This is how I first met Liboi, an African contemporary artist. While providing coverage that would later be used as a class project, I fell in love with the uniqueness of her voice, and therich African sound tucked in her music. Her EP, State of Being, carried varied emotions, a woman’s perspective on the search for paradise and freedom in an African context.

Fast forward to October 2023: Liboi invited my team to provide videography services for her debut multidisciplinary show, “Whispers of Power,” held at Ardhi Gallery, Nairobi. This event, a first for many, attracted music enthusiasts and cultural aficionados from Nairobi and beyond.

From the outset, the performance immersed us in its narrative. Liboi’s vocals painted the story, while Maulid Owino brought it to life through dance. Between performances, Wakio Mzenge solidified the narrative with captivating storytelling. The artworks adorning Ardhi Gallery’s walls further enriched the experience, making “Whispers of Power” a stunning feast for the senses.

Following the successful Nairobi showcase, the show embarked on a tour, with Kisumu as its first stop. Backed by the French Government’s Creation Africa-Kenya project, the Kisumu edition promised to be bigger and better. Though not in the same capacity, I spent a week with the team as they prepared for the show, which took place on Friday, May 24, 2024.

The team set up camp at Dunga Hill Camp, where they honed their craft, refining the script, adjusting elements, and boosting each other’s morale. Their collaborative spirit was evident. For instance, Maulid Owino, the contemporary dancer who collaborated with other dancers in Nairobi, now partnered with Kisumu’s own talent, Pretty Lodenyi. This ensured the Kisumu performance resonated more deeply with local audiences, particularly in light of the recent floods that had devastated the region. Recognizing the need for a storyteller with a deeper understanding of Luo culture, the team brought Mary Zaffy on board, whose insights helped bring the story closer to home. Additionally, Liboi’s band expanded to include Brian Mufana, a gifted musician from Kisumu.

Wakio Mzenge’s masterful storytelling further shaped the love story of Thuolo and Teko, the central characters of “Whispers of Power.” As they narrated the story while exploring Dunga Hill Camp, Maulid Owino and Pretty Ludenyi translated the words into powerful visuals through dance. This, coupled with the evocative use of light to create mood transitions and enhance the visual appeal, fostered a deeply immersive experience for the audience, who actively participated in shaping the story’s meaning. While all this helped shape the story, on the main stage, Liboi, with the help of her band of the day; Komora (Guitar, Music Director & additional vocals), Collins Obwar (Percussions), Salome Waithera (Additional vocals), Brian Mufana (Guitar, Flute & Additional vocals), she brought haarmony to the story, adding an allure of a rich African vibe.

Liboi’s background in film and journalism proved invaluable. She skillfully complemented her own artistry with the expertise of other creatives. Witnessing the convergence of these diverse art forms to create such an impactful story was truly inspiring. Just like the Nairobi edition, the Kisumu performance was a spectacular display of the interconnectedness of art forms. The meaning of art, after all, extends beyond the artist; it’s a collaborative journey where the audience actively shapes the narrative to make it their own, as witnessed in Whispers of Power.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its fading orange glow on Lake Victoria, our star-crossed lovers shared a romantic moment on a boat. The story ended on another stage, where they were married and shared a celebratory dance. The closing songs were infectious, inciting the crowd into a frenzy, creating an electrifying “amka tukatike” moment. The audience demanded an encore, begging for just one more song, one more dance.

Liboi will be staging Whispers of Power in Nairobi’s Sarakasi Dome on Saturday, 8th June. The event is free of charge for all lovers of art, culture and music. With the Nairobi edition, Liboi’s team wishes to explore themes like urbanization, mental health and environmental conservation.

The post Liboi’s Multidisciplinary Show ‘Whispers of Power’ Explores Meaning Beyond the Artist’s appeared first on .

This global competition challenges teams of three to traverse Europe for seven days, relying solely on Red Bull cans as their currency.

The thrilling adventure is taking place from May 21st to 28th, and the excitement is already building up among potential participants. Teams of three will depart from one of the five starting points in Europe: Milan, Copenhagen, Budapest, Barcelona, or Amsterdam. The destination: Berlin.

Amani, a Kenyan student waiting on a decision on his application, highlights the unique appeal of the challenge: “In my video application, I talked about my diverse experiences with hitchhiking and relying on the kindness of strangers. Red Bull Can You Make It? takes that concept to a whole new level, making even a single can a valuable resource.”

Beyond just trading cans, Amani is excited about the personal growth and cultural immersion the journey offers.

Photo: Emacon Production

“Meeting new people and exploring new places is what truly excites me. I know I’m going to encounter some fascinating individuals along the way, and that’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.” Amani.

Amani’s optimism and adventurous spirit are precisely the qualities Red Bull seeks in its participants.

When asked about the key ingredients for a successful team, he emphasizes the human element: “The ability to interact with different types of people, being outgoing, and maintaining a positive attitude – these are the qualities that will make a team truly unstoppable.”

Last year, Red Bull announced that the adventure is not only thrilling for the idea of buying with cans but could also help create long-lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. “In previous editions, teams managed to engineer incredible moments, from parachuting out of a plane to staying in a five-star hotel and even snagging tickets to top-tier sporting events,” they said.

With just a few days left to announce the successful applications, Red Bull encourages more students who dream of an unforgettable adventure to step outside their comfort zones and embrace such challenges in the future.

The post Students Gear Up for Red Bull Can You Make It? 2024 appeared first on .

Dubbed The EA Flight, Collo started his debut event by hosting his former rap mates, Nyashinski and Rawbar, on 29th February 2024 at 254 Bear Disttirct in Westlands.

The chilled Meet and Greet and conversations about the three artists were filled with nostalgia.

Collo, hosting the event, drove the conversation, occasionally reading questions from fans at home who had sent the questions earlier and engaging with the crowd at the live filming and recording venue.

Having been in the game for over two decades, Collo, Nyashinski and Rawbar shared about their early days in music, the making of Kleptomaniax, friendship, Nyashinksi moving to the US, the Kenyan sound, monetizing music, spirituality and their current pursuits.

Rawbar asked why he joined music and said money was his driving force. “If you are doing music, you are investing…why would you do all that for nothing?” His rationale is that paying photographers, producers, and marketers does not make sense if one gets no returns. “I believe Gen Zs can do it,” Nyashinski added.

Rawbar, Collo and Nyashinski engaging with the audience at 254 Bear District. Photo Courtesy: Gregory Kyalo

Fans expressed their interest in Kleptomanix’s comeback, but it is hard to tell since every one of them is doing their own thing. Collo is still doing music while also finding fulfillment in copywriting and media. Rawbar is a music publisher with Romoma Technologies Limited, which publishes Nyashinski and Collo’s music. Finally, Nyashinski is still doing music, and holding concerts.

The three agreed they might hit the studio if the demand is right. However, Collo shared that while recording is not a big deal to them, releasing is something they are unsure of.

Responding to Dj Xclusive’s question on whether fans should expect a curtain call from the rap trio, Nyashinki said that they have been testing this with October Fest and Shincity and that it is in the works. “I think we’ll have to do it at some point and do it well,” he said.

The EA Flight promises to be a home of great conversations concerning music in East Africa, but more importantly, having one-on-one conversations with some of the most lethal acts in the music scene.

Collo hinted at the possibility of hosting Camp Mulla in a future edition, something to look out for. As they were parting, the three did a freestyle of a past track amidst ululations from the crowd.

Nyashinski during the EA Flight on February 29, 2024. Photo Courtesy: Gregory Kyalo

The post Nostalgia Fills Rapper Collo’s EA Flight Event as Fans Interact With Kleptomaniax Trio appeared first on .

Mohamed Alby posing for a photo.PHOTO//Classic FM

About three weeks ago, a Kenyan Tik Tok sensation was sued for a video he published on social media without the consent of the subject in it. 

While sharing a court notice on his Instagram story, the content creator said that he would quit content creation because, “I have shot so many videos in the past months bringing smiles to people yet I am sinking mentally so badly because I am getting sued for making someone smile.” 

Alby Mohamed, a Kenyan Tik Toker and content creator who went viral last year for making puns at strangers with an aim of making them smile, seems to be crying foul when the subject of a recent video sued him. The plaintiff claimed that Alby secretly recorded and published a conversation they had for the whole world to see. As published by various reports, disturbingly, no media house seems to see the real issue.

One, no one is suing Alby for making people smile. What he is missing is the fact that as a content creator, he requires consent before recording and publishing content involving third parties. 

Issue of consent

Sure, Alby is extremely funny. His cheesy lines will leave your ribs cracking and your lungs hurting. However, a closer look into his filming technique, you will realize that there is almost always a hidden camera, one that captures a person’s reaction when they are being filmed. 

Perhaps, the issue of consent is largely ignored, or barely understood. In fact, just the other day, Kabianga University was sued on the premise that they used a University of Nairobi’s student photo for marketing purposes. The court presented them with a Kshs. 500,000 fine. 

Such stories show how brands easily use people’s media and information without their consent for their own benefits. Because what is the cost of hiring a photographer to take crisp photos for a marketing campaign? Still, what does it cost to ask for permission to post someone’s photo? And isn’t it absurd that a UoN student’s photo is used to market Kabianga University?

Why is this happening?

It would be inaccurate to assume that all Kenyan content creators publish content without seeking consent. When they do, it is often backed by reason. 

One possible reason is the desire for viral content or to gain social media followers. Content creators may post content that they believe will go viral or attract a lot of attention, even if it means using someone else’s personal information or images without their consent. This can be particularly tempting if the content creator is trying to grow their online presence and gain more followers or views.

Another possible reason is a lack of awareness or understanding of the laws and ethics regarding consent. Some content creators may not be familiar with the regulations surrounding the use of personal information or images and may not understand the importance of obtaining consent before posting content. This can lead to unintentional violations of people’s privacy and rights.

Additionally, some content creators may simply not care about the consequences of posting content without consent. They may prioritize their own interests or desires over the well-being of others and may not consider the potential harm that their actions can cause.

Regardless of the reason, posting content without someone’s consent is unethical and illegal in many cases. It is important for content creators to prioritize the privacy and rights of others and ensure that they obtain informed consent before using someone else’s personal information or images in their content.

What  does the law say?

According to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” By default, Alby is entitled to sharing content online. But as we are going to see below, his freedom has limits, and better still, is enshrined in the constitution of Kenya. 

The Media Council of Kenya’s  Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya stipulates that, “Except in justifiable cases, a person subject to this Act shall not tape or record anyone without the person’s knowledge.” It goes ahead to say, “An exception may be made only if the recording is necessary to protect the journalist in a legal action or for some other compelling reason.”

On privacy, the code of conduct clearly illustrates that the journalist, and to a larger extent content creators, should not intrude on other people’s privacy unless whatever material they obtain is of public interest. It says, “Intrusion and inquiries into an individual’s private life without the person’s consent are not generally acceptable unless public interest is involved.”

The Kenyan Data Protection Act and Revisions

The Kenyan Data Protection Act (DPA) was enacted in November 2019, and it sets out the legal framework for the protection of personal data in Kenya. The Act provides for the right to privacy and the protection of personal data, and it also outlines the conditions for the lawful processing of personal data.

One of the key provisions of the DPA is the requirement for informed consent before personal data can be processed. This means that data controllers who in this case are organizations or individuals who collect, store, or process personal data, must obtain explicit and freely given consent from data subjects before collecting, storing, or processing their personal data.

A student reading a text book. It is important for content creators to seek and understand knowledge about consent. PHOTO//Zamzam

Creators like Alby need a refresher course on media laws and ethics to ensure such harmful and ignorant cases do not come up again. And while we wait for a good Samaritan to come and save the day, maybe all that content creators need to do is equip themselves with necessary knowledge about the business of content creation. Specifically, the inner workings of obtaining consent using legally binding documents such as a release form. 

This multimedia story was done by Brian Khavalaji, Zamzam Mohamed and Aisha Khalif.

The post Consent first, Content later: The How and Why Permission Is Important in Media Practice appeared first on .

Dating in our time is like when Wakadinali, in Geri Inegi, said : ‘Hatuitishi ruhusa kuguza/Tunaishi nchi rahisi hutundura/Na ukisnitch juu ya clique unasundwa/Shock delete unakam kuchunguza, umbwa!’ Especially the Umbwa! part. Everyone seems to know it. Everyone shouts it. It is like The Podcast With No Name and the ladies. Inseparable. Other times, it’s like that Golden Buzzer moment at American Got Talent/British Got Talent. 

Marashi ya woria. That good scent. It is when Ethan Muziki sells out KNT within a week. It is that Maina and King’ang’i, Yolanda and Dj Absolute, Mike Mondo and Cess Mutungi, and Mwende and Clemo radio combo. Lulu Hassan and Rashid Abdalla. Oh, it is Peter Drury and football. Sometimes, it is like the Google search bar and the keywords of an under 18 confirming symptoms of pregnancy or that 22-year-old trying to find the easiest way to commit suicide other than talking back to his mother. 

First, they tell you that they are not big on texts. They invite you to their world. If you are keen enough, you will learn they do not often text or call. It is a normal thing for a youth who is trying to find themselves. This is Nairobi. Shamba la mawe. It is adulting whipping your ass. You will think, ‘What is the worst that can happen?’ You will receive more texts from conmen who tell you, “usitume kwa hii number, tuma kwa hii ingine’ than you will receive from the love of your life.

I have seen the good side of love. But I must admit, I am still a student. I am not Doctor Love (so treat this as a fact). I have little experience being in romantic relationships. But I have allegedly dated a few people, and in their own words, kiliwaramba. So expect kikurambe. Nairobi si ya mama yako, and so trade carefully. 

Dating in Nairobi is like volunteering in a toxic work environment. Or unpaid internship. In building your CV, you have to take in loads of bullshit. It is beautiful on the CV, and the experience gained can take you far. But see, people who do not care about you cannot take you anywhere. The dont-care attitude is all over.

Ever heard, “I don’t owe anyone anything?” As if we are ready to take your lack of respect lightly. As if we will let you steal from a mama mboga without holding you accountable. As if we will let you treat makangas, nduthi guys, and bartenders like trash. It is this same behavior that makes Nairobaes misbehave in relationships. Eating fare? Pathetic.

Someone told me if you cannot be trusted with 500 bob, you cannot be trusted with a car/house/more money. But don’t we all want ‘soft life?’ It is essential to ‘carry’ yourself with some standards. Some dignity. Not sending fare? Even worse. This battle never ends. And so dating in Nairobi is a silent battle of who has not sent fare, and yet they want to hit it, and who has sent fare and the other party saw it wise to eat it.  It is a Tom and Jerry game. It never ends. 

Nairobaes want to own you: My love. My nduthi guy. My mama mboga. My errand girl. My mama fua. Kosea, make a mistake, like talk to another babe/guy, and you will be in big trouble. Nairobaes know how to be jealous. And not in a healthy way. In her book ‘Lizard,’ Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto says, “Maybe jealousy is an indication of a general lack of energy rather than of problems in the relationship itself. Again, Nairobaes love ownership. Invite them to your space, and your hoodie is gone. Trust them with your bank account details; they evaporate with your money. And the worst thing is they will gaslight you. They will play the victim. 

Nairobaes are hardly romantic. Myself included. But look, there are these high school kids, hardly 18. My girlfriends have told me these kids say the right words and do the right things more than older men. Yes, age is just a number, but a good sentence to spend time at Langata Women’s Prison and Kamiti involves numbers, too.

See, in Nairobi, even kids who just grew tirries the other day are promising wababaz to take them places they have never been and do to them things their wives have never done to them. The beauty? They are not like your favorite politician. They deliver.

This is the reality of dating in Nairobi. You have to blow the box, think far outside it. It does not favor those who are in the middle. Go hard or go home. Spend more, or submit more. Sometimes, Nairobaes give more and receive less. Think of that ‘wife material.’ She cooks. She washes. She gives head (bless these ones). Yeye huseti, every style there is. Yet, when all these are removed from the equation, suddenly, the relationship is empty.

Perhaps we must ask ourselves, “Where do I draw the line.” Filling other people’s cups makes no sense when yours is getting empty.  What’s your leverage? Brenda Obath of Classic fm recently asked listeners, ‘What is your motivation?” when doing the most for the people you are in a relationship with. 

We are always in a rush. Mwendo wa kasi. You know someone without knowing them. You remember what you did with them but not their name. Dating has become like the feeling when watching videos on Tik Tok. You cannot wait to move to the next. The attention span has reduced so much that within a year, you could be in more than 12 situationships, 6 Friends With Benefits (FWB), a few sneaky links, and a fight with someone’s wife/husband/bae. It is scary to think that your mpoa could be someone’s mverified. 

In Navutishwa, Ben Sol says, ‘Nairobi hakuna amani.’ That there is chaos as much as love exists in great measure. Navutishwa. Haya mapenzi sijalipishwa. Mapenzi halali (mapenzi legit). Nakulishwa (matamu ya roho). Kidogo tu ninyonyeshwe. This song captures the Nairobi dating scene well.  It’s mostly physical intimacy. It‘s what Bien sings thus: “Kukaa kukaliwa, kulala, kulaliana na kulaliwa.” Relationships are the proverbial “Fast-paced work environment.”

In Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Season 1 Episode 2, Greg Serrano (Santino Fontana) asks Rebecca Bunchi (Rachel Bloom) why she is becoming a “duplicitous minx.” The word itself is a mystery to me (and I love mysteries), but it simply means copying others. And we Nairobaes are good at that. Copy and paste. Today it is kufungua bra na mkono moja, as Mejja puts it, Tomorrow we have a young couple moving in together. Nothing wrong with this. It is what it is.

The pressure to live like others has never been low. The pressure to impress is even worse. In her 2015 article, The Problem with Dating in Nairobi, published in The Standard, Yvonne Aol shares; “The men want to prove very many things to their egos (and their “homies”) and the women largely want to own fancy things.” In this context, the aphorism ‘fake it till you make it’ seems not to work because many Nairobaes fail to do the work, so much so that the fake remains what it is. 

We do not take care of each other. Are there people who love each other unconditionally? And I know relationships are not a smooth sail. I am worried about the fights I see around me. Verbal violence. People shouting at each other unprintable words. Lovers fighting. Ask a bartender/bouncer, and they will tell you a night or two, there is always a fighting couple. As a waiter, they will tell you a day or two, someone refused to eat there because of a fight they had with the love of their life.

Look within. How many times have you put up a fight because of an issue you would have solved diplomatically? I spent almost half a day with a friend, and we talked about adult friendships and relationships. What stood out is that our friends are always carrying our burdens when we have issues with the people we are in love with.

Often, we run to our friends, confide in them, and when we have gotten that ‘listening ear’ or a ‘shoulder to lean’ on and things are great again, we dust off and return to our loved ones. We do this over and over. While some people like my friend have a ‘gift’ of listening and comforting, it leaves them drained most of the time.

Nowadays, she loves her ‘me’ time. For someone so caring to detach herself like that, it shows how bad relationships are and a wake-up call for all lovers (even the ones who attend Men’s Conference) to slow down and love compassionately, warmly, and tenderly.

In the end, dating in this ‘sin city,’ the big bedroom, is like a Drama Festival. Remember the function of repetition in poetry? To create rhythm and musicality. Now, dating a Nairobae creates the musicality of drama in human relationships. 

The chaos in dating during our time inatisha. I pray that we can love each other warmly, gently, and empathetically. Furthermore, those allergic to bullshit keep up with not allowing the bare minimum but handle others with care. Teach them if you can. Good things take time, and so do successful dating. That’s my time Nairobaes.

The post Sins of Our City: Dating in a Time of Drama, Trauma, and Instant Gratification appeared first on .

The event was graced by various uprising stylists, tattoo artists, fashion stylists, DJs, singers and art enthusiasts.

The event’s hottest Djs (Deejay Kyembo,Dj Proma and Dj Red Kenya) created the party mood as early as 11 am. Playing some of the finest Kenyan HipHop throwback songs, they evoked nostalgia as a segment of the attendants sang along, nodded their heads, clapped their hands and moved their bodies.

Unkut Party was not just about music, as various creatives showcased their works. In essence, it was a networking event, a business opportunity and a fun-filled affair.

The Climax of the day arrived in style, with back to back perfommances from some of the illest upcoming rappers and singers. These sets allowed the artists to perform their songs solo or as a group. And while Tulia, Therealhbkim, Gold Triggah, Amax, LB, and Sekoh George wondrously transformed the crowd into a sing-along, chanting maniacs; it was Attara that stole the show.

With her magical voice, she pruned the ego out of the people who were previously seated, and showed them that she was indeed the queen, making them join the wild crowd.

She sang with such flair, fierceness and exhilaration that the audience sang, “One more time! One more time! One more time!” Excited by the reception, she took the mic, colonized the crowd and held it by her hands, then commanded the demons of not appreciating the Kenyan talent enough out of it.

Attara performing on stage. Photo: Lyqso/ Fresh360

After her exciting performance, everyone, including myself, wanted to congratulate her, take her number, hug her and hype her some more.

I believe Attara is a promising singer, songwriter and rapper. Her artistry is greatly evident in her lyrical prowess, stage performance and mastery of craft.

Attara has the right attitude, is confident, creative and the future that the Kenyan Music and Entertainment scene needs to experience. She is a treasure and with little exposure, support system and appreciation, Attara will be the next big thing before you know it.

With such platforms, Unkut Africa continues to dominate promotion of Hip Hop culture in the 254. Uprising artists like Attara are products of such, and this is encouraging to say the least.

Featuring the most lethal uprising artists in Kenya, the Unkut Day Party proved to be dominating promotion of the Hip Hop culture.

The event, organized by Unkut Africa and held at Moov Cafe & Bistro in Kilimani showcased pure artistry from fine artists, body painters, tattoo artists, DJs, fashion designers/stores, musicians and rappers.

The post Uprising Attara Animatadely Outshone Fellow Acts at Unkut Day Party  appeared first on .

The likes of Philit production continue to premier their movies around the country while commercializing their works through pay-per-view. The robust growth is undeniable, but it is worth noting that while we are growing, some parts still need work.

Filmmakers in Africa are embracing the African story, and streaming platforms must do so. Thanks to Netflix’s Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF), 46 beneficiaries from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, will access quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines. This scholarship is a consequence of the giant streaming platform’s commitment to developing a robust and diverse pipeline of creatives worldwide.

All the beneficiaries are eligible to receive a full scholarship, including tuition, accommodation, a living stipend, and education supplies.

Courses they benefited from are, Certificate in Film Studies, Certificate in Film and Television, Film Production, and Diploma in Film and Television Production.

Kenya Fim School (KFS), United States International University (USIU), Kenyatta University (KU), KCA University, and Africa Digital Media Institute(ADMI) will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring storytellers from East Africa.

In his keynote address, Kenya Film Commission CEO Timothy Owase shared,

It is my strong belief that this initiative is proof that Kenya indeed can measure up to the rest of the world and offer the best.” He added, “It has also demonstrated enormous interest and opportunities for job creation amongst the youth and existing skill and knowledge in the Kenyan industry.”

Shola Sanni is the Director of Public policy SSA- Netflix. While sharing his personal story, he encouraged the awardees to find purpose in their actions. On funding, he affirmed that “At Netflix – it’s not just about the stories; it’s also about the people who make the stories. This is why today is all about celebrating the scholars who will be responsible for telling African stories, whether in front or behind the camera, and putting Africa on the global map through endless stories.

Furthermore, he offered, “The richness in creativity, talent, and diversity has never been in doubt. What is lacking is more opportunities.

This is why our role at Netflix in all this has been to open that door of opportunity just a little bit wider and allow; as a beginning, the 46 young East African beneficiaries of our scholarship to step forward and be challenged to tell great African stories.”

Emmanuel Wanyonyi, a beneficiary from KU, excitedly shared, “ It has renewed our energy to keep on presenting ideas and creating stories as we need them to be heard.

Charles Muasa is a student at USIU. He cited financial constraints as hindering film students from pursuing their dreams: “Netflix coming through for the youth is a great win. We are now getting the knowledge on how to bring stories to life.”

The program experience is currently great; learning, motivating, and inspiring each other. Coming together to create something from our imaginations, experiences, and lessons.”

Mwajuma Bahati of KCA said, “When some of us started out, there were barely any opportunities like these and this scholarship is such a powerful tool to venture in the industry equipped with the right skills, clear direction, and knowledge.”

As the youth, we are seeing the growth and evolution of the industry when it comes to techniques and stories, and Netflix’s investment in the youth is one standout nurturing opportunity.”Said Cynthia Muniu of KFS.

Even as these 46 beneficiaries start on a journey to train on telling the African Story, my sincerest desire is to see the existing filmmakers getting recognition and the support they need. Whatever happens, this is a massive development in the film industry. Let us wait and see what these youngsters will produce in the future.

The post Kenyans Among 46 Beneficiaries of Netflix’s Creative Equity Scholarship Fund appeared first on .

If you care to know, this is a long-term girlfriend I used to eye sometime in my Second year. It turned out that while I was working so hard to grow a few strands of beards to appear likable, the trends were changing so fast.

When I had beards, ladies were attracted to guys with dreadlocks. I jumped on the train to have some artificial dreadlocks. And the award for The Failure of the year in a row came to yours truly.

Not to brag, but by the time I was catching up with the last trend, which was guys who could dance, Connie was into men with good scents; ‘marashi ya woria.’

It appeared that we wouldn’t work, and I stopped trying. Later, Connie confessed that “You should have insisted. I was into you too.” Ladies!While things never worked out, I enjoyed months of dancing on thorny dancefloors of her friendzone.

At this stage of our relationship, Connie asked if she could use my name as a guarantor to secure a loan from one of the many money lending apps.

If you have been to university, you know you can easily sing “msaada wangu unatoka kwa Tala” or any other digital money lending app. On this day, it was Connie’s turn to finance lunch for her new catch, a cute Ugandan boy who had just joined our school.

I agreed to help her because of our friendship. Deep down, though, if you think about it keenly, I might have convinced myself that allowing her to use my credentials as a guarantor would increase my chances of finally walking out of campus with a wife (Connie) after graduation.

The next few weeks of the semester saw her treat me to fries, a movie night, and even upgraded from side hugs to those long, motherly, and therapeutic hugs that, when given, you want to pay an annual subscription for them.

I did not know whether she realized what she was missing the whole time or if it was just hormones in her monthly periods. It, however, dawned on me that she was employing some public relations tactics on me, specifically self-fashioning. This is where someone presents themselves in a way that they are likable. I was wrong to cling to the “there is something about petite girls” narrative.

On this hot afternoon, my phone rings while chilling in my crib. I do not want to be bothered because I am watching Kyle XY, and a neighbor is consuming the herb, and it’s killing me. I struggled to pick up the call. “Your wife has signed you up as a guarantor, and we would love to request your help to tell her to pay her debt.”

Wait. Connie said I was her husband. And yet the man she was pleasing was some cute Ugandan boy who did not even know how to tie his shoes?

The caller went on to rant about the headache Connie had caused her and a few other agents and that she needed to pay her debt immediately. I felt pity for her, and the meaner me almost asked her to send me something on my till number because she was now enrolled in my therapy session. That aside, I was mad at Connie for making me her husband without my permission. I never had a chance to date her; it was unfair to be used as a guarantor and a husband.

While I explained to the caller that I was not Connie’s husband, she started crying. I could tell that making Connie pay this debt was all she was hanging on to. Or she was a lastborn, and being Gen Z; this was a tough job. Or maybe, she was so sad that I was denying my husband responsibility.

Whatever it was, I would never know. Nevertheless, I know that being a husband is a strange word in my dictionary.

The post The Day I Became A Husband To A Loan Seeker appeared first on .

In fact, some relatives mentioned that I am a lazy human being. Maybe it’s true. I hate manual work. According to my class three calculations, by now, I am supposed to have machines installed in my house to carry out all the house chores.

I like working with my mind. Call me a creative. I love creating and being in a room full of idea executors. That’s it.

So when Ayub asked me to pass the mic around during a recent event, I almost slapped him. But no, I couldn’t. Because then, I would be perceived as being violent. And you know I have a reputation to protect.

I was furious because passing mics around is extremely hectic, especially if the event is a whole house. If you are a professional in the mic passing industry, please do not get mad. I am only expressing how it makes me feel because I am lazy and have other preferences.

Let me demonstrate this for you.

You are on the left side of the room. Sharon, the glue that binds the famous SDA choir in your village because of her concordant voice, raises her hand to ask a question. She is seated on the far right. You hurriedly take the mic to where she is. Still, by the time you reach her, she has already asked the question, sat down, and opened Instagram to update that particular moment.

Kibet, senior council, as he calls himself, raises his vast and long hand from the middle of the room. You run to him and get him halfway to his statement. He looks at you ‘from above’ and picks the mic like it’s a pen. You are happy because you have accomplished something. It’s half-baked, but it is accomplished.

You rush the mic to the moderator, Miss Indiasi. She looks at you as if to confess her feelings, then says, “Makofi kwake!” The crowd claps. She continues responding to questions raised by the few people confident enough to contribute to matters of financial literacy.

You go to the back. Your armpits are sweating as if they are working overtime, mshahara nono. They remind you of the days you have dodged shaving but applying aftershave. They remind you of the many days you wanted to shave, but your fling told you she has a fetish; Male sweat.

And what fuels masculine sweat but hairy and dirty armpits? As you think about the many times she said, “I like mine hot, sweaty, and bushy,” Miss Indiasi asks you to help pass the mic.

As the mic passing business is, unless you have many microphones and the crowd is helping with passing them, you will do a complete workout running from one person to the other, from one side of the room to the other.

In fact, as I see it, this could be a booming business. If you have an entrepreneurial mind, please take note.

Say you want to fumigate your church or conference hall. The right people to do that are Masters of ceremony (MCs), who are actually professional mic passers (this is not a thing. If it is, I do not know).

Within a few hours of passing mics from one part of the room to another, you will have achieved complete fumigation of the place. With this school of thought, although I hate the job, I highly recommend mic passing to be utilized in fumigation and other related activities. Mic passing for fumigation!

However, I will continue hating the profession because I am lazy or love convenience. There is no way I am going to run around an event just to give someone a mic. And sometimes, the person disrespects the profession by talking nonsense.

Just like sweet potatoes, I hate passing mics. You should do it too!

The post Passing Mics At An Event Is The Worst Job In The World appeared first on .

Let’s say that’s not how we want to write this article, yeah? That we want to break down every detail, and see things clearly through the lens of this writer. Only then can we understand the beauty and impact of the glorious event it was..

My plan for Saturday July 16, 2022, was to go hiking at Ngong Hills. If you have been there, you know walking up the hills more than 7 kilometers is no joke. When my boy Phil sent me a link for this event, I cancelled the hike. Here were my expectations; see Mutoriah perform live (from previous interactions with his music, he seems like someone with so much potential), network, and generally have fun!

Watendawili performing

And no, these are not like your new year resolutions. These are concrete goals. So what happened? Did I get a chance to watch Mutoriah perform live? Did I network? Did I have fun? Yes to all of that and so much more!

The event was hosted by Anyiko Owoko, music publicist (Anyiko PR) and events curator. The event, dubbed The Jam Concert series, created by Goethe Kenya, as Anyiko puts it, showcases “the best of Kenya upcoming and established acts- all performing live music with a live band. ”

I met Anyiko. Excited as it is, I would say she is a woman winning big in the public relations field. Interacting with her was exciting. She is humble and good at her craft. Throughout the concert, she coordinated the performances well, even joining the audience in dancing and singing along the fire songs by the acts!

Prudence Mukoya performing

While in the spirit of photographing the event, I met Lorraine Wangui, 2021 Sondeka Award winner (poetry category) and a health journalist. We had a smooth conversation about our career paths, and it was interesting that this event (I know you want to say “the universe”) connected us. From time to time, we would meet amidst dances and clicks, something that wouldn’t have happened if I went to Ngong. Is this a new Network?

I have so many words for Prudence Mukoya (Prue or rich_blood_rue), who is also a makeup artist. An Afro soul singer, she incorporates African rhythm and harmony in her execution. The first act on stage, she did marvelously. Coupled with her band, Prudence Mukoya delivered an electric performance for the books. Whether it is dance or singing, the vibrant singer gave it her all, highlighting the great potential she has. With her concordant voice and mad energy, she ‘wowed’ the crowd, setting the bar high for the following acts. This is despite the fact that she was performing to a crowd that didnt have an idea about her, but danced and sang with her in that colorful coordinated performance.

For the ‘Woza’ duo, Watendawili (Ywaya Eugin Simon and Israel Onyach), the crowd went wild. They are like some kind of high. When they are on stage, the crowd does not stay still. The stories they tell in their music are relatable, and even with the heartbreaking ones, the crowd would still sing along. They talk, rather subtly, about their rebrand from Kaskazini to Watendawili, and their exit from a ‘label’ which I believe is Sol Generation. I will leave it this way, Watendawili are artists who tell your story to you, of love, lust and the tussle that comes with relationships, and then add a touch of energy to it, and you won’t stop dancing to their tuneful songs.

Mutoriah on stage

Then I stood next to Morris The Actor (Famous and Baba Twins, Showmax) and the legendary Ayrosh, a folk-fusion Kenyan artist who tells African stories through his music. Ayrosh joined Mutoriah, Kenya’s afro electro-pop artist and producer, and the blend was magical. First because the crowd knew Ayrosh and Mutoriah’s songs by heart, and jammed to them with excitement. Mutoriah’s performance was incredible, judging from the crowd’s reactions to his singing. Ayrosh also stole the show with a vernacular banger, which most people sang along to!

The DJ set by Kamushez was enticing, playing almost 96% Kenyan music. He was quite a catch, with ladies screaming over his unbeatable talent, and gents dancing to his craft. The event was set to end at 10 pm, but you would see a little crowd jamming to the last bits of Kamushez’s magicn then and thereafter.

For the first time, I danced, and wasn’t ashamed of it. I let the music go into my bones, and blocked out the world so that the only thing that mattered was the gems that are Kenyan songs. I live for live music, and you know I will come to your hood if you plug me, and I will write about it.

The post Mutoriah, Watendawili, Prue, Ayrosh Headline Goethe’s The Jam Concert appeared first on .