The 2019 season of Coke Studio Africa announces it’s upcoming All Women finale Episode in a powerful statement and a trail-blazing move, unveiling some of Kenya’s top female instrumentalists who will be part of the show’s live band in the finale episode.

They include Kasiva Mutua (Percussions), Wendy Kemunto (Vocals), Ivy Alexander (Guitar), Naomi Ziro (Bass Guitar) and Mutindi Tindi Muasa (Keyboard).

This will be the first time Coke Studio Africa is featuring an all-female band and instrumentalists in a bold move to highlight Africa’s great talent and the opportunities for women in the arts industry.

TEDGlobal 2017 fellow, Kasiva Mutua makes her second return to the show this year.

She shares her experience: “It’s been a real vibe working with different artists from across Africa and enjoying their different personalities, which is what I feed off when am creating”

 She adds “As a lover of traditional instruments, I appreciate the fact that on this season, Coke Studio Africa has included a lot of that.” Having performed on various platforms locally and internationally, Kasiva describes the show as a “learning curve” for her: “Coke Studio is always throwing a challenge at me. You have to dig deep, research and talk to artists on their vision.”

A few years back Kenya’s fast-rising singer Kemunto posted a powerful Swahili version of a Yemi Alade and Sauti Sol’s “Africa” song on her social media platforms, that the Nigerian Afrobeats queen repost.

 That repost caught the eyes and ears of Coke Studio Africa’s producers who then gave Wendy an opportunity of a lifetime: a gig as a background vocals singer on Coke Studio Africa.

Now a fully-fledged singer and songwriter, Kemunto not only returns as a backing singer for the second time but will also appear on the big stage in her own spotlight, alongside fellow Kenyan producer Joe Mutoria who co-produced the Coke Studio Africa 2019 track #MadeInKenya.

Kemunto gushed on their upcoming collaboration, “Being given the chance to actually do a song on such a huge platform means so much to me,” adding, “I was a background singer last time, it’s very different as an artist this time around! There is a bit of pressure but it’s very exciting.”

From performing at several top stages such as the Safaricom International Jazz Festival, guitarist Ivy Alexander joins Coke Studio Africa, as the show’s first female guitarist.

Speaking on her debut, she says, “My experience on Coke Studio Africa has been amazing and interesting as I got to meet artists that I never thought I’d ever be in the same space with which I admit has made me grow musically,”

adding, “Through the show, I have met producers and artists who I hope to work with beyond the show.” Ivy is rapidly solidifying her place in music whilst working on her own solo compositions.

Having been on Coke Studio Africa for the first time as an audience member, Naomi never in a million years would have thought that she would feature on the show as an instrumentalist.

The bassist says, “I did not expect the show to be what it is. My take away from the whole experience is the resilience from the whole crew - this is the first place that I have seen that happen.”

 Inspired by fellow band mate Kasiva, she describes her as a force to reckon with in the music world especially for women: “working with her closely inspires you to play better and achieve what she has, With a style that blends eclectic sounds of Latin music, Funk, Lingala and African rhythms, Naomi is the current bassist player for Adhoc Band and Serro.

From honing her skills with as a keyboardist, bass guitarist and vocalist, Tindi has performed with the likes of Gravitti Band, The Flower Project and June Gachui.

This is her first time on the show which she admits came as a shocker: “Everyone looks forward to being on Coke Studio Africa but I never thought it would happen this fast.

The experience has been nothing short of amazing. Getting to learn different languages and understanding styles of music is simply mind-blowing,” adding, “Coke Studio Africa is such a coveted stage, so I do not take that for granted. It’s a blessing!”

Catch the finale episode of Coke Studio Africa from 31^st March at 8 PM 

President Uhuru Kenyatta today at State House Nairobi, witnessed the swearing-in of the new Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Albert Omore Magoha and the new Commissioner General of the Kenya Prisons Service Mr. Wycliffe Ogalo.

The swearing in ceremony was conducted by the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.

Commending the new Education CS for his appointment, President Kenyatta said he looks forward to working with him and other stakeholders in implementing the new curriculum and ensuring the country achieves 100% transition from primary to secondary schools.

The President noted that Professor Magoha is an experienced public servant whose wealth of experience will be relied on in the prudent management of resources in the education sector.

“We have worked with you in delivering credible exams. I am now counting on you on the 100% transition from primary to secondary schools, good management of resources and in implementing the new curriculum,” said the President.

The President commended the new Commissioner General of Kenya Prisons Service Mr. Ogalo saying being a long standing career civil servant, his management acumen will be key in the ongoing reforms to ensure prisons fully serve their  rehabilitation role. 

“We want to see you  continue with the ongoing reforms . We believe that there is that ability for you and your fellow officers as well as men and women who serve under you to see how the reformed prisoners can positively contribute to the development of Kenya” said the President.

Present during the swearing-in ceremony were Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Chief of Staff and Head of Delivery Nzioka Waita among other senior government officials. 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is set for a two-day State visit in Mombasa starting Wednesday, March 27.

Museveni will be received by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa where the State reception ceremonies will be conducted

In a statement issued by State House spokesperson Kanze Dena  the two leaders will then proceed to State House, Mombasa for bilateral talks.

"On arrival, the visiting Head of State will be received by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa where the State reception ceremonies will be conducted. Thereafter, the two leaders will proceed to State House, Mombasa, where they will lead bilateral talks with their respective delegations before conducting a joint press briefing. " reads the statement.

The two leaders are also expected to visit the Mombasa port.

Just days after dropping a collabo with Mswazi Masauti 'Kiboko' remix, Khaligraph Jones is back with another collabo with Otile Brown

The video was directed by Enos Olik.

Watch it below

Anouschka, multi-talented and award winning Swedish-American artiste has released the visuals to her latest single “SHINE”.

The audio was produced by Dillie of House of Dillie and video directed by Director O, and 1900 Films Kenya

SHINE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcral1SehBA

“SHINE” is a song honoring the unseen heroes, who work hard to build their lives in the face of hardship and challenges.

It’s a song dedicated to those who feel invisible and an inspiration to those who feel unloved and bogged down with the everyday stresses.

Speaking about the song, Anouschka says, “The original arrangement has an upbeat Kenyan gospel flavor to it, but that was not so easily marketable overseas, so I also made a point to make the new version very accessible musically for ANY market"

She adds "The new version is recorded by Dillie at House of Dillie. I premiered the new version at Live at Heart Festival in Canada last October and people loved it.”

Na Wewe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXw4P-13rLE

Anouschka aka Chadi’s love for Swahili can be traced back to 2013 when she wrote her first Swahili /English lyrics fusing Kenyan beats with western songwriting, where she  was working with Teddy B in Satellite at the time.

From then she has managed to fuse the Kenyan style with the western a move that has seen her work with several producers and also put Kenya on the global map

In June, Anoushcka is among 6 Singers /Songwriters who will be showcasing their works at one of the largest musical event MIDEM in France later this year, and she will be showcasing Shine among other works from her previous albums.

Besides music she is also a champion for women’s rights and is on the BOD for Milele Children charity based in Boston, USA which pays school fees for disenfranchised children in Malindi -Milele Children. 

The anticipated music video from Grammy-award winning reggae group Morgan Heritage and Patoranking collaboration: "Pay Attention" has been released. 

This is a second single from Morgan Heritage’s upcoming Spring 2019 new album and a perfect blend between dancehall music from Jamaica and the Afro-beat sounds from Africa.

Watch Pay Attention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNscZ8fpdxQ

Morgan Heritage continue to make history with remarkable various endeavors around the globe.

Ahead of the release, Mojo touches on the music video shot in Kenya, noting, “We didn’t know this song would be for a song so emotional that speaks to men and women around the world, who have been through one thing or the next trying to maintain a healthy relationship”

Adding, “For almost two years we’ve been working on the new album and since setting up our roots in Kenya we long looked forward to filming a music video in Kenya and this is it for the new album.”

“Pay Attention” is a sensual ode to the ladies and is accompanied by breathtaking visuals, filmed in Nairobi, Kenya and Masaai Mara, Kenya.

The video is given viewers an insight to Brand Kenya and the Nairobi Experience.

Directed by Jordan Hoechlin & Mojo Morgan with production for the video made possible by Roya Entertainment, "Pay Attention" featured four elegant timeless beautiful models provided by an agency owned by supermodel by Ajuma Nasenyana.

East Africa has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world and the pageant offers contestants a chance to be understood as contestant Alan Herbert explains: “I believe Mr and Miss Albinism east Africa is a huge platform for people with albinism to communicate and connect.”

Kysh Roberts, the choreographer at the Mister and Miss Albinism East Africa Pageant, highlights how thirty contestants from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya traveled to Nairobi to compete in the event.

He expounds on what the pageant hopes to achieve saying: “What we are doing here is more like training them [participants] and equipping them with the right skills"

"We just want to show that beauty is beyond the skin and the fact that they just walk like little princesses and little kings is really amazing.” he added

Albinism is a genetic condition that causes a lack of pigment in skin, hair and eyes.

Tanzanian contestant Chevawe Kasure explains the discrimination she has faced due to the genetic condition “Tanzania is a very big country it's full of so many people, but some people are still thinking in the old traditional ways"

"People will literally just come up and touch and normally I don't mind… but not those who will come and pinch! Like they want to see if it comes out, like if it is applied I'd like to change the perspective and bring some sort of understanding to Tanzania as a whole [on] what albinism is and how not different we are to other people.”

For the last eleven years, ophthalmologist Dr. Prabha Choksey has been treating people with albinism for free every Tuesday.

Dr. Choksey fondly recounts the joy of helping children see for the first time: “I would say that without glasses 70-80 percent are legally blind but with glasses over 95 percent do not come in the bracket of legal blindness, when a child with albinism puts on glasses for the first time"

"I think the world has to see their faces the things that they had never seen before suddenly becoming so clear… When they look in the mirror with the glasses they see a beautiful person staring back at them”

Another Miss albinism contestant, Maryann Mungai, has prospered thanks to Dr. Choksey’s kindness – the doctor paid for Mungai’s high school fees.

With support from her community and family Mungai is able to compete in the pageant, however, she tells the programme how not everyone has always been accepting.

She says: “The fact that the people that I lived with accepted me still didn't give me the confidence I needed… I would feel a bit low. We have to be normal. We don't have to get a lot of attention, so we can be accepted or something. I think that's the main point, people should live normally and be accepted”

Mungai reflects on how positive the pageant has been in making contestants feel included: “I believe that it will teach them something. It will show them we are people like you, we can do anything the only thing we don't have is melanin that's all.

"With an event like this many people living with albinism, they'll get to know that people like us are able to do anything. They can model, they can sing, they can dance they can do anything”

This year’s pageant was organized by the Albinism Society of Kenya and spearheaded by Kenya’s first and only member of parliament with albinism, Isaac Mwaura, who saw Maryann Mungai crowned as Miss Albinism East Africa.

Mungai excitedly tells CNN about her success: “I'm just confused right now. I'm happy, excited there is a lot on my mind right now. I just can't believe it's me.I hope that I'll help many other people who are going through what I went through. Many people who haven't accepted themselves yet. Many people going through challenges the society haven't noticed yet.

CNN International (Inside Africa) travels to Nairobi to attend the first albinism beauty pageant in East Africa.

The programme is introduced to a range of participants who explain how the pageant is helping to change what people see by redefining beauty. 

‘Inside Africa’ airs on Friday 22^nd March at 1930 EAT on CNN International

The show also airs at the following times:

Saturday 23^rd March at 1030 EAT and 2030 EAT

Sunday 24^th March at 0130 EAT, 0630 EAT and 1330 EAT

Monday 25^th March at 0600 EAT

Tuesday 26^th March at 1030 EAT

Thursday 28^th March at 1230 EAT

President Uhuru Kenyatta today challenged African nations to create more opportunities for the youth to flourish.

He said the youth are the reason why liberation heroes fought hard for the freedom of African nations and that young people are the reason why African nations exist. 

“I call upon African leaders to pay particular attention to the dreams and aspirations of our young people by creating a conducive environment for them to flourish. They are the reason our forefathers fought long and hard for self determination and they are the reason our free nations exist today,” said President Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta spoke at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek during celebrations to mark Namibia’s 29th independence day. 

The Kenyan leader was the Chief Guest at the ceremony where he was conferred Namibia’s highest award of honour, the Grand Master of the Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, by his host President Hage Geingob for his contribution to democracy and good governance.

President Kenyatta challenged Africans to work harder to unlock the continent’s economic potential noting that Africa has already charted a roadmap through the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 to accelerate progress towards the “Africa we want”.

He said Kenya remains committed to continue working closely with Namibia and other African nations to realise the goal of a peaceful and prosperous future for all.

“Borders must never be used as an excuse for us to retract back and forget the African spirit of Ubuntu. We remain stronger together,” said President Kenyatta.

The President said Kenya and Namibia enjoy close ties which started in the days the South West African People’s Organisation (SWAPO) fought hard to free the nation from the yoke of the apartheid regime.

Kenya also played a major role in ensuring that Namibia had a stable foundation when a large contingent of Kenyan forces, who were part of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG), remained behind after the end of the peace keeping mission. 

The Government of Kenya funded the extended stay of its contingent who were tasked to train the Namibia Defence Forces and ensure stability of the country.

“Our shared values and aspirations and our enduring strong historical bonds of brotherhood have continued to grow from strength to strength,” said President Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta commended Namibia for its commitment to democracy, good governance and adherence to a rules based international system. 

“Kenya continues to pursue the agenda of peace and security regionally and globally and believes that the absence of stability threatens our shared aspirations for promoting the well being of our community of Nations,” said President Kenyatta.

President Geingob thanked President Kenyatta for honouring his invitation to be the Chief Guest at the country’s independence day fete.

He said Namibia will always be grateful to the people of Kenya for their contribution to Namibia’s independence.

President Kenyatta, who is in Namibia for a State Visit, will meet Kenyans living in Windhoek. Namibia hosts a sizeable number of Kenyan professionals including medical experts, engineers and architects.

On Friday, President Kenyatta will be formally received at State House, Windhoek, by President Geingob.

The Kenyan leader will be accorded a 21 Gun Salute after which he will hold talks with his host. The two leaders will later chair bilateral talks that will be attended by high-level delegations from both countries.

On Saturday, President Kenyatta is scheduled to travel to Walvis Bay where he is expected to tour the country’s major seaport, NAMPORT, and later tour a number of factories.

This is the second time President Kenyatta is visiting Namibia, the first time being when he attended the inauguration of President Geingob in 2015. 

In October last year, President Geingob paid Kenya a three-day visit during which he was the chief guest at the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County. 

Very few Nigerian stars have done mega successful East African collaborations, you can count Seyi Shay in the lot.

It all started with her 2018 collaboration with Tanzanian artist Ommy Dimpoz in “Yanje”, with its video surpassing over 1 Million views on YouTube.

After a highly successful 2017 East African media tour that saw Seyi Shay headline at Blankets & Wine Uganda, she returns to the region with a new hit single—KOMA ROLL featuring Harmonize.

Watch “Koma Roll” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ZTwpotkOs

Seyi Shay is currently in Nairobi, Kenya to promote KOMA ROLL, which is currently receiving heavy airplay across the region and is set to officially launch the song at B Club this Friday (22^nd March 2019) night.

An ecstatic Seyi talks about her second coming to East Africa and the launch of Koma Roll, “It’s so amazing for me to be back to Nairobi for a second time. I am always in disbelief at how many fans I have here and who love my music. I’ve been in talks with Harmonize who has already invited me to Tanzania, so we are planning to head over too.”

Following the release of her sultry music video “Gimme Love” with Runtown, the multi-talented Nigerian songstress has released the brand new video for her hit single: “Koma Roll” with ‘Konde Boy’, Harmonize.

The single serves an afropop mix of Nigerian and Tanzanian dance melodies.

The up-tempo song is a club banger with an infectious sound that is guaranteed to make you move. Featuring a set of high-energy troupe of dancers, the video directed by Cardoso Imagery has purely Caribbean dance vibes from the beach scenes to the florescent lit rooms and floral outfits. Much like the song, the scenes are very immersive, and invite the viewer to join the party.

Regarding “Koma Roll” her first East African release this year and her second collabo with an East African artist, Seyi says, “I received so much love form my East African family after my last release - “Gimme Love” so I had to drop something special for all of you"

"I have also wanted to work with Harmonize for a long time as he is such a talented superstar. We vibed so well in the studio while working on this song for our fans, hope you all love it and it gets you dancing.” she added

Mombasa Governor has today visited the family of Likoni Mp Mishi to condole with them following the death of her brother Dr Hamisi Ali Juma.

Juma who was among 50 medics sent to Cuba under government sponsorship to study Family Medicine in the framework of an MoU between Kenya and the Caribbean nation died in Cuba on Sunday in a suspected suicide.

"It is a dark and difficult period for all of us in Mombasa and the Country to loose such a young promising Doctor" said Joho

In an interview with one of the local dailies, Health Cabinet secretary Sicily Kariuki revealed that a team of experts leaves for Cuba tonight to investigate the circumstances under which Juma died.

The late Juma is reported to have left behind a young son. Family Members are still waiting for the body to arrive in the country for burial.