Exclusive

Sheila Ndanu is a charming character who unites a family embroiled in endless drama when playing the role of Madam Victoria - a lenient mother in epic Citizen TV's drama series Maria.

In the telenovela, Ndanu acts as Mr William's (Dennis Musyoka) wife and Luwi's (Brian Ogana) mother. Her house is the epicentre of the drama and houses teenage sensation Yasmin Said (Maria) and other characters such as Lona (Tina Njambi), the noisy househelp. 

On Sunday, April 19, Ndanu spoke exclusively with Kenyans.co.ke, sharing her life's journey, her film debut and how the Maria series was shaping Kenya's film industry. 

From left: Maria series actors, Luwi, Victor, Madam Victoria, William and Vanessa

File

Who is Sheila Ndanu as a person and who is Madam Victoria the character?

Sheila Ndanu is a daughter, a mother and a friend. I would describe myself as quite reserved but I can be chatty with those that I am familiar with. 

On the other hand, Madam Victoria alias Vicky is a mixture of many characters in one. She is a stern, overly protective, status-conscious and loving motherly figure. 

There is definitely a relation between the two personalities, considering that both onscreen and off-screen I am a mother and despite the contexts being different, I still remain as a nurturer and protector of my family.

How did you land the role on Maria?

In May 2019, I went for an audition for a TV commercial. Someone noticed my skills during the presentations and approached me after. He said I was the perfect fit for an upcoming TV series and went ahead to encourage me to audition for the role of Madam Vicky. 

I was quite sceptical, however, I did go ahead and was pleasantly surprised when I got a call informing me of the success of the audition.

A photo collage of Sheila Ndanu who portrays the cast Madam Victoria/Vicky in Citizen TV's Maria

File

Have you ever been a cast in any other film and for how long have you been in the industry? 

This is my first time working in film. However, I have been a commercial model for the past six years. I have worked with brands such as Crown Berger, Zusha Road Safety, NIC Bank, DTB bank and Visa South Africa.

How have the fans embraced your role? Do they think that at times you are so lenient to Luwi?

Initially, when the show began, they definitely considered me to be a bit too lenient with Luwi but as the show progressed they came to appreciate me as a mother who would do anything for her family’s wellbeing. 

The love the fans are showing towards the show is unending, how do you feel about that? And what changes do you think you all brought to the industry?

I am humbled beyond words, and so grateful to see the efforts put in by Team Maria bearing fruits. It is amazing and encouraging! We definitely brought along new talent into the industry considering it is the first acting experience for most of the cast. As for the show, we have managed to capture the audience of all Kenyans across the board.

Any memorable parts the series that you will always remember acting in?

Hmmm, it is quite difficult to pinpoint one particular scene as each and every scene demands something different from Madam Vicky. 

Who is your favourite cast in Maria?

(Laughs) I love all of them dearly. However, I have a soft spot for Tina Njambi (Lona) who has held my hand from day one to date. 

Lulu Haasan and Rashid Abdalla are the producers of the show. What about them stands out?

Lulu and Rashid are godsent indeed. They are both very calm in spirit, patient and kind, giving everyone willing, a chance to better themselves. They are my destiny helpers and I continually thank God for them.

(Left) Maria actors, Tina Wamwati -Lona with Yasmin Said - Maria. (Right) Wamwati with Citizen TV's Lulu Hassan

File

Are you married, do you have a family and how do they view your career? 

I am a mother of two beautiful girls and the support I have received from both family and friends has been overwhelming, to say the least. I am truly grateful.

Do you have any side hustles?

I am a beauty therapist by profession and as I mentioned earlier, I am a commercial model too. I have never studied theatre works or acting. I am learning and getting better every day while at work! (laughs).

Any other life achievements and dreams you would like to pursue?

As of now being, part of Maria is my biggest achievement, and I do hope to make it to Holywood, God willing.

Any advice to upcoming artists and your perspective on what it takes to succeed?

Keep at it, put yourself out there, go for auditions and be prepared so that when opportunities come your way you do not miss out. Hone your talent and don’t give up.

To succeed it takes discipline, diligence, a teachable spirit, focus and above all the fear of God, for with Him all things are possible.

During this Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, what advice would you give to your fans? 

I urge them to take self-responsibility especially the youth should stay home and take the necessary precautions as directed by the government. It is for our own good. Also, take this time indoors to better yourself, meditate, reflect, plan and rest.

50 Individuals who were arrested Friday, April 17th for breaking curfew guidelines and taken into forced quarantine at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Nairobi managed to escape on the night of Monday, April 20. 

The individuals are said to have lamented about the daily Ksh2,000 fee which they claimed they could not afford, something that fuelled their daring escape. 

According to a source who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on condition of anonymity, the individuals escaped the facility shortly after having supper, with their escape only being realised the next morning during breakfast.

A medical practitioner dressed in protective gear at Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020

Simon Kiragu

Kenyans.co.ke

''Yesterday we were together during meals with some of them and they were lamenting how expensive it is to pay the Ksh2,000 daily charge. I never knew they were planning to escape, stated the source.

But according to Peter Mwai who was in quarantine at the facility for the 26th day, the individuals might have not really escaped the facility but rather bought their freedom.

''I have been here since March 27, and been seeing individuals come for two to three days and leave after bribing officials in order to be let free, no one even cares to test them.

''There is no way someone can escape this place without the knowledge of officials here. I have seen even some people whom I came with pay for their freedom and let go yet no one has tested them to ascertain their status,'' he claimed.

Mwai lamented that what he had witnessed at the facility was putting the lives of innocent Kenyans at risk even as the Health CS talked tough over the 'indiscipline' of Kenyans.

''This virus is easily transmissible and in this place, we share bathrooms and toilets and it is easy for someone to contract the virus and share it with the outside world as it has an incubation period before manifesting itself,'' he added.

The individuals who escaped the facility are said to have been arrested by police and taken into forced quarantine.

Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, however, denied knowledge of the escape when Kenyans.co.ke contacted him for a reply.

''I've not been made aware of such incidence, and can not comment on it,'' stated Oguna.

On Sunday, April 19 Health CAS Mercy Mwagangi reiterated that anyone found disregarding curfew directives would be arrested and taken to mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune, is a line from William Shakespeare's famous play, Julius Ceasar. It simply translates to 'now or never'.

This simple yet powerful phrase could be used to explain just how KBC's budding news anchor Purity Museo, wound up as one of the most promising lead anchors in the industry at the moment.

Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Museo told the remarkable tale of her journey to living her dreams

KBC News Anchor Purity Museo pictured in studio. February 29, 2020.

Instagram

Her story starts in Tseikuru, a village in Mwingi that also marked the beginnings of former Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka.

"I knew from as early as my days at Musavani Primary School - I'm sure you've never heard of it - that I wanted to be reading news on TV," she narrated while letting out coy laughter in reference to her primary school.

"I remember I even used to ask my mum if there was a way I could just head to journalism school immediately after sitting for my KCPE. We used to watch CNN's Zain Asher and she just fuelled my passion even further," she added.

It was this incessant drive to see out her dreams that saw her land a spot at Moi University in Eldoret, where she flourished as a leader in special scribes group dubbed Third Eye.

"As soon as I graduated in 2016, I knew that I needed to put myself out there. I used to stay with my twin brother in Nairobi.  You know we lost our parents at a young age," she explained in a sombre tone.

"I knew that nothing would be handed to me which is how I ended up at Ebru TV headquarters in Lavington chatting up the askari at the gate and informing him that I was looking to volunteer. I knew that stating that I was looking for a job would a sure way to have my dreams crushed at the gate," she further narrated.

That is how the young Museo ended up working at the station on weekends, going on to develop her very own health feature that quickly created a buzz.

KBC News Anchor Purity Museo pictured outside the Office of the President along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi. March 1, 2020.

Instagram

Her work ethic impressed her bosses and soon enough she was volunteering from Monday to Saturday.

Interestingly, she used to earn absolutely nothing during this period.

"I once read that in order to make it, one needs to start small and have an iron will to sacrifice, this is what kept me going," she explained.

Soon enough, the station offered her the very first paycheck as a journalist equating to Ksh5,000 which was termed as fare money.

She steadily rose up the ranks and on December 31, 2017, she finally got her big break.

"On the day, the lead news anchor called in sick and I was told that I'd be anchoring the 9 p.m. news. I knew that this was it. Despite being nervous, it was the exciting kind of nervousness.," she narrated.

Her debut went so well that she ended up doing it for the entire week, marking her entry into the world of news anchoring.

Museo was then handed her very first contract, earning Ksh20,000 plus perks before she finally moved to her current media house KBC in November 2018.

She is currently among the fresh crop of anchors who are tipped for stardom, with her natural aura and passion for her job proving a key ingredient to her astronomical rise.

Museo spoke of several bumps along the way such as being out of the camera and back into the field as a reporter, due to an alleged accent, but she somehow stated this spurred her even more.

"If it is your passion, you just need to keep at it every single day. There's an indescribable happiness that comes with going through the process," she says.

KBC News Anchor Purity Museo pictured while in studio. April 4, 2020.

Instagram

Kenyans in a quarantine facility at the Kenyatta University have staged demonstrations against the government after stating that they were frustrated by the state of isolation and their efforts to raise issues were futile.

On Wednesday, April 15, Kenyans.co.ke spoke to an insider at the camp who detailed argued that they had enough reasons to force the government into listening to their requests.

According to the source, one apposite matter aligned to the huge bills they were charged as their quarantine period had been extended by a fortnight after an individual at the facility tested positive.

Kenyans quarantined at Kenyatta University protest against the government on Wednesday, April 15, 2020

File

"We are asked to pay for two more weeks yet we are not in a position to pay. Why are they holding us for extra days, without even considering our mental health? We are stressed. There is a lady who wanted to commit suicide because her bill is high and her father too is ill and hospitalised, and similarly, his bill has also skyrocketed.

"Right now to source for money is quite exhausting. Some of us lost our jobs abroad and came back home, yet they can't consider that," the insider lamented.

She went on to argue that the health workers had shown bias towards those in quarantine by releasing individuals based on special cases, yet others were left to languish in the facility.

"Three people were released, basing on one being over 65 years and two had diabetes. As much as we understand that they are more vulnerable to this disease, we also have pointers they can analyse. This is total bias. 

"When our tests are taken, our results are not handed back to us. They only come at a later stage to inform you that you tested positive or negative. We are also exposed because if someone tests positive and we are not informed, how would we know if there was an interaction with him or her. And if there is a positive outcome again, shall we continue quarantine for another 14 days?" she wondered.

She further stated that they had never managed to raise their issue with the government as efforts to reach officials were futile. The only way to attract their attention as their plan is to demonstrate inside the university, as they would not be allowed to get out and protest in the streets.

"We feel like the quarantine facilities are gaining exorbitantly from this crisis, yet we are not allowed to see our family members, the food we are being given is pathetic too. Imagine feeding on Ugali and rice, with no stew. What kind of meal is that? 

"There is a time we were served rotten fish. This is too hard on us," she explained as she detailed during the demonstration, they were observing social distance and wearing masks at all times.

On Wednesday, April 8, 32 out of 66 passengers who were in forced quarantine at a facility in El Wak, Mandera County after travelling from Nairobi escaped. Police were accused of colluding with the passengers who were put in forced quarantine to enable them to sneak into Mandera after the partial lockdown restricting movement into and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area was imposed.

On Saturday, March 28, while addressing the media at Afya House, Nairobi, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that mandatory quarantine should be observed as a safe haven, rather than a chance for one to raise complains.

"Mandatory quarantine is not forced quarantine… What we expect when you are in mandatory quarantine is cooperation with the medical staff, security staff. Understand you are not quarantined because you have committed an offence. You should be very happy to be in quarantine because it means you cannot pass on the disease if you have it," the CS stated.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (Left) and his Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi during a press briefing in March 2020.

File

Video:

In Biblical times, to feed 5,000 you needed 5 loaves of bread and two fish and you could create a miracle.

Well, Wawira Njiru has unearthed the power to feed the same 10,000 but this time with vision, resilience and a touch of the same faith still needed so long ago.

If you have not heard of her then you have heard of her work, the nutritionist is the founder of Food For Education, a non-profit that delivers affordable nutritious meals to school children.

Wawira Njiru, Food for Education founder.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Wawira revealed her inspiration to start the much-needed feeding programme to cater to children.

 

"I am a nutritionist by training and so food is very close to my heart. I was learning about the impact of poor nutrition particularly on children and that’s why I started Food for Education," she begins.

"A lot of kids go to school hungry in Kenya and around the world and this affects their ability to grow and learn. I wanted to create a solution to this," she adds.

The inspiration that would ultimately carve out her path in life was sown while she was still a student of nutrition in Australia back in 2010.

When she returned to Kenya, it was her dream to use what she had learnt to uplift her community and Food  For Education began right in her hometown of Ruiru.

With limited resources, Wawira began with just 25 children that she committed to feeding each day, a number that soon increased to 40 and continued on in the same vein to the 10,000 meals provided to date.

Wawira's sights are set even higher with a vision of scaling to providing one million meals in the next five years.

"We are working hard to feed 1,000,000 kids by 2025. Our vision is that no Kenyan child will have to learn while hungry and are working hard to ensure that at least 1million kids have access to nutritious meals every day," she says.

For her work, Wawira was awarded the first-ever Global Citizen Prize for Youth Leadership in 2018.

The award was given in recognition of her ambition, her simple yet powerful mission as well as proof that her feeding program had an impact on the beneficiaries.

Yet, the road has not been smooth and she has had to battle a number of challenges in her path. The biggest of this being how to account for all the children receiving meals.

 "Our biggest challenge has been in creating systems and streamlining already existing systems that would allow us to scale and feed as many kids as possible at the lowest cost possible.

However, she has found a way through this hurdle by calling on the power of technology and conceptualising Tap 2 Eat wristbands. 

These allow the information of the program's beneficiaries to be read using designated software. A child only has to display their band and their details will be available allowing them to eat the food provided.

"Tap2Eat wristbands and the technology behind it enable parents to save for the kids’ meals and pay the lowest cost possible for their children’s daily lunches," Wawira explains.

"By using technology such as Tap2Eat, we’ve been able to do this better and are working on stronger systems to feed 1,000,000 kids a day," she adds.

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Food For Education has opted to use the wristbands to provide food for vulnerable children and their families.

For most of these children, the food they get through Wawitra's program is the only stable source of nutrition they get.

Aware of this and the closure of schools, Food 4 Education decided to provide these families with food during the pandemic.

"We’re also using Tap2Eat to distribute food rations and vouchers for 6,000 families during this Covid-19 period," explains Wawira.

Wawira asserts that the Food for Education program is sustainable and the eventual target is to have the meals provided without the need for subsidies.

"Currently, parents’ contributions account for over 60% of the cost of a meal and we are also looking at leveraging on economies of scale as we continue to expand and continue to lower our cost per meal. The goal is for parents’ contribution of sh.15 to cover 100% of the cost of a meal," she explains.

Food for Education came in to fill a gap in the feeding policies at public schools. 

After the government declared free primary education for all in 2003 allowing nearly 1.3 million children into the system, it did not adequately account for this influx.

Wawira Njiru receives the Youth Leadership Prize during the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 2, 2018.

The result was that many played truant on a regular basis on account of a lack of food. Wawira calls on the government to address this glaring gap.

 

"We would like to see policies formulated and implemented that make school feeding programs mandatory and accessible to all public primary schools. All Kenyan children deserve access to nutritious meals and none of them should learn on an empty stomach," she says. 

Certainly a force in her dedication and drive, Wawira remains inspired to serve by drawing on the strength and the tenacity of her fellow citizens.

"I am inspired by Kenyans and particularly our families and kids who overcome so many hurdles to survive each day. They remind me of the resilience we as Kenyans have and how much we can do when we have systems that work for us," she concludes. 

Kenya has applied to be one of the nations to participate in clinical trials for four COVID-19 treatments.

The four drugs Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Interferon Beta-1a and Chloroquine, as well as hydroxychloroquine, are part of the World Health Organisation's Solidarity trials.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Professor Aggrey Omu Anzala, who led the first HIV vaccine trials in Kenya, confirmed that the country would be part of Covid-19 trials.

Survivors of Covid-19 pandemic Brenda (left) and Brian who got cured of the disease speak to President Uhuru Kenyatta at Afya House on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

Twitter

"We have applied. It is just pending approval," stated Anzala.

The professor provided that Kenya was already at an advanced stage of the application process but he could not as yet reveal a date when the trials would begin.

"Kenya is going to get involved and we are at a very advanced stage. Several hospitals have accepted and we've agreed with the WHO so, it's going to be done," stated Anzala.

The Solidarity International Trials will compare the effectiveness of the four aforementioned drugs in treating Covid-19.

One of the drugs chloroquine was already used in the country on one patient according to Patrick Amoth, the Acting Director General at the Ministry of Health.

Anzala, however, clarified that such use was common across the world but could not be used to test the effectiveness of the drug hence the need for the clinical trials.

"All over the world chloroquine has been used but that is why we are doing a clinical trial to know if it is really effective or whether it is not," stated Anzala.

"If you treat one person and they survive, another and they don't, then you don't have real empirical evidence that the drug works," he added.

The four drugs used in the trials have previously been used in the treatment of other diseases.

Remdesivir has previously been used to treat Ebola and has generated positive results in animal studies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which are caused by a strain of coronavirus.

Lopinavir/ritonavir has been used and licensed as a treatment for HIV while Interferon Beta-1a is used as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

WHO has encouraged countries to participate in the trials providing that this would generate faster results. 

Anzala provided that with the Solidarity clinical trials there should be enough data to determine the effectiveness of the drugs. 

"In the next three or four months we should know whether these drugs are effective," stated Anzala.

Solidarity will be run through randomised clinical trials on eligible patients who will be required to give consent to be part of the trials.

Information on the effectiveness of the drugs will be collected once the patient is discharged or after they pass away.

Anzala clarified that only a small subset of patients would be placed under the four drugs while other Covid-19 patients would still be eligible for other treatment options.

KEMRI Deputy Director Matilu Mwau speaking to Kenyans.co.ke stated that the trails were necessary despite resistance to testing of Covid-19 treatments in Africa.

"If a drug is intended to benefit us, people, then we must test it here. If it works in Europe, it does not mean it will work here as well. That's is why we must test it here," asserted Mwau

The sentiments come in the wake of public fury following the sentiments of two French doctors proposing testing of Covid-19 options in Africa.

Mwau however stated that there were controls in place to guard Kenyans and Africans in general from being exploited in such experimental trails.

"When such products come to Kenya, the proposals are taken through ethical review boards which look at whether the qualifications are satisfactory before they go through," he stated.

The director was however adamant that effective treatment could not be found unless testing was done on the population that would use the drug

"If things are intended to benefit Africans then they must be tested here because testing them in Asia or Europe is not sufficient. There are some small differences in the way we respond to vaccines and drugs that can be found out during trials that can help us make the right kind of products," concluded Mwau.

Kenya Red Cross paramedics and volunteers at the Nakuru County Level 5 Hospital during a training exercise on the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in light of the Covid-19 pandemic on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Kenyans.co.ke

Other countries have already begun clinical trials outside of the WHO Solidarity Project.

the United State began treating 500 Covid-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine on Thursday, April 9. 

India and France on their part already approved emergency use of Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of Covid-19 cases.

The effectiveness of these measures, however, remains unclear pending conclusive results from larger test samples. 

Kenya's supposedly dying manufacturing sector was heralded by many as having risen from its ashes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has bedevilled the country.

Followers of this belief have pointed to the factories that have risen up to the challenge to provide essential commodities during the pandemic. 

They have used several examples to justify the apparent rise of Kenyan local industries.

A student conducts a demonstration of the prototype during the launch of the locally assembled ventilator on April 12, 2020.

The Standard

The most clear-cut illustration of the unexplored potential of Kenya's industries was highlighted on Saturday, April 12 where 16 Kenyatta University students built a prototype for a ventilator in the country.

Or yet another example is the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) which was lauded for innovating the Rapid Covid-19 Testing Kits.

These would see the research body able to test 35,000 in a day from a paltry 600 that was possible prior.

Optimistic Kenyans would also be quick to point to Kitui County Textile Centre (Kicotec) whose overnight switch to producing surgical masks was even praised by international media.

The factory which had previously concentrated on producing gardening clothes, uniforms, mats and napkins now produces 30,000 masks a day at the quality and standard of the N95.

The illustration of Kenya's ingenuity does not end there. One would be at fault for failing to mention the spray sanitiser systems that were engineered by the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM).

Most of the items being engineered in the country are in high demand in the nation itself and elsewhere. 

It is Kenya's ability to produce these commodities that has pushed some to sing praises on the newfound efficiency of Kenya's manufacturing industry and to assert that its previous failures were orchestrated by political blunders.

But is this stance factual?

Kenyans.co.ke spoke to veteran economist David Ndii who was quick to correct these assertions.

"That is not industry, that is a war economy. During war, countries do things that they were not doing before because of the genesis of war. That is when all types of industries come up," explained Ndii.

"But that's because you are not sparing any cost, you can do it at whatever cost. This is not the case in a normal economy," he added.

The revered economist stated that the leaps in the industry could not be counted as evidence of growth as they took place in the suspension of normalcy.

"In a normal economy, the question is: are you competitive at doing something? So you cannot use what we can call the equivalent of war production to say that the economy has the capacity to do this," he asserted.

Ndii explained that the rules of an emergency situation allowed certain things to function that would not be feasible in normal times. 

"If you are a car manufacturer, you can be commandeered to produce tanks. That does not mean that you have the capacity to manufacture trucks, you may be actually be producing very bad ones," Ndii stated.

Workers at the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC) on October 27, 2018.

Twitter

The economist concluded that it would be false to say the economy had grown or that local industries were flourishing. It was more accurate to concede that the conditions of production allowed the current innovation. 

"Now we are producing at whatever cost. We have commandeered resources to do things that are probably very inefficient and at a very high cost. This is exactly what an economy is not supposed to do," he stated.

Going by Ndii's arguments, it is more likely than not that the rise of local industries will see its reversal once the pandemic is behind us.  

The ODM party has dismissed claims that it is behind the woes bedevilling the Jubilee Party after Jubilee's decision to elect new members of the National Management Council (NMC).

ODM spokesperson Philip Etale, speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on Saturday, April 11, denied the allegations that the change was a ploy by the ODM party to effect a merger with Jubilee as alleged by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria.

"I would say that such claims are absolute hogwash. ODM is a party on its own with its own structures and has absolutely nothing to do with Jubilee's feuding.

"If they [Jubilee party] have issues, let them sort them out by themselves. Why do they develop ODM-phobia every time they have their own issues? That's myopic," Etale stated.

File image of ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga (left) with his party's Communication Director Philip Etale (right)

He further clarified that despite the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the ODM Party had remained keen not to involve itself with issues concerning the Jubilee Party.

"The handshake is a matter between party leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. So if they want to start apportioning blame for their failure, ODM is not welcome to that," he stated with finality.

He added that there has never been a time that the ODM party has ever considered a merger with any other party given that it still enjoyed a solid support base across the country.

"ODM is too strong. Why would we consider a merger? ODM has structures across the country. We are the only functional party across the country. Go to the Registrar of Political Parties and she will attest to that.

"We have our structures, pay rent for our offices across the country, we hold regular meetings, some even at night, and we also hold the National Executive Committee meetings. When is the last time you saw the other party [Jubilee] do the same?

"So, if they have nothing to say, they [the Jubilee Party] should remain quiet. They should solve the mess within Jubilee and not try to drag in ODM. ODM is not part of Jubilee and will never be," Etale concluded.

The gazette notice announcing the appointment of new members of the National Management Committee dated April 6, 2020.

Facebook

Moses Kuria had on Friday, April 10, trashed the gazette notice released by the party indicating the appointment of new members of the NMC as a plot to streamline the merger between the two parties.

He followed up his claims with a letter to the registrar of political parties, a matter that other party members supported, led by Deputy President William Ruto.

Legendary Kenyan artiste Nyamari Ongegu, better-known as Nyashinski, made history on Wednesday, March 8, with a live-streamed performance from his home that saw tens of thousands of Kenyans tune in.

Backed by a talented band, Nyashinski's performance was streamed on platforms including Youtube and Instagram where viewer numbers peaked at more than 15,000 and over 8,000 respectively, as Kenyans savored a welcome dose of high-quality entertainment during the Covid-19 pandemic that has confined many to their homes.

The record-breaking performance which began at around 9.30 p.m. was followed up by the release of the music video for Glory, the first single off Nyashinski's upcoming 12-track album Lucky You.

Desmond Bosire, a Sound Engineer who fully produced Glory and engineered several tracks on the highly-anticipated album, spoke to Kenyans.co.ke revealing the incredible behind-the-scenes work that went into the much-talked-about live performance.

Nyashinski pictured preparing for his live performance which was streamed on April 8, 2020

Twitter

Bosire revealed that they had agreed to do the live performance after they finished recording the album at Junkie Records Studios around a month ago.

Around the same time, Kenya's first Covid-19 cases were confirmed causing the government through the Ministry of Health to introduce various measures meant to limit movement and curb the spread of the virus.

The determined artistes, however, did not let this stop them from accomplishing the project as they practiced for the performance for weeks in Nyashinski's home, with many of them forced to spend time away from their families and loved ones.

"It started with the album. Work had been ongoing on the album for a period of time, since last year in fact. After we finished recording the album about a month ago, we started preparing for the live-performance.

"We stayed in quarantine for weeks as we practiced because it's around the same time that all these restrictions were introduced.  We literally practiced for weeks, it was difficult because it meant some of us were away from our families," he disclosed.

Bosire revealed that many Kenyans who watched the show missed the notable fact that it took place on Nyashinski's birthday.

Sharing the team's reaction to the incredible support the show received from Kenyans, Bosire stated that it was quite fulfilling for them as artists.

"It was magic, especially for us because we really wanted to put up a show. The feedback was crazy.

"It was good to give Kenyans something to smile about and excite them during this Covid-19 period. It is very fulfilling for us as artistes because this is what we do, this is our job," he noted.

He maintained that they were happy to have set the bar high and encouraged other artists to do their own live-streams. 

Veteran rapper Juliani, for instance, took to his Twitter page to commend Nyashinski for the stunning show even as he promised fans that a similar live performance of his own was in the pipeline.

Nyashinski's album Lucky You is set to be released on Friday, April 17, on all major platforms.

Questioned on whether the team had another live-stream planned for the release, Bosire told Kenyans.co.ke that they were exploring several different ideas noting that their plans were complicated by the Covid-19 crisis.

"There's a couple of things we've planned around the album but you know we also have to consider our safety and the measures put in place by the government.

"We have a lot in the pipeline. Even this live performance took a lot to accomplish," he stated.

Sound engineer and producer Desmond Bosire

File

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change. Or so pioneer evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin believed.

It is this spirit of adaptation that the arresting KTN News anchor Grace Kuria has taken up and channelled into her newest challenge: how to broadcast from home.

It is an unprecedented situation even for her and she laughs a little as she narrates to Kenyans how she has shifted aspects of her life to accommodate the new changes.

CGTN's a Grace Kuria taping a news briefing from her home when she worked with KTN.

"A cameraman comes in an hour before we do the briefing to set up. I do my make-up beforehand. Then I rearrange my living room," begins Grace.

A composed figure, she conveys that the idea of shooting news bulletins from her home had never crossed her mind but she had taken the change in stride and was rising to the challenge as it presented itself.

"You take every day as it comes. This working from home thing is something I never thought could happen. How can you produce a broadcast from your house? But it's possible. We are doing it. We just have to adjust to the new normal and find ways of coping," Grace opines.

While the seas have thus far allowed smooth sailing for the 24-year-old anchor in her new environment, her one worry gnawing incessantly at the back of her mind remains: what happens if electricity fails during a bulletin?

It remains for her a bridge that will have to be crossed but only once it's gotten to.

Due to the effects of the pandemic, Grace, who doubles as a reporter has hung up that particular hat at least for the moment in the new division of roles enforced by the company.

This division also means that Grace now works in 7-day shifts: working one full week and then getting the next week to reboot, readjust and reemerge to conquer the uncertain plains once more. 

She has gotten creative in spending the new chunk of time she has on her hands and has invested her hours in reading, trying out recipes and indulging in the guilty pleasure of watching movies.

"I'll be honest, I'm doing moves like never before," Grace discloses while chuckling slightly. 

Watch Grace Kuria deliver a news briefing from her home:

"Cleaning the house, cooking and reading books, basically that's what I've been up to," she adds more seriously.

The anchor underscores her belief that the pandemic could still be turned into a good if people could utilise the time they had in bettering themselves and cultivating long-held passions.

"We have a lot of time on our hands so find something to keep you occupied. Learn something new: a foreign language, cooking, anything! So that after this quarantine you can come out better. Because we didn't ask for it, we never prepared for it but try to find the positivity," she concludes.