nd Dec 2019.

Tyler joined his fans in fun activities & games as he auto graphed Christmas cards for them. In  the Christmas spirit his fans also came with food stuff and clothes in support of a children’s home close to Tyler’s heart (Makimei Children's’ Home) which he will present to today.

Bongo fleva star Ali Kiba has come out to refute claims by Kenyan socialite and Nairobi Diaries reality star Bridget Achieng that they were once in a relationship.

Speaking to journalists yesterday (Wednesday) evening, the 'Mshumaa' hitmaker denied knowing or having met Bridget Achieng.

Concerning the tattoo on Bridget's left hand, Ali Kiba said it's normal for fans to have tattoo's of their favourite artist on their bodies.

In an interview with Radio Jambo's Massawe Jappani Bridget Achieng claimed that she dated the Bongo star before calling it quits after discovering that they were on different paths.

"Kwa relationship there is a path you take and so does the other person, so i think we were just on different paths. I cannot undermine him. He had uswahili and ustarabu mi nna haraka zangu, nikaona sitaweza. It was a good relationship and we are still friends.” said Achieng

Adding "“I put this tattoo of him akanitafuta, the way he used to wine his waist made me love struck. I am not a stalker i am a go getter that is why i tattooed myself with his name. He looked for me and the rest is history. We talked for six months and our relationship lasted for a year"

Meanwhile Ali Kiba has shared with fans some photos of his new state of the art studio (Kings music studio) set to be opened soon.

The holiday season is here with us yet again and as usual many holiday makers flock the tourist city of Mombasa to enjoy themselves at the sandy beaches.

Party lovers have not been left behind, alot of concerts have been lined up in Mombasa starting next week, the Christmas week.

Mediamax Networks Limited has officially partnered with Energy Media Limited in bringing forth the most awaited end year festival dubbed NRG Wave festival.

The event which will host some of the World’s greatest music artists including the Nigerian Star Burna Boy and grammy award-winning reggae maestro Buju Banton, real name Mark Myrie.

Others expected to be in Mombasa for the festival includes Harmonize, Navy Kenzo, Darassa and Nandy from Tanzanian, from Kenya Khaligraph Jones, Willy Paul, Jua Cali, Nadia Mukami, Susumila,Nameless, Masauti, Ethic, Sailors Gang, Fena, Samidoh,and Redsan will also be available to thrill fans with a serious line up of Deejays including DJ Pierra Makena, Xclusive, Kace and Niche.

The event is expected to have five main shows that will cut across each day; NRG Wave Showdown, Comedy Binge Party, Kids Arena, African Giants and NRG Wave New Year Eve.

Meanwhile the famous noons goes to the beach will be going down on 31st at the Sun Africa Beach Hotel.

Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi marked the beginning of the Christmas Season by setting up a recycled Christmas Tree at the Lobby.

The tree by Ocean Sole Africa is made from recycled ocean trash (flip flops), as part of their environmental initiatives to conserve the marine life. Our 6-foot Christmas Tree is made from over 945 recycled flip flops, with 336 hours spent by 15 artists.

This is also part of the hotel  CSR Initiative.

"We chose this environmentally friendly Christmas Tree to support a worthy cause that conserves the environment as well as create employment opportunities to the local communities around us".says Mehdi Morad Accor Kenya Country General Manager and General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi.

Adding“We are proud to be part of this great initiative which aligns with our sustainability Program; ‘Planet 21’ that is committed to positively impact and promote sustainable development of our local communities’’,

Two Kenyan legends in the music industry –DJ John of Homeboyz and super producer Eric Musyoka of Decimal Records are set to host a one of a kind gig! Dubbed the ‘DareDevils – The DJ & The Producer.

The inaugural edition of this event series will be going down this Friday night (20^th Dec 2019) at Milan, Westlands. The gig will be a live mash up and remix creation of top hits featuring a collaboration performance, with Musyoka playing a one-man band (Hybrid band) and DJ John on the decks.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Musyoka says, “This is our first gig together and we plan to host more editions as we go into 2020. We just want to invite you all to come party with us as we close the year in style. We are really stoked for, this I can only imagine what the vibe will be, it will be a true daredevils night!"

Musyoka has had a successful 2019, releasing a series of hit singles together with the signees of his label - the Decimators, including “Siaya”, “Bonge” and “Drinx na Mayenx”.

The singles follow the release of their debut collaborative album “Decimator Vol. 1” launched in December 2018. He was also one of the mentors for the Safaricom BYOB 2019 series. Currently, he is working on the release of ‘Decimators Vol. 2’.

A section of Mombasa based artists and activists have come out to defend rapper Kennedy Ombima a.k.a King Kaka.

This is after Kirinyaga Govenor Anne Waiguru threatened to sue the rapper after he released his hard hitting song 'Wajinga Nyinyi' which has now captured the attention of the country.

Through her lawyers, the Governor accused the artiste of, among other accusations, publishing through the song accusations that are false, mischevious, malicious and have no basis.

“Ati Waiguru ako kwa office na story ya NYS tulishasahau Biro moja alibuy 8 thao Biro tunanunuanga mbao” said King Kaka in one of the lines.

On Tuesday morning, King Kaka took to social media  stating that he had been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations only for then DCIO to issue a statement refuting calims they had summoned the artist.

We wish to condemn strongly false information being peddled through social media to the effect that one Kennedy Ombima @RabbitTheKing has been summoned. Nobody from @DCI_Kenya has summoned him| @bonifacemwangi |@citizentvkenya" Twitted DCI.

Speaking in Mombasa the artists and activists have called on government bodies to concentrate on leaders implicated on corruption and let King Kaka be arguing he is expressing the reality on the ground which most Kenyans have always feared to express.

They also called on all top lawyers to come out and offer  defend King Kaka in court against Anne Waiguru. Among the lawyers that have so far offered to defednd the rapper are Nelson Havi and Ahmednasir Abdullah.

Dubai-based independent hotel management company Aleph Hospitality has opened the Best Western Plus Westlands hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.

The new opening, which introduces the Best Western Plus brand to one of the city’s most sought-after commercial districts, marks Aleph Hospitality’s continued expansion in Kenya, where the company has already signed management contracts for three hotels currently under development: the Protea Hotel by Marriott in Kisumu; an airport hotel in Nairobi and a property in the popular coastal resort of Mombasa.

Bani Haddad, Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality, said: “The opening of Best Western Plus Westlands signals our commitment to Kenya, the third-largest tourism economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Kenya is a popular destination in the heart of the region and its travel and tourism industry grew 5.6% in 2018, exceeding global and regional levels, according to the WTTC" Said Added

Adding "We are proud to be part of this growth and to support the economy with more than 80 new jobs and the generation of additional international visitors that Best Western Plus Westlands will bring,” said Haddad.

The hotel’s owner, Amit Lukka, commented: “We are thrilled to find a partner in Aleph Hospitality that supports both our vision for Nairobi’s hospitality sector and our country’s wider efforts to market Kenya as a destination of choice.

“Aleph Hospitality is a trusted and accomplished partner that will manage the hotel on our behalf, driving maximum return on our investment as well as delivering a superior guest experience in collaboration with the prestigious global chain, Best Western.” added Lukka.

Best Western Plus Westlands is located in the heart of Nairobi’s social and entertainment hub, the vibrant Westlands district, home to shops, restaurants and numerous corporate headquarters, making it a popular destination for Kenyans, expatriates and visitors.

Nairobi’s top attractions including the neighbouring Sarit Expo Centre, Nairobi National Park, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenyatta International Conference Centre are also within close reach, making the hotel ideally positioned for both business and leisure travel.

The new, purpose-built hotel features 101 stylish, air-conditioned guest rooms, including spacious Junior Suites with separate living rooms and kitchenettes and a luxurious Penthouse Suite with a private outdoor hot tub.

Best Western Plus Westlands offers free WiFi, a dedicated meetings floor, a gym and two food and beverage outlets – Craft, an all-day-dining restaurant, bar and coffee shop, and Asiatic, a stylish rooftop bar and lounge.

Suzi Yoder, Senior Vice President, International Operations, BWH Hotel Group, said: “We are truly delighted with the addition of the Best Western Plus Westlands, a beautiful new build hotel created with our guests’ needs in mind.

The central location is superb for both our corporate clients and leisure travellers and we are proud to now welcome our first guests.”

Aleph Hospitality, which has earmarked a pipeline of 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2025, manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently-branded hotels.

The company operates four hotels in Africa, with six new openings already slated for 2020.