Ommy Dallah
BenSoul Releases 'Lucy', First Song Off Sol Generation Records
The soulful Kenyan singer-songwriter Bensoul releases "LUCY" his debut single and music video produced by Sol Generation. LUCY is an authentic sound from one of Kenya’s best live acts.
The song is set to light up hearts across East Africa. Bensoul delivers a heartfelt serenade to his love interest, with mellow yet powerful vocals.
LUCY, as per Bensoul, was inspired by a series of true events. Ahead of the release, he says, “LUCY is very relatable to most young people as it tells the story of a young man who is unsure about his position in the relationship but won’t stop loving.”
The music video perfectly captures this and will leave fans and new admirers swooning over his infectious delivery.
The video was directed by KG Brian (Kenyan cinematographer) and executively produced by Sol Generation Records & Willis Austin Chimano of Sauti Sol. This release becomes his first project following his recent signing to Sol Generation Records - a music label founded by Africa’s Best Live Act, Sauti Sol.
An excited Bensoul says, “I feel like Sol Generation Records is where I need to be. It’s God’s grace that everything is working out because the label has my best musical interests planned out. They have a great plan for everything we intend to achieve,”
Video: Anti-Counterfeit Authority and Samsung Conduct Raid on Counterfeit Phones in Nairobi CBD
The Anti-Counterfeit Agency has raided Mobile phone retailers on Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi CBD and recovered counterfeit Samsung devices, estimated to cost nearly one million Kenya shillings.
The sting operation was targeted at small scale retailers selling counterfeit Samsung mobile phones, by misrepresenting inferior phones as Samsung devices, hence fleecing customers.
Speaking during the raid, Peter Mutula, a Brand Protection Expert for Samsung, stated that counterfeiting has evolved and from the point of manufacturing, importation, distribution and wholesale where the products bear a consistent brand name. It is a complex web of deception and only at the retail level are these products changed and branded with the Samsung information and offered to consumers as counterfeited products.
“It is only at the end of the supply chain which is the retail level when other brand names (often of inferior quality) are removed and counterfeit accessories such as back covers, battery wrappers and screen guards bearing the Samsung logo/sticker are put onto the devices. The gadgets are then sold as counterfeited Samsung mobile phones, fleecing purchasers and exposing them to health and safety risks”, added Mutula.
He stated that the operation was aimed at protecting the Samsung consumers by supporting the government’s ant-illicit war to create a win-win outcome not only for consumers but brand owners and the government. He further went on to reiterate that the trading of counterfeited goods affects the government as they lose billions of shilling in loss of taxes.
Last week the Anti-Counterfeit Agency under the auspices of the Multi-Agency Anti-Illicit Trade Outreach (MAAITO) destroyed illicit goods worth over Kshs. 10 Million at the Bamburi Cement Factory Incinerator in Mombasa. The illicit goods, including condemned rice and assorted counterfeit shoes, stationeries, beauty products and tonners were seized between 2017 and 2018.
“As a Ministry, we are committed to facilitating and not frustrating businesses and investors. We also care for the consumers by protecting them from the harmful effects of purchasing and using illicit goods, which are often of inferior quality and standards”, said Dr. Kiptoo during the destruction exercise.
State Department of Trade, PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo PS has said that unfair trade practices negatively impact on the country’s economy, Ease of Doing Business and the local manufacturing industry. These loses have also touched the public sector as illicit and counterfeited trade has enabled the evasion of payment of huge amounts of taxes with each passing financial year.
New Video: Iddi Singer - Kidonda
Iddi Singer has just dropped a new love song titled 'Kidonga'.
The song has been produced by Teknixx TK2HitMaker at KubwaStudios and video Directed by Ricky Bekko of BigDreamsFilms.
Watch the video below
Kenyan Rugby Player Dies After Drowning In A Swimming Pool
The Kenyan Rugby Fraternity is yet again mourning the death of one of its own, Richard Akoth alias Real Jadha.
Akoth who was Impala’s club fullback and a key player in both the fifteens and the sevens version of the game is said to have died after he drowned while swimming at the club's swimming pool today(Monday) morning.
He was also an Information Technology specialist.
His last game was on February 23 when Impala lost to Homeboyz 18-11 in the Eric Shirley Shield.
Another player who lost his life in a similar way was James Nyongesa alias Dibo who drowned n a swimming pool in Mombasa, he was playing for the JKUAT Cougars.
Video: Blinky Bill Features Veteran Journalist Mambo Mbotela In 'Mungu Halali'
Super talented Kenyan singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Blinky Bill has released “Mungu Halali”,new single and music video, off his highly rated self-produced 2018 international debut album Everyone is Winging it and Other Fly Tales.
The gospel themed “Mungu Halali” is the perfect soul lifter and a declaration of gratitude.
Blinky says, “If you’re going through a hard time or have been over the past, this is your song of encouragement. I felt like I wanted to do something like that.”
From the cool soulful fuse of groove, jazz and funk to marshaling Sage, Sara Mitaru, Wambura Mitaru and Lisa Oduor Noah—his friends in music and Kenya’s top power vocalists; this is Blinky at his best.
Speaking ahead of the release on how personal this is, Blinky says, “A lot of things in my life inspired “Mungu Halali”. Like the times when you feel you are not really going to make it and then somehow it happen that you pull through. It’s a song of thanksgiving. I have just seen the hand of the good Lord in my life even when I thought that I didn’t deserve that shot.”
He adds that the song was partly inspired by his mother. “She is the most prayerful person of our family and that reminds us to be thankful, grateful and spread the joy and be a light in this world everyday.”
With scenes switching between the streets to Blinky’s normal chill zone, always surrounded by vinyl records the music video captures the heart and soul of Nairobi’s diversityfrom religion, family, hustle to legend and more.
Leonard Mambo Mbotela, the legendary Kenyan media guru, of the ‘Je huu ni ungwana?’ popular old school show opens the video, with Mbithi and Dan Muli of Just A Band,Blinky’s former electronic and funk band, closing off in a nostalgic twist.
The video also features Blinky’s parents and an artsy lot of Nairobians like Patricia Kihoro, Lyra Aoko and Wanja Wohoro.
On producing “Mungu Halali”, Blinky describes his soulful collaborators as “Some of the best singers in Kenya,” adding, “I wanted to get the contrast between the song’s up tempo, my voice and their voices, and they came through.” The masterpiece follows the success of Blinky’s new album releases: “No Touch Am” featuring Nneka, “Don’t Worry” and “Showdown” featuring MVROE and Kiwango.
Having released his first international album and getting signed to French label, The Garden, 2018 was trailblazing for Blinky.
His successful streak also saw him tour USA and a couple of European culture spots like London, France and Germany, among others. He also headlined at Blanket & Wine Festival at 10 Years and his own concert “Blinky Bill Live 3”—which saw him officially launch Everyone is Winging it and Other Fly Tales to a Kenyan audience and Day 1 Blinky Fans.
Audio: Harmonize Releases New EP 'Afro Bongo'
Tanzanian Music star Harmonize has finally released his much awaited EP.
In the EP titled 'Afro Bongo' Harmonize has featured several artists from Tanzania and Nigeria including Diamond Platnumz, Yemi Alade, Burna Boy and Mr Eazi.
A release party is scheduled for this evening in Lagos Nigeria.
President Kenyatta Briefed On Preparations For Madaraka Day Celebrations
President Uhuru Kenyatta was today at State House Nairobi briefed by the National Celebrations Committee led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on the ongoing preparations for Madaraka Day celebrations.
At the meeting, attended by Kajiado County Governor Joseph Ole Lenku and his Narok counterpart Samuel Ole Tunai, the committee took the President through the ongoing construction works at the Kajiado County Stadium in readiness for the national fete.
The Committee expressed concerns that the Kajiado stadium construction works may not be completed within the remaining three months as earlier envisaged.
Consequently, President Kenyatta directed that this year's Madaraka Day Celebrations be held in Narok County.
By moving celebrations from Kajiado to neighbouring Narok, the Government seeks to ensure that the benefits arising from the hosting of the national event are retained within the same economic block in line with the established trend of hosting some national events in the Counties.
President Kenyatta further directed the Ministry of Sports and Heritage to allocate Shs 100 million to Kajiado County to ensure the on-going works at the stadium are complete to meet the required standards in readiness for hosting national celebrations in future.
Also present were the Principal Secretaries Karanja Kibichu (Interior and Coordination of National Government) and Kirimi Kaberia (Sports and Heritage) among others.
Akothee - The Queen Of Entertainment
No one has finessed the art of entertainment in modern day times like #MadamSumbuaTarrif! Akothee, she now has a new tag line #Calpolis.
Akothee has the brains of a Tzee entertainer and everyone(Entertainers) needs to take notes if they want to remain relevant in this age and era. She has understood the subtle art of entertainment and she is running with it.
This woman wakes up with calculated moves in her head and she strategizes on how she’ll get everyone talking!.
She calculatedly incorporated Diamond Platinumz and Flavour in her music and this propelled her to the next level both locally and internationally. If you’ve ever attended one of her shows then you know she’s a show stopper! She possesses the moves of an exotic dancer and this compensates her weak points!
Her moves and stunts has seen her become the meme-queen.
Her family of five is not a secret and everyone who follows her on her various social platforms knows that she has three different baby daddies and she owns her truth.
She has become a demigod to most baby mama’s and a source of criticism to her haters but this gunners her numbers and her huge following on social media has landed her several brand ambassador deals ranging from hotels, airlines and phone companies. Look at that!
Her newest ‘sauce’ of entertainment is her stunts at the now famous Malindi show.
The stunts, included spreading her legs and showing her butt, at one point, she threw her legs wide open, with two of her dancers holding each apart this caught the attention of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) CEO Dr Ezekiel Mutua who termed it as “filthy and stupids stunts she has to pull to remain relevant". Blogger Robert Alai also reacted to it terming her as a 'disgrace'.
The comments from the two and other online critics did not pull her down , contacted for a comment by a local daily an angry Akothee told the reporter "“Who is Ezekiel Mutua? Nonsense! Where is the media when I want to promote my music? You only look for me when negative publicity follows me. Nonsense!” before she hanging up the move
She has since received backing from Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris who said Mutua owes her an apology over the strong terms he used to describe her. Caroline Mutoko and Nation Journalist Choki Njegge have also come out in her defence.
“Her father and her mother were on stage, very proud of their little girl. That is entertainment, that’s her profession and business.” said Passaris.
Akothee’s entertainment is five star and extremely strategic. She doesn’t do things for the sake of doing them. She knows that entertainment is a business and she will do anything to remain relevant in the present day.
Oscars 2019: List Of Winners
The 2019 Academy Awards, Oscars went down last evening (Sunday) in Los Angeles.
Bohemian Rhapsody won the most trophies, four and Green Book took home the top prize of Best Picture.
Spike Lee won his first competitive Oscar for best adapted screenplay "BlacKkKlansman".
Below is the list of the winners
Best Picture:
“Green Book”
Director:
Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Actor:
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Actress:
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
Supporting Actor:
Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
Supporting Actress:
Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Original Screenplay:
“Green Book”
Adapted Screenplay:
“BlackKklansman”
Foreign Language Film:
“Roma”
Animated Feature:
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
Sound Editing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
Visual Effects:
“First Man”
Film Editing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
Animated Short:
“Bao”
Live Action Short:
“Skin”
Documentary Short:
“Period. End of Sentence.”
Original Score:
“Black Panther”
Original Song:
“Shallow” from “A Star Is Born”
Production Design:
“Black Panther”
Cinematography:
“Roma”
Costume Design:
“Black Panther”
Makeup and Hairstyling:
“Vice”
Documentary Feature:
“Free Solo”
Sound Mixing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
Cabinet Agrees On A Roadmap For Addressing The Maritime Border Dispute With Somalia
President Uhuru Kenyatta today chaired a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, which discussed and agreed on a roadmap for resolving the maritime border dispute with Somalia and measures for safeguarding Kenya’s territorial integrity.
The Cabinet resolution, which will be communicated later today by the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, will also safeguard Kenya’s marine resources including offshore oil and gas exploration acreage in the Indian Ocean.
The Cabinet also discussed and approved the Sectional Properties Bill 2018. The Bill simplifies the process of registering sectional properties and creates an enabling environment for investors and property owners.
The Sectional Properties Bill 2018, which vests reversionary interest on individual unit owners, also guarantees rights of property owners by conferring absolute rights to them.
The proposed law will enhance revenue collection since each unit will be assessed separately for purposes of payment of ground rent and rates.
The Bill also provides for the closure of the mother title or head lease to prevent mischief by property developers.
The formulation of the Sectional Properties Bill 2018 is informed by the fact that the current law is not responsive to emerging market needs such as the growing demand for affordable housing, mixed use and master-planned communities as well as efficient mortgage transactions.
The Cabinet discussed and approved the operationalization of the Kenya Commodities Exchange (KOMEX). The operationalization of the commodities exchange will address the constraints faced by both small holder farmers and consumers by providing an organized market through a single platform where buyers and sellers meet. It will ensure better farm gate prices for farmers.
Other benefits of KOMEX include providing access to proper storage and warehousing especially for primary producers, miners, and farmers during bumper harvests. It also provides for stability in product price and quality hence guaranteeing better profit margins and reduce risks associated with lending to the agricultural sector.
The Cabinet also discussed and approved the hosting of the 12th Commonwealth Women Affairs Ministers (WAMM) meeting by Kenya in September 2019. The event is expected to attract over 1000 participants from across the Commonwealth and globally including 53 Ministers in-charge of gender and/or women affairs and their delegations.
The WAMM meetings are held every three years since 1985 in regionally rotating venues to ensure equitable opportunities for hosting among Commonwealth countries. The meetings provide a platform for delegates to strategize on emerging issues, share experiences and lessons, and forge common positions on topical gender issues.
