President Uhuru Kenyatta today joined other regional leaders for the 38th Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) held in Djibouti.

The meeting was convened by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok of Sudan who is the current Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly and attended by Presidents Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti), Mohamed Abdullahi (Somalia) and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.

At the meeting, also attended by the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat, South Sudan and Uganda were represented by Vice President Rebecca Garang and Amb Rebecca Otengo, the country's envoy to Djibouti respectively.

In his welcoming remarks, host President Ismail Guelleh applauded the progress made in the search for sustainable peace and stability in the region despite disruptions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and other set backs such as floods and the desert locust invasion.

In his address, AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said the diplomatic tension between Kenya and Somalia was a concern for the African Union.

Mr Mahamat called for dialogue in de-escalating the tension saying the two countries share a long history of good neighbourliness and cited Kenya's contribution of troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and its hosting of a large population of Somali refugees as key reference points.

On Ethiopia, the AUC Chairperson urged IGAD member states to assist the country in dealing with the humanitarian crisis arising out of the conflict in its Tigray region.

Speaking just before the leaders retreated into a closed door session, Prime Minister Hamdok said the meeting was called to discuss ongoing regional peace and security processes in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia.

President Kenyatta, who arrived in Djibouti on Sunday morning, was accompanied to the summit by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo.

The Kenyan Jasiri national team started the Mombasa Open Tong IL- Moo Do international championships on a high note  after bagging 12 medals.

In the first day of the competition, the players emerged winners in the first four events of the day scoping 4gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze respectively.

In a competition that is contested by 10 countries, the seven time defending champions at the Aga Khan Multipurpose hall clinched the medals despite the high turnout of foreign players.

In the junior girls, competing in forms category, Kyla Nyambura clinched Gold, Catherine Mayaz (Silver) and Precious Mayar (Bronze).

In the same category, the boys Jotham Banda won gold, Harun Gatogo (silver) and Samuel Njaga (bronze).

Under 18 girls, Hope Christine emerged with the gold, silver went to Nina Inan and the bronze went to Lavender Mmbone. 

In the male white belt, over 18 years Athman Bakari won gold,Twalib  Kashid (silver)  and Wycliffe Wabukala (Bronze).

The countries participating in the two day championships include Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, Cote D’Voire, Phillipines,Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Iran and Turkey.

The event was officially opened by the World Tong Il Moo Do Federation President Grandmaster Takamistu Hoshiko who lauded Kenyan government for allowing the event to take place.

Former Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch and African Tong Il Moo Do Federation President Clarence Mwakio were also present.

“On behalf of the World Tong Il Moo Do Federation, I would like to commend Kenyan government for its support towards the promotion of the sport in the country. We have seen tremendous improvement of Tong Il Moo Do in Kenya, which cannot go unnoticed, “said Hoshiko who has been the Vice President of the federation before he took over the helm this year.

“Many sports were cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic but we are happy the Mombasa Open international championships is here with us. The participation of several nations clearly shows that players were looking forward to the resumption of sports globally,” said the world President.

Hoshiko said he was impressed with the covid-19 health measures put in place by the organisers of the Mombasa Open event. “The World Health Organization, the Ministry of health and the Ministry of sports, culture and heritage Covid 19 protocols have been observed to the latter,” said the President.

Mwakio said his federation was privileged to host the world event after many championships were locally cancelled due to the outbreak of the pandemic.

Mwakio lauded the government for its effort to promote Tong-IL-Moo Do and singled out  the Ministry of Sports Culture and the Arts for playing a pivotal role to ensure the event is hosted in Mombasa despite uncertainties.

The late, American country music singer Kenny Rodgers is among the ten most googled musicians in Kenya for 2020, according to google trends.

According to Google, searches for Kenny Rogers spiked in March, with the most queries being conducted between 15th and 21st, around the time of his death. Related search topics included inquiries about his death, country music and his hits among them Coward of the County, Vows Go Unbroken and Lady.

Kenyan singer and former TPF contestant Ruth Matete also featured in the list. Most queries about Matete were as a result of the death of her Nigerian husband John Apewajoye who died on April 12.  The Searches also rose three months later in July during his Apewajoye's  on 23 with Kenyans searching more information about his life, cause of death and burial.

According to Google’s year in search 2020, most Kenyans’ queries on musicians were prompted by tragedy.

Only three out of the ten were not as a result of tragedy, they include Willis Raburu, Tanzanian fast rising singer Zuchu and popular ohangla singer Otieno Aloka famous for the hit song 'Kanungo'.

Others who were also featured in the list includes, the late gospel singer Papa Dennis who died on February 7 after allegedly falling from a building in Nairobi, Kalenjin Singer Rhino Kaboom, Lady Maureen, late Ohangla musician Abenny Jachiga, and Aurlus Mabele.

The Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do international martial arts championship 2020 will start today (Sunday)with about 200 players participating from 12 countries.

The two days’ event sponsored by the Kenyan government will take place at the Aga khan academy multipurpose hall and will include the defending champions Jasiri of Kenya.

The tournament in the World Federation calendar is open to all Martial Arts and Federations from all the countries.

The teams participating in the 8th championship in Mombasa include Kenya, Zambia, Brazil, Thailand, South Korea, Zambia, Cote D’Voire, Congo Brazzaville, Nigeria, Philippines, Iran and Turkey.

This year’s tournament will have both seasoned and experienced international players with black belts in the men and women categories.

In the sparring categories, special techniques and forms, the men will feature in the following weights fin weight, bantam weight, feather weight, light weight, middle weight, light weight, heavy weight and super heavy weight.

The men aged between 18 years to 49years will participate in the individuals and team categories. Similarly, in the women categories for the individuals and teams, participants aged between 18 years to 49 years will fight in fly weight, middle weight up to super heavy weight.

The tournament events will be scored through the digital scoring system. In individual categories, the players will be expected to display their skills in forms, sparring, special techniques in both the colour and black belts.

 The annual event will be graced by the executive President World Tong IL Moo Do Federation Grandmaster Takamistu Hoshiko.

The event will be held while following the World Health Organization, the Ministry of health and the Ministry of sports, culture and heritage Covid 19 protocols.

Christmas is nigh, and for some people, the festive season may be the only time of the year they get together and spend time with family. The holiday is filled with cheer, reunion dinners, friend visits, and acquaintance renewals. In a nutshell, it represents every happy moment with a sparkle we want to capture.

Luckily, with the advancement in technology, the endeavor is no longer a hassle.

Today, the latest video and photography tech is available in smartphones – and this has completely revolutionized how we relive the best moments of our lives. It has given us all the tools we need to document every aspect of our lives in a fast and inexpensive way.

Given that we walk through life looking for moments to capture, this Christmas you can capture those moments sharper with a smartphone such as the realme 7i from the fastest growing smartphone brand in the world.

With a range of remarkably beautiful specifications, the realme 7i allows you to shoot the world from multiple perspectives with its 64MP AI quad-camera. Whether you are traveling to the upcountry for Christmas or vacationing with your loved one, you can capture landscapes, buildings, people, or close-ups, in the best picture and video quality.

Better yet, with large internal storage and a mammoth battery capacity, the last thing you will worry about is running out of space or power juice in the middle of a magnificent view or a moment. It is your utmost companion for not only this festive season but a long time to come.

During this festive season, every purchase of the realme 7i will come with free realme Buds Q. In addition, in line with the festivities realme will also extends offers on the realme 6 which will come with a free realme band and the realme C15 and realme C11 will come with a customized pillow, the offers will only run this December.

People’s relationship with photography has become so intimate, and it is all thanks to modern technology that one day they can look back and laugh – probably when they are old and grey.

The nostalgic times we record today are much clearer, vivid, and simplified. With smartphones packing innovative cameras, videos and photographs can be taken in Ultra High Definitions and from a ton of angles.

It doesn’t matter the time of day. If anyone wants to capture the sky, the ember of that bonfire, the crackle of the dry wood as it burns, or the distant howls of night creatures as families gather outside a serene backyard for a peal of laughter, a smartphone can easily help.

Thankfully, smartphone manufacturers help us make sure that nothing is lost in memory.

The industry has since evolved with cameras being integrated into smartphones. With every make, every brand of the ubiquitous smartphones has bettered how moments are captured. And they are the reason the photos shared today speak instantly to the globe, and our reminiscence is documented in real-time.

That said, life is beautiful, so, live, laugh, and love – and amidst all, don’t forget to always carry those memories with you. Happy holidaying, and Merry Christmas!

With almost a decade of solid hits under his belt as performer and producer  many will be shocked to discover that Old Romance, the new album from singer/producer Tekno, will be his first official body of work.

But while that fact may seem difficult to wrap one’s head around, this album in its parts and its entirety couldn’t have come at a better time.

Described as an ode to traditional, simple love, Old Romance dives head and heart first into a classic Nollywood-esque romance, inspired by “stories of our ancestors, that will ignite a generation that seems lost on love, to love again”.

In a time as challenging and unique as this, where people are trying to find moments of positivity and joy, and work their way back to love, Old Romance presents a palate cleanser; an opportunity to escape, no matter how briefly.

Much like the classic tale of boy meets girl, Old Romance tells of the romantic journey of two young lovers, from the moments they first cross paths; through their inevitable challenges; all the way to the other side where they celebrate their wins and celebrate their love.

Old Romance wants to offer its listeners a feel-good journey through love’s peaks and troughs. It wants to lift the mood and offer itself as a soundtrack to the highlights of our lives.

In many ways, it stays true to that path and gifts its listeners a light-hearted, easygoing ride through a Nollywood-inspired love story.

 OLD ROMANCE TRACKLIST

1.Sku Sku (Produced by Killertunes)

2.Tumbo (Produced by Spax)

3.Uptown Girl (Produced by Masterkraft)

4.Catalia (Produced by Phantom)

5.Addicted (Produced by Spax & Tekno)

6.Designer (Produced by Zaki)

7.Family Issues (Produced by Spax)

8.In Love (Produced by Spax)

9.Neigbour (Produced by Clemzy)

10.Armageddon (Produced by Ben Jams)

11.Dana (Produced by Blaize Beats)

12.Enjoy (Produced by Blaize Beats)

13.Ugly Parade (Produced by WiseDon)

14.Mistake (Produced by Ben Jams)

Listen to Old Romance

The second single off the Tis The Season 2020 ensemble Kenya Christmas album is here : Little Drummer Boy Feat Mayonde, Kagwe Mungai, Manasseh Shalom & Karimi Rimbui

Watch Little Drummer Boy here: https://youtu.be/LCbPRPtiao8  

Tis The Season' album has 10 heavenly Christmas carols served with a sprinkle of Kenyan flavor to usher in the Christmas season.

This Kenyan Christmas Album  features some of the best and renowned artistes in Kenya: Atemi, Eric Wainaina, Wyre, Kagwe Mungai, Bien of Sauti Sol, Wambura Mitaru, Mayonde and Lisa Oduor Noah.

Tis The season lovers will be treated to an exclusive live concert from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Hub, Karen.

Manchester Mitedi Football club {Fc} is the latest team from Kisauni constituency to receive a Motorbike and four Football balls from the area member of parliament Ali Mbogo after Puma sharp of Mtopanga ward.

Addressing players and area residents of Mwakirunge ward, Mbogo said that the initiative was driven by hardships local teams have been enduring for a long time such as Transport and financial incapabilities.

“We have come here for a promise, they never asked me to but it was my promise to all teams that are participating in FKF league and am fulfilling it.” said Mbogo.

The legislator said the project will help in generating income for the teams as well as facilitating the local clubs financial demands.

“I want to plead with you for your cooperation for the little that I have brought here, if you utilize well this motorcycle it will help you at least raise fare to attend some of your games since most the teams even lack fare to attend the games.”

Kisauni constituency has over 15 teams taking part in the local FKF league which the Mp has vowed has also vowed to support and empower.

The Mp further revealed that he is the process of ensuring there is power supply in the Mwakirunge which currently lacks the supply.

Mbogo charged "Mwakirunge has for a long time been forgotten but this time round we are committed to developing it, we have already constructed several schools here and next week I will be here with Kenya Power officials to start the process of supplying this area with power"

Nigerian singer Nifty Boi real name Enoch Solomon has just released his first Ep.

The 6 song Ep is titled '' Different Vibe''.

"This is a different vibe as it is called because it has very different sounds" says Nifty about the Ep.

Adding " I love every song of the project but then if I have to chose I will go with babe, because I wrote that song from the deepest part of my heart, I shot the video in Tanzania".

In an interview, Nifty also talks about his love for East Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania.

Check out his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK5oDa2MMjc