Popular NTV drama series Auntie Boss has taken a break after 21 seasons on the air, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic that has since had the country and the economy on recess.
Following the outbreak of the virus in the country, a lot of activities have been affected, with media houses forced to cut back on programs, to cushion themselves from the effects of the pandemic.
"Auntie Boss took a bow after 21 great seasons on NTV. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes every Tuesday evening. We have had to take a break during this difficult time as Kenya faces the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay safe, from all of us at Auntie Boss. And stay home," a statement on the show's official Facebook page on Thursday, April 16, 2020, read in part.
Moonbeam, the company behind the show had on Thursday, April 16, informed that they had halted further shooting of the series, in accordance with the national directive to social distancing.
The firm had stated that further production would not be in line with the directive, and as an initiative to keep the entertainers safe, was forced to halt the programme.
Since the outbreak, most film and television productions have ground to a halt, with the need to keep members of the public, as well as celebrities safe from the virus.
The resultant dusk-to-dawn curfew and a further lockdown of some counties have immensely impacted the creative industry, forcing a recess.
On April 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered Ksh100 million from the sports fund be employed to cushion players in the entertainment industry from the pandemic.
" I have directed the Ministry of Sports to avail additional support of Ksh100 million from the sports fund to our artists so they can continue to entertain their fellow brothers and sisters through TV, Radio, and the Internet," President Kenyatta had stated.
NTV's beloved morning show, AM Live, is also no longer on air following the deepening Covid-19 crisis.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on April 14, 2020, the hit show's host and NTV news anchor Debarl Inea disclosed that the hit show was taking a three-month break because of the virus.
The show centred around political talk, the state of the national discussion, and was frequented by Political Analyst Herman Manyora, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, and former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale as panellists.
"Currently because of Covid-19, we have taken a short break. The break is going to run for at least three months starting yesterday (Monday, April 13),
"For the morning they have introduced something which is health-oriented and so for the next three months we shall shelve it," stated Debarl.
AM Live was replaced by a show dubbed 'Your World' which is set to concentrate on the Covid-19 pandemic. The new show airs every weekday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and has several segments that offer pieces of advice on matters of health.
