Africa’s biggest fashion market Thrift Social will be celebrating Kenya’s burgeoning fashion, art and music scene during the upcoming Made In Kenya edition at Delta Towers, Nairobi on Sunday 1^st September 2019.

The installation comes at an opportune time when the local art scene is undergoing renaissance and introspection.

The market seeks to add its voice and invaluable platform to the ongoing national dialogue by promoting locally made products and brands as well as highlighting native sounds and ideas during the entirety of the installation.

The first edition of the same theme was held in June 2018 bringing together award winning Kenyan pop group Sauti Sol who delivered a world class performance alongside visiting American Hip/Hop Soul duo Oshun and Durban singer Shekinah.

The forthcoming installation will be headlined by celebrated Kenyan superstar Nyashinski flanked by 2019 BET award winner Sho Madjozi, a promising curatorial convergence of emerging African sounds that will also see Congolese DJ/rapper/producer Alec Lomami, seasoned Kenyan DJ Fully Focus showcase their much anticipated sets.

‘’Zimenice’’ hit maker Chris Kaiga is also set to make his debut on the concert series while popular mood setter Mix Master Lenny makes yet another appearance on the show.

The social event series was founded in 2015 by brother and sister combo cum style entrepreneurs, Oliver Asike and Velma Rossa as a platform for the exploration of fashion, visual art and music in a bid to inspire innovation in Kenya’s vibrant and multi–faceted creative industry.

The market invites fashion and style enthusiasts to shop from a curated selection of the city’s cutting edge vendors, attracting a plethora of creatives from fashion enterprises, designers, photographers, stylists, models, art directors and other fashion actors in the Kenyan fashion ecosystem.

The upcoming edition is a partnership with Nataal, a London-based digital and print platform revered for inspiring artists whose work is shaping global African creativity today.

This partnership is founded on shared values and a mutual celebration of the continent through fashion, music and arts.

Speaking on the collaboration, Nataal editorial director Helen Jennings says: “We're excited to partner Oliver and Velma again on Thrift Social. The event's longevity and success is testament to their forward-thinking and inspiring vision, which speaks to Nataal's own ethos and dedicated audience.” 

The afternoon long market is an immersive, arguably unprecedented experience that strives to foster opportunities and possibilities within our creative ecosystem.

The annual East Africa International Arbitration Conference returns to Nairobi this summer on the 29th & 30th August 2019 at the Radisson Blu Hotel for its 7th edition.

This year, the conference organisers have unveiled content full program with discussion topics delivered by leading African and international experts in discussion panels, Oxford-style debates and master classes tackling some of the pertinent issues in Africa's arbitration space. 

The keynote address will be delivered by Hon. Justice David Maraga, Chief Justice, Republic of Kenya.

The speakers will attempt to respond to questions like; How can governments and investors better contract? Disputes are expensive, even for the winner –can they be mitigated? Can damages be better assessed and recovered? Do African international arbitration centres and practitioners have a place in investment arbitration and many more.

Themed “Government Contracting and Investment Disputes: Lessons for States and Investors” the conference will explore the full spectrum of government contracting from procurement and PPPs (public-private partnerships), tender disputes, dispute mitigation in government contracts, investment arbitration and arbitrating with governments in African centres. 

Boosted by it's long -term development blueprint, Vision 2030, and its mid-term development plan, the Big Four Agenda, Kenya is indeed a fitting venue for the conference.

The country has experienced a surge in government contracting over the recent past and only last year, the Kenyan government successfully defended two high profile investment arbitrations: an ICC arbitration relating to the power sector; and an ICSID arbitration in the mining sector. 

Notably, across Kenya's borders, various African countries have also published blueprints to be mid-level economies by the first half of this century.

The momentum for investment in Africa's investment in renewable energy, Infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, and education continues despite global uncertainty.

These interests in African economies is further encouraged by the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which entered into force on the 30th May 2019 with 24 out of 55 Africa states have deposited their instruments of ratification. 

All these developments set out a strong case for international arbitration and its development in the continent. It is for this reason that the East Africa International Arbitration platform exists, to promote the arbitration practice, support Africa centres build relationships and their profile, create a platform for shared experience, a place where arbitration practitioners and users can meet to network and acquire new skills.

The companies behind this initiative include; W &CO Law & Policy, I ARB, GBS Africa and King & Spalding.

AFRICA ARBITRATION AWARDS 2019

In addition to this year's program, the EAIAC will celebrate achievements and success in Africa Arbitration at the Inaugural Africa Arbitration Awards 2019. 

Africa Arbitration Awards aim to celebrate, recognise and honor outstanding practitioners and leaders in the Africa arbitration ecosystem and will be celebrated at the Gala Dinner on Friday 30th August 2019 at the Radisson Blu, Nairobi.

Awards Categories:

• African Arbitrator of the Year
• Young African Arbitrator of the Year
• Leading Case Counsel Team
• Innovation in Arbitration
• Leading Case Service Provider

American Disney Channel star Trinitee Stokes is set to make her maiden trip to Kenya courtesy of READ ACROSS AFRICA and an exclusive invite to the International School of Kenya (ISK)

The 'Bold & Blessed' author  will be giving a motivational talk at ISK on 3^rd September 2019 during her tour in Kenya.

This is part of her role as the Goodwill Ambassador for READ ACROSS AFRICA, the organization that promotes literacy in underserved African communities.

Ahead of the event, Trinitee says, “It is my wish that every child, no matter where they are born or live have access to books that help them travel the world in their minds”.

Adding, “I look forward to catching up with the wonderful students from ISK and honor their Summer Reading Challenge Participants!”

The young star will be celebrating her 13th birthday in Kenya by raising funds for new and existing learning sanctuaries in Kenya.

Using her voice to create safe spaces, Trinitee will be connecting with Kenyan school goers to raise awareness for more access to books and digital learning in rural Kenya.

During her visit to ISK, Trinitee will be sharing her passion for community service, which augurs well with ISK’s vision to empower students to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.

ISK Director, Mr. David Henry says, “She’s such a phenomenal role model who has achieved stardom status at a young age ISK Lions (students and whole staff) can’t wait to host her as she gives a motivational talk at our school,”

Adding, “We pride ourselves in guiding our students to nurture their creative talents at a young age, through our service learning program and other initiatives. This program develops globally-minded students who actively learn, create, solve and engage in the world, and we’re thrilled to have someone like Trinitee model this to our students.”

Top-notch rapper, musician, mogul, poet and philanthropist King Kaka has been on the road, literally, for 6 days.

On August 19^th, he embarked on a week long trek all the way to Nairobi from Nakuru.

The walk which was dubbed The Menstrual Walk is a part of his initiative Sanitary Bank Campaign which seeks to end period poverty in marginalized areas.

King Kaka has a target to keep at least 100,000 girls in school by providing them will sanitary towels. 

According to the initiative’s BankonMe website, 88% of girls in remote areas have no access to menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary towels, affecting their school attendance ultimately resulting in a poor academic performance for these young girls.

The program hopes to see fewer girls miss out on school due to lack of sanitary products.

King together with his indomitable team set out at the beginning of last week, making sure they cover at least 27kms per day to keep track of their goal of 154kms. What followed next were 6 long days of walking from sunrise to sunsets.

They endured extreme weather, around Limuru, Naivasha and Giligil areas; it was truly blood and sweat but it wouldn’t weaken his nor his teams’ spirits.

The program has partnered with various corporate such as Coca Cola, Skyward Express, Symatech Labs, Confidence Pads, iQ Marketing, House of Major, iPay and Enda( who provided sports gear for the team).

Some of the  public figures who support the initiative include Janet Mbugua, Sharon Mundia, Terrence Creative, Nameless, Nick Mutuma, Lulu Hassan, Kalekye Mumo, Julius Yego, Michelle Ntalami, Annerlisa Mungai among others. 

To donate or be part of King Kaka’s BankOnMe initiative, visit the website to donate and help provide a glimmer of hope to the thousands of young women facing menstrual poverty in Kenya.

Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi is lending a hand to people in need with the launch of its 2019 ‘Kilo of Kindness’ global charity campaign.

Now in its fifth year, the ‘Kilo of Kindness’ campaign which honours the United Nations International Day of Charity on 5 September, calls on guests to donate at least one kilo of food, clothing and educational supplies to disadvantaged communities around the world, with a focus on underprivileged young people. 

This year more than 50 Mövenpick hotels across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East are supporting the campaign, which runs from 1-15 September.

Guests and visitors are invited to drop off at least one kilo of supplies at the hotel during this period, which will be distributed to Angels of Hope - a community-based organisation in Kenya’s slums of Kibera that started in 2010 to support poor orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV/AIDS.

Angels of Hope aims to achieve community development as well as eliminate hunger, homelessness and illiteracy.

High-priority items include books, notebooks and stationery such as pens, pencils, rulers and erasers, canned foods such as tuna, soup, fruit, vegetables and concentrated milk.

Other priorities are dry foods like rice, beans, oats, pasta, cereals, flour, powdered milk, baby formula, tea and coffee; and clothing for adults and children. 

Last year, a staggering 12,700 kilograms of supplies were donated via the participating hotels – a figure Mövenpick hopes to surpass with its 2019 campaign. While each guest is encouraged to donate a ‘Kilo of Kindness.

“Our Kilo of Kindness campaign has grown immensely since its inception and in 2019 we are rallying support worldwide across all channels, within our hotels and local communities, in the hope to make this year the most successful yet,” said Nick Bosworth,  Vice President Brand Management, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

Adding “This corporate social responsibility initiative is at the heart of the Mövenpick brand and reflects our values and commitment to the local communities in which we operate"

Bosworth further noted "We are encouraging all guests to join us this September to support a ‘Kilo of Kindness’, so together we can collectively make a difference in the lives of many.” 

The following post is by one of our readers.

Another tribute for Hussein Mohamed, the ‘shareholder’

The Government will move the Kenya Copyright Board from the Office of the Attorney General to the Ministry of ICT as part of measures to protect musicians from exploitation.

The announcement was made by President Uhuru Kenyatta when he led thousands of mourners in sending off Benga music icon, John Mwangi Ng’ang’a well known as John De’Mathew in Gatanga, Murang'a County today.

The announcement on copyright board is part of several measures the President revealed that are aimed at protecting the rights of artistes.

The President said the right home ministry for the copyright board is ICT because that is where it can have the ability to monitor broadcasters, telecoms and other entities that use productions by artistes.

He said the Ministry of ICT is under firm instructions to ensure that artistes get their dues such as royalties.

“I have instructed the ICT Ministry to ensure that before renewal of licenses for broadcasters and telecoms they must pay what they owe artistes,” said the President when he spoke at the funeral service of the late musician held at Githambia Primary School grounds in Muranga County.

He said broadcasters and telecoms should pay for music they play because they are using it to make money.

The President who was accompanied by Deputy President Dr William Ruto said he has also instructed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe organisations that collect money on behalf of musicians to see if they are embezzling what they collect.

“The music industry has a problem that needs to be fixed. Recently we were told that an organisation collected around Shs 200 million on behalf of musicians and then claimed that they spent 60 percent of that money as expenses for the collection,” said the President.

He also encouraged Members of Parliament to push through an amendment to the copyright laws that is pending in parliament and which is aimed at protecting the interests of artistes.

President Kenyatta said De’Mathew was his personal friend who loved peace and who liked to unite people and not to divide them.

In the late musician's honour and to support upcoming talented artistes, the President announced that the government will set up a Shs 10 million studio at Kirwarwa within Gatanga Constituency.

DP Ruto said De’Mathew has been a prominent champion of the interests of musicians especially through Tamko Sacco where he was chairman. The Sacco was established so as to support local musicians to save and access loans for their collective and individual prosperity.

Dr Ruto assured Tamko Sacco members of government's support in completing a commercial building the group plans to construct at their parcel of land in Kenol town off Thika-Nyeri highway.

The funeral was attended by several Cabinet Secretaries including James Macharia (Transport), Amina Mohamed (Sports), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Agriculture) and Joe Mucheru (ICT).

Local leaders led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, Senator Irungu Kangata and County Woman MP Sabina Chege said De’Mathew was more than just a prominent musician to the people of Muranga.

Ommy Dimpoz teams up with his fellow superstar and longtime friend rapper and lyrical gifted Mwanafal to bring you HELLO.

The gentlemen slow in down to describe a lost love - as Ommy pleads for his love back, Mwanafa takes on a whole new attitude to express his emotions.

Watch the video below