MaaFleva Partners With The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Entertainment outfit Maafleva Entertainment is set to partner with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kajiado Chapter in a youth programme that aims at increasing youth participation in business.

MaaFleva, which has been undertaking several community led projects, will put to paper the deal, which will seek to promote youth led businesses in the county. According to the unit's CEO Tom Kimintah, while the government and other financial institutions have been pushing for more participation by the youth in business and entrepreneurship, there is little assistance when it comes to capacity building.

MaaFleva CEO Tom Kimintah.

"By partnering with the chamber, MaaFleva Entertainment is able to create a platform where the youth can develop strong business links, leveraging on the expertise accrued over the years, and also given the Chambers specific mission to promote entrepreneurship and increase business membership," he said.

The Search Is On For The Ultimate Comic

Maisha Magic East in partnership with Kenya's comedy king Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki is in search of Kenya’s ultimate comic. The new reality show dubbed Ultimate Comic is a televised stand-up TV comedy show, which aims to find one rib-cracking stand-up comedian between the age of 18 and 50, to perform comedy acts on stage, created by themselves.

The hunt will begin through auditions in four major towns in Kenya beginning in Mombasa from September 22 and 23, then Kisumu City on September 29 and 30. Auditions will be held in Nakuru on October 6 and 7 and finally Nairobi on October 13 and 14.

Maisha Magic East Head of Channel Margaret Mathore says, “The Ultimate Comic is a platform that Maisha Magic East is offering, for local comedians to showcase their talent. We strive to deliver the shows that people love into their hands and their living rooms while using our influence and resources to play a positive role in Africa. We remain committed to helping to grow our local people and creative industries. This show is a continued sign of that commitment by Maisha Magic East.”

Following the auditions, 40 successful comedians from across the country will be shortlisted to take part in the knock out stages and live shows before the grand finale scheduled for March 2018. In the winner-takes-all show, The Ultimate Comic will have a hefty task of not only bringing rib-cracking stand-up comedy to convince the judges of the show that they are the funniest person, but will have to win the love of the whole country to garner votes for the top position.

Judges include renowned comedians Tony Njuguna, Felix Odiwuor aka Jalang’o and radio host Massawe Japanni. The short listed comedians will also receive mentorship by various top personalities among them Charles Bukeko beter known as Papa Shirandula, MC Jessy, Abel Mutua, Sammy Mwangi, Victor Ber, Carolyne Adong’o and Obillo Ng’ongo.

Daniel "Churchill" Ndambuki.

The show aims to grow new talent in the comedy industry and accord a chance for both the young and old alike to realise their dreams. The winner of The Ultimate Comic will not only have the title Ultimate Comic, but they will also walk away with a TV contract, one million shillings and a brand new car.

It will air on Maisha Magic East from November 4, 2017 at 8.30pm. It becomes the fifth of the 15 local shows to launch on Maisha Magic East for the year 2017/2018 in an aim to promote local productions and in turn support local talent in the film industry. The new comedy reality show will air exclusively on Maisha Magic East on DStv channel 158 and GOtv channel 4, every Saturday at 8.30pm.

Kenya's Exclusive Local Content Broadcaster Raia TV Set For Launch

The migration from analog to digital transmission in broadcasting has opened up a new world of possibilities. This has made it possible for many Kenyans to realise their dreams which before was just but a mirage.

Among those who have benefited from this are two renowned producers of local Kenyan content; Ann Hamberger and Henry Lenga. The two are renowned for their exciting and entertaining Swahili movies and series which have previously aired on our local stations and also on Maisha Magic. Out of the limited airplay given to the Swahili local content, the two felt the need to start their own station to bridge the gap.

Raia TV CEO Ann Hamberger and Executive Director Henry Lenga.

On October 6 this year, a new free-to-air TV station that will be airing local Swahili entertainment is set to be launched. Raia TV will be broadcasting 100 per cent pure local entertainment, showing movies, series, soaps, comedies, dramas, reality shows, talk shows and features back to back. The station is aimed at promoting and give opportunity to the local content producers giving them a platform to showcase their talents. True to its name, Raia TV, is targeted to resonate with the normal mwananchi –Raia.

Though broadcasting from Mombasa city, Raia TV will also be viewed in Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Meru and Nyeri, before rolling out countrywide viewership.

"Others will also be able to watch us on the online stream and soon we shall be launching a Video On Demand (VOD) platform," says Hamberger.

This station will increase uptake of local content, and hence, more job opportunities for the youth in Kenya. Raia TV will make it possible for Kenyans at large to enjoy the digital dividend.

The new station is the brainchild of of Ashiner Pictures' Ann and Henry, who are the CEO and Executive Director of Raia TV respectively. The two have been producing swahili local content for over a decade, with TV series shows such as Majaliwa, Cheche, Udhalimu, Almasi, Sumu, Kashfa, Nyota and Utandu, among others. A majority of them have gone ahead to win awards locally and internationally.

Others are movies such as Sakalakata, Nafsi Lawama, Kisase, Haini, Wazuzi, Consequences, Gift from the Curse, Lulu, Taswira and Heart and Soul, which have all aired on Maisha Magic Swahili, and also on Tanzania's Azam TV. It will broadcast on the PANG signal and the channel number will be revealed during the launch.