BAABA MAAL CALLS FOR FOCUS ON COMBATING POVERTY

World-renowned African music star Baaba Maal joins the BBC World Service Trust in call for renewed focus on creative use of the media and access to information in combating poverty.
Maal will give an exclusive performance and interview Tuesday, 28 September at Nairobi National Museum to highlight the role of media and communication in combating poverty.
Baaba Maal will speak in support of the work of the BBC World Service Trust, the BBC's international development agency, which uses media and communication to reduce poverty and promote human rights.
"In Africa, the first step to combat poverty is to actively enable people to access the information they need. Education is all about getting information out. We need people to be able to raise their voices and be heard on both local and international issues", he says.
The BBC World Service Trust in Africa works across ten countries - including Kenya - reaching millions of people across the continent with life-changing information on health, humanitarian, governance and livelihoods issues.
It produces TV and radio drama, interactive discussion programmes and provides journalism training and support materials to help tackle a range of development concerns.
This creative use of the media can get messages out and give access to vital information on a scale that conventional methods have simply missed.
"We are delighted to be bringing Baaba Maal to Nairobi", says Caroline Ford, Africa Regional Director. "His passionate call for open access to information, education and innovation, and recognition of the power of the media in facilitating lasting social change is echoed in the work and objectives of the BBC World Service Trust."
"Baaba's is a unique African voice, and we are honoured to be working with him" she adds.
Baaba Maal will perform in front of an audience of invited guests at the Nairobi National Museum, following an interview on his career to date, development interests, and plans for the future by the BBC's Tom Japanni.
"My aim is to reach a new generation of young Africans - Africans who have become connected and want to be a force for change", he says. "In Africa, we use music to learn about our history and social responsibilities and actions. I want to use my voice to make Africa (and African issues) more prominent and to show the rest of the world that Africa belongs at the forefront of the 21st century."

TPF IS BACK: HERE ARE ALL THE DETAILS

Phase one of the Tusker Project Fame 4 Auditions end on a high note talent, drama and humour displayed at auditions
Twenty five representatives from five countries- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and new entrant Southern Sudan, have been shortlisted after the Tusker Project Fame Academy phase one auditions spanning five weeks. The countries are fighting it out to produce the fourth Tusker Project Fame edition winner.
“The talent witnessed during the auditions is beyond anything we have seen in recent years. Majority of the contestants had superb voices and their mastery of instruments was really good. The turnout this season was also the highest in all countries. We are looking forward to an exciting show, “says Tusker Regional Marketing Manager Mburu Karanja.
Audition judges like Ian Mbugua had a challenging time choosing the best among the throngs of music enthusiasts, who poured in to the audition centers for a chance to be famous and win the coveted Ksh5 million recording contract.



Due to the keen interest of music enthusiasts from across the region to participate, long queues were witnessed as hundreds waited for the start of the process.
While some could be seen belting various tunes as they rehearsed for the big moment, an expectant mood hang over the long queues with occasional jokes, flattering and imagery of the ultimate superstar life doing the rounds.
The top 25 finalists drawn from the five countries will audition in Nairobi on September 25 and 26 for a chance to compete on the show.
Out of the 25 finalists only 18 will get a chance to be shortlisted and unveiled during performances at the Gala show on October 10.



During the Gala show the 18 contestants will perform before the judges and an audience. Three other contestants will be eliminated during the gala show, paving way for the 15 participants, who will join the Tusker Project Fame Academy on the same day.
Karanja said while at the Academy, the finalists will be taken through rigorous voice, performance, and other training sessions for them to attain skills needed to be a music superstar.
Nomination shows are scheduled from 17 October with the first eviction show on the 23 October where the audience will have a chance to vote and save their favorite contestants from eviction.

ALAINE CONFIRMED FOR KENYA IN NOVEMBER

It's official Jamaican siren and dancehall star Alaine Laughton will be headlining a show in Kenya.
Hot Secrets had talked to DJ John Rabar of Homeboyz earlier where he denied he had knowledge of Alaine performing at the November Sepetuka 3 gig. But i can confirm that she will be in the city for the same gig. The venue and date will be announced.
The dancehall hitmaker is famed for hits such as Rise in Love and Without You. She was born in New Jersey, but moved to Jamaica at the age of three.
Arif 'SupaCoop' Cooper is also said to be joining the Jamaican singer for the event.

GUINNESS TAKES THE GAME TO KISUMU CITY

The second Guinness Football Challenge recruitment drive was hosted at the KBL grounds in Kisumu, where hundreds of Guinness lovers attended with people streaming into the venue from as early as 5 pm.
The first recruitment drive was held in Meru on 28 th August which saw the top fifteen teams short-listed to appear on the adrenalin-filled Guinness Football Challenge TV game show.
Set in an inviting and captivating ambience, the party featured a variety of music played by the most outstanding local DJs, hype men and a giant mobile screen airing the day’s English premier league matches live.



The party also showcased a dream collaboration between Nameless and Onyango Alemo continuing the tradition of great performances at Guinness parties.
The football challenge recruitment drive brought together hundreds of football lovers who took their perennial competition to the specially erected Guinness football field in the ultimate search for the best football duo in the city.
The teams were taken through various activities testing their knowledge of the game plus their football skills which included dribbling,tackling and goal scoring. Thirty teams were finally selected and will have a shot at taking part in the Guinness Football Challenge TV game show.




The Guinness Football Challenge game show is aired very Friday on KTN and is hosted by Kenya’s popular radio presenter and self proclaimed number one football fan, Maina Kageni.
In line with East African breweries Responsible drinking campaign there was plenty of water and food available for the lovers of the Greatness of Guinness. WE ID personnel were also on site to ensure that no underage person gained access to the venue.

EX-NBA STAR STEVE SMITH IN KENYA

On Saturday, the finals for the Sprite Slam Basketball tournament will be graced by ex NBA star Steven Smith to identify young talent.
Steven will jet into the country on Thursday, September 23, afternoon in preparation for the finals at the Railway Club.
He will conduct training sessions together with Kenyan National Basketball Association in which he will identify the best 3 to fly to the USA and attend the NBA boot camp.



Steven, born March 31, 1969, in Highland Park, MI, attended Pershing High School. He went to college at Michigan State University where he was a star point guard.
Smith was selected fifth overall by the Miami Heat in the 1991 NBA Draft. His rookie season, Smith averaged 12.0 ppg and earned a spot on the 1992 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
He played in Miami for three seasons before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks just as the 1994-95 season was getting underway. Smith played for the Hawks for five seasons, including the 1997-98 season when he averaged 20.1 ppg and was named to the 1998 NBA All-Star Team.
On August 7, 1999, Smith was traded to the Portland Trailblazers where he played for two seasons. From there, Smith went on to play for a number of other teams including San Antonio, where he won the 2003 NBA Championship, New Orleans, and Charlotte, ultimately returning to Miami where he retired after the 2004-05 season.
Since his retirement, Smith has stayed close to NBA action. In 2005-06 season, he began serving as a color-commentator for the Atlanta Hawks. He worked for the Hawks for three seasons before joining NBA TV in 2008. He lives in Atlanta with Millie. The couple has two sons, Brayden and Davis.

ERIC WAINAINA FEATURING BAABA MAAL LIVE AT THE DOME!

A live concert by Africa’s finest is scheduled on September 28 at the Sarakasi Dome and will feature Eric Wainaina and Senegalese star Baaba Maal.
Eric’s love for music started at a young age. Whilst growing up, he was influenced musically by international artists such as Papa Wemba, Youssou N’Dour, Lokua Kanza and Paul Simon. His career was launched with his debut album, Sawa Sawa, in 2001. Eric first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, an a cappella group. His music is a blend of Kenyan Benga rhythm and East African guitars, with some modern harmony. His notable releases include Kenya Only, a song that instantly made him Kenya’s favourite modern musician.
After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives and the botched 2007 presidential elections, Kenya Only was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide.
Other releases are Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo, his 21- song musical theatre piece, Lwanda, Man of Stone, his album Twende Twende and the musical Mo Faya.
Baaba Maal is a uniquely talented singer from Senegal. Baaba comes from humble beginnings but he has learned and travelled and now speaks and sings of empowerment, enlightenment and peace. Baaba Maal was born in Podor, a town with a population of 6,000, on the banks of the river Senegal that separates the country of the same name from Mauritania. Baaba's family is Hal Pulaar, known in the English speaking world as Fulani. He is not from a Griot family (the hereditary caste of artists and communicators). His father worked in the fields but was also given the honour and responsibility of using songs to call the worshippers to the mosque. Baaba's mother was a musician who sang and wrote her own songs educating her son in the musical forms of the area and encouraging the young Baaba to value intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. He currently is in the international spotlight as one of the world's hottest performers; most of the audiences here will remember him during the 2008 Sawa Sawa Festival edition where he gave an enthralling performance at Arboretum.

FLORIDA 2000’S INAUGURAL MIC AWARDS

Kenya’s oldest entertainment spot, Florida Group, will be hosting their first ever Golden Mic Awards to award the stars that started and built their career at the club’s Jam Session.
The jam sessions are hosted at the Florida 2000 club every Sunday afternoon and has seen the careers most of the Kenyan artistes flourishing after creating a fan base there. It is the place where stars have been born, a place when Kenyan and East African celebrities have their roots like Redsan, Shanky Radics, Kleptomaniacs among others. Even contoversial Ugandan star Chameleone honed his skill at the club.
Michael Katana told Hot Secrets, “Today there are many forums to showcase talent but this was not the case in earlier times. Florida is the only place where talent could be seen and we are very happy that we took part.”
The award ceremony will take place at the club on October 2 and the theme is Where It All Began.

SUPER MODEL TO VISIT KENYA FOR CHARITY

Now, this is seriously hush hush but the grapevine is abuzz with news that Supermodel Veronica Varekova will be visiting Kenya for charity in November 11.
The Czech-born beauty that is the face for leading watch brand, Hublot also lends her powers to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), as a goodwill ambassador.
The AWF ensures that conservation doesn't work at cross-purposes with struggling local populations; the organization takes pains to find alternative solutions to the human-wildlife conflict.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model is supported by the AWF’s initiative dubbed Big Bang Out of Africa, where a percentage of the sales from Hublot, go to the Foundation, which over the last 50 years has been pursuing initiatives to protect Africa's communities, wildlife, endangered species and landscapes.

INTERNATIONAL STARS TO GRACE LITERARY FEST

International stars will be jetting into Nairobi for Kenya’s premier literary event, Story Moja Hay Festival that brings together writers, storytellers, environmentalists, poets, business leaders and education professionals to share stories and ideas.

The festival will also be the culmination of a city-wide storytelling competition for young people (the Kwani Short Story Competition), the Story Moja Hay Poetry Competition, and a chance to engage with the Right to Read campaign to get a book in the hand of every Kenyan.

It will be held from October 1 to 3 at Railways Club, Nairobi. The festival will have over 60 events in 3 days of brilliance.

Festival participants in 2010 include: Denise Gordon – American Soul Musician, Michela Wrong (UK) - political writer and journalist, Jaffar Al Amin - son of Idi Amin, Petina Gappah (Zimbabwe) - lawyer, writer, Benjamin Zephaniah - UK poet, performer, activist, Andy Middleton (Climate change consultant), Tiffany Murray (Welsh author), Dr. Julie Grigg (Founder - Medics4timbuktu project), Lars Rambe (Sweden) – crime novelist and lawyer and Sandra A.Mushi – Tanzanian poet, writer and designer.

Others include filmmaker Tom Twyker (German) and co-founder of One Fine Day and NGO whose pilot project “Soul Boy“ (2010) premiered at Gothenburg International Film festival in January 2010.



Jane Bussmann - (UK)- born Comedy Writer for over fifty shows in Britain and America including South Park, the Emmy-winning Smack The Pony and The Fast Show. While Kenyan legendary literary and filmmaking personalities include Francis Imbuga, John Kiriamiti – reformed criminal, author Oyunga Pala, Sunny Bindra, Doreen Baingana, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, Sitawa Namwalie, Lucy Simiyu is a professional counselling psychologist with skills in organizational development and leadership training. Ruth Gasson, Olouch Madiang – Kenyan Storyteller, actor, director, playwright, writer and poet, and many more.

POET SITAWA’S FIGHT FOR THE GIRL CHILD

Poet and spoken word queen Sitawa Wafula is campaigning to change the prevalent one-off-philanthropy where well-wishers donate essentials once and that is it. Sitawa is working with a group of NGos’ who have come together to build a sanitary pads bank where school going teenage girls can get sanitary pads all year round.
“We have a database of deserving girls from various rural districts and our main aim is to ensure they do not drop out of school because of the embarrassment they may undergo during their periods if they don’t use the right sanitary protection,” she told Hot Secrets from her station at the Mall Westlands where she has set up camp on Monday.
“Do you know that in some rural communities the girls are told to go dig holes and sit there till their menstrual period is over? Some use old clothes blankets and mattresses and even drop out of school after they stain their clothes and their classmates laugh at them,” She explained, “It is for this reason we are asking well wishers to donate just 200 bob to ship in a care packet that contains ten packets of pads and four panties.”
Sitawa is also a BasicNeeds UK part Ambassadors for mental health.

SOWETO STRING QUARTET READY FOR WEEKEND SHOWS

The two headliners for the Safaricom Classical Fusion series of events are already in the country for the shows.
Kenyan Born Rhoda Ondeng and South African Soweto String Quartet were present at a press briefing on Monday afternoon.



“It’s a pleasure to be here for the first time, though we have made a stop over four to six times at the airport on our way to countries and we would ask when we will ever actually leave the airport for a visit to Kenya,” SSQ’s Sandile Khemese said.



The quartet also includes siblings Reuben Khemese, Thami Khemese and Makhosini Mnguni.
Safaricom’s CEO Michael Joseph too was surprised that SSQ agreed to come for the classical fusion, “”I thought it was impossible,” he said directing it to the organisers of the function “They don’t have time to come to Kenya.”
But lauded the effort of the company in developing the Classical music fan base and in the process giving back to the community.

SOUNDAFRICA SIGNS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH US SOUL STAR

American soul singer and vocalist, Denise Gordon, who is set to headline this year’s Storymoja Hay Festival, signed a distribution deal with Kenya's premier music distributor - Sound Africa.
David Makali the CEO of the distribution company told Hot Secrets, “It was done last year for her first album Wangu We and we staged a concert for her with Kidum as well.”
Denise will perform at the launch dinner for the literary festival called Dine with Stars on September 30 at the Carnivore.
She is famed for her hit, We Need the Children, which received an Honorary Mention in the 2003 John Lennon and 2005 Great American Songwriting Contests.
She has collaborated with Kenya’s keyboard guru Aaron Rimbui in a joint dubbed My Ideal Man, a delightful, spoken word piece painted by the piano of the Kenyan musician. The album also features singles like Suddenly Sudan, which was written during her days in Darfur in support of those, affected by the war. The rap in the beginning is a former Sudanese child soldier named Lam, who is speaking in his native tongue of Nuer.
The heavy drums added by Executive Producer R Kay, represents the burden of war along with the chants of Kenyan singer Hellen Mtawali who make listeners feel the tears and suffering of the situation. Denise is delighted that this song has been selected to feature on the compilation Rwanda for Darfur.
She has performed before in Nairobi at the July 4 Blankets and Wine monthly music festival.

WHY HANNIGHTON IS PERSONA NON GRATA IN BIGGIE”S BARN

Big Brother All Stars is a reality television programme that is designed to contain 14 housemates in a house for 91 days under certain rules and regulations. In an incident late on Tuesday night (14 September) there was a breach of the Big Brother rules and M-Net and series producer Endemol have had to evaluate and consider the sanctions to be imposed for the breach of these rules.
In order to assist in providing these sanctions, M-Net and Endemol called in a psychologist to assess the situation and the individuals involved, to ensure fairness and that the best interests of the housemates were taken into consideration. The psychologist advised that an assessment of the housemates was required and a series of interviews was conducted in order to determine their mental and emotional state before Big Brother made public his decision on this matter.



Further to this intervention, M-Net and Endemol have decided on the following course of action: Hannington Kuteesa will be evicted for contravening the Big Brother rules in relation to violence and Lerato Sengadi will remain in the house but will also be sanctioned. Hannington will be offered support and treatment on exiting the house. The details of this treatment will be revealed once Hannington has completed the process and we ask for his privacy to be respected in this matter.



Big Brother also wishes to note that this was an incident that could have been avoided, through discussion and a mature approach to conflict. For this reason Big Brother deems it necessary to continue the anger management and conflict resolution process that has begun in the house to ensure that all housemates understand their roles in creating conflict and in contributing to explosive situations.

ENTERTAINMENT GALORE AT CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE

There will be fun and entertainment galore at this year’s AccessKenya Africa Concours d’Elegance scheduled for Sunday September 26.
The Sarakasi dancers are among the renowned artists who will perform at the Nairobi Racecourse which is the place to be for the classiest motoring and social event in the Kenya Motor Sport calendar.
Sarakasi has built a solid platform for developing East Africa's natural theatrical talents into a world-class school for the performing arts. From its base at Sarakasi Dome in Nairobi, the trust runs daily training programs for over 50 dancers, covering a range of disciplines that include traditional dance, cabaret, salsa, hip hop, street dance and other contemporary dance forms.
Gates open for the Concours from 9.00 a.m. for a festival of classic and vintage car and motorcycle judging, displays of almost all the new cars, pick-ups, SUVs and 4 x 4s in Kenya and a host of added attractions. These include the free Minute Maid Children’s Centre, live bands, fly pasts and a parachute drop.
Deacons will be rewarding elegantly clothed spectators. The colours of the day will be yellow and blue and the best dressed woman and man stand a chance to win vouchers valued at 20,000 shillings each. The most outstanding couple will receive a voucher of Ksh40,000 provided by Deacons.
This year’s vehicle beauty contest will be a landmark event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and the centenary of Alfa, a legendary Italian car manufacturer.
The day will end with a parade of all the Concours cars and motorcycles and a highly entertaining Grand Finale with the Sarakasi dancers, a star entertainer and a fashion show by Deacons.

BAABA MAAL CONFIRMED FOR BBC SHOW IN NAIROBI

Senegalese singer Baaba Maal will be in Nairobi for an exclusive recording and live performance for the BBC-World Service Trust on September 28.
Maal will also be in conversation with the BBC's Tom Japanni on the power of media and communication in development in Africa. The function shall be hosted at the Louis Leakey Auditorium from 7:30pm – 9:30pm.
According to the invitation cards sent, the star believes, “In Africa, the first step in combating poverty is to provide information. The ability to make the most basic – and the most profound – decisions about one’s life and future is the bedrock for development in the 21st century.”
This is a follow up after missing out on the help launch the findings of Africa Talks Climate to which he is the official ambassador, held at the same venue in March this year.

HUDDAH ON NOT DATING PREZZO AND HER PHILANTHROPY

Socialite Huddah Shariff denied rumours that she is dating the King of Bling, Prezzo.
“My pals have been asking me if I’m dating Prezzo and I would like to clarify that we are just friends,” Huddah told Hot Secrets in phone interview.
The two have been linked in several media reports after Prezzo was reported to have separated from his wife, Daisy Kiplagat.
Though she admitted to having a short-lived fling in the past with Prezzo, Huddah stressed that she is now dating someone else.
The model said that she is currently working for Roca Wear – Nigeria that will be launched soon, as the face of its campaign. “I will be taking photos for the campaigns for the Nigerian franchise of Roca Wear that will open soon.” a gig she got through a "mexican photographer" friend of hers.
When she is not being controversial, Huddah has a philanthropic side to her. She told Hot Secrets, "I'm doing a project for Aids orphans called Project 254 together with some of modeling pals."

giving food and clothes to Aids orphans,its just startin so its nat that big yet.

UK STARS TO CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO

UK TV celebrities Jenny Buckley and Kathryn Thomas have signing up for a gruelling 5,893m climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Jenny was persuaded to take part in the climb after being contacted by Sile Seoige and asked if she would be interested in helping raise funds for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.
"We're going to be away for 10 days and we fly into Tanzania in October 10 and we'll do the climb in six days, which is slightly shorter than the amount of time they gave themselves for Comic Relief," Jenny said.

GREEN ENERGY AWARDS CALLS FOR ENTRIES

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy are seeking entries from inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy programmes from Africa, Asia and Latin America, by 19 October 2010. Entry is free, and six international winners will receive £20,000 (Ksh. 2.5 million) each in prize money for programme development, with one winner receiving a gold award of £40,000 (Ksh. 5 million).
The awards will be presented at a VIP ceremony in London in June 2011. "For 2011 we are particularly interested in applications from Africa and we are keen to hear from organisations who are working to reduce deforestation. The scheme should have an element of innovation and - most importantly - make a genuine difference to local peoples' lives, both socially and economically," said Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder and chair of the Ashden Awards
Recent winners include biogas programmes, building domestic and institutional digesters in Kenya. For further information on eligibility criteria and to download an application form visit http://www.ashdenawards.org/int_awards.

KALASHA NOMINEES UNVEILED

Peter Mutie CEO, Kenya Film Commision, Mwaniki Mageria Kalasha Board of Trustees Member, Shaffie Weru of Radio Africa

The nominees for the 2nd Kalasha Film & TV Awards were unveiled on Tuesday morning at the Crowne Plaza.
The awards scheduled for September 25 aim to celebrate cultural diversity through film and to recognize the role of film in economic sustainability by recognizing and motivating local producers towards quality film and TV productions.



Alex Mulwa the Marketing and Product Development Manager, Kenya Film Commission during the unveiling of the Kalasha Nominees 2010.

The event is organized by Kenya film Commission, whose mandate is to develop and promote the local film industry.
Some of the top personalities that have gotten many nods include Hawa Essuman’s Soul Boy, Citizen TV productions and actors like Kenneth Gichoya and Charles Bukeko (Papa Shirandula), Elizabeth Wanjiru Bageine and Peter Muriithi (Mother in Law) and Davis Mwabili (Inspekta Mwala) among others.



Carole Mandi member of the Kalasha Board of Trustees during the unveiling of the Kalasha Nominees 2010.

The voting process is threefold: The nomination Academy awarding 70%, the industry 20% and the public 10% totaling 100%. The public vote will be channeled through the official website www.kalashaawards.co.ke.

Here is the full list
KALASHA NOMINEES 2010

1. Best Feature Film

• Mr. Love Doctor- SimbaVision Ltd.
• Ndoto za Elibidi- Nick Reding
• SelFish- Jitu Films
• Togetherness Supreme- Hot Sun Films

2. Best Short Film

• Pumzi
• Saida
• Soul Boy
• Shida

3. Best Local Language film

• Kibrit
• Mwanake Don’t Care

4. Best Documentary film

• Business of Violence
• A History of Film
• In My Genes
• Score for Sajsa

5. Best Lead actor

• Juma Williams- Ndoto za Elibidi
• Philip Karanja-Lumbasi
• Samson Odhiambo- Soul Boy
• Wilson Maina- Togetherness Supreme

6. Supporting actor

• Ainea Ojiambo- Mr. Love Doctor
• Alfred Calypso- Ndoto za Elibidi
• Geoffery Jefferson Ong’ongo- Togetherness Supreme
• Maqbul Muhammad- Weakness

7. Lead Actress

• Irene Wambui- Mwanake Don’t Care
• Leila Dayan Opou- Soul Boy
• Lucy Nyaga- Shida
• Trizah Kabue- Catching the Mirage

8. Supporting Actress

• Cindy Wanja- Never Ever
• Krysteen Savane- Soul Boy
• Irene Kariuki- Siri
• Ummul Rajab- Ndoto za Elibidi

9. Best Cinematography

• Andrew Mungai- Togetherness Supreme
• Willie Owusu- A Beautiful Journey
• Kirumburu Ng’ang’a- History of Film
• Peter Murimi and Fabian Muhire- Shida

10. Best Director

• Simiyu Barasa- History of Film
• Kamau wa Ndung’u and Nick Reding- Ndoto za Elibidi
• Wanuri Kahiu- Pumzi
• Ndungi Githuku- Score for Sajsa

11. Editing

• Alex Kamau- Score for Sajsa
• Carole Gikandi Omondi- Ndoto za Elibidi
• Kavila Matu- Shida
• Ng’ethe Gitungo- Soul Boy

12. Scriptwriter

• Billy Kahora- Soul boy
• Evans Kamau- Togetherness Supreme
• Simiyu Barasa- History of Film
• Wanuri Kahiu- Pumzi

TELEVISION AWARDS
1. Best TV Drama

• Changes
• Changing Times
• Siri
• The Team

2. Best Comedy

• Inspekta Mwala
• Mheshimiwa
• Papa Shirandula
• The XYZ Show

3. Best Actor in a TV Series

• Charles Bukeko- Papa Shirandula
• Gilbert Lukalia- Siri
• Godfrey Odhiambo- Changes
• Peter Muriithi- Mother in Law

4. Best Actress

• Angel Waruinge- Tahidi High
• Nice Githinji- Guy Centre
• Elizabeth Wanjiru Bageine- Mother in Law
• Renee Sewe- Changes

5. Best Performance in a Comedy

• Kenneth Gichoya- Papa Shirandula
• Hiram Mungai- Vioja Mahakamani
• Mathayo Keya- Vioja Mahakamani
• Davis Mwabili- Inspekta Mwala

6. Best Talk Show

• Agenda Kenya
• Capital Talk
• Sebuleni
• The Woman’s Show

7. Best TV Script

• Cajetan Boy- The Team
• Hillary Ng’weno- Makers of a Nation
• Makutano Junction team of writers- Makutano Junction
• Changes team of writers- Changes

8. Best TV Host

• Daniel Ndambuki- Top Comic
• Jeff Koinange- Capital Talk
• Jimmi Gathu- How to be Rich
• Carole Mandi- Sebuleni

9. Best Documentary

• Headlines in History
• Kikulacho
• Makers of a Nation
• Making of a Constitution

10. Best Student Film

• Campus Connect
• Lumbasi
• The Shoe
• Twists and Turns

11. Best Student Documentary
• Chang’aa
• Forgotten
• The Questionable Mark
• Slow Killer

WYRE JOIN'S GREENFEST ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN

Kenyan ragga star Wyre the Love Child has taken up a new cause in aid of the environment. The Sina Makosa hit maker will be among the artistes raising awareness on the potentially dangerous consequences of environmental degradation that lead to climate change.
The organisers of GreenFest Music & Arts Festival, are planning a 3-day annual festival on December 31 to January 2, at the Splash water World, where over 30 acts will perform.
“Artistes have the power to drive and influence change. And as such we have looked for the most influential in a bid to achieve a future with low carbon emissions and help our political leaders bring about the global transformation required,” Carlos Henry the brains behind the initiative told Hot Secrets.
This comes at a time when Wyre has been nominated in the Channel O Music Awards for Most Gifted Dancehall Video and Most Gifted East Video.
GreenFest works with musicians who are passionate about their talent and surroundings.
The initiative will bring together acts that will be action figures for the cause, already Afro fusion act George Mutinda and Radio Citizen’s Sheila Koki is the event’s spokes person are apart of this.
Other acts set to headline the three day festival include Skeleton a Dubai based dancehall artiste, sensational song bird Reina, rising star Cartel of Katenga anthem and reggae acts Lion Paw among others.

ANTHONY B BLAZES UP NAIROBI TOWN

Jamaican reggae act Anthony Bishop was in town for two performances, the first of which was in Nairobi on Friday and the second in Mombasa’s Big Tree on Saturday.
The Friday show hosted at KICC on Friday night, saw the crowd started trickling in at midnight show but the Bobo Shanti star hit the stage a little after 2am to a full house in the venue’s Plenary Hall.


The curtain raisers were Haile Selassie Foundation Band from Kibera, Jah Watch Man and Dohty Family’s Daddy Konya.
Anthony B, who was in the country for his first ever show, expressed his appreciation for the Kenyan hospitality and weather. He said that there was no God in Jamaica giving reference to the violence in his home country due to the unruly dominating street gangs.


He told the surging crowd that he sort refuge in music and thus his success. And of course the singer defended the ‘holy herb’ saying that no Rastafarian in Jamaica smoked cigarettes but ganja.


His energetic performance lasted a good one and a half hours as he enthralled the reggae enthusiast with his hits like Real Warrior, Peace, Whip Dem Jah Jah, Smoke Free, Police and Raid the Barn.

Photos/ Bob Oluoch

KENYAN UNIVERSITY BABE SELLS VIRGINITY FOR FEES

It made news in America when a number of college going girls decided to sell their chastity for fees. Now, it’s happening in Kenya. A girl only identifying herself as Sheila Baibe is putting her virginity on sell to pay her university fees
Sheila, is offering a weekend of sex to the highest bidder, it is still unclear if the announcement is a publicity stunt or not. On her blog posted September 4, the 20-year-old writes: “Unfortunately, am (sic) on the verge of dropping out of college for lack of tuition fees. After intensive soul searching (and with full awareness of the possible implications), I've decided to auction my virginity to meet my college costs. I'll offer my innocence to the highest bidder as long as all safety aspects are observed, and that the act will be performed at a Nairobi hotel, preferably The Tribe.”
The bid for her for innocence ends this Friday.

RHODA ONDENG'S TAKE ON KENYAN OPERA SINGERS

Kenyan Opera singer, Rhoda Ondeng now based in Norway will be in Nairobi for the second Safaricom Kenyan Classical Fusion Concert.
Rhoda describes the classical event not only as a wonderful opportunity to share her love for music, but to inspire younger musically talented individuals and encourage a growing well informed audience who will in turn, support the development of the artistic potential of young musicians.
Toward this end, Rhoda currently conducts vocal seminars in Nairobi at least twice a year, for people who want to develop their voices.
She said, “I have a further vision; to be able to catch the talents that would otherwise be lost in the ghettos and slums, for want of timely and constructive help.”
Rhoda has had an impressive cooperation with many classical symphony orchestras and musicians in Europe and particularly Scandinavia. The singer performed at the inaugural award ceremony for Honorable Wangari Maaathai at the Nobel Peace Prize award in 2004. As recently as February, the Kenyan born soprano was honored yet again to sing at the closing ceremony of the annual National Presidential Prayer breakfast in Washington.
She is going to perform at the Nairobi Arboretum with the Soweto String Quartet and on September 26 at the Impala Club Grounds, Ngong Road for the grand concert.

ALY KEITA IN KENYA

Ivory Coast balafon player Aly Keïta will be in Nairobi to showcase his mastery in the instrument.
Aly is a genius when it comes to the balafon, the African version of a Xylophone made from wood rather than steel.
From an early age, he was initiated in the playing of this musical ancestor of the xylophone and the marimba, by his father, himself a balafon player.
“I want my music to be alive and energetic, full of hope and love, music through which the public and I can share our joy,” said Aly.
He recently published his first solo album Akwaba Inisene, which skyrocketed immediately to the Top 20 European World Music Charts. Akwaba Inisene means, “Welcome to Africa” and the album pays tribute to both his home countries, Mali and Ivory Coast. Check him out at the Alliance Francaise on September 17.

WINYO IS 1ST KENYAN NOMINEE IN RFI 2010 MUSIC AWARD

Polycarp Onyango, aka Winyo made his debut appearance at the Alliance Française gardens in July 2010. Now he is among the nominees for the Radio France International Awards. Winyo is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who derives his musical strength from traditional Luo melodies. He will be competing against Tanzania’s AY, Swaziland’s Bholoja, Guinée’s Elie Kamano, Koppo (Cameroun), Lexxus Legal (RDC), Mao Otayeck (Côte d’Ivoire), Maurice Kirya (Uganda), Sandra Cordeiro (Angola), and Smockey (Burkina Faso). The winner will be announced on September 16. You can actively take part in the award by voting for your favourite finalist. Please click over hurrrr.

ANTHONY B IS HERE!

Jamaican reggae star Anthony B who is set to perform in Kenya, arrived this afternoon. The singer real name Keith Blair - is famed for his high-energy performances, he will headline three shows in two towns, Nairobi and Mombasa.
Dubbed the Kenya Tour, it kicks off on Friday September 10 where Anthony B will be at KICC for a VIP night show. On Saturday afternoon, he will again perform at the same venue for those who missed the VIP show. A beach party in Mombasa’s Big Tree will culminate that night.
Anho, watch out for his interview on Kiss TV over the weekend.

JITU FILMS TO SCREEN FIRST GHOST MOVIE IN KENYA

Jitu Films will screen the first ever ghost movie on October 1 at the 20th Century Cinemas from 5pm.
The guarded online promos for the Secret Movie Screening is for their latest production release, Haunted.
The movie stars Lydia Gitachu, David Lomunyak, Boniface Loppoh, Brenda Mwai, Methu Muthoni and guest appearance by Pinky Ghelani.


Haunted is a spooky Kenyan story about Wairimu, a writer sufering from writer's block. To overcome this she decides to follow her brother and his three friends to a field trip adventure in an empty huge house where they used to live when they were very young kids.
But the house keeps some secrets that only Wairimu knows. As soon as they arrive in the house, the secrets starts unraveling with the help of the resident ghost.
The film is directed by Oskari Korenius and produced by Jitu Films.
Anyho, here is the trailer to the movie.

HEART TO HEART WITH YACOB

By now y'all know that Yacob left the Big Brother All Star, and i totally get why he left. Of what use is it to stay on after Africa gives you the boot?
Anyho, in a telephone interview from Johannesburg, Yacob told Hot Secrets that he would stay on if Biggie offered to compensate him for the time spent at the Barn.
The Ethiopian representative answered a few of my questions.

So, what do you think about Mwisho's utterances where he called all the housemates losers for returning to the show?
I don't know if loser is the right term but if you look at all the housemates, we are all up coming in the respective fields, we still haven't made it and are aspiring. Ans since we did not have a busy schedule it was okay to have three months out of your life to do this.

All in all how would you describe your experience in the reality show?
It was a great experience. People shouldn't judge before they experience it live in a house without TV, magazines or radio.It's an experience and a half.

The de-motivated Yacob cited the fact that his brother couldn’t visit him at the barn after the eviction from the Big Brother House added to why he opted out. On his argument with the female barn mates, Sheila, Tatiana and Lerato, Yacob said that he hoped that he he had resolved the ridge between them before he left.
He also stated that the only time other time he will return to star in a Big Brother production is if it’s a Big Brother UK or US, “not Big Brother Africa, it’s done for me.”

NEEMA NTALEL SIGNS WITH AFRICA UNSIGNED

Gospel singer Neema Ntalel has been signed to Africa Unsigned which is a joint initiative by producers, artists, music promoters and managers who believe in the future of African music.
Neema is passionate about her music in the release she is quoted saying: “I want to sing! I love it. It brings peace and joy to my heart and to the hearts of those that listen. It still is a universal language and I believe like Shakespeare said, ‘If music be the food of love, play on!’ and I plan to do just that."
Other Kenyan acts signed to the initiative include Sauti Sol,Muthoni The Drummer Queen, Dela, Stan and Liz Ogumbo among others.

WAKAKE INTRODUCES NEW BAND MEMBER

Marira

After Wakake launched his album, Hili Na Lile last month together with his Pamoja Band at Tamambo Tapas, he announced that they will be hitting the road on tour.
Wakake and the band will hold a series of activities and performances to popularise the album and engage other musicians as well.
One of the most conspicuous developments in the band is the addition of drop dead gorgeous, vocally endowed female vocalist, Marira (pronounced Marera).


Wakake

Wakake and the band are currently working on bringing together music stakeholders and the media in an attitude change workshop that is meant to help musicians improve on their performance skills, presentation and image development while presenting more performances to the public.

KENYA LOOSES FILMMAKER AND EVENT PROMOTER

Harun Muturi popularly known as "Meta Meta”, aged 74 passed on September 7 morning in India after a brave battle with cancer.
Harun, a filmmaker and event promoter was a long term friend and close associate of President Kibaki. He is also the brother in law to the late J.M Kariuki the late MP for Nyandarua.



He brought popular bands such as Bonny M and Millie Jackson to Kenya in the 1980s. He also produced one of the first African Movies in Kenya called The Safari Rally.
In President Kibaki's condolence note, the Head of State observed that Harun possessed immense business acumen, which saw him rise rapidly as a leading businessman in Kenya.
“His business interests were diverse and included real estate, mining, film making and entertainment,” President Kibaki said.

ALLAN NAMU TO JUMP THE BROOM

It’s all systems go for John Allan Namu’s wedding. On Sunday during mass at the St Austins Church, Lavington the wedding buns between NTV investigative reporter John Allan Namu and long time fiancée Sheena Makena were announced.
The couple has a baby boy called Muna. The CNN Journalist of the Year is yet to send out the invites to his wedding. Keep it here for the dates. Meanwhile, as the pastor says, “Speak now or forever remain silent.”

NAMELESS AND SAUTI SOL GET AMA NODS

Three Kenyan artistes have been nominated for the UK based African Music Awards (AMA) that will be held Friday October 15th 2010 at the Wembley Arena, London. Nameless, Sauti Sol and Amani have all placed in highly competitive categories against other African acts. Amani got one nod in the Best Female Artist a category Wahu won last year.



Sauti Sol has been nominated for Best New Artist/Group and Best Group where as Nameless is up for the African Song Of The Year, Sunshine which features Habida and East African Artiste Of The Year.
The AMAs is Europe’s premier annual awards ceremony for African musicians and music makers. The main aim is to achieve mainstream recognition for big selling African artists who have sold millions of records in the African market, yet remain under-exposed to the Western world.
Eric McKaiser, CEO and founder, said “The AMAs are changing the perception surrounding African music. We aim to bridge the gap between the West and African musicians. Congratulations to all the 2010 nominees, and in my eyes you are all winners”.
The hosts for the awards are Nollywood's favorite actress Genevieve Nnaji and English singer-songwriter and actor Simon Webbe.
Voting on your favorite artists can be done between the September 6 and October 10 on AMA`s site.