LUPITA NYONG’O: A STAR IS BORN

GINI WASEKAO / GINI WASEKANO

She is a shining star! Actress Lupita Nyong’o won the New Hollywood Award after her role in 12 Years a Slave. She became the trending topic on Twitter and with #KOT. This is what they said:

@willisRaburu: Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o bags the New Hollywood Award for her performance in 12 Years a Slave

@Alloys: but Lupita Nyong’o claimed she is Mexican, “SMH”

@Ntongai: aint never heard a Mexican named Lupita Nyong’o. Maybe we’d have it if it were Lucinda Nyongondez.

@Raidarmax: she has landed another blockbuster role-Liam Naeson action thriller Non-Stop

@LamsKenya: Lupita is out there posing for photos with Kanye West while you all Kenyan ladies are out there posing nude on the internet

@IanMahia: I’ll admit I’m somewhat ashamed that it took Hollywood for some of us to realize how gorgeous Lupita is

@Njiiru: Lupita goes to show how dark skinned people need to work very hard to be recognized

By Embukane Vincent Libosso

Photos courtesy of facebook pages: Fans of Lupita Nyong’o and Lupita Nyong’o

DOUBLE EVICTION AT TPF6 AS ANGEL AND JENNIFER LEAVE.

“

I am sorry but the contestants will not be voting to save anyone tonight. It is unfortunate but the road for the two ends here...”

Her words pricked not just us as the audience, or those at home viewing but also the two contestants on stage up for eviction. Voice coach kavutha, on behalf of the faculty said they had come up with the unfortunate and tough decision to evict both Angel (Tanzania) and Jennifer (Kenya) from the academy for lack of seriousness.

As she made the announcement sadly; Judge Ian’s arms ironically were up as he welcomed the decision wholesomely and with great joy.

With the axe falling on the two; Kenya’s Fess brought the house to its feet with a high voltage performance that saw East Africa in return vote to keep him in the academy.

Another exemplary performance that got a positive remark from judge Ian was by the Rwandese diva Phionah whose performance entertained as he engaged with the crowd and judge Ian.

The Saturday night live recording at the TPF Dome studios saw a surprise audience attendance of both Gor Mahia Football Club and Tusker F.C fans of both teams had their fair share of mingling with teams and taking pictures too.

The night too had its fair share of drama as Hisia and Angel engaged in what was perceived by many as a romantic fling on stage, when the other contestants were bidding the two goodbye.

I did ask both Hisia and Angel if what we saw on stage was anything to write about but I ended up getting two opposite and different scripts. Hisia said, “I have nothing to hide. What you saw is what you write,” pressing on with that topic he said, “I guess it’s for me to know and for you to find out!”

Angel did note that what happened was a show of love and solidarity from a fellow country-man. “Hisia and I are close!”

Both Angel and Jennifer noted that their future ambitions include going back to school and sticking to what coach Kavutha said and that is to not stop singing. Jennifer said she will forever remember the superstar treatment, security details everywhere (even when heading to the loo) and the shopping sprees.

Angel said she will on her part hold and cherish the hospitality she got at the academy, “for me it was a home far away from home.”

The two later were treated to a v.i.p party at the K1 Klubhouse; where they met their fans, sang their hearts out once again and danced the night away.

11 contestants now remain, with their eyes focused ultimately, in the end, to make their own reality.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF:Fransoir Images(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.672769576080203.1073741839.165900510100448&type=3) 

BALLERINA IN KIBERA

“If in 30 years, the slums haven’t changed with all the help and international aid coming in; that tells you that they [foreigners] become princesses as soon as they enter the slum areas or there’s need for us [Kenyans] to think and start doing things differently,” says Joe Kiragu, the photographer behind the photo series Ballerina in Kibera.

The striking contrast between a white ballerina dancing amongst mabati houses and the curious residents of Kibera is not a very subtle social commentary. But it is a thought-provoking one. “Ballerina in Kibera”, uses the former ballerina, Ammy Shelton from London (previously based in Nairobi), to magnify the inequality between Westerners, who come to Kenya to help slum dwellers, and people they come to help. Joe Kiragu likes to tell these kind of stories about “topics either not understood or talked about,” he says. That is why he set out to portray social inequality in a way that di$ers from the usual pictures of “sick children and the likes”. Joe Kiragu believes that hefty salaries and huge benefits enable some aid workers to live “like white gods,” he says, adding: “it’s not all of them, but it happens, and I wanted to tell the story”.

From the depths of Kibera, to the infamous railway line in Nairobi, to fancy stunts in-between shanties, Joe and Ammy set out to depict the juxtaposition between foreigners and the lower class citizens of Kenya. Joe’s next project is going to be in the same spirit of contrast. “Next, I would like to do a high fashion models shoot with Albinos, because people can’t imagine them that way. But I do.”

For more on Joe Kiragu’s photography, check www.shuttervillestudios.com

Photo credits: Joe Kiragu

Report by Anyiko Owoko

BALLERINA IN KIBERA

“If in 30 years, the slums haven’t changed with all the help and international aid coming in; that tells you that they [foreigners] become princesses as soon as they enter the slum areas or there’s need for us [Kenyans] to think and start doing things differently,” says Joe Kiragu, the photographer behind the photo series Ballerina in Kibera.

The striking contrast between a white ballerina dancing amongst mabati houses and the curious residents of Kibera is not a very subtle social commentary. But it is a thought-provoking one. “Ballerina in Kibera”, uses the former ballerina, Ammy Shelton from London (previously based in Nairobi), to magnify the inequality between Westerners, who come to Kenya to help slum dwellers, and people they come to help. Joe Kiragu likes to tell these kind of stories about “topics either not understood or talked about,” he says. That is why he set out to portray social inequality in a way that di$ers from the usual pictures of “sick children and the likes”. Joe Kiragu believes that hefty salaries and huge benefits enable some aid workers to live “like white gods,” he says, adding: “it’s not all of them, but it happens, and I wanted to tell the story”.

From the depths of Kibera, to the infamous railway line in Nairobi, to fancy stunts in-between shanties, Joe and Ammy set out to depict the juxtaposition between foreigners and the lower class citizens of Kenya. Joe’s next project is going to be in the same spirit of contrast. “Next, I would like to do a high fashion models shoot with Albinos, because people can’t imagine them that way. But I do.”

For more on Joe Kiragu’s photography, check www.shuttervillestudios.com

Photo credits: Joe Kiragu

Report by Anyiko Owoko

NTV KENYA INVESTIGATES: SEEDS OF SIN

Religion has and will always be an emotive subject to many Kenyans. The constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but some are taking advantage of the gullibility of thousands who flock to churches with faith in their hearts and hope in their eyes. The faithful look up to their spiritual leaders for guidance, but this comes at a price. NTV Investigates will take you through the treacherous journey of fake preachers who use the pulpit  to reap millions of shillings from unsuspecting members of their congregations. Our senior investigative reporter Dennis Okari reveals how easy and fast it is to become that man or woman of God. 

http://www.ntv.co.ke/news2/topheadlines/ntv-investigates-seeds-of-sin/

MEETING MUTUA MATHEKA/ MUTUA’S WALLPAPER MONDAY APP…

The best of photography representing Kenya: from Guru Nanak Rally, Team Kenya Motor Cross to various shots of Nairobi and its architecture shot from striking angles, and even the great Kilimanjaro in Tanzania can now be installed in your android smart phone. Mutua Matheka; one of Nairobi’s finest photographers has invented wallpaper Monday; this cool photography app weighing a mere 1.2MB.

George Murage writing for UP Magazine notes- view Nairobi on your device through Mutua’s lens (usually canon, Nikon and Samsung that all produce such splendid photography).

As we are awaiting for the windows phone, IPhone and Blackberry versions of this app; maybe the Government should advocate for more of these kinds of apps from Kenya’s to showcase our beautiful country.

Images of other places like New York, Beijing, Dubai and London among African destinations are also available on this app that came as a beautiful surprise for ardent followers of his blog. What used to be a Monday gift for download is now fully developed and can be accessed all day, all week.

• -download this app via Google Play Store or save an image as wallpaper and share with your friends straight from within the app. 

THE TELEKENISIS COFFEE HOUSE PRANKVERTISING

Larry Madowo-alias Larry The news Anchor. It is quite easy to dislike this guy. No, really it is! First of all, for the obvious reason that he has about 69k followers.

Being a student at Daystar University with Larry, he is the kind of guy who doesn’t shy away from locking horns with anyone so long as he thinks he is right.

I am a huge fan of his show every Friday night-The Trend. And last week he had the opportunity to share a video I have not gotten over to date.

Whether Larry is always right is a debate for another day; but whether he’s smart and entertaining is without question. Check out this clip on prankvertising that has gone viral on YouTube and one Larry shared.