YORI YORI BOYS FOR NEW YEAR BASH

Clear your calenders people, the duo that gave you Yori Yori will be in Kenya for a new year's bash.
Bracket, made up of Vast and Smash will jet into Nairobi on January 1, 2009 in time for their January 2 concert at the Carnivore.
Vast real name is Ozioko Nwachukwu is a student of the Institute of Management and Technology, studying Mass Communication. He is the fifth son of a family of six and during his last interview claimed that he is single.
Smash real name is Ali Obumneme is a psychology student in the University of Nigeria and surprise, surprise, he is also single.
The organizers, Palm Tree Entertainment a Malaysian based firm that are venturing out in the Kenyan market.

ALL ABOUT REDSAN, BRICK AND LACE

Bricka and Lace on stage


Redsan

Ulopa

P Unit's Bon 'Eye'

Ogopa DJ's Marya

Angela 'Shinde' Mwandanda of Tattuu

The crowd

Nalia a.k.a Lace

Nyanda a.k.a Brick

A Dancer on stage

Jamaican sisters rocked Carnivore on Saturday night where they performed at Redsan’s album party.
Nalia and Nyanda rocked the crowd with their hit songs Never Never, Bad To DiBone and Love Is Wicked.
Redsan, he man of the night also performed singles off his fourth album Versatility and some of his popular hits songs from his other albums Like Apakatwe and Leo Ni Leo, to a mammoth crowd at the Carnivore grounds.
If you missed the show catch all the action of the album party on Kiss TV next week.

CAROL RADULL’S INTIMATE BEACH WEDDING

Beach wedding set up

Carol walks down the aisle with Dad Alex Radull

Carol Radull and Mike Njiru before exchanging vows at the alter

Guests

The ambience

Ida Odinga at the beach wedding ceremony

Paps at he wedding

The almost newly weds say their vows

Alex Radull, Prime Minister's wife Ida Odinga and Carol Radull pose after the wedding ceremony

Newly weds Mr and Mrs Njiru


By Grace Kerongo
There's something so captivating about a celebrity wedding more so when the setting is in an exclusive beach resort with perfect scenery – a recipe for a dream wedding.
Friday evening was the d-day for love birds Carol Radull and Mike Njiru to say “I do” surrounded by family, friends and special guests at the Indian Ocean Beach Resort in Diani, Mombasa.
The bride’s father, Alex Radull, gave her away after walking her down the aisle that was decorated with yellow roses.
Carol who is the Programmes controller for Radio Jambo looked stunning in a strapless white gown, while Njiru was dashing in a white suit with lime green shirt.
The pair recited their vows before Reverend Fr Pascal Libana, with the wide blue ocean as their backdrop and exchanged rings. After they were pronounced husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Njiru shared a romantic kiss.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony Ida Odinga gave short anecdotes about the bride at the dinner party hosted at the resort’s outdoor Baobab Restaurant . The prime minister’s wife retold a story about how Carol did not know any Swahili after coming back from Botswana where whe was studying and how she learnt it fast. Adding that Carol will also learn Embu equally fast. For the groom, Odinga welcomed him to Bondo as a new son. Telling him it is easy to blend in with the system since “it is a lifestyle”.
Mr Radull, the brides dad, fondly referred to Njiru, as his “new son”. He then gifted the couple with a title deed and a rope to signify the cow that is waiting for the couple to collect from his home in Bondo.
Some of the guests present at the wedding include Radio Africa CEO Patrick Quarcoo, Kiss 100’s Caroline Mutoko, Ghost Mulee, filmmaker Willis Owusu among others. Maina Kageni was the MC at the wedding ceremony.

WOLE TO READ AFRICAN PLAYS ON BBC

Wole Soyinka will judge the 2010 BBC World Service African Drama competition.
The highly respected Nigerian professor, writer, poet, playwright and Nobel Literature Laureate will be on the panel of judges at the BBC World Service’s 50th season of African radio drama BBC African performance launch.
Listeners have until February 15, 2009 to enter their plays, which must be half an hour long when read aloud and have no more than six main characters.
Plays that are short-listed will be read by Soyinka, who will make the final decision. The winners will be announced on March 1, 2009.
Soyinko believes the BBC’s season of African radio drama penetrates Africa’s borders.
“In one fell swoop – they listen in Zimbabwe at the same time as in Sudan, South Africa, Nigeria and Sierra Leone,” he points out. “And this is definitely a crossing of boundaries in a way that even the written word on its own might not have.”
By way of celebrating five decades of African radio drama excellence on the BBC World Service, Soyinko has agreed to judge the contest this year.
BBC World Service English drama producer for Africa Jenny Horrocks says, “We are looking forward to new brilliant entries from our audiences.”

ANTI-JIGGER CAMPAIGNERS FETED BY THE PRESIDENT

The President awarded the founder of the anti-jigger campaign, Stanley Kamau Maina and the campaign ambassador Miss World Kenya 2005 Cecilia Mwangi, with Head of State Commendation (HSC) during Jamhuri day. This is in recognition of their fight to eradicate jigger infestation in Kenya.
The campaign has been ongoing for the last three years and has made tremendous achievements including rehabilitating recovered jigger victims back to normal lives and also creating partnerships with both private bodies and the Government.
Acknowledging the awards, Stanley challenged those who have been criticizing the campaign to follow what the president has done and accept that there is a problem. He thanked the head of state for recognizing their work. He said that contrary to what some MPs especially from Central Kenya are saying that they are embarrassing the president, the government fully supports the cause.

The former beauty Quuen, said that the award will motivate the organization to do more without fearing. “This shows that the president has been following our campaign,” she added.
The campaign and it’s ambassador were this year also awarded with a Humanitarian Of The Year Award by Laico Regency, a US Agency for International Development (USAID) award on Leadership and Management and named Young Achiever Women Students Welfare Association( WOSWA), an initiative of University of Nairobi.

Wangari Maathai on CNN’s Revealed

Revealed follows an inspirational Nobel Peace Prize Winner, the founder of the Green Belt Movement known as "The Tree Mother of Africa." Next on Revealed: Wangari Maathai
Showtimes:
Wednesday 16 December: 0930, 1730
Saturday 19 December: 0930, 1800, 2130
Sunday 20 December: 0630, 1830, 0400

Rapper Cannibal suffers heart attack

Coast based rapper Cannibal – real name Ralph Masai - suffered a mild heart attck a few weeks back. He was just hours from his South Africa where he was recovering from attending the Channel O Africa Music Awards.
Cannibal, who jetted into the country from Johannesburg on November 11, spent a few hours enjoying the Kenyan climate before the attack set in.
The rapper famed for his hit track I Wish started convulsing in his parent’s house in the Kizingo area before his older brother called for a cab to rush him to hospital. The Lil Wayne look-a-like was then admitted at the Pandya Memorial Hospital where he was put under a drip for four days.
“I’m lucky to be alive,” Cannibal said.
The doctors said the attack was caused by the change of climate and smoke in the respiratory system. His hospitalisation led him to postpone his interview with Channel O’s Diary Piece of his life in Mombasa.

Ben Stiller sneaked in and out of Uganda secretly

Just like the Gone in 60 Seconds star Nicolas Cage visited Uganda before he came over to Kenya, comic Ben Stiller also silently visited northern Uganda and left.
The Hollywood star sneaked into the country last month to visit the Save the Children initiative in Gulu and sponsored by jewellery company Bulgari.
The A Night At The Museum actor stayed for a week and played and ate with the children of Gulu.
However there are reports that Ben could revisit Uganda in 2011.

ALPHA ELABORATES ON HIS PLANS AFTER TPF

Tusker Project Fame winner Alpha Rwirangira talked about his plans after winning the talent reality show Tusker Project Fame.
So what has he been up to in Rwanda? “That’s my land, you know,” said Alpha, “My family and friends had been waiting for me. I had to go and see my fellow Rwandese.” 
He also denied the rumour that he is going to hold a concert in Kenya with other Rwandese contestants. “I have no information about that,” adding that even after winning TPF, he is still a born again Christian and his music is going to carry a positive massage. However, Alpha wants to keeps the his plans a mystery. He was reluctant to disclose what he will do with the Sh5 million jackpot loot from the reality show or his upcoming projects.
“I can’t tell. I have a lot of things I have been planned and I’m going to be in Kenya for a long time.” 
Fine, so is he really related to AY? From the horse’s mouth, “Yes, he’s my blood cousin.”

Aljazeera documentary soundtrack is Kenyan

Kenyan based in Germany K-Nel is over the moon after his new single was picked as the soundtrack in an Al Jazeera TV documentary.
His latest track Suprising Europe will be used in the documentary set to be launched early 2010. K-Nel who was recently in the country, took part in a Green Belt Movement campaign in August to save the drying up Chania Falls in Thika. He also held a benefit concert dubbed the Kenyawood Tour proceeds of which went to the IDPs.
In a release sent out, K-Nel says, “This is one of the greatest achievement in my musical career and would like to thank our Heavenly Father for making this possible. A video for the track will be shot in January.”
He has also released a single featuring Abbas Kubaff and Bobby Slic dubbed Public Statement. K-Nel also dabbles in the clothing line business Angohili Collection.

Brick and Lace to perform at Redsun’s album launch

In what will be a first in the Kenyan music scene, ragga maestro Redsan will launch his album this weekend and will have Jamaican beauties Brick and Lace perform as well.
The album party will go down December 19 at the Carnivore's Sima Saloon.
This will be the Step On It star’s fourth album titled Versatility released under Dutty Sounds Records. His other three albums are Seasons of the San released in 2002 under Ogopa DJ's label, Red in 2004 under Southwest Records and Pioneer released in 2006.
During their trip to Uganda last year, the girls were said to have lived the celebrity lifestyle from sleeping in luxurious suites to drinking pricy liquor, and feeding on costly meals at classy restaurants. It will be a tall order for Redsan to pull off this feat.

MR KENYA JOINS CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN

Victor Mugambi Mbecca with outgoing Miss Kenya Ruth Kinuthia
The current Mr Kenya Victor Mugambi Mbeca joined forces with Gospel rapper Juliani in spreading awareness on how the ongoing negligence of out environment is leading to drastic climate changes that eventually affect us.
Victor who won the title last year plays the role of project manager to Juliani’s campaign dubbed Rauka Ama Hatuta Survive. This campaign is aimed at changing the attitude of people towards the environment to prevent dangerous climate change.
“Since the inception of the programme, I have been running his campaign. We have had several activations dubbed the Road To Copenhagen,” Victor who also DJ’s for him at functions. said, “We will leave on December 5 to Denmark for the Climate Change conference.” The two are the only Kenyan artistes at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen which will see over 4,500 participants from 181 countries participate in a five-day gathering where issues of technology cooperation, reducing emissions from deforestation in developing countries and mechanisms to disburse funds for developing countries will be discussed.
The Norwegian Church Aid and Kenya Climate Change Warning Group sponsors Juliani’s campaign.

MEJJA SCRAPED FROM GERMAN TOUR FOR LACK OF PASSPORT

Mejja was scheduled for a one off show in Germany but that won’t be happening because of lack of proper travelling documents.
He was supposed to tour with Tanzanian singer Ray C for a December 5 concert in Hamburg then head back home for the Christmas holidays.
Our source close to the German promoter says, “After distributing flyers and posters and buying tickets for Ray C and Mejja concert, it has now turned out that Mejja does not even have a passport,” adding “It is the second time he keeping people waiting in Germany because of the same issue.”
The rapper’s handlers deny the allegations. “That is not the case. His travel plans and schedule to Germany conflicted with his December tour plans here in Kenya,” the Chief Operations Officer of Calif Entertainment Africa, Thomas Mahondo continued, “On the 5th he had already been booked for a show at Havana in Mombassa. And our goal as Calif is to make sure the artiste first builds a strong home base before he promotes himself abroad,” Thomas concluded.
In light of this the German promoters say they are looking to replace him with another artiste.

MNET FACE OF AFRICA

Redds in partnership with Mnet Face of Africa toured Bombolulu Workshop and Cultural Centre as part of the brand’s Corporate Social Responsibility excise where they replaced the existing equipment for the textile & fashion department – hand-screen printing section hence improving the production efficiency. Redds replaced the exposure box, the water compressor, tables for pattern cutting and the racks for storage of the patterns.
Redds has been actively developing the fashion industry in Kenya and across Africa. For the past 5 years, they have been discovering and nurturing young upcoming designers in the fashion industry through its Pan African Redds African Fashion Design Awards (RAFDA) which has given opportunities to several upcoming designers.
Speaking during the presentation event, Sheila Harrison-Changangu, Redds Marketing Manager said, “Our contribution to the Bombolulu workshop is in line with Redds objectives to exploit opportunities and build the Kenyan fashion industry capability. The workshop is known for its tailor-made range of textile products and with the boost of equipment they should be able to increase production and their variety of offering,” said Sheila.


Redds a main sponsor of this year’s Face of Africa (FOA). The team spent the day with some of the FOA finalists who were in the country for a two week grueling boot camp in Mombasa. The contestants started the day with an exotic shoot at Fort Jesus, following which they accompanied the Redds team to Bombolulu Cultural Centre for the tour and donation. In the evening Redds hosted them to a glamorous party at in Mombasa.

VIC'S THOUGHTS: CLIMATE RUNNING OUT OF TIME

Shuga Rules Kenyan and Zambian Streets

Street Teamer Mo and Peterson pose with Nicholas Mutuma, (Leo) at the Zambian Premiere
Sharon, Lupita and Valerie
Teboho take a moment to chill, amidst a hectic day of shooting
Jimmy Gait on set
P Unit's Bon eye and Nonini on set

Shuga has been released in Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia and has since been taking these countries by storm.

If you have missed an episode of Shuga - don't worry, because all three of the episodes and some exclusive Behind The Scenes content is here.

Also take a look at the profiles and read the characters' deepest thoughts and comment by clicking here.


source

Habida Has a New Joint Y'all...

KEVIN PREDICTABLY WINS BIGBROTHERREVOLUTION

Nigeria’s Kevin was named as the winner of M-Net’s BIG BROTHER REVOLUTION during Sunday’s stunning Finale (December 6)after a final week of voting by Africa’s audiences. The 27-year-old entertainer was chosen by the continent after outlasting 24 other housemates over 91 days in the BIG BROTHER house, to claim the massive USD 200 000 prize.

After evicting Nigerian Nkenna, Malawian Mzamo and Namibian Edward, Angola’s Emma and Nigeria’s Kevin were the final two housemates left in the REVOLUTION. After a tense wait, IK announced the name heard round the continent – Kevin! After Emma left the house and Kevin had a few moments to let the news sink in, he emerged victorious and joined IK on stage to share his joy with Africa.

“I feel like Obama!” was Kevin’s reaction to IK’s question about how it felt to win BIG BROTHER REVOLUTION. Shedding tears and waving his Nigerian flag, he said that he thought Africa had chosen him as the winner because he was born for TV. “I was made for this,” he said.

Kevin sank to his knees as M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi brought out his USD 200 000 cheque and wrote his name on it in front of him, making concrete the fact that he had won the game. Joined on stage by his family, the visibly-moved Nigerian danced and celebrated his success.

Kevin was the most popular housemate in the most countries, claiming 11 country votes (Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Rest of Africa) versus 2 for Emma (Angola & South Africa), 1 apiece for Edward (Namibia) and Mzamo (Malawi) while Nkenna couldn’t claim a victory in any of the participating countries.

The show kicked off with IK abseiling into the garden before Jozi hip hop group Fresh performed in front of a packed studio audience. The 20 evicted housemates then joined him on stage in a stunning parade of colour as they waved their national flags. After a review of the first 30 days in the house, the evicted housemates performed a special dance number paying homage Michael Jackson – as they did so successfully during their “Thriller” task.

Bow Wow then performed his first track of the evening, nearly tearing the roof off the studio! Then it was time to reduce the Big 5 to the Big 4. IK took viewers into the house before naming Nkenna as the first housemate to be evicted during the Finale. The Nigerian said her goodbyes quickly before joining IK on stage and talked about her time in the house. Unable to pick a favourite moment from her time in the house, she revealed that she cried when Elizabeth was evicted because she hadn’t believed that Africa would vote to keep her in the house. Nkenna left the house with USD2997 in her money pot, claiming 5th spot in the REVOLUTION.

In a knockout blow, IK then took viewers straight back into the house to immediately evict another housemate. After a tense pause, he announced the next name – Mzamo. The Malawian waved off the attention of her fellow finalists, telling them she would see them “just now” outside the house. Joining IK on stage, she told Africa that she hoped the continent had kept them in the game for so long because she is a genuine person.

When quizzed about her fight with Itai which saw her smash a pane of glass, she said she had grown frustrated when he wouldn’t listen to her and lashed out because she had gone past the point of crying. With that, she left and met her family on the edge of the stage, taking home USD1383 in her money pot. Bow Wow then took to the stage again, before IK headed into the house to surprise remaining housemates Edward, Emma and Kevin.

Emma declared that she felt anxious, nervous and excited. Kevin explained how he had focused on the game, saying that when he finally saw the female housemates, he immediately saw competition, rather than ‘women’. IK teased Emma about the fact that since Jeremy had been evicted, she seemed to have turned her attention to Kevin. “Kevin is my brother,” she told him. “I would love an elder brother, someone I can talk to about anything – Jeremy and Kevin are totally different and have totally different places in my heart.”

IK asked Edward who he thought shouldn’t have been in the final 5 with him. “Geraldine should have been in and not Emma,” he said, before agreeing with IK that he had no beef with the Angolan. Emma said that she would have preferred to have shared the final week with Paloma, Geraldine and Jeremy. Kevin still felt that he stood a chance with Elizabeth, but told Africa that he would be respectful of the fact that she is in a relationship outside of the house.

Edward told IK that he assumed the role of the resident prankster after sizing up the ‘prank potential’ of the other housemates and deciding he could have more fun.
After departing the house, IK had more business to conclude – the eviction of the 23rd housemate. After accepting the verified envelope from the Alexander Forbes representative, he announced that Edward would be the next housemate to leave the REVOLUTION.

Joining IK on stage, Edward talked about how much fun it was to be part of the unique Twin Twist. He declared that he had no regrets about any of his ‘save & replace’ decisions as Head of House. “No regrets whatsoever,” he said. “The show wasn’t about the money for me – it was about having fun.” Edward departed the stage – and the game – with USD2757 in his money pot.

The big moment had then arrived. Accepting the envelope from the auditor for the final time, IK turned to camera and announced to the waiting pair – and the continent – that Kevin was the winner of BIG BROTHER REVOLUTION.

“I told you, I told you!” said Emma, hugging the overwhelmed Nigerian. After sharing his joy, she left the house and joined IK on stage. Once outside, she told IK that she had told Kevin during the afternoon that he was going to take the money home. She left the stage with USD2998 in her money pot and joined her family.

After Kevin joined IK on stage and received his cheque, they pulled the plug on the REVOLUTION together – leaving the house in darkness as Kevin celebrated his success with the continent. Now with the Revolution ended, fans can relive the magic of the last 91 days by visiting www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother for video, to chat with other fans and to read the stories about this most recent season of Big Brother Africa.

KENYAN ACTORS STAR IN NEW BBC MOVIE WITH HOLLYWOOD STARS

A BBC Films was shot on location in Kenya two weekends ago and it predominately features the crème of Kenyan actors.
The movie, The First Grader follows the life of the late 84-year-old Kimani Nganga Maruge who attempted to take advantage of a government initiative to give free elementary school education for all. Initially denied access to go the school with his fellow first graders, Maruge eventually took the government on in court.
The heart-warming drama was shot on location at Matasya and our source says, “Initially Maruge’s role was to be played by Morgan Freeman, but due to logistics he was replaced by Oliver Litondo. And that’s not it, RnB crooner Neyo will also make an appearance, but that is yet to be confirmed.”

Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man’s Chest and Tomb Raider actress Naomie Harris is cast as Jane Obinchu she will act alongside Kenyan casts members like John Sibi-Okumu who plays the Chairman on board, Melvin Alusa plays Mr Njeri's Aide, poet and reality show contestant Cindy Ogana cast as the Rasta girl and Makutano Junction’s Ainea Ojiambo who plays the Educational Officer.


Another surprise actor, comedian Churchill plays the role of Masha, a matatu tout and DJ who has a string of relationships with some of the teachers in a local school. Speaking to Word is Churchill said, “The movie is basically trying to portray what happens in this country. I like the story line. It’s international. This movie is going to change cinematography in this country. I decided to take the role because in this industry, you need to build a healthy resume. I have to venture into these things and I’m seeing myself doing more movies in future.”


GOSPEL ACTS SPREAD THE LOVE WITH PRISON BEDS

A number of gospel artistes joined Mavuno Church in a hand over ceremony at the Industrial Area Prison proceeds of which came from last month’s Love Festival concert in which American singer Kirk Franklin headlined.
The church believes Kenyan Prisons are places that are essentially supposed to be centres of rehabilitations and restoration but in reality, they are places with appalling living conditions and overcrowding. They aim to bring some semblance of humanity as regards the prisoners sleeping conditions. Thus they decided to equip the Industrial Area Remand Prison with beds for all the prisoners. This initiative was supported by various acts who also entertained the prisoners on October 18 including Kanjii, Chit Chat and Mavuno Worship Project.