KBC Channel 1

Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • Ssaru, Scar Mkadinali release music video for “Tension”

    Ssaru, Scar Mkadinali release music video for “Tension”

    Kenyan rapper Ssaru, known for her bold lyrics and energetic performances, has teamed up with award-winning rapper Scar Mkadinali to release the official music video for their latest collaboration, “Tension”.

    The video premiered on July 3 and has quickly attracted attention on social media, with fans praising its creative styling, vibrant visuals and the chemistry between the two artists.

    The music video showcases a unique urban aesthetic, featuring bold fashion, energetic choreography and cinematic scenes that complement the song’s upbeat rhythm.

    Within hours of its release, clips from the video began circulating across online platforms, sparking conversations among fans and entertainment lovers.

    Speaking about the project, Ssaru said the collaboration was aimed at giving fans a fresh sound and memorable visuals.

    “We wanted to create something people would enjoy both musically and visually. Tension represents confidence, energy and good vibes,” she said.

  • Funding creatives and artists key to creative economy growth

    Funding creatives and artists key to creative economy growth

    The importance of financing creatives became the key highlight at the Sanara Creative Economy Learning Forum event held at the Radisson Blue Hotel on Thursday morning, July 2.

    The forum brought together investors, policymakers, financial institutions, development partners and leaders from the creative industry to examine how the country’s creative economy can unlock more opportunities for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, fashion entrepreneurs and other creatives.

    According to Sanara, a programme supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by HEVA Fund, SNDBX Ubuntu, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Centre, Kenya’s creative sector has the potential to become an even bigger driver of jobs and economic growth if artists and creative entrepreneurs are given access to financing, business skills, markets and supportive policies.

    Currently, Kenya’s creative economy contributes more than five per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, according to the Government.

    From Right to Left, Tabitha Masese, HEVA Fund, Pamela Mutembei, Investment Director at HEVA Fund, George Gachui, Co-founder, Mookh, Stella Kemunto, Deputy Director, Nairobi County City Culture and Arts during the Sanara Insights Forum.

    Speaking during the forum, HEVA Fund Programme Manager Tabitha Masese said the programme has shown that creative businesses can thrive when they receive the right combination of financial and enterprise support.

    “The creative economy is increasingly proving to be an investable sector. Our experience shows that when entrepreneurs have access to appropriate financing, business development support, technical skills and markets, they build resilient enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth,” she said.

    According to the report shared at the forum, more than Ksh. 1.2 billion has been deployed through commercial financing and grants to support over 330 creative enterprises.

    This funding has equipped more than 20,000 young creatives with business and technical skills, and has helped more than 3,000 creative startups across Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kakamega and Turkana.

    The report also highlighted that nearly two-thirds of the enterprises it has financed are “women-led, while about 30 per cent of beneficiaries are accessing formal finance for the first time, helping broaden financial inclusion within the creative industry.”

    “Beyond financing, Sanara has been supporting creatives through technical skills development, business mentorship, market linkages and work with county governments to strengthen creative economy policies and map creative infrastructure,” the report highlighted. “These efforts are intended to create an environment that encourages long-term growth and attracts more private investment.”

    Its work has also focused on expanding opportunities for underserved groups, including women, refugees and persons with disabilities.

    One of the key lessons highlighted at the event is that access to finance remains the biggest obstacle facing the creative sector.

    “Unlocking the sector’s full potential will require stronger collaboration between government, investors, financial institutions and development partners to ensure creatives have the resources needed to grow sustainable businesses while contributing to employment, innovation and the country’s economic development,” according to Sanara.

  • Security measures all set for the Summer Tides Festival

    Security measures all set for the Summer Tides Festival

    The Summer Tides Festival, dubbed Africa’s premier event, is set to take Malindi town in Kilifi County by storm, as beaches are expected to become a beehive of activities with various artists converging to showcase their talents as attendees immerse themselves in merry-making during the three-day extravaganza.

    According to authorities, security measures have been put in place as at least 15,000 revellers are set to attend, with hotels, home holidays and Airbnbs within Malindi town and its environs recording 100 per cent bed occupancy.

    The event set to start on Thursday, July 2, at the Lost Beach, is the largest event ever to take place in the resort town in years.

    A spot check at the venue revealed workers from events organisations are busy erecting the podiums and other entertainment-related infrastructure as security officers patrol the beaches to ensure that everyone is safe.

    According to Malindi Sub County Police Commander (SCPC) Moses Kosgei and Malindi Municipality Manager Dadu Chome, some roads will be closed, and traffic in and out of the town will be diverted to ensure there is no traffic clog within the venue of the event.

    Kosgei said that he has already mobilised a security team that will comprise the General Service Unit (GSU) among other units of the security command to provide security to revellers and maintain order from Thursday to Saturday.

    “We have mobilised enough security inside the event and outside the event area, and we have various units including GSU, RDU, Prison, Tourist Police Unit, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Police Service, and we will close the Malindi- Lamu road and diversions will be there to ensure traffic flow,” he said.

    Dadu said that the event is a testimony that Malindi town was growing as a preferred tourism and entertainment destination.

    “We’ve confirmed with the hospitality industry that hotels are fully booked and some of the visitors are already in town, and even the airbnbs are fully booked,” he said.

    Lynn the Brand, one of the organisers of the event, assured revellers of the best event of the year, saying that they are working closely with the local authorities to make the event safe and a success.

    “On our lineup, we also have several acts from other countries just to bring people here, and we are expecting more than 15,000 people,” she said.

    The Summer Tides festival attracts thousands of revellers, hence boosting businesses and tourism in the areas where it is hosted once every year in the month of July.

    The tickets range from Ksh. 3,000 to Ksh. 6,000.

    The event began in 2017, and last year it was hosted in Diani, Kwale County, at the Jacaranda Beach Resort, featuring world-class DJs, non-stop beach parties, and coastal activities.

    International DJs from South Africa and Great Britain are expected to grace the event on multiple stages with thousands of people, including foreign and local tourists, in attendance.

  • Universal Music Group acquires Melodica’s music catalogue

    Universal Music Group acquires Melodica’s music catalogue

    Universal Music Group East Africa has acquired Melodica’s extensive catalogue of golden oldies in a bid to preserve and celebrate East Africa’s rich musical heritage.

    Melodica’s large and diverse catalogue features some of the region’s most iconic classic bands and artists, including Orchestra Grand Piza, Angora Youngstars, Orchestra Sentima, Congo International, and many more.

    UMG said of the acquisition in a statement seen by KBC Digital: “The catalogue represents an important era in East African music, capturing the sounds of the 1980s when Lingala and Benga dominated the streets, dance halls, radio stations, and live performance spaces across the region. From Congo through Zambia to Kenya, bands brought people together through unforgettable rhythms, live instrumentation, and timeless storytelling.”

    Many of these recordings are yet to be digitised, making this acquisition a key milestone in UMG East Africa’s mission to preserve classical African music and make it accessible to a new generation of listeners.

    The recording label is hoping that through digitisation and re-release, the music will introduce younger audiences to the golden era of East African sound while giving older generations a nostalgic reminder of a time when live bands shaped the cultural heartbeat of the region.

    As part of this new chapter, the label has also released “Mandalala” by L’Orchestra Grand Piza.

    “Orchestre Grand Piza holds an important place in the history of Lingala and Congolese-influenced music in East Africa,” UMG said. “Associated with the Bana Moja and Diabim labels, the band became part of a vibrant 1970s and 1980s music movement that connected Congolese sounds with audiences across Kenya and Uganda.”

    “Mandalala,” was originally released on the Bana Moja label and manufactured by Melodica Music Stores in Nairobi, with Makengo Roy credited as songwriter and remains a standout from that era.

  • ‘The People Shall’ gets screening at European Parliament Africa event

    ‘The People Shall’ gets screening at European Parliament Africa event

    Kalasha award-winning documentary, ‘The People Shall’, directed by Mark Maina and Nick Wambugu, will screen at the Cinema Vendôme in Brussels during the S&D Africa Days 2026 organised by the European Parliament on July 1.

    The event set to take place over the course of two days, June 30 to July 1, is aimed at renewing partnerships with Africa as “equal partners.”

    “At a time when Africa is too often viewed through narrow and one-sided narratives, this initiative reflects a key political priority for the S&D Group: to advance a renewed, forward-looking partnership of equals between Europe and Africa based on equality, solidarity, social justice and shared progress,” according to the information packet provided by organisers.

    The documentary, which premiered in 2025, documents the 2024 youth-led anti-Finance Bill protests and captures how the Kenyan youth used digital activism, creativity, and courage to demand government accountability.

    According to the S&D programme, the screening will take place from 7 pm to 9 pm (GMT2) under the event “Public Film debate – The power of people and stories” with Mark Maina expected to be in attendance.

    Since its release, the film has received widespread acclaim, including at the recent Kalasha Awards ceremony, attended by President Ruto, where the film was honoured for its unflinching storytelling. It won two awards: Best Documentary and Best Editing at the ceremony.

    The film’s social media handle announced the news with the caption: “What began in the streets of Kenya now enters another room of power, carrying the memory of those who stood, those who spoke, those who were hurt and those we must never forget.”

  • Watendawili receive gold record plaques for 20 million streams

    Watendawili receive gold record plaques for 20 million streams

    The Kenyan music duo Watendawili are celebrating a new career milestone after receiving gold record plaques for surpassing 20 million streams.

    The two said that the honour was a result of the streams from their debut EP, ‘Double Treble’, and their hit single, “Cham Thum (Atoti)” across digital platforms.

    Sharing the news on their social media pages, the duo wrote: “Guys, we just picked up our Gold plaques. Over 20 million streams on our debut EP Double Treble. Over 20 million streams on our smash hit Cham Thum (Atoti). We want to say thank you to our fans. We love you all. Many more to come.”

    Watendawili are an award-winning Kenyan music duo made up of Israel Onyach (also known as Onyach Pala) and Eugene Ywaya Tajiri, known for their blend of Afro-pop and soulful music.

    The pair rose to fame as Kaskazini before changing their name and are best known for songs such as “Beba” featuring RnB sensation Xenia Manasseh.

    The two are expected to perform at the Peaches and Cream event set for September.

  • Actress died of AIDS, medical examiner finds

    Actress died of AIDS, medical examiner finds

    Daveigh Case, best known for her role in the horror movie ‘The Ring ’ and for voicing Lilo in Disney’s animated ‘Lilo & Stitch’, died of Aids, according to official findings.

    The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner also listed “chronic polysubstance use” – use of multiple drugs – under “other significant conditions”, ruling her death to be “natural”.

    Chase, whose other credits included voicing Chihiro in the English-dubbed version of Japanese animation ‘Spirited Away’ and starring in the cable drama ‘Big Love’, died in a hospital on 16 June, aged 35.

    Her father, John David Schwallier, told the New York Times she was homeless and living in LA with her boyfriend before her death.

    Chase’s manager, John Ryan Jr, told the BBC last week that she had died from sepsis after suffering from meningitis in an LA hospital.

    The former child star, who was also known as Daveigh Schwallier, began acting at four years old, booking her first Hollywood job when she was seven, but she retired from acting full-time in 2015, her manager said.

    Her first TV role in Hollywood at age seven was a small part in the popular Melissa Joan Hart-led sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

    Chase’s Hollywood breakthrough came in 2001 when she appeared as Samantha Darko in ‘Donnie Darko’ and later played the titular character’s sister in the 2009 film S Darko.

    In 2002, Chase starred as Samara Morgan, the long-haired ghost that crawls out of the telly in the horror film The Ring, an American remake of the Japanese classic about a videotape that makes people die after they watch it.

    She earned a 2003 MTV Movie Award for best villain for her turn as the spooky demon-like character that crawls on its hands and feet before killing victims.

    Also in 2002, she voiced the Elvis-adoring Hawaiian girl Lilo in the animated hit Lilo & Stitch.

    The part earned her an Annie Award for best voice acting in an animated feature production, and she continued to voice the character in spin-offs.

    According to the Hollywood Reporter, Chase had a slew of legal run-ins later in life, including being charged with drug possession and joyriding in a stolen car.

  • Mulamwah joins celebrities condemning Andrew Kibe over remarks about Stevo Simple Boy’s son

    Mulamwah joins celebrities condemning Andrew Kibe over remarks about Stevo Simple Boy’s son

    Kenyan comedian and content creator Mulamwah has joined a growing list of celebrities criticising media personality Andrew Kibe after his controversial remarks about musician Stevo Simple Boy and his newborn son.

    The controversy began during an episode of ‘Lessons at 30’, hosted by Dr Ofweneke, where Kibe argued that people like Stevo should not have children. He said: “Hatuezi kuwa na watu kama Stevo Simple Boy wanapata watoto,” before adding that Stevo should have been subjected to a vasectomy.

    The comments were widely condemned for dragging an innocent child into a public discussion.

    Stevo later responded through his social media pages, appealing to Kibe to leave his family out of the matter. He wrote: “Kama una tatizo na mimi, zungumza kuhusu mimi. Lakini usimhusishe mtoto wangu ambaye hana kosa lolote”.

    Mulamwah echoed the same message, urging Kibe to “keep children out of celebrity feuds”.

    Other public figures also weighed in, including musician Kendi, who described Kibe’s remarks as “the most ridiculous, hateful, saddest, sadistic and heartless thing” she had heard said about another person and an innocent child.

    She also criticised Dr Ofweneke for laughing during the interview.

    Following the public backlash, Dr Ofweneke has since deleted the podcast and accepted responsibility for what aired on his platform by apologising to Stevo and his family.

    Ofweneke later visited Stevo at home carrying gifts as a sign of reconciliation.

    Kibe, however, reacted differently after learning of Ofweneke’s apology. He criticised the host for deleting the podcast episode, claiming he had bowed to public pressure,

  • “We are truly humbled,” Jafar Jackson says as ‘Michael’ becomes highest-grossing biopic of all time

    “We are truly humbled,” Jafar Jackson says as ‘Michael’ becomes highest-grossing biopic of all time

    “We are truly humbled,” Jafar Jackson says as ‘Michael’ becomes highest-grossing biopic of all time

    Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jafar Jackson, who played the iconic musician in the music biopic, ‘Michael,’ thanked the fans for showing up to watch the film as he and actress Nia Long presented the first award of the night at the BET Awards, which took place on Sunday, June 28.

    The film, which premiered on April 20 with an exclusive East Africa screening sponsored by NCBA bank in Kenya, is now the highest-earning biopic of all time, beating out “Oppenheimer”, which detailed the building of the atomic bomb by Robert Oppenheimer and “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which revolved around the life of 80s icon Freddie Mercury.

    Speaking at the award ceremony, Jafar said: “We’re so grateful for the love you all showed to our movie. You guys have the theatres packed. We’re truly so humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family.”

    Nia Long, who played Katherine Jackson in the film, in turn praised Jafar for his portrayal of Michael.

    “Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still, and tonight we honour that,” Nia Long said. “Jaafar, it was an honour watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes.”

    Jackson and Long presented the Best Male R&B / Pop Artist award at the 2026 BET Awards, which went to Leon Thomas.

    ‘Michael’ was directed by Antoine Fuqua and made history by earning $977.4M at the Box office, surpassing Universal’s ‘Oppenheimer’, which earned $975.8M according to Deadline.

    The film stars Colman Domingo (Joseph Jackson), Miles Teller (John Branca), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Bill Bray), Lauren Harrier (Suzanne de Passe), Joseph David-Jones (Jackie Jackson), Rhyan Hill (Tito Jackson), Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine Jackson), Tre Horton (Marlon Jackson), Jessica Sula (LaToya Jackson), Mike Myers (Walter Yetnikoff), Kendrick Sampson (Quincy Jones), among many others.

  • Becky Sangolo says new song was inspired by the night she met her partner

    Becky Sangolo says new song was inspired by the night she met her partner

    Kenyan singer-songwriter Becky Sangolo has revealed that her latest single, “Pata Potea”, was born from one of the most significant moments in her personal life, the night she met her partner.

    The former Band Beca member, who is now based in Poland, says the song captures the feeling of an instant connection that blossomed into love.

    “The song was sparked by the night I met my own partner. I felt that instant connection that felt quite like home, and that inspired a melody and lyrics that tell a story and excite the parts of the heart longing for love,” Becky said.

    Released as a collaboration with acclaimed guitarist Fancy Fingers (Polycarp Otieno), “Pata Potea” blends acoustic guitar melodies with East African influences and European production.

    Working with a number of collaborators in Poland, the track also features violin by Polish musician Bartosz Słatyński.

    Despite relocating to Europe, Becky says her musical identity remains firmly rooted in Kenya.

    “Living away from Nairobi has not pulled me from my sound, it has sharpened it,” she said.

    She credits her father for laying the musical foundation that continues to shape her work today.

    “My father gave me the harmonies and grooves that shaped my ear since childhood. Those instincts carried me through Band Beca, and I still lean on them as a solo artist finding my own lane.”

    For Becky, building a career abroad has never meant leaving her culture behind. Instead, she sees her journey as an opportunity to take Kenyan music to new audiences.

    “Being a Kenyan musician in the diaspora means carrying the culture wherever the work takes me and trusting the world to meet me there,” she said.

    “Pata Potea” also marks another chapter in Becky’s evolving solo career. She has confirmed that another single will be released in July, ahead of a full-length album expected in August.

    The forthcoming project, she says, will feature “more rawness, more harmonies, and more storytelling,” while a long-awaited homecoming performance in Nairobi remains high on her list of ambitions.