Ommy Dallah
President Kenyatta Inaugurates The National Security Telecommunications Service
“This will enhance co-ordination of security activities and operations, allow real-time information exchange, and allow our security agencies to better deal with emerging threats in the realms of cybercrime,” President Kenyatta said during the launch of NSTS at Embakasi Garrison in Nairobi County.
With the new integrated system, the President said the military, police, intelligence and other security services will be able to communicate more effectively at both intra-agency and inter-agency levels.
He pointed out that the new technological development will enable security agencies to collaborate better and improve response times to public safety needs.
“This communication system is yet another strand in the golden thread of greater synergies and closer cooperation between Kenya’s security agencies; who now operate under a Multi-Agency framework,” the President said.
Before the establishment of the new platform, each of the country’s security formations were using their own telecommunication network, an arrangement the President said led to duplication of infrastructure and made cross-agency communication difficult.
Speaking to staff of NSTS, the President said the new platform will help address the challenge of geographical penetration faced by some of the individual agency's networks.
He said NSTS will provide secure communications to the country’s foreign missions as well as security teams operating outside the country adding that the new agency was established in line with the Executive Order No. 4 of 2020.
President Kenyatta commended NSTS's Board of Directors led by its Chairman, Chief of Defence Forces, General Robert Kibochi, for setting up the platform in a record six months.
“I would like to thank all our Security Agencies; the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the National Intelligence Service, the Kenya Prisons Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Kenya Forest Service, and the Kenya Coast Guard Services, as well as the National Government Administrative Offices for their cooperation on this mission,” the President said.
Defence CS Dr Monica Juma, in whose docket the new agency rests, said NSTS will eliminate the risk of the country’s security being compromised due to the utilization of porous commercial communication networks.
“The actualization of the concept of National Security Telecommunication Services network is a key milestone in providing a synchronized communication network of security agencies that will enable them combat threats against our national security. This will enhance the safety of our nation and security of our people,” Dr Juma said.
Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi noted that the new network is a critical milestone in the modernization of Kenya's security sector saying the service will enhance the security and safety of the nation and its citizens.
“This telecommunication service will deliver secure communication for our security agencies, national government, administrative offices and our diplomatic missions abroad creating interconnectivity of voice, data and video conferencing,” General Kibochi said.
At the event also attended by Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Joe Mucheru (ICT) and Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua among other senior Government officials, the President handed the new agency its founding instruments among them a certificate of incorporation and flag.
Teckno's New Album 'Old Romance' Out Now
With almost a decade of solid hits under his belt as performer and producer many will be shocked to discover that Old Romance, the new album from singer/producer Tekno, will be his first official body of work.
But while that fact may seem difficult to wrap one’s head around, this album in its parts and its entirety couldn’t have come at a better time.
Described as an ode to traditional, simple love, Old Romance dives head and heart first into a classic Nollywood-esque romance, inspired by “stories of our ancestors, that will ignite a generation that seems lost on love, to love again”.
In a time as challenging and unique as this, where people are trying to find moments of positivity and joy, and work their way back to love, Old Romance presents a palate cleanser; an opportunity to escape, no matter how briefly.
Much like the classic tale of boy meets girl, Old Romance tells of the romantic journey of two young lovers, from the moments they first cross paths; through their inevitable challenges; all the way to the other side where they celebrate their wins and celebrate their love.
Old Romance wants to offer its listeners a feel-good journey through love’s peaks and troughs. It wants to lift the mood and offer itself as a soundtrack to the highlights of our lives.
In many ways, it stays true to that path and gifts its listeners a light-hearted, easygoing ride through a Nollywood-inspired love story.
OLD ROMANCE TRACKLIST
1.Sku Sku (Produced by Killertunes)
2.Tumbo (Produced by Spax)
3.Uptown Girl (Produced by Masterkraft)
4.Catalia (Produced by Phantom)
5.Addicted (Produced by Spax & Tekno)
6.Designer (Produced by Zaki)
7.Family Issues (Produced by Spax)
8.In Love (Produced by Spax)
9.Neigbour (Produced by Clemzy)
10.Armageddon (Produced by Ben Jams)
11.Dana (Produced by Blaize Beats)
12.Enjoy (Produced by Blaize Beats)
13.Ugly Parade (Produced by WiseDon)
14.Mistake (Produced by Ben Jams)
Listen to Old Romance
Little Drummer Boy! The 2nd Single Off The Tis The Season 2020 Kenya Christmas Album
The second single off the Tis The Season 2020 ensemble Kenya Christmas album is here : Little Drummer Boy Feat Mayonde, Kagwe Mungai, Manasseh Shalom & Karimi Rimbui
Watch Little Drummer Boy here: https://youtu.be/LCbPRPtiao8
Tis The Season' album has 10 heavenly Christmas carols served with a sprinkle of Kenyan flavor to usher in the Christmas season.
This Kenyan Christmas Album features some of the best and renowned artistes in Kenya: Atemi, Eric Wainaina, Wyre, Kagwe Mungai, Bien of Sauti Sol, Wambura Mitaru, Mayonde and Lisa Oduor Noah.
Tis The season lovers will be treated to an exclusive live concert from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Hub, Karen.
Mbogo's Move To Empower Local Football Clubs In Kisauni
Manchester Mitedi Football club {Fc} is the latest team from Kisauni constituency to receive a Motorbike and four Football balls from the area member of parliament Ali Mbogo after Puma sharp of Mtopanga ward.
Addressing players and area residents of Mwakirunge ward, Mbogo said that the initiative was driven by hardships local teams have been enduring for a long time such as Transport and financial incapabilities.
“We have come here for a promise, they never asked me to but it was my promise to all teams that are participating in FKF league and am fulfilling it.” said Mbogo.
The legislator said the project will help in generating income for the teams as well as facilitating the local clubs financial demands.
“I want to plead with you for your cooperation for the little that I have brought here, if you utilize well this motorcycle it will help you at least raise fare to attend some of your games since most the teams even lack fare to attend the games.”
Kisauni constituency has over 15 teams taking part in the local FKF league which the Mp has vowed has also vowed to support and empower.
The Mp further revealed that he is the process of ensuring there is power supply in the Mwakirunge which currently lacks the supply.
Mbogo charged "Mwakirunge has for a long time been forgotten but this time round we are committed to developing it, we have already constructed several schools here and next week I will be here with Kenya Power officials to start the process of supplying this area with power"
Nifty Boi Speaks About His New Ep, Love For East Africa
Nigerian singer Nifty Boi real name Enoch Solomon has just released his first Ep.
The 6 song Ep is titled '' Different Vibe''.
"This is a different vibe as it is called because it has very different sounds" says Nifty about the Ep.
Adding " I love every song of the project but then if I have to chose I will go with babe, because I wrote that song from the deepest part of my heart, I shot the video in Tanzania".
In an interview, Nifty also talks about his love for East Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania.
Check out his video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK5oDa2MMjc
AliKiba's Ex- Manager To Lead East Africa Marketing & Artist Development At Sony Music
Sony Music Entertainment Africa has appointed Christine Mosha, known as “Seven,” to lead Marketing and Artist Development for the East Africa region.
Mosha is the former manager ofTanzanian singer AliKiba.
Starting with immediate effect, Mosha will build out the company’s roster of local talent and amplify its international repertoire and existing catalogue across the region from her base in Tanzania.
She will report directly to Sean Watson, Managing Director, Sony Music Africa.
“Seven has spent most of her life contributing to the African entertainment industry. She is a passionate advocate for everything East Africa has to offer the world,” said Watson.
Adding "“For a number of years she has already been a key partner to us, providing unique insight into the nuanced ways of working in East Africa, which is such a strong and vibrant hub for music in the continent.”
On her part Mosha noted " To be a part of this company at this point in my career feels like such a great fit whereby I can bring my experience and business acumen to the organization as a whole.”
Mosha brings over 15 years of African entertainment industry experience to the role and has worked closely with Sony Music Africa for many years.
In 2017, she founded her own independent record label and talent management company, Rockstar Africa, where she delivered commercial success for a number of East African artists including Lady Jaydee, Ray C, TID, Rose Muhando, Xtatic, Alikiba and Ommy Dimpoz.
Since 2010, Mosha has also headed up Rockstar 4000 Music Entertainment, the first independent pan-African music company and content, digital and events production network.
There, she oversaw music publishing, record deals and content licensing in partnership with Sony Music Africa, including working on the campaign for the Fifa World Cup 2010 that took place in South Africa.
Mosha began her career in 2006 as a morning radio presenter, promoter and media-marketing guru at Clouds Media Group, a media conglomerate in Tanzania, before moving to MTV in 2005, where she headed up A&R and Commercial in Africa, launching MTVbase in Tanzania.
This comes just few days after one of his artists Ommy Dimpoz was also signed under sony music.
Uhuru Commends Maendeleo Ya Wanawake For Empowering Women
President Kenyatta noted that MYWO has grown to become a bastion of civil society, championing initiatives that have tremendously changed women’s lives for the better, especially at the grassroots level.
“I believe the lives of women in Kenya and the communities they live in are, currently, immeasurably better thanks to the MYWO’s bold and consistent actions over the decades,” the President said.
President Kenyatta spoke today during the virtual Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Annual General Meeting where he also launched the organization's national water harvesting project.
The Head of State said he was happy MYWO was complementing Government efforts to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030 in the area of water and sanitation.
“The Vision 2030 blueprint aims at ensuring that every woman in a household at the grassroots level gets a water tank for safe, clean, and reliable water for domestic use,” the President said and directed the Ministry of Water to partner with MYWO to ensure the success of the program.
He appreciated the training MYWO offers women on smart agriculture in order to enhance food security at the household level, saying it supports the Big 4 Agenda on food security.
“As you are aware, Food and Nutrition Security is one of the Pillars of my Administration’s “Big Four” Agenda. I chose to focus on food security because a Nation, which cannot feed its people, is not worthy its name,” the President pointed out.
The Head of State expressed satisfaction that MYWO is working in partnerships with the Ministry of Health and the First Lady’s Beyond Zero Initiative on promoting maternal healthcare at the grassroots level.
“This has been a huge boost for our Big Four Pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the President said.
On BBI, President Kenyatta emphasized that it proposes significant gains for women and urged them to support it.
“Through BBI, Kenya is re-imagining our nationhood and envisioning a nation where tribe, gender, age, ethnicity and religion are no longer factors for division but rather drivers of unity within diversity,” President Kenyatta said.
As an organization, President Kenyatta said Maendeleo ya Wanawake has clearly demonstrated that the empowerment of women is not merely by holding conferences in high-end hotels in Nairobi but by being vibrant at all levels especially at the grassroots.
He appreciated the contribution of MYWO in curbing female genital mutilation (FGM), a cultural trait considered primitive.
“Your efforts as an organization and other like-minded organizations, made it easier for the Government of Kenya to enact the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2007) and established the Anti-FGM Board,” he said.
President Kenyatta also took the opportunity to urge the MYWO to use its position of influence at the grassroots to advocate for continued observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.
“As Women, you know you are great influencers of social behaviour; therefore, as Government we look to you as our partners in securing Kenya from this pandemic, and all our other social and economic challenges,” President Kenyatta said.
The President also directed the Ministry of Housing to partner with MYWO in the development of its parcels of land spread across the country and assured the organization's membership that land ownership documents for its headquarters were intact.
Public Service and Gender CS Prof Margaret Kobia said MYWO continues to participate in national development by providing an effective model for improving the quality of life for families and communities.
“The framework facilitates the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization to collaborate with other Government agencies to create synergy for development for the realization of Kenya Vision 2030,” the CS said.
MYWO Chairperson Rahab Muiu pledged her organization’s support for the ongoing constitutional reforms saying the BBI process will herald a new national dawn of unity, peace and prosperity.
She said MYWO is ready to support the process by offering civic education and support required at the grassroots level.
Other speakers included Maendeleo ya Wanawake patron Hon Phoebe Asiyo and the UNFPA Country Representative Dr Ademola Olajide.
Zulitums Releases 'You Know Why' Ft Skales, Off 'Invictus' Album
Uganda’s Zulitums is one of East Africa’s fastest rising music producers. Renowned for his stellar songwriting and production skills, he is now taking it a notch higher with the release of his debut album titled INVICTUS (Latin word for unconquered).
Released under his label Blacq Avay Records And Entertainment, the 12-track album is an expression of love, hope, happiness and triumph. Zulitums just released a cool video to “You Know Why” featuring top Nigerian star Skales.
The video was shot in Uganda by super creative duo: director Tsunky and Shashavybz.
Stream INVICTUS: https://zulitums.ffm.to/invictus
Watch “You Know Why” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpqz-DtV-no
INVICTUS is a blend of Reggae, Afrobeats, R&B and Pop sounds.
In the album, Zulitums isn’t only making his debut as a singer and a performing artist but as expected; he’s producing the music in collaboration with VadBeats, Josh Pro and TUC.
The album opens with Dancehall-infused singles, “For The Love”, “Meant For Me”, “One Minute”, “Tabu” and “You Know Why”.
The pop bangers on the record such as “Easy”, “Omweso”, “Finish Up”, “Counting on You”, “Good Good”, “Somebody’s Daughter” and “Bus Duniya” are bona fide party anthems that will light up dance floors across East Africa and beyond.
Speaking on INVICTUS, Zulitums says, “It’s a personal story that would definitely fit into every ghetto kids’ life. It captures all the scenes played out in my life, through trials and tribulations I have remained unbroken.
The album was inspired by love, love for what I do, for my friends and family,”.
Adding, “My hope is that as my fans listen to it, you are reminded of your own insidiously, strength and reality that despite your scars and tears, you’re truly unconquered.”
Other recent music videos off INVICTUS include “One Minute”, “Easy” and “Tabu”.
He says, “My intention is to produce globally positioned records rooted in my own sounds that could compete anywhere in the world, God willing. That’s very important for me. This and many more I hope to achieve with my album.”
“One Minute” video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVm7m9DJNU
“Easy” video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIVfAIlxu50
“Tabu” video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo9C-Xv6gI4
Kalasha Awards 2020: Mombasa Actor Leon Ongaya 'Mbura' Wins Best Lead Actor (Tv) Award
The Kalasha international Tv and film awards 2020 finally went down on Saturday evening.
This year's ceremony was however different, the nominees did not physically attend the ceremony, they had to follow it virtually and live from local Tv stations KTN and KBC, because of the covid-19 restrictions. Only few invited guests attended the main event held at the Sarit centre Nairobi.
In Mombasa the nominees and other stakeholders gathered at the Pride Inn hotel Shanzu for a dinner and to follow the proceedings courtesy of the department of Trade, tourism and investment under the Mombasa county government.
Among those present was Mombasa County Tourism CEC Fawz Rashid and the Chief officer department of youth, gender and sports Innocent Mugabe. Mombasa county assembly youth representatives Moses Aran 'Civilizer' was also present.
In his speech Fawz Rashid said the county government will continue working closely with the stakeholders to improve the industry and support local talents.
"It is a great honor to be part an industry that has created job opportunities for many artistes and given them a platform to not only showcase their talents and abilities but to also ensuring that their work is recognized and appreciated worldwide." said Fawz.
Adding "It is through the creative industry that we are able to promote and market Tourism both locally and internationally. Through you, we have been able to put Kenya on the global map as a destination with a rich heritage, diverse cultures and cuisine, a business and investment hub as well as a tourism destination for leisure and exploration."
On his part Mugabe revealed that the county government is in the process of formulating the film production and promotion policy and the film production and promotion bill which will all be ready in after six moths.
"As a county government we are committed in ensuring that we promote our local industry and talents and these two will go along way in ensuring that we achieve that " said Mugabe.
The audience burst into a celebratory mood after Leon Ongaya who plays Mbura in Pete was announced as the winner of the best lead actor tv drama award. Yasmin Said (Maria) of Citizen TV was feted as the best lead actress in a TV Drama.
"I would like to thank God, my family, fans and all of you colleagues for your support. This is not just my win but a win for all for us, lets continue working together and supporting each other " said Ongaya in his acceptance speech.
Award winning cinematographer Daudi Anguka also got the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with colleagues during the event.
Below is a full list of the winners
Best TV Drama: Maria (Citizen TV) – Rashid Abdalla.
Best TV Documentary: Road to Trauma – Sam Munia
Best Student Feature Film: The Case- Eastmond Mwenda
Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Mukami Njiru (Mrs Wang’ombe) – Varshita
Best Feature Film: 40 Sticks
Best Host in a TV Show: Nick Ndeda – The Great Kenyan Bake Off
Best Lead Actor in a Film: Gitaru Kamau -Family meeting
Lead Actress in a Film: Ella Maina – Sincerely Daisy
Best Supporting Actor in a Film: Cajetan Boy – 40 Sticks
Best Director: Victor Gatonye
Best Original Score: Sticks- Lucas Bikedo
Best Feature Film: Sticks- Sarah Hassan
Best Production Design: Siteiya Warui – 40 Sticks
Best Editor: Edwin Nyongesa – 40 Sticks
Best Sound Designer: Lucas Bikedo – 40 Sticks
Best Lighting Technician: Walter Odhiambo – 40 Sticks
Best Director of Photography: Jim Bishop – Nambwa FM
Best TV Advertisement: Dr Pamoja- Darren Collins
Best TV Comedy: Varshita (Maisha Magic East) -Lucy Mwangi Nyanya Rukia (Maisha Magic East) Daudi Anguka
Best Student Documentary: Mombasa – Riccardo Waruinge & Wali Shiekh
Best special effects: 40 Sticks – Grace Murema
Best Children Production: Ndembwa – Michael Mutahi
Best Animation Production: The Legend of Lwanda Magere
Lifetime Achievement: David Campbell
Kituo Halisi: Citizen TV
PHOTOS: Mombasa Journalist-Cum-Bango Singer Robert 'Roba' Menza Weds
Radio Maisha Coast correspondent and Bango music singer Robert Menza has officially ditched the bachelors.
Menza or Roba as he is popularly known by fans and colleagues in the media industry walked down the aisle with his long time lover Marbel Nyawa in an exquisite wedding in Mombasa.
The wedding was only attended by close family members from both families and colleagues according to the Covid-19 regulations.
Here are some photos from the wedding.
