Month: March 2015

Juja Member of Parliament is a man under siege after his SMS scandal exploded in the public domain, effectively plunging him into trouble with the law.

Francis Munyua is accused of sacking a female employee who worked with the CDF office in Juja after she refused to give in to his sexual advances.

The MP had tried to solicit for sex from Susan Wambui, a married woman, who refused to give in to the legislator’s demands, leading the MP to sack her through SMS.

Wambui reported the matter to the police and as investigations into the saga continue, it is reported that the MP has been threatening Wambui to drop the charges or get killed.
 Wambui has since reported the fresh threats to the police.

And now the MP faces three charges which includesexual harassment and abuse of office after clearance from DPP Keriako Tobiko.

The MP is also likely to be charged with threatening Wambui and his seat is in jeopardy as he is likely to lose it as enshrined in Chapter 6 of the constitution.

Nation Media Group’s unaudited results for the past year are likely to shed light as to why East Africa’s largest media house has been on the forefront advocating for the return of analogue transmission.

NMG together with two other media houses, Royal Media Services (RMS) and Standard Media Group (SMG) have been VERY reluctant to migrate to digital platform ever since the government announced plans to move the country to a digital platform.

But are they ‘boycotting’ digital platform due to the fear of venturing into ‘unfamiliar territory?’ NMG’s half year unaudited result may reveal something interesting that may just be an eye opener.

The group made a staggering 1.65 billion profit before tax for six Months period ended 30^th June 2014. According to NMG’s unaudited results released by the group’s secretary J. C Kinyua, the media house had a turnover (the amount of money made in 2014) of 6.45 billion.

The report explains the group was taking appropriate action to mitigate potential adverse effects hindering its growth.

With the country ‘abruptly’ switching off analogue transmission, the group’s growth is uncertain since the prospects of increasing its turnover on a digital platform is farfetched.

In an article Larry Madowo wrote about a week ago, he revealed NTV’s subscriptions dwindled dramatically the last time the station tried using StarTimes and GoTV’s digital platforms.

“The last time the stations pulled off the Star Times and GoTV platforms, subscriptions dropped precipitously. The forceful analogue switch-off was designed to force them into using these same providers to reach viewers.” Larry wrote in part.

So is the fear of their profit plummeting the real reason why NMG is being hesitant to migrate to a digital platform?

Check out its report below:

It’s a beautiful Tuesday morning in the capital city. The Month is still fresh and the entertainment arena is full of exciting activities. The prestigious BAKE Awards is around the corner and your favorite entertainment site, Ghafla! Kenya, has been nominated. Help us take the prize home by voting for team Ghafla! in numbers. That aside, below are the hottest stories we have for you this morning:

#15 Kenyan Celebrities Who Are Getting Old But Not Getting Married….They Fear Commitment The Way A Politician Fears Impeachment

#2Avril’s Gigantic Fundamentals Groped By Ecstatic Students (Photos)

#3Stars Newspaper, Oliver Mathenge Wedding Photos!

#4Revealed: Churchill’s Other Side Hustle. The Other Job He Does Apart From Cracking Jokes

#5See Citizen TV’s Janet Mbugua Run Out Of Gas In The Gym

#6Forget The Vera Sidika’s and the Huddah Monroe’s, There is a Special Type of Woman and Y’all Should Pay Attention

#7Jose Chameleone, AY And Prezzo Floss With The Red Ferrari Causing A Stir In The City (Photos)

#8After Her Co-Host Lorna Irungu Was Fired, Angela Angwenyi’s Fate Is Revealed

#9Sakata Dancer Passes Away

#10Why Did Capital Fm’s Amina Leave Homeboyz Radio? Was It Because She Dated Her Boss? Here Is the Truth

NTV’s motormouth, Larry Madowo, flew to the Catalan capital of Barcelona to attend the world’s greatest mobile event; Mobile World Congress 2015 and while there, he met one of world’s greatest reporters and was overwhelmingly humbled by his presence.

Larry Madowo might the ‘man’ in Kenyan context but in the world, the ntv news anchor still has a long way to go before he starts receiving standing ovations.

When he flew to Spain for the four day summit, most probably Larry had no idea he would be rubbing shoulders with one of CNN’s best reporters, Richard Quest.

Richard Austin Quest is an English journalist and a CNN International anchor and reporter based in New York City, USA. He anchors the eponymous show, Quest Means Business, on the international television channel.

The overly excited Larry couldn’t wait for their meeting with Quest to lose the taste of time. He rushed to the best place where he could broadcast details of their meeting with the CNN reporter for the whole world to know.

See the photo below:

So we want to switch up things a little bit today on Ghafla. Today we want to delve away from the usual hullabaloo on the Huddah Monroe’s, Vera Sidika’s and Corazon Kwamboka’s of this world and talk about a different breed of woman.

International Women’s day being just around the corner, March to be specific, it’s only fair that we talk about this special type of woman. This woman who’s distinct, flamboyant and sophisticated; this woman who gives both a thrilling and enchanting chill up men’s spines.

This woman, who holds herself on a high pedestal, is self actualized and understands the values of hard work and determination. This woman who knows what they want, scouts for it and is not dependent on anybody to get it.

This woman who oozes out a different type of sensuality when you spot her at Java sipping some cappuccino in a pencil skirt, nails done with a book in hand; she immediately catches your attention and you can tell from every intricate part of her body that she’s a power house.

This woman blessed with all the right “weaponry”; I’m talking a well adjusted jaw line, flawless face and curves that would give Kim Kardashian a run for her money but opts to use her brain instead. This woman who you’ll never hear calling Maina Kageni in the morning to whine about her man but will opt to run their life in a professional basis. Actually I could go on and on because I have hunch, she’s everyone’s role model and God took a bit more time creating her.

Fortunately enough, there are a couple in Kenya and it’s only fair that we celebrate them. One of them is Aleeda Fazal. One of the most brilliant minds we have in the country, she was one of the pioneers of the award winning and global initiative M-pesa. She was actually the product manager from 2005 to 2006 before she went to conquer greater heights in Afghanistan as the Head of Mobile Money and product Development at Roshan telecommunications Development Corporation. She’s currently headlining KAYMU Kenya where she’s making greater strides in revolutionizing online shopping in the country. As you probably know by now, KAYMU is the largest and safest online shopping community for emerging markets while it connects sellers and buyers giving them access to an extensive range of products including electronics, books, fashion items, gadgets and even cars.

Another woman worth a mention is none other but Maggie Ireri who has quite a number of titles under her name. Apart from being nominated twice in the category of Top Under 40 CEO’s, she formerly the Managing director of Research firm IPSOS synnovate and has been appointed the head of East Africa business for a South African Media and Sports marketing firm.

And this is just a drop in the ocean as there are many other women like First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Julie Gichuru, Anne Waiguru, Paula Kahumbu and many others who are revolutionizing and making a great impact in the world.

So without further ado, let’s celebrate this special type of woman today.

As you’re probably aware, it’s actually Ghafla’s work to update you on the happenings of the weekend and being a bright Monday and a new month, it is only fair we enlighten you on what was cutting, what was kicking and what you missed. Who was caught out misbehaving for example which I bet Tony will definitely enlighten in his exploring photo gallery.

I on the other hand will bring you up to par with a sanctuary I visited deep within the slopes of Mt. Kenya courtesy of one Winnie Mutua, formerly Kaymu and now marketing MD Naromoru River Lodge. Actually it came as a challenge that Ghafla for a long time has been in a comfort zone, afraid to explore more than weekend ratchets and which celebrity was doing what. There is more to life Irari she said over the phone so get on the next car and drive to Naromoru, I will cater for everything.

Who better to challenge than Ghafla as here we never hesitate when a challenge is bestowed upon us; we were determined to go and prove her wrong so together with my colleague we were on the next matatu to Naromoru.

For those not familiar with our beautiful nation, Naromoru is right between Chaka and Nanyuki; the land of beauty and splendor. If you’re using public transport, you pick your matatu at T-Room to Nanyuki; there is a couple to choose from and the fare will probably be around 500 bob on a normal day.

You will transverse across Thika Road onto Makuyu, Sagana, Karatina and finally to the Nyeri Nanyuki junction. You embark on the latter to Chaka and finally to Naromoru. It approximately takes you 3 hours to get there. And in case you get lost, do not fear to ask for directions from the friendly residents; they’ll be more than happy to direct you as the place is quite popular. That’s what we hopelessly Nairobian residents did and by 7PM we were already within the grounds and in the reception where we were welcomed by one Rueben. A hospitable chap who looked genuinely concerned about the intrigues of our visit and went ahead to offer us some refreshments; thanks Rueben.

The environment immediately changes when you enter this sanctuary; the air is fresher, cleaner and the surroundings tranquil and your mind immediately switches to a relaxed mood.

The lobby consists of well outlined wooden floors and seats; trust me it’s been long before I’ve seen so much wood; such exquisite wood just to be precise. Before we could settle down to the picturesque pieces of art present at the reception, our host Winnie was already with us. By the look in her eyes, I had a feeling she was a bit perplexed that I actually took up the challenge. After the usual pleasantries, she set us up with our rooms as dinner was waiting. I was taken aback by my environment that I had lost touch with the fact that I was starving.

Yet another friendly lad was in store to show us our rooms and he gladly offered to carry our luggage, I’m telling you the warmth of the staff at Naromoru was impeccable, five star even. 5, 10 minutes into the walk and we were not yet in our rooms which gave me the feeling this place was expansive; just how many acres? An interesting topic to bring up during dinner I figured. But we could care less how long it took us to get there as we were more mesmerized with the calming sound of the winds hitting the leaves, the roaring river and the birds chirping. It was quite therapeutic and immediately sent my beautiful girlfriend who reached out in the dark and held me tightly (Oh yeah! It’s going down tonight).

Soon enough we were in our rooms and if we thought it was romantic outside, we weren’t really ready for what awaited us in the rooms.

Once upon a time, not long ago though, Q FM saw a massive retrenchment of some of its finest presenters, and since then, the station has been on the decline, hiring and firing the likes of Teacher Wanjiku in a bid to save its otherwise capsizing boat.

Elvina Omalla, daughter to the late KBC presenter Bill Omalla, Roncliffe Oditi and Linda Oriaso saw their contracts with the station terminated as new faces took over.

And a few years after the sack and remaining away from the limelight, one of those who faced the brutality of Q FM’s management, Linda Oriaso, has made a grand comeback on radio.

The humorous presenter will be making her bow on Radio Maisha as from today.

Lynda Oriaso

Linda has stayed out of the limelight and now it seems Radio Maisha will be her next home as she takes over from Tina Korosso in the evening show.

Tina is said to be on leave. However, we couldn’t ascertain if indeed she is on leave or she has faced the sack.

Linda had commanded a massive following at Q FM before its management changed, effectively ending her association with the Nation Media Group Swahili Radio station.

 To a typical kenyan artiste,singing a couple pop tracks,having their videos appear in a couple TV music shows and appearing on a couple tabloids is more than enough to spur them to “superstardom”. They rarely cultivate on their image. Or,very importantly,fanbase.

And if there is an area of celebrityhoood (is there such a word?) that Kenyan Celebrities haven’t quite delved into is; creating a RELATIONSHIP with their fans. As long as they have a couple Facebook LIKES on their very ghostly pages,and a bunch of idle fanatics that show up at their random concerts,Kenyan artists are at home with whatever their ‘fans’ throw at them.

Clearly,You see no attempt by these artists to cultivate not only a healthy but unbreakable relationship with their fans. And,consistently, aiming to maintain it and strengthen it.

In the US,for instance,superstars like Justin Bieber,Nicki Minaj,Lady Gaga,Rihanna and Beyonce have managed to have a very very special rapport with their fans…a rapport that goes beyond blood and relation. A bond that is indestructible. And unassailable.

You can never break the bond between a Rihanna fan and the idol she considers her goddess. You can never destroy the connect between a Justin Bieber fanatic and the man she considers her Musical Prince.

To attain this level of loyalty and artistic faithfulness,to manage to marshall a gang of the most hardcore fans ever,the most diehard gang of fans ever,You will need to do much more than the typical “Mafans Nawapenda Wo” tactic employed by many a Kenyan artiste.

You will need to stop being comfortable with “sharing” your fans with anyone else. No,Create Your own army. Your own gang of indestructible fanbase that will die with You,live for You,fight for You and kill for You.

Create a fierce military of devout adherents who watch your every move,defend your every word and swear by your consecrated name. A fanbase that is committed. To the last drop of their blood.

But how do You do this?? And achieve the kind of notorious zealotry the likes of Beyonce,Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga so famously enjoy?

You’ve got to BEWITCH Your fans. And here’s the 5 witchdoctor steps on how to cast a spell. On Your fans.

1. CREATE A NAME FOR THEM.
Justin Bieber did it. Beyonce did it. Rihanna did it. Nicki Minaj did it. Heck,even Cabu Gah did it….(Hehe) Bieber calls his millions of diehard fans “Beliebers”. Queen Bee calls her stinging army “Beyhive”,Nicki calls her dolls “Barbz” and Thee Baddest Girl Rihanna calls her baddest army “The Rihanna Navy”. There is something POWERFUL about branding your fans. And giving them a special,collective name. A name they all answer to. It makes them feel like a family. Like a unit. And like a ferocious gang. What does Juacali call his fans? Nameless? Victoria Kimani? Rabbit? Willy Paul?? Baptize these people buana! Give them a name! I mean,I called mine “Caburians”. And it worked!

2.BE FLAWLESS. OR ATLEAST, PRETEND TO BE.
Beyonce is Flawless. Like,Flaw.Less. She’s made her millions of fans believe she’s perfect. And next to a goddess. Her music? Flawless. Marriage? Flawless. Life? Flawless. E’rythang? Flawless. The Queen has got NO mistakes. No foibles. No shortcomings. And her fans have come to believe her. And this is clearly evident in the “Untouched” Beyonce photos that were released to the internet 2 weeks ago,showing Beyonce in her natural,freckles-ridden face. After those photos were made public,by the unofficial Beyonce fansite,The Beyonce World,Beyonce fans erupted in a bloodthirsty uproar. Fiercely attacking the Website that released those unflattering photos….showing Beyonce’s very ugly real face. The websites that published these pics,including Complex and Gawker,were attacked so hard by the Beyonce gang,the “Beyhive” that they immediately pulled down the unprepossessing photos. And apologized profusely to Queen Bee. And her ruthless gang,the “Beyhive”. But who defended Avril after the attacks she received for her make-up free,pimple-ridden forehead? Anyone? Naaah. Fail.

3.BE A BADASS.
F being sweet. To hell with that! Go hard or go home. Rihanna style. ‘Riri’ is The Official Baddest Of Bad Girls. Bieber is the Baddest Boy. And Eminem too comes real close. Fans are like girls,they get attracted to the dangerous ones…the bad ones…the rough ones. Quit being a Selena Gomez, and instead,be a Mikey Cyrus. To hell with being an Ariana Grande. Its time to be an Amy Winehouse. Fans have a way of staying loyal and fiercely faithful to BADASS Celebrities. And be smart about it. Show the World You don’t give a Fuck…Like Rihanna does on Instagram. Tell the World, Its My freaking life,like the late great Amy Winehouse used to do. Be a singer. A d still a rough ghetto bad boy…Like Chris Brown is. Chris Breezy has won the “Pandemonium” Award consecutively for the last 4 years. 4 Years? Damn! Ask Yourself why. Be bad. In a good way. Confused? Ask Huddah Monroe. She’s mastered the art. And she’s got the baddest fanbase in Kenya…..

4. BE CONSISTENT
Just like a litter of lion cubs,keep feeding your little ones with meat. Or they’ll die. Or scamper off to someone else whoa actually has some beef to offer. Do not starve Your army. I repeat,DO NOT starve Your army. Ever. Ever. Feed them with new music….New albums…New outfits…New concerts…New things. Keep them fed. And belly-full. All rye damn time. Do not disappear for years. You’ll be forgotten. And they’ll decamp from your group. Make yourself ubiquitous. Always. Jaguar has mastered the art of consistency. Never mind the content he releases… Wahu,can You hear me? Nameless,are You there? Bamboo,sit up and listen. Marya,You lost it ages ago.

5.PLAY THE VICTIM
Although its always advisable to entertain your fans by rapaciously attacking your enemies,haters and detractors, sometimes its also very advisable to step back…And act like the victim here. Act like a wounded lioness that is too broken,too hurt to defend itself. And allow your fans to DEFEND YOU. Sometimes its good to step out of the ring…And allow your fanbase to step in for You. And,bloodily, fight for You. In 2009,Taylor Swift was rudely interrupted by Kanye West at the VMA stage. She didn’t fight back. She acted like the victim she was…And let her fans see through her severing pain. And,unanimously, they all stood up for her. Fought for her and attacked Kanye West so bad he contemplated suicide while recording in Hawaii. Allow these gangs fight for You….time after time. Once again,look at what happened to Beyonce,over the weekend Rock singer Kid Rock attacked Queen Bee saying,

“Beyoncé to me, doesn’t have a f**king ‘Purple Rain,’ but she’s the biggest thing on Earth. How can you be that big without at least one ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ or ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’?”

“People are like, ‘Beyoncé’s hot. Got a nice f**king ass.’ I’m like, ‘Cool, I like skinny white chicks with big tits.’ Doesn’t really f**ing do much for me.” He added,severely bashing the ‘Drunk In Love’ hitmaker.

But Beyonce didn’t say a word. Like the master of the fame she is,she,once again,allowed her baddest gang,the “Beyhive” fight for her. And,boy,oh,boy,this Kid Rock kid was mauled so badly,harangued so fiercely, he should be dead by now.

Beyonce fans poured into Kid Rock’s Instagram page and,in their teeming thousands,left the vilest,most stinging comments and taunts on ALL his photos. ALL.

And,to properly hit the buzzing message home, the “Beyhive” spammed Kid Rock’s Instagram pics with BEE emojis. A billion bee emojis.

When a million bees come for your ass,Brother,You’re as good as dead.

Catch all the drama HERE. Lord,its crazy!

Commandment NUMBER 11:
Thou Shalt Not Attack Beyonce. Never. Ever.

Well,Kenyan Celebrities,there goes the MCHAWI HANDBOOK on how to bewitch. And cast a lasting spell on your fans.

Try it….And if it doesn’t work,CONSULT a real MGANGA. In Tanzania. No,seriously.

Of late, people have been saying that it’s been awfully quite in the Njoki Chege fort, but they spoke too soon.

After irking Instagram users with her scathing yet attention grabbing post and Subaru users by her contemptuous dislike for their turbocharged Japanese machine, the pint sized lady is back!

And this time the salvos are being fired at the vocal Kilimani Mums in an article whose title screams:Dear Kilimani mum; How to survive your husband’s affairs.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

So what if he cheated on you? When you married him, didn’t you have that disturbing thought at the back of your mind that he would not live up to your expectations? But you married him anyway. Possibly because he looked like he could make it.

You quit your job to take care of his children and this is how he repays. By cheating on you with the PYT (Pretty Young Thing) with a sizeable posterior and a waist the size of your wrist. I am sure it must hurt like hell. You feel like you want to tear him to pieces.

Easy now dear, easy. Take a deep breath. Dry your tears. Accept that you married a fellow who will never change. Those late night meetings probably won’t end soon.

And the mistresses will keep getting younger. After all, you are not the first to be cheated on, and certainly not the last. It is time to accept what you already knew; that you married a cad.

With an article like this, you are sure that a lot of feathers will be ruffled and there will be loads of angry birds baying for her blood.Read the whole article  here

Dance has been revolutionized by Sakata, careers in dance have been built and fame has been achieved. And one of the most memorable participants on Sakata includes the effervescent Dashy Crew.

For those who do not watch the show, Dashy was the dance crew that busted some remarkable moves on Nonini’s Pole Pole video and unveiled a new dance routine named Genge Shuffle.
Now news reaching us is that a lady from the crew has passed away. According to Judge Joan, Zawadi Ndela of the crew has passed away .

This is what she wrote:

RIP Zawadi Ndela of ‪#‎DashyKrew‬ . You touched my heart through dance. My heart healed while watching you dance through your pain and I was the judge. In those times it felt like I was blessed to be nourished through this amazing performance when recording days can be draining. Dance on in a new place. We will miss you.

Keeping oneself fit is not a walk in the park as many people take it to be. It in fact needs a lot of exertion and dedication and one needs to go an extra mile to muster the fitness.

Citizen TV siren Janet Mbugua knows this too well.

A video of the TV siren has emerged showing her run out of gas in the gym as she tried to keep herself fit. Were the instructions too much for the presenter?

It seems so. Janet has to give up on this as she cannot do it any more.

Watch her run out of gas here:

Maybe they are keeping their private/love lives away from the public, but that’s highly unlikely. We are all wondering why these celebrities have remained bachelors and spinsters for so long.

Unlike a woman, a man’s stock value doesn’t really decline as he ages, which means that he gets to take his sweet little time when playing the field and deciding on who to wife up. When it comes to celebrities, we know that we don’t know all of their business but some of these fine, single, 40-something celebrities got us confused. For example, why is Maina Kageni still on the market and how come we rarely see him out with nobody? Is it that many of these people don’t want to settle for one person?

With the plethora of celebrity weddings that have taken place recently, it seemed necessary to shed some light on some of the stars who aren’t planning to walk down the aisle anytime soon. Here are 5 celebrities who all keep being asked the same question all the time- “Utaoa lini?”

Maina Kageni

Maina doles out sound advice for a living but at 40+ years of age, can’t show that it’s worked for him. Playing a role that spans being guru and relationships therapist, Maina cajoles, endears and enables his audience in ways unimaginable. So how does one of the most popular presenters of the past decade rarely get photographed with a date? We know the ladies love Maina and a single Maina is much more enticing to fans than a committed one, but dayum…

Caroline Mutoko

Love her, hate her, agree with her policies or abhor them, people come together on two points about Caroline Mutoko. First, they marvel at her amazing achievements as a power-woman, and second, they wonder about her love life.

A seismic force in feminism, our lives will be flipped upside down if at all Caroline Mutoko, the unofficial representative for eternal bachelorette-dom decides to tie the knot. The former Kiss 100 radio queen has been candid about her resistance to marriage ever since she got known. Let’s just say she’s a mini-Oprah of sorts.

Cess Mutungi

A gleeful provocateur, Cess has always been disinterested in marriage topics. The only time she was seen kissing a man was when she kissed…..uuumm…..Maina Kageni. She has — by sheer will, incredible diligence and raw, hard work — created an iron reputation for herself. Perhaps she just doesn’t see where a man will fit.

Sheila Mwanyigha

She has a voice that emanates breathtaking passion and depth. Though besieged by male attention, Sheila has been unable to settle down. Has she been heartbroken too many time? Well it’s possible since she’s been with the likes of bad boys such as Prezzo

Munene Nyaga

Is Munene Nyaga a legendary singular? Speculation has been rife that he does have a Mrs. Right who he decides to conceal from the public. The Nation presenter is notoriously tight-lipped about his private life. He maintains a modest home in one of Nairobi’s popular suburbs and embraces anonominty like he doesn’t want to be famous anymore. Still, there is no proof that he is married.

Comedian Eric Omondi and Socialite Huddah Monroe have been on the limelight lately, with speculation rife in the air that the two could be dating after they were spotted kissing each other on screen.

Many theories have been advanced following the incident, with even a popular entertainment paper going ahead to label Huddah a man-eater following her exploits with different men across the globe.

Huddah came out and said that was just a peck while Eric laughed off the allegations.

And now the comedian has again talked on his special relationship with Huddah and other socialites in the country.

Eric has explained why he went for Huddah after Corazon Kwamboka. Speaking exclusively to Ghafla! Kenya, Eric says that Huddah has a massive social media following and that her influence is so big that it cannot be ignored.

He says that Huddah can easily reach out to many people at once and that is why he went for her to promote his event that took place on the Valentines Day.

Eric has also revealed his relationship with socialite Corazon Kwamboka and says that he is the guy who discovered the lawyer-turned-socialite.

Eric narrates how he met Corazon in Westlands and requested her to feature in a one of his videos he was shooting. He says it is after the shooting that Corazon came into the limelight.

He adds:

DJ Pierra Makena is one of the hottest celebrities in the 254 today and when she is behind the decks, believe it what comes out tells how much the decks enjoy the caressing they get from the DJ’s fingers.

Pierra Makena, as hot as she is, has admitted to have a crush on one of Kenya’s celebrated and veteran singers, Redsan.

In an exclusive interview with Ghafla Kenya, the DJ says that she has always felt Redsan is the hottest bloke around despite the fact that she knows the singer is married.

Pierra adds that she is good friends with the dance hall singer but says she has never shown her admiration for him.

She says that she, however, no longer feels the same as she came to accept that Redsan is someone’s husband. “So who is your crush these days?” Our reporter asks enthusiastically.

“I cannot tell you who my crush is…” Pierra quips. She goes on to say:

Continued from Part 1

Mainstream media has always been the most trusted and up to date source of information in Kenya and the world over. Apart from entertaining, its other functions include educating, informing and to summarise all, get keeping.

 The shaky relationship between Kenyans and the mainstream media started off since the 2007 elections, my friend told me. The media, which should have played a major role in airing what was really happening became partisan, trimming what Kenyans wanted to hear and airing what editors wanted us to hear and see.

Then came 2013 and the mainstream media terribly failed as politics got into newsrooms and finally into the heads of editors and directors in our radio and TV stations. A close social revealed to me that all that is there in a newsroom is what can only be termed as newsroom politics.

A story about what Sonko did today will be given more airtime than that on children and women dying of hunger in Kapedo, Turkana. The question is, how does Sonko’s gold-plated Land Cruiser impact positively on a Kenyan if that is the news that will be aired for close to 10minutes?

Compare this with a story about starving children in Turkana, children who need help to survive. Unfortunately, such news come last in most bulletins, effectively highlighting how the mainstream media has terribly failed, giving room for social media to be the only true and up to date source of information.

For instance, in 2013, the mainstream media resolved that they were not going to air ugly incidents during the general elections because they feared fanning trouble. How is this true? Media’s objective is to air things as, how and when they happening, not to practice peace journalism.

If a Kenyan mainstream media journalist is reduced to only reporting on how Raila’s shoe was ‘laughing’ or how DP Ruto called Raila ‘Jamaa wa Vitendawili’, then journalism in Kenya is on its deathbed. If this journalist will do a feature story on food security or on insecurity or why Kenya really invaded Somalia and his/her editor trashes the story because he/she wants to give her/his favourite politician airtime, then the journalist should be worried. He/she is an endangered species.

Today, politics are the order of the day in most media houses. Editors are pocketing money to please politicians. They want their favourite politicians to get airtime than other important things. Politics has made a mainstream media journalist an endangered species.

Commercials and money is another aspect that should worry a Kenyan journalist. Today, TV and radio stations want to make more and more money. Commercials are taking the space of news. Commercials are the order of the day. Unlike international media houses like CNN and Al Jazeera, our local stations are money-minded. Take for instance a TV station like Citizen TV. In its 7 pm news, ideally news should take like 30 minutes. However, a keen look into how the news comes will tell you that news takes 15 minutes while the other 15 are dedicated for commercials.

Now a reporter has gone to the field and gathered life-changing information. Unfortunately, on reaching the newsroom, an editor who doesn’t understand what the reporter went through as they collected the information trims the report and gives it 2 minutes or less. All this is aimed at creating room for commercials. This is literally killing the reporter and hi/her efforts.

Ideally news should be given more airtime than anything in media. And not just news, but life-changing news. The media has terribly failed to live up to this very noble mandate. Instead, the editors and journalists are dancing to the tune of politicians and business moguls as they put their careers into jeopardy.

The social media, you can choose to agree or disagree, is today the only standing true source of information, raw and hard news information. An accident along Thika Road will be posted on facebook as it happened. A robbery incident will be posted immediately it is captured. So is rape incident. No one is going to post how Raila laughed or how Sonko arrived with heavily armed body guards at Lee Funeral home.

A Kenyan mainstream media journalist is simply an endangered species.

I love dancing, God knows I love dancing. But I dance like a drunk white girl with two broken left feet. Or like a frog in a blender.

So unfortunately I have to dance in the shower or vicariously through those that are gifted with the gift of dance, and among those gifted is the Fabulous F.B.I crew.
FBI dancers are a crew of five lithe dancers, more limber than a slinky. The dancers are mainly Tajiri,Ezra,Mute,Ramah and Freddy Milanya.

Having been featured in a countless number of videos in East Africa, they now push their ability to extreme levels, recording and choreographing their own music video with the aid of the Dance Africa organization who help with the actualization.

Enjoy another Quality release from Provoke Music for Dance Africa

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Mainstream media has always been the most trusted and up to date source of information in Kenya and the world over. Apart from entertaining, its other functions include educating, informing and to summarise all, get keeping.

However, as time goes by, all this is quickly fading out as less and less important things take centre stage, effectively eroding the values of good journalism and the main functions of the media in Kenya.

A friend who has worked with the media industry for two decades once told me that when he started working as a journalist, objectivity took center stage. Everything was done objectively and that is one of the many ideals of good journalism. Unfortunately, as he laments, today everything has changed.

A Kenyan mainstream media journalist is an endangered species. A lot is happening in newsrooms. Objectivity has been eroded.

This weekend I had a chat with a renowned journalist who works in one of the biggest media houses in the country and as we shared about journalism and its fate in Kenya, one thing manifested itself: journalism is on the decline in Kenya, and specifically in the main stream media.

A month ago I did an article on the relationship between mainstream media and Kenyans (There Is Hostility From Kenyans Towards Mainstream Media, And We Have The Evidence…But Why?) and in the article, after a thorough research, I highlighted how the relationship is a bitter one, especially from Kenyans who no longer trust the mainstream media, thanks to its failure to live up to the watchdog role that it should perform.

Three TV stations that have switched off to protest forceful digital migration

Many Kenyans no longer trust the main stream media and this explains why they are behind the government as it pushes for digital migration. They seem not to miss anything even after the purported 3 favourite TV stations shut down in protest of the hurried digital migration.

Many say it is time the media houses pay for their ‘atrocities’. Which are these atrocities Kenyans want the mainstream media to pay for? I asked my friend over the weekend.

Continued on Part 2

Fans of local TV station NTV have been wondering where one of their favorite News anchors has been, the than larger-than-life Larry Madowo.

As you have probably noticed, Yvonne Maingey is flanked by another anchor. Well, Larry Madowo is currently in Barcelona Spain. He is there for business and pleasure. As you are all probably aware, the Samsung Galaxy 6 edge and Samsung Galaxy 6 was unveiled in Barcelona, ahead of the start of Mobile World Congress and he was there for the unveiling.

But that did not stop him from enjoying the pleasures Spain had to offer such as a glass of Spanish specialty Sangria

It’s about that time of the year when the wheat is separated from the chaff, the Bloggers Association of Kenya Awards.

Last year we scooped the award fro Best Entertainment award amid cheers  boos from the excited audience and this year we intend to take home the prize. With your help of course.To make Ghafla the Best Entertainment/Lifestyle blog of the year, cast your votes, oh yee loyal readers. Your vote will be much appreciated.

Click here to vote for your favorite blog’s favorite blog http://blogawards.co.ke/vote/