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Ommy Dallah

Ommy Dallah

Chipper Cash, Africa’s fastest-growing money transfer platform has partnered with Atotos Sports to provide professional training for Kenyan Coaches who come from disadvantaged backgrounds within Nairobi.

The training is set to take four weeks and kicks off on the 20th of March, 2021 at the Gems Cambridge International School in Karen, with a live session for the coaches to learn how to make use of Atotos Sports’ digital training platform – Supa Coach App - before proceeding to online individualized training.

In 2020, Chipper Cash partnered with AS Roma as the official money transfer partner in Africa. This partnership signaled a strong commitment from the fintech company towards supporting grassroot football in Africa in the long term.

The commitment kicked off with the production and distribution of more than two hundred and fifty FIFA standard footballs to grassroot soccer teams across Africa.

Recently, young footballers in Nigeria received financial literacy training and also young Kenyan ladies from the Kibera Angels Sports Academy obtained financial support to enhance their soccer passion.

“With the Covid pandemic, investment and growth of sports worldwide has been greatly affected. Chipper Cash’s partnership with the Atotos Sports provides a great solution for the local sports sector. Not only are we assisting coaches from disadvantaged backgrounds access world class training but also helping the many youth training under these coaches with proper soccer skills." Says Leon Kiptum, Country Manager, Chipper Cash Kenya.

Adding " One coach can reach between one hundred to five hundred children and we would like to benefit more than ten thousand youth in Kenya with this initiative” 

“As a Sports Agency, one of the challenges we face when trying to get our players to sign professional contracts in Europe is that the market is very competitive and our players lack basic soccer skills. It is for this reason, we introduced the Super Coach App, a European standard digital training platform.” Nick Kimanthi, CEO Atotos Sports Management.

Currently Chipper serves over 3.5 million people across Africa, processing more than 100,000 transactions every day. With the addition of United Kingdom, the company now boasts of operations in eight countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana and South Africa. The commitment to football from the Chipper Cash extends to all these African countries.

Actress Brenda Wairimu has apologized to friends and fans after wearing a dress that exposed her underwear.

According to Brenda , she wore the see-through dress unknowingly, only to realise later that her underwear was exposed.

"Want to here something embarassing? I spent the whole day in this dress, when I went back to the room after dinner,  I realised it was VERY see through. So to everyone who was forced to see my underwear all dear yesterday, I'm so sorry" she posted.

The post led to her fans also sharing some of their embarrasing moments.

"Happened to me and the worst is a male colleague joked about it, he though I knew ''Leo naweza kuambia kila kitu umevaa mpaka colour'' went home with scrubs'' replied one of her fans, Trizzhayley.

Another fan, Njokissking posted '' Happened to me ..worse in Church, I prayed for the earth to swallow me . Found out saa tisa service zote zikiwa zimeisha. That was 9 years ago. I lived. I made it"

Veteran Radio Journalist Robin Njogu is dead.

Njogu who was the Managing Editor at Radio Citizen passed on at the Aga Khan Hospital while undergoing treatment.

His demise comes as a double tragedy for the family, having lost their mother hours before Njogu's death.

ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru took to Twitter to mourn the Radio icon.

"I’m saddened to learn of the passing on of Robin Njogu and his mum. Robin was a consummate journalist and contributed heavily to the development of radio news in the country. Sad loss for his young family, RMS and the media fraternity in the country. May God comfort his family," CS MUcheru posted.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua also paid his respects to the fallen journalist.

"The other day when I visited him at the hospital he was cheerful and getting better...what a sad night," Mutua condoled.

 

On this week’s African Voices Changemakers, CNN International’s Arit Okpo travels to the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya to meet the woman responsible for ensuring the survival of an endangered zebra species.

Sheila Funnell is a wildlife conservationist working to protect Grevy's zebra.

She tells Okpo about the species, “Grevy's zebra is one of the three zebra species found in Africa. They are the largest of the three zebra species and they are also the most endangered."

Adding "In Kenya we have 90% of the remaining wild population, so that's a significant number when you consider that just over 3,000 individuals exist in the wild today.”

Raised in Nairobi, Funnell and her family spent their holidays traveling the Kenyan wilderness.

She says these experiences influenced her future career, “My childhood memories are full of those travels, they are full of being together as a family, seeing wildlife and people interacting. I didn't know how but I really knew I wanted to maintain this bond that people and wildlife have always had.”

After completing a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, followed by a master’s degree in taxonomy, Funnell began working with the Grevy’s Zebra Trust in 2015.

Grevy’s Zebras are one of Africa’s most endangered large mammals, threatened by poaching and by habitat loss.

Funnell explains how these challenges have evolved, So in the 1970s the Grevy’s zebra population dropped from about 15,000 individuals to just under 2,000 and that was primarily because of hunting for their skins for the fashion industry."

Adding "Since then, we've had a huge reduction in the quality of land, so range degradation has taken a huge toll in Grevy’s zebra numbers and range degradation has been getting worse and worse in some areas.”

Through her job with the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Funnell is working with local communities to promote conservation efforts.

She talks about why this community approach is important, “I think the greatest obstacles towards conservation success come from separating people and wildlife. So, with Grevy's Zebra Trust we work towards Grevy’s zebra conservation by promoting the benefits of livelihoods for people here.”

The Trust also works to support the community more broadly, including the Nkirreten Project which produced reusable sanitary pads designed with Grevy’s zebra stripes.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, this operation switched to producing face masks.

Funnell describes how projects like this help, “It's been such an amazing initiative because the reusable sanitary pads have really made a difference to women and also to school-going girls within this community. So, it's really an excellent way for people to link back the conservation benefits of Grevy’s zebra to their livelihoods, their health, as well.”

While conservation can be a hard job with many challenges, Funnell stresses the importance of staying hopeful, “There are so many stories of species extinctions globally, stories of destruction, of loss of species, of pollution. It's very difficult to sort of see a thousand years down the line and see how any species might survive. So, you really have to have hope and I think that is the most challenging part of the job. But I think it's also one of the strengths of conservationists.”

In the future, Funnell hopes that her work with the Grevy’s zebra will inspire other conservation projects.

“The legacy that I would like to leave is to show that wildlife and people can thrive, can co-exist. And I think the opportunity that we have with the Grevy’s zebra presents the perfect opportunity to show how that can happen and it can be a model for conservation on a much wider scale.” she says.

Saturday, 13 March 2021 21:13

Christian Longomba Is Dead

One half of the Longomba brothers, Christian Longomba, is dead.

Christian died on Saturday morning at the Downtown Los Angeles Hospital where he was receiving treatment. On May 18, 2015, Christian Longomba suffered a seizure, leading to his hospitalisation. Paramedics rushed him to hospital where he was diagnosed with falx and parassagittal meningiomas.

Taking to social media, his brother, Lovy, who completed the other half of the Longombas group, confirmed the news.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I love you Christian, my brother, my friend and partner, but Jesus loves you more. Enjoy heaven,” he wrote.

Lovy is a pastor in the US and runs the Revelation church.

Several artists have since come out to mourn Christian.

“R.I.P Christian Longomba. This is just sad. This guy (Christian), his late mum and his brother @prophetlovy gave me most of my nicknames, from Papa Fololo and the rest… Oh no.” posted Daddy Owen.

Femi One said " Thank you for the music and your contribution in the kenya music industry. Rest well"

On his part Nonini noted '' Rest in peace homeboy. your contribution in the Kenyan music industry shall never be forgotten".

 

Apple Music has announced the latest artist in its Africa Rising artist development program as 18-year-old Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr (real name Onyinkansola Aderibigbe).

"I am excited to be an Apple Music Africa Rising artist! Thank you to everyone streaming and embracing my music, and thank you Apple Music for the opportunity and support!” The singer excitedly commented.

With a music career wholeheartedly encouraged and supported by her family, Ayra began building a fanbase by posting covers of songs on her social media platforms.

But it was her original track “Damage” posted in December 2019, which attracted the attention of Don Jazzy, head of the iconic Nigerian record label, Mavin Records, who was quick to snap her up and bring her into his artist fold. 

"Ayra Starr is a unique and versatile artist with a powerful vocal range that touches the soul. She is a global superstar in the making and the sound of the future. I’m excited to see her grow and how her sound is being accepted.

Thank you Apple Music for giving her the opportunity to be on the cover for Africa Rising and for all your support!” - Don Jazzy, founder and CEO of Mavin Records.

Ayra then spent a year meticulously recording music culminating in the release of her debut, self-titled EP Ayra Starr. With the success of its lead single “Away”, Ayra transforms heartache into strength.

Synthesising multiple sounds by merging electric guitar riffs and subtle percussion, Starr showcases her ability as a vocal and songwriting force blending Afro-Pop, Afrobeats and R&B on her EP.

At the forefront of Nigeria’s next wave of artists, Ayra Starr has become the poster girl for Gen Z artists who are a product of globalisation, absorbing media and culture from multiple sources to create music that is wholly unique and speaks to an audience that are united by angst and emojis.

The latest music from Ayra Starr, along with the next generation of African superstars is available now on the Apple Music Africa Rising Playlist.

Apple Music’s Africa Rising, is an exclusive artist development programme and companion playlist geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent and introducing the next generation of African superstars.

Africa Rising cover star alumni to date have included: Omah Lay, Manu Worldstar, Tems and Amaarae. Africa Rising sees Apple Music select six artists every year who each receive a minimum of two months of editorial support across the Apple Music platform including a launch interview with Nadeska on Apple Music 1.

Nadeska has also launched a new weekly Africa Rising feature on her show highlighting the hottest new artists on the continent.

Africa Rising is the latest of many Apple Music initiatives aimed at taking African talent to the world. Now available in 33 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Apple Music 1 is home to Africa Now Radio with host Cuppy which has featured interviews with some of the continent’s hottest artists such as Davido, Nasty C, Tiwa Savage, Black Coffee, Omah Lay, Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Olamide, Cassper Nyovest, Patoranking, Rayvanny, Mayorkun, Adekunle Gold and Master KG. 

Apple Music also selected Nigerian Afropop star Rema as its Up Next artist in 2020, following the addition of Burna Boy to the roster in 2019 and Mr Eazi back in 2017. Up Next is Apple Music’s global emerging artist program.

For a limited time, new customers to Apple Music on iOS and Android in Nigeria and South Africa can enjoy all of this great content with 6 months of free Apple Music through the Shazam app. Returning customers get 3 months of free Apple Music.

Radio enthusiasts have one more day to try out for the NRGetic MVPs which is a campaign seeking to offer opportunities to the very best raw talent from the country.

Into its third edition- NRGetic MVPs talent search has since seen the making of some of the newest Radio sensations Stephanie Aurelia, Three Men Army, Ibu Ikenene, Sean Preezy, DJ Niche, DJ Brito, Charlie Karumi, Ayuma Kaguli amongst many others.

NRGetic MVPs, a talent search reality property owned and produced by NRG Radio was the first talent search for radio stars to hire very raw undiscovered talent. NRG has groomed so many young people made them stars in the industry.

NRGetic MVPs call for Presenters, DJs, Podcasters and content creators with a twist for special categories this year is on its final stretch with just one day to go. See www.nrg.radio/mvp .

Speaking to the press, the CEO and NRG Radio founder Kevin Mulei noted “We are very passionate about building platforms and raising young stars. We want to impact the young people, give them a voice and a place to freely express themselves.”

“We must pay it forward and NRG Radio is doing everything it can to    empower young people hence raising confident and courageous young leaders of tomorrow. If you are crazy enough to believe that you have what it takes to be anything you put your mind and are ready to take on the world - then NRG Radio welcomes you home,” he added.

 

Tanzanian singer Rajab Abdul Kahali aka Harmonizehas today signed the first female under his record label, Konde Gang.

Angela Tz becomes the sixth signee under the label after Ibra, Country Bwoy, Killy, Cheed and Harmonize.

This comes just weeks after the release of their collabo 'All Night'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8fmQfzrGgo

Present during the unveiling of Anjella were her parents and the management of Konde gang.

Popular comedian Eric Omondi was on Thursday arrested for producing and distributing unauthorised films of his controversial show “Wife Material.”

According to the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB)  Omondi was arrested for violating the provisions of the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya by producing and distributing unauthorised films dubbed "Wife Material."

"The Kenya Film Classification Board Compliance Officers in conjunction with Police Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have this afternoon arrested one Eric Omondi for violating the provisions of the Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 of the Laws of Kenya by producing and distributing unauthorized films dubbed "Wife Material"," reads a statement from KFCB C.E.O Dr Ezekiel Mutua.Th

The statement further stated that he will be arraigned in court tomorrow, Friday.

“The Board will take all possible legal means to curb production and exhibition of unauthorised films on any platform meant for public exhibition,” said Dr. Mutua.

In one of the scene that has since gone viral attracting mixed reactions, contestants from Tanzania lead by singer Gigy Money and Sumaiyah are seen throwing things around and fighting Kyler Jeycman who was seated next to him to an extent of forcing police officers and stewards who were providing security at the club to intervene.

The show has brought together contestants from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The Films and Stage Plays Act Cap 222 provides that:

  1. No person shall exhibit any film at an exhibition to which the public are admitted or distribute such film unless he is registered as an exhibitor or distributor by the Board and issued with a certificate.
  2. No film or class of film shall be distributed, exhibited, or broadcast, either publicly or privately, unless the Board has examined it and issued a certificate of approval in respect thereof.
  3.  (3) Any person who exhibits any film in contravention of the provisions of subsection (1) or subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Kenya's development partners to support public programs that directly benefit wananchi such as the 'Kazi Mtaani' youth employment initiative.

The President said 'Kazi Mtaani' had not only created gainful employment for thousands of youth but also helped develop their entrepreneurial and financial skills through training.

The Head of State spoke Wednesday during separate meetings with four heads of international organizations who paid him courtesy visits at State House, Nairobi.

President Kenyatta held meetings with Director General of UNON Zainabu Bangura, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Dr Stephen Jackson, World Bank Country Director for Kenya Keith Hansen and the UN Under-Secretary General for Operations Atul Khare.

Except for Mr Khare who is visiting the country as part of his working tour of the region, the rest of the President's visitors were recently posted to Kenya and were meeting the Head of State as part of their induction.

President Kenyatta welcomed the newly posted officials to Kenya and assured them of the Government's full support as they settle into their respective responsibilities.

In the meeting with Ms Bangura, the President said Kenya will continue to raise Africa's voice in global affairs and thanked the UN for the support the country continues to receive in various sectors.

He said the Government supports UNON's ambition to transform Kenya into the UN's regional logistics hub for development, humanitarian and emergency activities.

On her part, the new UNON boss thanked the President for Government's support in the construction of the Shs 846 million UN hospital in Nairobi, the first of its kind in the developing world.

She said the 150-bed capacity hospital has in recent months grown to become one of the busiest such facility in the UN system catering for patients from across the world.

The new UN Resident Coordinator Dr Stephen Jackson told the President that Kenya had distinguished itself as a progressive and open society in a "difficult region.

Dr Jackson, an Irish national who first came to Kenya in 1986 as a development worker, said his office will continue partnering with the Government in the implementation of projects that support the Big 4 Agenda and the President's legacy.

Mr Khare, who arrived in the country on Sunday evening from Khartoum, briefed the Head of State on the ongoing UN operations in the region including plans to reposition Kenya as his agency's regional logistics hub.

The President welcomed the UN's decision to set up the logistics hub in the country and said the Government will soon unveil a raft of incentives in support of the initiative.

The new World Bank County Director Keith Hansen congratulated President Kenyatta for Kenya's handling of Covid-19 saying the multilateral lender will support the country's post pandemic recovery efforts.

Mr Hansen said he was particularly impressed by how the country continues to support household incomes through cash transfer initiatives such as 'Kazi Mtaani' during the tough economic times occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He thanked the Government for implementing far reaching fiscal and structural reforms saying Kenya had become a regional model and a valued partner of the World Bank.

On his part, President Kenyatta challenged the new World Bank Country boss to focus beyond large infrastructure projects and invest more in community initiatives with the highest human impact.

Giving the example of how the Government through the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) is transforming the lives of city residents by constructing hospitals, sinking boreholes and opening up roads in informal settlements, the President said such projects benefit wananchi directly.

The President was accompanied in the meetings with his United Nations visitors by Foreign Affairs CS Amb Raychelle Omamo while Treasury CAS Nelson Gaichuhie and his PS Dr Julius Muhia joined the Head of State in the meeting with Mr Hansen.

Also present in the meeting between President Kenyatta and the new World Bank Country Director were Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua and State House Deputy Chief of Staff incharge of Strategy Mrs Ruth Kagia.