The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has seized counterfeit goods worth over Kshs 100 million in the last one month in various parts of the country.

This includes electrical appliances, sportswear and equipment’s of premium trademarks, motor vehicle spare parts, digital TV antennas and toners among others. Most of these are from the far East Countries.

Among the seized goods was a 40-foot container of fake circuit breakers imported from China valued at over Kshs 10 million seized on Saturday 4^th May.

Speaking earlier today during an Inspection Tour of the ICDN, ACA Chair Ms. Flora Mutahi highlighted the negative effects of illicit and counterfeit trade on the economy.

“Left unchecked, illicit trade is the biggest threat to attainment of the Manufacturing and Job Creation Pillar of the government’s Big Four Agenda. As Government, we are committed towards safeguarding the interests of genuine traders, hence the increased efforts to curb illicit trade.” she said.

Research shows that there is a high correlation between illicit trade and slowed economic growth, development of local industry as well as unemployment rates. Illicit trade crimes are also related to other crimes such bribery, money laundering, terror funding and tax evasion, among others.

Additionally, illicit goods have adverse health, safety and environmental effects to the innocent consumers since they are often of inferior quality and standards.

“We also want to assure the genuine traders and public that the government is out to facilitate and not frustrate traders. We are strongly combating all forms of illicit trade in the interest of promoting a fair-trade environment and protect the rights of genuine traders, promote our local manufacturing industry, safeguard jobs and improve the ease of doing business,” added Ms. Mutahi.

ACA Executive Director, Mr. Elema Halake said that unscrupulous investors are increasingly changing tact and are now involved at several points across the supply chain from manufacturing, importation, distribution, wholesale and retail. To curb this, he revealed that the Authority was investing in technology to increase efficiency, in line with its mandate of protection of intellectual property owners.

“As an Authority, we are strengthening our capacity to detect counterfeits at the Ports of entry through use of modern technology and automation as well as leveraging multi-agency collaboration approaches, which are bearing fruit”, added Mr. Halake.

He also underscored ACA’s commitment to protecting the rights of brand owners by ensuring compliance with the legal framework.

The Managing Director of Sarova Hotels & Resorts, Jimi Kariuki has been appointed the Chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Board for a period of 3 years. Mr. Kariuki will serve effective this May until 2021. 

In March 2016 President Kenyatta also appointed him as the Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) where he served effectively until his re-appointment.

Among his significant previous tourism industry contributions, he served on the Board of Directors of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) representing Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) from 2003-2004, and on the Board of Directors of the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) from 2004-2006.

He joined Sarova Hotels in 1992 as the Group Marketing Manager.

In 1996 he was appointed on to the Company’s main Board of Directors, and in 2001 was promoted to the position of Director Marketing & Sales. He was appointed the Group’s Managing Director in January 2018.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africa, and a Bachelor of Science (Bsc) degree in Marketing from Huron University South Dakota, USA. 

Scottish Highland distillery Glenmorangie hosted a single malt whisky tasting at the Tamarind Hotel Mombasa on Thursday evening.

The event aimed at creating an exceptional immersion to Glenmorangie’s elegant refinement, a layered complexity that adds depth and substance to the captivating sensory taste experience.

Speaking at the event, Alexandre Helaine Market Manager Moet Hennessy noted that “We are pleased with the uptake of Glenmorangie in Kenya. Glenmorangie has the tallest stills in Scotland, thereby producing one of the smoothest Single Malt in the world. This appeals to discerning drinkers who recognise and appreciate the best things in life.”

About Glenmorangie

Welcome to Glenmorangie, lovingly distilled since 1843. Our founder, William Matheson, was a man of vision and a stickler for quality.He created a single malt whisky of particular delicacy, smoothness and complexity of flavours that remains unrivalled today.

The recipe is deceptively simple, the attention to detail quite extraordinary. Marrying the pure mineral-rich waters of the Tarlogie Springs with local golden Scottish barley, we create an exquisite mash that we then distil in the tallest stills in Scotland.

The benefit of this obsession with height? Only the lightest and purest vapours condense into our spirit, which we then mature in our very own Missouri White Oak casks. (It takes a while, at least ten years.)

Made from 100-year-old trees, seasoned for a further two after felling, these carefully selected casks impart a colour and a creamy smoothness of flavour that is pure perfection.Of course, there are easier and quicker ways to make whisky. And there are other single malts too. But after one taste of Glenmorangie you would never try anything else.

Former Taita Taveta County Senator Dan Mwazo  has been appointed as Chairperson of the Kenya Ferry Services board.

In a Gazette notice dated May 3, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Mwazo to be the non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Ferry Services Board for a period of three years effective June 23, 2019.

Mwazo who also served as the Tourism Minister during President Kibaki's  regime will now replace Ramdhan Seif Kajembe.

Others who have been appointed in the new appointments includes former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, former Kitui governor Julius Malombe and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.

Gumbo was appointed to be the chairperson of the Board of Kenyatta National Hospital for period of three years.

Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz has dropped his single featuring Congolese artist Fally Ipupa.

The song titled 'Inama' is said to have been recorded some years backn when the two artists met in France in the company of footballers Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto.

The audio has been produced by producer Lizer from Wasafi.

Listen to the song below

King Kaka just dropped the video for his latest and highly anticipated collabo, ‘Far Away’ featuring American rapper Cassidy.

King Kaka and Cassidy take their fans back to feel good hip hop accompanied by catchy vocals from Brian Nadra.  

King Kaka continues to take the world by storm by featuring the Award Winning rapper known for hits such as ‘Hotel’ and ‘Get No Better’ Cassidy came through with a dope verse that complimented King Kaka’s killer verse.

 In the video, shot in Atlanta and directed by Hussein Njoroge, King Kaka is seeing having a good time with revelers; playing into the theme of being far away from life’s troubles.

"Cassidy and I wanted to take fans back to the 00’s hip hop that is all about having a good time with rhymes and beats that get you grooving. I had an amazing time working with the super talented Cassidy"- King Kaka

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced an exclusive global recording agreement with acclaimed Nigerian singer songwriter Tiwa Savage.

One of Africa’s biggest stars and an artist whose success spans music, fashion, film and television.

Under the agreement, her future music will be released internationally through UMG’s operations in more than 60 countries worldwide. Projects will be executively produced by Efe Ogbeni of Regime Music Societe and Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna.

Tiwa Savage said, "My biggest goal is to make Africa proud. I’m so excited for this moment and I’m thankful to Sir Lucian Grainge and my new UMG family for their belief in my dreams. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my career and I’m more ready than I have ever been."

The acclaimed singer-songwriter was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and later received a scholarship to study Professional Music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts before embarking on a career that has seen her achieve creative success across a multitude of mediums. 

2018 was her most successful year to date, which saw the singer-songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur and fashion icon crowned Best African Act by the MTV European Music Awards, making history as the first female to win the accolade.

In the same year, she also became the first African female to sell out London’s IndigO2. In December, Tiwa was handpicked by Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to perform alongside Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay Z live at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg to a 70,000 strong audience and millions across the globe in celebration of the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

An accomplished live musician, she has performed around the world, including a notable performance at Jay Z’s Made In America festival in Philadelphia in 2017.

Tiwa was named one of the world’s Top 100 Inspirational Women in Fashion by Vogue US then later featured in British Vogue’s December 2018 issue as one of 10 women that are changing the face of music globally. She has released a string of singles including ‘Mr Lova Lova’ ft Duncan Mighty, ‘Diet’ and ‘Tiwa’s Vibe’ all of which hit the No.

1 spot across charts within Africa, securing her position as one of Afrobeats leading artists. A resilient force within Africa’s ever-growing entertainment industry, she has also managed to carve a career as a reputable songwriter, conquering the charts in Africa whilst balancing her roles as an entrepreneur, mentor and mother.

Throughout her career, Savage has been active in her philanthropic endeavours, supporting various youth engagement organisations and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria and further afield.

Through her work with MTV’s Shuga, Savage is also keen to share further knowledge of HIV/ AIDS prevention and awareness within the continent. One of Africa’s most followed women on social media, Savage was the first African female to represent Pepsi as an ambassador and represents leading global brands including Nike, MegaGrowth Hair, MTN and Star Beer.

Throughout summer 2019, Tiwa will play a string of international festivals including the UK’s Wireless Festival, Afropunk in Paris and Oh My! Festival in Amsterdam.

Adam Granite, EVP Market Development, Universal Music Group said, “We are looking forward to partnering with Tiwa and her team to help her music reach new audiences around the world. As one of Africa’s most successful, influential and dynamic singer-songwriters, Tiwa has truly global ambitions and UMG is committed to help her in achieving them.”

Efe Ogbeni & Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna of Stealth Management said, "We're very proud to be a part of this ground-breaking partnership between Tiwa Savage and Universal Music Group. Tiwa is undoubtedly the most hardworking and talented female artist crossing over from Africa to the rest of the world, and UMG has demonstrated its commitment to the Continent by placing its formidable machinery behind her amazing career. Partnerships like these symbolise the hopes and dreams of so many talented artists back home in Africa and it is an honour to be the executive producers of her project.”

Fresh off the release of banger ‘Hiyo One’, Femi One just showed her fans and the world why she is indeed the top Kenyan female femcee.

Last Thursday, on her 25^th birthday, Femi released her highly anticipated Extended Play (EP) which is available on all platforms for download.  

The celebrated female rapper’s EP is to mark 25 years of her hard work as she turns 25.

The EP (XXV) named using Roman number XXV which is significant to her age,has six songs all produced under Kaka Empire by producer JackJack on the Beat, Kevin Provoke, Musyoka, and Rico Beats.

The creative direction for the EP was also facilitated by King Kaka, Mbithi and Kevin Provoke.

Speaking on the release of her EP during her listening party at Wings Kenya last Thursday, Femi said…

"It is my quarter life! It comes with a lot of things. Mostly I give thanks! For my gifts and how far I’ve come and for the inspiration that I’ve gained these 25 years. This EP is a gift to my fans showing them why rap is my first and only love"

Femi One has shown tremendous growth in the music industry with a string of hits upon hits. The EP XXV is a representation of how much her craft has grown, watch this space for more from the star!

You can Find the EP XXV on all platforms.