Month: May 2015

NTV’s Dennis Okari is known for his generally impeccable investigative stories and from what I gather his latest piece ‘The Children of a lesser God’was no different. He killed it on this one.

But he says it was not all sunshine and rainbows in the making of this piece as it took a toll on his emotions. He admits that he was emotionally and physically drained from all the tragic stories of the Garissa Students.

This is what he wrote;

I have to admit, I cried a lot while writing the script and going through hours of footage of the agonizing and untimely deaths of the Garissa Students. I have never felt emotionally and physically drained doing a story like this one. I will NEVER forget those faces and names especially Stella’s family. I looked into the eyes of Mama Stella and I was broken at what I saw. Pain, agony and a deep cry that can’t be summarized in words. My prayers for the families that are still searching for answers. God is with you during this trying times.

Thank you for your feedback everyone. Let’s remember to pray for these families.

When pictures of Vera Sidika’s 50 million bleach job gone wrong hit the internet, we were pretty shocked to see what had become of the former russet beauty.

The shock soon turned into trolling and she became the butt of all jokes with a myriad of memes making rounds on Twitter.

But the naysayers were silenced after Vera uploaded photos looking on point, looking fresh as a daisy, a far cry from the ‘Casper’ photos that had surfaced online. But new photos depict otherwise….

Check them out

 

Or is  it just a case of Vera going too brush happy?

 

John Kerry, US Secretary of State, touched down in the country on Sunday for an official visit. Even with his busy schedule, Obama’s point man on foreign relations managed to spare time to hang out with a Kenyan celeb.

John Kerry is usually flanked by lots of armed to teeth American security guards, getting close to him requires high level clearance. You all know how Americans are paranoid with matters security.

One celebrity however managed to penetrate into Kerry’s personal aura. He was none other than Rights Activist, Boniface Mwangi.

Many thought Octopizzo was the celeb Kerry would meet, I mean the guy has connections to high offices within the American embassy.

But the US Secretary Of State opted to mingle with Boniface instead. The latter’s work was the reason why he attracted the eyes of the US statesman.

Kerry called on Boniface at PAWA 254 where they discussed stuff relating to his daring work. Of course they concluded their meeting with a selfie!

 

Does sex sell? It is a question loaded with controversy, in a world where young people are increasingly exposed to images and content that make us consider the moral framework of our African society. Western cultures have long enjoyed freedom of expression, which allows us to paint a rich and varied interpretation of our lives for art’s sake, to entertain, or to promote commercial enterprise.

We challenge ourselves by pushing the boundaries of taste and over recent years, we have evolved to become more tolerant to the idea of sex being something we discuss – either via direct conversation or using a visual medium such as film or photography.

Sex, in its various guises, is of course a fundamental human function that is not only essential to the future of the human race, but is a complex and compelling part of our existence. I think, because it largely happens behind closed doors, any allusion to sex in public is powerful.

In Kenya, there are radio presenters that really like talking about sex. Some do it for fun, some do it for education purposes and some do it for business purposes. Here are some of them.

Maina Kageni

Perhaps the boldest of them all. Classic 105 presenter Maina Kageni talks about sex at 8 am in the morning forcing old people to look all uncomfortable around us young people in matatus. Maina has had his fair share of criticism but he just doesn’t care. He continues to do what he does best alongside his partner in crime King’ang’i. His show is a cash cow for Radio Africa, with millions of shillings in advertisement money.

Getrude Mungai

She started out on TV at K24 where she used to demonstrate sex positions live. Mothers had to rush their sons and daughters to bed early so that they could catch up with Getrude’s chronicles and surprise their husbands. I liked her more there. Nowadays she’s plying her trade at Radio Jambo. The sexpert is thrilling and exciting at the same damn time. She refers to coitus as ‘mombasa raha’. What more can you say for a presenter who encourages couples to put hairstyles on their pubic hair – What a woman.

Cess Mutungi

Capital FM’s Cess Mutungi has always been a naughty girl. It’s no surprise that she put ‘titties’ as her profile pic on Twitter. I don’t know whether the ‘titties’ are hers or just a random lady’s. But if they are hers, goddamn. Cess doesn’t shy away from tackling sex matters. She even talks about her own escapades. Apparently, she’s the chairlady of the ‘Nairobi Citti Titti Committi’. Whatever that means

Babu Wakasiaka

He headlines a show called Maji Makuu on Radio Maisha late night. The guy has content though he prefers to remain anonymous. In fact, he’s so under the radar that you wouldn’t find a single picture of him on the internet.

Mbusii

The Reggae head from Radio Jambo likes portraying himself as a conscious rastaman but he does talk about sex a lot – in a good way though. Mbusii bashes those that thrive in immoral and unrespectable behavior. He refers to the act of sexual intercourse as ‘kupiga kuni’. How he came up with such a term is a mystery. Good job though.

 

Huddah Monroe has been spending her quality time in Tanzania, enjoying the serenity of Zanzibar island and the cool climate which she has really praised when she compares it with that in Kenya currently.

The socialite had, however, flown to Tanzania purposely to attend the Zari All White Party hosted by Diamond’s wife Zari Hassan, a fellow socialite from Uganda.

But as it turned out, Huddah never appeared anywhere near the party and questions flew across East Africa over why Huddah snubbed the party despite being invited.

This is the same question Tanzanian radio personality Millard Ayo posed to Huddah when he hosted her in his radio show yesterday.

Word had been going round that Huddah snubbed the party after landing a potential client who flew her to the posh Zanzibar Island for pleasure and other niceties.

However, the Kenyan socialite has come out to shed light on the incident that has since threatened to soil her otherwise pleasant relationship with Zari and Diamond.

In an interview with Millard Ayo, Huddah said that she failed to attend the party because she fell sick and was not feeling ok. She said that she spent most of the time in the same hotel room with Zari and Diamond and she informed them of the reasons why she wouldn’t attend.

She has rubbished claims that there was cold blood between her and the Diamonds and said that they are her friends and could not do that.

Here is the interview as it went down:

 

The resident diner and dasher Laura Oyier is back. After enjoying her 15 seconds of fame and riding the wave of infamy like a pro fame-surfer, Laura Oyier was kicked back into oblivion, but she is back.

This time for allegedly dining and dashing at the Villa Rosa Kempinski.

I don’t know if this is another of her stunts but she was allegedly detained at the Westlands-based 7 star hotel for failing to come up with the bill. She however denies being detained.

Speaking to SDE, Laura said. “I was never detained at the hotel. I had a bill and when I offered to pay via MPesa, they said they don’t do MPesa transactions. I then got one of the service men accompanying me to Oillibya (Westlands) where a friend was. I then got the money and let the serviceman pay back at the hotel” adding that “This is a little misunderstanding. The reason I was at Villa Rosa was the fact that I had a meeting with one of the Hot Rod band members whom I wanted to hire for an upcoming United Nations event. I was also there to support the band.”

Phyllis Mwihaki Ng’etich is the latest millionaire in town after pocketing Ksh1.2 million following a closely fought contest in the Maisha Superstar Season 1 TV show which concluded Monday Night.

Phyllis, popularly known on stage as Phy, fended off her closest contender, Ugandan rookie Spirit Soul in Maisha Superstar reality contest that brought together the biggest names in the East African entertainment industry among them star mentors Rabbit and Nameless from Kenya, Maurice Kirya and Jose Chameleone of Uganda and AY and Shaa from Tanzania.

Maisha Superstar final episode lived to the expectations of the fans with outstanding performances from the final four rookies namely Spirit Soul, Damian Soul and Fi-lah as well as their star mentors. The evening witnessed thrilling collabos by each rookie and their mentor with Jose Chameleone stealing the show when he performed his latest singles Valu Valu and Wale Wale with his rookie Spirit Soul earning a rousing applause from the studio audience.

Maisha Superstar is the latest music TV reality show in the region whose journey began 13 weeks ago with the search for the final six rookies. The first four episodes of the show saw a number of rookies being eliminated after being taken through rigorous auditions by their mentors resulting in only one being chosen by each of the six mentors.

Phy’s journey to the top started on a high note following three weeks of topping the Maisha Superstar chart with scores exceeding 90s elevating her on a pedestal that the other rookies could not reach for the remainder of the show. Coached by King Kaka Sungura, Phy has been an all-round entertainer well versed with various instruments as well as a super ability to perform in almost all genres of music.

Maisha Superstar Season 1 has been airing on Maisha Magic Channel 161 every Monday at 8.00 pm and featured a team of expert judges representing music industry’s most influential stakeholders among them music producers, media personalities, independent and major recording labels representatives as well as selected fans.

Phy’s reward of a recording deal is set to jumpstart her journey to the world of stardom as it would raise her profile almost to the same level as some of the best performing artists in East Africa and the continent at large.

Maisha Superstar is a production of Endemol Shine Africa for M-Net East Africa. Join the conversation online @maishasuperstar. You can also like Maisha Superstar and Maisha Magic on Facebook or visit www.MaishaMagic.tv

(Phy with her mentor, Kaka Sungura)

Binyavanga Wainaina made headlines a few years ago when he came out and openly declared that he is a homosexual.

The respected author went ahead to explain where he chose to live this way and that everyone should accept who he is and move on.

Well, we moved on long ago but Binyavanga has always made his way to our headlines almost every day.

His mode of dressing is so controversial that to a great extent it looks more hilarious than it should not be.

The latest photo of the scribe in female attire has caused a stir on the internet. Many have made fun out of it with those hearing of Binyavanga for the first time wondering why he would don a feminine attire.

Here is the photo:

 

 

Kenyan beauty Huddah Monroe is among the few socialites in the country who are known to spend every moment of their life to give themselves the best and enjoy life to the fullest.

The socialite has been in Tanzania since the turn of the month, enjoying her short holiday in Zanzibar in the serene environments of the posh island.

Huddah had flown to Tanzania to attend Zari’s Zari All White Party but as it turned out she was not in attendance. That is a story for another day.

Huddah had an interview with Tanzania’s all-time top radio presenter Millard Ayo and it was here that she opened up like never before about her childhood life, where she grew up and what she used to do.

Huddah was born in Eastleigh, Nairobi and her father was of Somali origin. Unfortunately, he died while she was very young and her mother got married to another man who raised her up and took care of her.

Huddah reveals that at school she was that bad girl who gave teachers sleepless nights because of her naughty nature. She however finished her form four and joined college but dropped out later because she believed she was wasting her time.

Huddah worked as a secretary with a construction company in Nairobi but would later be sacked because she had no papers for the job. She had nowhere to go so a friend of hers gave her accommodation and later helped her join Calif Records where she featured as a video vixen thanks to her looks.

This is where her breakthrough came from and the money she got she saved and later teamed up with an oil dealer who helped gain some income to sustain herself.

It was here that the auditions for Big Brother Africa came and Huddah successfully went through after being convinced to try by her friends.

Big Brother Africa introduced Huddah to the limelight and since then she has never looked back.

Here is the interview she had with Millard Ayo in Tanzania:

 

Sensation NTV anchor, Larry Madowo, sparked a trivial tittle-tattle that has seen numerous Kenyans pouring in their gut-busting remarks.

The genesis of this gripping conversation was the dreaded American agents assigned to protect US Secretary Of State, John Kerry.

The American statesman set foot in the 254 on Sunday and it was his security detail that grasped the attention of Kenyans.

See also: Show Of Might! US Commandos Cause A Stir In Nairobi

Back to Larry, the NTV anchor decided to ‘mock’ our own boys in blue when he posted a photo of an ashy worn out policeman together with his fully armed American counterpart who was part of Kerry’s protection.

 

Larry then asked his social media army to chip in a comment or two in regard to the two security officers.

The comments that followed the post will send you laughing all day long. Kenyans took a dig at our very own ruthlessly stripping the poor guy as they compared and contrasted him with the American agent.

Check out some of the comments posted on the next page:

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Jefferson Choti: The one in blue is trying to figure out how to put food on the table for his family, since the government pays him little money. The one in green is well trained and taken care of by his government, and therefore he has no worries.

Robin Gitonga: Sema jack bauer na kipruto!!

Jefferson Kiyondi: The US guy new he was going to do that job since he was akid its a calling but in kenya hahaha class1- when I grow up awanna be -pilot class8- when i grow up awanna be Engineer After form4 – recruitment ya kenya police ni when?

Bernard Babu: One noted the camera and had his finger on trigger the other one didnt notice the camera,he was waiting to stop the convoy to check for the licence and the ‘dl’…lolest!

Ezzy Mbugua: Our blue boy is feeling secure for the first time. .

Kinuthia Martin: The US Ranger is sooo keen.. he even noticed the camera…. the other one ata hana worries.. being in uniform just because it is a duty…….

Rodgers Esekon: When the govt says security starts with you, lala na panga boss as it also ends with you.

Jane Kanana: Gosh… huyo wetu ni handbag amebeba ama anategea lunch?

Brian Richard Otieno: One is policeman the other is watchman

Ondiek J. Otieno Jakolanya: Kenyan Soldiers Are Hungry Always, Standing As If He Is Astatue.

James Maina Kariuki: The “scout” in blue is feeling secure for the first time!

Joyce Oyunge: Hmm.. Larry this our own is he guarding a heard of cattle’s ama??…very disappointing… Or maybe this commando wanted a kaselfie with Ap police in Kenya….who knows… Very irritating.

Kimutai Hillary: The soldier in blue knows Kenya is safe…the commando is relying from misinformation that Kenya is unsafe

Ken Ynek: Huyo askari wa Kenya anakaa like mtu ana act kama watchman….hii ni mambo gani sasa.Hata ni heri inspector mwala na papa shirandula wangeenda hapo.

Jivi de Lion: Ngojeni obama akuje. our mboyz in blue wataenda vacation coz watakuwa idle bila kazi

Adiddas Mavado Magana: larry ni chukulie namba za uyo mzungu mwambie mm ni kinyozi izo ni pesa zimelala apo ndevu ni 30 kichwa ni 50

Georges Kibe: one guy is at work while another is checking on work…………………….poor kenyans

Candy Dii: Uyo wetu anakaaa nkama anachungaa ngombee aka mbuzii

John Gakunga: If our cop was given a gun and combat gear he would also be in same position as the u.s ranger but with a rungu what can he really do? just like him I’d let the other guy do all the work….smile at the camera

Totti Graffitte: This Kenyan police is very happy, he has security by his side, the place is secured by many of those commandos, so why should he be worried.

Dan Okoth: The police in Kenya are like scouts in this picture!

Tero L Corz: its like comparing the Greatwall tv and a Plasma tv …the greter the income the more improved you become…we are 3rd world country.Economy mbaya!pende msipende…mumeona!

Wilfred Mugono: The one in blue ako radaa anangoja mtu wa motorcycle amuulize wapi helmet?

Kimutai Hillary: The kenyan cop has switched to relaxed mode, he is feeling secure

Paul K.alumira: What! This guy is armed to the teeth, with those glasses lies a rear view camera …i cannot wrap my mind around the man in blue ni kama anachomewa mahindi….

Eliud Nyamai: Now we see where we fail as far as security is concerned. Providing our police officers with rungus to offer security and expect efficient results from0hem

James Nganga: Solder Vs Watchman

Collins D Owino: Uyu wetu anafikiria wapi atapata pesa ya kulipia watoto fee

Judy G Waruinge: That’s guy in blue seems to be waiting for a mat I overlap achukue finje……. The other ready to face alshabab…sharp n focused

Sarah Nafula: One is motivated the other less motivated.

 

They say that the best things come in twos, from the latest pair of Christian Louboutins, a pair of alluring eyes or in the case of this former Hot 96 Presenter, babies!

Chris Okinda a former Hot 96 presenter is now a daddy to this gorgeous pair of twins.

The former hot 96 presenter who now works at Urban Radio Kisumu has this beautiful lass to thank for his babies

 

Churchill has been in this industry for over 15 years, struggling for the most part, trying standup comedy in a country that enjoyed slapstick comedy and skits.

But this feted comedian’s efforts are not in vain as his show is one of the most watched shows in Kenya.

And what is vein better, he is making a killing out of it, going home with 1.2 Million Kshs every episode, which is 4.8 Kshs a month. Talk of lanes.

 

According to an insider, there are talks to get the comedian a new show over the weekend, now imagine how much he will be making when the show goes through?

There is a lesson here boys and girls, starting out a career is crazy but the end makes it all worth it so keep trudging on.

Sultry KTN TV queen, Sophia Wanuna, was completely taken aback for a moment while on her official duty on Morning Express.

Sophia Wanuna wakes up very early in the morning to grace our screens while most of us are still stuck in the sickening Nairobi traffic.

The pretty KTN anchor is always in an exuberant mood whenever she is on air hosting Morning Express. Yesterday, her spirit was uplifted even higher when she was greeted with a rare but common surprise.

Apparently she was so busy with her job that she probably forgot it was her big day. KTN crew however decided to surprise her by presenting a birthday cake to her while she was on air.

The baffled Sophia couldn’t thank them enough, she went on to cut her cake as she flaunted it to her viewers. Oh! I have no idea how old Sophia is, she must have forgotten to mention her age!

Anyway, the entire Ghafla! crew wish Sophia a late happy birthday, may she live long enough to count all the stars in the sky!

The first week of the month is rolling out just fine, no dramas yet from entertainment industry! Yesterday, two gospel artists, Bahati and Size 8, dominated headlines for what they did over the weekend. It seem gospel musicians will be the talk of the nation this month! That aside, below are ten stories that will stir you up this Tuesday morning:

#1Show Of Might! US Commandos Cause A Stir In Nairobi (Photos)

#2The Unbelievable Photo of Vera Sidika That She Never Wants You To See

#3Vera Sidika Drives People Crazy As She Shows Off Her Bodacious Assets In A Bikini

#4What Diamond Did For Eric Omondi Will Leave Kenyans Elated

#5Check Out The Hottest Female Blogger In Kenya Who Everyone at BAKE Awards Was Thirsting Over! Her Body Is To Die For!!!

#6Sonko Shows Support For Size 8. This Is What He Did

#7Find Out Why Octopizzo, Jaguar, Wyre Among Other Top Secular Artistes Thronged Gospel Singer Bahati’s Home Over The Weekend(Photos)

#8Ghafla Exclusive:NTV Fires Some Of Their Best Including Obinna, Otoyo And Brenda Wairimu

#910 New Photos Of Huddah Monroe Parading Her Titillating Body In A Steamy Bikini

#10Secular Artists Are More Supportive Than Their Gospel Counterparts. Size 8-DJ Mo Fundraiser Proves It All (Photos)

homosexuality in a African setting is a sensitive matter, a matter that I’d rather not take sides. After the Deputy president allegedly outlawed homosexuality in Kenya at a church service, gay rights activists have come out to openly critique the move by William Ruto. The most recent being Joji Baro, a controversial gospel artist and a gay rights activist. 

 This is his response : 

 

am not the kind of person that uses religious books and beliefs to justify my sexuality because my life revolves around many aspects and my spirituality, is but just one of them. What is morally right to me could be immoral to you and the reverse is true. So why should one impose their religious beliefs on someone by mixing sexuality and spirituality?

In my lifetime, I have been undressed by priests and seen things that no man should see. If I had to name and shame judgementalists and radicalists, you would be shocked to realize that the same people who spread the hate propaganda against gays are the very ones who look for us in the cover of the nights and cold.

kenyan ll

Terrorist attacks have become a common happening in recent times. While the rest of the society is understandably priotising security matters, the LGBTI community continues to deal with discrimination but when it comes to gay rights, Kenya would rather side with terrorists or make a deal with the ‘devil’ to completely eliminate sexual minorities, that is if their comments on social media following the NGLHRC court case win are anything to go by. While I understand there is something called ‘hate speech’, what I do not understand is why no one gets charged when someone posts such hate and violence inciting comments yet the subjects of such detestation are the ones policed in their bedrooms.

I rarely quote from the constitution but that does not mean that I do not know my rights. I believe I have fundamental rights as it is stipulated very clearly in Chapter Four of the Bill Of Rights in the Kenyan Constitution. I also have responsibilities such as to respect the Office of the Presidency and I would not want to be caught on the wrong side of the law and perhaps get charged with treason. But when my Vice President forgets he leads a national state and not a family institution, I dare say that is abuse of office.

He wears a three piece suit with pride, carries an iPhone, and speaks in a western language against gays alleging that homosexuality is not African, one wonders which is unafrican; his forgone culture or something that is older than colonialism.

My VP wants to govern my sexuality, he has taken it upon himself to decide who I hang out with, who I make love with, when I do it and how I should do it. I think with all the issues affecting our nation, his priorities are greatly misplaced.

The President of one of the most powerful Countries, USA and one of the leading gay rights supporters in the world President Obama is expected to visit Kenya in July.

He is expected to hold a bilateral summit and attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit but what does his visit mean to the LGBTI community? If the Garissa attack would not deter his plans, what makes anti-gay crusaders like Archbishop Eliud Wabukala and Vice President William Ruto think they will stop Obama’s visit?

I understand we need USA as much as we need gay rights but that shows our leaders’ level of double standards. They can accept someone who aids our country yet he supports gays but they cannot accept a gay person that religiously pays taxes. Ironically, the biggest part of these taxes are channeled to fund the leaders’ lavish lifestyles, security and also aid to build barriers against LGBTI rights.

Kenyan Media will always air LGBT stories in negative light to raise their ratings. Just recently KTN TV had a talk show on Prime time where they hosted a group of men that bashed gays on live television. On more occasions that we can count, the media has paved way for hate propaganda and invaded us through their publications.

It is time to stop giving anti-gay supporters a platform and universal space to spread hate. Morality and beliefs are personal values that should not be policed on people. It is time for our political leaders to stop using us as a bait to get votes, time for religious leaders to stop using the LGBTI issue to get bigger offerings. For as long as LGBTI people continue to pay tax, we shall continue to fight for our rights to be recognized as taxpayers and citizens with the same rights as everyone else.

Jojibaro is an LGBTi activists and HIV+gay gospel artist based in Nairobi Kenya.”

 

 

 

 

Apart from their enviable rumps and unrivalled beauty, Huddah Monroe couldn’t be more worlds apart.

Huddah, a ballsy dare-devil, a sassy speaker who fires back at haters with the ferocity of a Kamikaze fighter, the resident bad girl who enjoys sharing acres of skin and glob trotting while Avril is Kenya’s sweetheart, the reserved miss goody two-shoes, who gets distressed by criticism and practically walks with a halo over her head.

But despite being too different, these two fuse like the ying and the yang, they go together like bread and butter, pilau and bananas. The two are very close friends with Avril fondly referring to Huddah as her girl. Aww.

Here are some photos of the two friends enjoying Avril’s surprise birthday party:

 

 

 

 

What is your ultimate hangout plan on a Friday night? Could it be gallivanting in the middle of the wild while sipping a cold beer and whispering sweet nothings to your significant others ear? Well if it is, that is what I was doing last Friday at the Nairobi National Park.

Nairobi had come to life; or rather the wild had come alive for 5 For 5 event. The big difference however was that not only was this event a party but also a course to save our wildlife which is on the verge of becoming extinct. Their main target was on the elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and gravy zebra which have declined drastically in the past 10 years.

I got there at around 7PM just in time to catch the bus which was apparently taking guys inside the park. Now how about that? Dancing along to Atemi’s tunes as baboons watch, awesome right? Yes, awesome it was and it was all courtesy of Dela who was on stage when I got there. I found her already enthralling the crowd with her dope tunes singing along hit after hit.

Talking of awesome, so was the setting and the organizers who were determined to offer the best comfort all the way from bus driver to the security. As of the setting, it consisted of a perfectly lit stage and a huge tent which housed the crowd. It gave that outdoor looks of hay bans and outdoor sits which went well with the theme of the event offering great ambience. This blended well with the crowd which to say the least was quite exciting. A hippy on one end, a jungu on the other and a conservationist at the far corner, you’re bound to have a ball.

And a blast did we have because immediately Dela left the stage with her melodious tunes, then some DJ which I couldn’t put a face to got on board and wooed the crowd with some cool reggae vibes. The whole Ghafla which had made an appearance couldn’t stop dancing and with a few tuskers already in the system, your guess is as good as mine.

Talking of liquor, it was quite affordable with a beer going for only 200 bob. The various delicacies on offer were also quite affordable which consisted of some awesome roast “nyama”. I think I went to their stand twice, oops, I hope my girlfriend doesn’t see this because she’s all about fitness.

As the night drifted away there was education on conservation and basically what guys needed to do in terms of safeguarding our wildlife and of course more melodies from the likes of Winyo and the impeccable Atemi who I must say really moved the crowd. And when I thought I had experienced to the maximum, Sarabi came on to the stage and turned the whole into the frenzy.

Even Nairobi County guys who are always chilled out couldn’t help themselves as they sang along or rather danced to every tune that came from these guys. I must say Kenyan artists are really talented and the only thing they need is some support to conquer Africa if not the whole world.

I made my exit at around midnight and by then the crowd was still yearning for more. I bet the animals were quite thrilled to know that the world was looking out for them. If this is your kind of experience then be on the lookout as the next one is coming to a game park near you.

 

So in case you’re not yet acquainted, all roads last weekend were leading to Intercontinental Hotel along Uhuru highway for this year’s BAKE awards. Yes, this is the time of the year where bloggers get recognition for all the hard work they have put.

This time Airtel were the main sponsors and trust me they went all out. I reckon they’re among the first corporates to see the online beckoning evolution which is slowly hitting the industry. According to one of their representatives whom I happened to have a chat with, Airtel believes in recognizing and empowering the potential of our youth and in case you haven’t noticed Kenyan bloggers have the power to change people’s lives. Their creative contribution to online content generation through different areas of blogging and social media platforms has helped in enhancing knowledge on innovation in Kenya. I found that quite cool.

 

Anyway, the event was scheduled to start at 6 but the Ghafla crew made its way at around 8PM to find the party already kicking. We were just in time to find Kevin Bouart receiving his award for best photography blog which I must say he deserved. I bet the work of trying to get socialites to behave and walk the thin line between s3xy and trashy is pretty hard.

He was in a black blazer, black T shirt and black pants which I must say marched very well. He was not the only one though who was looking fresh and stylish. For a moment you would have mistaken the event to be fashion one. Starting from Joy Kendi in a white pencil dress or skirt- I really don’t know the difference to this is Ess in a very exquisite black dress. Magunga Williams was also looking quite sharp in a checked blazer and black sneakers.

The models who were handling the event were also looking quite sassy in little black dresses and I was pretty sure I saw Magunga thirsting. The highlight of the day however came with Pinky Ghelani who was the Mcee. How can anyone turning 40 look like that? Have so much flawless skin? Have such well adjusted jaw lines? Have such a perfectly articulated waist line? I guess we’ll never really find out unless she shares her secret. So Pinky? anyone?

 

 

Not only was she looking good but she did a perfect job in making sure we were all entertained and comfortable. I took my whisky on the rocks and sat down to listen to the various winners in the various categories which came as either surprises, confusing or the obvious. Take for example Ghafla which is basically the biggest entertainment website this side of the Sahara. I don’t believe some people thought we wouldn’t win. Women lie, men lie but numbers don’t as Baba Ghafla one Majani likes to put it.

Silvia Njoki scooping the fashion category however I must admit came as a shocker for me. How she managed to trample Ess and Joy Kendi has still got me baffled. Still on baffling, how come Biko Zulu still got to win in his creative writing despite him saying he doesn’t the award in the first place?

All these thoughts were however washed away when Makadem came on to the podium and got to perform some of his greatest hits. How everything seemed to just fade away into the horizon when he sang away, one melody after the next. I’m telling you all your worries and concerns seem to fade away. I’m telling nothing could offer a distraction; okay maybe just the beautiful women who were present at the event. It’s sad that most Kenyans don’t appreciate good music. In the not so wise words of Grand Pa family, hayo kweli ni mapepo.

These awards are also taking a positive projection with a lot of people paying attention to them nowadays. Even the number of celebrities, coporates and even the grater citizenry has risen tremendously which is a good sign that things are ripening in the blogosphere. The award came to a close at around 11PM just in time for the various delicacies which were in plenty.

The drinks also kept flowing as the winners celebrated their wins and the losers paraded their fake smiles. Oooh, dudes were also making their moves and so were the ladies on the Hart the Band. If only I was a celebrity…….

Sadly I had to make my exit to the next party…….

It has been confirmed  that Nation has lost one of its best talents.

Mr Manwa Magoma, the Head of Radio at Nation Media Group left the Kimathi street-based media house last week after resigning.

Just like Yvonne Maingey, Manwa  left the media house to pursue education. He will be enrolling in the prestigious HEC Paris or école des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Paris a business school located in the suburbs of Paris, France.

It’s considered one of the most prominent business schools in the world alongside Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, London Business School and the  University of Pennsylvania: Wharton.

Mr. Manwa
We wish Mr Manwa all the best as he pursues his education.

Charles Bukeko a.k.a Papa Shirandula is what we like to call Jina kubwa.He is not only a local superstar but also an internationally acclaimed actor, having starred  in internationally celebrated film ‘The Constant Gardener.’

And who can forget just how well he starred in the ‘Brrrrrr” Coca Cola advert, an advert that grew to be one of the most successful campaigns for Coke.

And girls certainly acknowledge his star quality as demonstrated by this photo:

 

 

The Kenyan media industry has expanded significantly in the recent past with TV stations taking centre stage in bringing Kenyans up to date with the latest happenings.

The competition in this market is becoming even a more exciting one with the shift to digital migration, a platform gives blossoming TV stations a chance to reach out to many a viewer, effectively increasing and expanding competition.

But before this is completely achieved, four major TV stations take centre stage at the moment in Kenya. These include KTN, NTV, Citizen TV, K24 and KBC.

And these are the TV stations that feature significantly in a recent research conducted by Ipsos Synovate, a research organization based in Lavington, Nairobi.

In the latest research, Ipsos asked Kenyans to mention their favourite TV stations.

Despite the intriguing series of exposes, KTN came a distant second with 14% of those interviewed saying they prefer the station over others.

The first position was scooped by Citizen TV, with 63% of the interviewees saying it is their favourite TV station so far. The gap between Citizen TV and KTN tells it all that it needs a lot of time for the RMS-owned TV station to relinquish the top spot.

NTV came third with 9% of respondents saying they are highly attracted to the Nation Media Group-owned TV station.

K24 and KBC shared the spoils in 4^th position with 4% of the respondents saying they value the two stations.

3% of the respondents say they prefer other TV stations.

 

 

So where does your favorite TV program falls in Ipsos rating? You will be stunned to find out the programs that are most watched by Kenyans.

Anybody would think The Trend has more traction than Vioja Mahakamani, right? Wrong. At least Ipsos poll watered down this preconception.

Larry can now swallow his pride since the show that brings out the best of him was nowhere to be found on the list of most viewed TV programs in the country.

Controversial whistle blower, Robert Alai, shared results of a poll carried out by Ipsos on TV viewership in the 254.

Apart from news and Nigerian movies, Churchill Show is still the most watched Kenyan show on our screens.

The list was dominated by Citizen TV’s programs, namely; Papa Shirandula, Mother-In-Law and Inspekta Mwala. (This time round Tahidi High was missing.)

KTN and KBC were represented by Jeff Koinange Live and Vioja Mahakamani which both had a viewership of 2% respectively.

Ouch! It seems the guys at Ipsos must have forgotten to include The Trend and Jameni! The two regularly trend on Twitter, can’t comprehend how they are conspicuously missing from the list.