janet ndila

<h1>Politics dominated the first quarter of 2018. It was near nauseating until the two protagonists (read Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga) buried their long standing political differences.</h1>

In the midst of the suffocating politics and a steady stream of corruption scandals hitting the headlines, entertainment provided the much needed breath of fresh air.

Nothing is fresher like Akothee taking two worthy opponents in the form of Robert Alai and Cyprian Nyakundi with one sucker punch.

Take a look at the female celebrities who made 2018 memorable:

Akothee-Don’t Mess With Akothee

Controversy is what best defines Akothee and she seems to thrive on it ala Madonna.

She was in London in a custom-(a swimming custom); very comfortable in her skin and as usual, a section of Kenyans hurled all kind of unprintable epithets directed at her.

However, those who were in attendance at the Wembley stadium were thoroughly entertained by her performance.

Akothee kept the tabloids busy when Nyakundi and Alai on separate occasion tried to paint her in bad light.

Her response to the insults left the two bloggers completely exposed. In her own words she had: “held 2 men by their balls, now they are women in trousers…..”

Marie J-New Kid On The Bloc

She’s many things rolled up in one. Marie J, aka Marie Maria, came, saw, learnt the ropes and released two hot singles in quick succession: Giogode and lo sto bene.

For starters, Marie J-not to be confused with Mary J Blige though the resemblance is there-spent her formative years in Italy.

This explains why her music has an Italian touch. Away from music, the artist has been mobilizing her fans and friends to visit children orphanages through her Marie J Orphanage Tour Orphanage initiative.

She’s also the CEO of Marie J production.

Msupa S-Gone To  Soon

Her collabo with Khaligraph Jones was probably not a good idea.

It had set the bar too high for the artist whose ‘confused’ videos, self praising lyrics and ‘you can go to hell attitude’ threw her to the limelight.

In her song ‘All the Way Up’, Msupa S is unhinged. She attacks Femi One, So Suun, Noti Flow and whoever she feels she thinks is beneath her.

The track has a hip beat. But ‘Hello Hello’ was this writer’s favorite.

Her dancers, her dressing and her cockiness is what made the self proclaimed queen of hip hop tick in 2018.

Lilian Muli-Kenyan Most Publicized Pregnancy

Citizen TV news anchor imbues class, finesse and all the other similar adjectives I have left out.

When she was carrying baby Liam, her fans were not left out of the experience.

If you wanted to know if baby Liam had thrown a few kicks, you would simply log in to Viusasa and watch every detail.

Vera Sidika-The Socialite Bedroom Woes

Her short lived romantic fling with Otile Brown had a plot thick enough to be considered for a Nollywood movie.

While it might have been a publicity stunt, it was nevertheless entertaining.

Vera Sidika lashed out at Otile for always extending a begging bowl and the very serious offence of having a ‘small manhood’.

The socialite used the opportunity to release her debut single Nalia which has garnered over 1 million views.

In the spotlight

Kenyan female celebrities who rocked in 2018

<h1>Journalists are deemed with the responsibility of informing the masses on the day to day event happening in the country and the world.</h1>

Some journalists however have found themselves on the other side of the news.

The following are the journalists who became the news in 2018:

The Citizen TV News anchor found herself on the spot for the wrong reason after her fiancé Joseph Irungu was arrested in connection to the brutal murder of Kilimani businesswoman Monica Kimani.

Reports had indicated that the journalist had helped Irungu to burn some items that were considered evidence to the case.

The KTN Swahili news anchor became the news after it was revealed that she was COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli’s third wife.

The news was confirmed by Atwoli during an interview on Jeff Koinange’s JKL show.

Atwoli explained that he had taken his time before he married the 34-year-old as she was young the first time the two had met.

The Nation journalist became the talk of town after it was reported that he had been kidnapped while on assignment.

The journalist narrated that he jumped out of a moving car to escape from his abductors.

The incident by Oduor later led to the discovery that he had been abducted together with Sharon Otieno, a student at Rongo University, after police discovered she was murdered when her body was found in a forest.

The former NTV journalist found herself in murky waters after it was revealed that she had been stealing photos online and posting them as her own.

The once NTV AM Live Host opted to delete all her social media accounts after receiving criticism.

Kihara however restored the accounts and apologized for the behavior which she stated was due to pressure of keeping up an appearance.

The former K24 news anchor was caught up in an unfortunate circumstance where he became a victim of a con incident.

The journalist stated that he was conned of his money and car by some conmen in Nairobi early this year.

The car was however found and impounded by the police as investigations into the case proceeded on.

The famed Citizen TV Swahili anchor caused a buzz after he announced he was selling his kidney to raise money due to financial challenges.

These spas are owned by sponsors - Swaleh Mdoe throws shade on female colleagues

The kidney was being sold at Sh2.5 million to anyone who required one.

Mdoe however opted not to sell it after some Kenyans decided to raise the money instead to help him.

The Citizen TV reporter made the headlines after he was assaulted by GSU officers while covering Miguna Miguna’s return to Kenya.

Letoo was caught up in the scuffle with the officers who were instructed to bar the media from covering the proceedings at the JKIA airport.

The journalist who was later rushed to hospital, explained that the beating showed the brutal side used by the police to enforce the law.

The former NTV journalist in February this year was the talk of town when he and his collegues, Linus Kaikai and Ken Mijungu were forced to spend the night at the Nation Centre offices for fear of being arrested.

The three were subject to arrest as they were claimed to have ignored the directive given by Interior CS Fred Matiang'i that barred all media houses from covering the swearing in of Nasa leader Raila Odinga as President on January 30.

The move by Raila was after the Supreme Court upheld the Presidential Election results of October 26 2017 that saw Uhuru Kenyatta declared the winner.

The KBC journalist grabbed the headlines after he saved a disabled boy from being stung by a swarm of bees outside the Supreme Court that was set to deliver a ruling over the nullified 2017 Presidential Elections results.

Muyakane was rushed to hospital after his heroic act.

The reporter later narrated that he was filming the protesters who had gathered outside the court when the bees struck and could not leave the beggar who could not escape the insects.

The Traffic reporter on Citizen TV’s Citizen Extra show found himself on the other side of the news after he was assaulted by Nairobi City Askaris last month.

Kimani remarked that he was attacked while recording the officers who were about to arrest a Boda Boda operator who had entered the CBD illegally.

The reporter further explained that the officers surrounded him after they noticed he was filming them using his phone which they snatched and deleted the video.

The officers later took Kimani and the motorbike operator to the fire station where they beat him up by banging his head against the wall until he bled.

Citizen TV Jacque Maribe after recording her statement at a police station

On the other side of the desk

Journalists who became the news in 2018

<h1>Advertisements are used as a marketing strategy to attract customers to a certain product with the aim of raising the level of competition.</h1>

When an advert is executed properly, it surpasses the initial goal and becomes something everyone attributes to.

The following are the best adverts of the year 2018:

The milk company opted for a more family approach in the Mawowo advert.

The catchy advert showcases the importance of milk especially in obtaining vitamin B2.

The milk is so good it leads to one breaking into song and dance phrase mawowo.

Having been in the shadows of safaricom and airtel, the telecommunications company decided to re-brand and came up with the slogan “Moving With You”.

The advert “Top Up and Win 50 cars in 50 days” caught the attention of Kenyans due to the phrase ‘Nani ataniscratchia’.

The add was later given the ‘slayqueen advert’ due to how the lady who stated the phrase behaved, something that is attributed to a woman referred to as a slayqueen.

The leading mobile giant in the country has always been a step forward in attracting more users to its services.

The “Jitambulishe” advert by Safaricom went viral due to its funny nature created by Kenyan comedian and actor Blessed Njugush.

The phrase ‘My voice is my password’ led to generation of memes by netizens.

Alladin World of Brands

The online app store made a name for itself with the various adverts it unveiled.

The Kenyan company incorporated children in the commercials with the funny voices of adults.

The ‘Garage’ advert with the phrase “ Gari imemwaga hemoglobin” caused the short commercial to go viral.

Tusker is the oldest brand of beer with other versions of it created to keep it at the top.

The advert ‘This is my night’ was such a hit especially among young beer lovers who are more enthusiastic about the kind of fun they expect to have.

The part in the commercial where a young man is having dinner with his parents and the phone rings leading to an awkward moment which captures the interest of the audience.

Adverts that stole the show 2018

Best Advertisements in 2018

<h1>Ugandan Singer and politician Bobi Wine is living in fear after police raided a hotel where he was staying ahead of a concert in Jinja.</h1>

Wine escaped the police raid which reports indicate has since evolved into a full-blown manhunt for the singer who is a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni.

Wine took to Twitter to where he shared the developments with his followers, writing that:

“The police are looking for me everywhere. They have blocked most roads in search for me! I will try not to avail myself to them- Arua is still fresh in our minds, &amp; we know what they can do. But this injustice must end” He wrote.

Following the raid that has left the musician on the run from security forces, several key personalities have added their voice to the raging dabate.

Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kifefe-Kizza Besigye called for an end to impunity.

“Yes, we must stand up &amp;confront this IMPUNITY by the NRM/M7 Junta. Enough is Enough! #M7mustGO @Parliament_Ug @JudiciaryUG @PoliceUg @UPDFspokespersn @PGovUg” He wrote.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yes, we must stand up &amp;confront this IMPUNITY by the NRM/M7 Junta. Enough is Enough!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/M7mustGO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#M7mustGO</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Parliament_Ug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Parliament_Ug</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JudiciaryUG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JudiciaryUG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PoliceUg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PoliceUg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UPDFspokespersn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UPDFspokespersn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PGovUg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PGovUg</a> <a href="https://t.co/RUW7aabRnW">https://t.co/RUW7aabRnW</a>&mdash; Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) <a href="https://twitter.com/kizzabesigye1/status/1074036287433261056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It is not clear what triggered the recent raid but it evokes memories of political tension caused by the arrest of the Kyadondo East MP in August.

Th raid was carried out shortly after police cancelled a concert he was scheduled to have in Jinja.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Urgent: Ugandan police just raided hotel where rapper-politician Bobi Wine was staying ahead of concert tonight in Jinja. He escaped but is now hiding, fearful for his life as police search for him. Pressure needed to stop this effort to silence leading critic of Pres Museveni. <a href="https://t.co/cN5gRBPApP">pic.twitter.com/cN5gRBPApP</a>&mdash; Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) <a href="https://twitter.com/KenRoth/status/1074043168734236673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine was arrested and afterwards freed by the General Court Martial where he faced charges of illegal possession of guns and ammunition.

Shortly afterwards, he was rearrested and presented before Gulu Magistrate Court where he was charged with treason.

The resulting impasse saw a section of Kenyan MPs led by mbakasi East MP Babu Owino condemn the move in strong terms and attract the wrath of Ugandan authorities.

Police raid at the hotel where Bobi Wine was staying in Jinja

Bobi Wine's whereabouts unknown after expressing fears for his life

Bobi Wine narrowly escapes police raid,manhunt launched as his team is evicted at gun point

<h1>The Nairobi Hospital Chief Executive Officer Gordon Odundo has been sent home to pave way for investigations into multi-million tender scandals that are the centre of the current impasse.</h1>

The hospital’s board of management confirmed that Odundo would be on three months of compulsory leave that took effect on Friday to “allow the completion of the ongoing forensic audit".

<a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/local/drama-at-nairobi-hospital-over-ceo-gordon-odundo-dissmissal-id9199535.html" id="90ce600b-45a2-5789-a678-6fcf719ced0c">Drama unfolded at the facility on Friday after Odundo locked himself in his office for long hours</a> to avoid being served with the notice requiring him to leave office.

At the center of the standoff are multi-million insurance and construction tenders which placed Odundo in the thick of things.

He is suspected to have breached several guidelines in the awarding of tenders which may have seen the facility lose millions.

A lawyer who arrived bearing the notice at around midday had to wait for long hours, long into the night.

Reports indicate that the board’s decision has created divisions at the hospital with a section of doctors strongly opposed to the decision.

The board however assured the public that services at the facility will not be interrupted as they attempt to sort out the situation.

"We wish our patients, clients, consultants and other stake holders that our management and staff are ensuring that our operations of the hospital are continuing in the usual expected standards,"

"The board has taken the necessary measures to ensure that the functions of the hospital continue uninterrupted," the board said.

Controversial appointments and deteriorating standards

The CEO is also on the spot for making controversial appointments at the facility.

It is alleged that the hospital’s ICT Director Timoth Otieno Odundo is his nephew while the Finance Director Anthony Mburu is his brother in law.

Odundo who took over from former health CS Cleopa Mailu has been accused of presiding over a reign of decline in standards at the hospital.

Among the reasons given is that he scraped off overtime for nurses, a move which greatly demoralized staff.

File image of Nairobi Hospital CEO Gordon Odundo with First Lady Margaret Kenyatta

Board takes action against Nairobi Hospital CEO after Friday drama

Nairobi Hospital CEO sent home after hours of drama at the hospital

<h1>President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta wowed the crowd with their dancing moves at a party hosted State House, Nairobi.</h1>

The day-long party brought together children from various children’s homes and children of State House staff and those of police officers attached to the presidential security units.

The President and the first lady who were in merry mood wowed the children with his dance moves in the video below.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Christmas party for children at State House, Nairobi. <a href="https://t.co/LVCEvqUuzI">pic.twitter.com/LVCEvqUuzI</a>&mdash; State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateHouseKenya/status/1074046425309302784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A statement from State House read in part that “During the party at State House, Nairobi, the children were treated to live music, bouncing castles, virtual reality, arts and other fun games. They were also given a chance to view the cars that are part of the presidential convoy.

President @UKenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta interact, dance and engage in other entertainment activities, with children, during the children's State House party. The children also got a chance to talk with the President about various issues, including the #Big4Agenda”.

The President later presided over the cutting of Christmas cake and singing Christmas carols with a colorful display of fireworks.

Below are more photos of how the event went down:

In attendance during the event were celebrity children, among them 13 year old Leyla Mohammed- famous for her moving rendition of the popular "wimbo wa historia."

President Uhuru Kenyatta and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta when they hosted children to a Christmas Party at State House

Party held at State House, Nairobi

President Uhuru, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta wows the crowd with dance moves at State House party

<h1>Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has confirmed that former President Daniel Moi is still admitted at Nairobi hospital where he is expected to spend a few more days.</h1>

Gideon confirmed that Moi who was admitted on Wednesday as the country marked the 55 Jamhuri day celebrations is responding well to treatment with great improvement on his health and thanked Kenyans for their prayers.

“Mzee<a href="https://www.pulselive.co.ke/news/politics/mzee-daniel-moi-admitted-at-nairobi-hospital-id9192270.html" id="64bd6d07-7c50-5765-99ee-4e4186781aa6"> Moi was admitted to hospital but he is getting better </a>and we are confident God is taking care of him because of your prayers. We are very hopeful that in the next few days, he will be back with us at home,” Senator Moi said.

The Senator was speaking during the 14 Graduation ceremony at Kabarak University where he represented the ailing former president.

He also delivered Moi’s good will message to the graduands, calling on them to embrace core values of integrity, excellence and professionalism and being mindful of the welfare of others.

Moi skips Kabarak University Graduation

Daniel Moi who was to preside over the event skipped the event after he was admitted to hospital for a routine medical check-up.

The former head of State has been in and out of hospital in the last year with the Baringo Senator coming out strongly to take up the political leadership mantle from the retired President.

In April this year, Deputy President William Ruto visited Moi at his Kabarak home but failed to meet the statesman with his handlers stating that the visit coincided with Mr. Moi’s medical appointment.

However, DP Ruto’s allies led by Senator Kipchumba Murkomen read malice and alleged that Baringo Senator Gideon Moi had blocked the mission.

File image of retired President Daniel Moi who is currently admitted to hospital with Gideon Moi

Moi currently admitted to Nairobi Hospital

Daniel Moi to spend more days in hospital as Gideon issues statement on his health

<h1>Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet on Friday introduced daytime alcoblow inspections to nab drivers who drink and drive during the day.</h1>

The police boss stated that the move was aimed at reducing the number of deaths witnessed on the road during the December festive season.

The breathalysers, commonly referred to as alcoblow, were declared illegal by the Court of Appeal in 2017.

A three-judge bench ruled that the use of the gadget to arrest drivers was against the Constitution.

The ruling was made after a successful petition by Richard Ogendo, a Nairobi businessman, in 2014 over the abolishment of the gadget.

Court of Appeal ruling on alcoblow

Through the petition, Ogendo argued that the rules that took effect in 2011, were not consistent with the constitution.

The businessman further pointed out that the dragging of the drivers out of the vehicles when being arrested and made public through the media was uncalled for.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), however, disregarded the court order and continued with the crackdown.

The procedure had been temporarily suspended and re-introduced in 2013 by the then Transport CS Michael Kamau.

Kamau stated that drivers caught would pay a fine of Sh 100,000, two years in jail or both.

In addition, their vehicles would be detained at the police station as part of the directive.

New directive

Alcoblow launched during the day

<h1>The High Court on Friday ruled that Miguna Miguna was legally a citizen of Kenya.</h1>

His lawyer Nelson Havi confirmed that the ruling made ensured that Miguna was lawfully a Kenyan Citizen.

"Miguna Miguna is a citizen by birth, never lost his citizenship by acquiring Canadian citizenship. Respondents had no power to revoke his citizenship. Even if they could, they never acted procedurally," stated Havi.

The ruling made by Judge Chacha Mwita stated that the government did not follow the correct process in the removal of Miguna.

Mwita further pointed out that citizenship by birth could not be cancelled.

“Even if the petitioner (Miguna) acquired Canadian citizenship, he did not lose his Kenya citizenship.

“He remains a citizen of Kenya,” remarked the judge.

Nelson Havi on Miguna Miguna's Ruling and the Way Foward

Havi, When questioned of what will happen after the ruling, the lawyer stated that, "We did our part, it's up to him to decide what to do next,"

The controversial politician attempted to return to the country in March but was denied re-entry despite an order by the court to allow him.

The Nasa Activist was held in a tiny room in the JKIA airport before he was forced on to a Dubai bound flight, deported for a second time.

Lawyer Cliff Ombeta who was part of the legal team that represented Miguna, at the time confirmed that his client had been drugged and put on the flight.

Miguna had however vowed that he would have returned to Kenya in September.

Final Decision

High Court makes Final ruling on Miguna's Citizenship

<h1>A suspect on Thursday night walked free after 14 police officers stormed Mandera police station in Mandera County.</h1>

The Administration Police officers (AP) attacked the station after a colleague of theirs named constable Richard Githaka Karanja was arrested over a suspected robbery with violence.

Police report indicated that the incident occurred in the presence of the officer commanding station (OCS) and several other police officers that were on duty.

The group which is posted at the Rapid Deployment Unit in Mandera Kapedo made their way to the station in full combat gear and begun shooting in the air.

Demand made at gun point

The officers at gun point, proceeded to demand for the key to the cell which Karanja was being held in.

Once Karanja was freed, the AP officers fired again in the air and left on foot to their camp that was located approximately five kilometers away from the scene of the incident.

In November 2016, more than 60 youths stormed Kilome police station in Kilungu armed with crude weapons and demanded the release of their colleague who was arrested over allegedly being in possession of several rolls of bhang.

During the incident that lasted for about 30 minutes, more than eight suspects escaped from the station.

Shocking Incident

14 Police officers storm police station to free suspect

<h1>Kitengela town residents are set to benefit from the commuter train service after Transport and Infrastructure principal secretary Charles Hinga launched a link road that will connect passengers to a new railway station.</h1>

The new station will be located on the old Athi River-Kajiado railway line that will offer transport from Kitengela to Nairobi.

The commuter train will use the old railway line to ferry passengers to the Syokimau Railway Station all the way to the Central Nairobi Railway Terminus.

Two-lane link road to station

Passengers from Kitengela will use the link road to the initiated train station that is set to be located on the southern end of the town.

A parking lot will be available for motorists to leave their cars as they board the train.

Hinga pointed out that the train service will reduce the traffic snarl up that is witnessed on Mombasa road.

“Once the modern railway station is complete, Kitengela residents will be served by a commuter train to Nairobi after every 30 minutes, a move we expect to open up the town for more business opportunities,” remarked the transport PS.

Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku echoed the views of Hinga and stated that the project will expand the small town with the possibility of it becoming a regional business centre.

In April this year, Kenya Railways Authority launched a new route for Thika road users which was destined for Kahawa.

janet ndila

Articles written by the author

Kenyan female celebrities who rocked in 2018

Journalists who became the news in 2018

Best Advertisements in 2018

Bobi Wine narrowly escapes police raid,manhunt launched as his team is evicted at gun point

Nairobi Hospital CEO sent home after hours of drama at the hospital

President Uhuru, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta wows the crowd with dance moves at State House party

Daniel Moi to spend more days in hospital as Gideon issues statement on his health

Alcoblow launched during the day

High Court makes Final ruling on Miguna's Citizenship

14 Police officers storm police station to free suspect

Commuter train service launched for Kitengela

Kenyan footballer killed by lightning while celebrating goal

Government picks 3 Top Schools to be centres for nurturing talents

Woman burns herself and Two children to death

14-seater matatu dramatically overturns along Thika super highway(Photos)

Uncertainty after Raila skipped event at the last minute

Diamond Platnumz makes major announcement after he was forced to cancel Mega show

Mobile loan app services corner loan defaulters with new embarrassing strategy

DP Ruto takes drastic actions after Gideon Moi’s visit of Western