Kenyan songstress, Sofiya Nzau, who broke into the international spotlight with her hit single “Mwaki” with ZERB is not slowing down anytime. She’s back on top with a continental banger “META” released alongside her global counterparts Fireboy DML (Nigeria) and Grammy-award winner Nomcebo Zikode (South Africa) - the powerful voice behind the global hit “Jerusalema”. 

This release introduces audiences to 3 Step, the heartbeat of a new genre set to take Africa and the world by storm. Originating in South Africa and now reaching global ears through this international collaboration, 3 Step is an irresistible fusion—both familiar and refreshingly bold.

More than just music, it’s a movement rooted in Africa’s rich musical traditions and designed for a global audience. With “META” as its anthem, 3 Step is poised to ignite a rhythm revolution, bridging cultures and uniting people through a shared, unforgettable beat.

Ahead of the release Sofiya shared, “Working with Fireboy and Nomcebo has been an incredible experience”. ‘META’ is an anthem of African unity in celebrating our diverse cultures. For me it’s another opportunity to showcase the richness of our sound and spirit and another step towards taking Kenyan music to the global stage.” 

This groundbreaking collaboration combines diverse musical styles and languages from Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria–creating a fresh sound that embodies the spirit of unity and celebration across the continent.

The title “META” draws inspiration from the concept of ‘three’—a number that symbolizes harmony, balance and connection in various contexts. In this case it represents the convergence of cultures while blending traditional African musical elements with contemporary production techniques.

Just as Amapiano transformed the global music landscape, 3 Step is ready to leave its mark, proving that the power of music knows no borders. Deeply rooted in cultural heritage, this innovative style aims to reshape the African music scene, inviting listeners to connect through the unifying power of rhythm.

Join Sofiya Nzau, Fireboy DML, and Nomcebo Zikode on this vibrant journey, as the powerful sounds of “META” echo across the continent and beyond. Fans can now participate in the #METAChallenge, a dance challenge on social media platforms that invites users to express themselves through movement, embodying the spirit of unity and joy that “META” represents. 

Newly launched Swahilipot fm has poached veteran sports journalist Japhet Kahindi Makanaki.

Makanaki who has been in the industry for over 15 years is set to make his debut this Saturday.

" I have not yet officially hand over my resignation letter to sauti ya pwani radio but my first show at Swahilipot fm will be this coming Saturday" Makanaki told this blog.

Makanaki will be hosting the 'Kickoff' show every Saturday from 3pm to 7pm, alongside another household name Salim Barissa.

Barissa joins Swahilipot fm from Radio Msenangu.

Among the radio stations that Makanaki has worked for includes Baraka fm, Radio Salaam and Homeboys radio.

International, Makanaki has worked for supersport (6 yrs) and Spain based sports radio, media Pro.

Makanaki who is also a sports commentator is expected to inject his experience into the new radio station which was lunched few months back.

The radio station is run by the Swahilipot Hub. 

Over 2,000 participants took part in the 30 kilometres endurance trek Dongo Kundu challenge on Thursday, organised by the Mombasa walk movement.

According to the organisers, this is the highest number of participants recorded since the movement was launched in 2022.

The challenge kicked off at Sabasaba with participants passing through Changamwe, Mwache bridge, Sunza, Mteza bridge, Kibundani before reaching the final destination Likoni checkpoint where there was a medical camp.

"The idea was to celebrate the Mazingira day not only by planting trees by walking so that people can reduce their carbon production, we try to encourage people to walk to their places of work. We want to encourage a culture of walking" said the Mombasa walk movement founder Idris Abdirahman.

Adding " People have seen the nice view at the dongo kundu and where they can now come and plant trees."

On his part Changamwe Mp Omar Mwinyi who was part of participants called on Mombasa residents to come out and embrace the culture of walking.

"We are advocating for Mps and other leaders to participate in such walks because it is healthy and also it motivates the constituents to also take part." said Omar.

Adding " This is healthy and it is a way of keeping away sicknesses such as obesity, cholesterol and life style diseases."

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission has arrested two fake Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) officers who, while accompanied by uniformed police officers, were inspecting goods in shops within Bamburi area and thereafter arresting, detaining and extorting shop owners alleging that they were selling expired goods.

The suspects arrested on Tuesday evening had reportedly duped the police officers to believe that they were genuine KEBS Officers on official duty requiring police escort in a crackdown on expired goods in Mombasa shops.

"The Commission mounted an operation at Kadzandani Mwatamba Police Station where the arrested shop owners were being detained and extorted. The fraudsters were demanding amounts ranging from Kes.20,000 to Kes.50,000." reads a statement from EACC 

The suspects, ??????? ??????? ????? and ???????? ?. ???????? are designated as Consumer Protection Officers working with an agency they call Multi-Works & Rights Enforcement.

The suspects were detained at Mombasa Central Police Station and will be arraigned before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects have engaged in similar illegal activities in other parts of the country.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has announced the upcoming IGAD Media Awards 2024, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya.

The event, hosted at the Argyle Hotel, will recognise journalists and media professionals who have significantly contributed to peace, security, and development within the IGAD region.

Centred around the theme “Narratives of Hope: Inspiring Peaceful, Secure, and Inclusive Futures,” this year’s awards recognise media coverage that promotes peace, security, and regional cooperation.

The awards highlight stories that foster unity, resilience, and hope across IGAD Member States. Entries for the awards have already been received, and the panel of jurors has selected 18 winners across various categories for their exceptional storytelling.

The event will feature a one-and-a-half-day workshop characterised by engaging panel
discussions across four key sessions:

● Spotlight on the peace and security situation in the Horn of Africa
● Challenges faced by women and children in conflict zones
● The Sudan Crisis: Collective Experiences and Insights
● Inspiring change through transformative and powerful messaging

These sessions will bring together experts, journalists, policymakers, and development stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in peace and security across the IGAD region, offering insights and strategies for impactful storytelling.

Speaking about the upcoming event, IGAD Executive Secretary, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, emphasised the importance of the media in building peace and security within the region. He remarked that the media is a powerful tool that bridges divides, unites communities, and fosters understanding and collaboration.

"The IGAD Media Awards aim to acknowledge and support media professionals who use their platforms to champion hope and peace in the region." said Gebeyehu.

Organised with the support of the Government of Kenya, USAID Kenya, and the East Africa Mission, the 2024 IGAD Media Awards will convene policymakers, development partners, media professionals, civil society representatives, and stakeholders to celebrate journalistic excellence and acknowledge the challenges and achievements within the region.

The workshop will take place from the 22nd to the 23rd of October, and the Awards Ceremony will be held on the 23rd of October from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Argyle Hotel in Nairobi.

During the ceremony, the 18 winners, representing categories such as Print, Radio, TV, Photography, Digital, National Languages, Influencer, Gender-Responsive Media, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, will be recognised.

Winners will receive cash prizes, certificates, and trophies in appreciation of their impactful storytelling and dedication to promoting peacebuilding and regional development. IGAD remains committed to supporting the media’s role in advancing peace, security, and regional cooperation.

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation has announced the return of the iconic MTV Shuga to Kenya, with a brand-new season titled MTV Shuga Mashariki.

This exciting development marks the show’s comeback after more than 10 years, with auditions having kicked off this October in search of Kenya’s freshest talent.

At the heart of MTV Shuga’s return is its unwavering focus on storytelling to change the lives of Kenyan youth. 

From script to screen, this season’s entire production is informed by local youth-centered research and designed to tackle restrictive, harmful gender norms that affect the outcomes of young people's lives in Kenya. 

Additionally, MTV Shuga Mashariki will be a 100% Kenyan production, ensuring that every aspect of the show reflects the authentic experiences and voices of Kenyan youth.

In its return, the production of MTV Shuga Mashariki will draw from extensive evidence that has shown that authentic youth-centered storytelling can help shift restrictive norms, at scale. 

In a bid to broaden its reach to aspiring actors across the country and nurture local talent, the show will hold both physical and virtual open auditions this month.

MTV Shuga has built a strong legacy of showcasing new talent and this season will uphold that tradition, introducing dynamic new faces and a fresh generation of Kenyan actors to its ever-expanding audience.

Both in person and online cast submissions, will be reviewed by the casting team after which shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.

Open Auditions in Nairobi:

Actors based in Nairobi are invited to attend open auditions from October 11th - 13th, 2024 from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. at the University of Nairobi (main campus). Registration closes October 10th, 2024.

Online Submissions:

MTV Shuga Mashariki will also include online submissions as an option to those unable to make it to the physical auditions. Aspiring actors should submit the following materials by October 13th, 2024:

1. A professional headshot

2. A brief introductory video and  30-second monologue performance

How to Audition:

Sign up for physical or virtual auditions using this link: https://shorturl.at/ABWHT 

Eligibility:

Open to Kenyan citizens aged 18 -30 years only. 

By Modeen Malick, Principal Systems Engineer at Commvault

Recent cyberattacks on various organisations, including South African government departments, are a stark reminder that cybercriminals increasingly target public and private sector organisations.

This underscores the critical importance of robust data management and cybersecurity.

Unfortunately, many organisations in both sectors face challenges due to underinvestment in security systems and outdated technology. This, combined with the large amounts of valuable and sensitive data that private and public sector organisations hold, makes them attractive targets for cyberattacks.

While both sectors are vulnerable to attacks, public sector organisations are more likely to be targeted as government typically invests less in cybersecurity compared to private sector organisations. The potential consequences can be dire for both public and private sector organisations if they fail to enhance their data management and cybersecurity infrastructure.

The most evident consequence of a data breach is financial loss, due to unplanned downtime and disruption of operations. Beyond financial loss, and arguably even more severe, is the risk of suffering reputational damage as a result of an attack. This can erode customer trust and have a long-term impact on revenue.

The evolving threat landscape

While most organisations embrace regulatory compliance that is designed to protect sensitive data, it is the data environment itself that is becoming increasingly challenging to secure, as it is constantly growing and becoming more complex.

Advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven solutions can assist organisations in defending against cyber threats. Today, traditional data management companies are partnering with AI specialists to roll out AI-driven solutions that help organisations leverage data insights that facilitate threat detection, protection and mitigation methods and data recovery.

Due to the evolution of the threat landscape, leading data management companies are diversifying and collaborating with partners such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) companies or Security, Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) partners to provide threat detection and assessment solutions. This can be further bundled with incident management and a layer of data governance and privacy.

To create effective cyber resilience, these data security products must be able to integrate with products in the broader cybersecurity ecosystem. This will not only meet the needs of customers but also help to bring faster, smarter and more connected security insights to all organisations, whether in the public or private sectors.

In today's digital landscape, it is imperative to prioritise robust cybersecurity measures and IT modernisation due to organisations’ IT environments becoming increasingly complex, with potential attacks becoming more sophisticated. As such, business leaders are driving strategic cyber resilience efforts to put their business continuity and data recovery needs at the forefront of their cyber preparedness.

Traditional methods no longer suffice

As a result, traditional IT budgets have shifted. While replication from a data protection perspective used to be considered the most reliable disaster recovery measure, the rapid advancement of technology means it is no longer sufficient to only safeguard against data loss.

Today, recovering from a cyberattack is more complex than simple data recovery. It involves restoring not only the compromised or lost data but also the systems and applications affected by the attack. This process can be time-consuming and challenging due to the vast amounts of data that need to be recovered. An effective data protection strategy must now align with the intricacies of a modern IT landscape, as organisations must implement solutions that go over and above the traditional.

However, despite organisations investing heavily in security tools, bad actors still profit from damaging and exploiting businesses and their critical data, whether it is in the public sector or the private sector.

Organisations need to therefore adopt a more proactive approach to identifying risks and defending their data. Ultimately, they need to be able to effectively identify the risk while bracing for the impact of an inevitable breach, thus minimising the blast radius and impact of the attack.

Mombasa youth activist Evans Momanyi has pleaded with president William Ruto to reconcile with his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and save him from the impeachment process currently ongoing.

Momanyi argued that Ruto should provide leadership and pursue reconciliation for the sake of the country noting that the current wrangles are likely to raise political temperatures in the country.

Speaking during the public participation exercise for the impeachment of DP Gachagua in Mombasa, Momanyi called on Ruto to be careful with people sorrounding him and avoid being 'misled'.

"We are talking about the presidency here, and the presidency is both Ruto and his deputy Gachagua so the president has to trade very careful." argued Momanyi.

Adding "If Gachagua has committed any crime, let the relevant authorities including the police and EACC take up the matter and work on it."

"The president needs to be careful, that person that you have in mind to replace Gachagua might the person who will also be used to impeach you."

The public participation is currently ongoing in all constituencies across the country.