The Cabinet today issued a warning to people spreading fake news on the Coronavirus situation in the country saying purveyors of such information will be dealt with in accordance with established laws.

The Cabinet meeting held today at State House, Nairobi and chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, directed law enforcement agencies to pursue and arrest individuals spreading false information on the disease.

Today's Cabinet sitting acknowledged the critical role played by the media in relaying proper information and thanked the Kenyan media for their leading role in awareness creation on the global pandemic.

Further, the Cabinet thanked media houses led by the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), whose platforms are being used to air educational programs for school children.

As part of concerted efforts by the Government to protect Kenyans from exploitation by wayward traders, the Cabinet directed security and consumer protection agencies to intensify the ongoing crack down on businesses that are taking advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak to hoard and/or hike commodity prices.

Additionally, the Cabinet tasked the multi-agency team on contraband goods to release 400,000 litres of ethanol held as exhibit material to manufacturers for the blending of hand sanitizers for distribution to the public.

Today's Cabinet meeting also received and discussed a report from the National Treasury on the projected impact of Coronavirus pandemic to the economy and resolved to align budgetary allocations and other fiscal considerations accordingly.

Further, the Cabinet discussed and agreed to a request by the African Union and the World Health Organization for Kenya to host the African Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC).

The Africa CDC will position Kenya as a regional and continental hub in medical research and disease control, and give the country a head start in combating disease outbreaks like the current Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of its support towards the establishment of the Africa CDC in Kenya, the Chinese Government has offered to put up a twenty-one storey office building at an estimated cost of Kshs 8.3 billion. Once complete, Africa CDC will provide job opportunities to Kenyans in technical, administrative and support functions.

On pending bills, the Cabinet was briefed on the status of outstanding payments in the Prisons Department and the National Youth Service (NYS), and resolved to set up a Shs14 billion special fund to pay genuine suppliers.

Today's Cabinet meeting also discussed reforms at National Cereals and Produce Board and Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund and directed the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning to wind up the Strategic Food Reserve Fund within 6 months in accordance with section 24(9) of the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and regulation 209 of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations 2015.

The Cabinet also directed Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning to establish a National Food Reserve system which will procure receipts through competitive commercial processes using the Warehouse Receipt System so as to avoid market distortions.

It further directed the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture to prepare legislative reforms of the National Cereals and Produce Board to establish the National Food Reserve and NCPB Trading Divisions.

In addition, the Cabinet directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture and Treasury to take administrative steps to cause NCPB to cede at least 5 million bags or 25% of the current NCPB stock holding through commercial lease so as to spur growth of private sector roles and the Warehouse Receipt System operations.

Today's Cabinet meeting was also briefed on Wildlife Policy reforms and the ongoing restructuring of the civil aviation sector. The Cabinet approved the new National Civil Aviation Sector Management Bill. The Bill is part of bold steps being taken by the Government to position Kenya as Africa's leading aviation hub.

Diamond Platnumz's manager Sallam Mendez announced on Thursday that he had tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Salaam broke the news through his instagram page.

The talent manager is currently isolated at one of the facilities in Daresalaam receiving treatment.

It is reported Salaam fell ill and started showing symptoms of the disease few days back after returning to Tanzania from a trip abroad.

"The results came back am positive with corona virus but am doing fine now everything is going well , be safe everyone out there..This too shall pass" posted Sallam.

This comes just a day after one of Diamond Platnumz's fan took to instagram and asked the artist about the health status of his manager Sallam.

"This is an issue that can only be answered by the management and I believe they will address it when the right time comes" Diamond responded to the fan through a live video chat.

Tanzania recorded it's first case of corona virus on Monday.

Multi-award winning artist who won hearts of many African music fans with hits like “Na Wash”, “You Lied To Me”, “Gina” featuring Kizz Daniel and “Nana” featuring Sarkodie, Becca is back with a Gqom banger “NO ONE”.

This is her first single of 2020, featuring South African super star Busiswa and DWP Academy dance crew.

The powerful all-female collaboration, produced by Nigerian producer Dunnie, has got that infectious dance beat and is the perfect meet up between the West African and South African mash up of sounds and will keep you on your feet throughout the song.

NO ONE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xXt_mlsECc

Stream the song: https://smarturl.it/BeccaNoOne

The colorful music video directed by Abass and Becca matches the energy of the song and features a series of dance scenes with the DWP Academy crew.

'No one'  is a taste of what to expect from Becca in 2020 as she plans to release more singles and an all-female album, set to feature collaborations with some of Africa’s top music divas (July 2020).

The album will also be mostly produced, arranged, mixed and mastered by female producers.

Speaking on the theme, Becca says, “Power must return to women. This album will bring together some of the most talented music queens as we support each other and our push for more opportunities in modern day music industry.”

The album will come as a consolation for her fans, following her announcing her intention to retire as a recording artist by the end of 2020.

This decision comes after a very successful 14 years in the industry and successful albums: Sugar (2007), Time For Me (2013) and Unveiling (2017) to show for it! Becca is one of the most decorated female artists in the history of Ghanaian music and currently ranked as one of the top female artists in Africa.

Mombasa County assembly has suspended it's sittings indefinitely following the outbreak of corona virus in the country.

The motion to suspend the sittings was presented at the assembly today (Tuesday) morning by the leader of majority Hamisi Mwidani.

The assembly will now be operating through special committee sittings when need arises. 

Among issues pending at the assembly is the adoption of names for new members of the public service board which were forwarded to the assembly by Governor Hassan Joho. The individuals were vetted by the assembly last Thursday.

Other county assemblies that have also suspended their sittings are Nairobi and Nandi counties.

Parliament is also expected to suspend sittings of the National assembly and Senate.

Meanwhile Governor Hassan Joho has called on residents of Mombasa county not to panic saying the corona virus is not a death sentence.

“Coronavirus is not death. Don’t panic thinking once you contract it you will die, no. In fact, there are a lot more cases where people have recovered,” Joho said.

Joho said a total of 24 personnel have been trained to deal with patients if the virus spreads to Mombasa. He also noted that the the county is considering a supplementary budget to respond to demands.

He was speaking after visiting the 19-bed coronavirus isolation centre at the Coast General Hospital.

Fast rising contemporary gospel sensation Sifa Favor is back with the release of a new single and visual 'Hubadiliki' , out now on YouTube and all digital platforms.

Hubadiliki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMA3_G9K_38&feature=youtu.be

Hubadiliki is the third single from Sifa Favor and follows on from recent releases 'Wonder' and 'TrustinYou' ft Mbuvi, and is produced and directed by Dr. Eddie an acclaimed award winning music producer and film director.  

Wonder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyLOLnhqd-k

Speaking about the song, Sifa explains. “Hubadiliki is a song about the God that I have known and served, the one who has come through for me in unimaginable ways, and the one who does not change no matter the situation, one who is truly Unchangeable!” 

Adding “I have encountered a lot in my life & He has and remains the unchangeable God. So this is my expression to Him as my Maker”

Trust in you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbG7EV623Gg

Sifa, who was once a street boy in Nandi Hills, is also the founder of a Street Feeding and Rehabilitation program that feeds and provides basic necessities for street children. He mixes this advocacy with spreading the gospel to those in the streets.

About Sifa

Louis Juma aka Sifa Favor is an upcoming Kenyan Gospel artiste, He is currently promoting his latest single Hubadiliki. Sifa’s musical career was inspired by life’s twist and turns and he uses music to give God the glory for what he has done in his life.

A former Street child, Sifa is currently the founder of a street rehabilitation and feeding program that feeds other street children once every month with funds from well-wishers and his friends.

Sifa has so far visited seven counties with the program and is keen on ensuring all street children in the 47 counties have something to smile about.

After being silent for close to one year Tanzanian singer Barakah The Prince has finally made a comeback.

The talented singer who was once signed to Rockstar 4000 music label has just released a new track titled 'Nimekoma'

"This song has a personal touch and I believe my fans will receive it well as they have been doing with my previous songs" said Barakah.

Barakah who also worked with Otile Brown 'Niseme Nawe' explained the main reason for his silence revealing that he was also working on his first album.

He Charged "I can now proudly say that I' m back with full force. I have alot in store for my fans including my firts album which i was also working on for the better part of last year (2019)"

The new song has been produced by Producer Dee Classic and is available on Boomplay

The Mombasa County emergence response team led by Governor Hassan Joho and County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo has ordered all nicht clubs be closed for the next 30 days.

According to the team, this is to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the county.

Speaking to the press at his office, Joho said the team has come up with several measures to prevent the spread of the virus with the closure of clubs being one of them.

Bars and restaurants have also been ordered to reduce noise and ensure they close by 11pm.

The team directed the Kenya ferry services to ensure that they provide sanitizers for all the passengers using the ferries.

Below is a summary of the recommendations from the team.

1. Suspend Prison visits for the next 30 days.

2. (Additional) to minimize visits to the sick in hospitals (restrict to two immediate family members

3. Suspend all Inter school’s functions

4. Suspend all Public gatherings, meetings & events.

5. Suspension inter-agency, inter-institution, inter – religious meetings – gatherings.

6. Door to door sensitization on good hand hygiene.

7. Religious institutions to provide worshipers with sanitizers / soap & water.

Hotels, all institutions to provide clients with sanitizers / soap & water.

SPECIFIC AREAS OF CONCERN IN THE COUNTY

1. Likoni Ferry – Hand washing provisions at both sides of the ferry. (enforcement by Mombasa Inspectorate & NYS). TV Screens & speakers to sensitize the public on preventive measures.

2. SGR – to provide all passengers with sanitizers. (involve NYS with thermoguns)

3. We shall intensify hand washing campaigns especially in the informal settlements (slum areas)

4. We shall conduct aggressive hand washing campaigns

5. The committee has resolved that agencies put in place necessary measures on all points of entries,and mobilize more human resource for the same.

6. Bars & Night Clubs – Night clubs & Discos to be closed immediately. Bars & Restaurants minimize music & dancing, be closed by 11pm.

This comes just a day after the government announced that a Kenya Woman who had returned from the US tested positive for the virus.

Emergency numbers have also been provided to members of the public to report any suspected cases of the virus

0793 390 984-Safaricom

0734 881 233-Airtel

0777 777 242-Yu

Adding her refreshing voice to the resurgence of rhythm and blues in the country and across global charts, emerging singer Emma Cheruto released her debut EP Shift Happens on 12th March 2019 across all major streaming platforms.

The slow and groovy EP explores her impressive vocal range as she tackles complex themes of love, loss and relationship struggles.

Speaking on the EP Emma said, ‘’I did the project to highlight the inescapable cycle of love. You never know if you are dealing with your everlasting love or just caught up in the cycle.

The flow of the songs is symbolic, starting out with a ‘’Nice Car’’ and ending up in ‘’Circles’’. Across the 8 tracks, Emma navigates the cycle of love expressing the passionate highs and the heartbreaking lows of relationships.

The project was released alongside a Justin Mengere directed visual 'Circles' that intimately encapsulates the underlying theme.

The EP is a culmination of Emma’s musical efforts over the last 5 years that have seen her share the stage with celebrated acts such as Sauti Sol, Blinky Bill, Muthoni Drummer Queen and Kwesta (ZA) to performing at major shows and festivals like Africa Nouveau, Motown in Nairobi, Aretha Tribute and Jamhuri Festival among others.

Her collaborations on ‘’Falling‘’ with Suzziah and ‘’Boy’’ by Mbithi in 2019 offered a glimpse into the sassy singer ahead of the release.

With Shift Happens, Emma is on point with a debut that is a timely contemplation of sexual politics and emotional availability.

Multi award winning Nigerian R&B singer, songwriter and record producer Praiz  has released visuals of one of everyone’s favorite song 'Madu'.

Praiz rose to fame after being the second runners up on at the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa,

The song is off from his recent album ‘’KING’’, which was released on 6^th December 2019, has received positive feedback and massive support across all digital platforms.

The album has features from Africa’s greatest artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Sarkodie, Timaya and Stonebwoy.

Praiz,also known for his kind and generous charity works and also being the first artist in Africa to be proclaimed by the Governor of Minnesota, which also known to have the largest East African community in America because of his contribution in charity projects to the community thus having his own Public Holiday, ‘PRAISE ADEJO DAY’  on 6^th February every year.

In his big reveal on instagram, Praiz gave his fans  his fans a preview teaser of ‘MADU’  video which means, ‘Someone’ in Igbo language, a word commonly used by males. Praiz is  showering his love interest with praises and hopefully taking her to meet his parents.  

To watch MADU song click here: https://youtu.be/JO-Bijkw2gM