Where are the TPF Alumini?

Tusker Project Fame was a breath of fresh air in a region that was deprived of reality television programs. We look at some of the talented winners.

The East African singing competition is sponsored by Tusker Malt lager that brings the finest talents from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi.

Winners of the competition walk away with 5 million Kenya Shillings, a Gallo Records contract and Resolution Health Premier plus Medical Cover among other goodies.

The past winners of TPF have been a complete let down having not produced any hits. Although Amileena and Naava from Kenya and Uganda did not win the top prize, the two have been the only consistent artists who continue to churn out hit after hit.

Kenya'slady comedian, Teacher Wanjiku tells her story

Arguably the biggest and wittiest female comedian in Kenya, Teacher Wanjiku demystifies herself, uncovering her private life as she talks about dating, her daughter and how life has changed after her great breakthrough 
Pulse: Who is Teacher Wanjiku?
Teacher Wanjiku: In my comedy character, I am a humble artiste trying to make a living. I am a single mother of a young daughter who will be joining class one next year. I live in Dandora, Nairobi.
P: When did you make your debut in acting and comedy?
TW: Well, Wanjiku was a character from a Heartstrings play called 43rd Kenyan tribe. That was four years ago. The director was very impressed. I realised I could make people laugh. Two years later, I made a comeback through the Churchill Live show where I did the first show on the laptops for schools debate. From that, I got over 200,000 views on Youtube, the most views ever in the show. After the exposure, the offers got crazy.
P: The classroom skits are super hilarious and out of the box. Who comes up with the concepts?
TW: It is a group contribution. I come up with the ideas and write the skit lessons then the panel hammers it out and the director, Victor Ber, gives direction and approvals.
P: How do you come up with the final skit?
TW: We do rehearsals from Tuesday to Thursday. It is a passionate exercise and one has to go through scripts over and over to come with the final piece.
P: How long have you been acting?
TW: Eight years now. However, I got my big break in February this year thanks to the Churchill show.
P: The season is coming to an end. What next for teacher Wanjiku?
TW: I have big plans after the season ends in February (next year). I am busy working on some big acting projects. I will reveal the plans when the right time comes.
P: Is Teacher Wanjiku a perpetual character or was it just for the Churchill show?
TW: She is a perpetual character. Character accents can be seasonal. You can not keep on cracking jokes the same way every time as your fans will get bored with you. The character will soon change.
P: So we will soon be able to see another side of Teacher Wanjiku or you, in your true personality?
TW: Lets say Teacher Wanjiku will expose her true self come next year. Brace yourselves up!
P: Do you ever get tired of cracking jokes?
TW: As a teacher? Never! Sometimes the character is even funny to me, so funny that I even laugh at my teacher image. I want to believe am funny.
P: What is one misconception people have of you?
TW: I hear people asking why I shrub so much. They also wonder why I dress like a clown. I am not going to answer them yet.
P: Is comedy what you grew up wanting to do?
TW: Wanjiku never wanted to be a teacher but ‘Teacher’ is now shaping up Wanjiku and my fans are having the last laugh on this.

Sheila Mwanyigah Reacts to her Nude photos

Media personality and musician Sheila Mwanyigah has no word for critics. The soft-spoken former Tusker project fame presenter has gone mum in regards to the hullabaloo created by her naked Vaseline billboard.
When reached by Heads Up to comment on the issue that has got men going bonkers, Sheila had only two words: “No comment.”
On further probing on the buzz created by the billboard on social media networks, Sheila said: “I do not wish to talk about this matter. Thank you,”
This is not the first time this radio queen has caused a buzz in social media.
Last year, she was heavily castigated for overdoing her make-up, which turned her face almost ‘white’ mismatching with her skin color.
She also chose not to comment on the matter.
She seems to have recoiled into a shell since her much publicized relationship with fellow musician Prezzo, years ago.
It was rumored that she had broken up with her fiancé, a renowned media personality over her short fling with the King of Bling.

Kenya offers Sh500 000 reward for information on car used in mall attack

Kenyan police are offering a 500,000 shilling reward for information about a vehicle believed to have been used in the attack last month on the Westgate mall in Nairobi which left at least 72 people dead, an official said on Monday.

The Kenyan Chief Inspector of Police, Jared Ojuok, said the police suspected the car, a silver Mitsubishi sedan was used to ferry both the attackers and the weapons.

The car contained explosives and weapons at the time of its recovery, almost a week after the attack, head of Anti-Terrorism Unit Boniface Mwaniki said, according to local media reports.

The car was purchased in the weeks prior to the assault on the shopping centre.

Police are chasing after two suspects connected to the vehicle.

One was nearly arrested at the weekend, but managed to evade officers, apparently after being tipped off.

The Kenyan military on Saturday named four gunmen, Somali and Kenyan nationals, allegedly involved in the mall attack, claimed by Somali Islamist militia al-Shabaab.

Kenyan officials had initially speculated between 10 and 15 gunmen were involved in the attack.

They announced at the end of the four-day siege that they had killed five attackers.

Officials are declining to comment on the discrepancies, saying investigations are still ongoing and forensic teams are at work inside the mall, parts of which had been reduced to rubble.

Mercy Myra features in 'Thy will be Done'

Kenyan songstress Mercy Myra has landed a coveted spot in international singer India Arie's latest single, Thy will be done.

The song is one of the many anticipated additions to her new album, Songversations.
After an extensive break from the industry, Mercy has re-entered the scene with a vengeance. Her style has evolved  and become more mature, making critics say that she has "reclaimed her throne".
Her most recent performance, at the Past, Present and Future Concert, where she performed with other acclaimed divas Atemi and Dela, had the industry abuzz.
The collaboration with India Arie seems overdue, as she has been dubbed on many occasions as the India Arie of Kenya. She ends the track by blending in Kiswahili lyrics.
Vibeweekly.com reports, "It seems that she was not just sitting on her talents all the while, she even sings a few lines in Swahili in the reggae track that features renowned Gramps Morgan."

Video vixen Vera, gets cloned

Popular music video girl, Vera Sidika is experiencing a taste of 'superstardom', after battling with the dreaded fake Facebook account dilemma.

Sidika appeared on Pulse last week, sharing how she makes bank- and clearly many people were watching!
Within hours imposters started creating fake accounts pretending to be Vera. Some posted nude pictures, while others tried to solicit money from the followers, writes The Standard Digital.
Vera warned about the scams, especially after one of the accounts garnered over 6000 followers!
She opened up on MondayBlues, “I am very disturbed. Several friends have been conned through the fake Facebook accounts. Everyone should know that the Vee S Beiby and Vera Sidika accounts as well as another one labeled Queenvee Bosset are not my Facebook accounts. My only online social media account is my Twitter handle, which is @vee_beiby. The rest are imposters”.

Kenyan athletes break marathon world record in Berlin

Kenyan athletes Wilson Kipsang broke the marathon world record set by Patrick Makau two years ago.

On Sunday, September 29, 2013, Wilson Kipsang broke the marathon world record set by Patrick Makau two years ago.
The 31-year-old Kenyan athlete completed the 40th Berlin marathon race in 2:03:23, about 15 seconds earlier than that of Patrick who ran in 2:03:38. Also, he outran his fellow Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (2:04.05) and Geoffrey Kipsang (2:06.26) who came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Kipsang who won $54,000 in prize money and $68,000 in bonus money for the world record expressed his joy, ''This is a dream come true. 10 years ago, I watched Paul Tergat break the World record in Berlin, and now I have achieved the dream. I felt strong, so I attacked at 35k, because the pace had become a little too slow.''
''If I prepare very well, and with the same shape (I can go faster). Today there was a lot of wind, I was really fighting. Looking at my marathon progress and career so far, I still think I have the potential to run faster. Anything under 2:03:23 would do'', he told reporters.
Florence Kiplagat also made it a double success for Kenya as she won the women's race in 2:21.13, ahead of her Kenyan compatriot Sharon Cherop and Germany's Irina Mikitenko in third.

Keith Sweat's Kenya concert cancelled

Keith Sweat has postponed his 'Keith Sweat Nairobi Concert' following the Westgate Mall attack last week while the ''country mourns.''

It was earlier announced Keith Sweat concert has been postponed due to the tension in Kenya caused by the Westgate Mall attack of Saturday, September 21, 2013.
The legendary American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer and radio personality, Keith Sweat was expected to be in Kenya for a one-day concert 'Keith Sweat Nairobi Concert' involving the Kenyan artist, Nina Ogot.
In a statement signed by the Project Manager for the Keith Sweat Nairobi concert, Martin Mulwa, the organisers apologized for the inconveniences caused due to the massacre claiming many lives in the country ''We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected news. This is especially to all Keith Sweat fans and everyone who supported us. We are all shaken by the events of the past weekend and we deemed it best to postpone the concert as the country mourns,'' Mulwa said.
In addition, the organisers promised to refund monies to those who had earlier purchased the tickets for the Saturday, October 5 show at Carnivore grounds, Nairobi. A new date for the show will be communicated later.

Newlywed Emmy Kosgei's lavish gifts

Gospel star, Emmy Madubuko is no doubt in wedded bliss after tying the knot with Apostle Anselm Madubuko.

Emmy, who's currently enjoying her honeymoon, received a BMW X6 with customised plates and a Lagos mansion, reveals Pulse.
The couple's wedding was attended by 30 Kenyans, apart from her Nigerian husband's guests.
The Standard Digital reports it was quite a lavish affair, followed by a banquet at the five-star Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

Wahu opens up about Westgate

Wahu has opened up about how her daughter narrowly escaped the Westgate mall tragedy.

The singer, who is married to artist Nameless, recently posted on her blog that her daughter Tumiso was meant to meet up with friends for a playdate but due to a change of plans she avoided the attack.
Wahu added that when she watched the attack unfold on TV she couldn't help but cry thinking it could've been her daughter in the attack.
She also dedicated the blog post to all those affected by the tragedy.
"I dedicate this blog post to all those who have lost loved ones in the tragedy; all those recovering in hospital from this cowardly act; all those who risked their lives to save their fellow Kenyans. Let not our spirit be broken. Instead, let this incident strengthen our national pride and brotherly love," she wrote.

Atumpan spotted with Roberto Di Matteo

Kenyan act Atumpan met Roberto Di Matteo at 'Guinness raise your game TV show' in London.

Former Italian footballer and Chelsea club manager, Roberto Di Matteo is apparently in love with Kenyan act Atumpan's new single 'Clap Clap' which has brought the two together as good friends.
Frank Elinam Cobbinah aka 'Atumpan' meaning 'Talking Drum' shared a photo of himself and Robert Di Matteo when they met at 'Guinness raise your game TV show' in London. Both wearing black, they held each other full of smiles as they posed for pictures.
Atumpan received three nominations at the 2011 Ghana Music Awards for 'Most Popular Song of the Year', 'Afro-Pop Song of the Year', and 'Best New Artist of the Year'. He was also nominated for 'Best African Act' at this year's MOBO Awards with his smash hit single 'The Thing' released in the UK.

'Westgate Seige' Now on Video

Some Kenyans have already put together the Westgate Shopping Mall attack into a movie 'Westgate Siege', with some vendors in Nairobi's River Road selling the DVDs.

Some Kenyans have already put together the Westgate Shopping Mall attack into a movie 'Westgate Siege'.
The DVDs released by Riverwood are already all over town with movie vendors in Nairobi's River Road and other downtown streets hawking the movie which comes in different names and covers.
According to sources, the DVDs are said to be selling very well, despite the fact that they are only a collection of news clips from various media houses and not a dramatized movie.
The dreadful Islamist attack at Westgate Shopping Mall occurred on Saturday, September 21, 2013.

Size 8 brings that fire, again

The star who turned gospel has established a new niche for herself and couldn't be more excited, her new single attempts to show her growth as a musician.

Size 8 garnered a massive hit with her single Fire when she was still a 'secular' artist. She has now undergone a total transformation and created a song by the same name, however she's hoping it will help her to soar to even greater heights.
The beauty insists that while having the same name, the songs differ completely.
She revealed to Pulse, on the eve of the brand new music video release, “It’s only the name that remains the same. I want to start new fire. The video is a representation of my life after getting saved and a testimony how I am spreadin0g God’s Gospel. It is a new fire, the fire of God”.

Muthoni makes a comeback

Local artist Muthoni, also known as The Drummer Queen, will soon release her second album.

The album, which is titled MDQ, is made up of 10 lessons she's learnt since her last album, The Human Condition, was released four years ago.
“In MDQ, I share with the world the big idea that success is possible and achievable, on your own terms, no matter where you start," she told Standard Digital.
The new album will be released in a very unique way on 18 October.
Muthoni has reportedly decided to release one song from the album per week to give her fans enough time to appreciate and understand each track.