Month: February 2013

The lads in the office claim that my title is uhm… fruity. I call no homo but you do have to admit that Huddah is fabulous. Anyway away from all that, i got my mitts on a before and after picture. back when Huddah was uhm… ratchet as Kone Sekou puts it. but i present to you…

Huddah!

With just 10 days to go before the general elections, Kenyans will be searching news concerning the same. Realizing this, Eziki TV’s web team launched an official elections site; www.electionkenya.co.ke which seeks to bring to one place all Kenyan Election news updates as covered by various media Houses.

Eziki’s mission is to help you find and enjoy the best of Africa’s premium content when, where and how you want it; and that’s what the site will be doing. Instead of moving from one newspaper to the other, the portal converges the different papers together, though there is always a link to the source station.

Together with the portal, Eziki also followed it up with a Twitter account; @Elections4Kenya which will be giving live feed on election news.

Ladies and gentlemen, i’m proud to announce that Eric Wainaina and Suzzanna Owiyo have been appointed Goodwill ambassadors by UNEP! And all this comes after one blogger, Robert Alai took shots at Eric Wainaina… Revenge is indeed a dish best served at the table of your success! It would seem Eric got the last laugh afterall.

And here’s the press release sent by UNEP to confirm the same:

UNEP Appoints Singing Sensations Eric Wainaina and Suzanna Owiyo as Kenyan Goodwill Ambassadors

NAIROBI, Kenya, February 21, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – Two of Kenya’s biggest singing stars, Eric Wainaina and Suzanna Owiyo, today pledged to use their music and high profiles to ignite positive environmental action as they were designated National Goodwill Ambassadors for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

The inspirational figures have a long history of activism in Kenya, between them tackling issues such as drugs, peace, youth education and women’s rights.

Mr. Wainaina, whose 2001 debut album Sawa Sawa thrust him onto the Kenyan and international stage, will use his influence with children and youth to generate support and publicity for UNEP’s messages and goals.

Ms. Owiyo, whose career has blossomed since winning the ‘Most Promising Female Artist’ category in Kenya’s 2003 Kisima Music Awards, will build on her track record in engaging women in social issues to bring home the environmental message.

“There is no more powerful medium than music for reaching out to all levels of society, and I am honoured to be in a position to use my songs to spark wider environmental activism in East Africa,” said Mr. Wainaina.

The acclaimed singers will support a host of UNEP initiatives, including World Environment Day, UNEP’s campaign to reduce food waste – known as Think.Eat.Save. Reduce Your Foodprint – and efforts to lower the demand for illegal wildlife products that is driving a spike in elephant and rhino poaching in East Africa.

They will focus largely on issues that are of particular or critical relevance to Kenya and the wider region, and will take part in awareness-raising campaigns and communication and education initiatives.

Both singers have also agreed to write a song to mark the milestone of a strengthened and upgraded UNEP. The UN General Assembly in December passed a resolution, raised at the request of world leaders at Rio+20, to give UNEP universal membership and work towards increased resources.

UNEP’s Governing Council is meeting for the first time in Nairobi this week under the expanded membership to define the way forward.

“This is an exciting time to get involved with UNEP as it looks forward to a stronger future at the heart of the environment,” said Ms. Owiyo. “Musicians have a responsibility to inform and inspire, as well as entertain, and I intend to use my role as Goodwill Ambassador to bring home the need for environmental action to my fans.”

Mr. Wainaina and Ms. Owiyo have also penned songs to celebrate UNEP’s new upgraded status, which now allows all UN member states also to be members of UNEP’s governing council. Mr. Wainaina’s track is entitled Hello Moon, while Ms. Owiyo has written a song called Be Counted.

“Now that UNEP has been strengthened, Nairobi is in many ways the environmental capital of world, so we must do everything within our power to boost the already strong culture of environmental awareness in Kenya and outside its borders,” said Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson and Director of Communications. “These respected and socially conscious artists will be pivotal in achieving this goal, and we are privileged to add them to our roster of Goodwill Ambassadors.”

About Suzanna Owiyo

Born in Kasaye village, Nyakach, near Kisumu, Suzanna Owiyo was introduced to music at a tender age and studied at the Kenya Conservatoire of Music in Nairobi. She released her first album in 2002, leading to victory in the Kisima Music Awards in 2003. She has performed across the globe alongside the likes of Youssou N’dour from Senegal, and in 2004 appeared at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway. She is a relentless campaigner and has backed campaigns on anti-corruption, women’s rights and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Citizen TV’s premier political satire show, Truth Meter, has grown in leaps and bounds in just three years. So popular is Truth Meter that it’s giving NTV’s a run for its cash. But just how was it born?

Speaking to CareerPoint recently, Willis Raburu, the brains behind Truth Meter, explains that after who were known as “the Ocampo six” went to Hague for the first time, they had a major rally at Uhuru park and he did a story on “The Lies at Uhuru Park.” His boss and Royal Media Services’ MD, Wachira Waruru, suggested that the piece could be done weekly and that marked the beginning of Truth Meter.

Inspired and motivated by the Editorial Director in planning and executing the idea, Willis was later allowed to be creative and this made him include music and animation in the political stories to bring out the satire.

Asked how he manages to get ideas for the weekly show, Willis attributes it all to teamwork. Although he has his own ideas, he incorporates those of his colleagues at work to make the show what it is.

Maureen Koech is a very fly and multi-talented Kenyan Star on the rise. She began her acting career doing stage performances at the Alliance Francais.

Aside from featuring in a number of productions she currently stars as Patricia in Lies that Bind, a Kenyan TV drama series that won the award for best TV series at the 2012 Kalasha film and television awards.
Maureen Koech has also been nominated for the Africa magic viewers choice awards 2013 in the category of best supporting actress.
Maureen is up against some other African actresses including some from Nigeria. Maureen Koech MUST win and winning is dependent on you.
VOTE FOR MAUREEN KOECH BY GOING TO www.africamagic.tv
vote by SMS by sending 6E to +278 392 08406.

After writing a hilarious letter to his boss requesting to use his office for a party, Larry Asego went on to hold a meeting to address his mischievous neighbours and we thought that was the end of it. However, it’s now apparent that the neighbours developed a new oddity especially after Valentine’s Day and the Presidential debate, and being a good neighbor he is, Larry called for a meeting to resolve these issues.

Take a look at the minutes from the meeting;

Pulot 16 Kamitii Meating
Agenda One – Post Valentine Syndrome
Agenda Two – Mama Kanyonyo’s speaker
Agenda Thirii –

Dear Pulot members, it was discussed that the post valentine analysis must resolve to find Mr. Kanja of house number 12 a woman by next year. This business of sitting outside your house at night calling out majirani’s names asking if they are having fun is unaccewhat…unacceptable. How do you mess up concentration because you have no what…no one. Ati, baba Boi nasikia unafurahia Valentine hapo then you laugh like a goat. Otafukuswa from this puwhat…pulot. Still on valentine matters, please that new girl house number 17, toa maua kwa dirisa. Valentine finised daaaays awhat, ago. Those things are so dry onaleta umbu ya what, ya mosquitwhat, mosquito. Na nani ojui wewe olinunua maua yourself, okajitumia via Omondi the watchman. We know these things, hata sisi olifanya hiyo. Members laughed at the new girl on house number 17.

In the course of the meating, it came to our attenson that Mama Kanyonyo’s supeakers are causing noise. We know you got a new woofer ya jerrican ya 20litres omeweka supeaker ndani, but please, reduce the volume of your radio. But we have to congratulate Mr. Kanyonyo, finally olinunua wallet ya mama, kwa hivo pesa is no longer stored in the bossom account. Members clapped for Mr. Kanyonyo.

Agenda thirii was on matters debate. Please, during presidential debate, all pulot members to be indoors by 7pm latest. Okikuja after debate omeansa you will not only disturb Omondi the watchman who also wants to watch the debate, but you will also disturb aerial ya Bwana Hamisi house number 1 and you all know house number 2,3,4,5 and 6 depend on that aerial. So avoid knocking gate na ngufu, itasumbua what? Aerial. Members shook their heads in agreement.
There was AOB – An embarassal to all pulot members was that young man who just moved into house number 21. Please young man, just because your house if farthest from the toilet, omaanisi you can just pee at the door. Kwani dunia ndio urinal yako? Maybe you don’t know but some of us walk muguu bure without slippers osiku and we can’t go back kwa baranget with your liquid on our feet. Tumia choo ama otakatwa pap.

Members sharpened their knives in agreewhat…agreement.

The meating was adwhat…adjourned.

Chairman of Hamisi Aerial Katimii
Act before you are acted upon.

There is so much drama that seems to have clouded the wonderful things that Goldie did when alive. However, that has not stopped some of her friends, fellow artists and fans from paying their tribute to the fallen songstress.

Moments ago, leading entertainer in Nigeria, Wale Applause, wrote a deep message as a tribute to Goldie. Take a look;

You defined hustle, stood so firm for what you believed in, your own
number one fan, ever faithful to the game. So strong, so bold,
enterprising, unique, hardworking, energetic, you were real, you were
GOLDIE.
A very rare gem. Although not loved by many during your life time, yet
we almost all feel the pain of your loss, goes to show how much of an
impact you made on us all. You would honour any invite, you were
friendly and kind in your own little way, for a long time you will
linger on in our minds all the way.
It took me a while to finally put pen to paper, because the news of
your death still worries my soul.
It hurt so deep on that gloomy evening of St. Valentine’s Day when the
news went viral that you have gone to the world beyond. Your faithfuls
argued the Rumour, thought it was another craft of the wicked, even
your manager could not believe his ears, he argued with death, but
after a while it dawned on us all that who are we to question God.
That evening when love was in the air, you took that all away, left
tears in our eyes, worries in our hearts, how we wished we could bring
you back, turn back the hands of time.
For the first time ever, I was moved by death. The thought of the
death of a young hardworking and enterprising lady who just saw the
glamorous Grammy awards days back clouded my hearts. Only if money
could bring you back, I can’t estimate how wealthy death would be
right now, or only if tears could return you in peace, death will be
all soaked up, yet again the question who are we to question God?
You made your mark, left your writing in the sand of time. You indeed
left a vacuum. Who will now say your name, or how do you expect us to
Skibobo without you? I guess you should have thought about all of
these before leaving for the great beyond. The sight of your music
videos used to bring me joy, now it brings back sad memories of how
you have indeed left us all alone.
Who would have thought that I’ll be writing this about you anytime
now, an unfair music review would have been better.
Now it hurts so deep that you are gone. You should have given us a
notice. You have left a hole in my heart, our own Lady gaga. You
always did not want us to touch your body, now indeed we can’t.
To everyone who condoled, God sees the genuinty and in genuinety of our hearts.
Just in case you get to read this, GOLDIE, I would want you to know
you did the unfair. Just about time we were beginning to enjoy you
again, you turned off the light. So sad! But yet again, who are we to
question God?
The populace questioned your cause of death, the doctors examined your
body to know, but to what end? Will that bring you back? Definitely
not! GOLDIE rest on in the bosom of our Lord. Till we all meet to part
no more.

As the election approaches and politics get into the entertainment realm, a new game about stealing elections is out.

In the game, the player controls Omu, the ordinary citizen, to track down and catch the Election Thief. Jump from platform to platform in pursuit of the fleeing bad guy who has stolen the votes during an election. The objective is to catch the election thief. Check out a game based on the matatus here.

According to the makers’ description, it features:

– Colorful environments that you’ll never get tired of seeing.
– 75 levels grouped into 15 chapters, each with various rewards on their completion.
– Powerful opponents hired by the evil Election Thief to thwart your efforts of chasing him down.
– Challenging levels with puzzles to excite your brain.
– Dodge machetes, spears and boulders hurled at you by the mean Election Thief’s hired goons in this action-packed game.
– Get relief from the Bonus round…if you are lucky enough.
– Compelling story with a dramatic conclusion.
– Simple and easy to understand game play.
– Ever rising level of challenge as you progress through the 75 levels.
– Measure your skill and your luck.
– Practice your skill in Practice mode to increase your chances of
seeing the end of the story.
– Brag to your friends how awesome you are through Facebook and
Twitter from the game by posting your high-scores.
– Share with the world various messages of peace spoken by our hero Omu!
– Solve puzzles to keep track of the culprit.

The Election Thief soundtrack is by Slumdawg, an artiste from Kibera who lost both his parents during the post-election violence. Check out the song here. You can play a Web-based demo version here. The android version of the game is out on the Google Play store for free. Check it out here.

If you are an aspiring musician, this is for you! Just got word from HomeBoyz own Alph Rabar that they have finally set up a video production company.

This he claims is in line with the company‘s vision to support upcoming artists and while i don’t know much about that, i do know that i’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll accomplish given that their musical offering are usually above par.

Did i just say above par? Nay! Their musical offerings are awesome! I for one am stoked to see them channel; the same attitude thatv espouses excellence get put into video production. but why wait when you can watch the first video they’ve made here?

that’s right, i have the 1st video they’ve ever done and even i haven’t watched it so it will be a first for both you and i. The video is for a track called “Tuko Rada“, a peace song  featuring Versatile, Stereo Type, Rickky, Angie, Ninnah, Carrie, Seth, Sinzki and Kiproh. Oh le do it!

{youtube}NcRtESH_1wI{/youtube}

After the mainstream media organized the first ever presidential debate, the mainstream church leaders, Christian media and the National broadcaster in conjunction with Daystar University immediately followed it up with the first deputy presidential debate and their presidential debate yesterday.

In the same breath, the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) organized a similar debate earlier today at the Laico Regency Hotel and invited all the presidential aspirants to outline their plans to create jobs and grow the economy if elected on March 4. However, CORD’s flag bearer, Raila Odinga, sent his apologies and as a substitute sent his running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka to represent him.

However, the Narc Kenya presidential candidate Martha Karua protested the presence of Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka in the presidential debate criticizing the move to invite Kalonzo to the debate and even walked out in what appeared as a protest as the VP rose to the podium to speak.

The Narc Kenya leader’s face appeared irritated immediately Kalonzo arrived and was seen asking the VP not to take a chair among the presidential candidates and instead sit in the audience. Karua even pointed at the audience where her running mate Augustine Lotodo was seated as a way of directing Kalonzo to take a seat there. Nevertheless, the VP proceeded to take the seat reserved for CORD.

She then demanded that Lotodo also sit next to the VP, to which her number two rose from the audience and joined the front table. And it didn’t end there; as Karua made her uneasy conduct known when she rose to speak choosing to start her introductory remarks by expressing disappointment with the organizers.

“When you invite a presidential candidate it should only be presidential candidates and not running mates. If you want to hold a session for running mates, you can do so as a matter of equity and courtesy,” she said adding; “that’s why I have asked my running mate to sit next to the CORD running mate. No offence.”

However, moderators of the forum defended the decision to allow the VP address the forum saying they took cognizance of the powers for a president to delegate to his running mate saying Kalonzo’s presence was legitimate.

After delivering her speech, the former Gichugu MP sat through as her other rivals Paul Muite, James ole Kiyiapi and Mohamed Abduba Dida spoke but immediately and walked out as soon as Kalonzo was invited to address the forum.

She walked straight to the hotel lobby with Lotodo and her security in tow and later refused to comment when the Standard journalist sought to interview her about the incident.

[Standard Digital]

Oh my God! You wouldn’t believe half of the messages we receive from Ghafla’s telephone line even if we shared all of them with you.

Yes, we spend most of our time on the articles that keep you informed, but it is entertaining text messages like these, and at times weird calls, that get us laughing through out the day here in the office (apart from some that make us want to re-locate our offices – like the one on the number one spot).

Here are just five of the most hilarious, weird and a little bit scary text messages that people send us.

5. “Hi! Is this Mike Sonko?”

4. “Hi Gloria Muliro! I am one of your fans. I want to know more about your song, ‘Follow You’.”

Dear reader, Ghafla writers post the articles, not the concerned artiste himself/herself.

3. “Hey Ghafla! Please send me the President’s number. We have to talk.”

Seriously?

2. “Could you guys please assist me on how to join the illuminati?”

This is just how low and desperate some traction-less artistes get in their quest for fame and money. For the last time, WE CAN’T/WON’T HOOK YOU UP WITH THE ILLUMINATTI.

1. “Hi! Are you gay? Please hook me up. I’m interested.”
After freaking out, we replied, “no!”
This is what they sent next,
“I don’t take no for an answer.”

Since that day (18th of January 2013, 3:28PM), we have never felt safe again. Not even in our offices.