Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has pledged to name a street in Free Town Mombasa after iconic Bango music maestro Joseph Ngala famously known as Mzee Ngala.

According to Joho , the move is aimed at showing respect to Mzee Ngala.

Joho made the pledge after joining Mzee Ngala and his family at his home in Free Town for his 84th birthday celebrations.

The County Chief also promised to renovate Ngala's house.

"The founder of Bango music ,Mzee Ngala been an inspiration to many for decades. His songs entertained, educated and united millions both locally and internationally" posted Joho

Adding "I was privileged to share from his wisdom and experiences in life".

Ngala has nurtured several talents including Juma Tutu, Afro Simba and Gogo Simba.

Kenyan gospel artist Peterson Githinji, Pitson has undergone a successful operation to remove an abnormal tissue that had stuck in his vocal cord for the last three months making it hard for him to sing.

The award winning artist took to social media to update fans and Kenyans on the progress and also shared photos of the nodule.

Pitson Posted 

“This is the microscopic nodule that had stuck in my vocal cord for 3 months.
By the grace of God doctors were able to get it out.
Glory to God!
Special thanks to #nairobihospital
Dr.wahome (Operating doctor)
Dr. Gakuo (consulting Anesthesiologist)
Dr. Carol Mwai Doctor In charge of post hospital recovery.
Asanteni sana kwa maombi.
Hoping to sing again soon.#healing#godspeed”

In August this year the artist revealed that doctors advised him to stop singing for at least two months saying  he had been overworking his throat, causing damage to his vocal cords.

“I went to see a doctor after I was unable to sing and they said I am not going to sing for the next two months because my voice is damaged" said Pitson

A Kenyan based radio station is set to change its name for a week to celebrate Kenyan Marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, who successfullybroke the Marathon record after running 26.2 miles/42.19 KM in less than two hours in Vienna on Saturday.

NRG Radio, based in Nairobi which covers two thirds of Kenya, will change its name to Kipchoge Radio from Monday, in celebration of the world beating achievement of 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds in the INEOS Challenge held in the weekend.

"Kipchoge is such an inspiration to the young and old alike, not just in Kenya but Globally. We followed the challenge for a number of weeks from local preparation to the travel and we are immensely proud of Eliud for breaking the two-hour barrier in Vienna." NRG Radio Group Managing Director, Kevin Mulei said.

"As the number one youth radio station in Kenya, we are continuously challenging our young people to achieve their ultimate and there is no better time to remind them that no human is limited than now", he added.

The race which was watched by millions of people around the world inspired conversations locally and internationally with the trending #NoHumanisLimited.

"His win is such an encouragement to all those looking into achieving even the impossible. Impossible is nothing and anyone can through Courage, Boldness, Commitment and Consistency achieve anything they put their mind to," Kevin noted.

If you believe it, if you can see it, you can achieve it. NRG had no doubt that Eliud was going to break the record and as such prepared its new Kipchoge radio imaging ahead of time for all systems go in celebration of this milestone.

"The team is fired up to take on this new challenge which makes me very proud that we are in such times that NRG is able to be flexible enough to change the industry norm," he added.

Kipchoge Radio will broadcast on 97.1 in Nairobi, 96.3 in Mombassa, 93.5 in Nakuru, 94.8 in Kisumu and 98.4 in Eliud Kipchoge’s home town of Eldoret.

Akothee a.k.a Madam Boss has just dropped her latest song titled 'Rollam'.

The audio has been produced by Gospel On The beat, the video has been shot at the Weston Hotel and also features her manager Nelly Oaks.

Watch the video below.

Since the launch of Charter Incentives Program (CIP) in 2016 with Shs 1.2 billion package by the government, Kenya has recorded a growth of tourism numbers into the coastal region.

With the extension of CIP, more charter operators will resume flights into the destination for the winter season 2019/2020 (October 2019 to March 2020) with confirmations so far from Rainbow Tours (Poland) which was received yesterday.

Air Italy is also expected to resume flights to Mombasa as from 28^th October 2019 with other charter operators expected to share their flight manifest in due course    

Already in the winter season (October – March),there is a confirmation of resumption charters as follows; Blue Panorama from Italy weekly flights, Condor from Germany four times weekly, TUI Poland (Enter Air) from Poland, weekly flights, Neos charter from Italy three times weekly flights.

"As a result of joint marketing initiatives involving Destination Kenya, the partnering airline, and the tour operator or travel agents’ consortia, we hope to receive proposals for more charters to benefit from the incentive". said Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Dr Betty Radier.

Adding "It suffices to point out that the success of the charter incentive program has greatly helped re-position the Kenyan coast as a tourism hub. The support infrastructure such as roads, airports and airstrips within the region has complimented these milestones.

On his part Kenya Coast Toursim Association Chairman Victor Shitakha who was present at the Moi International Airport said this was a major boost to the industry.

The Travel Service Charter, received yesterday had 189 passengers on board and will be operating once a week till end of the year before increasing its frequency to twice a week from January to March next year.

The tourists’ arrivals from Poland have been on an upward trend with 15,163 visitors last year up from 11,947 in 2017 translating to a 26.9% growth.

International arrivals within the period (July –September), closed at 591,996, compared to same period last year which posted 587,385, indication a growth of 0.8%”.

During the period, arrivals through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) closed at 420,770 which is a growth of 4.8% compared to 401,533 in 2018/19.

 Moi International Airport Mombasa (MIAM) received 28,850 visitors, compared to 28,614 in 2018/19, representing a 1.1% growth. Cross-border arrivals closed at 127,862 which a decline of 13.4% compared to 147,576 in the same period in FY2018/19.

President Uhuru Kenyatta last evening said Ethiopia is a constant reminder of why Africans should preserve their culture and traditions, and guard the hard-earned sovereignty of African states.

He said Addis Ababa remains a historical icon and significant city on the African continent because of Ethiopia’s reputation as one of the countries that successfully resisted colonialism.

The President spoke when he joined other regional Heads of State and Government at the inauguration of the Unity Park, a museum inside the Ethiopian National Palace that documents the country's journey through generations.

President Kenyatta said a country that does not know its history will not understand its present and will find it hard to navigate through today’s complex world.

“Ethiopia is endowed with a rich and colourful history that makes it unique on the African continent.  As one of the few countries to resist and defeat efforts at colonialism, it serves as a constant reminder of the need to preserve our culture and sovereignty,” he  said. 

The Head of State said the preservation of African cultural heritage and historical assets will serve to restore the dignity, honour and wellbeing of the African people.

“Preserving and restoring African cultural heritage and the protection of our environment is a huge investment that we as leaders must continue to champion tirelessly,” President Kenyatta said.

He commended Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the political leadership of Ethiopia for efforts to entrench democracy and create unity in the country.

“I would like to commend you for the bold steps you have taken on political reform and gender inclusivity.

"Opening the Palace is an indication of your efforts to entrench democracy,” President Kenyatta told PM Ahmed adding that Kenya and Ethiopia continue to enjoy cordial relations as the two neighboring countries mark 55 years since they established bilateral relations.

PM Ahmed said he will continue with his rallying call of ‘medemer” (synergy) to end ethnic compartmentalisation of the country and create a stable, united nation. 

Other regional leaders who attended the inauguration ceremony  included President Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), President Mohamed Abdullahi (Somalia), President Salva Kiir (South Sudan) and Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

Several other countries including Djibouti were represented by Cabinet Ministers or special envoys at the event that was also addressed by Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.

The leaders praised Ethiopia for its economic transformation and for remaining a strong African nation.

The Unity Park which comprises the palaces of former rulers of the country among them Emperor Menelik II and Emperor Haile Selasie pays tribute to Ethiopia’s legacy as an unconquered country during the continent’s dark period of colonisation by European powers. 

Sections of the palace were renovated at the cost of five billion Birr (Shs 17.5 billion) to develop display pavilions  of cultural and historical assets of the country’s nine regional states to signify the reconciliation and unity efforts being championed by the Ethiopian government.

Ahead of the launch ceremony, regional leaders held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed followed by a tour of the the vast Unity Park situated inside the Palace.

The Palace hosts the Prime Minister's office and is the official seat of power of the Ethiopian state.

As part of the elaborate celebrations to mark the opening of the facility, the visiting Heads of State and Governments as well as invited guests were treated to an array of traditional performances including dances from across the country of more than 110 million people. 

Popular Mombasa club Noons club has been officially re-opened after being closed for some years.

The club located at the Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel former Nyali Beach Hotel was re-opened on Wednesday evening.

The club which was popular for soul music is locate at the hotel and has also been undergoing renovation for the last two months.

Unlike before, the club will now be playing all kind of music with different themes everyday.

Kenyan-Norwegian singer-songwriter-rapper Stella Mwangi's new song 'Ma Itu' has been on global gaming giants Ubisoft’s ‘Just Dance 2020’.

This is not the first time that the artist is being featured on global space, featured in blockbuster trailers such as 'Rough Night' and 'Bad Moms Christmas'. She has also been featured on 'Rosewood' and 'Being MaryJane'.

This is Stella's first song after being signed  with international music group,  Rockstar Group in June this year.

UAP Old Murtual has launched a new reality musical show dubbed 'Old Mutual Amazing Voices'.

The competition in which the ultimate winner will walk away with cash prize of $100,000 (Sh10 million) will see contestants from four African countries Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe square off against each other for the grand prize.

The historic talent search reality show will run for 13 weeks until April 5, with auditions in Mombasa and Nairobi. The Mombasa auditions took place on October 8th and 9th at the Reef Hotel  and attention now shifts to Nairobi.

Musician Sanaipei Tande and one of Kenya’s leading jazz vocalists Kavutha Mwanzia-Asiyo have been named the Kenyan selectors during the auditions.

The Selectors from each of the four countries will be tasked to unearth three groups from each genre after mass auditions to steer them through the elimination round before the winning group is chosen.

The show will be aired by DSTV and GOtv on Maisha Magic, Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East and Zambezi Magic channels with its official premier on the channels set for January 12, 2020.

"We believe that music is a universal language which is why it forms the basis of our businesses strategic sponsorship focus,” UAP Old Mutual Group Head of Marketing and Communications Carol Kipsanai said.

Adding " “Now, more than ever, we believe that the continent is ready for the unifying experience and amplification of talent we know Amazing Voices is going to deliver,”