KBC Channel 1

Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • Kenya-Russia ties: Russian Folk ensemble perform to celebrate Language Day

    Kenya-Russia ties: Russian Folk ensemble perform to celebrate Language Day

    The Russian Embassy in Kenya brought together dignitaries, diplomats, embassy friends, and members of the Kenyan public to watch a performance by the Folk ensemble, Khokhloma, at the Braeburn Theatre to celebrate the country’s National Language Day.

    The performance, a colourful, joyful display of Russian culture, took place on Thursday evening, a day after the Russian National Day celebrations, which were commemorated at the Serena Hotel with the unveiling of a commemorative postage stamp collection dedicated to the Russian-Kenyan bilateral partnership.

    The folk performance is among many of the embassy’s cultural events aimed at strengthening cultural relations between Russia and Kenya through cultural diplomacy and more prominently through the arts.

    Russian Ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko/Russian Embassy

    Speaking at the event, Russian ambassador to Kenya Vsevolod Tkachenko introduced the folk ensemble and said cultural exchange was central to Kenya-Russia ties.

    “The relationship between Kenya and Russia has developed dynamically across many fields and cultural cooperation holds a special place in our hearts. Our people are beginning to understand each other better through the language of art. We regularly organise a screening of Russian films…and last year we had the honour of presenting Russian ballet in Nairobi, and this year we will showcase our wonderful tradition, with the vibrant colours of Russian folk art.”

    Director General of the United Nations, Nairobi, Zainab Hawa Bangura

    Also in attendance was the Director General of the United Nations, Nairobi, Zainab Hawa Bangura, who also remarked on the continued cooperation through cultural diplomacy between Kenya and Russia.

    “As we mark Russian Language Day, celebrated through folk Russian dance, this occasion reminds us that language is far more than a means of communication; it carries history, identity and culture, and it brings people closer across borders and generations.

    “Today we also celebrate Russian dance and culture that continues to inspire appreciation, creativity and dialogue amongst people.”

    The Khokhloma folk ensemble on stage
    Key fact about folk ensemble
    The Khokhloma Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in St. Petersburg in 2016 by professional musicians and choreographers. The ensemble specialises in bright, energetic performances of Russian folk songs and dances, masterfully combining traditional folklore with modern arrangements.The name Khokhloma comes from a famous Russian decorative wood painting, famous for its vibrant floral and berry patterns in red, black, green and gold on wooden tableware and furniture.

    For about two hours on Thursday evening, the folk ensemble, together with a musical band, offered an energetic performance in two parts featuring 9 dances each.

    The performances were as follows:

    Part One

    -Close to the Don
    -Once One Evening
    -When We Were at War
    -Cossack Dance
    -Valenki
    -Moscow Nights
    -In The Meadows
    -Narrow Little Lane
    -I was Threshing on the Stove

    Part Two

    -Oh, Don’t Wake Me
    – Andro Verdas
    -Gypsy Dance
    -Czardas
    -Fair Beauty
    -Quadrille
    -Miracle Under the Hill
    -Katyusha
    -Kalinka

  • Shakira, Burna Boy to perform at World Cup opening ceremony

    Shakira, Burna Boy to perform at World Cup opening ceremony

    Shakira and Burna Boy are set to perform their collaboration “Dai Dai” at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony on June 11, according to FIFA.

    In a statement, the football organisation said the ceremony would feature “exciting voices” from around the world.

    “The opening ceremony at Mexico City Stadium will get underway 90 minutes before kick-off,” the statement said. “As previously announced, the show will feature some of the most exciting voices in global music, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Burna Boy, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná, Shakira and Tyla, all of whom will bring the sound of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album to life.”

    SEE FULL WORLD CUP ALBUM

    “Dai Dai”, released in May, is the “Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Song in support of FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise USD 100 million by the end of the tournament to provide children around the world with access to quality education and football opportunities”.

    In addition to performing at the opening ceremony, Shakira, alongside Madonna and BTS, will also headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on Sunday, 19 July.

    Fans attending the event have been urged by FIFA to arrive early to enjoy “pre-match entertainment.”

    “Fans at the stadium will have an active role to play in the show and should plan to arrive early, as the opening ceremony will start at 11:30 local time. Gates will open four hours prior to kick-off and a full suite of experiences will be on offer, including exclusive activations, rewards and pre-match entertainment,” FIFA said.

  • Video: Uganda’s Ghetto Kids ready to dance with Shakira at World Cup

    Video: Uganda’s Ghetto Kids ready to dance with Shakira at World Cup

    The Ghetto Kids, a Ugandan dance troupe made up of street children, are excited at being invited by music superstar Shakira to perform at the World Cup.

     

    After the Colombian musician released one of the official World Cup songs, “Dai Dai” alongside Burna Boy, dancers and fans took to social media to show off their dance skills using the song; the Ghetto Kids were in one of the videos that went viral.

    READ ABOUT THE 2026 WORLD CUP ALBUM

    In response, Shakira, who is one of the headliners for the first World Cup Halftime show, said: “I’ve been seeing amazing videos to the “Dai Dai” song…and I am going to need dancers for the halftime show because I want that moment to be special to all of us. That’s why I have decided to invite as many of you as I can…and I have already invited the Ghetto Kids from Uganda.”

    In an interview with AFP media, David Kavuma, the Founder of the Ghetto Kids, said in response to the viral video, they were contacted by “the Shakira team”, they said “yes” and are excited for this huge opportunity.

  • Trump cancels 250th anniversary concert after artists pull out

    Trump cancels 250th anniversary concert after artists pull out

    US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a mass rally in Washington on June 24 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, saying he’d cancelled planned concerts after several artists pulled out.

    “In celebration of our Country’s 250 Year History, we will be bringing you, LIVE, the Greatest Rally, EVER! It will be special at every level — A Rally to end all Rallies!” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

    “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep; we’ve told them all to stay home,” added the 79-year-old Republican.

    “All we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played, the same Music you have listened to for years!”

    Trump said these would include Lee Greenwood, the singer of “God Bless the USA,” a staple of his political rallies.

    The rally would also feature US military bands and choruses, “all of your favorite Hits, PLUS a fine and highly dignified gentleman known as President DONALD J. TRUMP!”

    Trump had previously suggested holding a rally for his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement, but he did not mention that in his announcement on Thursday.

    The Republican billionaire has tried to stamp his mark on America’s 250th birthday, most notably by staging a mixed martial arts fight in a specially constructed arena on the White House lawn on June 14, his 80th birthday.

    But the celebrations have become increasingly troubled.

    Shortly after they were announced as performers in a Washington concert series around the July 4 holiday, multiple musical acts backed out, with some citing the event’s politicisation.

  • FIFA officially unveils World Cup album 2026

    FIFA officially unveils World Cup album 2026

    Today, FIFA officially unveils the complete squad for the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, which brings together a global line-up of artists, cultures and sounds for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.

    Spanning 18 tracks, the Official Album is the most extensive multi-track music and culture project ever created for the showpiece event, capturing the energy, emotion and global spirit set to define the greatest show on earth across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album is now available for pre-save across all streaming platforms.

    Following the global releases of ‘Lighter’, ‘Por Ella’, ‘Echo’, ‘Illuminate’, ‘Goals’ and ‘Game Time’, FIFA Sound has revealed the full creative vision behind the Official Album, an all-star line-up that mirrors the prestige and diversity of the tournament itself.

    Featuring artists from around the world, the Official Album showcases a series of unprecedented collaborations, with most of the artists on each track joining forces for the very first time through the power of football.

    “FIFA has brought together an extraordinarily strong music squad and one befitting the biggest single-sport event in history,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “From global superstars to breakthrough voices who are shaping the future of music, the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album features artists from across continents, languages and genres in a project designed to unite fans worldwide through the power of music and football.”

    Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album Track List

    Goals– LISA, Anitta and Rema
    Game Time– Future and Tyla
    Illuminate– Jessie Reyez and Elyanna
    Echo– Daddy Yankee and Shenseea
    Por Ella– Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda
    Three Nations – 21 Savage, Nata Cano and French Montana
    No Place Like Home– Major Lazer, Nelly Furtado and Davido
    In the Stars (Remix) – The Rolling Stones
    Show Me– Ayra Starr and Latto
    Mi Mexico Lindo– Alejandro Fernández
    Blessings– Stormzy, Fridayy and Angel
    Energy – Ava Max and BIA
    Lighter– Jelly Roll and Carín León
    Siir Siir– Nora Fatehi, Vegedream and Sanjoy
    Partidazo– Danny Ocean
    Champion– IShowSpeed
    Love Always Wins– Shaggy, Cimafunk and Zema
    Dai Dai – Shakira and Burna Boy

    More than a collection of songs, the album serves as a platform for artistic collaboration on a global scale.

    Artists from various backgrounds and with an array of musical traditions have come together to create a soundtrack that reflects football’s unique ability to unite people around the world.

    Additional collaborations and singles will continue to roll out throughout the tournament.

    Fans will experience many of the tracks live during the Countdown Concert in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles, as well as the opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

  • Film director Martin Scorsese faces backlash for endorsing AI

    Film director Martin Scorsese faces backlash for endorsing AI

    Legendary film-maker Martin Scorsese has stepped into the fierce debate over the rise of artificial intelligence in Hollywood by endorsing an AI tool that he says has been “creatively freeing” in the pre-production process.

    ‘The Taxi Driver’, ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ director has become an adviser to AI company Black Forest Labs, saying he wants to “push the bounds of creativity to create deeper and richer experiences for audiences”.

    The company released a video of Scorsese using AI to instantly create images for storyboards, which show how key characters, locations and scenes should look.

    He’s the latest big-name director to embrace AI, but was criticised by some in the industry who fear its impact on the creative process and jobs.

    In a statement, the 83-year-old Oscar winner said he had always struggled to “communicate what you see in your head to your cast and crew” in storyboards.

    He said: “I’m interested in the intersection of technology and storytelling, and seeing how that can push the bounds of creativity to create deeper and richer experiences for audiences.

    “Remember, cinema is a young medium, only around 125 years old, so we have to be open to how it can evolve.”

    He pointed out that he had used 3D in 2011 film ‘Hugo’ and de-ageing technology for 2019’s ‘The Irishman’, and said AI could now help him to convey his ideas “more clearly and efficiently to my creative team”, including a production designer, art designer and cinematographer.

    “I recently tested this out on a scene, and the ability to visualise and immediately share the storyboard was creatively freeing,” he added.

    “During the pre-production process, time costs money, and this allowed us to move faster without sacrificing quality or craft.”

    ‘Artists thrown under the bus’

    But his enthusiasm was controversial among some fans and members of the film industry.

    Karla Ortiz, who worked in the art department on films including ‘Avengers: Endgame’, ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Doctor Strange’, wrote on X: “He throws every single storyboard artist he’s ever worked with under the bus, as he demolishes their livelihoods with models that are likely trained on those storyboard artists’ same works.

    “To use his legacy and power for this is just so disgusting.”

    Animation director Samuel Deats said: “It takes literally seconds for me to storyboard a shot, there is absolutely no reason to need AI built on the stolen work of millions of artists to storyboard your vision, have some damn pride and respect your peers.”

    Others on social media defended Scorsese and the use of AI in film.

    “Using AI is effectively just another special effect like CGI. And as shown, Scorsese is not adverse to such technological advancements,” wrote one user.

    “If AI can help someone like Scorsese show his cinematographer or production team what he’s imagining more quickly, I don’t really see the issue,” said another.

    “At that point, it feels less like replacing creativity and more like giving the creative process a better tool.”

    Scorsese is far from the first high-profile filmmaker to enthuse about the potential of AI.

    Darren Aronofsky’s studio used AI to recreate the American Revolution in a series of short films, and Steven Soderbergh has used it to create visual scenes in a new documentary about John Lennon.

    Late actor Val Kilmer has been resurrected by AI to appear in a forthcoming film, which he agreed to star in before his death in April 2025.

    Steven Spielberg recently said AI could help “save us a lot of legwork” by undertaking tasks such as scouting locations, but should just be “a tool in a large tool chest” and shouldn’t have the “final word on anything creative”.

    Guillermo Del Toro said last year that he would “rather die” than use AI.

    On Tuesday, director Adam Shankman responded to claims that he used AI in his new film ‘Stop! That! Train!’, starring RuPaul.

    “Every shot in ‘Stop! That! Train!’ was made by human hands!” Shankman wrote on Instagram. “There are a sum total of ZERO shots conceived by AI in the movie. We employed hundreds of VFX artists who all killed themselves getting this out for release, and not one job was taken out of human hands.”

  • National Heroes Council calls for nominations of national heroes

    National Heroes Council calls for nominations of national heroes

    The National Heroes Council has launched a nationwide call for proposals, inviting members of the public, organisations, institutions and groups to nominate outstanding individuals for declaration as national heroes.

    The Council established under the Kenya Heroes Act, No. 5 of 2014, is mandated to identify, select, and confer formal recognition on exceptional persons who have contributed positively, selflessly, and sacrificially to the nation’s growth, transformation, and heritage.

    Nomination Criteria

    Nominations are invited for individuals who have made contributions in any of the following 14 functional areas outlined in the First Schedule of the Act, namely: liberation struggle, spiritual leadership, indigenous knowledge, cultural values and practices, the arts, sports, scholarship, professionalism and research, peace-making, statesmanship, entrepreneurship and industry, philanthropy, human rights, national cohesion and integration and environmental conservation.

    The deadline for submissions is 1 July 2026. Successful nominees will be formally honoured during the national Mashujaa Day celebrations on October 20, 2026.

    Nominations can be submitted through the following means:
    1. Online: Access and complete the nomination form on the Council website. Attach supporting documentation and submit.
    2. Email: nominations@heroes.go.ke
    3. Hand delivered to:
    Office of the Chief Executive Officer,
    The National Heroes Council,
    Mezzanine Floor, Embankment Plaza,
    Upper Hill.
    4. Sent by post to:
    The Chief Executive Officer,
    The National Heroes Council,
    P.O. Box 30001-00100, Nairobi.

  • Kenyan producer, Grace Kahaki, becomes juror for International Emmys

    Kenyan producer, Grace Kahaki, becomes juror for International Emmys

    Grace Kahaki of Insignia Productions has been invited to serve as a juror for the 2026 International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (International Emmy Awards).

    Kahaki’s selection highlights a growing recognition of Kenyan creatives; in January, award-winning Kenyan producer Toni Kamau joined the 2026 Sundance jury, and Kenyan writer Troy Onyango was a judge for the International Booker Prize in 2026.

    KENYAN FILM RECEIVES EMMY NOMINATION

    She joins documentary filmmaker King Muriuki (2026) and actor Paul Ogola (2022) as Kenyan Emmy jurors.

    “Deeply honoured to be selected as a juror for the 2026 International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Awards,” Kahaki said. “It means a great deal to have my voice recognised and included among industry professionals shaping conversations around excellence in global television. It’s a reminder that African storytellers continue to have an important voice on the world stage.”

    Grace Kahaki has worked in TV and production in Kenya for over 15 years, and in 2026, walked away with the most Kalasha Awards at the Award ceremony in March with Philippe Bresson for their show “Kash Money.”

    KENYAN SHOW LANDS EMMY NOD

    The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, popularly referred to as the Emmys, honours excellence in television programming produced outside the United States.

  • 13 Kenyan films, series to showcase at ZIFF at the end of June

    13 Kenyan films, series to showcase at ZIFF at the end of June

    The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is scheduled to take place in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from June 24 to June 27.

    The theme for this year’s event, also known as the ‘Festival of the Dhow Countries’, is AI and the Art of Storytelling, a fitting topic of discussion as film industries across the world grapple with the rise and prevalence of Artificial Intelligence.

    The 29th edition of the festival, which is aimed at promoting film and other cultural industries as catalysts for regional social and economic growth, will showcase 13 creative works from Kenya.

    Kenya will showcase two films for competition in the Short Film category, three for competition in the documentary category and one in the feature film category. Additionally, the country will also showcase five Kenyan series in competition and two more short films not in competition.

    The list of films and series set to showcase at ZIFF are as follows:

    Feature Fiction Film
    • Bobo – Directed by Maurice Muendo (In Competition)

    Documentaries

    • The People Shall – Directed by Mark Maina and Nick Wambugu (In Competition)

    • Kikuyu Land – Directed by Bea Wangondu (In Competition)

    • After the Abyss – Directed by Keira Shishay (In Competition)

    Drama Series

    • Mizani (Scale) – Directed by Mdagaya Eric (In Competition)

    • Lazizi – Directed by Reuben Odanga (In Competition)

    • Kash Money Season 1 – Directed by Grace Kahaki, Phil Bresson (In Competition)

    • Single Kiasi Season 4 – Directed by Grace Kahaki, Phil Bresson (In Competition)

    • Adam to Eve – Directed by Alexandros Konstantaras (In Competition)

    Short Films

    • Goat – Directed by Judith Kibinge (In Competition)

    • Our Brother – Directed by Shandra Apondi (In Competition)

    • Last Broadcast From Earth – Directed by Lissa Russel (Out of Competition)

    • The Swap – Directed by Sally Ngori (Out of Competition)

  • Singer Dua Lipa marries actor Callum Turner

    Singer Dua Lipa marries actor Callum Turner

    Pop star Dua Lipa and “Fantastic Beasts” actor Callum Turner married in London on Sunday, according to media reports, which said a three-day party may follow the low-key nuptials in Sicily.

    The Sun and Daily Mail tabloids showed photos of the couple leaving Old Marylebone Town Hall following a civil ceremony with just a handful of family and friends.

    Dua Lipa, 30, wore a white hat and dress designed by the Schiaparelli studio for the wedding, according to reports. Turner, 36, donned a dark blue suit.

    The Sun said that they now plan a “sumptuous” three-day party in Sicily at the end of next week. Representatives of the couple, who have been together since January 2024, did not answer AFP’s request to comment.

    Dua Lipa, the daughter of Kosovo migrants who has become one of Britain’s top singers since her “Be The One” single in 2016, announced in an interview with British Vogue last year that she and Turner planned to marry.

    Turner made an international name for himself, appearing in the “Fantastic Beasts” films. He is considered a possible candidate to become the next James Bond.