Critically-acclaimed Kenyan documentary, THE LETTER, directed and produced by Maia Lekow & Christopher King will premiere on Kenyan cinema starting 11th Dec 2020.

The slated venues include in Nairobi - at Prestige Cinema, Westgate Cinema, Anga Diamond, Century Garden City and Unseen Nairobi; Mega City in Kisumu and Nyali Cinemax in Mombasa. 

For more info: visit www.the-letter.org 

Filmed with a gentle pace and incredible closeness, THE LETTER is a story that connects with every Kenyan family.

It explores the universal theme of how land is divided when an elder dies and is entangled by the chaotic mixture of traditions vs modern values and religion. At the end, the resilience of family and community shines above all else, despite the growing threat of greed and divisions between the young and old within families. 

The film produced by Circle & Square Productions under the umbrella of Docubox East African Film Fund was officially selected by the Kenyan Film Commission as Kenya’s official submission to the Oscars Best International Film category.

Maia who is a renowned Kenyan musician, also composed the original soundtrack.  

Ahead of the THE LETTER’s release, Maia & Chris shared, “Making The Letter over six years has been a transformational journey for both of us.”

Adding, “Each person in the film faces extreme personal risk by openly discussing the taboos around witchcraft, and it is our hope that the bravery of this family can help break the silent cycle of violence that continues to wreak havoc amongst families across the region.”

Filmed over six years, THE LETTER is a gripping family drama about a 95-year-old Grandmother with a fearless spirit, who must overcome dangerous accusations of witchcraft that are coming from within her own family.

Her grandson Karisa, travels home from the city to investigate, and it gradually emerges who sent the threatening letter and why.

In 2013, the wife-and-husband duo set out to research the story of the female freedom-fighter Mekatilili, an elderly priestess from the coast of Kenya who led an armed uprising against the British in 1913. Fighting the confiscation of traditionally-owned land by the colonialists, Mekatilili was eventually imprisoned and persecuted as a witch.

THE LETTER was scheduled to be released in Kenya in June 2020, but was unfortunately postponed due to COVID lock-down measures.

The film has so far played at some of the world's most prestigious international film festivals including DOC NYC, AFI Docs, IDFA, Durban and Docs Barcelona where it won a Special Jury Mention. It was also nominated for a One World Media Award as well as an African Movie Academy award for Best Documentary.

THE LETTER seeks to highlight the need for protection of the vulnerable elderly in Kenya, and make the end of elderly abuse a national priority by launching the hashtag #watunzewazee. 

In the Director’s Statement, Maia & Chris conclude, “As we spoke with many elders about this oral history, we were saddened to hear of violence happening now against the elderly in the area, due to an outbreak of witchcraft accusations.”

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:

Maia Lekow is a Kenyan musician and filmmaker, known prominently as the front-woman of the band Maia & The Big Sky. She co-founded Circle & Square Productions with husband Christopher King in Nairobi, 2009.  Maia was named a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR in 2013 and received an African Movie Academy Award for her song "Uko Wapi” in 2009. Maia has also composed the original score for THE LETTER, working with Emmy-award winning, Toronto-based composer Ken Myhr.

Christopher King is an award-winning filmmaker based in Nairobi, Kenya since 2007. Born in Australia, Chris studied at The School of Creative Arts at the University of Melbourne, with honors in Visual Media.  With a background in the fine arts, Christopher has lived and worked in Kenya as a video artist, cinematographer and editor- winning an African Movie Academy Award in 2009 for editing FROM A WHISPER.

Executive Producers: Judy Kibinge, Peter Mudamba Mudamba, Cynthia Kane

Impact Team: Samia Omar, Sarah Mallia, Patience Baya

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Kenyan youth to stop shying away from pertinent national issues saying time had come for them to take charge of the affairs of the nation.

The President observed that despite the youth making over 70 percent of the country's population, their presence has not been felt in key spheres of the country including leadership.

"Kenya has its owners and that is each one of the 50 million of us. For a long time majority of the shareholders have not taken responsibility,” the President said in reference to Kenya's youth bulge.

The Head of State spoke Monday at the Bomas of Kenya on Nairobi County when he officially inaugurated a national youth dialogue initiative dubbed, 'Kenya ni Mimi'.

The President said the youth need to make their large count by offering themselves for national leadership positions.

“But as owners we also have a responsibility for this property that we own so that we can drive Kenya to its rightful destination. It is time to take up responsibility. Leadership is not given but it is taken and grabbed and move with it”, the President said.

He said young people cannot make any difference as along as they continue shying away from taking bold steps aimed at transforming not only their lives but the country at large.

“You must be in the arena and not outside the arena. You must tell the narrative of our country if you decide that you want to take charge of our future. You have a great opportunity and you must take ownership,” the President said.

'Kenya ni Mimi' campaign is national platform for young people canvass youth agenda and consolidate their contribution to nation building and wellbeing economically, politically and socially.

The Head of State told the youth representatives drawn from across the country to emulate liberation heroes from across the globe whom he said led to the emancipation of their countries at very young ages.

"Nothing happens without a dream. All makers of change in this world started young but they were well empowered," President Kenyatta said.

Adding, "if we are 47 million strong, the young people must claim their space. Not as trend followers, but as trendsetters. And they must use this moment, as they did in our history, to organize themselves for the renewal of our economy”.

The President said that for the country to create enough job opportunities to meet the growing demand by young people, there must be a change in the way the political affairs of the country are run.

“To flatten the curve of unemployment, we must correct our Kenyan imperfections; imperfections that drive investors away from our country. And our young people must take the lead," the President said.

He noted that the cycle of violence after every election has depressed the country's investment potential saying that was the genesis of the BBI process.

“One of the reasons of BBI is to bring together all Kenyans and ensure that the country continues to grow peacefully and that there’s a semblance of continuity. Yes we can have a change of Government but we need continuity of the agenda.

"The BBI initiative is meant to ensure that no Kenyan ever feels left out to a point that they become violent to achieve their objective,” President Kenyatta said.

While fielding questions during an interactive session dubbed 'Bonga na Prezzo', the President challenged the youth to emulate the integrity and discipline exhibited by the Kenya Defence Forces in the execution of public projects.

"If all of us had the discipline and integrity of our Defence Forces then our country would go far. I encourage every Kenyan to be more like them for the development of our own country.”

On the issue of gender based violence and other retrogressive cultural practices such as FGM and early marriages, President Kenyatta assured the youth that his government will not relent in its efforts to stamp out the vices.

He said his administration is keen to continue engaging more closely with Kenyan women in all spheres of development just as it is doing with the youth.

"We will take action as Government against all those who continue to practise the outdated and backward practice of Female Genital Mutilation. It must end by 2022.

"Women need to be treated with respect. Excluding women from the social, economic and political agenda of this country is like cutting one of your legs and hope to be able to walk. It is not possible,” the President said.

ICT CS Joe Mucheru and CAS Nadia Ahmed commended President Kenyatta for championing the youth agenda by recruiting them into senior ranks of Government.

Other speakers included African Union Special Envoy on Youth Aya Chebbi and UNFPA Kenya country representative Dr Ademola Olajide.

 The launch was also attended by several senior Government officials and representatives of the private sector among them Public Service CS Prof Margaret Kobia.

A.I Records Kenya, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, has signed country singer and song writer Elvis Nyaruri.

The country’s new kid on the block is born from a musical background family, his father having been a rhumba artist himself in the 1980s and his grandmother too in the earlier years.

Drawing inspiration from sharing the same name as the legendary icon Elvis Presley, Elvis Nyaruri quotes Proverbs 27:17 "Just as iron sharpens iron, so shall one learn from another" and he is learning from one of the greats of all times.

Asked about country music, Elvis Nyaruri said “Country is a lifestyle. It’s our day to day livelihood. It is about how you connect emotionally and believing in each single lyric you sing, you must feel what you sing. To me country music is the truth”

It is in that belief shared by Elvis Nyaruri that A.I Records, the biggest music label in East and Central Africa having been established by Michael Andrews in the late 1950s and boasting one of the biggest catalogues in the region took a chance and signed Elvis Nyaruri.

John Andrews, the General Manager A.I Records & Universal Music Group Kenya said, “Country music has been one of the most consumed music genres in Kenya, with the likes of Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Jim Reeves, Charlie Pride etc. having enjoyed substantial airplay over the decades.”

John believes that it is time Kenya and the East African region cultivate new country music from within and tell a story about Kenya in our own way.

He emphasizes “Country is ageless, and I do believe that this is one way of making sure, future generations will relate to our heritage.”

“Today we are delighted to start this journey with Elvis Nyaruri, who we don’t only share in his belief about country music, but we also share in the fact that he is a talented young man, with a good understanding of music and knows where he wants to go, and we are here to help on this Journey” John states.

Elvis Nyaruri will release his first single under the label on the 09^th of December 2020, titled ‘I JUST CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK HOME.’

The song is about celebrating our Kenyan country culture. It basically talks about the desire of going back home. Many people are trapped in the cities or the diaspora, working hard in order to better their lives and those of their people back at home, but there is always a constant desire TO GO BACK HOME.

Bandari Sacco has partnered with Ethiopian taxi hailing startup, Taxiye to empower Boda Boda operators from Mombasa county.

Speaking during the official launch of the partnership, Bandari Sacco Chairman Ken Sungu said this partnership will see some of the operators own their own motorcycles unlike the current situation where most of the operators don't own the motorcycles that they ride.

"It is sad to note that most of our Boda Boda Operators do not own the commercial motorcycles they ride. They belong to other parties who have employed them on a retainer basis." said Sungu.

Adding "The partnership we are launching today seeks to empower the riders so that they can become real stakeholders in their business." 

Through the partnership, Boda Boda operators will receive financing  to purchase Motor bikes and Saloon cars at affordable prices within a  favorable repayment period and also obtain easy access to protective riding gears, riding licenses and insurance cover.

The partnership also seeks to develop a culture of Savings among the Boda Boda Operators.

Sungu noted "Bandari Sacco provides a good savings plan that offers high dividends and interest on deposits that will enable the Boda Boda operators to diversify into other enterprises and have  multiple sources of income that will cushion them against economic down turns such as those witnessed during the COVID 19 Pandemic."

Also present at the launch was the firms’ Chief Executive Officer Eve Maina who said they will be providing the operators  with motor cycles and vehicles through a lease to own business model adding that for as low as Ksh.250 daily the Boda Boda  operators will be able to own their own motorbikes and a smart phone for their operations.

It will partner with the Boda boda Association of Kenya (BAK) and plans to supply the association members with 300,000 motorbikes in the next 5 years.

Payment period will range between three to 18 months.

The firm joined the Kenyan market in September 2020.

Ashton A are the winners of this year's Inter EPZ football tournament.

The team managed to beat their rival Ashton B four goals to nil during a competitive final held at the Bomu stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Hassan Hassan was the first to score for Ashton with Peter 'Origi' Odinga scoring two goals. Kilonzi Singe scored the last goal before they were crowned the winners.

The two day tournament was sponsored by Changamwe Mp Omar Mwinyi who was also present during the finals to crown the winners.

"The main aim of the tournament was to bring together our people and also promote the local talents in our constituency" said Mwinyi.

The Mp also promised to organise another tournament which will also have teams from outside the constituency.

"We now want to move this tournament to the next level, we are going to organise another one where our teams will play with teams from outside. We are also going to ensure that we have the required facilities and infrastructure required to promote our local talents" He said.

Adding "As we continue with the games lets not forget that COVID-19 is still here with us, lets be responsible and adhere to the guidelines set by the government".

Other teams that also took part in the tournament include Mega A and C, and Simba Apparel which managed to finish at the third position.

President Uhuru Kenyatta today launched the County Governments post-Covid-19 socioeconomic recovery strategy that will be implemented over a three year period.

The Kshs 132 billion recovery plan priorities agriculture, water and sanitization, urban development and housing, transport, tourism, health, education, social protection, and gender and youth as anchor sectors that will help Counties to recover from the effects of Covid-19.

At the same time, the President commissioned the construction of the 50-storey G47 Ugatuzi Tower at Hurlingham in Nairobi County. The building, which will be the tallest on the continent, will be constructed through a partnership between the Council of Governors and the County Pension Fund (CPF).

Speaking to devolution stakeholders at the launch event, also attended by Deputy President Dr William Ruto, the President said the close working relationship between Counties and the National Government had helped the country deal with Covid-19 better.

He noted that one of the positive returns from the fight against Coronavirus in the country is the strengthening of relations between the two levels of Government saying, the collaborative framework should be cascaded to other frontiers of service delivery.

“Together we have expanded our physical healthcare infrastructure, installed new and more medical equipment, recruited additional healthcare workers, upskilled our health services labour force, and deployed a testing and contact-tracing system that has been a role-model for other African nations,” the President said.

The Head of State rallied Governors to focus their collective efforts in implementing the strategy saying, Kenyans are counting on them to deliver the country from socioeconomic disruption brought about by Covid-19.

“Fellow Leaders, this is not a time for business as usual. The Strategic plans at both the County and National levels draw from limited resources, that have become even more diminished due to the socio-economic effects of the pandemic,” the President said.

He pointed out that the strategy is expected to drive real growth and economic rebound in the Counties as the National Government rolls out similar initiatives aimed at reviving the economy.

The President told Governors to exercise financial prudence when implementing the strategy and called on oversight institutions to apply heightened vigilance to ensure funds are used appropriately.

“These limited resources must be utilized strictly for the purposes of elevating our nation. They must be used faithfully, and with the utmost of transparency and accountability.

“If we waste this chance, we will certainly consign our motherland to many years of being mired in economic slowdown and social injustice,” the President said.

At the same event, the President reminded foreign agencies not to interfere with the internal workings of the country saying they will not be tolerated.

Dr Ruto said the construction of the G47 Ugatuzi Towers will help consolidate all state agencies in the devolution sector under one roof thereby enhancing their efficiency and efficacy.

“It will make it that much more easy for devolution to succeed. It will provide the paradigm shift that we have all been looking for, for the bottoms up approach to our development, than the old one of trickle down,” the Deputy President said.

Council of Governors Chairman who is also Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the financing of the Kshs 132 billion strategy will be largely be drawn from budgets of County Government over the next three financial years, supplemented by resources from development partners.

On the G47 Ugatuzi Tower, Governor Oparanya said the building is aimed at enhancing coordination of county governments activities by hosting them in one location.

“It has been our desire to enhance coordination of county governments activities under one roof. Today marks the beginning of actualization to fulfil this desire by ground-breaking a magnificent devolution headquarters which will have 50 floors to accommodate council of governors offices, county satellite offices, county assemblies forum offices and the ministry of devolution and its related state agencies,” Governor Oparanya said.

Other speakers were Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and Kisumu County Governor Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o who made a detailed presentation of the provisions in the recovery strategy.

After the release of her first two singles Never Let You Go and ‘Where You Been’ off her upcoming debut EP, the award-winning Kenyan songwriter and power vocalist Nikita Kering is back with the 3^rd Single, and as the title suggests it’s simply Better Than Ever.

“The song is purely an illustration based on a figment of my imagination. It is all part of a love and heartbreak story that began with Never Let You Go and Where You Been” Nikita proclaims.

She continues to say that the song is about leaving that dark place or relationship once you realize that it doesn’t work anymore. It is bittersweet. “Because you lost someone you loved, but found yourself in the process” she sums it up.

Just like her biggest influences, Billie Eillish, Beyonce and Rema, Nikita isn’t slowing down, blessing our souls with exceptional lyrics that only her heavenly sent vocals can deliver.

Better Than Ever is something special.

With the finesse Mixing and Mastering skills of Trevor Magak, amazing production expertise of SoFresh254 on the audio, this beautiful song could only be complimented by the extremely talented Hardy of Snowball industries on the visuals.

WATCH “BETTER THAN EVER” HERE

WHAT’S NEXT

“2020 has been a crazy year, but also one that has been very beneficial for my growth,” Nikita states.

She continues to say that she has learned so much through the quarantine period about herself, life and so much more.

“Better Than Ever EP, was supposed to be out last month, however due to some personal circumstances, I didn’t give my fans what they had anticipated,” Nikita says.

She however promises that the project is still very much alive, and that the EP should be ready in the first quarter of 2021. “It will be HOT”.

The Pan-African Kisima Music & Film Awards has unveiled a thoroughly experienced and celebrated Pan-African Jury  that is already on deck sorting out entries into the acclaimed awards.

The close of submissions to the awards elapsed on November 27^th and currently, the process towards the climax of the awards ceremony on December 13^th now lies in the hands of the Judges.

A total Jury of 10 judges has been fleshed out from some of Africa’s most prestigious and progressive names in film and music production coupled with substantive experience in jury operations in the arts.

Speaking on the Jury unveil, the Chairman of the Pan African Kisima Music & Film awards Dr. Fred Simiyu says the convened team of judges is nothing short of excellence.

“ It was indeed paramount that we source only the best in the continent to formulate the judging panel. The selection process for the Jury was rigorous and deliberate. We assessed both the professional qualifications and experience base of the judges. Of course the Pan-Africa disposition was also important” Said Dr. Simiyu.

Adding “we look forward to a professionally transparent and invigorating process”.

The Kisima Music & Film Awards Jury is made up of judges from different African countries encompassing Kenya, Benin, Nigeria, Mozambique and  Rwanda . 

The blend of the Jury takes into consideration the Anglophone, francophone and Lusophone diversities of the submissions into the awards. 

In this new Pan-Africa infusion, every part of the continent in their language diversity is represented.

The Judging Panel will reveal the final nominees to the 2020 Kisima Music & Film awards on Thursday the 3^rd of December 2020.

This will then pave the way for the public voting Process  that will culminate in the Awards Ceremony on 13^th December 2020.