We all love a good love story and Willi’s Raburu’s relationship with top citizen TV reporter Sally Mbilu is what fairytales are made of. Beauty and the Hulk.
The tall reporter and anchor recently took his beloved to the fastest growing city in the world, Dubai. It is also the home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, and is home to one of the most exquisite hotels, the Burj-Al-arab.
This is what the happy couple was up to in Dubai
As you are all aware Willy Paul was discovered by J Blessing and he has helped Willy Paul achieve his megastar status. But as we all know, even the best of friends fall out. Late last year, Willy Paul and J.Blessing had a fall out and the rumor mills were on over drive and word was that J.Blessing had tried sabotaging Willy Paul’s career.
Pulse magazine reported that Willy Paul’s mother had had enough of J Blessings attempt to ruin her son’s career and was pleading with the producer to leave Willy alone adding that “I appreciate what he has done for my son but I am helpless when I hear what he is trying to do to halt Willy’s career. I have an orphan at home. We eat what Willy gets and he gets that through music. If his music doesn’t get played then what will the orphan and I eat?”
We called up Willy Paul to comment on the matter. This is what he said “J.Blessing and I had a fall out and we parted ways, this was my biggest mistake but we met up and talked it through. We are in good terms now”. When queried about what his mother had said she said that it was all a big misunderstanding.
There you have it ladies and gents, Willy and J.Blessing are back together and you should look forward to more great hits from them
The New Year is upon us already, we are all thinking about the 2014 resolutions we ought to be making or already have made (but never keep), to better our lives and allow for a more harmonious year. These declarations usually include spending money more wisely, treating people in a thoughtful way, losing weight and being more productive.
If you haven’t already given up on your New Year’s resolutions, good for you! Because I hope that these celebrities, such as Octopizzo, Jaguar and Eric Omondi are able to stick to theirs. Take a look;
Elani
To be able to stand in East Africa and have a voice. To keep our deadlines and not be tardy. To rebuke the devil of postponing. To be better musicians and better people.
Eric Omondi
My resolution is the same one, kunona. It’s been for four years running.
Gerald Langiri
2014 will be bigger and better both personally and professionally. However, I am not the kind of guy who places value on New Year’s resolutions. I set goals and work towards them. It’s not like I have a concrete reason behind it, my argument is, just how many people do you know that annually make resolutions yet never meet them? There are tonnes. I choose to live by making decisions every single day. I do not wait for the year to end in order to make them.
Linda Nyangweso
Hmmm…I don’t really believe in them as much as I used to. However, in the New Year, I am looking forward to enjoying the small things. The things that people do for me and the moments we share.
Obinna Ike Igwe
Obinna is going international. I am dumping all those people who send me funny messages and images on WhatsApp. My WhatsApp actually says, ‘if it’s not business, don’t WhatsApp me’. And I mean it. I am also shedding off all those ladies who hang around me for no business. The only ones I am excluding from this list is my mom and my girlfriend.
Miss Mandi
2014 for me represents three things: growth, happiness and love. Those are all the resolutions I’m going to need—more of each.
Shaffie Weru
Resolutions are redundant. I do not make them. Everyday I wake up is a new beginning. When you are focused you quit such traditions if I may call them that as you never know when your clock is going to run out. This way, you get to live your life in the now, in the moments, not counting the days till it’s an year ender and that’s when you’re like…what to do this year? None of that.
J Blessing
2014 will be huge. It will also be very different. My first resolution well in light of this, I’ve already broken it. It was to not be featured in any media, no interview, no nothing. Simply because I want my work to be the focus. J Blessing gets all the spotlight and this year, I want that to change that. I want him to take a step back and let my projects be what steals the show.
Nice Githinji
This year, I vow to be more tolerant of people and more patient with myself.
Mtumishi
Eeeh, mipango ni nyingi. Kuna ile project yetu na Mtumishi ya K24. We are hoping to finalise that. There are also other projects we are intersted in pursuing. I have also opened a security firm branded Mtumishi Security Services. Ukiwa na kashida, pigia mimi simu.
Adelle
Travel to Watamu and Senegal. Then fall in love with myself over again every day.
Jalango
To me, the sky is the limit. I want to go back to the court and play BBall. And by the way, I am one of the best basketball players in town. I am also planning to get married. Professionally, I will take my company to the next level. I also want to put up my own show. I am calling it my last shot. This will make my stand in comedy. Spiritually, tulikosana na pastor, lakini sikukosana na Mungu. I am a friend of God.
Scott the Violinist
I’m not a guy for New Year’s resolutions. I’m an all year planner. I do what feels right, and set goals as I go along.
Jaguar
Top on my list was releasing my new video. I did that yesterday so world zero, Jaguar, one. It feels pretty good to have my first resolution down. 2014 to me will be the year I will change people’s lives. I want to impact more change than I did in 2013. This year, my greatest vision is to be seen as a role model.
Joy Kendi
My very top resolution is to lose 10 pounds. I plan to cut out sugars or at least reduce how much sugar I take. I will work towards growing my blog and career. Volunteer more, get my organising gear in check, spend more time with the family, and make more newyear’s resolutions. Oh and, become a romantic. I know I’m the girl and blah blah blah…but seriously, I am not a naturally romantic person. That needs to change.
JB
It’s not resolutions, it’s resolution. I will be me and let others catch up, or better yet, I will let anyone who is not in my script follow.
Octopizzo
Sijamake bado. New Year yangu itaanza tarehe nane. By then, nitajua.
Abraham Bamboo
I don’t have any resolutions. What I can say is that 2014 will be bigger and better. Everything; more business, contracts, good things coming. I will also be sure not to repeat the mistakes I made last year.
Teacher Wanjiku
Diooo…mimi nitaeda njym (gym).
Anto Neo-Soul
I don’t do things like resolutions. However, I think I’ll start doing yoga. I’ll also make it a point to travel more. Last year, I didn’t get to travel as much as I would have liked. I’ll learn how to dance, professionally and not just for fun. I will also learn Capoeira. It’s a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music.
Rabbit
This year will be about doing things differently. I want to rebrand. Aside form that, I want to give back to society. If possible, I want to rid of lack. Thus everyday, I will do what I can to make someone else’s life a little better from what it was.
4 days ago, my colleague, Jeff Omondi came up with a story about Pendo and Jaguar working together on the latter’s video. I finally have pictures of the event and what i am wondering is why Jaguar is now in prison. Check out the seemingly innocuous photos below:
A range of critical errors in event organisation ruin what should have been an amazing event. Late last year, Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer and composer, Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, better known as Koffi Olomide, was set to perform in the country after years of truancy. However, the concert organized by AdrenaLIVE never saw the light of day (or is it night?).
And just like that, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the history of Lingala/Rhumba concerts in Kenya was never to be leaving thousands of fans disappointed, especially after the hype that had been pumped into the show. So much so that Boombaataa Festival (featuring Ice Prince and Davido) tickets hinted about the concert. With that, AdrenaLIVE, definitely had some questions to answer, since
So where exactly did it go wrong? Ghafla! exclusively spoke to Adrenalive representatives, who said that they were NOT the ones organising the event, they were only doing logistics and advertising. According to them, they had been contracted by a foreign event organising firm to arrange for his arrival, but the terms of the deal were way too stringent.
It should also be noted that Koffi Olomide has been having some personal issues of late. He has been facing assault charges especially after he allegedly assaulted a photojournalist in Zambia by kicking him in the face as he tried to take photographs of the musician after a live performance at Pamodzi hotel.
At around the same time when the concert was supposed to take place, international media outlets reported that Koffi had also fallen out bitterly with most of his former band members. Suzuki Luzubu claims that Koffi has a strange attitude towards his ex-musicians, “He sings everyday about love but does not love his former musicians and keep talking bad about them,” he laments.
Suzuki is not the only former QL (Quartier Latin) member who has spoken ill of Koffi, it’s not very long since Sam Tshintu showed his disgust for Koffi on live TV. Allegedly Koffi was saying no one has the right to sing Quartier Latin songs at their concerts apart from ”his best singer so far, Cindy” so that really upset all his former musicians. Sam Tshintu and many others said Koffi seems to forget easily who helped him to get to where he is, who toured with him most since he’s only toured with Cindy and released an album with her recently.
These among other woes that the organizer referred to contributed to the botched concert.
Right on cue, KOT went in on the emerging news that Brenda Wairimu is now a free agent and right when the transfer window has been opened! the lads on Twitter went in H.A.M attempting to lure Brenda in to sign on for their team with witty displays -afterall, did Marilyn Monroe not say that if you can make a lass laugh you can make her do anything?
And I have collected an array of the funniest tweets and memes that were created. Check them out below:
GhaflaKenya: Brenda Wairimu is single Alai: pic.twitter.com/oAX9y3J9Gp
Kibz @donhangani
Tanye West @msmuthoniachoch
We’ve seen plenty of people kissing and offering kisses to perfect strangers. But this time we’re gonna head straight to the most youth-oriented sheng radio station, Ghetto Radio. Recently, camera caught two of the station’s presenters exchanging saliva.
Kafu and Shi Deh, were caught trying to eliciting a steamy French kiss…through a glass window of a glasshouse in which Shi was fasting and broadcasting from. Some window kiss won’t hurt, will it?
From the first look it looks so real until you take a second look.
I just hope the window was clean, though.
A mother-daughter relationship is often filled with drama especially during teenage years, but despite all the drama one of the most important relationships is with your mommy .
It’s not mother’s day yet but today we get to celebrate some of the mom and daughter duos in the entertainment Industry
Julie Gichuru and her lovely daughter-The apple did not fall far from the tree and her daughter looks a lot like her Mum
Hanako Takaishi- Model and Video vixen with her daughter Nana
Caroline Mutoko and Nduku– Hate her or love her,you cannot deny that Caroline Mutoko is a fabulous mum
Grace Msalame and her daughters-The best things come in pairs,shoes earrings and babies.That’s a lovely set of twins
Wahu and Tumiso and Nyakio- Aint they just adorable?
Angela Ndambuki of Tattuu and her daughters,aww (Photo SDE)
Ciku Muiruri and her daughter Erica.They are like two peas in a pod
Linda Muthama and her one year old daughter Laika Bosibori
Debbie Asila and Milan
Silvia Njoki fashion blogger,stylist and pulse writer and her daughter Nielsine Muthoni
Last year, there was alot of furor raised about alleged racism suffered by indigenous African patrons at Artecaffe who were treated to croissants, coffee and a side of racism. That all died down like everything usually does in Kenya -the anger at the alleged racism, mot the racism. Well, atleast not in different parts of the country.
And before we start, i think it pertinent for me to say that i find foreigners in Kenya subjecting indigenous Kenyans to racism as stupid as stupid gets. That would be akin to me going to -for argument’s sake, Italy- starting an enterprise (an entertainment spot) and subjecting Italians to racism. Stupid.
But in Kenya, we allow the practice of sheer stupidity to go on unchecked. And over the holidays, a Kenyan found himself on the receiving end of racism perpetrated by people of his own skin colour on orders allegedly from management. And even if that were not the case, management complacency wouldn’t be unfathomable.
This is his story:
Registration for Mr. & Miss CBD is currently ongoing.
The registration for the pageant started from 30th December and will continue until 24th January, with auditions commencing on 25th January and going on till 26th January.
Registration and auditions will take place at the venue of the Lavish Diva Pageant, at Lavish Lounge on IBEA Building, Moi Avenue. Fundi Frank returns as the MC with judges Abdy Askar and Kenson Njagi.
Mr. & Miss CBD follows the highly successful Miss Lavish Diva Pageant which saw the winner walking away with Kshs. 110,000 last month. The winner of Mr. & Miss CBD will walk away with Kshs. 120,000.
We know her as the heavily-accented, outlandish teacher in the pink and black polka dress, red handbag and spectacles. Her fashion sense is wanting but she has made us laugh for ages thanks to her funny frolics and uncanny ability to murder the English language.
She is teacher Wanjiku who is not only a talented comedian but has also opened ‘comedic doors’ for women in a male dominated industry. Teacher Wanjiku is proof that women can be both good-looking and funny.
Away from the glare of publicity, she takes on the role of a devoted mother to ten year old Nicole, a whiz kid and a fashionista who teacher Wanjiku says is appalled by her weird Teacher Wanjiku fashion sense. Speaking to True Love Magazine, teacher Wanjiku reveals that sometimes her daughter tells her ‘’Mum that is so shady or why do you wear rubber shoes “.
But when she is not teacher Wanjiku she is Caroline Wanjiku a fierce dresser who she says is very different from her stage character .My eyes happened to land on a smoking hot/blood-boiling photo of Teacher Wanjiku on the cover of True Love and my my, my, she looks good. I could even hear a few guys in the office whistle and go like she can gerrrit!
She is in a beautiful sequin dress,pearl loop earrings and assorted bangles and she thankfully got rid of the huge Afro.
Photo Courtesy of Emmanuel Jambo/True Love Mag
The “blogosphere” is the new buzz word that has replaced “information super highway.” However, in the art of ‘blogging bloggity’ there are bound to be head-on collisions. One such fender-bender was witnessed recently when a blogger and a politician clashed.
Kandara MP, Alice Wahome, took a swipe at Mzalendo (a blog with a keen eye on the Parliament) for ‘reporting fake non-existent Parliamentary appearances’. The disgruntled legislator couldn’t do it better than conveying the message on her Facebook timeline.
“You are reporting fake non existence parliamentary appearances. Misleading innocent public is criminal. You should burn in hell.”
Mzalendo (‘Patriot’ in Swahili) is a non-partisan project started in 2005 whose mission is to ‘keep an eye on the Kenyan parliament.’ Mzalendo site seeks to promote greater public voice and enhance public participation in politics by providing relevant information about the National Assembly’s activities, MPs, and aspirants ahead of the 2013 elections.
Fellow bloggers felt that the MP’s statement is a threat that warrants a crime.
What do you think?
The exceedingly hyped TSO (Totally Sold Out) vol.9 went down at the Nairobi Chapel on New Year’s Eve much to the delight of the faithful that grace the occasion. However, it’s now emerging that all was not well at the Kubamba Krew (K-Krew) organized event.
According to one guy who attended the party, K-Krew might have pulled the wool over Kenyan’s eyes.
He laments;
When I saw this poster, my New Years’ plans changed.
I had initially planned to have a night in. Chill. Some food. A movie. Tweet friends and strangers. Sleep.
However, the promise of having Lin, The Villagers band, ZiAda, Kanji and Aaron Rimbui usher me into 2014 was too much for me to resist. So I went to TSO volume 9 hosted at my local church Nairobi Chapel. I got there early and headed straight to the Kijiji area, traditionally, the growups’ venue at TSO.
I chose that as my New Years’ plan because I was confident that no hype man will show up and order me to throw my hands in the air or to piga nduru ikibamba Sana. I’m too mature for that.
I chose that venue because Lin, The Villagers band, ZiAda, Kanji and Aaron Rimbui are the kind of musicians who’ll get me out of my very comfortable house for a night out. I mean no disrespect to Jimmy Gait, Kelele Takatifu, Betty Bayo, Lois Kim or any of the other musicians on the roster, but I wouldn’t go out at night, all night, for them. NO.
Buuuuut. Shock on me. There was no Lin. No Aaron. No Kanji. No ZiAda. And a hype man (actually three different ones) showed up and ordered me to throw my hands in the air and to piga nduru ikibamba Sana.
When it got to around midnight, I talked to two people I know who are part of these brands ‘missing in action’ just to find out what was happening. Why despite the fact that they were lined up to perform, they were no shows. The information that I got was very upsetting. Apparently, there was no contractual agreement between those two brands and the event organisers. I shudder at the thought that the same was the case for the rest that I didn’t followup on.
That got me worked up. The event organizers deliberately lied to me and thousands of other Kenyans who’d have loved to see these artistes. The event organizers deliberately placed the integrity of the brands that are Lin, ZiAda, Kanji and Aaron Rimbui at risk by advertising that they will perform whereas they were not contracted to perform.
One of the things that I know I personally left behind in 2013, is the sheople ‘accept and move on mentality’. That’s why I’ve written this. I will shout about this until I get a response from the event organizers.
I demand. Yes. DEMAND that the event organizers:
a. Do the right thing and refund my gate charge for the deliberate deception they engineered to lure me to the event. I will say this loud and clear. I went to that event for the promise of music by these four musicians.
b. Offer an explanation to myself and other event goers as to why Lin, ZiAda, Kanji and Aaron Rimbui did not perform at the event despite the fact that they were on the event poster.
c. Apologize to Lin, ZiAda, Kanji and Aaron Rimbui for using their names to falsely market their event.
What do you think?
The IMAX movie offers continue this weekend.
Get discounts when you visit the cinema through the weekend. All tickets from Kshs. 700 are inclusive of small popcorn and soda or soft drink or coffee.
Other offers include the Beer Combo for only Kshs. 1,000 where you get a movie ticket, beer and a small popcorn.
Students can also enjoy the offer for just Kshs. 650, which gives them a movie ticket, small popcorn and soda. For Kshs. 200, kids and seniors get a movie ticket and a small popcorn.
The film schedule for this weekend is as follows:
Friday
7:00AM The Hobbit 2 3D 300Ksh
10:10AM Thor 2 3D 500Ksh
12:20PM Dhoom 3 Adults 800/Students 500Ksh
3.35PM The Hobbit 2 3D Adults 800/Students 500Ksh
6:40PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
9.55PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
Saturday
7:00AM Thor 2 3D 300Ksh
9:20AM Captain Phillips DMR 500Ksh
11:50AM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 800/Students 500Ksh
3.00PM The Hobbit 2 3D Adults 800/Students 500Ksh
5:55PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
9:00PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
12.00AM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 800Ksh/Students 500Ksh
Sunday
7:00AM The Hobbit 2 3D 300Ksh
10:10AM Dhoom 3 DMR 500Ksh
1:25PM The Hobbit 2 3D Adults 800/Students 500Ksh
4:40PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
7:55PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 1000Ksh/Students 700Ksh
11.10PM Dhoom 3 DMR Adults 800Ksh/Students 500Ksh
Gospel singer Ringtone is a confessed car aficionado and has owned, in the past and presently, high-end fuel guzzlers. The “Jubilee” singer recently acquired a white Range Rover HSE and has been spotted cruising around the city.
However, when it comes to traffic Laws, Celebs are no exception to the law. Yesterday, Ringtone was pulled over by traffic cops on Moi Avenue for driving the satirized gas-guzzling beast without registration plates. Two cops approached the singer for questioning and Ringtone can be seen making calls.
Here’s what our paparazzi lenses caught;
Ciku Muiruri had earlier announced that she was leaving radio.We would no longer hear her sultry voice on radio and the drama that ensues during her famous/infamous show Busted would now be a distant memory.
After fifteen years in radio and having worked for Capital FM, KISS 100, Easy FM and finally Classic 105,on Tuesday last week Ciku Finally hang up her Mic.She wrote this to her fans
This week, on Tuesday, I had my final show. After Capital FM, KISS 100, Easy FM and finally Classic 105, I have hang up my headphones and switched off my mic. My anecdotes from my 15-year-old journey are many. Far too many, I fear, for this space.
For now I will summarize my radio journey in the form of a few names (in alphabetical order). Angela Muriuki, Angela Angwenyi, Ben Omol, Bernice Wairima, Bob Kioko, Caroline Mutoko, Chris Kirubi, Cyrus Afune (Lion), Daniel Mwangi (Mbusii) Daniel Ndambuki (Kin’gan’gi), David Makuyu, Denis Ndavi, Dusty Rhodes, Dr Githinji Gitahi, Edward Kwatch, Eric Ndavi, Eve D’Souza, Fareed Khimani, Fidel Maithya, George Lutta, Hawa Nyindo, Ian Fernandes, Italia Masiero, James Njoroge, Julie Gichuru, Jimmy Gathu, John Wilkins, Jo Thoenes, Kamal Kaur, Kalekye Mumo, Kevin Mwachiro, Kiprono Kittony, Lance Mwambanga, Larry Asego, Linus Gitahi, Lynda Holt, Lynda Nyagweso, Maina Kageni, Mao Mukuria, Martin Khafafa, Muthoni Bwika, Munene Nyaga, Nana Muriithi, Naftali Thaithi, Ngatia Murenga (Best-est co-host ever!), Nick Odhiambo, Nyambura Githongo, Patricia Amira, Patrick Ndeda, Patrick Ojil, Patrick Quarcoo, Phil Matthews, Rachel Mwendia, Riya Sharma, Robert Kibutiri, Ramah Nyang, Roy Karuhize, Sadia Ahmed, Shaffie Weru, Somoina Kimojino, Sheila Mwanyigha, Tina Kagia, Talia Oyando, Teddy Muthusi, Tony Gachukia, Waweru Njoroge and Zain Verjee.
I’ve worked with all of these people. (Sorry if I’ve left you out, please add names I may have left out, you’ve been so many!). Some have helped me grow. Some gave me a break when I needed one. Some gave me invaluable advice. Some listened when I need to vent or needed a laugh. Some just gave me a smile when I needed one. Some helped my creative dreams become a reality. I’m grateful. They, without exception, will tell you one thing about me. I never conform. I do it my way. And so as the curtain falls on my radio career and on 2013, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and leave you with the words of Frank Sinatra *Ciku loudly singing*
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all,when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not ina shy way,
“Oh, no, oh, no,not me, I did it my way”
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
Yes, it was my way.
Info courtesy of Ciku’s Beefs, Zuqka – Daily Nation
Liddos Red Wine Unplugged returns this Wednesday.
Patrons will be treated to great music and drinks at the event, which will continue to take place every Wednesday from 8.00 p.m. till dawn.
At Red Wine Unplugged, customers get to enjoy discounts on selected wines and vodka throughout the night with special offers for groups.
The club has also introduced the Tasting Bar where clients are introduced and educated on drinks that they might not know about yet by a team of well-trained staff.
Liddos also offers secure parking with diligent attendants, thorough security checks at the entrance, state of the art lighting and sound systems.
Whis even more exciting is the fact that this particular celebration coincides with the New Year’s Eve celebrations which means that the party will be kicking like only Liddos knows how to make a party turn mule!
Come out for live video mixes by top DJs and great fun.
Top of the morning beautiful people! It’s the first Friday of 2014 and we are off to a great start! With that, here’s what’s trending;
#1 Teacher Wanjiku Leaves Churchill Show. Was She Fired? Find Out
#2 “Mother In-law” Actor Spotted Begging For Fare In Town
#3 ATTENTION TEAM MAFISI: Brenda Wairimu And Juliani A Couple No More
#4 Citizen TV’s Lillian Muli: Don’t Turn My holiday to Some Cheap Slander about Me and Mike Sonko
#6
#7 Meet the Lucky South African Guy that Won Avril’s Hand in Marriage (PHOTO)
#8 CNN’s Zain Verjee Opens Up About Her Very Personal Battle With An Embarrassing Disease
#9 Bamboo Opens Up About Sex. Read His Shockingly Profound Revelation Here
#10 Emmy Kosgei Enjoys What You Only See in Nigerian Movies (PHOTOS)
On the very first weekend of the year, Florida Madhouse Nightclub brings you Revive.
The event takes place this and every Friday from 9.00 p.m. Experience the best of old skool and new skool hits at the Koinange Street-based club. On the decks, keeping you on the dance-floor all night will be VJ Frankie.
On Saturday, enjoy the best of EDM thanks to DJ Ken. Also, the Madhouse resident DJs: Hash, Dennis, Babz and Kevo will be on hand to play the best of urban, RnB and local music.
The Florida Group is dedicated to supplying the best and latest in entertainment. With six venues in Nairobi and Mombasa, they offer the best in comfort, style, music and meals.
Well, I understand that a model is someone who is employed to promote, display, or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing) or to serve as a visual object for people who are creating works of art. But in Kenya, this seems to be like a paragraph from one of those Kindergarten fiction story books.
It’s only in Kenya where the ratio of M-Pesa shops to models is 1:10, for every M-Pesa shop you see, 10 models are around it, and among the 10, only two or one might be real. Not once or even twice that have asked ladies what they do and the answer has been “ Am a model”.
Reality shows, and internet make people believe that they can become (successful) models by how good they squint and pose. Social media on the other hand has also made it easy for most of Kenyan girls to explore their modeling talent, “even if they don’t have it” , to show the world their sexy struts, Instagram and Facebook are a perfect example.
Here the only recognizable types of Models;
#Fashion Modelling
Runway modelling – Runway models showcase clothes from fashion designers, fashion media, and consumers. They are also called “live models” and are self-employed.
>Supermodels – Supermodels are highly paid, high profile fashion models with a great amount of experience.
>Plus-size models – Plus-size models are models who generally have larger measurements than editorial fashion models. The primary use of plus-size models is to appear in advertising and runway shows for plus size labels.
#Glamour models –Glamour modelling focuses solely on sexuality. Therefore, there are no requirements to be a glamour model other than the ability to pose seductively. For the most part, glamour models are limited to modelling in calendars, magazines, lingerie modelling, fetish modelling, music videos, and extra work in movies.
>Alternative models – An alternative model is any model that does not fit into the conventional model types and may include punk, goth, fetish, tattooed models or models with distinctive attributes. This type of modelling is usually a cross between glamour modelling and art modelling. Not all alternative modelling is overtly sexual and some is considered extremely tasteful and artistic.
>Parts Models – Some models are employed for their body parts. For example, hand models may be used to promote products held in the hand and nail-related products. They are frequently part of television commercials.
>Fitness models – Fitness modeling focuses on displaying a healthy tone physique. Fitness models usually have defined muscles groups both major and minor groups.
>Commercial print and on-camera models – Commercial models generally appear in print ads for non-fashion products, and in television commercials. Commercial print models are usually non-exclusive, and primarily work in one location.
>Promotional models – A promotional model is a model hired to drive consumer demand for a product, service, brand, or concept by directly interacting with potential consumers. A vast majority of promotional models typically tend to be attractive in physical appearance. They serve to provide information about the product or service and make it appealing to consumers.
Don’t we just have too many models in Kenya, and you can’t tell me they’re all glamour models.
When we see actors, musicians, comedians and entertainers on our TV sets, we sometimes assume that they are making mountains of money. We forget that they too struggle to eke a living in Kenya’s tough economic climate where using to talents is seen more as a hobby than as a source of employment.
And today, i have a rather sad story about an actor who though is reportedly well remunerated for his services on the top Citizen TV show “Mother In-Law”, is as ;poor as a church mouse.
The chap in question plays the role of a doctor called “Robert” whose government names are John Mweu. He is the first born son of the family and is depicted as being the responsible sibling whop ends up getting pulled and sucked into the shenanigans of his younger brother who happens to be a drunk.
They say art imitates reality aye? Sadly in this role, he is allegedly the drunk who has been wasting his life away allegedly on the drink. His fellow actors on Mother In Law say he is properly paid, but wastes the money on frivolous pursuits.
Baba Ghafla was recently at a meeting at a top entertainment spot with the club owner. There, he overheard a conversation between the actor and the club owner. The actor had gone to see his friend to beg for fare home. The owner who has “saved” his friend one too many times and is aware that this was the last he would see of his money, demanded collateral.
The actor reluctantly obliged and gave up his watch. while the actual amount given and received was neither captured nor verified (Baba Ghafla is a crappy paparazzi), we asked him to visit our offices to share with us what the cause of this situation could be. He said he was on his way, but it has now been weeks since that conversation. John Mweu was found later on the streets where our REAL paps snapped pictures of him before being spotted. Needless to say, the paps, who is not re-known for his pugilist talents, scampered. Check the photos out below:
Lizz Njagah Konstantaras is without a doubt one of the most talented Kenyan actresses. She has been featured in comedy film, ‘House of Lungula’ and is set to appear in Spielworks future TV show Jane and Abel.
Her acting fetes have not gone unrecognized and she has received a wide array of awards among them the best actress category at the sixth London Greek Film Festival.
Apart from being a fabulous actress, she also maintains a fab, toned body
Thanks to modern culture, most of us are trying to escape the many wrinkles, flab, and white hairs that come with age.
That is why a lot of people are opting to go under the knife and get Botox to maintain youth Brenda Wairimu however does not seem scared of how she would look when age catches up and posted this photo of her at an old age thanks to an app called the aging booth
So your nudes have made their way to the internet. Everyone in the world has seen you in your most vulnerable position and the worst part is that your parents have seen it too. Your cellulite or small genitalia have never been so prominent. Or your comments in Tujuane have made you the laughing stock of the country and also a target for cyber bullies .
What do you do? Do you deny, deny, deny? Do you scream photo shop and hacked phone or do you just sit quietly and pretend they do not exist?This is what you do:
Be proactive and get in front of the scandal: Don’t just sit there and wait for it to swell like a balloon with water then explode in your face. Nip it in the bud. According to Atlanta-based PR consultant Jonell Whitt ,if Tiger Woods had come out in the beginning to apologize instead of just sitting pretty before his women exploded to double digits, the public would have been more forgiving .He finally came out to conduct a press conference but it was too late,him prestine image was already too tainted.
Accept, apologize and move on and maybe make fun of the whole issue. Take a page from Dylan Sprouse’s book.You probably know Dylan from Disney Channel’s Suite Life of Zak & Cody whose unflattering naked photos made it to the internet thanks to a bitter ex-girlfriend. This is what he said “I messed up… but I’d be a fool not to own up to it. Got to move past it I suppose.” Sprouse also added, “whoops, guess I’m not 14 and fat anymore.”
He went on to add “n00d pic dealer” to his bio too.
Well played.
Don’t lie and insult the public’s intelligence. That Photoshop shit is just plain annoying. No one is buying that.
But if you are cowardly, deny, deny, deny but denying is like trying to extinguish wild fire with petrol. It will just make things worse
You can also use the scandal to your advantage. Take for example Susan Mirfat ,Kaz and Huddah Monroe who have gained success after their sordid scandals. People paid attention to Kaz’s music after her scandal and Mirfat has scored a few karaoke gigs after her Tujuane Fiasco
They say prevention is better than cure and since we know that anything that goes on the internet never goes away. So what do you do?
Whitt advises that “You have to make sure the media is on your side. Because if you have the media on your side, they will always put a spin on it for you,“ she says. “But if you disrespect the media? It’s over. They will tear you apart.
Avoid the temptation of having the “perfect image” in order to amass endorsements,public approval of money .When you appear perfect your scandals will be a big deal since you put yourself on a pedestal. Just like with boss of MOG whose scandal exploded because he had created a faultless gospel image.
And lastly avoid taking nude photos and sending them out.If you take a nude photo delete it,such things have a way of surfacing,life is a bitch like that!
Additional reporting by rollingout.com
Over the past year, women in Hollywood have been rocking the Giuseppe Zanotti’s Grecian Leaf Sandals. These shoes were designed by Kim Kardashian’s baby daddy designed Kanye West and go for approximately 1625 dollars which is approximately 140,000 Kshs.
Kim Kardashian has been spotted rocking this glorious shoes and Kenya’s own version of Kim, Vera Sidika was spotted rocking what looks like the Grecian Leaf sandals. I was not sure whether it’s the real deal or a knock off though, be the judge.
Here are Vera’s Shoes
Here is the real and knock-off side by side:
Juliani’s beautiful beau Brenda Wairimu iss a free agent! Free at last, free at last, good god Almighty, free at last! And now all the men I know are sharpening their knives and polishing the silverware. But a word of caution: Brenda is an intelligent and gorgeous lass, getting her will not be that easy.
I first caught whiffs of the story late last year but because it seemed like a rumour, I ignored it. then Saliva Vic caught whiffs of the story and ran with it. And like or hate the lad, he is usually on the money. Anyway, I begun doing my investigations.
First off was the question asked by Larry Madowo on his show The Trend on when the wedding will be -between Juliani and the lass, not Juliani and Larry you git!
Anyway, the lad was not just vague, he gave the sort of answer that goes something like:
Larry Madowo: Where do you live?
Juliani: On Earth.
And it got me wondering; why isn’t Juliani answering questions pertaining to his relationship with Brenda?
then there were the pictures of Brenda in Nigeria where she was too cosy with IK, the BBA host:
Wait, what?
When I last spoke to Juliani, he was still coy. He asked Ghafla not to get on the story because it was Christmas. His phone is now off. I had to run the story.
As for Brenda Wairimu, the lass was away on holiday. When I attempted to reach her manager, she refused to comment. God bless Dallah’s heart and my giblet.
Now that beach season has been in full swing, celebs too, were ready to feel the sand between their toes. And feeling they did as they took their sexy to the shore.
They always try to avoid the paparazzi, but every once in a while, they let their radar down and get caught in hot, passionate kisses. Recently, DJ Hypnotiq and his ‘new catch’, shared one of the sweetest, steamiest, and sexiest star smooches.
Take a look;
What did Hyptoniq have to say?
“All I asked for was for a good woman but all I got was a perfect woman in my eyes. A year though and I still feel the same way I did on the first day.
It’s a new year again babe let’s create better memories together.”
About two weeks ago, Roy Ogolla, a blogger who confessed to leaking Sonko & Shebesh’s nude photos died. He lost his life in a tragic road accident and is set to be buried later this week.
According to sources, Roy died in a road accident on Sunday, December 22nd. He was out with friends from a church group sight-seeing around Kitengela in Rongai on the afternoon of 22nd Dec. On the way back to Nairobi he lost control of the Toyota Prado he was driving. It rolled several times and he was thrown out.
Fellow blogger Robert Alai released a photo of the car that claimed Roy’s life
Interviewing famous celebrities is glamorous and exciting and gives you instant credibility amongst the A-list celebs and provides you with amazing and lifelong stories to tell your insanely jealous friends and family. However, interviewing a celeb who happens to be the love of your life is a totally different script.
Having been a celebrity profiler for years, somehow, the job has landed gorgeous Sheila Kimani a hunk Gospel music star boyfriend. The two, Sheila and Hey Z have been dating for some time now but managed to keep it under wraps until Ghafla! got wind of it.
Confronted about it, Hey Z was coquettish but his body language said it all.
Sources intimate that the couple has been spotted together at a number of restaurants in Paris recently and reportedly couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
Sheila Kimani
Hey Z, whose real name is Daniel Heho, is a multi-award winner: 2 time Groove Awards and One Gospel (South Africa). He’s also a Creative Designer. Sheila pens for both SDE and Pulse.
Earlier this week, the blogosphere was rife with malicious tittle-tattle that something could be brewing between Citizen TV screen siren, Lillian Muli and Nairobi Senator, Mike Sonko after the two posed for photos at the Coast.
According to The Jackal News, “the two, according to very close sources (closer than you can imagine) are actually in love (huh!) and will stay holed up in the coastal gateway till early next year and will throw an exclusive party for very close and secretive friends,” alleged the infamous gossip blog.
However, Lillian broke her silence over the matter and hit out at the blogger, “Don’t turn my holiday with my son to some cheap slander about me and Mike Sonko he was @SAROVAWHITESAND with his family and I with mine!”
@
Dear idle malicious cyber bullies. I never respond to your blogs but today you have crossed the line!
— Lillian muli (@lillian_muli) December 30, 2013
“@lillian_muli: Dear idle malicious cyber bullies. I never respond to your blogs but today you have crossed the line!”
Don’t turn my holiday with my son to some cheap slander about me and Mike Sonko he was @SAROVAWHITESAND with his family and I with mine!
— Lillian muli (@lillian_muli) December 30, 2013
“@lillian_muli: Don’t turn my holiday with my son to some cheap slander about me and Mike Sonko he was @SAROVAWHITESAND with his family and I with mine!”
Ain’t no story in me taking an innocent photo…it is what it is! And for the record I reiterate my son will not grow up reading this crap!
— Lillian muli (@lillian_muli) December 30, 2013
“@lillian_muli: Ain’t no story in me taking an innocent photo…it is what it is! And for the record I reiterate my son will not grow up reading this crap!”
Anyway kwa raha zenyu! Jibambeni….Deuces. Thanks for the Love though it means I really am a super star!
— Lillian muli (@lillian_muli) December 30, 2013
“@lillian_muli: Anyway kwa raha zenyu! Jibambeni….Deuces. Thanks for the Love though it means I really am a super star!”
2013 saw a large number of epic tweefs taking place, but the most outstanding one has got to be Huddah and Prezzo’s raging battle.
The fight was rather legendary not forgetting vicious as they were former lovers and you know how ugly fights with someone you once loved can get. Anyhow it seems that Huddah has gotten over being called Government property and the raging battle had come to a ceasefire. The socialite posted this earlier on her Instagram:
Its hard to believe I was this skinny…..I almost underwent depression for reasons unknown! But thanks to El President for being there for me through the bad and the good.But as they say,there’s a thin line between Love and hate.And all I did was react like a woman in love and shit happened.You know? At least I didn’t burn his house.I’m crazy like that LOL! Kidding. As we say goodbye to 2014 ,I have to say RESPECT is a two way traffic and a forgiving heart is a blessed heart…..
The final journey of taking thespian, blogger and activist, Roy Kohadha Ogolla, to his final resting place has begun today. The cottage left Chiromo Mortuary for the Kenya National Theatre (KNT) which acted as the launching pad for his career.
The funeral programme is as follows:
11am: Cottage leaves Chiromo for Kenya National Theatre(KNT)
11am-2pm: Viewing of body and other activities at KNT
2pm: Cottage leaves KNT headed for the church
3:30-5:30pm: Church service at St Stephens Anglican Church, Jogoo road
5:30pm – Cottage leaves Church for Kariobangi South for night vigil
3rd January, 2014
6:00am – All those travelling with the K’ogallo family converge at Jeevanjee Gardens
6:30am – All those travelling meet at Total Mountain view so as to leave in a convoy
4th January, 2014
Burial in Siaya
This morning, fellow Gor Mahia ‘followers’ hit Kshs. 218, 000 in contribution to send off one of their own.
Rest in Peace Roy.
Fast rising Gospel singer, Daniel Masivo better known by his stage name Kimdanny, got the worst New Year ‘present’ after he was abducted and robbed on New Year’s after his performance at Groove Party at Kasarani. According to the ‘Tulia’ singer, he was on his way home with three friends when the thieving-bastards struck.
Kimdanny says he was robbed at gun-point by a gang of about 6 heavily built guys who made away with his phone, passport and wallet which contained his identification documents and cash. He was however, unharmed during the ensuing scuffle and thanks God he’s still alive.
He is appealing to anyone who might come across his passport and ID to drop them at any nearby Police Station as I he has already recorded a statement with the law enforcers.
Kimdanny is an upcoming gospel artist who started doing music three years ago.
Bamboo’s little sister has stepped out from her brother’s shadow and has made a name for herself as Chocolate City’s sultry singer and songwriter.
She has brought you hits such as Mtoto and recently dropped a Mix tape “Queen Victoria” that has the whole of Africa Buzzing with excitement.The lass posted a photo of herself in what looked like an Indian meets English wedding dress with the caption ‘Marry Me’.
So is Queen Victoria getting married?No actually this is just a promotional picture for her latest video Whoa which features East Africa’s music Royalty Prezzo and AY.The purple haired bombshell had this to say ‘Look out for my NEW VIDEO ” WHOA” feat. AY and PREZZO Dropping in a few days !! #EastAfricanVibes #EastAfricanBride #Tanzania #Kenya’
You may have noted the prolonged absence of Teacher Wanjiku from Churchill show, and many have been wondering what she is up to. However, Ghafla! has established that the funny teacher is no longer on the show due.
Speaking to Teacher Wanjiku, the top female comedian confirmed that in deed she’s left Churchill Show to pursue “other projects” that she remained tight-lipped about. Earlier, there were widespread rumours that Laugh Industry, makers of the Churchill Show, wanted to take 55% of the 6 million she made from the Airtel endorsement which led to bitter fallout between Teacher Wanjiku and Churchill, resulting to her being locked out of the show in recent times.
However, Teacher Wanjiku vehemently denies this saying there’s no bad blood between Churchill and herself and that they’re still in communication and very good friends.
“Churchill has been a great inspiration and a role model to me; he has supported me in my career and I will forever be grateful and much humbled,” said the comedian.
Asked why her exit from Churchill Show was unanticipated (especially by her fans), she points out that her withdrawal from the favourite comedy show was in the works and it was only a matter of time. Teacher Wanjiku argues that she’s reached her envisioned target and it’s time to move on. She divulges that has something up her sleeves that will come as a surprise to her fans.
“Leaving Churchill Show was planned and I even talked to him about it.”
Close sources to Teacher Wanjiku however intimate that Teacher Wanjiku is set to launch her independent show similar to the botched Eric Omondi show that aired on KTN sometime back.
To her fans,
“I want to thank my fans for the continued support. Am not stopping comedy, am just starting.”
For now, you have to make do without the funny teacher on Churchill Show which resumes recording next Thursday.
After the success of Lavish Diva Pageant, now comes Mr. & Miss CBD.
The registration for the pageant started from 30th December and will continue until 24th January, with auditions commencing on 25th January and going on till 26th January.
Registration and auditions will take place at the venue of the Lavish Diva Pageant, at Lavish Lounge on IBEA Building, Moi Avenue. Fundi Frank returns as the MC with judges Abdy Askar and Kenson Njagi.
The winner of Mr. & Miss CBD will walk away with Kshs. 120,000.
Gone are the days when the gorgeous,slender soft-spoken presenter Esther Arunga graced our screens. She is now matronly,some say delusional and married to one controversial man, Quincy Timberlake.
Apart from being a doting mother and devoted wife Esther Arunga is also a blogger and I happened to stumble upon an article written by her in the Placenta Party website. The article was titled ‘Circumcision reduces sexual pleasure by making manhood less sensitive and unsharpshootin’ and I was drawn in, giggling and curious. The article’s opening paragraph talked about the derogatory term ‘kihii’ which means boy in Kikuyu.The former KTN anchor said ‘ Before you collect the guts and brand someone a “kihii” have you examined yourself na ukajikagua vizuri? If you pass the following exam then you are the masterman in your house. It is not about “kihii” it is about your performance status. Jichunge mdomo – the person you are calling “kihii” may be smarter than you in the malehood industry. “
She then continued to add:
Although it’s nice to know how your manhood responds to fine touch, that’s not necessarily the type of stimulation you may use, or enjoy, during sex. During intercourse you don’t tend to use light touch; it’s deeper, and different parts of the body become sensitive in different ways. Men who are circumcised are in for some bad news – it puts them at a disadvantage in the bedroom. Those who’ve had their foreskin removed as children or adults experience less intense sexual pleasure and orgasm than their peers.
Uncircumcised men also reported more intense orgasms. One possible explanation for any potential difference in sensitivity is that a man’s foreskin may protect his penis’s head from rubbing against underwear and clothing. It’s possible, the researchers write, that friction makes the head of the penis thicker, drier and ultimately less sensitive.
While conducting a project at Kenya Television Network, I also found circumcised men were more likely to report more pain and numbness during arousal than uncircumcised men likely due to scar tissue. I’m amazed that people report pain during sexual pleasure. This was information I was to air during Prime Time news but the project couldn’t materialize due to Government’s arbitrary arrests and torture I underwent. I was going to shock Kenyan homes and families dining tables with research that shocked me too, but felt I had to share generously. Circumcised men have a phobia sexually and that is why most of them opt for Viagra or some sexual pills. This is not meant for pleasure but to harden their sheaths and act as pain killers. They sense pain after the intercourse but get used to it.
She also had some colorful tips for the circumcised men:
If you’re circumcised, you may need more friction to reach orgasm. I recommend that you keep trying different positions, such as doggy style or missionary, that allow you to maximize stimulation. Or ask your woman to do Kegel exercises and squeeze her pelvic floor muscles, which will put more friction on the head of your penis or else you are one failed husband or boyfriend.
The article was rather lengthy and frankly I got tired mid article but you can catch it here
Everyone seems to have elected to take time off for the holidays and they all seem to have headed down to the Coast -well, not everyone. But now we are back on the grind. Kenya’s celebrities also decided to take time off and I have some pictures of how they chose to spend their time:
Some with family, some alone, some with friends. Some drinking, some site-seeing, some partying. Check out what everyone was upto below:
Recently born-again rapper Abraham Bamboo had Christmas day lunch with his family.
Chantelle went back to her Maa roots.
The Sauti Sol lads Mudigi and Bien chose to stare at the Indian ocean.
Tiri chose to show off her body with some sea side modelling.
Ian Mugoya and his yob decided to drink -and the yob had time for a selfie amidst his hectic drinking schedule.
It’s common knowledge that if you’re working at Royal Media Services, especially Citizen TV, paying your bills shouldn’t be much of a hustle. However, it was a rude awakening for senior reporter, Alex Chamwada when a law court ordered his household items to be auctioned off to pay his debts which included defaulting to pay rent for an apartment in Kileleshwa.
Chamwada says,
“It was on 30th December the year 2000, around 8pm, when I ‘landed’ at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via KLM, after a successful three-months internship at the Voice of America in Washington DC. I had gotten the internship as part of the benefits of Citizen Radio/TV’s affiliation to VOA.
But on arrival I had no house to go to, except my fiancé’s place in Donholm. The house where I was staying in Kileleshwa, had been locked and my belongings including a 14 inch colour TV, furniture, a gas cooker, clothes, books and a small radio/cassette player had been auctioned. But I guess the value of that property was not that much, maybe about 100,000 shillings then. That was my worth. I was broke on arrival at JKIA. Although VOA had sponsored the trip, back home there was no salary. In my pocket, I had only about 100 dollars.
I know you are already asking, why were my belongings auctioned? And why was I not on salary? I was among three employees who Royal Media Services that owns Citizen TV and Radio Citizen had rented apartments for at the Slopeside Apartments along ole Kejuado road in the posh Kileleshwa estate. Little did we know that the company had defaulted on rent for several months. I later learnt that by the time I was leaving for Washington DC in October 2000, there had already been several warnings to RMS to pay the rent arrears in vain. So the houses were locked in December. My colleagues who were present managed to salvage part of their properties, but all that belonged to me went! My brothers, Johnstone and Fredrick who I had left in the house, were thrown out. They went to stay with their friends elsewhere. But my fiance, who had been partly providing for their food continued to support them in that manner. She gave them moral support too. They were jobless, they were mere form four leavers, trying a few vibaruas (casual work) here and there. At that time Caroline was working with Kencell.
Let me take you back to the real story. From the airport, holding only one bag that contained my most important belongings like academic certificates, my next stop was Caroline’s place. She had come with her brother Edgar and Sister Issa in a taxi to pick me. And there we were! All crowded in her house. Our love blossomed. I was so touched at her humility and the caring heart to wards my brothers. She loved me for who I was. Six months later, we were exchanging vows. She is a gem from God.
Fast rewind. And you would ask, what was wrong with Chamwada’s employer to cause him all that pain? At that time, my employer was not doing well in terms of business. There had been frequent shut downs of Citizen Radio and TV by the Communications Commission of Kenya on alleged violation of broadcasting rules by Mr. S. K. Macharia, the owner of Royal Media Services. All this amid serious differences between former President Daniel arap Moi and Mr. Macharia.
In fact we were not getting our salaries by the time I was leaving for America. The real rough ride had just set in, contrary to my beginning at RMS. I remember when I joined the station in March 1999 after quitting the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, salary was coming our way regularly for several months. But life changed when the company ran into cash flow problems. It was really tough. Herman Igambi was our Editor-in-Chief then. My colleagues in this industry who went through this bumpy ride include Paul Ilado, Shaffie Weru and Caro Radull who are now at Radio Africa. Others are Beatrice Marshall, Anderson Waweru, Alice Kararu, Wairimu Ngure, Bernard Otieno, Rashid Ronald, Rita Tinina and Anne Ngugi, to name a few. Emmanuel Juma and Joe Ageyo also went through the tough times at RMS, but were lucky to be among the first ones to get jobs elsewhere before things worsened. They both were poached by KTN. Ikenye, Kararu, Tinina, Otieno and Rashid Ronald too later joined the Nation Media Group. Some of those who never left Citizen Radio/TV and are Waweru Mburu of the famous Yaliyotendeka programme, Mohammed Juma Njuguna, football commentator, Tom Mboya, head of electrical engineering, engineers Mwangi Njoroge and Charles Mithamo, Latifah Ngunjiri (now Citizen TV Production Manager) and Ben Muinde, Technical Director.
I remember during that bumpy ride, I would walk from Kileleshwa to Ambank House along the University Way next to Anniversary Towers where the station was originally situated. My fiancé would occasionally ‘sort’ me out with some pocket money. Yet I was the only ‘working’ person in our family. My parents were peasants and they depended on my input to help educate my nine siblings.”
Florida Madhouse Nightclub brings you its first event of the year.
Soul Night takes place today from 8.00 p.m. tonight, experience the best of old skool and new skool soul at the Koinange Street-based club. On the decks, keeping you on the dancefloor all night will be DJ Suley, DJ Dennis and DJ Jeff.
The Florida Group is dedicated to supplying the best and latest in entertainment. With six venues in Nairobi and Mombasa, they offer the best in comfort, style, music and meals.
Zain Verjee, one of Kenya’s most prolific and critically acclaimed journalists recently took to the internet to open up about her very personal battle with a disease that often leaves those that suffer from it battling demons of low self esteem. And she used CNN as her platform.
Zain Verjee opened up about her battle with “Psoriasis” by taking advantage of a video they posted of a recent piece about the disease. Allow me to share with you her words -figure that will be more powerful than anything I can say:
“I have spent more than a decade of my professional career on international television, my face visible to millions each day. Yet I have spent a lifetime hiding.
For years, I guard a painful secret: I can’t bear to look in the mirror. I shrink from bright light. A gaze that lingers a second too long makes me panic. A hot summer day sends me into the shadows.
I have fish-like scales. There are tiny red islands floating on the surface of my skin. They combine to create continents with jagged surfaces. They turn black and start to smell. There is blood and pus.
My scalp spits out silver flakes. My ears are filled with crusts. I leave white specks wherever I sit. I float in long, loose clothes. My hands betray me. The sores sit openly. My nails are dented with pockmarks. I find strands of hair on the sheets and pillowcases every morning.
I suffer from psoriasis. It’s ravaged my body since I was 8. At its worst my plaques look like leprosy. I feel like a leper.
“Please can you leave the pool,” a woman once told me when I was 22, visiting the Dead Sea in Israel, “we’re not comfortable with you in it.” She is horrified at my body. I am ashamed. I hang my head.
The landscape from my neck down is chaos.
So I choose to look away. I am able to dress perfectly in the dark. I can feel my way around a room or a closet full of clothes. I instinctively choose the dimmest corner of a restaurant to sit in. Winters are a relief only because I won’t stand out covered from top to toe.
More: Stacy London on battling skin shame with fashion
My face is flawless. Not a blemish. Not a mark. Compliments are endless. But I am acutely aware that a horror film unfolds in secret beneath my clothes. I am effervescent and radiant on the outside and rotting inside. Which is the real me?
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The cameras fire up, the red light turns on. I am splendidly made up. I lose myself in the moment. I am energized. I am focused. It’s only my face. It is floating. It’s all that exists. It gives me confidence.
No one has it all. I fight my body and myself all my life. I hit rock bottom many times because of my disease. It seems futile to try anymore. “Who will ever want me like this” I cry hysterically at home. “No one could ever touch me.” My mother pulls me out self-loathing and defeatism. When I want to give up, she will not let me.
She becomes an expert on psoriasis. She reads medical journals and approaches alternative healers. She takes me for acupuncture and hypnosis. She mixes various acids in a lab for me to use on my skin and soaks me in a tub full of Dead Sea salt. The rest of the day, I am in a messy, smelly cream. Endless personal research, trial and error bring occasional relief.
Imagine the nightmarish teen years. I cower from close friendships. No one can know the truth. I never date. Intimacy is out of the question. I have no sensation of touch. The scales are too thick.
The itch is unbearable. I try and ignore it. It’s impossible. It agitates me. I use all my strength and I tear at my skin. I am violent. I scratch back and forth until there is blood. It is too raw to do any more. I am filled with rage and humiliated.
So I disappear in my head, create fictional stories and characters. I play out entire conversations, lives and deaths, stories of courage and cowardice to escape myself. My mind is living a separate life from the body beneath it.
Somehow, my imagination takes me far. I am in my early 20s, and it’s the beginning of my career. I am anchoring the prime time shows in Kenya. Tonight is a big opportunity. My game face is on.
I’ve spent the afternoon on hair and makeup. As I settle into the anchor’s chair, I hear the faint rustle of plastic shrink wrap. I have wrapped up my legs and torso in the clingy film after soaking my scales in Vaseline so that the pain is lessened and the putrid smell contained. The director calls out. The floor manager cues me. The lights on, news copy in my hands, I smile and welcome millions of Kenyans into the studio.
The contrast is sharp — behind closed doors, I have given up. I am on the floor. I am crying, screaming and itching insanely. My mother cries. I rarely see her cry. The last time was when my grandfather died.
Then an angel arrives.
A family friend approaches mum. “Your daughter looks unwell. She is losing her hair. What is the matter?” My mother, at her wits end, tells the woman the truth. “George,” the angel says. “Tell her to go to George.”
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George is a small town in South Africa. I learn there is a clinic that specializes in treating severe skin disease. I adamantly refuse. I have had enough of doctors, hospitals, foul smelling topical creams and hopes dashed. Mum convinces me.
In a week, I find myself there against my wishes. I withstand the indignity, once again, of being naked, the grotesque lesions under neon light, and I listen to the shocked gasps of the doctors and nurses.
“We’ve never seen it this bad,” one says in the tiny examination room.
I glance dully outside the window of my room to see a blue lake and a blue sky amid green trees and grass. Postcard perfect. I count the hours.
Who could imagine where I am? I am a celebrity in Nairobi, making it big.
“What do you do?” I am asked.
“Nothing,” I respond curtly to any one who dares make conversation with me. I certainly don’t want to start a conversation about being on television or hosting a radio show for that matter. What would my viewers on KTN and listeners on Capital FM Radio think of me?
Mind, body and spirit are the focus at this clinic. It sounds insane to me. I am told to do mediation, deep relaxation and creative visualization three times a day. I lie on the floor listening to the voice in charge.
“Every day in every way I am getting better and better. I have no desire to eat the foods I know are bad for me…” I brainwash myself. It works.
I eat yogurt or bran for breakfast, salads or fish for lunch and chicken for dinner. Nothing tastes good. I yearn for Tabasco. I drink only herbal tea and torrents of water.
I write a long letter to my psoriasis, describing how it causes me pain, how it hurts my relationships, how it makes me weak. I blame it for not allowing me to be free. I blame it for my rage, my violence, my bullying and my inability to feel loved, for my need for praise and constant reassurance.
I berate and belittle it. I coax and cajole it. I remind it of my sexless life. I beg and plead for it to go away. Then I thank my psoriasis. It has taught me to have no vanity, more compassion and to withhold judgment.
I am crying, emotionally drained, and hot underneath my long sleeves and jeans. I take a shovel, pick a spot outside and dig deep. I place the pages into the hole. I plant a tree. I use my hands to touch the earth. Nature seems surprisingly reassuring.
In this instance, I bury my past. I have said everything I needed to say to my skin. The tree will give life, oxygen. Perhaps it will give me a chance to breathe again.
A breakthrough.
It has been two weeks, and I see something no one else can see — a tiny shift. In the center of one thick plaque, there is a slight thinning. I can discern this little dent only because I have been touching my skin.
This small success galvanizes me to stick rigidly to the tough diet I have promised to undertake. I am ecstatic, fully of new energy. My smile is real. I am positive.
I return to Nairobi with a new mindset, a sense of control. I maintain the regimen like a military staff sergeant.
Every 28 days, I see progress. It is small. But it is there. The months pass. The smell stops. The centers of the lesions disappear like small mountains collapsing on themselves. They turn from red to pink to white.
I watch with fascination the metamorphosis of my skin. The continents on my body move apart with the seismic change in my mind. The scales no longer build. Then they are gone. I can’t believe it.
It has been six months. I am clear. I am in remission. I have no scales. I am normal. I am finally free.
And there is no medication. Only food. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
When I walk triumphantly into my dermatologist’s office, she is startled. I healed myself with the power of my mind, I announce. She is shocked. She later tells me she believes there is a place for natural healing in medicine.
I can’t say what will work for others, but I believe that diet, mindset and a wonderful support system were the best long-term answers for me. There is a place for light therapy or steroid cream or biological medication, but back then I healed myself from the inside out.
After my transformation, my family takes me to Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast. I don’t dread it for the first time in my life.
I have a new bikini, dark blue with a yellow rim. I have never worn one. It is so soft. It feels feminine. I have never felt like a woman the way I do when I put it on. I see all my curves in a different light. The mirror is not my enemy any longer.
Zain Verjee’s psoriasis went into remission for 10 years. She still battles the condition today.”
In one week, Liddos Discotheque brings you a laid back, chilled out theme night for ones with class.
Next Wednesday, the club brings you Red Wine Unplugged, which takes place every week from 8.00 p.m. till dawn. At the event, enjoy discounts on selected wines and vodka throughout the night with special offers for groups.
The club has also introduced the Tasting Bar where clients are introduced and educated on drinks that they might not know about yet by a team of well-trained staff.
The club also offers secure parking with diligent attendants, thorough security checks at the entrance, state of the art lighting and sound systems. Liddos Club is situated on Keekorok Road in the CBD.
Songbird Emmy Kosgei has fully embraced the Nigerian culture have been married to Apostle Anselm Madubukofor 5 months now. It all started by rocking some dazzling Igbo women attire complete with the head gear and now she’s learning about the tradition.
Over Christmas the songstress was in Nigeria where she and her husband paid a courtesy call to one of the most powerful Nigerian kingdoms, Arochukwu Kingdom,which boasts of a traditional ruler (king) as well as rich and diverse culture.
Arochukwu, (pronounced Aruchukwu) is the third largest city in Abia State (after Aba and Umuahia) in southeastern Nigeria and homeland of the Igbo subgroup, Aro people. It is composed of 19 villages with an overall leader called Eze Aro, and the ONLY kingdom named after God.
Some of these things you only get to see in Naija movies and Emmy even admitted, “…I thot I was watching naija movie…!”
Here are photos from that call on;
Notice the police escort…
12 years a slave was possibly one of the most popular movies of 2013. It follows the life of Solomon Northup, a black man born free in New York but kidnapped in Washington, D.C., sold into slavery, and kept in bondage for 12 years in Louisiana before the American Civil War.
The movie is the reason why our very own Lupita Nyongo is currently the ‘it’ girl in Hollywood following her sterling role as Patsey a slave. The movie has been screened in many places and Lupita has dressed the part for all these screenings but the starlet has chosen to bow out of the Italian screening of the Steve McQueen movie at the 18th Annual Capri Hollywood film festival.
This comes after the Italian promoters of the movie appeared to focus upon the film’s white cast Rather than the black main star, Chiwetel Ejiofor .Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender were given a prominent feature in the promotional posters while the lead actor Chiwetel Ejiofor is squeezed in a tiny, hardly noticeable picture at the edge of the poster. These posters have sparked sharp criticism with people saying that the posters were ‘a unashamed display of racism.’
Miss Lupita however maintains that she did not bail out of the screening. A spokeswoman for Lionsgate, whose sub division Summit is the film’s sales agent, said that Lupita bowed out “Due to other commitments that prevented her from going”
Italy’s BIM Distribuzione, the company that created the posters quickly issued an apology, stating:
“We apologize for creating and releasing unauthorized posters for 12 Years a Slave in Italy featuring Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender in a manner inconsistent with approved advertising materials. All inappropriate materials have now been withdrawn. We are very proud of the film and regret any distraction this incident may have caused.”
source :.cinemablend.com