HALEY OF ONE TREE HILL SPONSORS KENYAN GIRL FOR 10 YEARS

American actress Bethany Joy Galeotti better known to her fans by her screen name Haley is a sponsor to Leonida, a little girl who lives in Mombasa.
The One Tree Hill star who is also a singer, songwriter and director made the revelation in the beginning on July.
In Bethany’s blog she wrote, “She (Leonida) is a good friend of mine as I have had the privilege of being her sponsor for nearly 10 years through Compassion International (a Christian child advocacy ministry).
“She is a bright, funny, and beautiful young woman who loves God and her family deeply. In her letters she writes to me often about the water conditions in Kenya. Though they have recently had relief from an extended drought the water still needs to be purified properly in order to be digestible.
“Here are a couple organizations that are doing something about it The Kenya Water Wells Trust and the Foundation for Sustainable Development.”
To follow up on her commitment to provide clean water for Leonida and her peoples in the village Mffffft...trying not to laugh, Bethany recorded a single dubbed Shiver which is already on iTunes and it costs Sh 150, yaani $1.99.

HALEY OF ONE TREE HILL SPONSORS KENYAN GIRL FOR 10 YEARS

American actress Bethany Joy Galeotti better known to her fans by her screen name Haley is a sponsor to Leonida, a little girl who lives in Mombasa.
The One Tree Hill star who is also a singer, songwriter and director made the revelation in the beginning on July.
In Bethany’s blog she wrote, “She (Leonida) is a good friend of mine as I have had the privilege of being her sponsor for nearly 10 years through Compassion International (a Christian child advocacy ministry).
“She is a bright, funny, and beautiful young woman who loves God and her family deeply. In her letters she writes to me often about the water conditions in Kenya. Though they have recently had relief from an extended drought the water still needs to be purified properly in order to be digestible.
“Here are a couple organizations that are doing something about it The Kenya Water Wells Trust and the Foundation for Sustainable Development.”
To follow up on her commitment to provide clean water for Leonida and her peoples in the village Mffffft...trying not to laugh, Bethany recorded a single dubbed Shiver which is already on iTunes and it costs Sh 150, yaani $1.99.

TERRYANNE CHEBET MOVES TO CITIZEN

Sassy business reporter and now the former face of CNBC Terryanne Chebet has already changed employers and is settling in at Citizen TV's Business Desk.
“I was approached last year thrice by Citizen TV to join them but I turned them down because I felt then I wasn’t ready, but this time round when Farida Karoney made me an offer I couldn’t refuse I went for it,” said Terryanne.
Terryanne has been with CNBC for the last three years and officially joined Citizen on Friday July 30.

TERRYANNE CHEBET MOVES TO CITIZEN

Sassy business reporter and now the former face of CNBC Terryanne Chebet has already changed employers and is settling in at Citizen TV's Business Desk.
“I was approached last year thrice by Citizen TV to join them but I turned them down because I felt then I wasn’t ready, but this time round when Farida Karoney made me an offer I couldn’t refuse I went for it,” said Terryanne.
Terryanne has been with CNBC for the last three years and officially joined Citizen on Friday July 30.

THE LAST MAN PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE

Designed as an indoor evening event, the highlight of the Last Man Standing comes at a time when there is serious environmental degradation in Kenya. The bones of the wildebeest take us to the harsh reality of increased economic activities that undermines the realisation of MDG 7.
On August 6, 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, The Kenya Institute of Puppet and Theatre present The Last Man Standing Puppetry Performance at the French Cultural Centre at exactly 6 p.m. The Institute will bring the finest puppetry performance dating back to 2070 where life as we know, has become extinct due environmental degradation.
The Last Man Standing Puppetry Performance is an out-of-the ordinary performance from the world of the dead and the living. It is a tale of a brave wildebeest called Mara and recounted by Bones (Mara's Carcass) in the year 2070. It will take the audience through the life cycle of a wildebeest, times of struggle, bravery, feast, famine, life and death.
It is a multi - disciplinary, multi - cultural performance incorporating modern theatrical genre with other art elements such as objects, figures, dance, architecture and installation.

THE LAST MAN PUPPETRY PERFORMANCE

Designed as an indoor evening event, the highlight of the Last Man Standing comes at a time when there is serious environmental degradation in Kenya. The bones of the wildebeest take us to the harsh reality of increased economic activities that undermines the realisation of MDG 7.
On August 6, 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, The Kenya Institute of Puppet and Theatre present The Last Man Standing Puppetry Performance at the French Cultural Centre at exactly 6 p.m. The Institute will bring the finest puppetry performance dating back to 2070 where life as we know, has become extinct due environmental degradation.
The Last Man Standing Puppetry Performance is an out-of-the ordinary performance from the world of the dead and the living. It is a tale of a brave wildebeest called Mara and recounted by Bones (Mara's Carcass) in the year 2070. It will take the audience through the life cycle of a wildebeest, times of struggle, bravery, feast, famine, life and death.
It is a multi - disciplinary, multi - cultural performance incorporating modern theatrical genre with other art elements such as objects, figures, dance, architecture and installation.

FROM MUTINDA TO HIS FANS...

Greetings!
Back from a wonderful tour in Europe, I now have the pleasure of performing again in Kenya. This Sunday August 1, from 1 pm, Blankets & Wine Festival has a magical program lined up. Besides myself; Abbi, Super Mazembe and Iddi Achieng will be performing.

I hope to see you there and catch up!

Best wishes,
Mutinda

FROM MUTINDA TO HIS FANS...

Greetings!
Back from a wonderful tour in Europe, I now have the pleasure of performing again in Kenya. This Sunday August 1, from 1 pm, Blankets & Wine Festival has a magical program lined up. Besides myself; Abbi, Super Mazembe and Iddi Achieng will be performing.

I hope to see you there and catch up!

Best wishes,
Mutinda

ALEX OF XYZ: NOPE NO WEDDING PLANS!

Former XYZ singer Alex Kinyua, now know as Lexx denied that he is in the country to plan a wedding. Talking to Hot Secrets, Lexx who has taken a break from his studies in Dallas, Texas is in the country for ‘musical reasons’.
Lexx is in Nairobi promoting his new single Pretender that will premiere on Kiss TV on Saturday 31.
“I wrote the song about a year ago, it’s about those people who show off their material wealth and yet they wouldn’t lift a finger to help the less fortunate.”
Moving on to juicier and more interesting stuff, Lexx said he is totally single and he does know 'a Brenda' but he is not planning to marry her.
“I’m single and the claims of me planning to wed are just that rumours.”
The Juu Yako singer denied that he is engaged to Brenda of the Moss Moss fame. “I have never talked to her, all I know is that she is a singer,” adding, “Yes I know a lady called Brenda but we are just friends. When it is the right time to introduce the woman I love to my fans, I want to be the first to do it.”
Here is Lexx and James Kyama at the Kiss Studios during an interview.

ALEX OF XYZ: NOPE NO WEDDING PLANS!

Former XYZ singer Alex Kinyua, now know as Lexx denied that he is in the country to plan a wedding. Talking to Hot Secrets, Lexx who has taken a break from his studies in Dallas, Texas is in the country for ‘musical reasons’.
Lexx is in Nairobi promoting his new single Pretender that will premiere on Kiss TV on Saturday 31.
“I wrote the song about a year ago, it’s about those people who show off their material wealth and yet they wouldn’t lift a finger to help the less fortunate.”
Moving on to juicier and more interesting stuff, Lexx said he is totally single and he does know 'a Brenda' but he is not planning to marry her.
“I’m single and the claims of me planning to wed are just that rumours.”
The Juu Yako singer denied that he is engaged to Brenda of the Moss Moss fame. “I have never talked to her, all I know is that she is a singer,” adding, “Yes I know a lady called Brenda but we are just friends. When it is the right time to introduce the woman I love to my fans, I want to be the first to do it.”
Here is Lexx and James Kyama at the Kiss Studios during an interview.

RAY C ENDOSES KENYAN ENERGY DRINK; DASH

Tanzanian diva Ray C has been hand picked by the CEO of a Kenyan firm, Adonai Enterprises, to be the brand ambassador for their new energy drink Dash.
The drink is manufactured in Korea and is set to hit the Kenyan market in September.
The CEO of Adonai Enterprises Sadat Muhindi told Hot Secrets, “Ray C is popular and her type of music cuts across all ages just like the drink, it is for all ages including children and pregnant women.”
That said, Ray C will be in Nairobi next week for a series of event scheduled to take place in various towns in the country.
The first show will be at the Summit Club in Nakuru on August 7, followed by the August 13 performance in Westgate Hotel, Mumias this will then culminate into touring other regions like Busia, Kisumu and Eldoret. Part of the proceeds from her tour will go into helping the Maliza Umaskini Youth Empowerment project in Western Kenya.

RAY C ENDOSES KENYAN ENERGY DRINK; DASH

Tanzanian diva Ray C has been hand picked by the CEO of a Kenyan firm, Adonai Enterprises, to be the brand ambassador for their new energy drink Dash.
The drink is manufactured in Korea and is set to hit the Kenyan market in September.
The CEO of Adonai Enterprises Sadat Muhindi told Hot Secrets, “Ray C is popular and her type of music cuts across all ages just like the drink, it is for all ages including children and pregnant women.”
That said, Ray C will be in Nairobi next week for a series of event scheduled to take place in various towns in the country.
The first show will be at the Summit Club in Nakuru on August 7, followed by the August 13 performance in Westgate Hotel, Mumias this will then culminate into touring other regions like Busia, Kisumu and Eldoret. Part of the proceeds from her tour will go into helping the Maliza Umaskini Youth Empowerment project in Western Kenya.

KIMANI MARUGE FILM ‘FIRST GRADER’ TO PREMIERE IN ITALY

Kenya’s oldest primary school student the late Kimani Maruge will be celebrated for his bravery and ambition in search for education.
A biographical film about the 84–year-old student dubbed the First Grader will be screened for the first time at the 67th Venice Film Festival that kicks on September 1 and runs through to September 11.
The movie, currently in post-production, features British and Kenyan movie stars.
The female lead is played by British actress Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean). She plays Jane Obinchu, Maruge’s teacher who got in trouble for allowing him to sit in class with the 6-year-old students.
Kenyan journalist and an actor Oliver Litondo, 62, plays Maruge, an octogenarian who did not let age stop him from taking advantage of the Free Primary School initiative to get the education he always wanted.
Other Kenyan actors cast in the film include John Sibi-Okumu (Chairman of Education), Comedian Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki (DJ Masha), Lydia Gitachu (CNN Journalist), Mumbi Kaigwa (Education Secretary), Ainea Ojiambo (Education Officer), Abubakar Mwenda (Boie), Melvin Alusa (Mr. Mutahi's Aide), Charles Ouda (Adult School Teacher), Gilbert K. Lukalia (Mr. Mutahi, a Politician) and KTN News anchor Michael Oyier (Newsreader).
In addition to the Venice premiere, First Grader has already been accepted for the London Film Festival in November.

KIMANI MARUGE FILM ‘FIRST GRADER’ TO PREMIERE IN ITALY

Kenya’s oldest primary school student the late Kimani Maruge will be celebrated for his bravery and ambition in search for education.
A biographical film about the 84–year-old student dubbed the First Grader will be screened for the first time at the 67th Venice Film Festival that kicks on September 1 and runs through to September 11.
The movie, currently in post-production, features British and Kenyan movie stars.
The female lead is played by British actress Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean). She plays Jane Obinchu, Maruge’s teacher who got in trouble for allowing him to sit in class with the 6-year-old students.
Kenyan journalist and an actor Oliver Litondo, 62, plays Maruge, an octogenarian who did not let age stop him from taking advantage of the Free Primary School initiative to get the education he always wanted.
Other Kenyan actors cast in the film include John Sibi-Okumu (Chairman of Education), Comedian Dan 'Churchill' Ndambuki (DJ Masha), Lydia Gitachu (CNN Journalist), Mumbi Kaigwa (Education Secretary), Ainea Ojiambo (Education Officer), Abubakar Mwenda (Boie), Melvin Alusa (Mr. Mutahi's Aide), Charles Ouda (Adult School Teacher), Gilbert K. Lukalia (Mr. Mutahi, a Politician) and KTN News anchor Michael Oyier (Newsreader).
In addition to the Venice premiere, First Grader has already been accepted for the London Film Festival in November.

GIRL POWER RULES AS KENYAN FILMMAKERS WIN BIG IN RWANDA

This year's edition of the 6th Rwanda Film Festival was punctuated by top Kenyan filmmakers walking away with coveted awards.
Wanuri Kahiu, Hawa Essuman, Ravneet Chadha and actress Ruth Mueni all won awards at held in Kigali.
Wanuri’s Pumzi and Ruth’s role in Chasing Moses won of of them the Peace Basket Award for their contribution in Kenyan cinema.
While Hawa's film Soul Boy and Ravneet's Subira bagged the Best East Africa Film Award.
Jitu Film's Ruth played the role of a witch in Chasing Moses.
She told Hot Secrets, “It was a great fun event. The festival organizers and volunteers were very welcoming and they were great hosts, during my short stay in Kigali and I was treated like a Hollywood Star. The screening was well received by the audience and in the Q&A they asked to submit more Jitu Films in the festival.
"I also felt very proud when all Kenyan women filmmakers that participated in the festival got an award. I would like to thank Jitu Films for giving me the chance not only to act in their movies but also to reprehend them in film festivals abroad and gain all these new cultural experiences.”

GIRL POWER RULES AS KENYAN FILMMAKERS WIN BIG IN RWANDA

This year's edition of the 6th Rwanda Film Festival was punctuated by top Kenyan filmmakers walking away with coveted awards.
Wanuri Kahiu, Hawa Essuman, Ravneet Chadha and actress Ruth Mueni all won awards at held in Kigali.
Wanuri’s Pumzi and Ruth’s role in Chasing Moses won of of them the Peace Basket Award for their contribution in Kenyan cinema.
While Hawa's film Soul Boy and Ravneet's Subira bagged the Best East Africa Film Award.
Jitu Film's Ruth played the role of a witch in Chasing Moses.
She told Hot Secrets, “It was a great fun event. The festival organizers and volunteers were very welcoming and they were great hosts, during my short stay in Kigali and I was treated like a Hollywood Star. The screening was well received by the audience and in the Q&A they asked to submit more Jitu Films in the festival.
"I also felt very proud when all Kenyan women filmmakers that participated in the festival got an award. I would like to thank Jitu Films for giving me the chance not only to act in their movies but also to reprehend them in film festivals abroad and gain all these new cultural experiences.”

SUZZANA OWIYO AND WINYO AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE

SUZZANA OWIYO AND WINYO AT ALLIANCE FRANCAISE

FRENCH ARTIST JR IN KENYA TO LAUNCH BOOK

French artist JR is in Kenya to launch his book : 28 millimeters : Women in Kibera. The book has been specially printed for the Kibera community. The women who took part in JR’s global project will autograph and distribute 500 copies to the community at the MSF compound in Gatwekera, Kibera, on Friday July 30, 2010 from 4.00 p.m. The French Ambassador in Kenya, Elisabeth Barbier, will attend the event.
JR first came to Kenya in 2007. He took photos of the women of Kibera and came back in 2009, to present these photos in an action, where the women’s photos were put on a train that passes through the slum at least two times a day, while the lower parts of the faces were placed on a slope near the railway tracks. This way, the train reconstituted the faces every time it passed by.
In addition, 2000 square meters of rooftops were covered with photos of the eyes and faces of the women of Kibera.

JR and his team are continuing their action by covering 2000 square meters more of rooftops in Kibera, close to the first area. This is part of the actions being supported by the JR foundation.
The JR foundation was created to give a social continuity to his projects, after he has accomplished the artistic action, as he already did in Brazil.
For more information on JR’s work, please visit the site.

FRENCH ARTIST JR IN KENYA TO LAUNCH BOOK

French artist JR is in Kenya to launch his book : 28 millimeters : Women in Kibera. The book has been specially printed for the Kibera community. The women who took part in JR’s global project will autograph and distribute 500 copies to the community at the MSF compound in Gatwekera, Kibera, on Friday July 30, 2010 from 4.00 p.m. The French Ambassador in Kenya, Elisabeth Barbier, will attend the event.
JR first came to Kenya in 2007. He took photos of the women of Kibera and came back in 2009, to present these photos in an action, where the women’s photos were put on a train that passes through the slum at least two times a day, while the lower parts of the faces were placed on a slope near the railway tracks. This way, the train reconstituted the faces every time it passed by.
In addition, 2000 square meters of rooftops were covered with photos of the eyes and faces of the women of Kibera.

JR and his team are continuing their action by covering 2000 square meters more of rooftops in Kibera, close to the first area. This is part of the actions being supported by the JR foundation.
The JR foundation was created to give a social continuity to his projects, after he has accomplished the artistic action, as he already did in Brazil.
For more information on JR’s work, please visit the site.

HASHEEM THABEET FOR KENYAN SPRITE SLAM TOUR

Tanzanian Pro basketball player Hasheem Thabeet will be in the country to scout for the best local talent to join the All African Star Team who will take part in the USA boot camp at the home of NBA.
The three players chosen by Hasheem and the Kenya Basketball Federation will have to be part of the Sprite Slam Tour (SST) that will take seven weeks that will take place is various towns around the country.
The SST targets teens and young adults who have a passion for basketball as well as providing an avenue for self-expression especially for rappers and graffiti artists.
The tour kicks off on July 31 in Kisumu and concludes in September in Nairobi. Others towns hosting the weekend activities include Eldoret, Mombasa and Nyeri.
The best in each region will get to play off against each other in Nairobi at the finals.
Sprite Slam Tour is a Coca-Cola East and Central Africa initiative that targets teens and young adults, who have a passion for basketball, and it also allows them to express their individuality. The other objective of the tour is to raise the profile of basketball in the country while at the same time developing young talent from the grass root level.
Speaking during the tour’s kickoff on July 27, Pamela Mutua, the Coca-Cola’s Senior Franchise Brand Manager Kenya, said that, “Sprite through the Sprite Slam tour, aims at budding and building long last relationships with its target group which is the youth.” She also added that, “the tour will see grassroot basketball develop and nurture talent that can go on to represent the country in the National basketball team or even play in the NBA circles.”
Sprite is targeting youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are fuelled with self belief, want to charter their own course and believe in a world full of possibilities.

HASHEEM THABEET FOR KENYAN SPRITE SLAM TOUR

Tanzanian Pro basketball player Hasheem Thabeet will be in the country to scout for the best local talent to join the All African Star Team who will take part in the USA boot camp at the home of NBA.
The three players chosen by Hasheem and the Kenya Basketball Federation will have to be part of the Sprite Slam Tour (SST) that will take seven weeks that will take place is various towns around the country.
The SST targets teens and young adults who have a passion for basketball as well as providing an avenue for self-expression especially for rappers and graffiti artists.
The tour kicks off on July 31 in Kisumu and concludes in September in Nairobi. Others towns hosting the weekend activities include Eldoret, Mombasa and Nyeri.
The best in each region will get to play off against each other in Nairobi at the finals.
Sprite Slam Tour is a Coca-Cola East and Central Africa initiative that targets teens and young adults, who have a passion for basketball, and it also allows them to express their individuality. The other objective of the tour is to raise the profile of basketball in the country while at the same time developing young talent from the grass root level.
Speaking during the tour’s kickoff on July 27, Pamela Mutua, the Coca-Cola’s Senior Franchise Brand Manager Kenya, said that, “Sprite through the Sprite Slam tour, aims at budding and building long last relationships with its target group which is the youth.” She also added that, “the tour will see grassroot basketball develop and nurture talent that can go on to represent the country in the National basketball team or even play in the NBA circles.”
Sprite is targeting youth between the ages of 16 and 24 who are fuelled with self belief, want to charter their own course and believe in a world full of possibilities.