Sarova Hotels and Resorts Kenya has appointed Francis Msengeti as the new General Manager of Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa.

Mr. Msengeti is well versed in the local Hospitality Industry his career spanning over 20 years,14 of which he has been with Sarova Hotels.

While at Sarova Mr. Msengeti has held various positions including Lodge Manager – Sarova Shaba Game Lodge and Sarova Mara Game Camp and Operations Manager – Sarova Panafric and Sarova Stanley Hotels. In 2018, he was transferred to head the operations in Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa.

He holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from Kenya Utalii College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from United States International University.

He also attended the Cornell University General Managers Program in 2019.

With his extensive experience and knowledge of the hospitality industry, Mr. Msengeti is a great asset to the Sarova Group and is set to take the Hotel to the next level in his new role which was effected on 1^st  February 2020.

Sarova Hotels and Resorts Kenya is committed to providing guests with memorable experiences while striving to further enhance service quality and brand value into the future. 

ENDS

About Sarova Hotels & Resorts Kenya www.sarovahotels.com

Sarova Hotels and Resorts Kenya is not only one of the largest chains of hotels and lodges in Kenya and East Africa, but also is one of the most innovative, offering guests diverse experiences that are simply unforgettable.

For the leisure traveller, Sarova offers a host of diverse experiences - wildlife game drives, land and water sports, health clubs and traditional and contemporary entertainment - all well packaged into the Sarova World of Incentives.

Central Organisation Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has postponed his meeting with members of the Seafarers union of Kenya to mourn the late second president of Kenya Daniel Arap Moi who died on Tuesday at the nairobi hospital.

Atwoli was to meet the members in Mombasa for two days starting Saturday January 8.

Speaking to Ommy Dallah from Arusha, Atwoli revealed that he has pushed the meeting to next weekend to mourn the late president Moi.

"As you are aware the country is now in mourning, we are mourning our former president Moi and I was very close to him so i have just decided to postpone the meeting until we lay mzee to rest" said Atwoli.

The late Mzee Moi is expected to be buried next Wednesday.

The meeting by Atwoli is aimed at bringing together members of the seafarers  union who have for sometime now been in wrangles.

One of Tanzania’s most respected and legendary rappers Mzungu Kichaa is in Kenya, to promote his brand new album ‘HUYU NANI’, released Jan 31st 2020 and already streaming worldwide via top digital platforms including Boomplay and Apple Music.

Link to listen to listen to the album: http://boomplay.lnk.to/HuyuNani

Prior to this, Mzungu Kichaa was away from the limelight for a while, spending time in the studio and performing abroad.

He is currently in Nairobi to meet up with his fans, promote the new album and it’s lead singles including: “Asha Wangu”, “Sogelee”, “Nani Huyu”, “You Got Me”, “Body on Me” and “Mpenzi”.

Speaking during his media tour, an ecstatic Mzungu Kichaa said, “I am so excited to be back in Nairobi once more to connect with my fans and introduce you to my new album. Kenya has been so important to me in my music career over the years,”

Adding, “This album is very dear to me I got a chance to work with my brothers Sauti Sol and more. I hope you all love the project and it educates and entertains you.”

The renowned superstar in the East African music scene, of the “Jitolee” hit fame gives listeners a taste of Bongo Flava fused in today’s global urban sound on his new album.

The album’s lead track titled NANI HUYU, released January of 2020 alongside a music video directed by Justin Campos, speaks about some of his experiences in a mischievous satirical tone.

NANI HUYU on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRGxJMbKUn0

YOU GOT ME on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPvURHmg_0k

Mzungu's eclectic flavour shines through the album with hits cutting across genres from Afrobeats, classic Congolese Rhumba, Trap, Latin Reggaeton and Dance music.

“You Got Me” is a love song that touches on the universal need to be loved. “Body on Me” is about the deep connection of love and the continuity in living in the moment.

In tracks such as “Asha Wangu”, he takes on the 70s rhumba vibe in terms of the lyrical message and in “Mind Body and Soul”, he inspires Tanzanian orphans and street children to achieve their dreams despite the hardship they face.

Other notable artists featuring in the album include legendary singer Lady Jaydee, hip hop icon FidQ, promising new rapper KK and Afrosoul singer Grace Matata from Tanzania, Congolese veteran King Kiki, Kenya’s Afropop sensation Sauti Sol and Denmark’s top dancehall star Kaka. 

On top of this new project, he was just featured in a Danish documentary series, “Black Business”, showcasing the potential and challenges of the music industry in Tanzania.

With the success of the album, Mzungu Kichaa will be embarking on a tour with his Tanzanian band in East Africa and Europe later in the year in May and June 2020.

Kenyans today woke up to the sad news of the death of Kenya's second president Mzee Daniel Moi.

The former president died at the Nairobi hospital where he has been receiving treatment. He died at the age of 95.

Several leaders, Kenyans have so far taken to social media to mourn the former head of state.

Celebrities have also come out to mourn Moi.

"I celebrate your life..RIP. He was the only President i knew throughout my childhood 1924-2020. Kenya has lost a father" post Mercy Masika.

Jalangoo posted "End of an era! you did your part..Go well RIP MR PRESIDENT".

On his part Churchill posted "RIP Daniel T.Arap Moi. Those who were lucky to see your leadership we shall never forget you. Mkulima number 1, footballer no1. You never came 2nd. What do you remember of Mzee Moi?"

"Rest in peace mzee Moi" posted Prezzo.

"Rest well Baba" Nameless.

Akothee posted "This is the only thing that would make me attend double maths lessons ???,otherwise, I had no business with MR OILE, coming to class and always accusing me of feeling sweet because my dad was rich , according to him , my dad was very rich ?‍♂️?‍♂️because I was dropped in school with governments landrover with atleast 2 policemen?‍♂️?‍♂️, MR OILE I was not feeling sweet, you just instilled fear in me, and everytime I saw you coming to class with a cain in your hands, My mind switched off because I knew what that cain will be doing to me! CAINING SHOULD BE CANCELLED IN SCHOOLS, AND SANITARY TOWELS GIVEN FOR FREE R.I.P. ARAP"

"RIP..siku zako tungeokota ata kindeh!Sijasema maziwa ya Nyayo bado,tulikuoenda but Mungu alikupenda zaidi man..Rest in power Buda Gidi" Timmy Tdat

Kenyan singer and bongo star Diamond Platimumz' girlfriend Tanasha Donna finally launched her much anticipated EP 'Donna Tella' at a star studded event held at the Sarit centre Nairobi last Friday.

The event which was attended by several celebrities from Kenya and Tanzania had it's fair share of challenges with organisers accussed of poor planning.

The event which according to organisers was supposed to kick off at 7pm kicked off after 10 pm, on her arrival Tanasha headed straight to the red carpet for a brief photo session and gave the Kenyan media a chance for only one question an issue which left the journalists who attended the event cursing, the journalists were also mad with the fact that she gave Wasafi Tv which was covering the event live most of her time and did several interviews with the Tanzanian media.

"Why did they have to call us if this is what they are doing to us, they should have only called their wasafi Tv" the journalists were heard complaining.

Comedian and NACADA board director Chipukizi who was part of the invited guests was left stranded for some minutes at the stair case from the VIP holding room with no one to usher him into the hall where the event was taking place.

One of his handlers was heard shouting to a lady from the team of organisers " Why are you guys very disorganised, we need someone to usher Chipukizi to the hall".

Tanzanian DJ Romy Jones and actress Jacquline Wolper, Bonfire Adventures couple Simon and Sarah Kabu, celebrity couple Wahu and Nameless, Bahati and wife Diana Marwa, Khaligraph Jones, Heart the band, Nadia Mukami were among those attended the launch.

Diamond Platnumz who was expected to attend the launch failed to attend explaining that he had to fly back to Daresalaam to attend to an emergency.

“kutokana na tatizo la ghafla lilotokea nyumbani, imenibidi niruke Dar es Salaam Maramoja kwajili ya kulisolve....hivyo naweza fika nimechelewa, au pengine kutofanikiwa kuhudhuria ghafla ya Uzinduzi maalum ya EP ya Mpenzi wangu Mjini Nairobi Usiku wa leo...Niwakumbushe tu kuwa Event hio itakuwa inaruka live kupitia @wasafitv ...Mlio majumbani msikose kutazama” he posted

Eric Omondi was the MC.

Tanasha performed the four songs from the EP including the one she did with her lover Diamond Platnumz.

A medical student from China has been admitted at the Coast general hospital over what is suspected to be the now famous coronavirus.

According to Mombasa County health chief officer Kahidija Shikely, the student arrived in Mombasa on January 30th from China through Nairobi

She is Currently isolated in a private room at Rehemtullah at Coast General. Blood samples sent to MOH Nairobi for analysis.

Below is teh full statement from Shikely

Our attention has been drawn to reports in social media to the effect that a Chinese National is admitted as coast General with Coronavirus. This is not the position.

Kenya is set to host the first ever of Indo – African cultural event dubbed the INDIRICA Festival in 9 days. The 3 day festival in partnership with Sarova Hotels and Resorts as the hospitality partner, will be held at the Carnivore Grounds from 7^th – 9^th February.

The cross-cultural event will feature renowned Artistes including Singers, Film Stars, Dancers, Fashion Icons, and other personalities from the entertainment sphere offering an array of activities for everyone to participate.

Apart from the electric performances and other fun activities, the festival will also feature an Indirica Exhibition offering trade interaction opportunities in a bid to further strengthen trade between the two regions.

Fans will also be treated to a cultural fusion of cuisines to be sampled through the 3 days for sampling and indulgence from vendors for the ultimate culinary experience. There will also be an Indirica Fashion Show to showcase the latest designs from the crème of the fashion world.

Captain Rahul Bali, Curator of the Indirica Festival highlighted that Indirica Festival would be a landmark event amalgamating cultures of the different nations with the underlying objective that Cultural Cooperation always leads to Commercial Cooperation.

Speaking on the event the Sarova Group of Hotels and Resorts Managing Director Jimi Kariuki said “We at Sarova are looking forward to showcasing the very best of both worlds as we have always been big on offering refreshing African hospitality and culture support.

Adding"Indirica will give attendees an opportunity to explore from both fronts and foster greater relationships with a better understanding of the cultures.”

Indirica Festival will be an annual affair held in Kenya and shall be instrumental in nurturing cultural relations as well as promoting Kenya as a preferred destination for both business and leisure.

Organised by Innovations India Advertising & Events Pvt. Ltd., under the patronage of the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage, Ministry of Tourism & The High Commission of India in Kenya.

The Indirica Festival is a brain child of Captain Rahul Bali and is supported by organisations including KEPSA, KTB, KFCB, KNCCI and Industry Leaders like Sarova Hotels, Safari Trails, Carnivore, Adsite, Crown Paints LTD, Barclays, SGR, Mac Coffee, Radar, Fashion On the Road by Carole Kinoti and Sudha B Productions Limited among others

Universal Music Africa (UMA), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the signing of an exclusive recording agreement with award-winning Kenyan Afro-Pop collective Sauti Sol.

The Kenyan Afro-Pop band is comprised of vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi and guitarist, Polycarp Otieno.

The agreement will give the band access to UMG’s global network around the world and will allow greater opportunity for the band to reach new audiences globally, whilst continuing to satisfy and excite their dedicated fanbase with bold, creative campaigns that will engage a new generation of fans throughout Africa.

The band released their well-received debut studio album, ‘Mwanzo’ in 2008, followed by, ‘Sol Filosofia’ in 2011, which amassed multiple accolades in the form of awards and nominations.

The music video for the single ‘Coming Home’ earned them the Best Music Video award at the Kisima Music Awards, as well as, the Best Fusion Artist/Group of the Year award.

Their collaboration EP with South African rapper and producer, Spoek Mathambo was released in 2012.

The music video for the single ‘Range Rover’ was shot at an old Dutch ammunition factory in Zaandam, Netherlands, which has since become a cultural heritage site.

‘Live and Die in Afrika’, their 2015 third studio album was released for free download for 48 hours. This early Christmas present to their fans garnered 400,000 downloads in that period alone.

Having toured successfully across Africa, the US, Europe and Australia, the chart-topping band has received the recognition and respect of both their fans and the industry, taking home international awards including, BET Awards, an MTV EMA for Best African Act and MTV AFRICA Award for Best African Group.    

Last year the band opened their own record label; Sol Generation Records, with the sole mission of developing and introducing new iconic live African acts.

Founded on the ethos of discipline, order, passion and endurance (DOPE), it’s pitched to attract authentic songwriters and shape shifting musicians, who will pen soundtracks to peoples’ lives.

Sipho Dlamini, MD of UMG South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa enthused, "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sauti Sol, one of the most innovative and creative groups to have broken through from Africa in recent years"

Adding "Universal Music Africa is dedicated to helping the best African music talent reach new audiences around the world and we are excited to welcome them to our global UMG family. We look forward to working together with them to ensure they are able to authentically celebrate Africa through music and to help introduce their unique blend Afro-pop to new listeners everywhere.”