Notes and Quotes...

Where is Dennis Onsarigo and Ali Mohamed?

2011-12-10T16:15:00.001+03:00

I am one of the many Kenyans who watched and loved the investigative series on the six-billion- shilling cocaine haul that was caught in Kenya about seven years ago and the succeeding suspected killing of police officers who were involved in the probe.

A story which I must agree was well researched, developed and documented in bounds and leaps.

After several days of screening of the series on KTN, the police came out with guns blazing, threatening of suing the Standard Group- the parent company of KTN.

And it was not just the Standard Group that was under siege, the two brave investigative reporters’ lives were too.
The two reporters' lives took a whole new turn. Not for the better but for the worse.

For the next days, Ali Mohamed and his colleague Denis Onsarigo could not walk, talk, move, eat or do anything like any ordinary people. Their lives had changed. Literally.

The two became ‘Most Wanted’ in Nairobi. Ali realised that he was being followed while he attended class in the Nairobi Campus of Moi University.

The pair is said to have been trailed by unknown people, strange men, an unidentified men, killers on the loose maybe, assassins we don’t know, but certainly they were not the pairs’ friends.

As we speak, the two journalists from Kenya Television Network, is said to have left the country and most predictably hiding in Europe in fear of their security or life or both.

Sources claim that Ali was either headed to a European nation- Norway or the United States.

And when we thought this was all over, there were claims that an editor with Jackal; news blog who broke this story and has been running subsequent stories on the cocaine haul was attacked by dogs in South B- Nairobi.
The men assaulted the editor and threatened to deport him out of Nairobi, a warning implying to kill him if the website continued publishing reports touching on drugs.

I don’t know what you think but it seems that some people are indeed ‘Untouchables’. And it's not just Ali and Onsarigo but anyone who dares to mention cocaine- either in consciously or subconsciously!

Janet Mbugua joins Citizen TV

2011-11-28T09:43:00.001+03:00

Finally after months of speculation, it is finally confirmed- Janet Mbugua is joining Citizen TV.

Word has been ubiquitous that the beautiful former news anchor of KTN who was ‘poached’ by ETV (a South African based TV station) would be joining the Citizen TV.

Janet’s joining the station made news not because of her news reading skills- actually; there is nothing so special about Janet- the only thing that caught people’s attention and made her make entertainment headlines is because of her payslip.

It is said that her pay slip will be reading 803,000 shillings a month. An amount that has got many people’s tongues wagging.

I don’t know if you know anyone in the media circles that earn this much. I don’t myself. Okay, I know one, our own queen of radio, Caroline Mutoko. But Caroline’s salary only matches this if it’s inclusive of the too much work at Radio Africa Ltd as a marketing manager.

In some quarters, this is not so much money. In media, it is. Especially, if the camera men/women and dressers get an average of 50,000 or less.

It’s even worse in some stations that pay 15,000 a month while others don’t pay their staff for three months.

And it’s not just the 0.8 million that caught our attention, something else did. The in -excess of 4.5 million shillings paid to ETV to free Mbugua from her contract in South Africa.

You could be wondering who is Janet Mbugua? Well, Mbugua is 27-year-old Kenyan. She started off on radio as a mid-morning show host in 2003.

In 2005 she took a break from radio and pursued studies in Malaysia. In 2007, she came back to Kenya and worked in television as a travel show host promoting Kenya’s hidden resources.

In the same year, the gorgeous journalist’s talents were noticed and she moved from being the travel show host to reading the news in Nairobi for the Kenya Television Network (KTN), before leaving for South Africa in mid 2009 to join ETV. Today, well, you know that already. KTN? NTV? ETV? No, Citizen TV it is.

Back in 2008/09, KTN was the TV to watch. It was just not easy not to. What of Janet Mbugua, Lillian Muli (Citizen TV) and Esther Arunga in your living room every day? It was a world of bevy beauties.

All said and (un)done, the question is? Is it cheaper recruiting and developing talent or its easy just acquiring the already developed talent and paying more? Well, that is a question that can be well answered by S. K. Macharia.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Mbugua's salary, in actually sense, I am so happy for her. But if I didn't write this, how else would you have known?

Mr Flava coming to Kenya and the translation of his lewd Nwa Baby Song

2011-10-05T16:31:00.000+03:00

Mr Flava whose song Nwa Baby has been getting huge airplay inspite of its lewd vernacular lyrics will be in Kenya on October 15 for Naija Night at the Carnivore.

However, before you plan to attend this event, you may want to know the meaning of some of the words you will be asked by the artiste while performing. So before you reply to 'someone say ashawo'... you may need to check the meaning of the word.

Because I am concerned of what someone might think about you especially our Naija brodas and sisters, I have taken the huge risk of posting a translation of the song in this blog.

Be warned therefore next time you hear the song and start humming or mimicking the words-especially in the presence of a Nigerian- most so if you are a woman.

The song is literally porn in content.

Nwa baby, nye me fege (7x) – Baby Girl give me your vagina
Nwa baby, o kwa Nabania - baby Girl, is this night u will give me
I don hammer no be small, now it's
time to chop money
Somebody say Nabania – someone say it will happen this night
Na takwa ne fe omo wania – please lest chop money and enjoy
See the girls them plenty
Waka waka baby (oh yeah), wuru – walk about baby
wuru baby (oh yeah) -
I go tell my mama, (oh yeah) I go – l will tell my mama
tell my papa (oh yeah) - l will tell my Papa
And I go tell am say (oh yeah) - and l will tell them say
You be waka waka baby (oh yeah) – you are walk about Girl
You be wuru wuru baby (oh yeah) – you are cheating me Girl
Corner corner baby (oh yeah)
Sango sango baby (oh yeah) – you are not straight forward girl
Para rara baby (oh yeah) – l don’t really trust you baby
Oh baby sawaley - Baby open the vagina for me to enter
Sawa sawa sawaley (2x) Open, Open, Open,
Ashawo - Harlot

Kpokpotom kpomkpom, kporokotom - it means nothing but just sound
kpomkpom (2x) - Sound
Kpakolo kpa (3x), kpomkpom - Sound
Ojari kpokpo, ukwu nwa baby – Woman Vagina, Woman waist
Achukwu rege, kpom kpom – Shake ur waist, shake it well
Ashawo, awusha – Prostitute - Harlot
Awusha, ashawo – Prostitute - Harlot
Ashawo, awusha, kpom kpom
Eh eh eh eh eh eh, kpom kpom
Oh baby Sawaley
Sawa Sawa Sawaley (2x)
Ashawo

Nwa baby, nye me fege (7x) – Baby Girl give me your Vagina (7X)
Nwa baby, wa Nabania – Baby girl you will give it to me this night
Na soso walka I come dey go – all the time l move about
Everywhere I go, anai ti fe - anywhere l go, l eat money, also eat Woman vagina
All my guys where una dey – all my friends that are there
From here to saloon hotel – we all move from hair Saloon to Hotel
See the girls them plenty – we see so many girls
Waka waka baby (oh yeah), wuru – they all moving around us, but they all are fake
wuru baby (oh yeah)
I go tell my mama, (oh yeah) I go
tell my papa (oh yeah)
And I go tell am say (oh yeah)
You be waka waka baby (oh yeah)
You be wuru wuru baby (oh yeah) –
Corner corner baby (oh yeah)
Sango sango baby (oh yeah)
Para rara baby (oh yeah)
Oh baby sawaley
Sawa sawa sawaley (2x)
Ashawo

Kpokpotom kpomkpom, kporokotom
kpomkpom (2x)
Kpakolo kpa (3x), kpomkpom
Ojari kpokpo, ukwu nwa baby
Achukwu rege, kpom kpom
Ashawo, awusha
Awusha, ashawo
Ashawo, awusha, kpom kpom
Eh eh eh eh eh eh, kpom kpom
Oh baby Sawa lele
Sawa Sawa Sawale (2x)
Ashawo

Ala de no de, no de - there are different types of female breast
Ala ala de no de, de no de, Ala, we know they there are different types of breast
Ema na ala de no de, no de
Ala ala de no de, de no de, Ala
Ala mama - if the female breast is fine
Wera kagi ji de a ala - l will hold it with my hand
Ala mama - if the breast is fine and standing
Wero noge me jaya ala – l will use my mouth and suck it

What can you do for love? Spanish Duchess can do away with €3.5 billion

2011-08-09T18:00:00.000+03:00

There is this incredible story of one duchess giving all her fortune to her children so as to marry the love of her life.

Her name, Oh My God ...I love it. It’s Maria del Rosario Cayetana Alfonsa Victoria Eugenia Francisca Fitz-James Stuart y de Silva. That is actually one name, can you believe it? Amazing right? I have just run out of breath.

Anyway, I was just wondering why she needs to do that. At the age of 85, why does she need a man, seriously? Even if its love? And what happens once she has given it all away? Will the two lovebirds be going hungry or she has some diamonds stashed- away somewhere in a Swiss bank?

The Madrid's Palacio de Lira born has more titles than any noble on earth, besides being a duchess seven times over, a countess 22 times and a marquesa 24 times.

She is also the head of the 539-year-old House of Alba, that apart she does not have to kneel before the Pope and she can ride on horseback into Seville Cathedral.
Am liking this duchess every minute. With all these titles, who need money?

The duchess's personal wealth is said to be something like €600 million ($A820 million) and €3.5 billion.

Anyway, she intends to give all to her children so that they could allow her to marry her love, one Alfonso Diez, 24 years her junior. Did I mention that her children have actually blocked her form marrying this guy?

The guy they feel is out to have her fortune even though the civil servant who also runs a PR business has signed a document rejecting any claim to her wealth.

To win the children, she has already given out six of her children and eight grandchildren a palace each. And I thought someone sending 100 grand to an imaginary lover was absurd.

It’s just funny that her children who are stopping her from marrying this fellow, , as she likes to mention, are all divorced, were all from her first marriage to Pedro Luis Martinez de Irujo y Artazcoz, son of the Duke of Sotomayor, who died in 1972.

Do you think she is rich? - sorry wealthy? I think so. But the not her- she insists she is not that wealthy.

Chaguo La Teeniez (CHAT) 201I...The Losers & The Winners

2011-04-23T11:54:00.003+03:00

I know you care about awards. I don’t.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t just like the Kenyan awards- ooh and several others.

Why? Because they can’t, they haven’t and probably will never pass the test of time - if not- on the very least- credibility tests.

Occasionally though I like to read, watch, hear or Google about awards.

If I have ever written about them- which I highly doubt- is because I care about you not them.

Like I said, once in a while, I like to know about who wins what, where and on what category.

Do I follow any awards in particular? Yes I do.

And it’s just one. The Nobel Peace Prize -and a little bit- just a little bit- The CNN Journalism Awards.

The rest – be it football, BET, Grammy, Groove, CHAT, MTV/MAMA or whatever kind of award there is- I don't care.

However, for the purposes being knowledgeable or keeping abreast with current news and for purposes of meeting social obligations, i do follow.

Why you may ask again? Because all of them are totally stage-managed, money influenced, sponsor- driven and politically influenced.

I am very certain though you wish to know who won what during the just concluded CHAT Awards.

Without wasting so much time here is a summary of those who won.

Daddy Owen topped the list of winners of the 2011 Chaguo La Teeniez (CHAT) Awards held on Saturday 16th April 2011 at the Carnivore Grounds.

The gospel artiste bagged Teeniez Male Artiste as well as Teeniez Gospel Artiste. Gospel group M.O.G and Mr Seed scooped the Teeniez Gospel Song category.

Teeniez Live Performer award was deservedly awarded to Juliani. BMF, favourites to win the Teeniez New Artiste category lost out to Lady B.

Juliani and Daddy Owen were the only Gospel artistes who performed as politicians Fidel Odinga, Martha Karua, and Gideon 'Sonko' Mbuvi joined in the celebrations.

Radio presenter Joey Muthengi and Anthony 'Neo-Soul' Mwangi were the MCs of the show.

Here's the list of winners (in italics and bold).

GENERAL CATEGORY

Teeniez' Male Artist
Jua Cali
Daddy Owen
Nonini
Juliani

Teeniez' Female Artist
Amani
Avril
Size 8
Wahu

Teeniez' Group or Collaboration
M.O.G.
Marya and Avril
P. Unit
Sauti Sol

Teeniez' Brand New Artist
BMF
Lady B
QTY
Rapdamu

Teeniez' Gospel Artist
Daddy Owen
Eko Dydda
Jimmy Gait
Juliani

Teeniez' Gospel Song
Papa God Ooh – M.O.G. & Mr.Seed
Saluti- Daddy Owen & Friends
Wedding Day- M.O.G.
Tobina – Daddy Owen

Teeniez' Hottest Track
Chokoza – Avril & Marya
Get Down – Madtraxx
Kare – P Unit
Saluti – Daddy Owen & Friends

Teeniez' LIVE Performer
Jimmy Gait
Juliani
Redsan
Size 8

Teeniez' Sizzlin' Music Video
Chokoza – Avril & Marya
Genge Love – Nonini ft. Lady Bee
Get Down – Madtraxx
Kare – P Unit

Teeniez' VJ or DJ
VJ Kalonje
VJ Mantix
VJ Rayza
DJ Wesley

Teeniez' Radio Station with Most Hype Presenters
Maina & Kinga'ng'i- Classic 105
Carolyne Mutoko, Jalang'o & Larry Asego – Kiss 100
Shaffie and Kalekye - Kiss 100
Sheila Mwanyigha - Easy FM

Teeniez' Blazin' FM Station
Easy FM
Ghetto Radio
Homeboyz Radio
Kiss 100

Teeniez' Hottest Music TV Show
Crossover 101 – NTV
Kubamba TV - Citizen TV
Riddim Up - K24
Str8- Up Live – KTN

Teeniez' TV Actor
Jobu (Bernard Safari) - Beba Beba, NTV
MaDVD (Brian Ole Ndwala) – Machachari, Citizen TV
OJ (Dennis Mugo) - Tahidi High, Citizen TV
Omosh (Joseph Kinuthia) - Tahidi High, Citizen TV

Teeniez' TV Actress
Gabi (Hellena Waithera) – Tabasamu, Citizen TV
Shish (Shirleen Wangari) - Tahidi High, Citizen TV
Tanya (Sarah Hassan) - Tahidi High, Citizen TV
Tasha (Nancy Wanjiko) - Beba Beba, NTV

Teeniez' TV Drama or Soap Show
Beba Beba – NTV
Changing Times – KTN
Machachari - Citizen TV
Tahidi High - Citizen TV

Teeniez' Brand New TV Show
Changing Times - KTN
Higher Learning – NTV
Machachari – Citizen TV
Nairobi Law – Citizen TV

Teeniez' TV Comedy or Reality Show
Churchill Live – NTV
Machachari – Citizen TV
Papa Shirandula – Citizen TV
Sakata – Citizen TV

Teeniez' Role Model
Cecilia Mwanbi
David Rudisha Citizen TV
Martha Karua
McDonald Mariga

Now that you have seen who was nominated and who won, can I ask you a question?

Good, did you see any nomination for KBC program or even an actor or actress from the many programs run by the station? I guess your answer is No! And you are right.

There wasn’t . Why? I have no idea.

I find it odd that of all the programs run by KBC no teenager watches to warrant a nomination.

Can someone/the CHAT organizers sincerely say that there was no nomination at all for KBC?

Second question, where are the majority of teenagers? Is it in the urban setting? Or in the rural setting? Those are good questions but we all don’t have answers.

Summarily though, let’s assume you asked me who should have won or who deserved what they won, here is what I think.

Daddy Owen, Juliani, Churchill, Mac Donald Mariga, VJ Kalonje, M.O.G. & Mr.Seed
deserved the awards, but Avril? Tanya among the many didn’t? Where is the talent? And who the hell is Lady B?

How Safe am I from the Police? A question for the Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere

2011-04-17T13:19:00.001+03:00

I am really lost here.

I am not sure if I should be happy or sad.

If you read my last posting, you may have realized that several things have not really been right.

Among the many things I mentioned, there is one that I deliberately avoided and that is about the recent spate of killings of the police by the police.

With your permission, allow me to give some quick facts.

In the last five months, fifteen police officers, including members of the armed forces and civilians have been killed by troubled junior officers- Circumstances? Unknown.

Last being a case where 16 bullets were fired by one Constable Mutwiri during his killing spree at Naromuro police station.

The constable shot at least seven times at his boss Inspector Orwenya as the poor lass stepped out of his bedroom.

From unconnected scraps of evidence gathered so far and some that is of common knowledge, some of the reasons said to be flaming these killings are frustrations within the force including poor pay, favouritism in promotions, depression, distress, poor living conditions, hiring of retired officers on contract, questionable transfers, and appointments without merits, gross indiscipline.

However, one of the most ridiculous argument- which again cannot be dismissed holistically as hogwash is that the police are being haunted by the killings of post -election 2008.

Now my question is how safe am I from thugs, muggers, robbers and the police themselves?

I am finding it easy to believe that I would be safer with a thug brandishing a silver semi-automatic Magnum .44 than a police carrying an AK 47. Why? Because at least I don’t expect to be protected. I am sure of the known. But with the police? I am not so sure about my protection.

It’s funny that police is killing themselves and civilians instead of protecting us. I don’t know whether there are no criminals to be arrested or shot at-at worst but something is definitely not right.

The statistics may appear dismissal but even killing one human being is considered a serious crime punishable by death in some states and life sentences in others.

Fifteen is not genocide but definitely worrying. I don’t know about you but I am.

In many occasions, I am left to wonder where the line between civilian protection and killing is drawn.

If the police cannot protect themselves from themselves yet they are trained, how are we supposed to guarantee our own security? without the training???

To say at this point that I am a worried Kenyan would be an understatement.

The Hague, here we come...finally

2011-04-05T16:04:00.001+03:00

It has been such a long time since I blogged- and there are so many reasons to it.

Most importantly is that there has been nothing much to write home about.

Two, there has been almost nothing interesting to deserve a space in my blog page.

Nonetheless, there have been a few things here and there that I guess to an extent deserved some small time attention- and it all has nothing to do with our entertainment scene or total crazy-wild politicians.

See, since the ICC Pre- Trial II Chambers announced that some Kenyans needed to answer some charges against humanity at The Hague, so many things have occurred.

One is that there has high increase in fuel prices, steady rise on food prices, lack of water in our taps and insane hike of matatu (psv’s) fares. For hecks sake we don’t even have condoms! I wonder who is wearing them.

Usually, like you may have noticed, Notes and Quotes does not do this (shiznit) sorry...this kind of stuff- but for the sake of a crying nation and like I had mentioned – some little attention for our six brothers, some rules must be bent.

So here it is, on the seventh of April 2011, six Kenyans will be facing the dreaded Ocampo at The Hague. Actually as we speak, they have already left.

These Kenyans are Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of the Civil Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura, suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto and Tinderet Member of Parliament Henry Kosgey who stepped aside to face charges of abuse of office.

Others required to make an initial appearance before the judges at The Hague are former Police Commissioner Mohammed Hussein Ali and radio presenter Joshua Arap Sang of Kass FM.

Before today and several days ago, there was very little chat about these six Kenyans, until the Pre- Trial Chambers II found them with cases to answer.

To say Kenyan politics has never witnessed such a tumultuous politics would be an understatement.

Anyway, let’s stick with The Hague story. So the six had been summoned and just immediately after that, the Kenyan government through its vice president took a very ‘honourable’ task of globe- trotting the world with his shuttle diplomacy – trying to influence other dictatorial states like Zimbabwe, Uganda among others in backing Kenya for a deferral.

He went to almost every continent, country- even in Libya where the leader is now being smoked out from his tents by the Benghazi brothers.

Unfortunately, for our VP the day he was in New York seeking to meet the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon is the same day the ICC also gave summons for the six to appear before the court.

During this shuttle diplomacy- so much to the dismay and discomfort of many Kenyans, Kibaki was stoking another fire- by nominating Justice Alnashir Visram to be Chief Justice, Prof Githu Muigai (Attorney General), lawyer Kioko Kilukumi (Director of Public Prosecutions) and William Kirwa as Controller of Budget.

When he did that I assume he was wishing that while the VP is running wild to the wild Wild West - like some headless chicken, his nominations would prove to the world that indeed there are reforms going in Kenya and a local tribunal wouldn’t be so bad for the six Hague bound.

Too bad for the old man, he forgot about Sir Newton’s third law of motion...for very action, there is equal and opposite reaction- the prime minister claimed he was not consulted- and the temperatures rose... and rose... and rose...so high for a moment I thought...here we go again- 2008 post elections violence now pre- elections 2011 season one.

Nevertheless, whatever goes up must always come down. The temperatures finally did but only after a long tolerance of political bickering, name calling, public spitting and butt kicking.

On the 22 February 2011 the president swallowed what I would call as the most humble pie of his life- much bigger than the one he swallowed in 2008.

He withdrew his controversial appointees. (Bad things seem to happen to this man from Othaya- in February).

In the meantime, two of the Ocampo six- William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta who had been the president most vocal lieutenants went dead quiet.

It finally dawned on the president and the lieutenants that The Hague case is getting nearer and there is a high possibility that they will be going after all.

So what did he do?

This is where it gets interesting.

See, after the withdrawal of the controversial nominees, Kenyans sighed relief.

Finally there was going to be some political peace. It was there yes. Not just for long.

Kenyan government went ahead and hired British lawyers to represent it at The Hague.

The big question was that why did the government choose these two gentlemen over our own Githus and Kiokos, who had been touted as the best of the very best Kenyan lawyers?

As it is, Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC and Rodney Dixon, QC will be representing us come 7th April, 2011.

Sometimes not even your wife or husband is enough. You will need some foreign activity at home. Talk of desperate times.

Finally, did you hear our special programs minister Esther Murugi urging women to strip if Uhuru Kenyatta is detained at The Hague? Can’t wait. On a second thought, some of us are already naked madam minister! What should we do?

Could this be it? Maina Kageni finally quitting Classic Fm?

2010-12-10T12:55:00.002+03:00

During this year’s, Fools day, rumor went round that Maina Kageni the Morning Classic Fm breakfast show presenter had moved to Royal Media Services and that he was being paid like the former anti - graft czar Aaron Ringera- a sum of two million shillings.

It was after these rumors that Maina decided to put the records straight and confirmed of having been approached to join Royal Media but quickly added that if he was to move, he would have “to be paid like Ringera” who by then earned Ksh2 million a month as the boss of the Kenya Anti-Graft Boss.

Well this may just come to pass.

Just so that we are clear we don’t do rumors on this site so get it straight.

Maina may be just headed to Royal Media Services after all.

Seriously? And as soon as January if all goes according to plan.

Sources claim that Kageni, who is definitely at his prime of radio broadcasting and currently one of the best radio presenters in Kenya today, may be joining the competition as early as January next year and with a very huge post- The Group Programmes Director.

Nevertheless, there haven’t been any word of conformation or denial from either Royal Media or Radio Africa, however, its confirmed that Maina has been in meetings with the crème de la crème of Royal Media, who now carries the title- the King of poaching TV station- Citizen TV, Hot 96 and at least over ten other vernacular FM stations.

Maina is said to have met with the Royal Media Big shots and placed his demands nonetheless, they station is yet to get back to him.

If Maina was to make this move, then it would be the one that will have him hang his mic as he has said in the past of retiring from radio.

In the meantime,

Popular radio presenters Edward Kwach who have like what now?

This guy have been in pretty all the FM stations in Kenya and Angela Angwenyi formerly of Radio Africa took over the mics at Nation media Group’s Easy FM and is currently hosting a program from 4pm to 8pm.

The duo has already taken over the afternoon drive show.

Kwach is currently co-hosting the program with Angela Angwenyi- the two who have in the past hosted a drive show on KISS 100.

You may have known by now that Muthoni Bwika who used to co-host a program with the DI was fired from the station while the DI was moved back to the late night show.

Just a thought? What happened to investing in new talent? Or should I put it this way? Is there any new voice in the mainstream media?

I guess that’s a question that can be best answered by John Wilkins and the like.

Lillian Muli quits KTN, joins Citizen TV

2010-12-10T12:45:00.000+03:00

Lillian Muli-Kanene has moved house.

The beautiful news anchor has left KTN a station owned by The Standard Group to Citizen Television owned by the Royal Media Services.

Lillian joins a long list of her former colleagues at KTN like Catherine Wambua now at Aljazeera, Peter Moss and Munira Mohammed both at DW, John-Allan Namu and Larry Madowo both at NTV, Grace Msalame at Capital Fm , Peter Opondo, Evelyn Wambua, Mike Okinyi, Muraya Kariuki, , Alex Chamwada, Ali Mtenzi, Farida Karoney, Catherine Kasavuli all at Citizen TV, Rama Nyan’g at One FM, Janet Mbugua at E-Africa TV and the controversial Esther Arunga among many others who have in the recent past left the station in such an unprecedented move.

According to sources, Lillian will be hosting “Citizen Weekend” beginning of next year after an execution of an imminent mini-relaunch.

Lillian is said to be so excited about her latest post and said "I feel honored to get this opportunity and I am looking forward to offering my best”.

The presenter has worked at KTN for six years and at one time was even quoted saying that she will never consider leaving KTN- as the station is her life.

Many are nonetheless, wondering just what could have precipitated the sudden change of tone.

Even though she did not and has not offered any explanations about her unprecedented exit at the station; Lillian was quick to add that she left the station in good terms.

Saying that “KTN has moulded me into what I am today and just because I have moved does not mean they were not good employers.”

Lillian is said to have tendered her resignation to her former station- KTN on Saturday and was due for reporting to her new office in the course of this week.

Reliable sources indicate that Lillian was apparently offered her new job by Citizen while she was on maternity leave, and that the negotiations were concluded just after she reported back to work.

But its not just Lillian who is taking the high road, another huge KTN asset will be accompanying her to the Citizen studios.

KTN’s Business Editor Henry Marete who has also quit the station will be joining Citizen TV as Deputy News editor and will bossed by Peter Opondo, who you can clearly recall is another KTN defector.

I want to believe that at this rate, it’s not malicious to say two things.

One is that there is definitely a huge problem at the 15th floor of I&M Building otherwise what would explain this entire mass exodus.

It feels like the Israelites are leaving Egypt.

If that isn’t the case, then Royal Media Services must obviously using under- cut tactics to tame /cut down the competition to pieces or the group has just so much- should I say money to offer.

On other interesting developments,

Liza to play golf with Donald Trump

Liza Mucheru-Wisner the Kenyan in the American reality show the Apprentice finally left the program after being fired.

Liza was fired on Friday but will be playing golf in the final task of the 10th session.

Liza made it to the final three however, was fired because, according to Donald trump, she did not get along with other contestants.

“You are outstanding in every way, but Liza, you are fired”- were Trump’s words.

After the firing of Liza, the remaining two contestants Brandy and Clint had a meeting with Trump on his Trump National Golf Club course in Westchester- NY, where the two learnt their individual assignments.

Reggea Artiste Ginjah slated for Performance in Nairobi

2010-12-06T14:32:00.000+03:00

Revelers and party lovers will definitely be spoilt for choice come December 11.

There are two huge events that will be going down on this date thanks to several entertainment labels.

After Tafrija Festival was confirmed to be going down at the Nigerian Diplomatic Compound on this day- and several local artistes having confirmed their participation, reggae lovers have not been left out and will also be entertained by Jamaican reggae singer Valentine Nakrumah Fraser also known as Ginjah.

Ginjah has been slated to perform in Nairobi on the same date. As if that is not enough, come Jamhuri Day ( December 12) another major event- Kikwetu Festival will be happening at Impala Grounds along Ngong Road.

The singer who is popularly known for his tracks "Black Sugar" and "Never Lost My Way" will be in action.

Ginjah was discovered by the reggae sensation Beres Hammond in 1999 where upon noticing the young artiste’s musical gift and potential, invited him to be part of his record label Hammond's Harmony House label.

In 2000 he began recording and by 2001, Ginjah was on a tour opening for Beres Hammond several shows across the major Caribbean cities, Europe, United States among others leaving behind an absolutely satisfied music lovers.

One popular song Ginjah and Beres did together is called Rise Above

In 2004, he moved from Hammond's recording stable to 'I Land Music', where he has so far recorded at least 30 songs.

Since then, the singer has never lost his way and has worked with several other artistes among them the legendary Lionel Richie.

Fishborne entertainment outfit owned by the soccer star Denis Oliech is said to be the event organizers.

Nollywood actress attending the Tafrija festival

2010-12-02T13:21:00.006+03:00

After a renowned Nollywood actor Noah Ramsey and Rita Dominic visited Kenya during the Naija night a few months ago, it seems Kenya will be once again hosting another Nigerian actress this time by the name Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G.

The actress will be gracing the Tafrija Festival scheduled for 11 December at the Nigerian diplomatic compound.

Ozokwor who is frequently typecast in the role of a wicked and bad tempered woman in most of the movies apparently is a soft spoken person.

Her consistency as an actress has led to her being crowned the face of Nollywood and also awarded the Afro Hollywood best actress award.

Tafrija Festival was originally known as “Shangilia Kikwetu Festival. The whole Tafrija concept is based on marketing musicians to the international community.

In the spirit of the festive season some of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to three children’s homes in Thika, Kibera and Kangemi.

“On top of the list of artistes who will be performing at the festival there will be two top Nigerian stars gracing the occasion.

This is to help enhance the bond that continues to form between Kenya and Nigeria.

We would like the event to have both a Nigerian and Kenyan feel to it,” said Dr. Chijioke Wigwe, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Kenya and Seychelles.

According to sources, this year’s musical festival will be different from the previous years.

This is so because, the artistes have been directly involved in the planning and organizing of the event since its preparation begun.

Not failing to mention that for the first time, a professional producer will run the show.

At least 40 top Kenyan artistes have so far been invited and are expected to perform at the event.

Among the artistes those who have already confirmed their presence for the Tafrija festival include, Makali Sound Band, Makadem, Jaguar, Jimmy Gait, Big Pin, Marya, Juma Tutu Band, Live Wire Band, Madtraxx, Valarie Kimani, among many others.

Poor Churchill

2010-11-30T11:44:00.007+03:00

You may have heard by now that one of Kenya’s finest comedian Dan Ndambuki alias Churchill, is under siege. Literally. Thanks to a woman.

Like they say (whoever they are) that behind every successful man, there is a woman.

In my opinion, that expression has long been overtaken by events and should be changed to every frustrated and ridiculously miserable man, there is a conniving, scheming and vulturous woman.

Many men definitely will and attest to this- having been victims in one way or another.

For religious believers, ask Samson who had to confess the secret of his powers to his wife. You and I all know what happened.

Then there are those who believe in legends like Lwanda Magere who again were brought down by the strong mischievous ways of a woman.

And then enter the celebrity world and i am spoilt for choice on just who to give as an example, R. Kelly, Mike Tyson, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, etc.

Now adding to that huge list is our own most celebrated, talented and finest top comedian, radio personality and Mc Dan Ndambuki a.k.a Churchill.

For several weeks now, comedian Daniel Ndambuki has been in the media glare after a highly and well oiled group of obscure characters apparently lured him into a well engineered fraudulent romantic den.

The news has got writers , broadcasters, bloggers and all those in the social scene a buzz.

There is no clear version on just what exactly happened.

They have been several versions on what happened though. I have sampled at least three for you.

One is that Churchill was caught red-handed and photographed having relations with a married woman.

Reports claim that he met the woman during one of his live screening of his most rated show “Churchill Live”.

The two started flirting and then a sexual affair started. When this alleged affair was discovered by the husband to the said woman, the comedian was set up.

Sources have it that just when he was getting ready for a treat by the woman, a man with a camera emerged unexpectedly and photographed him naked.

The husband to the woman’s is said to be Nigerian, and wants Sh5 million or release unflattering pictures to the press.

Churchill on the other hand says there was no affair, even though he is yet to provide any substantive statement o the issue. He claims it is a scheme by some Nigerians to try and extort money from him. Something he says he will not oblige to.

The second version confirms that indeed there are pictures of the comedian’s butt naked however, not in bed with anybody’s wife!

The second version also confirms that Churchill is a victim of an extortion ring led by a group of Nigerians- and that Churchill isn’t the first nor the second but the fourth high profile victim of an extortion circle of Nigerians who are setting up influential men with women and taking their pictures in compromising positions.

Its also says that the ring has made a clean amount of cash from desperate men keen on covering their tracks for business and family’s peace.

According to one of Churchill’s confidants, the comedian isn’t denying the reality of nude pictures but there was no married woman anywhere in the picture.

The source says that Churchill was flirting with a young single woman from one of Kenya’s local bank that handles some of his finances for almost a year.

Early this year the lady came to him with a sexual proposition and, like any other man, Churchill agreed.

The woman lives in South C but on this day in question, took Churchill, who resides with his girlfriend and two year old son, to some apartments in Kileleshwa and as Churchill was undressing, some guys came from a room, took his clothes and ran downstairs.

The comedian ran after them naked for his clothes. Its at this process that the ‘photographers’ snapped naked photos of him.

They gave him back his clothes and promised to contact him thereafter. The extortionists is said to have been on his case since January.

They at first demanded Sh10 million before they negotiated the offer downwards to Sh5 million.

The lady was arrested and confessed about the extortionists.

This second version also says that the comedian wanted to come out clean with the story during the live recording of the Churchill Show but title sponsors Safaricom advised him against it.

The final version is that, the woman invited the comedian to her place and having no ill intent , Churchill went, accompanied by a male friend.

What ever occurred from there is only known between Churchill, the girl and Churchill’s male friend.

What can be certained is that a man stormed in, with several photographers who took snaps at the comedian next to the woman, who had stripped naked.

The man is alleged to have now been using the pictures to blackmail the comedian into paying him huge cash of money or else, he releases the photos.

Churchill's Profile

For those that don't know Churchill, well, here is a sample of who he is.

He was born Dan Ndambuki in Machakos District.

He is a very creative comedian, thespian, a theatre director and producer, as well as radio presenter.

Has revolutionized the Kenyan comedy scene with creative and fresh humour in the past few years .

Started by appearing in Redykyulass, a funny television comedy that satired politics and Kenyans peculiarities before starting his own live TV show, ‘Churchill Live’.

A show which by now has an online fan base of plus 200,000 fans on Facebook.

He won two Chaguo La Teeniez Awards this year while last year saw him bag the Best Comedy programme, Theatre Person of the Year and Best TV programme overall at The Kalasha Awards as well as winning Best Narrator at the 1999 Mavuno Awards.

You and I know the truth lies in between those versions and if not with Churchill and the woman in question.

It will be nonetheless, be such a shame to see a person that has worked for 15 years in this industry to be where he is- go down.

This story nevertheless, beats any other recent ones including Avril's and Kaz's nude pictures that have been doing rounds on the internet.

Solemn week for the Celebville

2010-11-13T16:06:00.005+03:00

Shaffie Weru and Dj Pinye mourning

This seems to be a somber week for the celebrity in Kenya as Kiss FM presenter Shaffie Weru lost his dad on Monday while the legendary Dj Pinye lost his mum on Wednesday.

‘’My father finally rests… was Shaffie’s status on his facebook wall. Several fans later posted their condolences.

Shaffie’s dad would be laid to rest this Friday.While funeral arrangements are still on course for the late Dj Pinye's mother.

Many condolences to both families.

May God rest their soul in eternal peace?

Elsewhere,

Eve, Gaetano and Capital FM in new negotiations

After word went out last week that Capital FM morning presenters Eve D'Souza and Gaetano Kagwa left the station.

It seems there is new development.

The two presenters are yet to officially leave the station according to sources.

The inside story is that even though the two handed over their resignation letters,last week the presenters are still in talks with the station.

This is totally confusing.

And,

Jua Cali Denies girlfriend is paged

The undisputed King of Genge, Jua Cali has denied a report that his long term sweetheart Liz Munyu is pregnant.

He nonetheless, said that he is planning of getting of married soon ''because that’s God’s commandment''.

In the meantime, the 31 year old Genge artiste who’s currently constructing his bungalow at Kahawa Sukari, Nairobi said he will be occupying it soon.

From Jamaica with broken heart

2010-11-13T15:54:00.003+03:00

Alaine: Jamaican producer hurt me

It looks like the beautiful and sensational Jamaican dancehall artiste Alaine Laughton is still bitter with ex-boyfriend and former producer Don Corleone.

The pair had been in a relationship for almost three years before they separated.

There was no comment from the artiste apart from the usual cliché that it’s done we are never going to work together.

Alaine nonetheless, refused to comment about speculations that she is in a relationship with Freddy McGregor’s son Daniel McGregor aka Chino.

Insisting that she is still single.

The two have done a song called Secret Lovers.

Meanwhile, Don Corleone is also said to have moved in with Kris Kelli, the latest girl in his stable and the two have a recorded a song called Moved on.

Looks like everyone has moved one to me. Or is it just a way of comforting broken souls.

The singer who left the country on Monday said she was very excited about the massive turnout at the Sepetuka show at the Carnivore Grounds on Saturday last week.

Alaine is a song writer, singer and producer who has recorded and producer some of her songs.

She is currently working on her new single, Beautiful sisters.

The singer had been in the country for the Sepetuka show where several artistes performed including the sunshine singer and fresh from the maternity ward Habida, the Norway based Stl, and the love child Wyre.

In other news,

Basket Mouth Says I Do

This may come as a disappointment to many young and single ladies out there but the Nigerian comedian Bright Okpocha, also known as Basket Mouth, is married.

The comedian finally said I do to his long term sweet heart Elsie Uzoma whom she has been dating for the last seven years.

Having performed their traditional wedding rites and court wedding a few days before their big day, basket mouth and Elsie were ready for the main event- their white wedding.

The couple has a son, Jason, who was the special guest of honor.

Elsie tossed her bouquet as she danced to Single Ladies while basket mouth replaced the traditional garter toss with a watch toss.

According to Bella Naija reports, the couple met in 2003 when basket mouth visited the university of Lagos campus where she spotted the beautiful Elsie.

It however took a couple of tries from basket and persistence paid of when he finally got Elsie’s number.

Lastly,

Bebe Cool shoots music video in Hollywood

After receiving a huge sum of money from Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni, singer Bebe Cool seems to be putting it in to good use.

Bebe cool accompanied by his wife Zuena travelled to the US courtesy of the rapping president for further treatment after he was shot by Ugandan policemen.

With the remaining cash from the grant, Bebe shot two music videos for his latest tracks, Big size and Till you love me in Hollywood.

The shooting took place at Stevenson Ranch in Hollywood, Beverly hills on Rodeo Drive the richman's celebrity shopping street in California.

The video shooting was unique according to Bebe cool as they used not only beautiful women but also used state- of -the art rides like stretch limo Hummers, Escalades among others.

Media Drama

2010-11-10T13:22:00.004+03:00

Gaetano Kagwa and Eve D’Souza Quit Capital FM

After several months as Capital FM’s Breakfast show presenters, Eve D’Souza and her co-host Gaetano Kagwa have resigned from the station.

The two were brought in by the station management to help revitalize the station’s sinking ratings in the prime time show after Fareed Khimani and Seanice left.

The unprecedented departure left many with speculations on what could have just happened.

After taking over from the extremely rated Seanice and Fareed, it’s said that the ratings had gone down a thing that was not amusing to the management. The two has therefore been under pressure to improve the ratings.

What most people don’t understand is before quitting the station, the two had gone for a leave only to come back on air and leave the establishment almost immediately.

Sources indicate that the two handed in their letters last week Friday.

Eve D’Souza who many remember as the popular presenter of a night show- Hits not Homework said that making the decisions was difficult for her.

Eve has been with station for at least ten years.

It’s wait and see as the management seeks to replace the duo. Will Kirubi be heading back to Uganda or will he keep it truly local?

In the meantime, Gaetano seem to be preparing for his flight back home while Eve is said to be highly sorted by several media outlets. Top on the list is the urban One FM formerly Radio One and Classic Fm.

Eve nonetheless, is tight-lipped over her next move even though speculation is rife that she may just stay in the silver screen.

Elsewhere, in the media circus,

Ciku sorted by Civil Rights Bodies and Maina may just leave radio after all

During one of the interviews with Jeff Koinange on the bench,(The Capital Talk) Maina at one time confessed that while having a drink in a pub a man walked towards him and slapped him in the face. ‘That is for spoiling my wife’ the man said.

It seems it’s not only this man has been rubbed the wrong way or should I say not happy with the Maina Kageni and Mwalimu Kinga'ng'i's, no- hold barred content of the morning show.

Rated as the leading show in Kenya, Classic 105′s Breakfast has been given six months to examine its content or face the music. Legally speaking.

This development came about after the two most sorted radio personalities were summoned by the Kenya Film and Censorship Board last week.

The KFCB word was clear. Clean up the air or face the law.

Maina was not happy with development and he may decide to leave radio if bad comes to worse. The morning shows popular topics surrounds marriage relationship and the married. Technically termed as adult content.

Creative Ciku Muiruri on the other side seems to be having problems with Civil Rights after supposedly assuming the HIV status of a woman in her show segment Busted.

The “Busted” segment, has been so far put under notice by the KFCB- who asked the station management to scrap it off terming violations of the broadcasting law.

Both Maina and Ciku's program according to sources were given six-month period to shape up.

Finally,

Grace Msalame Expecting a Double?

Nyota Ndogo, Esther Arunga and now enter another celebrity full of another human being. Grace Msalame.

Msalame joins the already long list of celebrity pregnant the only difference is that Grace is expecting a double, double.

The beautiful and composed TV personality, who once hosted KTN’s “Art Scene” and currently Capital Fm news reader, is weighty with twins and so pleased with the progress.

This couldn’t have come at the best time- just a few months after losing her father and media mogul Tony Msalame.

All the best with the development.

Fun, colour and glamour as Jamahs is launched

2010-10-21T06:08:00.010+03:00

Finally, Jamahs is here...

It was all fun, pomp, color and glamor as Journalists for Media Development in Kenya(JFMDK) and Polish East Africa Economic Foundation (PEAEF) launched its first project.

The launch on the 15th October 2010 was the culmination of the project PEAEF AND JFMDK has been working.

After days of waiting, the event was finally here. October, 15, 2010 it was. 10.30am was the time. Sarakasi Dome was the venue. Jamahs Launch was the event and Journalist for Media Development in Kenya and Polish East Africa Economic Foundation were the host.

Several days before this day, there were a lot of happenings, pressure, time-lines, communication and well... never mind. So many things had to be done including the publication of the club's magazines, event’s preparation among many others.

Anyway, I don’t want to bore with the pre-launch activities. We will do that another day.

Right about now, allow me to take you down to what happened at the Sarakasi Dome in Ngara.

First things first though. The introduction.

If you are an ardent follower of this blog, you may have noticed I did a piece about JFMDK.

‘Recollecting my days’ is what I called it. In that piece, I was telling you exactly what JFMDK is all about and what it has been doing. If you haven't read it then you will need to do that.

However, let’s assume you don’t know about this blog or follow it. So who is Jamahs?

Well, Jamahs (Journalist Aspirants in Media in High Schools) is an ambitious project of Journalists for Media Development in Kenya (JFMDK) and Poland – East Africa Economic Foundation (PEAEF) directed to youth involving setting up of journalism clubs in high schools in Kenya

Through the Jamahs clubs, students are taught civic attitudes, critical thinking, tolerance and forming impartial opinions- in this case using journalism as a tool of building civic society.

It also aims at enhancing the standards of journalism in the country and boosting media literacy among the youth.

Since its creation in early 2010, Jamahs has facilitated the establishment of fully functional journalism clubs in the three schools.

The schools included Olympic High School in Kibera, Muslim Girls Academy in Ngara, Nairobi and Heroes of the Nation in Nyahururu.

The project has also trained teachers in these schools to enable them provide on-going guidance and mentorship in journalism to the club members.

The initiative is premised on the thinking that if students in high school can be empowered to become good journalists, they can have a major impact on their communities today and in the future.

The journalism training is basic but sufficient enough to enable patrons and students to publish a newspaper as a culmination on their ability to transform what they have learnt in to practical use.

The first three schools have published their first edition as is shown in the website;www.jamahs.org.

The site provides a comprehensive and up-to-date online source of information on school journalism club activities.

This site also allows the publication and accessibility of the work done by students in different clubs.

The literary work includes photography, poetry, articles and essay writing among others.

It also creates forum for critics, sponsors, partners as well as member clubs to see what they are doing as well as providing free, accurate and independent information on various journalism activities.

Now that you are aware of Jamahs, this is what went down at the event.

The invites were sent, the venue was set-up, guests attended.

The website together with school club’s monthly publication was launched by the Polish Ambassador to Kenya.

Certificates of achievements were given. Winners of the competition were announced.

Then entered entertainment by the Sarakasi dancers and everything just wrapped up so beautifully and so amazingly.

In brief, it was beyond the cliché; pomp color and glamor. It was informative, educative, involving, entertaining and far more career developing.

The event was not just about pictures and people. It was all about telling the public that there is power in journalism- as was explained by the Polish Ambassador to Kenya.

The launch definitely opened a whole new chapter on PEAEF and JFMDK’s page.

Infidelity made in South Africa

2010-09-03T20:25:00.005+03:00

What does Mandela, Zuma and King Mswati III have in common?

I really need some one to help me understand what is up with South Africans and fidelity.

It seems these people have serious issues with fidelity. Be it Mozambique, Swaziland, or just South Africa as a nation.

Sometime during my journalism career, I was a radio presenter. During my presentation of a musical program, I used to do some short but true stories about real people and events- just in between music.

One of my favorite was a story about a legend. A living legend to be exact.

The story goes that there was this fierce and highly intelligent politician and freedom fighter. The legend was born and brought in South Africa.

The legend was arrested and put behind bars for close to 27 yeas in some island in Cape Town. Making him one of the longest serving political prisoners in his time.

After serving his jail term, he was released and got back to fighting for the freedom of his people, against apartheid and racial discrimination.

He vied for presidency and won becoming the first black president in South Africa. He retired five years after being president.

During his marriage it is said that one day when the legend was flying in one of the choppers, his wife was having a hanky panky with one of his aides in the chopper.
That story was never proved. But another one was.

This was after the then president and world's most respected statesmen found himself in a Johannesburg courtroom discussing the most private aspects of his life.

He testified that he felt lonely and abandoned by his wife, who cheated on him while he was in prison for 27 years.

He said that years of rumors that his wife had been unfaithful were proven to him when he recognized his wife's handwriting in a letter in which the writer professed love for Dali Mpofu.

Mpofu apparently was Winnie Mandela's lawyer when she was tried in 1991 for her involvement in the kidnapping of four youths and the murder of one of them.
Winnie Mandela and Mpofu never confirmed the estranged affair.

In August 1994, the legend announced he was divorcing his wife. In July 1998, the legend proceeded to marry Samora Machel's widow, Graça Machel.
Making Machel the first lady of two different nations, (Mozambique and South Africa).

Now this legend by now you as you may have figured out was Nelson Mandela who was once married to Winnie Mandela who he divorced on grounds of infidelity to marry the widow of Samora Machel- Graca Machel.

Fast forward to 2009, another huge infidelity in the same soil. This time bedeviling the current president Jacob Zuma.

Once again, the news broke that one of Zuma's wives was sleeping with one of his personal aides.When the word got out, the body guard committed suited.

And then most recently is about the juicy and raunchy gossip about King Mswati III being cheated on.

I guess you know the story by now but if you don’t, here it is.

See, in Swaziland, there is this 60 year-old tradition where the king is allowed every year to marry an additional virgin in what is known as a reed dance.

As it stands right now, the king has 14 wives. Seriously does this fellow satisfy his wives? Unless he keeps a cabinet full of Viagra. No puns intended.

Hold up, just remembered that King Solomon had 1000 wives and 600 concubines/ clandestine. This guy was such a womanizer.

Anyway, back to my story, like I was saying, sometime in August, word had it that Swaziland’s justice ministers and one of King Mswati III closest confidants and childhood friend Ndumiso Mamba, was banging his 12th wife Nothando Dube.

By the way is banging a politically correct word? Never mind. Let’s move on.

The story continues that for several months, Nothando Dube 22 walked out of the palace dressed in an army uniform into a waiting car that drove her to a hotel to meet her secret lover one, Ndumiso Mamba.

The queen is said to have perfectly executed her disguise that left the royal palace without any suspicion. This she did for several months whenever the king was not around.

Until the 40th day when Ndumiso was caught up by the police in one of the hotels apparently owned by King Mswati.

I can’t just imagine the level of migraine the king endured.

Funny thing is that this was not the first time a queen at the palace had misbehaved or shown unfaithfulness. Two queens before her had done it too.

The two queens now live in exile while Dube is currently under house arrest. The secret lover Ndumiso who is apparently married resigned and is said to have been jailed.

However, when you look at this matter critically, you are wonder who to blame.

Should the blame be on the king or on the queen? Many feminists would say the king, while chauvinists would quickly say the queen.

But let’s face it. The king has 14 wives. I am not so sure how he manages to satisfy all of them unless like I said uses some medication.

I am not good at maths, but I can do this simple arithmetic. If the king had three women every week, it would take him at least 4.6 weeks to go full circle.

However, just like every man he has his favorite among the 14 whom he probably spends more time with.

So what happens to the rest of the queens in the colony?

They too just like the others are human beings need attention. The question is? Where do they find it?

They should probably come to Kenya for help. See, in Kenya, wives to MPS and the ilk don’t go any further than their homes.

They sleep with their gardeners, watchmen, guards, cooks. Think I am making this up? Ask Maina Kageni on Classic 105 and you would be surprised,

Back to my story, why does infidelity follow South African leaders like a bad smell? Are the South African men so poor at their game or women are just too demanding?

Probably women should be around to marry more than a one man. Better still. Date opposite sex.

Ends…//

Recollecting my past days

2010-08-25T13:00:00.004+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

I know many of you would want to know where I have been. Well, I have been pretty much around.

So why haven’t I written anything? Well, I have written so many things. I haven’t just got the time to post them.

So why haven’t got the time. Because of a very simple reason.

I was and still waiting for the new constitution to be promulgated. I didn’t want to be left behind with this euphoria sweeping across Kenya. Anyway, this is what happened.

See, sometime around May this year, just when I had published the last article, (Read Kenya’s musical chairs) I bet so much have taken place in the entertainment industry by now- but that’s a story for another day.

Ok where was I? Yeah, I was telling you about sometime in May. So like I was saying… There is this association called Journalists for Media Development – Kenya (JFMDK)

Journalists for Media Development in Kenya (JFMDK) is an association of journalists who believe in building each other's capacity and promoting scholastic media literacy in the community.

JFMDK believe that the sustainability of a diverse and vibrant media is crucial in the development of a free democratic community.

JFMD-K’S objectives are to impart, improve and help maintain quality Journalism – This they intend to achieve through members and partners we shall directly or indirectly impart relevant skills to practicing and upcoming journalists, Provide practical and material support to journalism clubs and such other groups.

When the association was formed, we didn’t have much to do- actually, we had so much to do. The only challenge was that we lacked resources.

So come May, one of the official partners Polish East Africa Economic Foundation (PEAEF) through Polish Aid officially came on board.

They granted us resources. Don’t ask me what kind of resources. But the resources were granted.

With these resources, JFMD-K started implementing the objectives.

That’s where I came in. As a manager of the project.

The project included running a pilot project in trying to improve the level of education and access to information for teenagers aged 14 – 18 from vulnerable environments in Kenya through high school journalism clubs.

Students together with their teachers were to be given necessary education to enable them serve their communities as journalists. On completion of the trainings students were to be able to produce a monthly school newspaper for their fellow students.

This was not only to aid them in good practice in journalism but also provide information for the community on various issues that are majorly ignored by mainstream media.

This project was also meant to raise journalism standards in Kenya by providing practice to future journalists.

Provide a forum for the ignored opinions to be included in national debate. Support high school journalism clubs to publish school newspapers and link the clubs through a website where they will share news content.

I know by now you are wondering so what have we done so far. Well, 60 high school students and six teachers from 3 schools have been trained on all aspects of journalism and photography.

The schools have provided their respective clubs with dedicated space where students organize their journalism activities.

These rooms have been properly renovated, customized with one nice green color, furnished with quality furniture up and above that provided with computers, with internet and other IT equipment to facilitate publishing of stories for print and online.

Given the knowledge and the infrastructure, students and their patrons have managed to develop their own editorial policies and soon will be gearing to publishing a monthly schools newspaper under the mentorship of experienced journalists from the JFMD-K.

The journalism clubs will also provide news content to a shared news website that will be accessible by over four million Kenyans that have access to the internet.

The schools we have partnered with included- Heroes of the Nation High School - Nyahururu, Muslim Girls Academy- Ngara and Olympic High School in Kibera.

The project has so far been fun, adventurous and really challenging.

I really don’t want to preempt the achievement of what we have done since all this information is available on the association website.

You can access all this info and more about JFMD-K in the site that is under construction or visit PEAEF.COM which is truly an amazing organization to see and read all about its profiles and all the projects it’s working on in East Africa.

Finally I am still good and going strong still glad to have you on board.

The association JFMD-K will be doing a huge launch come October this year so you should probably think of coming.

Before i leave, how about you looking at the pictures of the project and the team behind it.

Standard Group launches new radio station

2010-06-02T16:51:00.005+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

Standard Group the Publishers of the Standard Newspaper, and owners of KTN and pds have added another fruit to their basket- A new radio station- Radio Maisha.

After several months after the take over of Radio Simba early last year, speculation was rife on whether the station would retain its same, or continue working on the same environment.

That speculation has now been put to rest as the Standard Group launched the new station at their new offices in Standard Center along Mombasa Road.

Rama N'yang in the meantime has joined Radio One broadcasting station on 97.1 after resigning from KTN while Wellington Nyongesa joined the new station Radio Maisha alongside Peter Adamz who resigned few weeks ago from Baraka fm.

Wellington Nyongesa once worked at KTN as a reporter before moving to Citizen TV in the same capacity and later to BBC East Africa Bureau before being poached by Granton Samboja of Milele fm to head news.
As karma would have it, it’s like Nyongesa has gone full circle.

Nyongesa joins Radio Maisha as news editor.

Like Nyongesa, Titi Nagwalla who worked at Milele Fm has also made 360 turn and now works for his former employer the Radio Africa Group.

Nagwalla resigned at Milele fm citing managerial differences and was to join Radio Jambo as programs comptroller and morning presenter.

However, it’s like he only got one position as Carol Radull still holds the position of programs comptroller.
Nagwalla now co-presents with Jacob Mulee at the station.

Still on musical chairs and the cropping up of Fm stations, I truly believe there is nothing new Radio Maisha brought on board.

It's like they just copied and pasted what other stations has.
As matter of fact, they are even doing it more poorly. They have this awful female news reader.

Has Nyongesa ever listened to her?

Musical Chairs as Grace Msalame joins Capital Fm - Ann Kiguta moves to KTN

2010-05-09T12:02:00.004+03:00

Was there a horse trading between the two stations?

By Ohaga Ohaga

A few days ago, I did write something on this blog about The Standard Group /KTN’s employees quitting the station to join other media houses.

The article had been prompted by the mass exit of KTN staff that by the end of April had lost very influential TV presenters who included Esther Arunga, Grace Msalame and Rama Nyan’g.

Nonetheless, it was not certain whether Grace and Rama had left or were on leave.

To that effect, I mentioned that Grace Msalame and Nyang seemed to have called it quits with their former employer.

As it turned out, the two have actually moved- with one confirmation being Grace who by this week was reading news on Capital Fm.

Now it is not so clear whether Grace really quit or there was a horse trading between Capital Fm and KTN?

Why am I saying this? I am saying this because many people seem to be wondering just what happened between KTN and Capital Fm that saw their ex employees switching positions- where Grace Msalame joined Capital Fm and Anne Kiguta moved to KTN.

See, Before Grace joined Capital Fm; she had been presenting a feature program called Artscene on KTN.

Anne Kiguta on the other hand was the news reader at Capital Fm. As it stands now, Anne Kiguta has moved to KTN anchoring news while Grace has already hit the ground running with her new job.

Just so that I put you in the picture- especially for those who don’t watch KTN, Grace was a very hippy and voluptuous lady who first graced your TV station as a host of a youth program called Straight-Up. Before moving on to produce and host a feature program called Art scene.

Prior to that, Janet Mbugua was the programs presenter but was moved to anchor Prime Time news on the same station. (Janet has so far resigned actually she resigned sometime back to join ETV in South Africa).

Still on the change of tune in the musical chairs, Ciku Muiruri who worked at Easy Fm and was popularly known for busting cheating couples did quit to join Classic Fm as a co-host of Nick Odhiambo in the evening program.

Before these happenings, Titi Nagwalla who was the morning show presenter and programs controller at Milele fm had resigned and was poised to join Radio Jambo to serve in the same capacity.

This however, did not happen and it’s not clear what happened. Nonetheless, trust Notes & Quotes to bring you all the vibe.

Until now, word is not out on where Rama Nyan'g went. Like I said trust the blog to get you all info as it rolls.

It seems this game of musical chairs never stops.

By the way, Groove awards were great. Very great. That’s the much I can say.

Chaguo La Teeniez or was it?

2010-04-26T12:32:00.010+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

The first time I had about a writers block, I was reading Stephen Kings’ Bag of Bones.
A well crafted and truly intriguing piece of work.

For those of you who have not read it, well, the book is all about a forty year old bestselling novelist Mike Noonan who after the sudden death of his wife is unable to write. Noonan who is the central character is plagued by vivid nightmares from his summerhouse which he also calls Sara Laughs.

In brief, the book is all suspense, twists and turns.

When I finished the book few days ago, I thought to myself, well things like these only happen to established novelists not writers like me who are still finding themselves.

Until I checked my blog the other day and realized I had not posted anything since January this year. Technically, it s since September last year.

That was the last time I did some serious writing. I am not so sure whether I should still call myself a writer or not.

Anyway, I seem to have overcome the block after all. Thanks to a TV story I watched this morning.

Usually, I don’t give much interest to stories that don’t concern me. However, this was different.
It was all about the just concluded Chaguo La Teeniez Awards (CHAT) - that was held at the Bomas of Kenya last week.

After watching the event it got me thinking- how about commenting about it?

See, the just concluded CHAT awards had so many ups and downs.

Starting by the fact that there were only 6 awards for the teens out of the possible 24.

Secondly, looking at the winners who included OJ, Tanya, Redsan, Juliani, Sauti- Sol, STL, and Churchill among others, I couldn’t identify any teenager.

What happened to those days when the event was truly owned by the teeniez?

As if that wasn’t enough, there was the award of Teeniez Most Hype Show which went to Kiss Fm’s Rush Hour as well as Teeniez Blazin' Fm which went to Kiss Fm as well. Really? How about Ridim Base of Metro Fm?

Has anyone ever listened to this show? It’s awesome.

What was most perplexing nevertheless was the fact that Shaffie Weru who was a nominee was also the event’s MC. Funny ha?

All said and undone, there were some good moments like an award that went to a most deserving person, Churchill’ for Teeniez TV Comedy/Reality Show.

That apart there was this chic with one hell of a sexy dress. Tanya of Tahidi high who scooped Teeniez TV Actress.

Then there was the case of CMB Prezzo overdoing his bling and Dr, Mutua the spokesman struggling to do a jig.

Enough of the CHAT thing. Now to some serious matters.

I am not sure if it’s just me who have noted some usual or should I say unusual tendency with KTN and its employees.

Over the recent few years the station has been expericiencing mass exodus of staff.

It all started with the exit of Swaleh Mdoe, Catherine Kasavuli, and Louis Otieno who ditched the station for Citizen TV. The latter now working for K24.

Soon after, there was the exit of Catherine Wambua- the reporter who left for Al- jazeera.

Before dust could settle, another bunch followed. This time including Alex Chamwada, Farida Karoney, Mike Okinyi and later joined by Anne Ngugi all heading to Citizen TV.

Immediately after that, Janet Mbugua left the station for South Africa to join etv.

This year, there was the unceremonial exit of the Esther Arunga.

Now there are rumors that Rama Nyan’g has ditched the station so has the hippy Grace Msalame of Art scene. And where did Dj Dru of St8p and his co - host Christine go?

Like I said, I am not sure if it’s just me who has realized the station has been losing staff faster than Donald trump can say you are fired or you have as well?

And how come almost all ex- KTN employees have gone to Citizen/ Royal Media. Is true that Citizen TV is the new kid on the block? Or it’s all about the money?

And have you seen their new TV set? I heard S. K. Macharia spent 60 million on it. Can you believe that?

By the way, Groove Awards is here. Can't wait for the winners.

Pictures, juicy stories and more political stories coming your way this 2010

2010-01-22T12:16:00.004+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

It has been quite a long time since I got time to post anything here. Not because I ran out of creativity or ideas or anything to write about- It’s just... let's say my creativity overwhelmed me to a point I could not write anything.

Come on, whom am I kidding. Look, it has been so tough for me. For those who have been following me. I would want to say thanks a lot for the support.

Having said that, I do believe I owe you an explanation to where I have been for the last several months.

Well, I don t have any reason; neither do I have any excuse. Nonetheless, I got an explanation.

Soon after I submitted my last article, things got harder for me. See, I was putting up some business which I thought would take a little time but that was never to be.

Like it turned out, it was so daunting. I didn’t know this but starting a business is like bringing forth a child to this earth.

Its demanding, stressful, time consuming and very challenging.

For the last three months to date therefore I have been here, there and everywhere trying to make sure everything works out well. I am glad it has.

I can now have sigh of relief. The baby is beginning to crawl. That is a good sign right? At least I got hopes he will walk.

Two, while I was running this blog, I was also doing a column by an Australian on-line paper (www.australia.to) where I have written several political and non- political stories. However, as it turned out, a hacker got into the paper’s system and corrupted the entire system. The paper had to begin form scratch. So all my submissions, articles and publications were gone.

Anyway, God is good and I am doing well glad you too.

Unlike time and date that keep changing, my creativity is still very intact, clear, and very much active and I am making a commitment that this time a round there will be consistency.

I will be doing more stories on entertainment, celebrities, politics accompanied by clear color photographs.

You know sometimes you can really get prepared to a point you can swear that nothing can shake you but like the one minute earthquake that shook Haiti and left behind a trail of destruction, something just comes and hits you real bad. I know they will come, but the blog will run.

Keep reading.

‘The Kindest Cut’

2009-09-07T11:57:00.005+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga.

After days of waiting, the event was finally here. September, 1st 2009 it was. 6.30 pm was the time. Alliance Française was the venue.
Photography Exhibition on male circumcision was the event and Internews Network was the host.

Several days before 1st, I had received an invite through Sandra Ndonye asking me to attend a photo exhibition and book launch at Alliance Française.

From the invite, I didn't notice any dress code.

That meant anything goes. All dressed up in a black suit, black shoes, white shirt minus the tie, I arrived at the venue - fifteen minutes late.

Like I had speculated, the house was already full.

As I got ushered in with very warm smiles at the entrance to the Auditorium, I got to see many faces. Some familiar some unfamiliar. Some white, some black, some in between.

I could identify quite a number of them and so proceeded to say hello with little chit- chat here and there just incase there is anything I had missed.

Realized I hadn’t missed a thing.

With the number of guests upwardly increasing, I moved along and caught some nice and well framed pictures hanging firmly on the wall.

Since I have never been so good with photography I just looked and admired the creativity of the photojournalists while reserving my comments.

The pictures as Ernest Waititu (one of the photojournalists showcasing his work) told me were taken somewhere in the middle of Lake Victoria at the controversial but famous one acre, rocky and fishy Island - Migingo.

The function started right on time with Kassim Mohamed a trainer at Internews welcoming everyone to the event followed by free drinks.

I happened to get lemon and even though I have never liked lemon juice, I couldn’t complain. It was for free.

With a glass in one hand and peanuts on the other, I joined the rest of the guests in deep conversations. I understand it is called Networking.

Personally, I didn't see any networking take place apart from a few guests chit- chatting.

Majority of those present were rather comfortable talking to those they knew or whom they had come with - so in groups they talked, laughed, shared.

One thing that I did not find interesting nonetheless, was the dress code.

I am not sure if it was me who had misunderstood the mood of the event or it was the rest of the guests.

Ladies were looking stunning though. Majority of them dressed in formal or semi formal attires.

Very few men were dressed for the occasion.

Majority were in jeans and tee - shirts while others in shirts and jeans.

Only a few odieros dressed to fulfillment of the event. Well, maybe it was just me.

That said and done, I liked the no table or seat idea very much. It created more space for the many guests as well as allowing more room for movement.

As the event progressed, cameras started rolling, journalists took their positions and speeches began with Head of National Aids & STI’s Control Program Director Nicholas Muraguri giving us an insight on the statistics of HIV prevalence among women and children.

Like I came to know, boys could soon be circumcised immediately after birth as part of the fight against Aids.

That is if only the organization (Nascop) hopes to achieve 100 percent male circumcision.

The move follows scientific research that showed that circumcision reduces men’s risk of contracting HIV by about 60 per cent.

To help achieve this, boys like I learnt will therefore be circumcised before leaving the maternity ward.

According Dr. Muraguri, at least 84 per cent of Kenya men were circumcised.

However, as the result may appear positive, Dr. Muraguri was quick in pointing out that male circumcision was not a license to unprotected sex.

He urged the use of condoms, abstinence, and faithfulness to one partner as some of the basics in leaving an HIV free life.

Nicholas Okamo, the chairman of Luo Council of Elders was also present. ’I am member of the Luo Council of Elders and I support the program fully. Many young men come to me for advice and they have my blessings to go ahead and get circumcised said Mzee Okamo.

To put everything into perspective, he gave an example of an aching tooth.

‘If you have a lower tooth that keep paining, every single time, do you keep it in the name of culture or remove it for sake of your health?
The exhibition was to showcase the work of six journalists who traveled to Nyanza Province to develop photo essays.

The journalists included Venter Mwongera, David Njagi, Ernest Waititu, Wanjiru Macharia, Isaiah Esipisu, and Erick Otieno.

This followed dedicated training events by Internews Network in helping journalists tell the story of male circumcision.

The event will run from 1st to 20th September 2009.

Hello good people

2009-08-24T13:26:00.003+03:00

Kindly welcoming you on board...

My name is Ohaga Ohaga.

A Kenyan – born writer,and journalist.
I nonetheless, do many other things apart from writing or journalism.

I wish to say thanks a lot for getting time to read through my creations. Or visiting my blog.

I have just begun so I wouldn’t say I have been here done that. Nevertheless, I am working on the blog to improve on one or two-three things.

My passion is in art. Whatever form it is served.
Poetry, theatre, opera, and any other artistic expressions like ballet all works for me.

Music, Literature, and Paintings are however, my favorite.

I think matters of love, love and more love, as a common and fundamental basic to human life. Prayer, independence, confidence and attitude must ofcourse accompany it.

I would appreciate any of your ideas. Whether in form of a comment, complaint, compliment or any other thing in your mind.

My threshold for critics is so high so don't be afraid to leave one as well.

I am widely published and if in doubt, try Binging/Googling my name (Paul Ohaga/ Ohaga Ohaga) and see for yourself.

To earn a living, I edit a newspaper, based here in Nairobi among many other things.

About my social status, well, let’s just say, we can discuss that on ohagap@yahoo.com or ohagaohaga@gmail.com.

Need more info, look for me in Facebook or http://twitter.com/Ohagaohaga or log in to www.australia.to/columnists/Ohaga Paul http://africamedianetwork.ning.com/profile

Kenya goes black as dark days begin...

2009-08-14T12:55:00.003+03:00

So you think you have a bad day? Think again for you haven’t seen anything yet. Some of us are having really bad days.

Have you ever woken up to darkness? With no water in the house, no food, and no money? And just when you prepare to go to work, realize that you didn’t iron your clothes, or charged your phone, or your laptop is out of power and have a pending deadline? Or you coffee machine don’t work and if it did there is nothing much you could do? I am not so sure you have.

Well, this has been the life many of us are have been living in Nairobi. Each day. Everyday. For the last several days- and it has all to do with one Kenya Power and Lighting Company- who decided that living in darkness is not a crime.

Beginning of last week, The Kenya Power and Lighting Company announced a power rationing program that has seen residents go without power for thirty six hours or three days in a week.

This tough measure according to the government was taken due to the reduction in water levels at the major hydro- power plants- which resulted from adverse environmental degradation and prolonged drought.

The first victim was the Masinga dam which was closed due to low water levels- with strong hints that Kamburu dam would follow suit.

Signals that the Ministry of Energy was duly aware that rationing would occur emerged early this year with the importation of huge generating turbines arriving at the port of Mombasa even before the government brought fourth tenders for Independent Power Producers.

Initially, the government through the Ministry of Energy had announced an electricity management program that would have seen residents go two days in a week without electricity but it was reversed to three days.

While announcing the news at his office, Energy minister Kiriatu Murungi said electricity supply would however, be normal during the night.

He nonetheless, failed to say for how long the rationing would last- instead, took refuge in the assumption that the situation could ease, if the short rains expected in September through December are sufficient.

The move by the government elicited immediate reactions with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers Chief Executive Betty Maina terming it an unfortunate development that was unavoidable.

The power rationing comes at a time when Kenyans are already grappling and burdened with water and food shortages.

Apparently there are over 10 million Kenyans facing food starvation.

In coming into terms with these harsh realities, the cabinet was forced to meet early this week and deliberated on steps to take in curbing the food, water and power shortages.

One of the resolutions was to provide subsidy food to over 10 million Kenyans in seriously hit areas.

Beside food and power, water is another rare commodity that we have been forced to deal with? Some residents of Nairobi have not seen water run from their taps for the last six months.

To add salt to injury, Kenyans are likely to pay more for the supply of electricity at night, as the Government is depending on thermal generation to avoid plunging the country into total darkness.

And just incase things don’t improve, (short rains fail to be sufficient), the government will be forced to introduce more emergency power system which will mean electricity bills going up.

The power-rationing programme nevertheless, has not affected Central Business Districts in key towns, hospitals, security installations and industrial areas.

But has spelt doom for small and medium enterprises that mainly operate in estates and provide a source of living for millions of people.

Within four days of power rationing, traders had registered very low profits and dissatisfaction.

But even as the country adjusts to these challenges, the government is engaged in a major political showdown with politicians from the Rift Valley region over the Mau Forest.

Mau Forest Complex is a major water catchment resource in the country with fifteen rivers originating from there.

But has been encroached and destroyed.

The distraction has bore catastrophic ramifications including the shortage of water in our taps, lack of rains resulting to shortage of food and ultimately lack of enough water in the dams to generate sufficient power.

Right now one has to program himself like a computer.

Time to shower, time to iron, charge your phone, use the computer, watch TV or listen to radio.

It’s more like living in Kalahari Desert where food, water, and money comes at the grace of the Lord.

The only difference is that there are no wild animals here that might confuse you for food.

Ugly women, good music, drunk friend and a slum party…

2009-07-30T10:40:00.005+03:00

Can’t get any better than this...

By Ohaga Ohaga

I have never been a party animal. Meaning I hardly go out raving or roving. Clubbing or attending get- together parties or parties of whatever nature- whether day or night, funeral gathering or wedding ceremony.

It is one of my many unwritten ground rules.

Stay at home, watch movies, read a book, write an article or scribe a poem is what I enjoy doing particularly on a chilly Saturday evening.

This Saturday however, was different. After staying indoors for the better part of the day, mainly scribing poems with little music in the background and few interruptions from a noisy lady neighbor, I received a call from Jaybee.

JB is one dude who never calls. So when he did I thought this was either serious or interesting.

Before I move on, I bet you would like to know why I don’t like partying- anyone within my age bracket would love clubbing with half -dressed younglings with beer in one hand and cigar on the other.

Well, let’s just say I don’t like anything that interrupts my sleeping pattern because I have a serious chronic insomnia. And since I hadn’t slept for the last three nights, I had figured I would catch some this Saturday.

Well, until that maiden call from Jaybee. Like I had said this lad seldom phones but here he is.

Kijana where you? Where else could I be? I asked myself before replying- in Kibera. Of course you are in Kibera he said, where exactly he asked.

It is nine at night where could I be besides the house, I pondered again before replying- in the house.

In the house where? To avoid many questions I told him Ayany. That’s where I live. Well, do you know a club called Pentagon in Gatwikira? He asked just when I thought he was done. Yes I do. Okay we are heading there, want to come?

Like I had previously mentioned, I hardly go out, particularly at night for the now obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, after some soul searching, I decided to go. After all rules are made to be broken.

Hold on a second. Have I told you who JB is? No I haven’t. Good. JB is one hell of guy.
A character of characters. Besides being my brother, he is a fine cheat and refined liar, a player by all descriptions and a ladies’ man. (Never seen him with the same woman twice) lastly, he is one of the deserving Kenyan celebrities you haven’t heard about.

He produces three great interactive programs at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation- (KBC) with the name Grapevine, Divas, and Unfinished.

So the moment he told me he was coming to Kibera, I probably thought he was coming to shoot one of the shows.

At nine thirty, I was off the house to the club. One the way, I met several drunk young men and women staggering their way through the muddy, filthy trenches of the slum.

Being at night with no proper lighting in the area, I found myself lost and sekeed direction from one resident.

He gave me clear instructions and moments later, I was at the Pentagon pub.
I almost passed it. Weren’t for the small banner “Dr. Osito Kale performing live”, I probably could have walked straight past it.

The building hosting the club or should I say the ramshackle in which the pub is hosted is one thing that needs extreme make over – and I mean extremely extreme.

Everything here needs to be redone and should have been done yesterday.
The pub is located deep in the heart of sprawling highly sewer trenched Gatwikira slums.

In front of the pub, are these culverts uselessly put in the trenches to control the sewer line.

The door to the pub is an old wooden, with old paints signaling the years it has survived.

The roof from outside just like inside is hanging loosely threatening to fall anytime, with old, discolored and mismatched iron sheets held together with rust and stones precariously placed on it.

An odor hits me so hard, almost choking as I move close to the main entrance. I pause for a second and then ask a 5.6’’ black bald shaved guy standing stone face at the door.

Is the KBC crew inside? He looks at me with contempt shrugging his shoulders before answering no.

Good enough I say and then retreat as I withdraw my big black phone and call the lad.
How come they ain't here? I ponder, waiting for the call to go through. The last time I checked, he had confirmed his presence in the place.

Perhaps they are but not recording; I reckon as the phone gets through. He picks it up and seconds later emerge from the club already sweating.

He must have been dancing hard. He pays the gate fee and we proceed in wards.
The place like I had thought is already crowded, with middle aged men sipping their misery away.

I do a quick scan and notice several young men and women shaking their booties. Also in the dance floor are familiar faces, Odongo a.k.a Chairman and Erico.

The two are close friends and former and current classmates to JB.

Odongo works for the government while Erico writes/edits for The People Daily. I think all of them are now classing at University Of Nairobi.

After exchanging pleasantries JB cues me to hijab and buibui dressed, slim chocolate complexioned pretty lady.

She is sitting comfortably in one of the few skeleton wooden made sofas.

I don’t think I have met her so I move on to say hello. She had a Somali accent she must be one.

Her name is Mohammed- (I am not so sure of the name) - but then again you can’t blame me, the place was so noisy.

She tells me JB has dragged her to the place. Dragged her or drugged her, I am not sure. Again, the place was noisy. Well, here we are. Let the party begin.

I don’t see any seats anywhere and I don’t want to stand so I decide to shake some leg with the Odongo and Erico.

Few minutes elapses and a get tap on my shoulder. I turn around and my eyes meet Elias Odero. A former classmate and friend.

He lives here in Gatwikira. Hardly speaks Swahili- insists we speak dholuo. Music stops and Elias directs me to a seat and then the party goes one with Osito Kale a reputable Luo artiste with great compositions dropping hit after another.

Everything is so far so good. Apart from the sweat and poorly dressed patrons.

Then things started happening, one tee-shirted, cheap trouser dressed lad who I will call DS for Drunk master gets into a fight with one of his drunk pals and later the fight spills to us. Erico to be exact.

Now the baby faced Erico as I had learnt from their conversation with Odongo had drunk at least seven bottles of beer.

But the guy was still very stable like he had just taken one. You must give it up for this dude. No wonder he wears a baby face.

DS for reasons we did not understand was spooling for a fight. No one knows exactly where the trouble started but all we I know is that for the next thirty minutes adrenalin was running so high with nerves shaken and constantly resisting my big arms from breaking this dude’s jaw.

Confrontation continued with both sides trying to threaten the other as the two throw few misguided punches here and there catching no one.

Eric so angry and gets even angrier when the drunken master tells him to go ahead and hit him. Crowds gather and we are now at the center of attraction. JB, Odongo, Elias, and myself and other patrons trying their best to separate the two- all in futility.

We all get frustrated and decide to let everything be. Moments later the temperature goes down.

Erico leaves for fresh air. While the DS brags how he can do what he can’t do. The hubbub is over.

Its eleven thirty five and Mohammed our lady guest is so shaken. She demands to leave.

We all agree, and start off only for Erico to emerge from his fresh air thing and take his half consumed bottle of beer.

Our “ small post election violence is finally over as Kibaki and Raila now Erico and DS shake hands. The party continues.

All said and done, Pentagon Pub or club- whatever it is deserves thumbs up for bringing Osito Kale to Kibera.

Nonetheless, if the club needs my presence again, it must seriously do some makeup. Starting with the removal of hard benched seats, better lighting and sound, quality service, and improved walls and roof.

To avoid patrons peeing on the walls, some few washrooms will go a long way.

In the meantime, I think I will stick to my music and books at home.

Wake up call for the government as sophisticated phone crimes hit the country hard

2009-07-24T11:39:00.001+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

It’s without a doubt that twelve years after the introduction of mobile telephony in Kenya, so many things have changed.

The long queues witnessed at the phone booths are gone; there is no carrying of coins to deposit while phoning, no reverse calls, and the communication just got friendlier and better.

However, this seems to be the much we can celebrate as sophisticated phone crimes hit the country hard.

For the last few weeks, the country have experienced an extreme upsurge of crime in form of abductions, kidnappings, extortions and intimidations through mobile phones as criminals infiltrate our telecommunications system.

The once ‘must have’ devices are now causing a lot of discomfort in many family setups who have had their relatives abducted and later ransom demanded through untraceable phone lines.

The situation has given security forces sleepless nights as they try to find the genesis of the problem and have now come up with a hypothesis that mobile phones are the reason for the upsurge of crime in the country.

They say that since these devices are easily available and at friendly prices with lines from any of the networks being sold everywhere including highway stalls and from hawkers- the criminals are taking advantage to harass and extort the public.
Unlike Egypt, Switzerland and other counties in the world, Kenya does not control the activation and subsequent use of mobile phones.

This means that anyone can walk into a shop buy a phone and instantly activate and start enjoying services without any further bureaucracy on the identity of the subscriber.
This lack of proper administrative structure in registration of subscriber details by mobile phone companies is what experts are claiming to be one the source of the crime.

This security lapse has therefore given kidnappers, extortionists, murderers, and even terrorists loophole in our telecommunications system.

Nevertheless, the government seems to have heeded to the wakeup call and issued a directive to have all subscribers registered.

Following the many abduction and extortion cases, the president issued a directive to Ministry of Information and Communication to put in place an elaborate data bank that will ensure that every phone number is traceable to its user.

According to the president, the move will regulate increasing sophisticated crimes and series of abductions in the country.

As much as I would like to agree with the directive I am skeptical about the privacy of the data bank that will monitored by the government and would like to be assured that before I register my account, the data bank account will not be misused in any way by the security forces or government agents.

In the past years similar data banks and private information have been misused by the security agents and politicians who hack and access ones email account, besides intercepting, or tapping ones call without observing individual’s privacy rights.

I must also note that the registration alone of subscribers will not reduce crime as criminals can always find another way to do their business.

Just like carjackers steal and consequently use the car to commit a crime, the phone criminals can steal someone’s phone and use for criminal purposes. Besides who said they cannot register with fake or wrong identification?

The fight against the crime is welcome but a long term solution need to be put in place- not for fighting sophisticated crimes alone but also guarding the privacy of subscribers.

The Hague: causing sleepless night for Kenyan politicians

2009-07-17T10:02:00.003+03:00

By Ohaga Ohaga

“Human beings hate what they don’t understand and fear what they hate” This anonymous quote best explains the misunderstanding and hatred the Kenyan politicians have against the prosecution of post- election violence perpetrators in The Hague.

Once again, the ICC debate has taken center stage in my subject of interest this week. One might actually think I am enjoying writing so much about this topic that I can’t stop - the truth is, I don’t.

However, it bothers me that irrespective of how hard I try to clear my mind off the subject, it keeps coming back like bad toothache. So for the suspects that have their pants are on fire, learn to cope with it.

Having said that, my interest this time is not about the Hague per se but on the many political analysts and politicians who have over the past few days written, commented and tried to explain to us the implications of Kofi Annan’s move on handing over the envelop to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

To say that they have totally confused us would be an understatement. But then again, it could just be me.

Since Kofi Annan handed over the secret envelope to the ICC, many people have voiced their opinion on what they think of Annan’s move.

What has appalled me most nevertheless, is the rate and speed at which the Kenyan government through its Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo and Foreign counterpart Moses Wetangula has reacted to the subject.

The two have come out uncharacteristically, breathing fire while trying to explain the consequences of Annan’s move.

Like the two good lawyers they are, they have done what they do best. Defend.
Wetangula is on the record as having said that the suspects of the post election violence will not be facing charges in the Hague anytime soon because, Kenya is sovereign state who still has the capability to efficiently prosecute the suspects and no one in his wildest dreams, can think or even term it as a failed state.

Mutula on the other hand, has used every opportunity to address the media and the nation in general on what he is doing about the Annan’s move and options available, for Kenya- constantly reaffirming that the suspects will not be facing Ocampo on the ICC until all available options are exhausted.

In both cases, I want to be fair and agree with them.

However, one thing that beats me is the extent of denial they have shown towards our inability to transparently prosecute the offenders.

Like I said before, I do agree with both the ministers in their statements.
Why? Because, when you refer to the ICC statutes which we are signatory, a state (in this case Kenya), can only be referred to the ICC, if it has shown the inability or unwillingness to carry out genuine prosecutions.

According to the ICC statutes, the “unwillingness” of the state to carry out genuine investigations and prosecutions may arise in three situations- sham national proceedings, to shield certain individuals; unjustified delay in commencing legal proceedings; and impartial proceedings.

If all these factors were to be taken into account, then we all agree that these possibilities have not been exhausted in Kenya and so by referring the nation to the ICC, is “a violation of its sovereignty”.

But what is sovereignty if we can’t even solve our own differences? Like agreeing on the results of elections?

Forget about sovereignty and let’s move on. Like I was saying, that even though we are “sovereign”, the Kenyan government has shown far too little effort in prosecuting the suspects- which leaves little doubt its willingness to try the suspects.

That is how The Hague remains relevant unlike the two ministers who still feel that The Hague is not the best option.

Allow me to remind you that when Waki commission concluded its inquiry, it recommended that if Kenya failed to establish and prosecute the suspects of the post- election violence within the stipulated period, the suspects in the secret envelope were to be handed over to The Hague.

Pause a second and let’s take stock. Did Waki do the inquiry? Yes. Were there recommendations that if the government failed to prosecute the suspects locally then they will be forwarded to The Hague? Yes.
Have we shown that we lack political will by charging the suspects? Yes. Did Waki give a deadline for persecutions? Yes. Has the deadline expired? Yes. Was the expired deadline further extended by chief mediator Kofi Annan? Yes.

Okay, enough of Yes. What’s my point? In one way or the other if you looked keenly and consciously at the Kenyan situation, you realize that our government hasn’t been keen on ending impunity in the country.

This is evidenced by the two minister’s political rhetoric’s that we have witnessed in the recent past. Their aim is politicize the whole situation so that we get distracted and find other ways and means of further delaying the justice we severely need.

Before I leave, please note that Waki is a lawyer and qualified justice who has a clean track record, he therefore must have looked at the evidence his commission gathered and adduced that the suspects are both liable for prosecution in the Hague or locally.

Those saying that we don’t have enough evidence for prosecution in the ICC are once again, very wrong!

Hello World

2009-07-13T12:47:00.003+03:00

Welcoming you aboard...

My name is Ohaga Ohaga.

A Kenyan –born writer, and journalist. I however, do many other things apart from writing or journalism.

I wish to say thanks a lot for getting time to read through my creations. Or visiting my blog.

I love arts in most of its form. Music, literature, and paintings are nevertheless, my favorite.

I think matters of love, love and more love, as a common and fundamental basic to human life.

I would appreciate any of your ideas. Whether in form of a comment, complaint, compliment or any other thing in your mind.

My threshold for critics is so high so doing be afraid to leave one as well.

I am widely published and if in doubt, try Bing/Google my name (Paul Ohaga/ Ohaga Ohaga) and see for yourself.

To earn a living, I do so many things some of them not related to mass communication.
About my social status, well, let’s just say, we can discuss that on ohagap@yahoo.com or ohagaohaga@gmail.com.

Need more info, look for me in Facebook or Twitter or log in to www.australia.To/columnists/Paul Ohaga or http://africamedianetwork.ning.com/profile/OhagaOhaga.

Kofi Annan and the Secret envelop

2009-07-13T12:16:00.005+03:00

Who is Inside?

By Ohaga Ohaga

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Since post -election violence rocked Kenya in December 2007, the former UN secretary -General Kofi Annan has been in the Kenyan headlines on a daily basis.

Last week was no different. The former UN secretary-general caught many by surprise when he handed over the secret list containing the names of suspects of the post election violence to the International Criminal Court.

After one and half years of dilly- dallying by the Kenyan government in establishing a local tribunal to prosecute the post election suspects, Kofi Annan seem to have run out patience and submitted the list to the international criminal court prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo.

For those that are not familiar with the Kenyan situation, and is wondering what Annan is doing with a secret envelop- well, this is a summary of it all and how Annan comes into the equation.

Kenyan went into general elections in 2007, the election were disputed resulting into ethnic based violence leaving at least 1,300 dead.

Kofi Annan intervened, successfully mediating the difference between Kibakis’s PNU's party and Raila's ODM. Soon after that, recommendations were made.

A commission was established to look into the orchestrators of the violence.

Justice Waki headed the inquiry. Upon completion, Waki listed the names of the suspects in a sealed envelope and gave to Annan for safe custody.

The names were to be submitted to the International Criminal Court if the Kenyan government failed to put a local tribunal to try the suspects.

Now, that we are on the same page, let’s move on. Where was I? Okay, I was telling you that last week on Friday, the chief mediator decided to hand over the list to the ICC catching the government all asleep.

Why did he do that? Well, no one knows but as usual, we all know the Kenyan government was not keen on bringing justice to this nation leave alone establishing a local tribunal.

In a letter addressed to President Kibaki and copied to the Prime minister Raila Odinga, Annan explains elaborately and precisely his reasons for submitting the secret list to the ICC prosecutor Louis Moreno-Ocampo.

I don’t have much space right here- otherwise; I could have pasted the letter for you. Nevertheless, I will move on and with your indulgence hypothetically look at Annan’s move.

For starters, there could be countless reasons why the former UN secretary general handed over the list; however, there are those that seem heavier.

One of them is that the gentleman seems to have sensed a looming danger in being cut -off - the process by the Kenyan government in fulfilling his desire to bring the suspects to book.

This is well explained by the fact that after he had extended the deadline upon which the local tribunal was to be set up in August, the Kenyan government sent a delegation to Geneva to meet with the ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo.

According to sources, Annan was neither briefed nor consulted over the matter and only came to learn through his aides thereafter.

Never mind that on arrival from Geneva, the Kenyan delegation briefed the government that Ocampo had given them at least 360 more days to establish the local tribunal.

In his views, this might have been deliberate tactics by the Kenyan government to continue derailing the process or cutting him completely off.

Like a wise man, he learnt that Kenya wanted to deal with Ocampo directly; he therefore gave them a reason to do so. The secret envelop to Ocampo.

Two, Annan, like a wise person, must have noted with concern the lack of political will in establishing a special tribunal to prosecute suspects of the violence.

He had no choice therefore in handing over the list to enable ICC begin the charges and to end further speculation from the Kenyan citizens and the world at large.

Lastly, Annan is a diplomat and not a politician. He did not want to be dragged into the Kenyan local tribal ethnicentrism politics that would make him take sides.

If you did not know, it’s not easy being a politician in Kenya without being tribal.

Whichever the reason that drove him to make the move, in one way or the other is justified. Don’t get me wrong- I am not in support of what he did, but being in such a position I must agree he had few options.

I would have done the same thing.

The only problem like you might have read in one of my articles is that neither The Hague nor local tribunal will resolve our case.

Nonetheless, it is a good start and can't wait to see how it all rolls out.

The Hague or Local Tribunal? A dilemma for the political elite

2009-07-09T13:53:00.008+03:00

Which way to go?

By Ohaga Ohaga

Let me start by saying that irrespective of which way we prosecute the post election violence perpetrators, (The Hague or local tribunal), if the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission is not fast- tracked and implemented- then the general elections in 2012 will be like a Christmas party for the devils.

I am not a prophet of doom but anyone who witnessed the violence immediately after the announcement of the election results in the 2007 general elections, would agree with me that there are so many underlying factors than what we are being made to believe and far deep atrocities that have been committed by our politicians that led to the violence.

For the past one and half years, Kenyans have been treated to media frenzy topic: whether the post election engineers should be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court (ICC) or face a special tribunal back home.

Research has been conducted by almost every researching body in the country including radio stations, newspapers and television channels- all pointing out to a common feeling on the ground- that the post- election chaos suspects be tried in The Hague.

Many voices have been raised on the subject with sides pulling apart on which option is best to take. This nonetheless, has taken us nowhere and we are still grappling with the two ideas.

Many Kenyans nevertheless, view the ICC as the best option since they have lost faith in the corrupt- to- the- knee, malfunctioning and non- performing judiciary in the country.

For decades, many social, political and economic crime offenders especially the political elites have evaded prosecutions because of arm-twisting of the judicial process and influencing courts in their favor.

This therefore explains why very few people would campaign for a local tribunal to try the post poll violence suspects.

I however, tend to differ. Not because I am in support of the architects of the violence but because neither The Hague nor local tribunal will resolve our differences.

Why? Consider the following reasons.

Kibaki or Raila

If there was no Kibaki or Raila; we wouldn’t have gone to war. So the people who should top the Waki secret list in Kofi Annan’s safe custody should be both President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

This is based on a very simple logic.

They in one way or another masterminded, or orchestrated or supported or had an idea on what was going on or what was about to happen or the commands that were being issued by their subordinates- and with you permission, I will quote a section of the ICC statutes.

The ICC law which Kenya is a signatory- states:
“A superior shall be criminally responsible for crimes within the jurisdiction of the court committed by subordinates under his or her effective authority and control as a result of his or her failure to exercise control properly over such subordinates, where:
The superior either knew, or consciously disregarded information which clearly indicated that the subordinates were committing or about to commit such crimes; the crimes concerned activities that were within the effective responsibility and control of the superior; and the superior failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures within his or her power to prevent or repress the commission or to submit the matter to the competent authorities for investigation and prosecution.

This section therefore puts both Kibaki and Raila on the spot.

The Hague

Many Kenyans are hesitant in backing the formation of a special local tribunal to try architects of the post election violence mainly because they don’t believe in the judicial system.

They argue that even though The Hague, will take far too long in fighting impunity that has been associated with the Kenyan history, at least justice will have prevailed.

To them, the number of those prosecuted or the period it takes doesn’t matter.

Similarly, the lack of transparency that is associated with many tribunals in Kenya is another setback that makes Kenyans view The Hague as their only option.

The Local Tribunal

For those that support the establishment of the local tribunal, the argument is that the ICC is painfully too slow and will take forever to prosecute the suspects.

And for a country that is crying for justice, this is not the viable option
Two, that the ICC will only go for the top cream offenders leaving a whole lot more suspects in the equation like the middle level and the lower level suspects.

Lastly, that by prosecuting the suspects in the International Criminal Court, the violence amongst ethnic communities may be rekindled taking us back to where we are avoiding.

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission

Unlike in the last two groups, I believe that in trying to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2007, neither the local tribunal nor The Hague, will best serve our case.

In my view, the first fundamental thing we need to do- is to fast track the already established Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission and then has it fully implemented.

This way, we will not only bring together the various warring communities but will as well deal with the historical and transitional injustices and the far more important land issues among many other things.

Once this has been implemented, we can now move to the second step which involves prosecuting the suspects either locally or internationally.

What makes the last option better than the rest is that there will be peace, the truth will have been known on who did what and where and there will be forgiveness amongst us.

So irrespective of where the suspects are prosecuted, we will be prepared for it.

Besides, it has worked in Liberia- a country that experienced a similar situation we are facing.

Tribute to Michael Jackson

2009-07-09T12:39:00.006+03:00

In My Own Words

By Ohaga Ohaga

How hypocritical? Insincere? Duplicitous? Pathetic? Devious? Dishonest? Heartless? Can the world be? That after all that period, fifty years and on, we chose one evening to gather in pretences of showing and sending our deepest condolences and last respect to the fallen hero?

It is such a shame how the world expresses its emotions, in broad day light for the dead to see how cruel they can be.

Who exactly are we? or should I say are you duping?

Watching the world gather, as they mourn a fallen hero, the King of Pop, the famous pop artiste, triple award winning and the legendary Michael Jackson, I couldn’t help but wonder how people, we human beings, can be such a phony lot.

Everyone was okay until they learnt that Michael Jackson is dead.

And now, they are pretending, so pitifully and miserably lying before everyone and to themselves that they cared, loved, and adored the singer so much that they could die for him.
How poor can we get? How low can we stoop?

We all know how dishonest and unrealistic we are and can get. Shedding tears in pretence of mourning Michael Jackson. What a hogwash?

I still remember struggling with rage and anger as I restrained myself from breaking my television as I watched people, all round the world, crying with and in Jackson’s name, wearing his look-a- like souvenir attires, buying his albums, playing his music back to back just to show their condolences and respect for the fallen hero.

What a waste of time?

The good thing is that MJ knew this long time ago. The two-faced, devious, human nature and even did a song that was later sung by John Mayer on his memorial day.

As if he had anticipated something like this.

And as you mourn MJ, I got so many questions for you.

Where were you when Jackson was alive? Where were you when he was going through all the trials, tribulations and severe depression?

Did you believe in his innocence during the child molestations accusations, or do you do now? Do you have any of his albums or even know any of his songs?

Who exactly was Michael Jackson to you? Did you like his songs or his character?

Did you offer any support when the he was neck deep into debts that led to him swallowing anti-depressants that later led to his death? My guess is no.

Well, you just like any other human being with a mortal heart is a miserable lot who like the immortals.

You just like any other person out there is a pretender, a miserable lie, cheat, dishonest and pathetic hypocrite.

So what’s the point of buying his shirts and labels and everything when he is dead?

What are going to do with them?

And you celebrities, who thronged the Staples Center for the memorial ceremony.

Weren’t you busy with your recordings, photo shoots, and tours and acting commitments?

Or was this part of the celebrity stunts so that you can have ratings in the Forbes Magazine?

Let’s admit it. We human beings like people when they are dead.

It gives us opportunity to say what they were not.

To lie we loved them so much- even if we know the opposite.

It gives us the opportunity to read long scripted eulogies that has no meaning at all, satisfaction and gratification that at least we got near him.

The chance to do songs and read speeches, poems and use huge words and phrases that make no sense in describing the fallen hero.

Of all the good things I can say about MJ without being like everyone else is that, he was a character. Both in his artistic abilities and personality.

That is why his memorial service seems to have surpassed that of the Late.

Pope John Paul II and can only be compared to the election of President Barrack Obama of the United States of America.

When he died, I took me four days to believe he was dead.

For a moment I thought it was a stunt like that of Elvis Presley.

Until it dawned on me that he was actually gone.

That however did not stop me from watching the behavior of the world.
Where I noted that days before and his memorial, the world stood still and watched in television stations, listened to radio stations, read in the internet, as well as doing interviews about him.

Journalists had a field day recording the events and so were writers in marking the history not forgetting the historians in keeping the statistics and events.

That is what made Jackson the hero he was and still is.

I loved Michael Jackson. Not his personality but his creativity, his in genius ability, the skills, attitude and trying not be like anyone else.

He was neither black nor white and so appealed to everyone.

But that is as much as it goes.

My liking for him is because I loved his music, I appreciated his good art, and unlike many other artistes out there, he was a first and equal to none.

I feel bad that he is gone but that doesn’t make me pretender like the majority who don’t even know why they are saddened by his death.

MICHAEL, you were a hero and a genius.

Forgive our pretences, sympathies, long eulogies and tributes that you may have witnessed from where ever you are.

This is who we are. Mortal heart that loves nothing more than ourselves.

R.I.P Michael.