A medical student from China has been admitted at the Coast general hospital over what is suspected to be the now famous coronavirus.

According to Mombasa County health chief officer Kahidija Shikely, the student arrived in Mombasa on January 30th from China through Nairobi

She is Currently isolated in a private room at Rehemtullah at Coast General. Blood samples sent to MOH Nairobi for analysis.

Below is teh full statement from Shikely

Our attention has been drawn to reports in social media to the effect that a Chinese National is admitted as coast General with Coronavirus. This is not the position.

Kenya is set to host the first ever of Indo – African cultural event dubbed the INDIRICA Festival in 9 days. The 3 day festival in partnership with Sarova Hotels and Resorts as the hospitality partner, will be held at the Carnivore Grounds from 7^th – 9^th February.

The cross-cultural event will feature renowned Artistes including Singers, Film Stars, Dancers, Fashion Icons, and other personalities from the entertainment sphere offering an array of activities for everyone to participate.

Apart from the electric performances and other fun activities, the festival will also feature an Indirica Exhibition offering trade interaction opportunities in a bid to further strengthen trade between the two regions.

Fans will also be treated to a cultural fusion of cuisines to be sampled through the 3 days for sampling and indulgence from vendors for the ultimate culinary experience. There will also be an Indirica Fashion Show to showcase the latest designs from the crème of the fashion world.

Captain Rahul Bali, Curator of the Indirica Festival highlighted that Indirica Festival would be a landmark event amalgamating cultures of the different nations with the underlying objective that Cultural Cooperation always leads to Commercial Cooperation.

Speaking on the event the Sarova Group of Hotels and Resorts Managing Director Jimi Kariuki said “We at Sarova are looking forward to showcasing the very best of both worlds as we have always been big on offering refreshing African hospitality and culture support.

Adding"Indirica will give attendees an opportunity to explore from both fronts and foster greater relationships with a better understanding of the cultures.”

Indirica Festival will be an annual affair held in Kenya and shall be instrumental in nurturing cultural relations as well as promoting Kenya as a preferred destination for both business and leisure.

Organised by Innovations India Advertising & Events Pvt. Ltd., under the patronage of the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Sports, Culture & Heritage, Ministry of Tourism & The High Commission of India in Kenya.

The Indirica Festival is a brain child of Captain Rahul Bali and is supported by organisations including KEPSA, KTB, KFCB, KNCCI and Industry Leaders like Sarova Hotels, Safari Trails, Carnivore, Adsite, Crown Paints LTD, Barclays, SGR, Mac Coffee, Radar, Fashion On the Road by Carole Kinoti and Sudha B Productions Limited among others

Universal Music Africa (UMA), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the signing of an exclusive recording agreement with award-winning Kenyan Afro-Pop collective Sauti Sol.

The Kenyan Afro-Pop band is comprised of vocalists Bien-Aimé Baraza, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi and guitarist, Polycarp Otieno.

The agreement will give the band access to UMG’s global network around the world and will allow greater opportunity for the band to reach new audiences globally, whilst continuing to satisfy and excite their dedicated fanbase with bold, creative campaigns that will engage a new generation of fans throughout Africa.

The band released their well-received debut studio album, ‘Mwanzo’ in 2008, followed by, ‘Sol Filosofia’ in 2011, which amassed multiple accolades in the form of awards and nominations.

The music video for the single ‘Coming Home’ earned them the Best Music Video award at the Kisima Music Awards, as well as, the Best Fusion Artist/Group of the Year award.

Their collaboration EP with South African rapper and producer, Spoek Mathambo was released in 2012.

The music video for the single ‘Range Rover’ was shot at an old Dutch ammunition factory in Zaandam, Netherlands, which has since become a cultural heritage site.

‘Live and Die in Afrika’, their 2015 third studio album was released for free download for 48 hours. This early Christmas present to their fans garnered 400,000 downloads in that period alone.

Having toured successfully across Africa, the US, Europe and Australia, the chart-topping band has received the recognition and respect of both their fans and the industry, taking home international awards including, BET Awards, an MTV EMA for Best African Act and MTV AFRICA Award for Best African Group.    

Last year the band opened their own record label; Sol Generation Records, with the sole mission of developing and introducing new iconic live African acts.

Founded on the ethos of discipline, order, passion and endurance (DOPE), it’s pitched to attract authentic songwriters and shape shifting musicians, who will pen soundtracks to peoples’ lives.

Sipho Dlamini, MD of UMG South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa enthused, "We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sauti Sol, one of the most innovative and creative groups to have broken through from Africa in recent years"

Adding "Universal Music Africa is dedicated to helping the best African music talent reach new audiences around the world and we are excited to welcome them to our global UMG family. We look forward to working together with them to ensure they are able to authentically celebrate Africa through music and to help introduce their unique blend Afro-pop to new listeners everywhere.”
 
 

Go Gaga EXP is calling for nominations of outstanding women in the community for the upcoming fourth edition of the Zuri Awards. 

The awards held annually seek to recognize and celebrate outstanding women at the community levels. This year’s theme is “An equal world is an enabled world” and is in line with this year’s theme for International Women Day.

The various categories up for nomination include - STEM, Public Service, Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Healthcare, Media, Renewable Energy, Finance, Humanitarian, Manufacturing, Innovation, Education, Young Achiever and Sports.

Nominations can be done via their website:  zuriawards.gogagaexp.com and will close on the 31st January 2020.

Selected nominees in the various categories will be involved in a series of awareness activities- photography and video sessions, public exhibition of their work, digital storytelling and to highlight their works and stories in the media.

“There are so many women impacting lives in the community but do not get any recognition because they are not big enough or known,” said Muthoni Mumo, Co-founder of Zuri Awards. “Zuri Awards encourages the unsung women in the community to share what they are doing to change their communities with the little they have.”

Since its inception three years ago, the awards have recognized and celebrated outstanding women in line with the International Women’s Day theme every year. Zuri Awards has experienced immense growth from 4 categories at the 1st inaugural edition to a total of 15 in the past 2 years.

The awards have led to a positive publicity of the nominees and honorees in their respective sphere of influence hence enhancing the expansion of their projects and their exceptional competencies.

Some of the honorees have made strides in their undertakings with three of past nominees and honorees being featured in the Ms. President reality show last year and winning awards- Buya Mukonzo - 2017 My Little Big Thing Winner, Fatuma Abdikadir Adan - HODI took a team to World Cup 2018 in Russia, Dr. Chao Mbogo – Founder of KamiLimu & 2018 Face of Science Kenya, Caroline Wanjiku of HELD Sister Foundation & Umulkheir Mohammed founder of Kesho Alliance - Ms. President Reality show.

Zuri Awards has attracted some of the most prolific individuals in the society in the previous years and is sponsored and curated by Go Gaga Experiential Ltd.  

Some of the past sponsors and partners include Barclays Bank of Kenya (ABSA), Safaricom, KCB, Brighter Monday, EABL – Baileys Brand, Royal Media Services as the official media partners and the Ministry of Public Service and Gender.

Kassa money is the manifesto for the hustle in the year 2020. 

2020 is a year of reaping and through the song the artistes want to encourage the go getters not to lose hope but to keep on fighting and work towards achieving their dreams.  

The message is that all dreams are valid, no matter where you are from! .The song is not only meant to inspire but prove that all things that we think of and work on are achievable.

The bottom line is that money is just energy; it always moves, so one should not get hung up about the present situation. 

Watch 'Kassa Money' on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/DXDmp2ywD8g

Fast-rising Kenyan female sensation The Only Rosa has dropped her new single “Popping”.

The audio was produced by Kaki, while the video was shot in London courtesy of Ballantines and directed  by Jordan Gomez.

Popping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_qVALGXkKI

“Popping” is a tribute to the discovery of her true passion in being a creative and the struggles experienced throughout her journey to becoming the artist she is now.

Since coming to the limelight few years ago, Rosa’s musical career has been on an upward trajectory that has seen her collaborate with local stars – Naiboi, Kidis and Steph Kapela. She has also shared the stage with International acts– Nasty C, Konshens, Burna Boy and a studio session with the award winning Mr. Eazi.

Inside: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctrYkrnDMNY

The Ballantine’s’ True Music winner 2019, took a one year break off music to focus on her studies in the UK,  and  is back with a bang and promises her fans more music this 2020.

“This year, I am focusing on creating musical experiences for both myself and my fans.” she noted.

The new single is available on ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS including Boomplay, Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon.

The Only Rosa continues to push creative boundaries, expanding her influence and impact beyond music. 

About Only Rosa

TheOnlyRosa aka Rosalie Akinyi is a Kenyan based singer/songwriter.

From an early age, she had an affinity for music and at 14, her passion for music led her to the guitar and drums. Five years later, the budding artist recorded her first song with the popular producer; Big Soul.

In 2013, her career took off as the opening act during Naija Night on a list that featured Burna Boy and other celebrated names in the industry. This soulful sound opened this thrilling chapter with Flag42.

She dropped her first hit single, ‘Niguse’ which topped download charts in the country and was featured in multiple international music blogs including those in the U.K and Nigeria. Her music is a sensual blend of Pop and RnB with a dash of dancehall. With a husky voice and looks to kill, the multi-talented artist has a unique act whose versatile sound flows seamlessly across genres.

In 2014, she released her first video for her highly anticipated single ’Chunyi’, followed by ‘Zungusha’, produced by Robert Kamanzi (RKay) in 2015. Rosa ruled the airwaves following her amazing rendition of Sauti Sol's "Nishike" in 2016 before releasing her debut 12-track album "Original Copy" which showcased her growth in vocal capability and style diversity.  

2018 saw her solidify her brand as the most sought after Urban-pop artist in Kenya after multiple celebrated performances and the release of ‘InSide’ featuring Naiboi and later “Ride”. The year marked her performances alongside Nasty-C at the Kaya event and then at the all-female concert, Colour Purple, and she later received a public request from Mr. Eazi for a studio session.

She says, "It's very exciting to be such a defined brand and to share that with fans.”

In 2019, she took a yearlong break from music to complete her masters degree and her return was marked by her performance alongside Konshens at the Hype Festival and the release of her Trap inspired collaboration, ‘Show Off’ featuring Steph Kapela which showcases her diversity and expresses the great sense of achievement she feels in her journey back to music.

During this period, she participated in Ballantines’ True Music competition which saw her emerge the winner in Kenya and was awarded a music video shot in London which is now the new release, ‘Popping’. The song is a tribute to the discovery of her true passion in being a creative and the struggles that accompanied her journey to becoming the artist she is now.

By Francis Ontomwa,

A good man has left us. Former judge of the Court of Appeal Justice (Rtd) Daniel Kennedy Sultan Aganyanya breathed his last on Friday, 17^th January, just a fortnight away from his 82^nd birthday.

To those who knew him, Justice Aganyanya was a man of few words, a kind soul, and a lover of humanity.

He spent half his adult life dispensing justice. Born from a poor background in a small village called Kisasi in Tiriki land, Aganyanya refused to let his physical challenges stop him from advancing to the highest levels of the Kenyan judiciary.

I first met the late Justice Aganyanya five years ago at his Cheptulu home in Vihiga, then as a rookie reporter, just from college. Local journalists had been invited to cover his book launch, ‘The Judicial Purge 2003 that never was’. And as you would expect it, at the launch, there was no fanfare, no hype, but a clique of journalists and a man ready to pour out his heart.

Indeed, today, I have lost memory of most of the things he said during that event, but not this one.

“The world would be a better place for all of us if only everyone said no to corruption" "Do not eat twice," he remarked. “Do not ask for something extra on top of what is legally yours."

And this is precisely what Justice Aganyanya explores at length in his 55-page book ‘The Judicial Purge 2003 that never was’. The chronicles of a man sacrificed on the very altar of fighting graft.

Even way before the formation of the Ringera commission that was tasked to clean Kenya’s judiciary, Justice Aganyanya had already gone public about the rot in the judiciary.

He wanted someone to crack the whip. And he knew how, he approached three different chief justices of his time to discuss how to end corruption within the judiciary, sadly as he recounts in the book, his efforts went west.

To his shocker, however, it would turn out that he had just backed up the wrong horse! Instead, he was branded a black sheep by the cartels who wanted him hounded out of the corridors of justice.

In one of the chapters in the book Aganyanya posits how he came to learn of his name in the Ringera list.

“I looked quite foolish when I came to learn that my name was on the list of corrupt judges through an announcement on the radio and televisions."

Justice Aganyanya, however, refused to go down without putting up a spirited fight. He knew he was innocent.

For almost a year, Justice Aganyanya religiously appeared before the tribunal, which was headed by retired Chief Justice Majid Cockar. 

The tribunal dismissed all the 11 charges filed against Justice Aganyanya. His accusations were found baseless, hearsays and rumors!

Unlike some of his colleagues who cringed and walked away from the harsh indictment by the Ringera report, Justice Aganyanya was determined to face the bull by its horns!

Today, he is no more, he has finished his race, but the fight is far from over! Corruption is still rife in our lives, not just in the judiciary but in all other arms of government. Deeply entrenched!

Such incredible lessons from Aganyanya’s trodden path in the judiciary.

He came out of the judicial service on 1^st February 2012 after attaining the mandatory age of 74.

He served in the Court of Appeal for four years, High court for over 20 years, and several years as a magistrate. He remained faithful to the course even when junior judges came and bypassed him in the hierarchy.

He spoke truth to power from his vantage point of knowledge and wisdom. He wanted a world that would allow every child to dream and achieve their ambitions. A world that would not despise the physically challenged but support them!

Throughout his tenure on the bench, Justice Aganyanya endeavored to help the less fortunate and to train those who cared to follow his footsteps.

His tormentors got it all wrong!

In the sands of our time, Justice Aganyanya has left an indelible mark! Let us not cry for him but instead let’s cry for ourselves, let’s shed tears every time it hits us that we have moved away from the ethos espoused by Justice Aganyanya! We must never allow the good jurist to turn in his grave! Fare thee well fighter! Adieu Justice Aganyanya!

The writer is a Broadcast Journalist at BBC Africa.