In tough times like this even the smallest form of help means so much to the less privileged and those facing financial challenges as the economic impact of coronavirus continues to bite.

Veteran Coast based artist Nyota Ndogo has decided to take it upon herself to help the underprivileged during this tough times of the pandemic. The artist is raising funds online.

She has so far managed to help three families in Voi, one of the beneficiaries is an elderly Woman who is paralysed and taking care of her 7 grandchildren, all her Children died.

''I was touched by the story of this elderly Woman and i must thank my fans who have been very supportive and it's through them that i managed to help her'' said Nyota.

Another beneficiary is an elderly man who is needy and living alone with no family in the outskirts of Voi town.

''Leo wakati nilikua najitaarisha kwenda gimba nilikua naenda kuwatembea watu wazima ambayo shida yao kubwa ni chakula.huyu mzee hana familia yoyote ndugu zake dada zake baba mama wote wamekufa amebaki yeye kama yeye .tumemkuta anachimba choo Malipo yake anapewa chakula cha siku yani soo sad.alisema kua yeye akipata chakula basi anauwezo wa kujipikia..amefurai sana na akasema Mungu awabariki sana wanaochanga'' she posted.

In an interview with Ommy Dallah, Nyota Ndogo revealed that some well wishers have already come out and want to construct a new house for the old man.

''I have received some request from some well wishers, they all want to construct a new house for the mzee which is very good. I encourage all those who can help the less privileged during this time to come out'' she noted.

Adding ''So tusirudishwe nyuma kwa maneno ya watu thanks to wote waliochanga waliotuma M pesa. wanaotaka kuendelea kuchanga number hizi. 0791 163 070''

The Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] General Manager Finance Patrick Nyoike is a victim of the succession battle at the helm of the state corporation, his lawyer Jared Magolo has said.

Magolo told Mombasa Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti in a case in which his client is facing a sh 214 million fraud charge.

He told the court during a bond application that the accused is a front runner in the race to succeed former embattled KPA Managing Director Daniel Manduku who resigned in a huff last month.

"The accused person is a victim of circumstances since he is one of the applicants to succeed Manduku," he pointed out.

His remarks emerged at the court after the accused was arrested and held at the central police station in Mombasa county on charges of economic sabotage and abuse of office.

The lawyer described KPA finance office as a home of malice with a hidden agenda, his client being a target.

Magolo told the court Nyoike’s critics have succeeded  to lock him out of the succession race which is underway.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/1532-kpa-managers-want-arrested-colleague-transfered

He said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission [EACC] had given his client a clean bill of health on the charges he was now facing.
 .
"We wonder how a closed matter can resurface but let me assure the court the charges are minor and meant to block the accused person from the race to succeed Manduku," he pointed out.

The counsel expressed regret the accused is being targeted for being one of the front runners in the battle for the port's top post.

Magolo insisted his client is being targeted by the political class to stop him as he was perceived to be a threat to other applicants in the bid to succeed Manduku.

He said the move to block his client from the race was well calculated with the criminal charges before the court.

"Nyoike has been a threat since Manduku resigned at the port with the KPA board in the process of shortlisting candidates for interviews," he pointed out.

Nyoike and his colleague Isaac Obunga were released on a Sh2 Million cash bail each or a surety of 5million, The other accused person Jacinta Wanjiku Wambugu who is also Nyoike's wife could not make it to court today due to sickness and will appear on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage has this morning launched the "Work For Pay" Kshs. 100 million stimulus package for artistes, actors and musicians at the Kenya Cultural Centre. 

This is in line with the Executive Order issued by H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta on 6th April 2020, directing the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund to avail Kshs. 100 million to cushion those in the creative industry during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The funds will be distributed through a campaign dubbed ‘TOGETHER AT HOME’ spearheaded by several Government Agencies and Departments, as stipulated by the Regulations establishing the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund. 

Artists from different creative sectors will be required to produce works that entertain and educate Kenyans and the world on the safety and health precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

These artistic productions will be carried through various assets set up by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage such as "KULTURE TV" and other collaborative media outlets. 

“This campaign will use entertainment to centralise three crucial aspects of our society: the importance of new avenues for work, creative community education and sustained mental well-being for all Kenyans during this period. The Kshs. 100m is therefore not a reservoir of free funds, but a provision to educate, innovate, sustain and improve our output as a sector''. said CS Amina Mohamed during the launch.

Adding ''The objective is to continue developing and nurturing talent to ensure that the sector remains a significant contributor to our economy post-COVID.”  

This project will supplement Government’s efforts in combating COVID-19 and its effects by engaging and mobilizing the cultural and creative artists in strategic messaging on behavior change to flatten the coronavirus transmission curve including, but not limited to social distancing, hand washing and wearing personal protective equipment such as masks.

This is in line with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Artists will also carry messaging to encourage mental well-being and influence positive behavior to address the increased cases of domestic violence and other social issues. 

It is estimated that the program will directly benefit over 20,000 Musicians, Actors and Artists from all 47 Counties and over 80,000 additional persons from the beneficiaries’ households, 30% of whom being vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities.

“This program will touch as many areas of the cultural creative industry with measurable ripple effects as possible,” said CS Amina Mohamed. 

The Ministry further reiterates Government’s support for the creative sector, which was poised to contribute over Kshs.165 Billion to the GDP this year. It is anticipated that the implementation of these projects will take 3 months starting from May to July 2020. 

The following Government Agencies will roll out and supervise the implementation of the Programme coordinated by the administrative arm of the Ministry with direct reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage and Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, Technology and Youth: 

• Department of Culture 
• Kenya Cultural Centre. 
• National Museums of Kenya 
• Kenya Film Commission 
• Permanent Presidential Music Commission 

The criteria for engagement will be released immediately by the Heads of these Agencies and Departments.

A public portal highlighting the projects will be maintained on the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage Website and a mobile phone application created to distribute content.

This program will be rolled out to the public starting today and will last until July, 2020. 

Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] managers have pitched tent at the central police station in Mombasa county pleading for the transfer of their General Manager Finance  Patrick Nyoike to a station with better cells.

Patrick Nyoike was arrested this morning over a Sh 214 million fraud allegation at the port of Mombasa.

His colleagues and  family members are not comfortable with the environment and conditions at the police station and want him to be placed in custody at a better station as he waits his arraignment in court.

Nyoike and his wife Jacinta Wanjiku Wambugu are said to be the owners of Nyali capital loaning scheme which is in the centre of the scandal. The directors of the company are listed as  Alfred Hinga Nyoike (brother to Patrick Nyoike) and one Peter Ndichu Kinyanjui and  Jacinta Wanjiku Wambugu who is the company’s general manager.

They were picked at the family residence in the posh Nyali area before having their breakfast while following Sunday prayers online due to the outbreak of the corona virus which has led to the closure of churches.

The parking bay of the police station was a beehive of activity as relatives and friends including KPA acting managing director Rashid Salim visited the couple.

Salim was accompanied by KPA General manager operations and Habour Master Captain William Ruto among others.

The family was also in the process of getting a lawyer who will assist them during trial at the court of law.

Isaac Obunga a clerical officer at KPA was also arrested.

A statement from the Director of public prosecutions Noordin Hajj reads “Indeed, Patrick Wambugu Nyoike facilitated  Nyali Capital Limited’s micro finance business to finance the KPA suppliers, Local Purchase Order (LPOs) and Local Service Orders (LSOs) and thereafter used the KPA system to have the principal and the interest from the said suppliers remitted to Nyali Capital Limited’s account by the KPA,” 

The statement further reads “Wanyoike had interests in the company, with his wife, Jacinta and brother Hinga, were working as GM and Director respectively,”

They will be arraigned before the Anti- Corruption Magistrate’s Court in Mombasa on Monday.

Nyoike is among the 10 candidates who applied for the position of the KPA Managing director.

Meanwhile Vincet Sadai who is the general manager infrastructure and had applied for the MD post is the only one who did not make it to the list of those shortlisted for the job.

https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/1503-kpa-md-job-attracts-10-mohammed-ali-calls-for-free-and-fair-process

Tanzanian prolific music duo Navy Kenzo is gearing up to make a lengthy return with a new LP project, their second studio album three years after their first debut in 2017. 

The hit making music group has recently been missing in action serving only one time singles here in there without any wording as to what their plans are moving forward,  however that is about to change for sources close to the music duo have revealed that Navy Kenzo has been in the studio making what is summing up to be their second studio album. 

“They have been working a lot lately, spending a lot of countless hours in the studio. They had a couple of songs which were initially intended for an EP project but there is just so much good music to ignore it became hard to finalize the EP and decided to just roll out the content with a full album.” said the source 

It is still not yet clear how many songs this new album contains or what it will be named, but sources close to the duo assure us it is something worth waiting for. 

The source added “Navy Kenzo are not the kind to make a lot of noise, they let the music do that for them. They are always recording, they always have something fresh in their archives, something guaranteed to blow you away. The content is amazing, it's fresh, they are constantly raising the bar and re-defining the standard of good music. This new project is on a different element, the sound, production, the vibe. They have really outdone themselves. It's exciting!” 

2019 had been quite an interesting year for the group, they released a couple of singles that indicated the Group was taking a new sonic direction and even performed at one of Africa’s biggest festival stages AFRO NATION GHANA whose results we’re told have dubbed interesting artistic relationships with artists from West Africa who may likely appear on this album.

Our source insists that this maybe one of the reasons that inspired the new content of this anticipated project; 

“Ghana was an awakening experience for Navy Kenzo, the level of artistic connection made between them and some big performer names is mind blowing. They not only went to perform at AFRO NATION GHANA rather they connected with amazing artists and producers, I believe some of which we will be blessed enough to hear them on this new project. Like I said you should anticipate a new standard setting from Navy Kenzo. This new music is not about them or us, it's about Africa. It's music for Africa, just wait for it and keep up with their social media activities, it’s about to get interesting.” 

The music group also recently took to social media with Kenyan radio personality Mzazi Willy Tuva to help contribute to renovations of a music studio in Kibera “8hoodmusic”  that helps artists living in difficult circumstances record their music works and pursue their dreams and hinted on the possibility of the Album for June. 

Navy Kenzo are yet to make an official Press statement concerning the coming of a new album but we can surely be on a look out for a new Navy Kenzo project soon.

Spice Diana real name Hajjara Namukwaya is currently one of the biggest female artistes in Uganda. Ever since she hit the limelight in 2014, she has never looked back.

She has tens of hits and awards to her name. Some of her hits includes Omusheshe, On You, Mood  among others.

She has also managed to work with Kenyan artist Timmy Tdat in the song 'Obisaana'

We caught up with her for an exclusive where she opened up on several issues including secret to success, relationship status.

Watch the interview below

Veteran Bongo Flava star Rich Mavoko has been quiet for some time now raising alot of questions and anxiety from his fans.

His current status has not only affected his fans but also former label mate at Wasafi, Harmonize.

Taking to instagram, Harmonize expressed his concern over the 'poor' state of Mavoko currently, he even went ahead to state the pain that Mavoko's mother is also going through due to her son's state, warning of a possible curse from the mother to all those who are behind Mavoko's state.

“Familia ngapi zipo nyuma ya Mavoko? Na zinamtegemea Yeye kwa kila jambo hasa hili la kupata mkate wa kila siku vipi kuhusu ndoto za familia hizo na zinaishije katikwa wakati huu?” He posted.

Adding ''“Ndoto ngapi za wasanii ambao wanategemea kuzifikia hizo ndoto kupitia Mavoko? Na nyuma ya hao wasanii kuna familia nyengine pia. Je maumivu, malalamiko ya wazazi wake hasa mama mzazi ambaye ndio kama roho yake! Ushajiuliza ni kauli ngapi za uchungu anazitoa ambazo zinaweza kumpata kila anaefurahishwa na hili kwa makusudi?”

The 'Bedroom' hitmaker also went to warn those who are after Mavoko's failure.

He charged ''“Mzazi wa mwenzio ni wako pia laana yake haishindwi kukupata ...!! La mwisho kabisa mgeukie mwenzio anaefurahia na kuifanya hii kuwa ni habari njema kwake ya kumfanya atembee kifua mbele na hata kuandika mtandaoni kwa furaha Mavoko kapotea muulize anafaidika na nini?”.

He further stated that he was ready to help Mavoko get back to the game ''“Mungu ana sababu na maana yake bro Mavoko kama mdogo ako nakuombea najua ukimya wako una maana Kubwa sana ndani yako ninachojua ni kujiweka sawa na kutuletea kazi zingine. Tunakupenda na tunakuombea Mungu akufanyie wepesi. Let's go bro mdogoako, rafiki yako nipo hapa muda wowote,”.

Harmonize recently formed his own music label, Konde gang immediately he left WCB and has since signed his first artist Ibraah.

Mavoko left WCB in 2018 just few months after he was signed under the label owned by Diamond Platnumz. He left before his contract ended. Mavoko released his last song 'Babylon' eight months ago and has since been quiet even on social media, the last post on his instagram page was posted on January 1, 2020.

Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho has pleaded with the residents especially from Old Town to avoid sideshows and focus on fighting the coronavirus.

Speaking during a press conference held at his office this afternoon, Joho called on the residents not to perceive the government as their enemy arguing that all the efforts put in place by the government is for their own benefit.

''To all my people in Mombasa, the enemy in this fight is not your government, the enemy is not your governor, the enemy is not your politician. The enemy for all of us is COVID-19. Let us all direct our energy to defeat the disease, other things don't matter for now'' said Joho.

Joho also called on the residents to avoid sideshows and criticism and support the government in the fight.

'' I appeal to you don't be drawn into this shenanigans and sideshows, let us remain focused, let us remember there is a pandemic, the only thing we need to do is to collectively find ways to defeat it. We don't want to be in situation where everyone is forced to stay in their houses" he charged.

Joho has been on the receiving end from residents of Old Town for demanding that they undergo mandatory mass testing for Covid-19 and calling for a total lock down in the area.

The Governor further noted that the county government has already put in place measures to ensure residents of Old Town access essential services and supply including water and food. Several points have been established where vendors will be allowed to sell food.

Yesterday, the government ordered cessation of movement in and out of  the area (Old Town) for the next 15 days.

Meanwhile ODM leader Raila Odinga has donated foodstuff to the Mombasa household relief programme, the donation was handed over to governor Joho by businessman Suleiman Shahbal on behalf of Odinga.

Jamaican singer Millie has died at the age of 72 after suffering a stroke.

The singer was most famous for her hit single My Boy Lollipop, which was Jamaica's first million-selling single.  The song  remains one of the biggest-selling ska songs of all time, with more than seven million sales.

Born Millicent Small in Clarendon, south Jamaica, she was one of seven brothers and five sisters, raised on the sugar plantation where her father was an overseer.

The news of her death was confirmed by her close friend and former producer Chris Blackwell.

Blackwell played a major role in Small's career,  it is reported he is the one who took her to London  in 1963 and produced her version of My Boy Lollipop, showcasing her childlike, high-pitched vocals.

"I would say she's the person who took ska international because it was her first hit record," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Adding ''"It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it. She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humour. She was really special," 

In one of her interviews, Small said ''"I made a few songs, which didn't go anywhere, and then I recorded My Boy Lollipop in 1964, which got to number two over here and number one in many parts of the world. I never had singing lessons, my voice was just something I was born with."

Adding ''"My life seemed very normal to me - even though I was only 17, I took fame in its stride. What helped was that I had a good manager in Chris, who looked after me like a father wherever I went."

She retired from singing in 1970.