Ommy Dallah
Mi Casa Teams Up With Berlin Based Production Duo YouNotUs In 'Chucks'
Mi Casa has teamed up with Berlin-based production duo You Not Us to bring us the 5th official single from their 2020‘WeMade It’ album, the long-awaited tribute to living well –“Chucks”.
The South African band kick straight back after the huge success of their smash hit “Mamela ”with their first international collab since signing their international record deal with Afroforce1 Records/Universal Music Group.
Earmarked as an important song from the album off the bat, “Chucks” has been waiting in the wings for the right time to bring some of that Mi Casa spirit back into the party feels.
And with the You Not Us collab, the result is a dance floor’s dream. Mi Casa front man J’Something has always held a special place in his heart for the track.
“It’s about making the most of every single moment because the future is not a given –all we have is right now and that time needs to be lived,” he states.
Having the opportunity to collaborate with international, multi-platinum EDM front-runners YouNotUs is an example of where Mi Casa’s musical ambition has seen them reach.
“Getting the YouNotUs touch to “Chucks” has completely transformed it and we cannot wait to see how it lifts people’s spirits and hopefully it will land on fertile oil,” adds J’Something.
Luckily for technology the two acts were able to collaborate completely remotely during lockdown and working with the Mi Casa track brought out all the summer feelings in the Berlin-based act.
“During the production we were inspired by the longing for warm summer nights spent partying. We feel this song will guide us back into summer and a more carefree time,” Tobias and Gregor from YouNotUs state.
While “Chucks” is a springtime release in Europe, it catches Africa’s magical summer times, dragging out some good times as life starts to return to normal in venues and on dance floors around the country.
“Chucks” will be released in Europe, South Africa and parts of the African continent on the 26thMarch, with the video due for release two weeks later.
You Not Us will be flying out to shoot the video alongside Mi Casa right in Namibia.
Lovy Longomba Returning Home (Kenya) 16 Years Later In Honour Of Late Brother Christian Longomba
One half of celebrated Kenyan group Longombas, Lovy Longomba, has finally come back home - after 16 years.
This is following the tragic demise of his twin brother and partner from their award-winning music duo of the smash hits including “Vuta Pumz”, “Dondosa’’, “Piga Makofi’’ and ‘’Shika More’’, among others.
The singer-songwriter and 3 x Grammy-nominated record producer has been living in Los Angeles, US with his brother since they left Kenya nearly two decades ago.
Lovy’s solemn visit back home comes on the backdrop of Christian Logomba passing away after succumbing to a long illness.
Lovy says, “I came back home in honor of my brother Christian. This trip was supposed to be made by me and him at some point this year but God had other plans.’’
The question in many people’s mind now is whether Lovy will be making new music or sharing unreleased music.
He says, “It will take me some time to work on music again because my partner is no longer here with me. I need to heal. Christian was still writing with me even when he could not record. We have so many songs, maybe at some point I will put them out.”
He however states that he is still interested and looking forward to working with other Kenyan artists when the time is right.
While in Kenya, Lovy will be meeting with family and friends to pay their respects to Christian.
He will also be doing interviews to connect with Longombas’ loyal fans as he shares details of Christian’s final moments and wishes.
Thankful for the outpouring love and support his family has received since Christian’s passing.
He says, “It’s truly overwhelming. I must confess that the love we have received is so far healing us,”.
Adding, “Christian stood for his love for God, family and music. His unique voice like my late father Lovy Senior will be in the hearts of Kenyans forever.”
Longombas sound was perfected by a blend of contemporary Hip Hop with a tinge of Soukous heavily borrowing from their Congolese roots.
Reminiscing on their heydays, Lovy says, “There are so many [great and joint] memories because me and Christian have been inseparable to this point, but one of my favorite memories will always be the excitement he had when we finished writing and recording our first song “Dondosa”.
The celebrated dynamic duo enjoyed an illustrious music career in Kenya both under Ogopa DJs label and their imprint Bad Man Camp, alongside other pioneering voices of popular Kenyan music of the 2000s.
They included Deux Vultures, Mr Googz and Vinnie Banton.
Looking back, Lovy is proud of the impact Longombas made during a defining moment in the Kenya music industry, “We pioneered and changed the sound of local music. We raised the standard so high when it came to performing and stage presence.”
Their last studio project before relocating to America, the album CHUKUA received a very warm reception across the region bagging the Best East African Album award at the 2006 Tanzania Music Awards.
Other awards from their discography include Best East African Group at the Kora Awards Africa (2005) and a memorable sweep at Kisima Music Awards (2006) that included Best Group (Kenya), Boomba Group, Best Song "Vuta Pumz" (Kenya) and Social Responsibility awards.
Apple Music celebrates The Best In African Gospel Music With Spirits Rejoice Campaign
Apple Music launches its Spirits Rejoice campaign, which celebrates the best and brightest Gospel voices with exclusive playlists from South Africa’s Joyous Celebration, Ntokozo Mbambo, Hle and Dr. Tumi, as well as Nigeria’s Sinach, Mercy Chinwo, Nathaniel Bassey, Tim Godfrey and Ada Ehi.
The music selections seek to inspire, uplift and encourage, with a whole host of local and international artists including Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and Donald Lawrence.
As one of the top-streaming genres on the African continent, Gospel music is characterised by emotion, choral voices and soulful sound that conveys a range of emotions that move the listener with every note.
Gospel music has its roots firmly in Africa with its call-and-response style originating from numerous African tribes.
Black gospel, Southern gospel, country gospel music, Bluegrass gospel, Celtic gospel and British black gospel have each developed their own style and characteristics over the years anchored in celebration.
On the other side of the world, African Gospel has become one of the most popular genres on the continent over the last few decades, specifically in South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria.
African gospel is uplifting, rhythmic, and spiritual with lyrics that reflect diverse world views, theologies, cultures and experiences of Africans from all backgrounds. This is highlighted by the exclusive artist playlists created for Spirits Rejoice.
Chipukeezy Elected NACADA Board Vice Chairperson
Comedian Chipukeezy real name Vincent Muasya Mutua is the new Vice Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Board.
Chipukeezy was elected by the board of directors during a meeting held yesterday (Tuesday) replacing Peterson Mwai who served in that position untilll March 2021.
While annoucing the selection, NACADA Board Cjhairperson Professor Mabel Imbuga said that Chipukeezy will be instrumental in steering the Authority's mandate as he resonates well with the youth and young persons who are critical target group for prevention campaigns.
In his appreciation speech, Chipukeezy pledged to utilize the opportunity to spearhead youth and children programs in line with the Authority strategic plan to provide hope for the young persons struggling with addiction in the country.
He thanked the board for the vote of confidence and revealed that he is looking forward to working with the board members to provide strategic guidance and policy direction at a time that Kenya is facing a myriad of challenges including upsurge in alcohol and drug abuse consumption especially during this COVID-19 period.
Made In Kenya Concert Postponed Due To COVID-19
Following the rising numbers of Covid-19 the organisers of the Made In Kenya Concert have postponed the concert to 5th June 2021.
According to the organisers, the decision was made after delibearation with artistes, sponsors and partners.
"As you may well be aware, the government has called on the public to stop gathering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and after deliberations with artistes, sponsors and partners it wouldn’t be responsible for us to go ahead with the event at this time. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there are two overriding concerns that have caused us to make this decision at this time."reads a statement from organisers.
Adding "Firstly it is the uncertainty caused by the fact that the Covid-19 numbers in recent weeks have massively risen and we care so much about the well being of every person involved and that includes our fans. We have met with the various stakeholders involved and we feel it's not proper to risk the lives of Kenyans and therefore have to reschedule the event to June 5th 2021".
The statement continues "Secondly, our primary concern is always the responsibility we feel towards our fans, artistes and partners, who fund the show – not only by purchasing stand space but also in the considerable additional investment they make."
Former Scotland Yard Officer Ex Wife Seeking Custody Of Son
An ex-lover to a former Scotland Yard detective is demanding the high court in Mombasa to force him to comply with an order it issued early this month in her favor over the custody of their child.
In an open letter to high court judge J N Onyhiego, Helen Maria Imokor is demanding the court to enforce the order issued against her former lover Kevin Barry Hurley, who is a British national, that she has temporary custody of their three-year old child.
She argued that the father had an option to move to the court of appeal if he was dissatisfied with the high court ruling in her favor.
“It was wrong for the same court to entertain my former lover’s dilly-dallying and create a circus instead of complying with the court order,” she pointed out.
The woman said she is deeply concerned and regrets that he had deliberately chosen not to comply with the order issued by the high court in Mombasa.
In the letter addressed to resident judge in charge of family matters she added his former lover has blatantly and contemptuously and maliciously defied a court order.
In her open letter copied to his former lover’s counsel Lawrence Obonyo she accused the former Scotland Yard detective of denying her access to her son since last year.
She insisted up to now she has no information of her son’s whereabouts and his fate.
“I wish to urge the judge to ensure the minor is produced physically before the court without fail,” she pointed out.
The bitter woman wants the court to arrest his former lover for contempt of court so that it can be a lesson to others.
Justice Onyiego had granted Maria temporary custody of the minor pending hearing and determination of the her appeal.
The court directed Maria’s former lover to organize visitation and access rights to the minor between 8am to 4pm.
“The picking and return points of the minor shall be at Tononoka children law court under the supervision of the children protection officer in Mvita” Justice Onyiego pointed out.
The High court judge said in his ruling that the proceedings at Tononoka children court against Kelvin Barry’s former lover should stay pending hearing and determination of his former lover’s appeal.
Justice Onyiego at the same time ruled the execution order at the lower court issued in December last year is also stayed pending the hearing and determination of the appeal before the court.
He directed the deputy registrar to call for the original file from the lower court with effect from the picking and return of the minor which took place last weekend.
The reasons for making the above orders, he stated, were in exercise of the high court’s inherent and express supervisory jurisdiction over the subordinate court.
But during the mention of the matter the high court orders issued by justice Onyiego were not yet enforced despite the matter coming up.
Last year, Maria had sent a passionate appeal to former Chief Justice David Maraga to personally intervene to get her child in a custody case at the Tononoka children’s court in Mombasa county.
She had urged the then Chief Justice to intervene to ensure she gets her child from the former Scotland Yard detective.
She had asked Maraga to help her before he proceeds on his retirement as she lashed out at the lower court for turning a deaf ear on her quest.
“The lower court has formed a habit of intimidating and frustrating me when I seek justice to the extent of threats of arrest,” she had pointed out.
Maria had challenged the judiciary to quote where in the constitution a father is allowed custody of a minor of three years of age.
The woman had accused the police of a conspiracy to frustrate her and detained her several times over the child custody dispute.
First Lady Calls For Renewed Commitment To Shield Infants From HIV And Syphilis
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for a renewed commitment to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV and Syphilis in the country.
The First Lady emphasized the need for concerted efforts to accelerate the progress made towards achieving eMTCT through promotion of stronger partnerships.
“I am convinced, that our successes rely on harmonized efforts from both the public and private sectors.
“I believe that our targets are achievable because of the solid partnerships we have built with you,” she said.
The First Lady spoke on Tuesday when she virtually addressed a partnerships meeting on accelerating the progress towards achieving validation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis by 2021.
Available records show that Kenya has made progress on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and curbing maternal mortality with new HIV infections reducing by 47 percent from 12,826 in 2013 to 6,806 in 2020.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta in 2017 during a Beyond Zero Summit launched the Kenya Framework for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis 2016-2021 that contributed to the achievement.
The First Lady commended the innovative implementation of the Kenya eMTCT Framework adopted by counties through the county business plan model.
“So far, we have successfully launched 11 county business plans. It is my hope that we, as partners, will commit to resourcing and supporting the remaining county governments on their respective journeys,” the First Lady said.
The county business plans provide for the sustainable and timely implementation of activities for counties to meet their unique eMTCT circumstances.
As the national patron and champion of eMTCT, the First Lady said her overall mission is to end preventable deaths of women and children as well as to eliminate new cases of HIV infections from mothers to their children.
She applauded the existing partnership between her Beyond Zero initiative and other health stakeholders including the national and county governments for working together in promotion of maternal and child health.
“Since I began my own journey in 2013 with the Beyond Zero initiative, we have depended on partnerships with the national and county governments and other health stakeholders.
“As partners, we remain inspired to do what we can to realize a world free of HIV and syphilis transmission to newborns. A world with zero maternal deaths,” First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said.
She observed that it was through the support of partners that the Beyond Zero initiative was able to deliver 52 mobile clinics across the country, adding that the initiative extended its resolve to increase access to healthcare through the Beyond Zero medical safaris.
“Our work is driven by our understanding that access to decent and affordable healthcare plays a huge role in saving lives.
“So far, we have conducted successful medical safaris in Nyanza, North and South Rift, Central and Nairobi regions,” she said.
Noting that there are still significant healthcare gaps affecting Kenyans – particularly underprivileged women and children – which require urgent attention especially during the COVID-19 pandemic times, the First Lady said a lot of work needs to be done to curb the spread of HIV infections in the country.
“This is why the Government of Kenya has committed, through universal health coverage, to scale up its efforts to improve access to HIV treatment to improve the health and well-being of women and children living with HIV,” she said.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, in a statement read on his behalf by CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi, commended First Lady Margaret Kenyatta for using her Beyond Zero initiative to rally the entire country behind the noble agenda of stopping new HIV infections among children and preventing mothers from dying while giving birth.
Other speakers at the hybrid meeting that drew both physical and virtual participants from the public and private sectors as well as development partners included Chief of Staff in the Office of the First Lady Ms Constance Gakonyo, National Aids Control Council CEO Dr Ruth Masha and National AIDS and STI Control Program Head Dr Catherine Ngugi among others
Joho Takes COVID-19 Jab
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has become the second Governor from the Coast region to take the coronavirus vaccination.
Joho was vaccinated on Tuesday afternoon at the Coast general hospital just few days after his Taita Taveta counterpart Granton Samboja taking the jab at his Mwakishima home in Wundanyi.
Joho urged health workers and frontline officers to take the jab in order to control further spread of the virus currently on it's third wave.
On monday, Joho decried the slow uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine saying only 1200 individuals had received the jab, including five police officers and one journalist
Joho noted "We willl have no any other choice but to allow communities to come forward and be vaccinated if the health care workers, teachers and police continue shying away from being vaccinated. The good news is that we have a bigger number of communities coming out to ask for the vaccines".
The Governor also announced that he was taking a one month leave from political activities.
Vanessa Mdee's Message To President Suluhu
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu made history last Friday when she was sworn in as Tanzania’s first female president. She is also the first Woman President in the East Africa region.
This attracted alot of excitement especially from Women leaders globally, among them is US first female Vice President Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris sent congratulatory message to President Samia Suluhu Hassan upon her swearing in.
“Sending best wishes to @SuluhuSamia following her swearing in as Tanzania's new President - the first woman to hold the office. The United States stands ready to work with you to strengthen relations between our countries,” wrote Ms Harris on her twitter handle.
Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee has also added her voice to this new developement.
Taking to social media Vanessa noted "I am elated that even in the midst of sadness, hope is in the face of a strong and able woman. We salute you, we welcome you Madame President Samiah Suluhu. We are honored to witness the day our nation has its very first female president. We wish you courage and strength".
On Monday during the state funeral for the departed President John Magufuli, Suluhu stamped her authority as the 6th President of the United Republic of Tanzania, saying, “To those that doubt that a woman can be President of Tanzania, I say to you that the one standing before you today is a woman, and President!”
President Kenyatta Attends State Funeral Of former Tanzanian President Magufuli In Dodoma
President Uhuru Kenyatta today joined thousands of Tanzanians and visiting leaders, among them eight other African Heads of State, at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma for the State Funeral of former President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
The President, who was accompanied by EAC Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, attended the sombre ceremony alongside Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Felix Tshisekedi (DR Congo) and Felipe Nyusi (Mozambique).
Also present were President's Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), and Mogkweetsi Masisi (Botswana).
In his address, President Kenyatta eulogised the fallen former Tanzanian Head of State as a hardworking and transformative leader whose rich legacy of success within a very short time earned him recognition and respect the world over.
"We mourn the loss of our friend, our brother, a hardworker, the Honorable John Pombe Magufuli. The President who was respected not only here in Tanzania but also in the entire East Africa, the whole of Africa and the entire world.
"He showed us that, as Africans we have the potential to liberate ourselves from dependence on foreigners. That we have potential as Africans to manage our economies and ensure that our people get justice," he said.
The President, who is also the current Chairperson of the East African Community, said the late Dr Magufuli was a close ally with whom he spoke regularly, exchanging ideas on the relationship between Kenya and Tanzania, and the progress of the regional bloc.
He wished President Samia Suluhu success as she takes over the leadership of Tanzania, assured her of Kenya's and the regions backing, and rallied Tanzanians to fully support their new leader.
"My sister Samia, and now my colleague President, you've been shown the way by our brother, the late Magufuli. You have the mandate, now go forth and serve the people.
"The people of Tanzania are behind you. Ours is to urge you to continue with the unity you have, work together and support your new President so that she completes the work started by our departed brother," President Kenyatta told his Tanzanian counterpart.
In her address, the new Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the late Dr Magufuli was loved by many in Tanzania and the region, and regretted the passing away of the former Head of State.
"It is difficult to reconcile with the fact that Dr Magufuli is nolonger with us," President Suluhu said, adding that the late leader was her mentor who helped lift the political profile of Tanzanian women.
"Forever, I will thank him (the late Dr Magufuli) for my success and the success of the women of Tanzania. Through him, Tanzania got its first woman Vice President who is now the first Woman President," she said.
Beneath his no-nonsense approach to the management of public affairs, President Samia said Dr Magufuli was a loving fatherly figure with a playful streak that was only known to those that worked closely with him.
"To many Dr Magufuli was known as a no-nonsense person but for those of us that worked with him, he had a jolly side. He loved to see results and expected nothing but results. He had no time for hatred and sideshows," President Suluhu recalled.
She assured Tanzanians and the region that she had what it takes to step into the shoes of Dr Magufuli, who was nicknamed 'bulldozer', and lead the East African country into a future of prosperity.
"For those in doubt, this woman will be an effective President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Whoever is standing here is the President. I want to repeat that whoever is standing here, is the President of Tanzania whose gender is female," President Suluhu affirmed.
President Suluhu assured Mrs Janeth Magufuli, the widow of the former President, that her administration will continue looking after her and the family of the departed leader.
In their speeches, the visiting Heads of State eulogised Dr Magufuli as a brave, progressive and firm leader who served with great dedication.
President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union described the late former President as a "nationalist and a great defender of the economic freedom of Africa".
The Congolese leader said Dr Magufuli will forever be remembered for his relentless fight against corruption, and assured Tanzania's new President Samia Suluhu of the Africa Union's support as she steers her country forward.
South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa mourned the late Dr Magufuli as a forthright and bold leader who advocated for the adoption of Kiswahili language in African countries.
