Mombasa based NGO Mashinani watch organisation has welcomed the move by president Uhuru Kenyatta to suspend the new rules that had been set by the national health insurance fund (NHIF).

Addressing the nation from Mombasa, Uhuru ordered for the suspension of the rules to pave way for consultations.

“Given my administration’s commitment to provide affordable health, I am today directing the Ministry of Health to immediately halt the implementation of these proposals to allow for further consultations,” he said in his speech.

According to Mashinani watch Chairman Moffat Mutero the president has acted in the interest of the local mwananchi who have been complaining about the new rules.

"We were even thinking of going to the court as an organisation to sue NHIF" said Mutero.

Adding "This is the best gift for the new year that the president has given us".

Some of the contentious rules included all married individuals would only be allowed to enlist a single spouse and a maximum of five children as beneficiaries,  requiring individuals who voluntarily join the scheme to wait for three months before accessing scheme benefits..

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) had also come out to oppose the rules.

When a man is presented with only two choices, to die or to serve a deity to which he stood against, it is only a heart of dire courage that will still stand firm against that deity and this is the life story of gospel artist Dennis Nyongesa, aka Pastor Dennis.

Kenyan singer and Diamond Platnumz's current girlfriend Tanasha Donna has just released the first song off her upcoming EP 'Donna Tella'.

In the love ballad titled 'La Vie' , the sultry singer features Mbosso from WCB.

The audio has been recorded by renowned music producer S2KIZZY while video directed by  Kenny from Zoom Extra Tanzania.

The EP 'Donna Tella' is set to be launched end of this month (January) in Nairobi and among those who have so far confirm attendance is Diamond Platnumz.

The EP was to be launched last month (12th December) but had to be postponed upon Diamond's request since he wanted to be part of the launch but had another show on the said date.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/buzz/item/1353-tanasha-postpones-ep-listening-party-for-diamond

After dropping her new album – 12 Beats of Christmas; the multi-talented Ivlyn Mutua has dropped a new party song video dubbed ‘Whine your body’ off her 12 Beats of Christmas album.

As the name suggests, the song produced by Vicky Pondis is about dancing and partying.

Ivlyn’s voice and dance moves in the song increases the levels liveliness and energy for this  fiery party song. Whine your body carries a sultry yet pure vibe to it from the lyricism to the groove of the tune.

I bet you will have this song forced on you in whatever club setting you experience this year.

There is still a lot more to come from Ivlyn Mutua. 

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/l0i-DKq1Ub8

As the year breaks dawn, Kenyan hitmaker Masauti Kenyanboy has revealed major surprises for his fans in the year 2020.

Mombasa based artist Susumila now appears determined to widen his fan base, claiming his fair share of the East Africa market in the music industry.

Last year (August), Susumila who has already established a strong fan base in the larger Coast region and other parts of the Country (Kenya) released a successful collabo with Tanzanian artist Lava Lava 'Warembo' which currently enjoys over 2.5 million views on you tube, a milestone to his career.

He was scheduled to release another collabo with yet another artist from Tanzania and from the same music label WCB, Mbosso on the first day of the new year 2020,1st January , this however did not take place, his management came out to apologise to fans for the delay.

A statement form the management reads "Due to unavoidable circumstances we were unable to release @officialsusumila ft @mbosso_ new jam Sonona. New dates to becommunicated asap. Our sincere apologies to our fans. Happy New Year Fam"

In a brief interview with Ommy Dallah, Susumila stated "I know my fans are really waiting for the song but we are just finalising on some issues, the song will be out before end of this month".

He further went ahead to reveal that he is currently working on a collabo with Ommy Dimpoz.

"We are shooting the video today (Tuesday) and we will release the song after releasing the one i did with Mbosso" said Susumila.

Fashion designers from Ethiopia and Kenya held “The Narrative Designers Showroom” in Nairobi at the house of co-working space Ikigai Westlands, with the main room being transformed with racks and mannequins, into a space where the public and buyers could touch and feel their collections.

The keynote speaker, Ms Anne Mutahi, SME Advisor to his Excellency the President, highlighted the emotional connection humans have with cloth, from the moment they are born throughout life.

She challenged Kenyan designers to address the needs of the mass market as clothing imports to Kenya currently stand in KES billions per year. I

In support Ms Akinyi Odongo, Chair of the newly formed Kenyan Fashion Council, outlined what the council is now doing to organize and harness the power of the 75,000  designers and tailors around Kenya, and encouraged the young designers to become members.

Madam Kavita Chhabra, wife of the High Commissioner of India to Kenya, spoke about the power of fashion in entrepreneurship in transforming lives.

In attendance were the High Commissioner of India to Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Rahul Chhabra, Ms Julie Deb of Midori India designers and Chimano of Sauti Sol with other well-known personalities.

The showroom format was new to Nairobi with the audience responding well as it allowed designers the opportunity to interact and explain their collections.

The designers were all beneficiaries of the Mitreeki Fashion Incubator Program organized by Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for India (SITA), which is an International Trade Centre (ITC) program, funded by the United Kingdom’s Department of International Development, which builds trade and investment linkages between India and East Africa.

The program spaced over 10 months in Kenya and 6 months in Ethiopia, was a part-time business and design course focused on the reality of doing business in the 2 countries.

The course was initially designed by Nairobi design veteran Ann McCreath of KikoRomeo and modified by Hebret Lakew of Kooroo for Ethiopia.

Both played a key role in teaching and mentoring the designers throughout the program.

The main focus of the course was on finding yourself as a designer and defining your unique Brand DNA to be able to better compete in local and international markets.

Designers also learned how to do Lookbooks, Linesheets, write a Press Release and other essential things for presenting their work to buyers and the public.

Designers from Kenya exhibiting included AAchera, Akinyi Wamboi, Chuak Clothing (S Sudan), Cinched by Mia Mara, Frika Designs (Embu), Hisi Studio, Nikech Amor, Ogato, Otsieno Otieno, Pure Maiden, Sonoek, Tafari Designs, Wanderi Culture and Elsie Netia Management. 

Others who went through the course were:  Esperanza Fashion & Design (former refugee in Kakuma, now resettled in Canada), Kiumbe Kulture, Mrembo Clothing, Queens & Kings, Ranks Leather and Shake the Tree.

Designers from Ethiopia included: Etsub, Fozia Endrias, Kunjina, Loza Designs, Lua Mua, Mela, Menena, MimiSho, Shamrock Addis and Ma’Ebel.

Speaking about the Showroom, beneficiary of the course Ms Elsie Achieng said “I joined this program thinking the only way I could participate in fashion was by being a fashion designer". 

Adding "It is only when we were exposed to the moving parts of this sector that I realized it’s more than just design. I discovered I need to be in fashion marketing”.

Elsie PR is now handling marketing for several of her fellow participants.

There was drama at a church in Bamburi, Mombasa today (Sunday) after a pastor stabbed his wife to death before committing suicide during church service.

Pastor Elisha Misiko of Ground For Jesus Church unleashed a knife at the pulpit where he was sitting together with his wife and stabbed her on the back and head, the pastor is said to then immediately committed suicide by slitting his throat using a knife.

Kisauni Police Commander Julius Kiragu confirmed the incident saying investigations into the incident that occurred at 10am are underway.

The wife died later at the Coast general hospital where she was receiving treatment. The two are said to have had a domestic row.

Tanzanian star Harmonize real name Rajab Abdul has expressed his love for Mombasa fans.

Through a video, the artist who has recently been making headlines after leaving his former music label Wasafi revealed Mombasa has always been special to him due to the love he has always received from fans.

"I have been travellling all over the world, but Mombasa is very special to me because when i always come to Mombasa i feel like special seat. I love the energy, reception and love from my fans".

Adding "Ilike the fact that they take me so special, i want to let you guys know that you are so close to my heart"

Harmonize is currently in Mombasa where he is expected to headline the NRG wave concert today at the Mombasa Sports Club grounds alongside Nigeri'as Burna Boy 'The African Giant'.

Hundreds of fans yesterday came out to receive him as he arrived in Mombasa

Boomplay, the #1 music streaming service in Africa just released its anticipated 2019 Kenya Music Facts, declaring Willy Paul as the ‘Most Streamed Artiste’ in Kenya.

Nyashinski, Sauti Sol, Masauti and Nadia Mukami, followed taking position 2 - 5, respectively.

King Kaka, Khaligraph Jones, Evelyn Wanjiru, Arrow Boy and Ethic Entertainment, also joined the list of Kenya’s Top 10 Trending and Most Listened to Artistes in 2019.

Boomplay also collected data for the Most Streamed Songs as well as Albums. Willy Paul’s “Mmmh” feat. Tanzania’s Rayvanny came first in the Top 10 Kenyan Songs.

“Ipepete” by Masauti came second, “Radio Love” by Arrow Boy feat. Nadia Mukami came third with fourth position taken by Moji Shortbabaa’s “Vimbada” with Jabidii.

Others in the Top 10 Most Streamed Kenyan Songs of 2019 include “Narudisha” by Gloria Muliro at position 5, “Pandana” by Ethic Entertainment at number 7 and “Mungu Mkuu” by Gloria Muliro at number 9. Nyashinski with “Marathon Runner”, “Mungu Pekee” and “Free” took positions 6, 8 and 9.

The data and charts presented in the Music Facts sheet are based on data from the music app, which has over 60M+ users globally with over 5.3M from Kenya.

Boomplay also boasts of an expansive catalogue of over 20M tracks and is available on iOS, Android and web.

Among the top streamed albums was Hart_The Band’s 2019 debut ‘Made in The Streets’, followed by King Kaka’s 2018 ‘Eastlando Royalty’, then Evelyn Wanjiru’s ‘Mungu Mkuu’ 2017 release at third position with Arrow Boy’s 2019 debut ‘Hatua’ at fourth place.

Other 2019 albums that made it into the Top 10 Most Streamed Kenyan Albums in Kenya Music Facts include ‘Spectrum’ by Kagwe Mungai at position 8 and ‘Yesu Mtaani’ by Moji Shortbabaa at position 10.

The late E-Sir’s legendary status had him in this list with ‘Nimefika’ at position 9.

The service also released some insights on Kenyan streaming culture and music tastes.

From the facts sheet, Gospel Music tops the list of Kenya’s most streamed genre with Bongo Flava, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop & Rap and Reggae, following suit.