ANGELINA JOLIE’S CINEMA MESSAGE TO KENYANS

Kenyan cinemagoers will be able to see the special message recorded by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie for World Refugee Day when they visit a Fox Cinema from June 17.
The 30-second message, specially recorded for World Refugee Day (WRD), will be screened before all movies in every Fox cinema in the run up to WRD on Monday 20 June and in the days after the global event and officially launches UNHCR’s “1” global media campaign ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20. In the message, UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is asking Kenyans to do 1 thing to help refugees.



To mark the occasion and this year's 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, UNHCR is launching a six-month campaign aimed at promoting public awareness of the stories of individual refugees and other forcibly displaced people. The campaign will feature a number of media products including a video by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, a new online video experience called “1 Life, 1 Story” in which refugees tell their own stories, and related publicity materials inviting members of the public to get involved and Do 1 Thing to help refugees, such as follow UNHCR on Facebook and Twitter.



UNHCR is also inviting members of the public and media organizations alike to engage and support the campaign via their news and blog sites. For interested media organizations, online digital banners are available for this purpose. Join us in letting others know that even one person forced to flee war or persecution, is one too many.

ANGELINA JOLIE’S CINEMA MESSAGE TO KENYANS

Kenyan cinemagoers will be able to see the special message recorded by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie for World Refugee Day when they visit a Fox Cinema from June 17.
The 30-second message, specially recorded for World Refugee Day (WRD), will be screened before all movies in every Fox cinema in the run up to WRD on Monday 20 June and in the days after the global event and officially launches UNHCR’s “1” global media campaign ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20. In the message, UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie is asking Kenyans to do 1 thing to help refugees.



To mark the occasion and this year's 60th anniversary of the UN Refugee Convention, UNHCR is launching a six-month campaign aimed at promoting public awareness of the stories of individual refugees and other forcibly displaced people. The campaign will feature a number of media products including a video by UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, a new online video experience called “1 Life, 1 Story” in which refugees tell their own stories, and related publicity materials inviting members of the public to get involved and Do 1 Thing to help refugees, such as follow UNHCR on Facebook and Twitter.



UNHCR is also inviting members of the public and media organizations alike to engage and support the campaign via their news and blog sites. For interested media organizations, online digital banners are available for this purpose. Join us in letting others know that even one person forced to flee war or persecution, is one too many.

JOSE MOURINHO GETS HIS KENYAN BRACELET, FINALLY!

The ‘Special One' a.k.a Jose Mourinho, finally got the Sh500, 000 Tanzanite gold bracelet that he ordered made to his specifications during his holiday in Kenya's coastal town, Mombasa.
The Real Madrid boss left the South Coast’s Ukunda airstrip on July 10 on a private plane to Wilson airport to fly back to Europe after a three-week holiday in the country, with his family in Diani's Alamanara Cottage, left before the customized bracelet was completed.
Now, according to reports, he finally had the bracelet sent to him by the manager of Diani Jeweler.

JOSE MOURINHO GETS HIS KENYAN BRACELET, FINALLY!

The ‘Special One' a.k.a Jose Mourinho, finally got the Sh500, 000 Tanzanite gold bracelet that he ordered made to his specifications during his holiday in Kenya's coastal town, Mombasa.
The Real Madrid boss left the South Coast’s Ukunda airstrip on July 10 on a private plane to Wilson airport to fly back to Europe after a three-week holiday in the country, with his family in Diani's Alamanara Cottage, left before the customized bracelet was completed.
Now, according to reports, he finally had the bracelet sent to him by the manager of Diani Jeweler.

KENYAN POET FEARS FOR HIS LIFE

Poet, singer and actor Grand Master Masese fears for his life after a series of bizarre phone incidences in the past week.

On Friday night, he received an SMS threatening his life. It read: “Umekua ukijifanya mjanja but mwisho wako umefika” (You think you are clever but your end is here).”

Grand Master said: “I have for a while now, been getting weird numbers calling, when I pick up they say it’s a wrong number. Now after I received the SMS on Saturday I decided to report the matter at the Central police station on Saturday.” The police advised him to ignore the message and that they will follow up with telephone service provider.

Known for his controversial poems, the ‘Obokano’ playing performer says his phone woes began immediately after coming from the UK Hay festival a while back.
“I’d hate to say this but I guess some people in the industry are not happy with my rise,” he said.
Grand Master, who made a debut screen appearance as a cop in the Citizen TV drama series Waridi, has since sent the SMS to a civil rights organisation, Fahamu Kenya, for record keeping.

Top Model Oluchi Refuses To Wear Sylvia Awori’s Dress

Nigerian born model Oluchi Onweagba pulled a Naomi Campbell diva tantrum at the just concluded Arise Africa Fashion Week at Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre.
Ugandan Sylvia Owori - who also has a shop in Nairobi - had a taste of Oluchi’s divadom. According to our source, Oluchi refused to walk the runway wearing a Sylvia Owori outfit after a run in with one of the show’s producers.

“Sylvia ended up not showcasing her closing dress considering that she had spent hours making adjustment on the design to fit Oluchi, the previous night,” our source said.
There was also a rampant rumour that Oluchi, who is expected to host the inaugural West Africa’s Next Top Model TV show, earned a total of Sh64 million from the event.

However, Kenyan native Ajuma Nasanyana who is also the face of Vivienne Westwood, saved the day by agreeing to wear Sylvia’s dress for the Look Book, which is a designers portfolio with the products displayed on the runway.
While Angela Angwenyi, the Sylvia’s Kenyan PR representative and Classic 105 radio presenter would not confirm or deny the story but simply commented that Oluchi and Sylvia Owori seemed on good terms at an after party in Johannesburg. “Oluchi’s agency even sent Sylvia flowers after the fashion show,” Angela added.
The event took place from June 12 to June 20 and featured unique designs by 51 African fashion designers from 13 different African nations and models from all over the continent.

Jitu’s Banned Movie Now Showing in Rwanda

The Kenyan horror film “OTTO the Blood Bath” banned in the country will premiered later this month at the Rwanda Film Festival (www.rwandafilmfestival.org). Just to remind you “OTTO the Blood Bath” was banned by Kenya Film Cencorship Board that deemed it “Too Horrific even to an adult…” and “…contains too much blood and dead bodies”.
Anyho, other Jitu Films; Mob Doc, R2 Security and Zeinabu Rudi Nyumbani will also be screened in Kigali, as well. The festival will take place between June 18 and 26. All Jitu films will get two screenings. For OTTO June 20 will be it’s World Premier.
Here are the dates of the screenings:

MOB DOC: 19 & 22/06
R2 Security: 21 & 23/06
Zeinabu Rudi Nyumbani: 21 &22/06
OTTO the Blood Bath: 20 & 23/06

All four Jitu Films also participating at the award competition for the Best East African Film that will be held in Kigali on the 26th of June. This is just a day before the Kenyan Kalasha Awards that will be held on the 27th of June where “Zeinabu Rudi Nyumbani” is nominated for the best short film award.

Jitu Films Arise After Their Horror Film Is Banned!

After the dashing news of “OTTO: The blood bath” ban by the Kenyan Film Censorship Board (KFCB), Jitu Films, the film company that was slapped with the ban have received some good news on another movie they produced.
The romantic tearjerker film “ZEINABU RUDI NYUMBANI” was nominated for the best short film award in the Kalasha Awards. According to a statement sent out to news rooms, they mention the fact that one government body “is banning us and the other is recognizing and promoting our efforts!”
Anyho, ZEINABU RUDI NYUMBANI is Jitu’s top selling film (followed very close by R2 Security and Mob Doc) and amongst others is featuring Eric Wainaina, as himself!
The movie is about DEDAN (Joseph Kamau Kinuthia) and ZEINABU (Josephine Kamwenga) who are happily married, and live a bucolic and simple life on the countryside. But when city man KAVILA (Morris Mwadulo) arrives, asking for help with his broken-down car, he sets about seducing ZEINABU. Initially she resists but when her husband takes her for granted, ZEINABU decides to leave home with KAVILA. Jackie Nyaminde (Who plays Papa Shirandula’s wife) is also appearing as Kavila’s evil mother!
Jitu Films is asking for your support in the soon to be opened voting process on www.kalashaawards.co.ke.

Kenyan Murder Mystery On Cable TV

Thomas Cholmondeley leaving the court was featured on Crime & Investigation Channel

An exclusive one-hour television documentary about the recent court case in Nairobi of The Right Honourable Tom Cholmondeley was shown on the Crime and Investigation Channel on DsTV on May 13.
The programme has been made by Tom’s relation Fiona Cunningham-Reid for the channel with unprecedented access including filming in court in-depth interviews with the Cholmondeley family, Tom’s partner Sally Dudmesh, Mr Njoya’s widow and the legal team.
Mr Cholmondeley was been found guilty of manslaughter for shooting Robert Njoya; a trespasser on his 58,000 acre Rift Valley estate. The incident happened in May 2006 when he was out on his estate and came across a gang of poachers.
It was not the first time he has been accused of killing a person. The court case has taken almost 3 years to reach this finale and the story has been one that has its roots back in the history of colonial Africa.
Audiences are invited not to miss out on the true accounts of what happened on that eventful day on DStv channel 255 on Wednesday, May 13 at 20:30 CAT.
He was sentenced on May 14 to 8 months in jail.

Photo/Courtesy MultiChoice

KTN Dominates the CNN MultiChoice Awards

Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2009 Competition were announced on Tuesday by Azubuike Ishiekwene, Chair of the independent judging panel. The competition is now in its 14th year.
On the list are three KTN journalist; John-Allan Namu, James Moturi Mogaka and John Benson Mwangi. Others are Sammy Muraya of Metro FM, Boniface Mwangi of Expression Today and K24’s Violet Otindo.
The winners of the competition will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening at The International Convention
Centre, Durban, South Africa on Saturday 18th July.


Isha Sesay

The hosts for the evening will be Isha Sesay, presenter of CNN weekly programme ‘Inside Africa’, joined on stage by South African eNews Channel presenter Macfarlane Molele.
This year the recipient of the Free Press Africa Award is Nicaise Kibel’bel Oka, of Les Coulisses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is awarded this prize, for his work in the DRC, and also in recognition of all the journalists in the DRC who have put their lives at risk in telling the story. There are three journalists in particular that we would like to mention who were murdered fulfilling their professional duties:
Pascal Kabungulu (killed 31st July 2005)
Serge Maheshe (killed 13th June, 2007)
Didace Namujimbo (killed 23rd November 2008)

New Safaricom Tunes

Safaricom have come up with a new service whereby if you call me and am busy, you get to listen to music as opposed to other tones. Anyhow, here is the invite. You are welcome.

Proof Obama Is Coming To Kenya

HOT SHOT: Barack Obama

Goss making the round is that United States President Barack Obama could visit Kenya in August for a conference of sorts.
The Son of K’Ogelo might use the Eighth forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to make his first trip to the African continent since he was elected US President.
You know why I think this is true? Well, because the last meeting was held in Arusha, Tanzania, last year and George W. Bush attended it.

Why You Should Boycott Sex

KTN's News Anchor Esther Arunga is now a certified lawyer!

Esther Arunga the TV personality who also appeared in a Hollywood blockbuster was yesterday admitted to the bar. Esther took the oath at the High Court in a swearing in ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Evans Gicheru.
The TV anchor, who is now a qualified lawyer sworn to solemnly do nothing dishonest, and not obstruct any cause of action for personal gain or malice – You know, the whole lawyer oath. The fresh-faced KTN Anchor was an extra in a blink and you miss her scene in the first Spiderman movie.

Photo/ Jeptum Chesiyna

Battle for the Copa Coca Cola Theme song

Today three Kenyan entertainers, Ulopa, Collo and Rachel, will find out who amongst them will be the voice for the theme song for ongoing COPA Coca-Cola games.
The song, which will cost Sh500,000 to produce will be the theme song for the final stages of the football tournament played this Saturday. The lucky singer will also get to perform at the event, which marks the end of tournament that has been going on for the last two months.
The three acts, all of whom are signed to the Ulopa Ngoma Label have already composed a song each and competitions on local radio stations are ongoing to select one of the songs as voted by the listeners. The three come from different backgrounds, musically.
Rapper Collo recently released his final album and announced that he was retiring from music but now might have to change his plans if he wins. While Ulopa is known as both a producer and singer, Rachel has honed her skills working as Eric Wainaina’s back-up singer.
Coca-Cola Kenya, Marketing Manager Pamela Mutua says that Coca-Cola has been promoting talent among the youth through sports and now music. This is just one of the company’s promotions for the year. There are plans to bring the World Cup trophy to Nairobi this November.

Allan Namu and Mohammed Ali 'in hidding'?

Word making the rounds claim that KTM investigative reporters John Allan Namu and Mohammed Ali are in hiding following death threats.
Well, let me clue yu why the two would be stashed away somwhere abroad.
two weeks a go they did a major, investigative peice that shook the nation. ‘Track it’ was in the middle of it. The TV feature potrayed Track It as defrauding customers by not fitting car track devices which could help in case of a car jacking.
however, Linus Kaikai the Managing Editor of KTN revealed, “We are not aware of any threats. We knew the story was a sensitive one, so we had them take a break. They are not in hiding but have taken a normal break and will be back to work soon.”

HACKERS ATTACK EZEKIEL MUTUA’S E-MAIL ADDRESS

Early yesterday morning the director of information Ezekiel Mutua sent out an email all his contacts asking them to disregard any distress call e-mail purportedly sent by him.
The email read: “This is to inform you that somebody, unknown to me, has hacked my personal email facility and has been sending messages to my contacts, claiming that I am stranded in Nigeria and urgently require $3000 (Sh240,000) to bail me out. I wish to assure you that I am in Nairobi and safe, and that I am not in any way connected to the person or people spreading the malicious rumour.”
The former secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), then said that as a result of the hack job, he has changed his email address.

Shaffie escapes unhurt from car crash

Kiss FM presenter and self proclaimed playboy Shaffie Weru escaped unhurt after he was involved in an accident where his silver/grey Land Rover overturned three times in the city centre early on Saturday morning.
Nonchalantly narrating his ordeal Shaffie said, “The bull bars are what helped me, it rolled four times after hitting the poles that are erected by the roadside on the pavement.”
The accident was on Haile Selassie Avenue. Riding with him in the car were the singer/producer Ulopa and The Kleptomanic’s manager, Martin. They all escaped without a scratch.

Talented musicians get chance to attend Berklee

Berklee College of Music whose list of alumni includes Eric Wainaina, Victor Seii and the rest of the Five Alive boy band, is offering music scholarships for African talent. The Roger Brown and Linda Mason Presidential Scholarship is an opportunity for gifted African musicians who lack the financial means to study. They plan to hold auditions and interviews in Nairobi on June 2 and 3, 2009.
The candidates who get awarded the scholarships will study in the collage that has produced musical greats like Quincy Jones the producer, music arranger and composer and John Mayer the guitarist and songwriter.
The scholarships are part of Berklee’s program to enhance the school’s presence in Africa, increasing awareness of Berklee among African musicians and encouraging the already impressive roster of Berklee alumni from Africa to actively support this scholarship and Berklee.
The venue will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.berklee.com

April fool’s spoof: DNA dating Linda Muthama

Were you fooled?
Well, Yesterday i posted a story on rapper DNA dating singer Linda Muthama. This was not true, it was our little joke. Both artistes were in on it. Speaking to DNA he revealed, “It actually worked, I got calls some questioning me and others berating me. It was fun.”