Two of world’s best stars: Best Reggae Group Morgan Heritage and Nigerian Dancehall King Patoranking have met in Nairobi, Kenya for the video shoot of Morgan Heritage’s first single of 2019 with Patoranking titled “Pay Attention”.

They have already shot the video at 2 Rivers Mall, will shoot over the weekend at Onyx then go straight to Maasai Mara for the last part of the video. They shoot is supported by Bonfire Adventures.

Kenyan rapper King Kaka has partnered with American Tracy Morgan in new song titled 'Royalty'

Watch the video below

Veteran Ugandan female singer Juliana Kanyomozi has just released her latest song dubbed 'Omukwano Ogwedda'.

The song  is off her new Bits&Pieces album.

Audio Written by Sylver Kyagulanyi and produced by Benon Mugumbya at Swangz Avenue. Video directed by Marvin Musoke at Swangz Avenue.

Watch the video below.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has weighed in on the ongoing debate between Kenyan artists and presenters over support for local music.

The debate was sparked few days ago by Nyashinski after he attacked Citizen radio and Mambo mseto presenter Willy Tuva over what he termed as promoting Tanzanian artists and neglecting Kenyan music.

Nyashinski's move has resulted into a heated between presenters and artists which is currently ongoing on social media with rapper Khaligraph Jones stating he is ready to sponspor some Kenyan presenters to Nigeria to find out if they enjoy a fan base in the country.

The debate has since attracted the attention of Mombasa governor Hassan Joho who has now come out to show his support for local Kenyans.

Joho a known close ally of Tanzanian artist Ally Kiba and a fan for local music and artists especially from Mombasa took to social media to share a photo posing with gospel artist willy Paul and captioned it “#PlayKeMusic cc @willy.paul.msafi @gatesmgenge@chris001ke @daddyowen @realshinski@thenaiboi @officialsusumila @jalangoo,” .

Renowned businessman and creative producer Elijah Girimani has offered to sponsor an upcoming and talented artist from the country.

According to Girimani who is also a song writer and talent scout , he has set aside kshs 1 million to help in audio production, video recording and marketing of a song from one of the upcoming talented artists whom he has given the members of the public that chance to propose to him the artist.

In an interview with Ommy Dallah, Girimani revealed that together with some like minded friends they will be launching an online platform that will help in finding the artist before end of this week.

He further lashed out at artists complaining that local radio presenters have not been supporting Kenyan by playing foreign music songs especially from Nigeria and Tanzania.

This has been a debate for the last few days with several artists including Nyashinski, Khaligraph Jones, Naiboi among others attacking the presenters and even making fun that they are ready to sponsor them for a trip to Nigeria to find out if they too have a fan base there.

"Lets stop complaining that our songs are not played on radios and tv , its not their fault, people want good music so lets concentrate on making good music" said Girimani.

Tanzanian songstress popular for the hit song 'Angejua', Dayna Nyange has a new song.

The new song is titled 'Jiba'.

Listen it below

Former National Youth Fund Chairman Bruce Odhiambo is dead.

According to reports Bruce who was also a music producer and played with the Mombasa based safari sound band and the Spartan was pronounced dead early this morning after he was admitted at the Nairobi Hospital Intensive care unit after his blood pressure hit extremely low levels.

He was also an actor and featured on the star studded controversial Kenyan movie 'Project Daddy'. He owned the Johari Cleff studio and has nurtured many talents especially in the music industry.

Odhiambo was appointed  Chairman of the Youth fund  in 2014 replacing Gor Semelang'o but later resigned after allegations of theft at the organisation.

Several celebrities and colleagues who were with him at the entertainment industry have so far come out to mourn him.

"Very sad about the passing of my friend Bruce Odhiambo. In the last three months, he remained strong even as his sick heart failed him. It was sad to watch him suffer. I will cherish the many moments we spent together. We have lost a good man and one of the most creative minds," posted Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

On her part Carol Radul of Radio Afriica posted "You were front and centre when we created@RadioJamboKenyain 2008. I'll remember you for your contribution to Kenya's music industry. Rest in peace Bruce Odhiambo"

Artist Prezzo described his death as a big blow to the industry noting "Just got the sad news and its hard to come to terms with your demise. You paved way and had everyone's back . Huge blow to the industry. Rest in paradise Bruce Odhiambo till we meet again".

Brown Mauzo has just released his latest song.

The song dubbed 'Kizunguzungu'  talks about the ups and down of love and the fear of letting go.

Watch the video below

PETE, a new Swahili soap opera, has launched on Maisha Magic East.

The show, which premieres today , Monday, 7^th January 2019 depicts hate, enmity and revenge that threatens to destroy a brotherhood bond, out of the desire to seek leadership and control.

There was uncertainty earlier if the launch would take place after the Kenya Film and Classification Board (KFCB) released a statement just hours to the launch stopping the event accusing the producers of violating the law governing creation, possession, exhibition, distribution and broadcast of any audio visual content in the country  , the launch however proceeded as planned after consultations  between the board and the team behind the film.

PETE will air every weekday Monday to Friday at 9.30pm on Maisha Magic East on both DStv channel 158 and GOtv channel 4.

To celebrate the launch of the new Swahili soap opera, Maisha Magic East organized a special screening of Pete’s first episode at the Jomo Kenyatta public beach(pirates) to give coastal region viewers a taste of what to expect when the show premieres on Maisha Magic East channel.

The special screening event also gave the audience an opportunity to meet and interact with the top-rated cast of the show, led by Mutran Tamim who plays Jasiri (the main protagonist) and Leon Ongaya, who plays Jasiri’s brother, Mbura (main antagonist). Other main cast members included Selestine Nyagha (Nuru) and Aisha Mwajumlah (Nimimi).

Speaking at the first-ever outdoor beach screening at the coast, GOtv Kenya General Manager Simon Kariithi reiterated the commitment by MultiChoice Kenya to offer memorable, quality and affordable entertainment.

He said, “We understand our customers changing demands and we are committed to offer them the kind of entertainment they want.  Furthermore, we strive to deliver value to our customers by making great entertainment more accessible by maintaining affordable subscription rates on both GOtv and DStv.”

Speaking at the same event, MNET Channel Director, East and Southern channels Timothy Okwaro reiterate Maisha Magic’s priority to deliver 100% local content to its consumers

“We are committed to the delivery of this promise to our subscribers by providing our customers with unique viewing experiences as the industry video entertainment leaders,” he said 

Kariithi added that Maisha Magic East provided a ready market for the growing entertainment industry and urged local producers to take the opportunity offered by Maisha Magic to invest in creation of more local shows that viewers across the East African region can enjoy.

Over the course of 2017 and 2018, Maisha Magic East has launched premium local content to the delight of its viewers.

Some of these include the award winning show Selina that won the Best TV Drama series award at Kalasha 2018 Awards, Maza – yet another Swahili soap opera produced in the coastal region, Sue na Johnnie amongst others.

PETE is a drama series that follows the fight by two brothers, Mbura (older brother) and Jasiri (younger brother), to attain the right to rule Funzi Island after the demise of their father Dalu.

At the centre of this fight is the leadership tool, the ring (pete). Also keen on getting their hands on the ring are the mermaids, who send their beautiful daughter, Safira, to fetch the ring that threatens to end the mermaid generation if they don’t claim it from the human race.

Pete is a Swahili word meaning a ring and in this case it denotes a circular or endless situation.

This ring plays out metaphorically as a beacon of ultimate competition, love and hatred.

The show is produced by Daudi Otieno, a cinematographer and with seven years’ experience.

Speaking about the production, Otieno said, “Pete is one of my biggest projects that I am so much passionate about. The story is close to me, especially having been raised at the Coast and experienced its rich culture which plays a major role in this telenovela drama series”.

Below are some photos from the launch

The following interview was conducted by veteran Coast based Journalist and PR practitioner George Sungu

Mr. Melvin Foote serves as an Advisor to the African Union’s Ambassador to Washington and as a Consultant to the World Bank on African Diaspora issues. He is a Pioneer in the field of African Affairs. He has over 35 years of experience and has worked in over 30 African countries. He is recognized as a leading expert on issues related to African policies and programs. He founded the Constituency for Africa (CFA) in 1990, in order to establish a network of organizations, groups and individuals committed to the progress and empowerment of Africa and African people worldwide. 

Below are excerpts of my interview with him regarding President Donald Trump’s recent New Africa Strategy. 

I started by seeking his views on what he made of the President Trumps's New Africa Strategy?

Melvin: I was privy to much of what was discussed in the strategy in advance, so I was not all that surprised.  The policy was actually going to be released a few weeks earlier, but the National Security Advisor, Ambassador John Bolton wanted to be the Administration Official who released it.  Having said that, there was nothing really shocking in the what the policy outlines.  Many of us who follow Africa, are at least pleased that a policy has been released.  Someone asked me afterwards, what was the Africa Policy of the previous administration — and I honestly can’t recall if there even was one!  They seemed to have made it up as they went along.  The Trump policy as outlined by Ambassador Bolton, was heavy on U.S. - Africa trade and on issues of security.  Clearly the bad guys from the perspective of the US Administration are China, Russia (to a lessor extent), and the United Nations.  China and Russia are seen as predatory in Africa, and the U.N. is viewed as inefficient and overly bureaucratic.  I was informed by the Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council on Friday, that what was missing in the roll-out of the strategy on Thursday is that the Trump Administration increasing support for PEPFAR, Power Africa and YALI, which were created in the Bush and Obama administrations! The Millenium Challenge Compact is also being expanded with new compacts issued recently with Ethiopia and Senegal!  The Trump[ Administration plans to expand the roll of the Trade and Development Agency, the USTR going forward.

The main point here is that there is nothing very radical about the new policy.  Whether is will go far enough to ensure that the United States is a player in Africa, along side of China, Russia and other partners, remains to be seen.  For sure the rise of China in the past twenty years, was not countered by the U.S., and now China enjoys favorite nation status amongst many African countries, regardless of issues of debt and sovereignty, which we all agree may come back to haunt the continent at some point.

Question:  As CFA President, are you happy with the New Strategy?

Melvin: From the perspective of CFA, I don’t think any Africa policy would be 100% satisfactory to us!  Nevertheless, the Administration has reached out to us, and I was among the very select group invited to the roll-out.  In January CFA will lead a cross-section delegation of stakeholders from the Diaspora, over to the White House to meet with senior officials on the new Africa policy.  The meeting will not be an endorsement at all, but moreover an opportunity to ask questions and to make suggestions and recommendations for strengthening the Policy and to focus on delivery.  CFA is a non-partisan organization which works with whoever is in the White House, to ensure that Africa gets a fair consideration in US relations with the continent.

Question: How does the Trump administration’s New Africa Strategy differ from that of former Presidents Barack Obama and George Bush?

Melvin: I don’t recall either the Bush Administration or the Obama Administration, as having a stated policy towards Africa!  I provided substantial input to both administrations, and both did some incredible work as it relates to Africa.  PEPFAR, MCC, Power Africa, YALI, and more.  However, it was not really couched in terms of the Africa Policy, moreover, "as good things to do".  I recall some of the discussions around the emergence of China back then, and clearly there was limited understanding about the depth and breath of China’s plan, and what it would mean for US engagement in 2019!

Question: What in your view has prompted this change of attitude considering President Trump's initial dismissive attitude which led the President recent derogatory reference to Africa as ' a collection of shithole countries'?

 Melvin: For sure President Trump was not ready for any policy engagement with Africa or anywhere else when he came to the White House in 2016.  His S…hole comments actually played to his racist base here in the U.S., who think that the rest of the world is taking from the U.S., and thus there is a lack of jobs and assistance for poor whites in this country.  None of the people who were around him in his first two years knew much about Africa or the world for that matter.  Issues of climate change,  migration, etc., were not to be addressed by this Administration.  It took almost 18 months before an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Ambassador Tibor Nagy), to be appointed.  Much more needs to be done, but I can honestly say that there are some good people, including Ambassador Nagy, Ambassador Mark Green of USAID, Cyril Sartor at NSC, and elsewhere now working to shape the US policy towards Africa.  We also have some strong leadership in the U.S. Congress with Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), taking over the House of Representative’s Africa Sub-Committee.

Question: Which US President, in your view has had a more favourable Africa strategy? 

I think George W. Bush was by far the most successful!  $15 billion for PEPFAR, $5 billion for MCC, good on AGOA, and more.  He also had the more highly qualified African-Americans working on Africa in his administration, than any other President.  General Colin Powell, Secretary of State, Condolezza Rice, National Security Advisor, Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield her Deputy, Ambassador Ruth Davis, the Africa Bureau Chief of Staff, Dr. Sarah Moten in charge of education programs, Ambassadors in Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Benin, Liberia, and other countries……  Hands down it is George W. Bush.  Ironically, he had a very limited background on Africa coming into the job, but turned it over to some highly qualified people to implement a strong Africa program.  There needs to be statues across Africa built in honor of President George W. Bush!

Question: Finally how can Africa, best exploit this New Strategy?

Melvin: This is perhaps the most important of all the questions!  

The United States has much to offer Africa.  It is by far the largest economy in the world; has access to the best technological advancements; and has an African Diaspora of about 50 million or more!  What is lacking in Africa’s efforts in the United States is a good working strategy!  Africans tend to approach the US as tiny individual states that were formed during the colonial period!  There is talk of a continental free trade area and market, but that will surely take a long time.  The Diaspora in the U.S. and globally, is fragmented and spend an inordinate amount of time promoting disunity among us.

I am very much encouraged about the young people coming up, especially those who participated in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).  I am pleased to say that I wrote the paper for President Obama providing the seeds for YALI, which has actually brought the best and the brightest from the continent to the US for training and capacity-building.  Most importantly those who participated in YALI also met counterparts from other countries and from other parts of the continent.  These young people are now moving up into all aspects of leadership in Africa.  The new Minister of Trade for Botswana is a YALI alumni!  I think these young people really do get it, and will have a transformational role in Africa going forward.

I also think we are now seeing the last vestiges of corrupt and inefficient leadership in Africa.  Social media is actually connecting people like never before on the continent and the deeds and misdeeds of useless African leaders (and I won’t name the countries here) are increasing becoming exposed to the masses.

Africa must also come to realize that they need to support organizations like the Constituency for Africa (CFA), that advocate for Africa in the United States.  There are many quarters in the U.S. that don’t want democracy to move forward in Africa; that don’t want to end corruption; that welcome wars; that welcome dictators to stay on; that don’t want Americans to have good knowledge about Africa and African issues!  Africa must come to see support for CFA and other support groups, in their own interest to marshall the needed support for the continent.  Many of us here are going to fight the good fight for Africa no matter what, or with whatever limited resources we might have!  However, “strategically", Africa needs to come to understand that it needs to have a good working strategy in the United States if progress is to be made.

Ends