ODM leader Raila Odinga has finally released his much awaited campaign song, 'Leo ni Leo'.

The song is a rendition of the popular Luhya song Lelo ni Lelo composed by Benga star Emmanuel Masindi.

The song has consistently featured in Raila’s campaign rallies.

In the video, Odinga, cladded in a bomber jacket with Kenyan flag colours is seen singing and dancing surrounded by band members who are  also dancing to the tune.

The audio was recorded at FP Records in Kawangware by upcoming producer Festus Papai aka Papa FP  and video shot in Karen and Kawangware, directed by Nezzoh Montana.  

The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)  has banned an Indian comedy film 'Bodhaal Do' for promoting homosexuality contrary to the Kenyan constitution.

In a statement , KFCB rated the film 'RESTRICTED' noting that it  had been scrapped from all media outlets within the country’s borders and any broadcast of the same would be a violation of the law.

“While this film is acceptable in its country of origin, India, the Board has rated it as RESTRICTED in Kenya as it propagates a worldview that is in dissonance with our constitution, culture, values and norms and could easily expose vulnerable consumers to perversion,” read the statement by the board’s acting CEO Christopher Wambua.

Adding “On this score, any films or broadcast content appearing to legalize, advocate, normalize or glorify the act contravenes the laws of our land. The film is, therefore, unacceptable and an affront to our culture and identity as Kenyans.”

“The film in question, therefore, overtly disregards our laws, constitution and sensibilities as a people. Moreover, the film tries to directly influence the viewer into believing that homosexuality is a normal way of life.”

Being a pan-continent duo is hard enough, but add in a global pandemic and making music together might seem impossible, right? Well, Labdi Ommes and Bernt Isak Wærstad are consistently confounding that idea as the Kenyan-Norwegian collaboration Unganisha.

The duo have released their debut EP ‘Kucheza’ alongside the music video to “Chunya”, which follows up "Leko" and "Lwang'ni Hotel" – their successful singles from last year.

The EP title, Kucheza!, plays into this idea of experimentation, collaboration and the fusing of different cultures.

Translating to "play" in English, Unganisha explains, "We called the EP Kucheza! because that's our approach to making music with Unganisha, we play a lot and experiment freely with few limitations."

Adding "It's never that serious... that's our working philosophy and we have carried that spirit into the EP."

Chunya on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jX3YVha2H-we 

Lwang’ni Hotel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjdFG_zSwoM 

Leko on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw__Znj5I1U 

Meaning "to join or fuse together" in Kiswahili, Unganisha came together when traditional singer and orutu player Labdi was introduced to electronic producer Wærstad through a mutual friend, and they started to exchange ideas via Whatsapp.

This eventually led to songs, and the pair met when Music Norway funded Labdi's trip to Oslo Afro Arts in 2017. With only two days to put a show together, intense collaboration was necessary and Unganisha was born that day.

Labdi, a leading Kenyan female Orutu (a kind of one-string fiddle) player is formally trained as a visual artist and this means that Unganisha works hard on creating exciting and bright visuals to accompany the music.

Bernt is endlessly experimenting as a producer, and together they try to make the duo as unpretentious as possible.

They attest, “Unganisha is definitively more than just the music. We also get inspired by learning about each other's cultures and spending time together in both Kenya and Norway.”

From the opening track "Chunya", Unganisha's spirit and ethos is clear - an unrelenting love of rhythm and dance music (both in the western club sense and in the East African tradition), applied to Labdi's absorbing singing voice - part angelic, part chant.

The singles "Leko" and "Lwang'ni Hotel" [featuring drummer and singer Kasiva Mutua] are joined by the soulful "Duoguru" and the riotous, colourful closer "Koro", once again featuring the rhythms of Kasiva. The whole five tracks together is heady, irresistible and impossible to stay still to - dancing is mandatory.

Unganisha makes music that refuses to be boxed in. "We’re not trying to make a specific genre or style of music, we always feel very free to explore any direction which feels interesting to us," the duo explains. "Our music is sort of outside of our individual egos and our working philosophy is 'anything goes'".

Former KTN Investigative reporter Dennis Onsarigo has been appointed as ODM leader Raila Odinga's press secretary

Onsarigo who also served as the Director of communications and  official spokesperson for the County of Taita Taveta will now be in charge of coordinating  Odinga's presidential campaigns communications ahead of the August 9, elections. 

Through his official social media pages, Odinga announced the appointment of Onsarigo on Sunday.

"Mr Onsarigo is a professional bringing journalism and media consulting experience spanning fourteen years to the table" reads the statement from Odinga.

Adding " He will coordinate all media relation needs of the Raila Odinga 2022 campaign secretariat including media engagement and management, media liaison between the secretariat and coalition partners and work closely with mainstream media in dissemination of news and information."

Competition in the soft drinks industry is poised to go up a notch higher after global giant Pepsi opened a mega depot in Mombasa as it seeks to tap into the regional market.

PepsiCo’s move is expected to eat into the market share of Coca-Cola that has enjoyed minimal competition enabling it to firm its grip on the region for years.

Speaking at the official launch of a Mombasa depot on Saturday, Pepsi Mombasa depot officer in charge Salim Ogada said the company has been yearning to expand its wings in the coastal region owing to its market strength.

The company that deals with supplying products like Pepsi Light, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, 7UP and Everess seeks to tap into the coastal tourism market that has remained unexploited.

“So far it has employed over 40 people in Mombasa and is targeting to employ more once the business continues to expand,” said Salim who is in charge of Mombasa depot asking Mombasa people to try the Pepsi product.

The official said the global brand is now targeting the Coastal market after opening other shops in Kisumu and Nairobi. The company is in its expansion plans and seeks to open more other depots across the coastal region.

“It’s one of the leading brands in the world. We have not been strong in Kenya but now we have a very strong and rapid strategy to penetrate the Kenyan market, we started in Kisumu and Nairobi but now we are penetrating the coast market, ”added Salim.

Speaking at the launch, Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamand Nassir asked more investors to tap into the coastal potential as it has been promising owing to its tourism potential.

Nassir said the government should review some of the  taxes imposed on new  investors, saying  many potential investors are shying away from investing in the county owing to very punitive business levies imposed on them.

“We have sat down with business people, and made our manifesto which is focusing on the county development plan so that when we get into power, this becomes our priority to check on suitable levies that don’t hurt businesses,” said Nassir.

Mombasa youth gender and sports Chief Officer Innocent Mugabe has quit his county job to join politics.

Mugabe, who was instrumental on matters of youth in governor Joho’s administration, tabled his resignation on Wednesday, to vie for the Likuyani constituency member of the National Assembly post.

Mugabe has served as chief officer in different capacities in governor Joho's administration since 2013, when Joho was first elected as the first Mombasa governor.

At the same time Education Chief executive officer Seth Odingo who has resigned in order to contest for the Migori governor seat.

Odongo has served at different capacities as devolution and education CEC in governor Joho administration until this week when he tabled his resignation.

This means that Governor Joho will now be forced to make fresh appointments or make adjustments in his administration so as to fill the positions left vacant.

Odongo who seeks to succeed outgoing governor Okoth Obando boasts of a rich academic profile that he believes will play into his advantage during his campaigns.

Odongo is a PhD holder in Business Leadership from the University of (University of South Africa).

He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nairobi and also Bachelor of Arts (Second class (Hons) Upper Division)-University of Nairobi.

According to Odongo’s Cv, Between 1988-1989 he attained Kenya Certificate of Advance Education (A-level)-4 principles passand between 1984-1987 he attained Kenya Certificate of Education-(Second Division).

According to the Elections Act, all public officers seeking elective positions have to vacate office six months to the General Election, in this case February 9, 2022.

“A public officer who intends to contest an election under this Act shall resign from public office at least six months before the date of election,” Section 43 (5) of the Act.

Fast rising Nigerian Afro –Pop singer and songwriter and model AYRA STARR is set to thrill her fans in Nairobi, Kenya!  

Born Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe,  Ayra acknowledged that the love of arts grew in her, as she is not from a family of artists. While she has written her own songs and doing song covers of her favorite artists, the Benin born superstar had a strong passion for singing and songwriting and fashion at a very young age.

In 2018, she was signed to Quove Model Company to develop her modelling career. But not too long then, her passion for music would take her to the next big level of her life.

In year2020, her soulful voice captivated Mavin’s Supreme Leader Don Jazzy the very first time he had her sing and became bent on signing her.

With over 100 million plus streams of her debut EP ‘ AYRA STARR’ and debut album  ’19 & DANGEROUS’ in all streaming digital platforms,  ‘BLOODY SAMARITAN’ crooner who is also currently one of the most streamed non-East African act on digital stores across East African countries also became Ambassador to one of world’s biggest beverage drink company, Pepsi. 

Through Thrift Social official Instagram page, Ayra Starr is set to thrill Nairobi with her outstanding one of a kind performance on February 12th, 2022 at Impala Grounds, Nairobi, Kenya.