Nairobi Fashion Week season 3

The Nairobi Fashion Week is a fashion industry event that allows fashion designers, brand or ''houses'' to display their latest collections in runway shows and enables buyers to take a look at the latest trends.

The Nairobi Fashion Week {NFW} is a creative idea targeted to be a meeting place for the nation and Africa's most creative talent. It's an event created to showcase East Africa's designers, stylist's,producer's, commentators, sponsors and everyone in between to a global audience. So welcome on board as we set the way for the rest of Africa.

Runs till: Saturday, 28th November 2015
Time: 07:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Location: Garden City Mall, Thika Road

Fifteen designers from across the continent are slated to showcase their 2016 summer collections, starting on the evening of Nov. 28. Designers showcasing are:

Get your tickets at www.ticketsasa.com

Dela - Mafeelings (Official Video)

Check out Dela's new jam #Mafeelings which has been trending since last week. The song is about chicks who go out with their friend's exes, you are definitely breaking the Girl Code, listen to Dela ranting on how she has caught feelings because her friend is dating her ex. The video is dope too

IBM extends its ICT driven learning push countrywide

About 3,700 teachers across the country will benefit from training in ICT integration in teaching and learning to boost students' passion in science subjects, starting January.

The design-based learning is aimed at changing the traditional classroom culture for learners (of using textbooks) by incorporating the use of computers and practical work outside class.

The programme dubbed Teachers TryScience (TTS) steered by the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in collaboration with the International Business Machines (IBM) company targets science and mathematics in primary and secondary schools.

Learning in Kenya is largely theoretical where students are made to absorb content for examination purposes but end up without practical skills. Employers have raised concern about the quality of Kenyan graduates.

So big has the problem been that President Uhuru Kenyatta has offered tax rebates for companies to recruit interns and pass over skills, to make them employable.

The learning will also work to infuse the culture of entrepreneurship as students are encouraged to engineer solutions through their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math.

“We have developed a one week training manual for teachers in leveraging technology during lessons and every county is required to identify between 50 and 100 Sub County trainers teachers for science and art subjects, ICT champions and other stakeholders,” said Stephen Njoroge, CEMASTEA Director.

Many countries in the developing world are unable to compete in innovation globally as their learners do not have access to facilities and training enjoyed by their peers in the developed world.

“About 70 per cent of students who sit for KCSE score Ds in sciences and we want to change that notion in learners as science is the solution for our everyday lives.”

Mr Njoroge was speaking during the launch of the up-scaled IBM-CEMASTEA Teachers TryScience Programme Wednesday, in Nairobi.

“The programme is part of our Sh600m ($60 million) fund for Africa to leverage on technology in sectors such as education and provide tools and resources to spark students’ enthusiasm in the Science subjects. We will be providing hardware and software tools to try and address the work needs and help them prepare for the work place at an early age,” IBM East Africa chief operating officer, Nigel Noble said.

By: Stella Murumba

Avril ft AY - No Stress (Official Video)

Check out Avril's new jam-NO STRESS featuring AY, most definitely a hit, a cool party song, video is on fleek!

Garden Restaurants perfect for outdoor events

RIDGEVIEW LEISURE GARDEN

Located in Kiambu Road, Ridgeview Leisure garden provides an ambient environment for events, be they corporate, family or any outdoor event.

When you visit Ridgeviews Leisure Garden, you will be mesmerized by their lush green garden forming a peaceful setting with stunning views and idyllic natural grounds. Our garden provides the perfect venue for your special day with loads of character, capable of seating up to 300 guests. Do you have a special event coming up or want to throw a party for a loved one? Visit then and they will show you around the grounds, work out with you the various options for your function and help you create a memorable experience for your guests.

At Ridgeviews Leisure Garden we provide a perfect get away for the family, a retreat for the company team building, a beautiful background for your perfect wedding reception, a perfect lush green and private compound for any of your occassions be it a birthday party, an anniversary, a graduation party, Goat eating Party, Family Get together, Bridal showers, Corporate Staff Parties, Team Bonding or just an evening with your special one..


Ridgeviews Leisure Gardens takes hospitality back to its essence and defines itself through individualized attention, genuine concern for its guests and a sense of pride in providing excellent service for individuals, groups and families.

If you are looking for a prime dining experience in a stylish, ambient environment either for a family outing, business lunch meeting or office party, Ridgeviews Leisure Gardens offers top class service to fit any occasion and a bouncing castle with face painting and coloring activities for the children every Sunday lunch time.

The restaurant has a specially selected wine list, and professionally trained chefs are there to prepare the most beautiful and delicious meals. Ridgeviews Leisure Gardens is ideal for anyone looking for a quick and convenient lunch or an enjoyable dinner with family and friends. There is a beautiful indoor ambience as well as a beautiful serene outdoor garden; there is secure ample parking available too.

Email: info@ridgeviews.co.ke
Web: www.ridgeviews.co.ke

Telkom to lay off 600 ahead of Orange’s sale of stake to Helios

Hundreds of Telkom Kenya employees could lose their jobs before year end as the majority owner, France Telecom clears the house ahead of the planned sale of its entire stake to private equity firm Helios.

The job cuts will be the subject of a board meeting Wednesday morning — the second in as many weeks — where a final decision on the extent and timelines for the retrenchment will be made.

The latest meeting comes a week after Telkom Kenya announced that it had inked a deal that will see Helios acquire the entire 70 per cent stake it owns in the Kenyan firm. The Treasury owns a 30 per cent stake and will remain a shareholder in the company after France Telekom’s exit.

Telkom Kenya intended to lay off staff earlier but slammed the brakes on the plan because it lacked the cash to pay the affected employees. The plan, however, got impetus after Telkom inked the deal with Helios who are said to be keen on its conclusion before the possible takeover.

A senior Telkom Kenya executive described the retrenchment plan as a done deal that was only awaiting the board’s approval of the number and severance packages.

“The issue of retrenchment has been there. The current shareholders [France Telecom and Government of Kenya] are negotiating how to share the costs,” said our source, adding that the plan is to conclude it before Helios comes on board.

Telkom Kenya’s current staff count of 1,623 is a drop from the 6,816 it had in December 2007 when France Telecom bought a 51 per cent stake in the firm for Sh26 billion.

Out of the 1,623 employees, about 400 are support staff, 188 are classified as commercial staff, while the remainder are technical staff.

The employees cost the company more than Sh1.2 billion annually, according to data that the company provided last year.

The company said the ratio of employee salaries to total revenues, which stood at 22 per cent last year, was seven percentage points higher than the market ideal, making it imperative to reduce the numbers to about 1,000.

France Telecom’s press officer Tom Wright declined to comment on the retrenchment plan.

Analysts at Standard Investment Bank (SIB) said Helios could use Telkom’s existing infrastructure to focus on wholesale and Internet business as well as share its towers.

“We do not think it will be a major disruptive force in the industry but will aim to turn around the company to profitability,” SIB said. “It could also target mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) looking to launch in the Kenyan market.”

By Okutta Mark- BD

Equity gains Sh30bn in a month as small banks lose deposits

Equity Bank management says it has grown its deposit base by Sh30 billion in the last month riding on shift of deposits from small banks.
Small banks have suffered loss of deposits since last month after the sudden closure of Imperial Bank that shook the market confidence in the sensitive banking sector.

“We are big beneficiaries of flight to safety. During the recent (turmoil) we got an additional Sh30 billion,” said Equity Bank chief executive James Mwangi on the sidelines of a media briefing.

Central Bank of Kenya had last week confirmed that some of the small lenders had suffered runs forcing it to give them liquidity through what is commonly referred to as reverse repos

Equity Bank deposits had dropped by Sh14 billion in the three months to September to Sh222 billion.
The indigenous lender is the only bank that has confirmed it benefited from customer flight from the small banks.

Banks are required to release financial reports every quarter making it difficult to trace how they have been affected by the collapse of the medium-sized Imperial Bank in mid-October.

Central Bank governor Patrick Njoroge said the run stopped early this month with banks that were recording loss of deposits recovering to report increase in customer deposits.“I have been talking to chief executives on how the week ended and indication is that we have turned the corner with those who were recording deposit outflows now posting more inflows,” Dr Njoroge told the parliamentary Finance Committee last week.

A dubious list of banks likely to suffer a similar fate as Imperial Bank was circulated in social media, and picked by a section of the media, hurting most small lenders. CBK has said it contracted detectives from the cybercrime unit to trace the source of the list.

“When this news became public there was shock in the financial system and some depositors began moving their money from some banks but the biggest shock was a story that circulated in the social media — that was very damaging and malicious,” said Dr Njoroge.

There are 21 banks classified as small lenders by Central Bank. These banks usually have to pay a premium to attract deposits owing to fears of collapse and the Imperial Bank crisis just made matters worse.

As at end of last year the six banks classified as large in the country held more than 50 per cent of the country’s total savings.

Dr Njoroge also said he had urged the large banks to lend to their smaller rivals in order to redistribute the liquidity in Kenya’s banking sector.

Banks lend to one another through the interbank window and the horizontal repo market which was previously dubbed ineffective with the large lenders holding on to their deposits.

“The liquidity has been lopsided; there was a lot of liquidity in four banks. What we have done is to encourage them to recycle the liquidity in the banking community — there have been a lot more horizontal repos.
“This is something that was not happening in the past but now is a standard practice,” said Dr Njoroge.

By: George Ngigi- BD

Katika festival - 22nd November

A Family fun filled event in which people dance their way to Kshs 100,000. Last Group Of Four Left Standing , Wins .. That Simple. Lets Dance.

DJ Bash | Kris Darlin | DJ Joe Mfalme | MC Jalango | MC Kwambox

Runs till: Sunday, 22nd November 2015
Time: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Location: Arboretum Gardens

Tickets go for Sh.1000

Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya- WECREATE

Are you a Kenyan woman entrepreneur who would like to showcase your products or services? WECREATE has created a platform for you, we are celebrating women entrepreneurs in Kenya and helping the upcoming ones.

Join us on the 21st of November at WECREATE, Hatheru off Gitanga road in Lavington from 10am.

P-NINE FT DK KWENYE BEAT- TIKOLO REMIXX(OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Watch out "Tikolo's remix by P-Nine and DK Kwenye Beat

Sigiria Fitness Experience 90's Edition

We are taking you back to the 90's as we engage in some of the major games we played back in the 90's. This will be a good fitness experience for you and your friends.

Damages is 1500 for 2 people and 1000 per person.

Nurturing Transformational Leaders Lunch

You are invited to Nurturing Transformational Leaders Lunch hosted by Youth Mentorship Foundation on 14th Nov 1pm-4pm at KICC Aphitheatere Room-Nairobi entry is absolutely free.

Guest speakers C.E.O East Africa Data Handlers –George Njoroge, Director Jubilee Scholarship Fund Nairobi Chapel- Mbugua Mbugua, Pepe Minambo- Author and Motivational Speaker.

Come and be mentored.....

Season Finale of Daughters of Zion

We have learnt, received empowerment and grown in grown in every area of our lives. Join us for our grand season finale of the Daughters of Zion on the 14th of November at the Blue Post Hotel, Baitan room from 1-5pm.

Guest speaker will be Holidah Omuso form JCC Kitengela. Entry is FREE! Don't miss out!

Act on Climate Concert- 14th Saturday

There will be a public march on the 14th of November to sensitize wananchi on environment conservation and climate change. The public March will to Uhuru Park from 10-12pm and the main concert will be at Central park from 1-5pm.

There will be lots of performances by various artists including Oliver Mtukudzi, Atemi, Chris Adwar, Willy Paul, Villagers Band. Don't miss out. BTW, entry is ABSOLUTELY FREE.

Mombasa Corporate, Enterprenuers and Business Expo

Erick Omondi will be hosting a corporate and entrepreneurs expo in Mombasa from 19th-20th November at Voyage Beach Resort in Mombasa.

This a great opportunity for those in business to pitch, network, exhibit and bring in new ideas in the business world.

The theme of the event will be: Enhancing investment and Business opportunities. Keep it @realityconnect to get details on how you can get the tickets.

Nonini featuring Chege & Dj Pierra-Wanajishuku (Official Video)

New Nonini track! Wanajishuku!, The video is on Fleek! waaaaaaaaat! Big up The God Father!

koroga festival 2015

The Koroga Festival brought to you by Capital FM is hosted bi-monthly,celebrating the greatest African acts from around the continent as we food & culture.

#SavetheDate. Ali Kiba, Kidum are among the great artists that will perform

Runs till: Sunday, 15th November 2015
Time: 12:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Location: Arboretum Grounds

Airtel Kenya ranked best telco brand on social media

Airtel Kenya has been listed as the leading telecommunications brand in Kenya on social media by Africa Brand Index, which ranks brands according to how they use the online platforms to provide customer service.

Safaricom was listed second, KCB Bank third and K24 fourth. Other Kenyan brands were Capital FM ranked fifth, Equity Bank sixth and Kenya Airways was seventh.

In Africa, Airtel Kenya is listed as the second best telecommunications brand on social media after Vodacom South Africa.

SuperSport is the overall leading brand on social media in Africa, followed by Expresso, Pick and Pay, Ford South Africa, Vodacom, Woolworths and then Airtel Kenya at the seventh position.

“Social media platforms continue to transform the way businesses connect with customers. Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have allowed service providers to communicate and assist customers in the most creative, interactive, personalised and efficient way,” said Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi.
Social media networks, especially Facebook and Twitter, have become popular gateways for customer seeking help or updates in needy situation and as a result brands that are committed to their customers and have the capabilities have tapped into them.

By Okutta Mark- BD