In a captivating fusion of talent, East Africa's distinguished artists, Femi One and Nyashinski, announce their latest track "Under the Influence."

The single, already generating considerable buzz is the second collaboration by the two. 

With an impressive track record of hit singles and a massive fan base, both Femi One and Nyashinski have consistently showcased their exceptional artistry.

This collaboration is expected to elevate their status as leading figures in the African music landscape.

"Under the Influence" promises a harmonious fusion of musical genres and a lyrical depth that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

The audio production by Motif Di Don is nothing short of stellar, as he infuses the track with an infectious rhythm that will undoubtedly have listeners dancing to its beats.

Complementing the audio is a visually stunning music video directed by Steve Mugo, a visionary in the art of storytelling through visuals.

His creative direction promises to deliver a visual narrative that is as compelling as the song itself.

Speaking on the latest release, Dennis Njenga, Head of Talent at Kaka Empire said “ This collaboration is not just a song, it represents a movement for Femi One’s and Nyashinki’s fans, we are confident the fans will resonate with the song for years to come!” 

The release of "Under the Influence" is set to make waves in the music industry, and fans are eagerly anticipating this collaboration between Femi One and Nyashinski.

The track and its accompanying music video are now available on all major streaming platforms, allowing fans to experience the magic of this musical partnership.

King Kaka, has just released his much-anticipated track, "Explain."

With audio produced by Sifa and the captivating visuals directed by Steve Mugo, this track promises to be another chart-topper.

King Kaka, famed for his thought-provoking lyrics and unique sound, has been teasing fans on social media about "Explain" for some days, creating anticipation and excitement. Now that it's out, the audience is in for an auditory and visual treat.

Sifa, the mastermind behind some of the most notable beats in Kenya, has once again proven his prowess.

"Explain" boasts a rich texture of sounds, seamlessly blending King Kaka's verses with a background that resonates with both old fans and new listeners alike.

Steve Mugo, the video director, has painted a visual masterpiece that complements the track's emotion and narrative.

Known for his innovative concepts and sharp attention to detail, Mugo's work on "Explain" will surely attract rave reviews.

"Working on “Explain” was a great experience, the song is a testament to how God has been so good to me, I cannot even explain! '. I can't wait for the world to see and hear what we've created."

The release of "Explain" further solidifies King Kaka's place as one of the defining voices in Kenyan music.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has arrived in Mombasa ahead of his meeting with Azimio Governors and other leaders.

Odinga who arrived in Mombasa on Thursday evening alongside former Kakamega Governor Wyclife Oparanya was welcomed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

According to a source, Odinga will be having a series of closed door meetings with leaders during his two day stay in Mombasa.

"HAPPENING NOW: Arrival in Mombasa with my Party Leader H. E @RailaOdinga among other national leaders ahead of a series of activities over the next two days." posted Mombasa Governor Nassir.

Earlier Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo shared through his official facebook that he has also landed in Mombasa.

"Touch down in Mombasa ahead of the Azimio Governors Consultative meeting with Rt. Hon Raila Odinga to evaluate the remarkable progress in devolution over the past decade." posted Nyong'o.

Earlier this month, Odinga held a consultative meeting Governors from  the Lake Region Economic Bloc.

Shipping and Maritime Affairs PS Shadrack Mwadime has urged the youth not to shy away from maritime and blue economy jobs.

Speaking during the Mombasa youth dialogue on Maritime and Shipping, Mwadime said the government is ready to help Kenyan youth secure jobs in the sector.

Using the biblical example of Joseph, PS Mwadime called on the youth to dream big and plan for their future.

"One of the main agendas of the Kenya Kwanza government is job creation, one way that we are trying to create the jobs is through maritime and blue economy. As the government we have availed the necessary resources and are ready to support you as the youth" said Mwadime.

Adding " Just like Joseph, I want you to have a dream and it should be about your future, make that dream a reality. Be bold enough and go for the jobs available in this industry."

Mwadime revealed that he has directed the Bandari Maritime College management yo expand the number of classes to accommodate more students interested in maritime and shipping.

He noted "I'm very happy that we have seen a good number of the youth registering for maritime courses, this is very encouraging. I have directed the C.E.O to ensure we have a whole new block constructed to accommodate more students."

"According to the reports we have been receiving, our youth are very marketable, they are the best when it comes to maritime jobs, they are praised for their hospitality, master of the language and discipline. The jobs are there, according to the statistics, we need about 500,000 seafarers."

Stakeholders in the Maritime and shipping industry have been challenged to work closely with the local media in order to sentisize the youths on the opportunities available in the industry.

Speaking during the Mombasa Youth dialogue on Maritime and shipping industry, the media Council of Kenya (MCK) Coast regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi regretted that the media has not been highlighting more stories on the opportunities in the industry.

"We have alot of opportunities in the Maritime, shipping and blue economy industry but sadly not many locals know about them" argued Mudi.

Adding " As stakeholders in the industry you need to work closely with the media so that our people can get  know about this opportunities. Be available to share information with journalists. We have alot of stories from the industy that need to be told".

Mudi noted that many journalists have faced the challenge of accesing the right information and resources from the stakeholders.

Mudi further challenged on journalists across the Coast region to specialise more on underwater videography and photography.

"There's one missing element when it comes to Blue Economy in media. There's no underwater photography or videography. It is very rare & I want you guys to take it as a challenge. We have alot of people who want to see the underwater life and the different creatures found there" said Mudi.

She further revealed that MCK is planning to develop a curriculum on blue economy for journalists, noting "We shall be reaching out and collaborate with different experts in that field, to have an inclusive perspective on the issue."

The event organised by  Blue radio  was attended by the Permanent Secretary ministry of Maritime and Blue economy Shadrack Mwadime among other stakeholders.

Phyllis Omido, a Kenyan environmental activist, is among the recipients of this year’s Right Livelihood Award for her pioneering efforts in championing the environmental and land rights of local communities while setting vital precedents in environmental law.

For over 40 years, the Right Livelihood Award has honoured and supported courageous people solving global problems.

To date, 194 Laureates from 76 countries have received the Award, including Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, Congolese gynaecologist and women’s rights advocate Dr Denis Mukwege and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Omido, known as “Mama Moshi” or the “Mother against Smoke” by the communities she engages with, became an environmental activist after working at a battery smelting plant that poisoned her, her son and the Owino Uhuru community.

Her advocacy has led to the plant and sixteen others being closed across Kenya.

Omido’s use of litigation, advocacy and media engagement in the smelting plant case has set vital legal precedents, affirming people's right to a clean and healthy environment and the state's responsibility to safeguard it.

Today, her activism goes far beyond Owino Uhuru. Empowering others to protect their communities, Omido leads a network of 120 grassroots Land and Environmental Defenders across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. She is currently spearheading a campaign against Kenya’s plan to develop nuclear power in Kilifi, a pristine oceanside district known for its coral reefs, fishing villages and rich wildlife.

"We need to look at the livelihoods of the fishermen and the women who are depending on carbon credits from the mangroves in that area,” said Omido.

Adding “Kenya has the capacity for renewables - we have sunshine every day of the year. There is no excuse as to why we should go into something that is going to harm the environment.”

Right Livelihood’s jury said that Omido was receiving the Award “for her groundbreaking struggle to secure land and environmental rights for local communities while advancing the field of environmental law.”

"t’s a time when communities are feeling dejected - a time when they are looking to me to give them hope,” said Omido.

“This Award will give them hope that their struggle is not unique to them, they are global struggles. There are people around the world watching the work that we are doing, and they are supporting it.”

Kenya Redcross Mombasa branch held volunteer awards over the weekend where outstanding Kenyans were awarded with accolades for sterling performance.

According to Kenya Redcross Mombasa Board Chairman Mohamed Noor, the awards honoured the  incredible volunteers , for their dedication and commitment to making a difference in the community.

Among those honoured during the event is Mombasa based philanthropist Mombasa cement.

The innovation of the year award went to Swaleh Mwadime Athuman. This award recognized  individuals and groups that have engaged in research development and innovative initiatives used in various counties/regions to deliver humanitarian response.

In the humanitarian media award category the award went to Amiri Mohamed Asmara. His media was recognized for continually having supported and worked with KRCS in covering and highlighting and delivering humanitarian response /services across the country.

In the community health Volunteer award, Clemncia Nyambura was awarded for improving health care, encouraging service that exceeds expectations as a result of innovation, creativity, and leadership, promoting visibility, and goodwill toward the hospital or health care system.

In the Implementing Partner award of the year, the award was awarded to the Danish Red Cross. This award recognizes all the entities that Kenya Red Cross is working with in a sub-granting model.

The Inclusion Award was awarded to Badi Mwalimu Mohamed .This award also recognizes groups, institutions, and entities that have been active in promoting access to services for special groups advancing the inclusion agenda.

The Junior Red Cross Award was awarded to Coast Girls High School. This is because they were among the best primary and secondary schools that have participated in active humanitarian work during the year.

The Community Service Award was awarded to Mohammed Dzombo .Dzombo was recognized as a celebrity and has done philanthropic work. The award is for well-known personalities, politicians, and individuals who have supported, participated, or participated in the Kenya Red Cross Society to voluntarily promote humanitarian work in the last one year.

Technical University Of Mombasa won the University of the Year Award after it emerged among the institutions with a high number of Red Cross volunteers. This is awarded to a public or private university that has a strong Kenya Red Cross Society University Club/ Chapter with the highest number of active Red Cross members and volunteers.

 The university club/chapter must have made a difference in the lives of the vulnerable in the communities where the university is located in the last one year.

A new Kenyan crime film MTAA YANGU will premiere at leading cinemas countrywide, starting 6th of October 2023.

The action-filled film directed by Likale Washington Muyonga is centered around Kiprotich, a local gang leader and his gang members who harvest ‘tax’ from the locals.

Residents of Mwiki Town take refuge and security from Gunner ’G’ - another crime lord. As if the unrest wasn’t enough for the locals, they start to receive eviction leaflets from the area M.P. (Okelo) played by Nathan Songa and the Governor who have an intention of creating foreign investment. Mwiki Town is engulfed in unrest as the residents demand for their rights and place of home. 

Gunner ’G’ is forced to get into a talk with the M.P who turns a deaf ear to the plight of the residents. An entitlement G feels betrayed, especially for the fact that he helped the M.P win and get into power illegally. After their heated meeting, the M.P plots G’s murder using two rogue cops: Lurther and Ben. 

G finds love in Catherine Njeri; a resident of the area. In an operation, Ras; one of G’s gang members, kills Njeri’s brother. With the knowledge that this might jeopardize his relationship with Njeri, he decides to bury the truth about her brother’s death unbeknownst of the guilt that would tear him apart. He decides to send Njeri to a medical school as a means of running away from facing the truth and his guilt. To save the residents of Mwiki and his relationship, G hatches a plan to quit his life in crime. However, he first has to rob money from the M.P. Will he succeed? 

Mtaa Yangu will be available in Kenya at the following venues: Westgate Cinema, Prestige Cinema, Century Cinemax Junction Mall, Century Cinemax Garden City, Century Cinemax Two Rivers, Century Cinemax Sarit Centre, Motion Cinema Greenspan Mall, Anga Cinema CBD, Anga Cinema Diamond Plaza, Anga Cinema Panari Centre, Rupa Cinema Eldoret, Mega Cinema Kisumu and Nyali Cinemax Mombasa.

ABOUT THE CAST & CREW

LIKALE WASHINGTON MUYONGA

Likale is a film director, producer and writer with expertise in both film and theatre. Most of his work is available on YouTube with his most recent one ‘Tested’ being featured on MYMOVIES Africa. He has written the following films: ‘Tested’; ‘Daily Bread’; ‘Deep Ends’; and ‘Way out’.

MAKOVO MBATHA

He has played lead actor in a couple of short films by Intrigue Productions-’ACT OF CHARITY’ as Ambrose and Faith in ‘ALI’ . He has starred in a series by Tella Tale production called ‘KIJAKAZI’ as Fidel.

He has also been featured in ‘Jane and Abel’ on MNET.  ‘Wrath’, a series which aired on Fox Life, Tuko Macho; a web series that aired on NTV. Aside from that he is also a commercial model who has been featured on two television commercials; Shangwe Mtaani- a Safaricom TVC as lead, KCB Go-Ahead TVC and the current running Cholera Awareness TVC.

CATHERINE NJERI

She is a content creator and TV actor who has been featured in ‘Amollo’ as Rose (supporting lead). She also did advertisements for the Royal Dentist in Kisumu and HELB/ NFM. She has been nominated for the People Choice Awards 2023.

NANCY LUBANGA

She has been acting since 2017 and focused on stage performance until 2020 where she dived in the film industry. In 2020, she was part of the cast of ‘Daily Bread’ an outway Film and since then she has been featured in more than five films, the latest one being ‘Tested’  that premiered on Imax in 2022. She takes on challenging roles and has always portrayed them effortlessly. Nancy Lubanga holds a degree in Political science with information Technology.

VINCENT OTIENO

Vincent Otieno has been featured in a ton of films such as ‘Kina’ and ‘Selina’.

He mostly takes part in Gusii plays and is also known for his roles in different setbooks. He was featured in the film ‘Tested’ which is available on MyMovies Africa.

NATHAN SONGA

Nathan Songa is known for his roles in ‘Kina’ as Otieno Kotieno; ‘Pepeta’ as Bishop; ‘Betterdays’ as Bodyguard; ‘KBC NextMeal’ as Alex; ‘Lion Roar No More’ as Shekh Asad; ‘Mino’ as Kinoni the fighter; and ‘Zora’ as Bishop.

SASHA OREGE

Sasha Orege is known for her role in ‘Zora’ as Mama Pipi and is also featured in an Ariel advert. Apart from that is also a mother of two, a seasoned poet and an Evangelist.

VICTOR OBOK

Victor Obok is a highly acclaimed filmmaker,  TV producer, Director, Cinematographer and Editor with a proven track record of success. Victor has demonstrated his expertise in film and video projects from pre-production to post production having created an impressive body of work over the years. His recent work as Director and DOP on UNDUNGU has garnered several awards in different festivals and he was nominated in the best short film category in the prestigious Kalasha International Film and TV Awards.

Pwani Fm Presenter Dalilah Athman has landed a new job with the Ministry of East Africa Community , ASALs & Regional Development.

Dalilah who has been hosting the breakfast show at Pwani fm has now been appointed as the Assistant Director Regional Liaison Integration, State Department EAC, Ministry of EAC, ASALs & Regional Development.

She is set to officially leave the radio station this Friday before assuming her new job.

Delilah also worked for Bahari fm where she was popular for her daily taarab show 'Tuko Bomba'.

Prior to her time at Pwani fm,  she was attached at DW Radio as a news producer, based in Bonn, Germany.

Kenya Red Cross  Society in partnership with the Media Council of Kenya and Khetia’s Supermaket held a 3 day humanitarian media sensitization forum with journalists based in Busia County.

The forum that attracted over 25 journalists both working for local and international media houses took the scribes of the border county through the fundamentals and basics of humanitarian work  and as well as basic first aid training.

The members of the fourth estate were also taught the ethos of exhibiting both professionalism and humanity during emergencies as well as preparedness for the same.

The journalists took part in a food distribution exercise in the flood prone Budalang’i Sub County as a culmination of the training where more than 70 households benefited.

KRCS West Kenya Regional Manager Hellen Cheruto indicated that  majority of the residents of Bunyala West and Bunyala South have been immensely affected by since December 2019.

“Today we are gathered here to offer a helping hand food packages, and we have distributed packages to 36 households in the Siginga location,” she said, adding that 34 more households from Sango Island will also benefit.

Cheruto added that KRCS has been working closely with the local administration, Kenya Red Cross volunteers, and Community Health Promoters to sensitize the community on El Nino rains and sound early warnings with a view to reducing the potential effects of the heavy rains that are likely to occur during the period.

With the Elnino rains around the corner the capacity building to the journalists has come in handy in terms of preparedness as the skills attained will be applied by the scribes while in the field.

Busia County CEC Member for Public Service Management Pamela Awori confrimed the county has made necessary arrangements through the Disaster Management Committee to cushion the locals from the negative effects of El Nino.

Bunyala Deputy County Commissioner  Dr. Paul Papa thanked the Red Cross for supporting the flood victims expressing expressed confidence that the Sub County leadership is prepared for the expected El Nino rains through a number of trainings conducted by various stakeholders.

The community members of both Siginga and Sango expressed their gratitude to the journalists and the partners for their kind gesture and further urged the government to come up with a long term soulution to the flood menace in Budalang’i.