• Fri. Oct 23rd, 2026

Lawrence

Veteran journalist based in Siaya
  • Home
  • Walking with the People: James Wandayi’s Christmas Message from Nyamita Church

Walking with the People: James Wandayi’s Christmas Message from Nyamita Church

Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum James Wandayi joined parishioners at St. Peter’s ACK Nyamita Church for Christmas prayers and celebrations and later participated in the Odinga family’s traditional Christmas…

Flames of Remembrance at Kang’o Kajaramogi: James Wandayi’s Solemn Pilgrimage

James Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary, stood humbled and honored on the serene yet solemn grounds of Kang’o Kajaramogi in Bondo Constituency, Siaya County, to pay homage to the departed leader, the…

Jirongo Death Probe: DCI Trace Owner of White Probox Captured on CCTV footage

Fresh details have emerged in the investigation into the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, shedding new light on the final moments before the fatal road crash that claimed…

Israel Bombs Drown Out Christmas in Gaza: Drones, Shells and Grief Replace Carols Under Fragile Ceasefire

Gaza City, December 25, 2025 — Christmas Day dawned in Gaza not with bells and hymns, but with the thud of Israeli bombardment and the constant hum of surveillance drones…

Christmas Tragedy on Kericho–Nakuru Highway as Three Killed in Head-On Crash

A joyous Christmas Day turned tragic along the busy Kericho–Nakuru Highway after a horrific road accident near Kedowa Trading Centre claimed the lives of three people and left four others…

‘Merry Christmas — Even to the Radical Left Scum’: U.S. President’s Holiday Message Reflects Power, Provocation and Global Ripples

In a Christmas message that echoed far beyond America’s borders, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a holiday greeting laced with triumph, taunts and unmistakable political bravado — a style of…

My Mother Forced Me to Leave My Husband, Saying She Was Not Rich Enough to Support Us, and Now I Regret Every Decision

I had always believed in love over money. When I met Brian Okello, I was instantly drawn to his charm, wit, and the way he treated everyone around him with…

Orengo Joins Mourners at Jirongo Home as Kenya Prepares to Lay former Lugari MP to Rest

Siaya Governor James Orengo on Wednesday joined family members, friends and a host of national leaders at the home of the late former Lugari MP Hon. Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo,…

I Bought a Car and Discovered It Was Stolen, But the Police Were Covering Up the Real Owner’s Identity

I had been dreaming about owning my own car for years. After saving meticulously from my modest job, I finally felt ready to invest in a sleek black sedan I…

Graduation Joy Turns to Horror: Legal Officer Brutally Murdered Hours After Returning Home to Bondo

What was meant to be the crowning moment of a promising legal career has ended in unspeakable tragedy, after a Kenyan legal officer was murdered barely hours after attending her…

‘No Room for Corruption’: Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol Delivers Hard-Hitting Christmas & New Year Message to Kenyans

Siaya Deputy Governor Dr. William Oduol has used his Christmas and New Year message to send warm festive greetings to Kenyans while issuing a firm warning against corruption, reaffirming his…

The New Teacher Who Inspired Everyone Was Secretly Running an Online Scam That Stole Thousands From Parents

When Ms. Diana Otieno joined Riverside Academy in Nairobi, she was everything a school could hope for in a new teacher. Young, vibrant, and energetic, she quickly became a favorite…

Festive Season Bribe Trap: EACC Nets Two Traffic Cops in Likoni–Lungalunga Corruption Sting

Motorists’ complaints trigger dramatic arrest as anti-graft agency tightens noose on road bribery The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two traffic police officers attached to the Diani Traffic…

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi Ditches Party Ahead of 2027

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has dropped a political bombshell, announcing he will not seek re-election on an ODM ticket in the 2027 General Election—signaling fresh cracks within Raila Odinga’s…

She Married a Rich Tycoon, Believed She Had Everything, Until She Discovered He Had Three Others Hiding in Different Counties

From the moment I married Michael Njoroge, I believed my dreams had come true. He was a wealthy tycoon with businesses spanning Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa. When he proposed, he…

When the Church Dines with Power: How Nyanza’s Prelates Lost the Moral Pulpit

The latest press statement by the Nyanza Council of Church Leaders should worry anyone who still believes the Church exists as society’s moral conscience rather than as an annex of…

From Sacred Altars to a National Call: Nyanza’s Churches Speak for Kenya’s Unity

A powerful voice has risen from Nyanza’s altars, carrying a message that reaches far beyond church walls and denominational lines. In a press statement released by the Nyanza Council of…

Molo MP’s Sh10.5 Million Mercedes Drama Exposes MPs Living Large on Fragile Finances

A sleek, champagne-coloured Mercedes-Benz worth Sh10.5 million has thrust Molo MP Kimani Kuria into an uncomfortable national spotlight, reopening an explosive debate about Kenya’s legislators, their expensive tastes, and whether…

BREAKING: 4 Injured as Maraga Convoy Car Is Smashed in Ghastly Night Crash

Four members of former Chief Justice David Maraga’s campaign team were injured on Tuesday night after a vehicle in his convoy was involved in a horrific road accident while returning…

I Felt Eyes Watching Me Everywhere I Went, Until a Secret Hidden Power Revealed the Enemy Among Us

My name is Patrick Odhiambo, and I live in Lang’ata, Nairobi County. For a long time, I kept telling myself I was imagining things. But deep down, I knew I…

FACT CHECK: Who Is Margaret Anyango Jabalo? Inside the Viral Claims Rocking the Odinga Family

A woman identifying herself as Margaret Anyango Jabalo has set social media abuzz after releasing a series of viral videos accusing members of the Odinga family of inheritance injustices and…

My Friends Turned Against Me Suddenly, And I Found Out They Were Under a Spell I Never Knew About

My name is Brian Ouma, and I live in Umoja, Nairobi. For years, I believed friendship was my greatest blessing. I had a close circle of friends I trusted like…

I Felt a Dark Presence Around Me for Months, Then a Hidden Ritual Revealed Who Was Behind It

My name is Esther Nyambura, and I live in Kikuyu, Kiambu County. For months, I lived in constant fear, though I could not explain why. Nothing was physically attacking me,…

ODM Tops UDA as Voter Loyalty Frays: Inside TIFA’s Latest Ranking of Kenya’s 5 Most Popular Parties

A new TIFA Research survey has reshaped Kenya’s political scoreboard, placing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) firmly at the top as the country’s most popular political party—while exposing a volatile…

Fake Dollars Busted! DCI Nab Suspected Mastermind, Seize Huge Cache of Counterfeit US Currency in Nairobi

Detectives in Nairobi have smashed what is believed to be a key link in a counterfeit currency network after seizing a large consignment of fake US dollars and arresting a…

Blue Pill Under Fire: Health Ministry Cracks Down on Viagra Abuse After Explosive Exposé

The Ministry of Health has launched a sweeping crackdown on the sale and misuse of Viagra following an exposé that laid bare alarming gaps in regulation, rampant abuse and weak…

From Boko Haram Tragedy to Climate Reform: How David Oremo Is Forcing Siaya County to Rethink Governance

Dr. David W.O. Oremo, CEO of Acacia Foundation and the Siaya Climate Change Initiative, has emerged as one of Siaya County’s most influential — and relentless — governance reform advocates.…

My Husband Hated Me for No Reason, Until a Hidden Spell That Controlled Him Was Finally Broken

My name is Grace Mwende, and I live in Kitengela, Kajiado County. For a long time, I could not understand why my husband suddenly hated me. There was no fight.…

Wandayi’s Baringo Visit Signals a New Dawn for Kenya’s Grassroots Economies

James Wandayi, the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, joined His Excellency President William Ruto at the vibrant Baringo Cultural Festival and annual Kimalel Goat Auction in Baringo County, a…

Healthcare on Brink: Clinical Officers Unleash Nationwide Strike, Public Services Face Collapse

Nairobi, Kenya – December 22, 2025 – Kenya’s already strained public healthcare system is teetering on the precipice of collapse as clinical officers, the bedrock of primary care, commence an…

ALSO READ

Ne-Yo Lights Up Nairobi as Stanbic Bank’s Mashujaa Day Concert Draws 3,500 Fans Grammy-winning R&B superstar headlines ‘One Night Only: Brunch Edition’ at Ulinzi Sports Complex as Stanbic Bank backs Kenya’s creative economy and local enterprise NAIROBI, October 21, 2026 — Nairobi’s entertainment scene came alive on Mashujaa Day as approximately 3,500 music fans gathered at Ulinzi Sports Complex for One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo, a premium live-music experience title-sponsored by Stanbic Bank. The concert, held on Tuesday, October 20, delivered an afternoon of live performances, music and networking, bringing together Kenyan and international talent for a celebration that blended world-class entertainment with opportunities for the country’s growing creative economy. Performances began at 3:30 pm and concluded shortly after 8:00 pm, maintaining the event’s signature daytime brunch format while giving fans an opportunity to experience some of the biggest names on the lineup before nightfall. Kenyan musician Mutoriah opened the show with an energetic set, setting the pace for the afternoon. UK-based band Sol and the Gang followed with a vibrant performance before three-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B star Ne-Yo took centre stage to close the concert in style. Top Kenyan DJs kept the predominantly millennial audience entertained throughout the event, sustaining the energy between performances and reinforcing Nairobi’s growing appetite for curated, premium music experiences. Stanbic Bank puts creative economy in the spotlight Beyond the music, the concert highlighted the commercial opportunities generated by Kenya’s live-entertainment industry, with Stanbic Bank positioning its sponsorship as an investment in the wider creative ecosystem. The production created business opportunities across multiple segments of the value chain, including artists, sound engineers, stage and technical crews, production specialists, hospitality providers, security personnel, vendors and micro- and small enterprises. For an industry that relies heavily on collaboration among creative professionals and service providers, events of this scale can stimulate local demand, support livelihoods and open new commercial opportunities for businesses operating behind the scenes. Michael Mutiga, Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, said the concert demonstrated how large-scale entertainment can combine audience appeal with tangible economic activity. “Yesterday was a powerful demonstration of what happens when world-class entertainment meets meaningful local economic impact,” Mutiga said. He noted that bringing more than 3,000 fans together went beyond the performances on stage, generating business for artists, technical teams, vendors, hospitality partners and small enterprises involved in delivering the event. “Kenya’s creative sector is a dynamic driver of growth, and Stanbic Bank remains committed to strengthening this ecosystem, raising its commercial profile, and supporting the livelihoods anchored in it,” he added. Creative industry contributes 5.32% of Kenya’s GDP The sponsorship comes against the backdrop of the creative economy’s contribution to employment, enterprise development and national output. A 2021 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) placed the creative industry’s contribution to Kenya’s gross domestic product at 5.32%, while estimating that the sector provided formal employment for approximately 195,000 people. The industry also supports livelihoods across the informal economy, including performers, independent producers, event organisers, designers, content creators, technicians and small businesses that supply goods and services to entertainment productions. Stanbic Bank’s approach underscores the potential of cultural events to serve as more than marketing platforms. By bringing together consumers, performers, businesses and corporate sponsors, such events can create opportunities for local talent, showcase production capabilities and connect home-grown enterprises to wider commercial networks. However, the long-term impact of such initiatives depends on whether the opportunities generated translate into sustained contracts, improved incomes and stronger business prospects for local players beyond individual events. Stanbic Bank celebrates premium daytime entertainment Lilian Onyach, Head of Brand and Marketing at Stanbic Bank Kenya, said the event was designed to offer clients and music enthusiasts a distinctive, world-class daytime entertainment experience. She said the turnout and audience energy reflected the vibrancy of Kenya’s entertainment market and the growing appeal of carefully curated live-music events. “We set out to offer our clients and music enthusiasts a distinctive, world-class daytime experience, and the turnout and energy yesterday proved just how vibrant Kenya’s entertainment market is,” Onyach said. She added that the afternoon schedule allowed the event to preserve its brunch atmosphere while showcasing the artistry, logistical expertise and commercial capacity of Kenya’s creative industry. The format also reflects a broader opportunity for event organisers and sponsors to diversify entertainment offerings beyond traditional late-night concerts, creating experiences that appeal to audiences seeking music, social interaction and premium hospitality in a single setting. Brand recognition reinforces Stanbic Bank’s market position The Ne-Yo concert adds to Stanbic Bank’s brand-building initiatives as the lender continues to pursue market visibility through entertainment, customer engagement and support for economic activity. The bank was recently named Overall Best Bank in Kenya at the Think Business Awards. At group level, its parent, Standard Bank Group, was ranked Africa’s Most Valuable Bank Brand by Brand Finance for the fifth consecutive year. Through sponsorships such as One Night Only, Stanbic Bank is seeking to connect its brand with experiences that attract consumers while supporting businesses and professionals in adjacent industries. As Kenya’s creative sector continues to evolve, the commercial value of live entertainment will increasingly depend on the ability of organisers, sponsors and industry players to convert audience demand into sustainable opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs and the wider workforce. At Ulinzi Sports Complex, Ne-Yo provided the headline attraction, but the broader story extended beyond the stage: a major public celebration that brought international music to Nairobi while spotlighting the economic potential of Kenya’s creative industries