Entertainment

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho once again showcased his love for opulence when he stepped out in a Ksh 188,000 Versace shirt on Sunday, August 2.

On that day, Joho commissioned the Tudor- Moroto water supply that will benefit up to 15,000 residents in the informal settlement area in Mombasa.

"The County Government of Mombasa through the Mombasa County Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19 sunk six modern boreholes across the county during this pandemic to help improve further on hygiene and sanitation," Joho stated.

Versace is an international fashion house founded by the late Italian fashion designer Gianni Maria Versace. The online listing of the shirt worn by Joho indicated that its is priced at $ 1,550. 

The online listing of the shirt Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho wore on Sunday, August 2, 2020

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When converted to Kenyan currency, it becomes Ksh 167,322. Other websites sell it between $ 1,700 and $ 1,599 (That is Ksh 183,509 - Ksh 172,607).

The shirt is silk and famously known as the Barocco SS'91 Silk shirt, yellow and black in colour.

"The Versace Barocco shirt is crafted in the finest quality silk twill featuring the bold Barocco print first seen in Gianni Versace's FW'91 collection," the shirt is described on the firm's website.

The shirt which has a 'Versace Tribute' label, is a long sleeve and a button-up. It is 100% silk and dry clean only recommended. 

Versace designers also recommend one to handle it delicately, not to bleach or tumble dry and should be ironed on low temperature. It is designed for the male gender and comes in different sizes. 

Joho matched it with black jeans, a black cap engraved with his name and white rubber shoes. 

The governor is famous for splashing money on expensive designs. On Monday, January 6, he got Kenyans talking after he was spotted with a Versace worth Ksh 46,000. He has also been spotted in a pair of Louis Vuitton sneakers worth Ksh 344, 000, another one worth Ksh 92,000, and a gold watch worth Ksh 23.4 million.

On Thursday, July 9, Joho shared insights into his wealth stating that he earned it through a hard life. The ODM Deputy Party leader stated that he lives his life independently with resilience, tolerance and philanthropically.

The Governor noted that he made his first million at the tender age of 20. 

From left: Comedian Daniel Ndambuki (Churchill) with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho on Sunday, August 2, 2020

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Celebrated American artiste Beyoncé Knowles showcased more love for Kenya by picking out photographer Mutua Matheka's work and promoting him through her official website.

The multiple Grammy-Award singer posted Matheka's work under her new Black Parade column, classified under "Directory of Black Owned Businesses". 

This comes a month after she also promoted 24-year-old Kenyan designer, Theresia Kyalo. 

"I just found myself on Beyoncé’s website (actually someone sent me a screengrab on Instagram). I am shaken up. Please buy my work before I am untouchable," Matheka tweeted on Sunday, August 2.

Kenyan photographer Mutua Matheka in a past interview

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He received a lot of plaudits from the post which generated over 7,000 likes. 

Matheka describes himself as a travel and architectural photographer and a Ford Foundation Fellow, forged in Kenya and based in Nairobi.

"I see myself as an artist using photography as a medium to see the world and convey my thoughts. My mom says she placed crayons in my hands when I was 3 (I believe her). Since then I drew, painted, did sculpture and now I photograph," he says of himself on his official website.

The artist did his first showcase of Nairobi city in 2012 produced by David Blackman and in conjunction with the UN-Habitat. Named ‘I’m A City Changer’, the campaign encouraged city dwellers around the world to (at least for a day) focus on what they love about their city. People in over 15 cities participated.

He has also worked with Kenya Airways, Huawei, Samsung and Chase Bank among other brands seeking to use imagery to create a narrative around a product, service or idea.

CNN once featured his story as he set out on a mission to show a new view of African cities through photography.

Matheka is also one of the founding members of 'One Touch’, a collective of visual storytellers in Nairobi who share the common goal of increasing the narrative and awareness of Kenya and other African countries to African’s first then the world. 

Kenyan Mutua Matheka's work posted on US artist Beyoncé Knowles' official website

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Churchill Show comedian George Maina (Njoro) appreciated Kenyans who raised fund to help him to turn his life around, days after he shared the plight his family was going through.

Njoro, while speaking with fellow comedian Zainabu Zeddy on Monday, July 20, stated that his father was battling stomach cancer. 

Kenyans joined hands to raise funds to treat the ailing father. Njoro further announced that a local organisation decided to fund the hospital bills too. 

"We got help from Project Afya which will take care of my dad’s bill. They said that they will pay all the bills. God is good and he is in heaven," Njoro posted on Instagram on Sunday, July 26. 

Comedians Zeddy (Left) and Njoro share a light moment at his Nakuru home on July 20, 2020.

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The artiste had also earlier on disclosed that his life had turned topsy-turvy after he suffered depression, which compelled him to attempt suicide thrice.

"You know, when you lose everything, you also end up losing the people you used to call your friends. I have tried to take my own life three times but by some miracle, I failed in all my attempts. It must be God's plan but truth be told, I am not well at all," he confessed.

Njoro thanked Zeddy who travelled to Nakuru from Nairobi to stand by him and offer support, stating that he would soon be moving forward with his life. 

Zeddy also appreciated her fans and asked Kenyans to keep contributing to aid Njoro's family and the comedian who is set to have sessions with a therapist. 

Zainabu Zeddy's intervention, coupled with her exposés on Churchill Show forced Comedian Daniel Ndambuki (Churchill) to respond. Zeddy had accused the show's director, Victor Ber, of frustrating comedians which led to depression.

Churchill acknowledged that he had seen the exposés online. He urged comedians to create content through social media platforms as his show only offered them a breakthrough into the limelight. 

He added that he took more than two decades to achieve his success and he would not bow down to hearsay. 

Comedian Daniel Ndambuki speaking during one of his shows

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A US-based Kenyan music producer known as DO Speaks was selected as part of artistes who will make music in a spin-off of the series Power known as Power Book II: Ghost.

A spin-off is a creative derived from already existing works that focus on more details and different aspects from the original work. 

The Power series is a blockbuster acted by famous actor Omari Hardwick portraying the character of James 'Ghost' St. Patrick. 

American rapper Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) worked as a producer of the original crime series Power which ended in February with season six as the finale. 50 Cent will produce a spin-off of the series, working alongside the Kenyan DO Speaks. 

File image of Hip Hop artiste 50 Cent with Power series actor Omari Hardwick

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"We are looking to bring in that musical aspect to the picture to make the story more compelling," DO Speaks stated while speaking with a local daily in Kenya on Friday, July 24.

DO Speaks is a Grammy-nominated producer who has worked with famous US artists among them Meek Mill, 2Chainz and Yo Gotti. 

The producer posted a short celebratory message 'This should be fun' on his Instagram with the cover of the spin-off series slated for September 2020. Several Kenyans reacted and congratulated him for his achievement.

Less is known about the artist nor his background as he enjoys a private life and only shares his work on social media pages. 

In the spin-off series, 50 Cent has featured several big names as cast. 

Musician Mary J. Blige, Method Man, Michael Rainey Jr. (Tariq), Shane Johnson (Saxe), and Naturi Naughton (Tasha) will feature in the spin-off. 

A poster of Power series spin-off Power Book II: Ghost slated for September 2020

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Watch trailer of the spin off series Kenyan DO Speaks is working on as a creative: YouTube

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Kenyan musician Zzero Sufuri was on Friday, July 24, involved in a grisly accident while riding his motorcycle in Nairobi.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, his manager Maurice Mwau confirmed that the gengetone artist was travelling in the Kibra area when he was involved in a head-on collision with a speeding vehicle.

"He is known in the area so locals are the one who helped him and took him to St Mary's Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to to a hospital in Uthiru," he stated.

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Mwai explained that the Zimenishika hitmaker was going about his daily business when the accident occurred.

"We were working on a project Reformed Gangsters Foundation (RGF) where we are looking to thelp youth in Kibra region. In fact last week we went around helping vulnerable households in the area," he stated.

The solo gengetone artiste broke into the limelight when he first recorded a short freestyle video of the ‘Zimenishika’ song that went viral on social media. 

The Kibra resident later recorded a video for the song which had garnered over two million views on YouTube as of July 25, 2020.

In a previous interview, the musician revealed that his father was a preacher and supported his craft in music.

The motorcycle Zzero Sufuri was travelling on being towed away after the accident on July 24, 2020.

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Zzero Sufuri

“I love and adore him, he has brought me this far. He has his own church and respects my hustle like any other career. This is also my church,” Sufuri stated on ‘10 over 10′.

He has gone to release other chart-topping songs including 'Matisha’, ‘Chuki na Doo’, ‘Matiati’, and ‘Manzi’.

Sufuri has even landed major gigs where he perfromed at the Koroga Festival in 2019 as well other international shows in Dubai.

Gengetone Artiste Zzero Sufuri was involved in an accident on July 24, 2020.

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Coronavirus has dealt a big blow to musicians, many of whom get most of their revenue from performing at music event and night clubs.

With gatherings cancelled, artists have been forced to think outside the box to survive the pandemic.

Kenyan rapper Khaligraph Jones, during a sit down with Jalang'o, revealed that he had invested in three different types of businesses which are helping him survive the concert drought.

Kenyan musician Khaligraph Jones

"I have been selling cars for a while before I got into property and real estate. I also have gaming lounges," he spoke.

He added that the gaming centres were spread across Kayole and now that schools were closed, young men flock the lounges to play.

The rapper, who is popularly known as The O.G, also revealed that he used to live in Lavington and Kileleshwa in apartments with elevators in them." I was young and on top of the world and living large," he said.

Meeting his wife Georgina Muteti and having their first child changed his perspective on life.

"Before I got a wife and kids, I was a young man who had just made it out of Kayole and nobody could tell me anything. I moved out of the city into a nice big place with my own compound," he disclosed.

However, after his wife Georgina, posted a video of the house, fans and news blogs thought that he had bought it.

The rapper clarified that he was just renting the place but was underway to acquire one.

"You know these days if I stand near a Range Rover and someone takes a photo, they will say it's mine on the news. I am not the type to buy a house in an estate. I'm planning to build a mansion.

"Where I am now is just a pass over, wait until I build mine. You won't believe it," he bragged.

Jalang'o and Khaligraph reminisced times when the rapper was just a new entrant into the entertainment scene, and would ask Jalang'o to let him perform even for free.

The musician then thanked the comedian and MC for gifting him Ksh 50,000 after a show at Zetech University along Thika Road.

Milele FM presenter Jalang'o poses for a photo in an Instagram post in May 2020

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Music Producer Patrick Mbaru famously known as Saint P shared tales from his childhood including two incidences that led to him being chased from home.

In an episode on Cleaning The Airwaves on June 7, the media personality narrated how he got involved in music including how it got him shunned by his father.

"My father never wanted any of us to pursue music which I think is because of his own experience growing up. So he was never for it," he stated.

Watch the Video Below:

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Saint P who had aspirations of being an architect could not pursue his passion because his father had already told him to start looking for a job when he completes his secondary school education.

While still figuring out his next move, he used to bring about his friends to work on some music in his father's house. A majority of his musical company had dreadlocks and that influenced him to opt for the hairstyle as well.

His father was not amused with the company his son kept and chased Saint P from the family home associating them with violent gangs in the area.

When he was chased from his home in Mombasa, the music producer went to live with his uncle in Malindi where he sought to pursue his dream of drawing houses.

During the interview, Saint P claimed his father was abusive towards his mother and that motivated him to not go back.

Despite not having a job, he would go to the street and draw houses on a piece of paper. On the side he would take up construction jobs.

While staying with his uncle, he still opted to pursue music, recording a few samples with the hope of being a rapper. It also got to a point where the kin got weary of the company and chased them out.

With nowhere to go, he looked for a job at a restaurant where he would accassionaly as he had no home.

Saint P also narrated about the origin of his name which he stated was because people would consult him when they wanted advice on love matters.

"Someone who wanted a girl would come and I advise on what to do to get her. People saw there was a Saint in me because I could tell what was to come and helped many of my friends get ladies and also advised some against," he stated.

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Blind students from the Bethesda School for the Blind in Lagos, Nigeria went viral with their cover of Midnight Train by popular Kenyan band Sauti Sol on Saturday, July 12.

The song is part of the 13-track album by the same name released by the afro-pop group in June.

The students' live rendition of Midnight Train saw them don black suits as they sang and performed a dance routine, with a talented band backing them up.

The video quickly gained traction and left many impressed and overwhelmed, among them Sauti Sol.

From left: Polycarp Otieno, Savara Mudigi, Bien Aime Baraza and Willis Chimano of the boy band Sauti Sol.

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"We want to come to hang with you guys. Super inspired by this video," Sauti Sol tweeted.

The students had appealed for help sharing the video to make sure the four-man group saw it, and couldn't hide their delight following the response.

In a conversation with Kenyans.co.ke, a representative for the students revealed that they chose Midnight Train as they wanted to spread joy during the Covid-19 period.

"We chose Midnight Train because it is an amazing song and we’re big fans of Sauti Sol. During this period, we wanted to share happiness and love to everyone through this song," they noted.

Sauti Sol, who signed with Universal Music Group (UMG) division UMG Africa, have managed to build up an audience across the continent with West Africa, and Nigeria in particular, no exception.

Their previous album, Afrikan Sauce, included collaborations with several popular Nigerian artists, a move credited with helping the group gain a foothold in the Nigerian market.

Among Nigerian artistes the group has worked with in the past are Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade and KCee. They have also performed in Nigeria on several occasions.

Bethesda School for the Blind is part of the Bethesda Schools and Homes, an NGO which seeks to provide a haven for children and people living with disabilities.

"Our NGO caters for visually impaired individuals in society. The home/school is free of charge. We train our students from primary to university until they are self-sufficient.

"We have currently 126 at our school. We train our students in music, craft, and Braille," they informed Kenyans.co.ke.

Its program encompasses three main aspects; education, sports and skills acquisition.

Qualified special teachers provide both formal and informal education, while sports activities including blind football, guide running and handball are used to enhance fitness and promote physical well-being.

They are also provided with various musical instruments and taught to use them, among them a saxophone, keyboard, drums and more.

Watch their cover below:

Churchill Show Director Victor Ber reached out to comedian Zainabu Zeddy after the latter accused the director of frustrating artists resulting in depression and deaths among some of them.

Ber, the show's Creative Director detailed that he was ready to invite Zeddy to Churchill Show and the two would remain friends despite the exposés. Zeddy, while speaking with emcee Felix Odiwour, Jalang'o, stated that she would leave the show after performing for nearly ten years. 

"Yes, without a doubt (I will welcome her). Since she wrote those things, I tried to keep it to myself, but she kept posting more and more and it wasn't until Wednesday (July 8) that I picked up my phone and texted her and she called me back. I know her very well and when you watch the videos, she cannot edit the way they were," Ber detailed in an interview with Daily Nation.

The administrator added that someone was pushing Zeddy to heap blame and create a fallout within Churchill Show.

File image of Churchill Show Creative Director Victor Ber

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Ber and Zeddy spoke on how wrong he felt Zeddy was to drag his wife, Teacher Wanjiku into the issue. Zeddy had lamented that the creative director favoured the wife who is also a comedian alongside another artist Sleepy David. 

The director defended himself against frustrating comedians, detailing that all he does is push them to excel. He insisted that he finds the best talent for the show and that he totally supports them by offering fare and participates in their scriptings too. 

Ber argued that the artists were to blame for failing to manage fame and riches which lands them into depression and when they return back to the show, they are angered to find out that their spot has been taken by another upcoming artist. 

"Churchill sometimes would call me and ask me to make artists toe the line. They might think I am heartless but it is my way of preparing them for what they will encounter when they step on that stage," he defended.

He also heaped blame on external pressures that affect the show. Ber argued that at times NTV, social media and fans list contrasting demands which cannot be fit all together.

"Hundreds of people come for auditions and because of all the demands we cannot fit them in and we have to adhere to what the client wants," he stated. 

Daniel Churchill Ndambuki strikes a pose.

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Motivational speaker and city pastor Robert Burale has given an update on his health condition after the majority of Kenyans accused him of faking his Coronavirus (Covid-19) diagnosis.

The life coach spoke with Kenyans.co.ke through a video call on Wednesday, July 8, detailing that he was recuperating well and had no reason to face his critics as he was focused on healing.

"I never need to defend myself for being unwell. I am fully recovering and I am not in the Intensive Care Unit. I am in an isolation ward," Burale stated with the video showing medics attending to other patients in the ward.

The medics wore hazmat suits with patients, Burale included, wearing green patient gowns. 

Inside an isolation centre hosting Pastor Robert Burale as seen on Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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"This disease is real and those arguing that it cannot be contracted are misplaced. Kenyans should be safe and adhere to protocols guided. I pray for everyone's safety," Burale stated. 

The city clergy announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, July 6, through his Facebook page and a subsequent interview with Radio Maisha's Massawe Japani. 

"For two days I fought for my life under the great care of the doctors and nurses at Nairobi Hospital. I saw the hand of God. My progress is good and my vitals are responding well. For anyone who thinks this thing is a joke… may the Lord have mercy on you… I gathered courage and called a few people who have tirelessly prayed for me… and sent encouraging messages," Burale stated.

However, his interview at Radio Maisha coupled up with an Instagram video sparked uproar after he was seen dressed in a t-shirt and cap. Netizens argued that the appearance was less convincing for someone who was on Oxygen in an ICU - a claim that was clarified that the celebrity pastor was not under intensive care.

According to the Ministry of Health, there are various stages for Covid-19 infection which require different treatment. Treatment for asymptomatic patients costs Ksh 21,000 per day, mild Covid-19 patients costs Ksh 21,400 per day, in ICU but on supplementary Oxygen is Ksh 51,000 per day and for those in ICU placed on a ventilator, the treatment costs Ksh 71,000 per day.

As of Wednesday, July 8, Kenya had recorded 8,528 Coronavirus cases with 169 fatalities and 2,593 recoveries. 

An image shared by Pastor Robert Burale on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 (left) and his live Instagram video on Monday, July 6, 2020 (right)

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