GHANAIAN PRODUCER IN TOWN FOR FILM WORKSHOP

Ghanaian actor and director Ruffy Samuel has been in the country for a series of film making workshops.
Ruffy said the initiative is a joint collaboration between the Kenya government’s ministry of youth and sports and Unicef.
“I aim at bringing the best from the West and mix it with the best in the East to come up with a film industry that the youth can sustain their life off,” Ruffy said, “The same model was used in Nigeria and Ghana and it worked quite well.”
Ruffy who arrived in Nairobi last Monday, hosted a weeklong training for young filmmakers at Machakos Garden Hotel.
“Kenya has great potential for a country with a population of 43 million, the film industry can flourish beyond imagination. Ghana only has 23 million people and the industry is a success, Think of the possibilities and opportunities form employment the industry will offer,” he said, adding, “This collaboration will see my company Yong Father Productions bring together talent from Ghana and Kenya to work together. After the training, we will also shoot the first ever West and East African movie here in Kenya with the young filmmakers.”
Ruffy is not new to acting, he was nominated in the Most Promising Actor Category at the African Movie Academy Awards in 2009. Most recently he is up for another nomination at the Ghana Movie Awards slotted for December 25, where he has been nominated for The Best Actor in Leading Role for the movie Love & Lust. He is up against heartthrob actor Van Vicker.

SHEILA GETS 2-YEAR COSMETIC DEAL WITH USA COMPANY

Big Brother Africa star, Sheila Kwamboka has bagged a two-year deal as the face of Vovi Cosmetics, Africa.
Sheila signed on as the brand ambassador for the company’s range of beauty products, which originated from the USA and has now launched into African market.
The vast range of Vovi includes Body Mist Fragrances, Today Man Fragrance, Vovi Deep Pore Cleanser, Acne Treatment, and Vovi Perfumes among others.

BEYONCE CLARIFIES TMK-PROMOTER CON SAGA

The founder of Coast Awards Julia Achieng known by her industry moniker Beyonce is distancing herself from the saga where Tanzanian rapper Chege of The Wanaume TMK was conned by a female promoter.
“As soon as the story was out on The Star on Thursday, I got numerous calls from people asking if I was the female promoter who took Chege’s money and phone,” She said, “This is why I’m hard pressed to explain that I don’t mix business with pleasure. Those who watched Kiss TV when the saga aired know who the promoter is.”



On Kiss TV's Hot Source, Chege revealed to the show’s host Jaymz Kiama that Eve Queen was the promoter in the Sunday morning saga at the Mamba Village.
Numerous calls to Eve for comment still went unanswered.

PRESENTERS GO HUNGRY FOR CHARITY

Diana

Staring Sunday (December 19), three radio presenters will be locked up in a glass house for six days without food, as part of the international program dubbed Serious Request.
The Glass House constructed on the grounds in front of Hilton Hotel and has an inbuilt studio from where they will broadcast, will be their abode till Christmas Eve.
The three, Diana, Mbusi and Violessa all from Ghetto Radio, will go without food to show their support full commitment to the issues with AIDS.


Violessa

The theme for this year will emphasize on prevention of HIV/AIDS and the hardships AIDS orphans undergo.
It is expected that the Kenyan audience will have a chance to send in non-stop song requests all six days and nights. HIV testing will also be carried out on the grounds.
Meanwhile a full entertainment program will be executed in front of the Glass House with basically all major Kenyan celebrities involved including Jamaican singer Ginjah.


Mbusi

The show will also be running simultaneously in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden. It is supported by Nairobi City Council, Hilton Hotel and Liverpool VCT.

LARRY ASEGO DONATES KITS IN KIBERA

Once again, Kiss 100’s Larry Asego together with well wishers donated football kits to children’s in Kibera and Pumwani.
“I received over whelming support from well-wishers who donated footballs, boots, socks, shorts and tops. What started as a donation for two teams accrued to a lot more that I expected. We managed to get kits for four football teams, one in Kibera, Pumwani, Rabai and a girl’s team in Kilifi. We handed the first set of kits to San Siro United at the Woodley grounds in Kibera,” an elated Larry told Hot Secrets.




So far, Larry’s cause to groom and raise the future football champs has seen corporates take up the cause as well.
“Rotaract Club Westlands has taken up the challenge and adopted the Kilifi girls team whose kits, they will hand over before the end of the year. Other commendable contributions came from Priya Chana of PC Communications and Fatou who donated football kits. Jennifer Asego of World Bank bought lunch for the team and the boys.”



Their next donation will be to the team in Rabai and Kilifi before they break for Christmas. Larry’s parting shot, “Ministry of Rugby, I will be knocking on your doors next.”

REMEMBER WHEN RUTO’S LYRICS TOPED TWITTER LIST?

William Ruto was among the top three trending list with the hash tag #Rutoplaylist. The former minister of higher learning who jetted out to the Hague to meet with the ICC prosecutor Moreno Ocampo, early December.
Ruto is receiving a lot of attention on the social site, he comes a close third after tweets about Lil Wayne’s release from prison with the hash tag #weezysfirsttweetfromjail.
The tags on #Rutoplaylist, saw tweeps compose lyrics and come up with a play list that suited Ruto’s Hague visit. The various tweets came not only from the Kenyan Tweeter users but worldwide.
Some of the tweet read: “Ruto to Ocampo – I’m Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston”, “Corrs-What Can I do to make u love me #rutoplaylist”, “The crime you want to charge I-Man for, it's not possible, and I am not guilty - Burning Spear”, “Dear Mama by Tupac, 'I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell, huggin on my mama from a jail cell'” and finally . “Siendi Kenchic, pengine Hague #rutoplaylist,” borrowed from Chris Adwar and the Villagers Band single Kenchic.
Other tweets that listed song titles reminiscent Ruto’s position include Gone Since November – Wyclef Jean, Akon - Locked Up, Runaway - Kanye West, Money Power Respect – LOX, Dunia Mbaya - Princess July, SOS – Rihanna and It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy.

MAXIMUM MELODIES LAUNCH ALBUM

Gospel group Maximum Melodies launched their fourth album on December 5 at Embassy Cinema, Nairobi.
The album dubbed Manze Ni God has been produced by Cedo and Billy Frank of Mello Max studios.



Guest artistes who attended the launch are Pastor Pius Muiru, founder of Maximum Miracle Centre and other gospel acts like MOG, Betty Bayo and Mr T.
The 2005 KORA award winners have revealed that they will be recruiting a younger group called Maximum Melody Kids.

KISS TV LAUNCHES

Kiss TV launched it’s new look programming this month. The station has invested heavily in unique and fresh programmes that are set to keep its viewers glued to it. For the first time ever the biggest a station will offer the best in African movies, soaps, telenovelas, Kids programming, reality shows and free to air championship matches.
Lovers of soaps will be assailed by an intense yet very passionate Venezuelan telenovela called Sabor A Ti. The worldwide success of this novela is mainly because of the Oscar/Emmy award winner Ana Karina Manco who plays Miranda Valladares. Be sure to make a date with the cast everyday from 7pm. Another daily show is Tinsel Town, which will for the first time be free to air daily at 6:30pm, after a successful deal with DSTV.



African movie lovers will also have their Naija Night and a the Swahili movie fans will also get a series dubbed Unfaithful about a politician and his three lovers who eventually gang up against him.
Reality show, Knowledge Hour will host the world’s controversial personality Julian Assange of the Wiki Leaks fame, in it’s first episode. The show will be on every Sunday. Joey Greco will also join the reality TV fray as the host of the popular Cheaters. It will run daily for an hour in the evenings. And those who missed out on the Joey Greco episodes get ready to crack your ribs as you meet up with the cast of the political satire daily.



Industry analyst predicts that the relaunch of Kiss TV will shake up the Kenyan TV market. Head of Kiss TV, Makari Kitui said, “I’m excited about the new programming and I expect that kit will change TV viewing in Kenya with a promise for more than you can imagine.”
Managing Director of the rapidly expanding Media Initiative East Africa, George Lutta described the Kiss TV line up as a “really good move” that will provide a “strong and viable alternative” for the viewers.
To celebrate the launch Kiss TV will broadcast at 11pm tonight the Liverpool Vs FC Utrecht FC match which is part of the deal to access to live matches from the Champion league, Europe, Bundesliga and the highlights from the La Liga matches.

BEN AFFLECK WANTS TO MAKE MOVIE ABOUT CONGO

With the success of DRC Congo’s star singer Fally Ipupa during the MAMAs, now Oscar-winning screenwriter, actor, director and now Africa advocate Ben Affleck wants to make a movie about the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo but has found no Hollywood taker yet.
"I would love to make a movie about Congo, but unfortunately Hollywood folks claim that nobody wants to see a movie about Africa," said Affleck, who earlier this year founded the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) advocacy group.



Affleck was speaking after launching a report by his advocacy group, which calls for the United States to lead an international effort to bring stability to the troubled eastern Congo or risk the Great Lakes region becoming "another failure of humanity."
The Congo was riven by devastating back-to-back wars that began in the 1990s and ended early this century after claiming some 3.5 million lives.
Affleck directed, wrote and co-starred in bank heist movie "The Town" and has a slew of awards to his name, including a 1998 Oscar for the screenplay of "Good Will Hunting." He is among a growing number of stars who use their celebrity to raise awareness of global crises.

WYRE SCOOPS NIGERIA’S SOUND CITY AWARD IN ABSENTIA

Wyre and Tu Face at a past event

Wyre the Love Child was awarded the Best East African act late last month in the Sound City awards held in Nigeria.
The awards, which are meant to bridge the gap in African music to the rest of the world, took place on November 20 in Lagos. “I'm really excited about clinching the award. There was some stiff competition in my category, but I thank God for coming through,” he told Hot Secrets.
The Sina Makosa star did not attend the ceremony saying, “I was scheduled to attend a music workshop prior to my invitation, but my agent in Nigeria attended the awards and accepted it on my behalf.”
Another Kenyan who was nominated for the awards has a bone to pick with the organisers. Yvonne Darcq who was nominated in the best RnB category said, “The event organizers have been avoiding us and cut contacts with us yet they claim we are part of the awards,” adding that, the organizers failed to send flight tickets to facilitate for their travel to Lagos for the ceremony.



Anyhow, Wyre believes his win validates his entry into the West African market. “I think doors are definitely opening up for me in the Nigerian market. Winning this award leaves me no doubt about it. I've done a collaboration album with a number of Nigerian artists scheduled for release this December. It features P-Square, Banky W, MI, Kel, Faze and Malam Spicey. I'm sure this will help me solidify my market there.”

TMK WANAUME’S CHEGE: COAST PROMOTER EVE IS A CON!

Tanzanian rapper Chege Chigunda, a member of the hip hop clique TMK Wanaume claims that on his last performance contracted by controversial promoter Eve Queen at Mombasa's Mamba Village, he was left broke and without his phone.
The rapper who is recently in Nairobi shooting a video with Nonini alleged that after his performance, he was paid in full by Eve Queen who later trailed him back to his room and made passes at him.
On resisting, Eve called the cops on him claiming he had taken her money. “I had to give her back the money and my iPhone as well, I addition to the humiliation she got me kicked out of the hotel I had to pay for my accommodation,” Chege said.
Numerous calls to Eve for comment went unanswered.

UK TOP PRODUCER FOR MUSIC WEEK

Ben Mandelson a UK record producer and A&R manager / house producer for the influential GlobeStyle Records label in London was in the country for the Kenya Music Week that kicked off from December 9 to 12.
Ben was the keynote speaker at Kenya Music week, a four-day public celebration of Kenyan music featuring a daily trade exhibition, industry conferences, public educational workshops and daily showcase performances by exhibiting musicians and other upcoming talent.
For this label he produced artistes in many parts of Europe and other continents - 99 releases so far – including those from Kenya, leading to international releases of Luhya, Taarab and Luo traditional and benga music like the late D.O. Misiani.
Most recent recording in Africa was in Ghana, with the revered guitar troubadour Koo Nimo and his ensemble, to be released in 2011.
Ben is the WOMEX Founding Director of the event where world music professionals from all over the globe converge. The 16th edition held in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the second year, saw 2440 delegates from 94 countries attended the event that began with 200 delegates in Berlin in 1994. The event took place last month.

YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA LAUNCHES DOCUMENTARY IN NAIROBI

Legendary South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, screened her 52 minutes long documentary film titled The Motherland Tour: The Journey Of the African Woman, at the Red Court Hotel, Nairobi early December.
The documentary shows Yvonne’s tour to various African countries revealing how women and children of the continent suffer from easily cured diseases due to the lack of access to basic health services.
The movie narrated by the Princess of Africa who is also the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Goodwill Ambassador has premiered in 12 locations all over the world.
Described as entertaining, important and timely, the documentary centres it’s attention on the women’s empowerment, education and poverty.
Yvonne was also in the country to launch the Roll Back Malaria progress and impact report series before she jetted out to her home country yesterday morning in preparation for a similar launch in Johannesburg on Friday.
“The launches of these reports and documentary, demonstrated how communities are taking charge of their health needs that are being availed by the government, NGOs and Development partners. This clearly shows that investments put in Malaria and health saves lives thus the need to sustain these health interventions,” said Edwards Mwangi, KeNAAM CEO.
KeNAAM is a network of Kenyan civil society organisations working to eradicate malaria in Kenya.”

VALERIE KIMANI ON PAM AWARDS AND COMEBACK

Though singer Valerie Kimani missed out on receiving the Ugandan Pam Award for Best Female Kenya which went to Wahu, the nomination is “rewarding” for her.
The Besame Mucho star told Hot Secrets, “To be nominated is a real honour, and especially to be placed in the same category with heavyweights such as Wahu, Amani and Suzanna Owiyo is quite a reward in itself. The prospect of my music getting into new territory is also very rewarding for me as an artist. And after being
away from the industry for quite some time it's such a wonderful welcome.”
Valerie was one of the performers at the Sierra Jazz Festival at the Bomas of Kenya early this month which was headlined by jazz maestro Jonathan Butler.
“I'm mainly focusing on getting my fans to see and hear more of my work. I'd like them to experience my band and my sound more. I feel I have grown and I'm challenging myself to soar to even greater heights,” she said.

RUGBY STARS JOIN GENDER VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

The Sevens Team who have been ambassadors for the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC), a unit in the Nairobi Women’s Hospital since 2009. Have renewed their commitment for the cause, to create awareness about gender-based violence and to promote the message of positive masculinity.
They were part of the annual Safaricom Foundation GVRC, fundraising dinner last month. Themed A Million Fathers And Daughters – loving, caring and protecting women and girls against violence, rugby dads, Benjamin Ayimba, Humphrey Kayange and Dennis Mwanja say suporting the cause comes from the numerous media reports on gender violence that are now been viewed as “normal occurrences.”



“I’m creating awareness knowing that I want this to change to facilitate for a better future for my daughter,” Dennis said. While Ayimba added, “Since rugby players are viewed as macho and for that reason we want to appeal to the men to be more gentle on how they handle their women and spouses.”
The team visited the centre and met with survivors and developed a documentary that is used to create awareness about their role.
The proceeds from the dinner went towards supporting the treatment and care of survivors of gender-based violence in the country.

KENYAN AUTHOR AWARDED IN THE US

George Gachara, an author and the co-founder of the United Nations supported Picha Mtaani peace-building initiative was awarded at this year’s Youth Action Net in America on October 6 at an invitation-only ceremony held at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC.
Nobel Laureate Martti Ahtisaari of Finland, Finnish Ambassador to the U.S. Pekka Lintu and Kirsi Sormunen, Vice President of Sustainability at Nokia, presented awards.
“I am overwhelmed by the recognition and support the global community has extended to me and my team!” George told Hot Secrets via mail, “I have a deep sense that we are not alone trying to make our societies change. I feel that there is also a need to deepen my work with understanding and innovation.
“I am in the USA for a month, I come back in November. My schedule includes speaking engagements in four states i.e. a university in Indianapolis, Washington State University, St Louis and Univerity of New York.
“After the award, I was treated to a reception at the US department of state; hosted by the Department of state under secretary Maria Otero. This award is coincides with the release of my first book titled set for a November release The Reverse Is True.
Each year, 20 outstanding young leaders are selected for the Global Fellowship program. Through the 12-month program, Fellows participate in a weeklong retreat in Washington, D.C. and benefit from leadership development, skill-building, networking, and advocacy opportunities. "Youth Action Net was created in the belief that an emerging movement of young change-makers had the power to deliver transformative innovations," said IYF President and CEO William S. Reese.
"Congratulations to each of this year's Fellows, all of whom have bold plans for deepening and expanding their work," said Nokia's Kirsi Sormunen.

NICHOLAS CAGE TALKS ABOUT TRIP TO KENYAN PRISON

American actor Nicolas Cage and Goodwill Ambassador for Global Justice for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), spoke of the anguish of victims, especially the young, of organized crimes around the world, urging States to join a UN pact designed to fight the scourge.
Cage recalled his mission with UNODC to Kenya, last year where he met a 15-year-old boy who is serving a 10-year jail term in the Kenyan city of Mombasa after he was captured as part of a group of marine pirates off the coast of Somalia.
“[Fifteen-year-old] Rashad is considered a criminal because he was a pirate. But it is important to recognize that he is also a victim of transnational organized crime. We must not forget there are many kinds of victims of organized crime, and that children are among the most vulnerable,” Cage said.
“Organized crime is a deadly infection that preys on human beings. It sows fear and violence in cities, towns and villages around the world. Its poison spreads quickly, damaging communities and institutions-sometimes to the point of failure. It targets vulnerable states and regions weakened by conflict, lawlessness, extreme poverty and corruption. It feeds off instability, and also makes instability worse,” he added.
The Convention was adopted in 2000 in Palermo, Italy, and is the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime.

EMMANUEL JAL'S PEACE SONG FEATURING ALICIA KEYS AND GEORGE CLOONEY

Emmanuel Jal has been on the fore front to highlight the issues that face Southern Sudan after the January 9 referendum. The single We Want Peace is a call for peace, protection and justice for all in Sudan and also for an end to conflicts affecting innocent people all around the world.
In his weblog, Jal says, "My country is on the brink of war. On January 9, Southern Sudan will vote for its independence to be free from a government who has slaughtered and displaced our people for 43 years. The country is currently led by a regime bent on controlling oil resources.



"80% of Sudan's oil fields are in the south, making it a prime battleground to displace our indigenous people. Both north and south are preparing for war, leaving innocent people at grave risk of major human rights violations. The last civil war between North and South claimed over 2 million lives, including my own mother."



We Want Peace features the legendary Peter Gabriel and a host of other big shot celebrities like George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Kofi Annan and Richard Branson among others all calling for peace.
Here is the music video shot in Kenya...

HOUSE COMES DOWN FOR TPF WINNER DAVIS IN UGANDA

It was a night to remember for Davis Ntare, the Tusker Project Fame Season 4 winner as he received a huge welcome at his homecoming party at Club Silk last weekend. The over 500 guests that consisted of Ugandan celebrities, family, friends and fans gave him a standing ovation as he walked into the club as the screens around the club played the video Am A Winner that features all the TPF4 contestants.





Caught by surprise over the huge reception, Davis nearly came to tears, but he quickly gained his composure and begun a victory dance with family members and friends who turned up in huge numbers to share in his victory.
Renowned Ugandan artist Coco Finger kicked off the performances with his two popular hits, Mikono Wagulu and My Miss.



Davis then took to the stage to thank his fans. He was joined by his family to cut a cake that he shared with all the guests who turned up. Playing the perfect host, Davis Ntare walked around the club serving his guests. Minutes later, he performed his song Yegwe and Shake A Shake.
Davis thanked all his fans but most importantly East African Breweries for creating Tusker Project Fame. “I thank EABL for devoting their time and resources to developing music talent,” he said.

Bebe Cool, one of Uganda’s finest artists crowned the night with his big hits, Bogola Kko and Kasepiki. Just before he left the stage, he volunteered some words of wisdom. “There are two things involved in becoming a good artist. You have to work hard and sing from your heart. Don’t let anyone bring you down,” he advised.



Davis’ story is one of perseverance and determination as he was sent back home during TPF 3’s gala show. He auditioned for a second time at the beginning of this season in Uganda and Kenya.
He finally made it into the Academy and was so overwhelmed with emotion during this year’s opening gala night that he took to his knees in gratitude. That determination paid off when he was crowned the winner on Sunday December 5, 2010.
Davis’ win crowned eight weeks of high-octane entertainment that was filled with surprises, twists and best of all, talent.

THE VASELINE COCOA BUTTER GALA DINNER

Sheila with winner Jane Wangari

Unilever hosted the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Gala dinner at The Sarova Stanley Hotel to reward one of the lucky winner, Jane Wangari with a trip for two to Cape Town, South Africa for one week after successful completion of a marketing campaign dubbed “Ignite Your Natural Glow.”
Jane Wangari, poet and a Marketer with real estate agent, Maxima Ventures will be travelling with her almost two years old baby, Zion Ng’otho and her fiancé Ng’otho Macharia.
The Vaseline Cocoa Butter Gala dinner was organized after the culmination of a 6-month long marketing campaign which was aimed at rewarding its most loyal consumers in an effort to drive the awareness of the new look lotions range and increase its market share.
“Today, we are gathered here for a journey to celebrate the beautiful skin of the Kenyan women, by giving it a credible voice. Through the dynamic emotions surrounding skin and the functionality of Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion, we will showcase how our skin has the ability to glow,” said Susan Njagah, Unilever-Kenya Brand Category Manager.



Over the years, Vaseline as a brand has always aspired to help people achieve a healthy skin. The brand has been motivated by a passion and curiosity for skin. Skin is a complex and miraculous creation of nature. It’s absolutely amazing because it’s a major sensory organ with 32,500 sensory cells, it protects us from adverse climate and infection, it’s a defense against disease and most importantly, it’s our heating and cooling system that regulates our body temperature.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event are Hon. Rachael Shebesh, Nominated MP and Guest of Honour, Billy Konchellah, Sheila Mwanyigha the MC of the event, Olive Gachara, African Women, Margaret Mwaura and Susan Njagah both of Unilever-Kenya, and Desiree Gomez, Gina Din Corporate Communications.

CECILIA, AHADI KENYA AWARDED AS KENYA IS RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY

Miss World Kenya 2005 and the antijigger campaign ambassador Cecilia Mwangi was named the volunteer of the year as Ahadi Kenya was awarded as the Best Organisation involving volunteers in East Africa. They were awarded during a gala night hosted by VSO Jitolee, to fete the top individuals, corporate, learning institution and government agencies involved in voluntary activities across East Africa.
In his acceptance speech, Ahadi Kenya Executive Director, Dr. Stanley Kamau dedicated the award to all anti-jigger volunteers saying that the campaign has gotten to were it is today due to their free services. He added that they are able to access many parts of the country due to volunteers who are drawn from government employees, corporates, religious leaders, community and the media. Cecilia dedicated the award to all jigger victims saying that the recognition motivates her to do much more for those infected.



The former beauty queen urged the public to join volunteer services as this is the only way NGOs can improve the lives of the poor people.
Last week, Ahadi Kenya put Kenya in the world map when it was named among the top six African countries working towards achieving millinium development goal 2015 due to the anti-jigger campaign. This announcement was made in South Africa by One International during an award caremony to recognise organisations and countries working towards eradication of poverty in Africa.

FIFA MASCOT WELCOMES PASSENGERS ABOARD EMIRATES’ BUS TO ABU DHABI

Dhabi, the Official Mascot of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 was in Dubai to welcome passengers on board the Emirates airline bus which connects Dubai with Abu Dhabi, the host city of the tournament in 2022.



“As an Official FIFA Partner, we were able to provide our passengers the opportunity to meet Dhabi, who was a huge hit, with many of them keen to get their picture taken with him. Demand on the Abu Dhabi route has been exceptional since we introduced new measures to improve the service,” said Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations UAE.
FIFA Club World Cup is conducted every year among club champions of six (6) FIFA confederations around the world.

EMMANUEL JAL DATING SUPERMODEL

Sudanese Rapper and human rights activist Emmanuel Jal who was in the country for a series of shows including the just concluded Sudanese Summit is said to be dating America-Sudanese model Atong Arjok.
Jal refused to talk about the “relationship” between him and Atong saying, “it’s personal” but my sources swear by their small toes that the two are "an item". True story.



Anyhow, born on October 5, 1985 in California, Arjok is considered to be one of the top Nubian models to enter the fashion world since popular model Alek Wek. Arjok has made appearances in Glamour, Teen Vogue, Italian Vogue and Russian Vogue and most recently this year in British Elle editorial, photographed by David Slijper. She has also appeared on the popular television show Project Runway as a model.
Jal may have passionately refused to divulge his relationship with the model but he expressed his passionate about the summit hosted at the Louis Leakey Auditorium, Nairobi National Museum. “It was a celebration of the diversity and talent of young Sudanese as well as empower young people to bring peaceful change to Sudan through individual and collective action.”
He also released his track We Want Peace which echos the sentiments of Sudan’s youth in the run up to the January 9, 2011 referendum in Southern Sudan. He shot the video for the single that features English singer, musician and songwriter music legend Peter Gabriel, on Friday in Kibera. Gabriel’s daughter Ann Marie stars in the video.

EX-MISS KENYA NAMED MAU FOREST AMBASSADOR

Former Miss Kenya 2009, Fiona Konchellah was appointed the Mau Forest youth ambassador by the bosses at the Mau Forests Restoration Interim Coordinating Secretariat.
The 2009 Kenyan rep at the Miss World contest in South Africa has joined forces with other beauty queens from Sudan and Egypt to fight for the conservation of the Mau Forest which is an important catchment area for the Nile River.
The reigning Miss Southern Sudan Ajaa Alaak Garang and Egypt’s Samah Shabi believe that the Nile should be protected at all cost seeing as it is a source of water for a number of countries.
“I very honored to have been given this responsibility as it comes as a boost to my youth going green project,” Fiona said.
accompanied her. Apparently Miss Ethiopia could not make it, as she was involved in a road accident on her way to Kenya.

WHEN THE HAPPINESS AMBASADORS WERE IN TOWN

The Coca-Cola Expedition 206 Ambassadors were in the country with an aim of finding out what makes Kenyans happy. The two travelers Tony Martin and Kelly Ferris are on a world tour to visit all 206 countries where Coca-Cola is sold in just 365 days. The trip that began in Madrid Spain home to Coca-Cola Happiness Institute has seen the duo visit 173 countries in 310 days so far.
Along with finding out what makes people happy the ambassadors were out to collect a 300ml Coca-Cola bottle in each country, designed by artists to depict what the believe to be happiness in their country and culture. The winning bottle is to be archived in the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta Georgia.
The winning bottle was unveiled at a cocktail at the InterContinental Hotel. Announcing the winner, was TV personality Janet Kanini who challenged other companies in the country to sponsor such initiatives in a move aimed at recognizing and awarding the underlying talent in the youth. The winner Mary Wangari (Restaurant owner and Art Student) walked away with KSH 30,000.



Her bottle she explained depicts how diverse the Kenyan culture is having combined various artifacts from the many tribes that the country has.
Speaking at the cocktail function to welcome the Open Happiness Ambassadors and unveil the winning Happiness Bottle, Coca-Cola Brand Manager Maureen Sika said that “After 310 days and over 200,000 miles, the Ambassadors have finally landed in Kenya and we hope that they find a lot of happiness and take with them happy memories,” said Sika.



Some of these happy memories will include their trip to the Carnivore Restaurant where they sampled exotic game meat on Saturday evening, before visiting the Nairobi National Park on Sunday morning to see what their previous meal looked like alive.
The ambassadors also got a taste of the wild and wonderful Kenyan nightlife at the Carnivore Grounds during Sepetuka Trilogy, which saw the ambassadors mingle with several young, energetic Kenyans and witness but a few of the things that make Kenyans truly happy. Tony Martin, one of the ambassadors had this to say about his experience “It’s so amazing to see the spirit that people have here, there are so many people and yet everyone is having a good time, its very different back home”.



The ambassadors were taken on a 50 minute scenic drive to the famous Olepolos, which sits on the top of the Ngong Hills. Upon arrival the arrival the ambassadors met with several Kenyan celebrities and entertainers including Avril and Marya of the Ogopa stable, as well as DJ Collo and Eric Mutabari of Jomino Entertainment. It was a fun afternoon in the sun, where both celebrities and the ambassadors got a chance to relax, take in the view and enjoy the sumptuous nyama choma and ugali.

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA STAR WAS IN KENYA!

Chronicles of Narnia star Liam Neeson was in Kenya to research on real-life lions when he landed the role to voice Aslan.
Aslan is the talking lion in all three of the Chronicles of Narnia movies, which includes the new film The Voyage of the Dawn Treader which is showing now in cinema's accross the world.



Speaking about his preparation for the flick, Liam, 58, told MTV News: "We got to see them killing, eating, mating, sleeping, roaring. I can see why these creatures are kings of the jungle. They have this wonderful majesty and element of danger, this mysterious look in their eye that seems to be a thousand years old."
However, he did not indicate when he visited the country.