Good news for Kenyan music fans as today Boomplay announce a major deal, set to enrich music lovers on the App with quality music from a host of global stars.

Kenyans can now access all the official music of leading global acts like Wale, Cold Play, Wiz Khalifa, Trey Songz, Sia, Missy Elliot, Kranium, Notorius B.I.G, Janelle Monae , Cardi B, Jason Derulo, Bruno Mars and Gucci Mane.

This follows Boomplay having signed a direct licensing agreement with Warner Music to bring the record company’s diverse global roster of music to Kenya and Africa as a whole.

The terms of the partnership allow Boomplay to distribute Warner Music’s extensive catalogue of more than one million songs to its community of listeners in ten countries; Kenya, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

With this partnership, Kenyans can now discover and enjoy music from their favorite global stars among them.

The deal will provide Warner Music’s artists with direct access and exposure to Boomplay’s millions of users in the region, while bringing Boomplay, the largest music streaming and download service in Africa, one step closer to its goal of bringing all music from around the world to Africa.

Joe He, CEO of Boomplay, says: “Major deals with internationally recognized partners such as Warner Music continue to push us closer to our aim of building the largest and the most reliable online music distribution platform in Africa”. 

He adds “We want every music lover in the region to be able to access any song or video, anytime and wherever they are.  We are looking forward to a successful partnership and business continuation with WMG in what are truly exciting times for the African Music Industry.”

Speaking on the deal, Martha Huro, Boomplay‘s General Manager in Kenya says: ‘’We are extremely excited about this new partnership and the possibilities it will inevitably offer. We continue to work towards bringing the most enhanced and extensive music catalogue to the Boomplay Users in Kenya and beyond.’’

Alfonso Perez Soto, EVP, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Warner Music, adds: “The streaming service already has tremendous reach across the continent, yet they continue to expand exponentially.  It’s an opportunity that can’t be missed for our artists to make a whole new legion of fans.”

Adding, “I’d like to thank Warner Music’s Charlie White, Marc Latilla and Reni Adadevoh for their unstinting support in helping pull this deal together and get it over the line.”

In the past year, Boomplay has been on the crest of a wave, announcing landmark deals with global major labels, acquiring millions of new users monthly and releasing an iOS version in December 2018.

With major labels coming on board, Boomplay is now in a strong position to further improve its service offerings and defend its leading position in Africa. Boomplay, which has more than 42 million users as of February 2019, boasts an expansive catalogue consisting of five million songs and thousands of videos from local and international acts.

Fast rising Coast artist Mswazi Masauti has team up with rapper Khaligraph Jones in his new release, 'Kiboko' remix.

The video was directed by Enos Olik.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has said social protection is a fundamental human right and a challenge with a bearing on not only human health but also on the overall human development.

While calling on all stakeholders to play an active role in the establishment of sustainable national social protection programmes, the Kenyan First Lady said she was glad that gender mainstreaming is now a dominant subject in many national social protection systems globally. 

The Kenyan First Lady challenged global leaders to reflect on how they can use their leadership influence to ensure the issue of social protection is responsive to the most vulnerable groups in their societies. 

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta recounted her experience in advocacy, saying her actions resulted in the refocusing of national attention towards ignored areas of the health sector especially the primary causes of maternal and child mortality.

“When I stepped into the role of being First Lady, it allowed me to start thinking about how this position could make a difference and change the course of our country’s future in the health arena,” said the First Lady.

The First Lady spoke when she addressed over 500 delegates during the ongoing 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York city. 

The theme of the side event was “ The Power of Women’s Agency in Transforming Social Norma for Better Health Outcomes and Well Being.”

She said her simple message that "No woman should die giving life’, resonated well with the masses thereby creating awareness on the health challenges that had long been an impediment to social protection especially lack of access to quality health care, information and education for women, children and vulnerable societies.

“The principle ‘idea’ of Beyond Zero is to spur a ‘movement’ across the country about an issue that weighs heavily on the minds of ordinary Kenyans, ordinary families,” said First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. 

The Kenyan First Lady pointed out that at the time of the launch of Beyond Zero Initiative in 2014, Kenya was considered one of the most dangerous places for a woman to give birth due to the high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

She also said at that time, chances of survival for an HIV patient was very low and yet the fatalities could have been prevented using proven, affordable and sustainable interventions.

“At that time, the total maternal deaths were 6,300 per year and 13,000 new HIV infections occurred among children annually and the number of pregnant women attended by skilled health workers during delivery was at 44%,” the First Lady said. 

She said, it is the above factors that created a sense of urgency within her requiring immediate action. 

“An advocacy initiative such as Beyond Zero was timely in creating momentum, mobilise leadership and raise commitment towards achieving results in HIV, maternal newborn and child health,” she pointed out.

The First Lady said the Beyond Zero initiative is anchored in an ideology that exemplifies complementarity to existing global and national health sector plans, policies, and services which accelerates inspired action by all stakeholders to provide concrete solutions.

She noted that through Beyond Zero, the country has over the past five years made great strides in reducing maternal and child mortality.

“Through our collective efforts, we have contributed to prevention of thousands of mothers and babies dying from lack of access to healthcare, ”said the First Lady. 

Adding, ”We have contributed to the widespread awareness around the health challenges facing women, children and vulnerable communities.” 

The First Lady said at the national level, Beyond Zero has instituted significant progress in Kenya’s healthcare system by increased safe deliveries at health facilities to over 60%, increased breastfeeding rates to more than 60%, increased immunization rates to over 63% and reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV to 11%.

The initiative has also contributed to increased resource allocations to health and expanded access to specialized care at national and sub-national levels.  

“For example, under the Government’s universal health care coverage, dialysis and chemotherapy are now included under the National Health Insurance Scheme,” said the First Lady.

Princess Mabel Van Oranje of Denmark who spoke through a video link commended the Kenyan First Lady for her initiative saying it has greatly helped women, children and the most vulnerable groups in society access quality public health services. 

The Dutch Princess, a great champion of global partnership to end child marriages under the movement  ‘Girls not Brides’, said she will continue collaborating with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to ensure women and girls are empowered to achieve their goals.

Ford Foundation Vice President for International Programmes Martin Abregu said the foundation values partnerships that are aimed offering long lasting solutions to challenges facing vulnerable members of society.

In attendance were the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Prof. Margaret Kobia, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry Rachel Shebesh and spouse to the former Prime Minister Ida Odinga.

Akothee has initiated a campaign aimed at helping Kenyans starving in Turkana due to hunger.

The campaign dubbed 'Lets feed the straving in Turkana' is aimed at feeding the affected Kenyans through collecting funds from well wishers via a special pay bill number: 891300.

Through her popular and influential social media pages, Akothee has so far managed to raise over kshs 100,000 in a span of eight hours.

Other artists who have also raised their concern over the humanitarian crisis is rapper King Kaka who has blamed politicians for the crisis.

"Mr Politician how do you sleep at night, when funds meant for water points and food are misused. When billions are stolen and we can't feed our fellow Kenyans . Macho magumu sana. How?. As we wait for the next scandal. Shame on you" posted King Kaka.

It is reported that at least 3.4 million Kenyans are facing starvation, the most at risk counties being Isiolo, Kilifi, Turkana, Wajir and Tana River.

Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi is pleased to confirm Safehotels certification as a new safety and security initiative for 2019. 

The certification, based on the Global Hotel Security Standard®, is recognized by hotel and travel associations, corporate accounts and organisations such as the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) around the world.

The criteria for the certification achieved by the hotel consists of more than 230 individual standard components relating to security, emergency management, fire safety, health and occupational safety.

“We are delighted to announce our hotel has been certified by Safe hotels,” said Andreas Flückiger, General Manager, Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi.

He added “The safety and security of our guests is always our top priority and we are always looking for new initiatives to further develop our existing standards for both guests and employees”

Maintaining Safehotels certification is an ongoing process and the hotel will be recertified through an onsite visit and independent assessment by Safe hotels every year.

“Our certification aims to further enhance the existing levels of hotels safety and security, through the experience, expertise and fresh approach Safe hotels provides for a hotel” said Andy Williams, VP Quality Assurance Safehotels.

Adding “Staying at a Safehotels certified hotel is valued by corporate and leisure travellers around the world and we are delighted to celebrate with Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi in achieving this certification award”.

The family of Likoni Mp Mishi Mboko is mourning the death of their son and brother Dr Hamisi Ali Juma.

According to reports Hamisi who  was among the 50 Kenyan doctors sent to Cuba to pursue further studies at the University of Medical Sciences in Havana, to specialize in Family Medicine died yesterday (Sunday) with reports suggesting that he might have committed suicide over poor living conditions.

The late DR Hamisi Ali Juma

A statement from the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of health Sicily Kariuki and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho however notes the circumstances resulting in the death are not yet clear and investigations by the Cuban authorities are still underway to establish the cause.

According to the statement plans are already underway to bring the body back home.

The Orange Democratic Party took to twitter to send their condolences to the family.

“Condolences to the family of Likoni MP and deputy director of elections Hon @mbokomishi following the death of her brother Dr Ali Hamso in Cuba where he had gone to pursue Masters Degree in Medicine. We pray for God's fortitude in the family during this sad moment.”  tweeted ODM.

Addressing members of the press in Mombasa, Monday morning Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union Secretary General Abidal Mwachi called on the Government to recall all the remaining countries to the country stating the union had earlier raised the red flag over the poor living conditions in the country.

Tanzanian singer Aslay has just dropped a new music titled 'Nyang'anyang'a'.

Watch its video below

Major Lazer debuts in Kenya the video to the remix of “Blow That Smoke” ft. Tove Lo produced by Nigerian producer E Kelly —listen here.

The music video is a collaboration between Duran Levinson & Dolph - a production company based in Johannesburg, South-Africa.

Shot in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa the project started with Duran filming some scenes and traveling around Cape Town, looking for interesting people and unique stories before traveling to Johannesburg for 2 weeks to work with Jesse & Dan of Dolph.

Together they traveled into mine dumps, the heart of Soweto and townships like Cosmo City looking to capture some cinematic realism and good vibes.

The video was shot by Duran and Marty Bleazard and later edited and animated by Jesse & Dan, who really brought everything to life with their strong visual styles. 

Duran Levinson says, “This project was a collaboration between a small group of people who did it for the love and the opportunity to work with Major Lazer. We hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed making it.”

E Kelly has produced several top-charting records such as ‘So inspired’ by Waje ft. Muna, ‘Say My Name’ by Wizkid, Mr. Eazi’s  ‘Pour Me Water’  and Loose Kaynon’s ‘Mo Ti De’ ft. Maytronomy.  

The remix follows a string of releases from Major Lazer collaborating with African artists including Burna Boy, Babes Wodumo, Mr. Eazi, RAYE and Kizz Daniel, plus Kranium.

Originally released in October, ‘Blow That Smoke’ continues to receive critical acclaim—Rolling Stone describes the song as “a bouncey stomper with a West African guitar riff and heavy groove.”

Major Lazer also revealed their career spanning Major Lazer Essentials compilation this year.

 Essentials highlights Major Lazer’s reach across the globe, and the vast range of their influences and influence to date.

 Upon the release, Billboard hailed “it’s undeniable how important and multi-faceted Major Lazer’s 10 years have been.”

With three albums under their belt, the band continues to tour the world over, making the world smaller by making the party bigger. A highly anticipated fourth album is on the way, with much more to come from Major Lazer in 2019. 

 Watch the video

A motion to impeach the Mombasa County Transport, Infrastructure and Public works County Executive Committee Member Taufiq Balala has officially  been table in the County Assembly.

The motion was tabled on Tuesday by Jomvu Kuu ward representative, Athman Shebe and seconded by Magogoni MCA Ali Shomari.

The MCAs accuse Balala of incompetence, arrogance, abuse of office and violating the Constitution, refusing  to allow the assembly to exercise its oversight role over his department.

While tabling the motion before the house, Shebe accused the executive of failing to submit documents requested by the assembly and presiding over stalled projects that have overlapped financial years.

Speaker Aharub Khatri directed that the motion be debated on Tuesday, next week.

This comes just days after the County Governor Hassan Joho cautioned the MCAs from 'intimidating' his executives, the Governor threatened to marshal support from the residents and seek to dissolve the County assembly.

A local lobby group dubbed 'Fagia Bunge' has started collecting signatures from residents in a bid to dissolve the assembly.