Mombasa Taarab Maestro Passes Away

Taarab maestro Mohamed Khamis Juma Bhalo passed away on Saturday 5-4-2014 and will be buried today in Mombasa.

Photo credits: http://instagram.com/mombasa_girl

Popularly referred to as JB, the professor is one of the greatest kings of Taarab music in Africa and has won the hearts of fans all over the world due to  his great talent.

He is, indeed, a professor of Taarab. Juma Bhalo, a traditional musician of the 60s,70s, 80s 90s, and now the new millennium has been able to maintain this position as the King Of Taarab owing to his poetic Swahili songs.

They are food for thought as they touch on people's lifestyle, love and misfortune. His art has been influential to many up-and-coming groups in Kenya and Tanzania, countries which are home to a large number of Taarab enthusiasts.

What makes Bhalo's songs unique is his golden voice and  the manner in which he crafts the lyrics. They are poetic and a mishmash of languages spoken in East Africa. He has a gift of coming up with “on the spot” lyrics while performing live on weddings.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo is Dead

News just in, Newly-elected Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo has passed on at his Maanzoni Ranch in Machakos.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka announced the death of one of Kenya's greatest lawyers and debaters. The cause of death remains unknown with initial reports suggesting that he went to sleep and had not woken by 10 a.m.

DailyKenya condole with the family, friends and the entire nation.

More to follow
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Mutula Kilonzo's Profile 

Born on 2nd  July, 1948, Educated at Mbooni Primary School and Machakos High School before joining University of Dar es Salaam in 1969 graduating with a First Class Honors’ Degree in Law — the first in the East African region.

Mutula Kilonzo was a prolific Kenyan politician and Senior Counsel. He served as Minister of Education, Minister for Nairobi Metropolitan and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs in the former government.

He was the secretary general of the WIPER Party and was elected as Makueni County Senator after representing Mbooni Constituency for 5 years.

Teacher's Rights Crusader David Okuta Osiany

David Okuta Osiany, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary general  has died in Nairobi.

The vocal champion of teachers' right was pronounced dead on arrival at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Rongai after he developed breathing problems.

Acting Secretary General Xavier Nyamu has called on all KNUT branches countrywide to suspend all activities until his burial.

RIP Music Maestro Arthur Mudogo Kemoli

Jeff Koinange  hosts Dr. Kemoli (left) on the Bench

Remembering Musical Kemoli

Dr Arthur Mudogo Kemoli died on Sunday after a long battle with diabetes and renal disease. Many will remember Dr. Kemoli for his mastery in composing choral music with pieces such as ‘Fimbo ya Nyayo’ remaining golden. 

Magugu and Sumbeiyweo pass on

Two great Kenyan personalities, Elijah K. Sumbeiyweo and Arthur Magugu have passed on.

Sumbeiyweo who was a former Presidential Escort Commander died on Saturday morning after a long battle with pancreas cancer.Elijah, a brother to retired Army commander and Sudan’s Chief peace mediator Lt General Lazarus Sumbeiywo.

RIP David Nalo, PS

East African Community Permanent Secretary David S.O Nalo passed away on Wednesday night at the Nairobi Hospital after battle with cancer. The PS was admitted at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for over a week.  

Veteran Comedian: RIP Mzee Pembe

Photo Courtesy of Nation.co.ke  

Veteran comedian Mzee Pembe who died in Nairobi on Sunday brought laughter to thousands of radio and TV audiences during his hey days.

His son, Mr Sudi Omari, said Mzee Pembe, whose real name was Omari Suleiman Mwajambia, died at his sister’s home in South B.

“He had in the recent past been complaining of chest pains though he appeared still determined to carry on with his favourite art comedy,” Mr Sudi said.

Mzee Pembe, who was 93, was the last of the generation of TV comedians of the legendary “Aspro Show” of the 1960s on KBC TV (then Voice of Kenya).

Mzee Pembe also featured on Jamii ya Mzee Pembe and Kivunja Mbavu programmes where he featured alongside Kipanga Athumani, Mama Tofi, Mzee Tamaa and Mama Njeri, who have all died.

Mr Sudi said that his father, who had retired from TV comedy, had written comedy books now used as primary school set books like Pwagu na Pwaguzi.

Lately, he was also a participant in radio talk shows on Iqra FM.

Mzee Pembe was buried at Kariokor Muslim Cemetery, Nairobi, on Sunday.

Source: Daily Nation

Maverick Politician Martin Shikuku is Dead

'People's Watchman'

Second liberation hero and veteran politician Martin Shikuku died on Wednesday evening at the age of 79.

The former Member of Parliament for Butere was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer at the Texas Cancer centre in Hurlingham, Nairobi.

RIP Geoffrey Kareithi

Kenya’s longest serving head of civil services Geoffrey Kareithi died on Wednesday. The president in his message of condolence has mourned the late Kareithi as a loyal and committed public servant who served the nation with diligence and dedication.

He served as the head of civil service between 1967 and 1979 a record 12 years in which he oversaw the transition after Kenyatta’s death.

He also served the nation as a Member of Parliament for Gichugu constituency and as an Assistant minister.  

RIP: Prof Caleb Okumu Crispo EBS

Prof Caleb Okumu Chrispo
(photo courtesy: kenyapolytechnic.ac.ke)

Prof Caleb died today morning at the Nairobi Hospital after being admitted yesterday. He was the chairperson of the Kenya Music Festival.

He was also the Executive Dean, Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies and Professor in Music in the School of Creative and Performing arts at Kenya Polytechnic University College (KPUC).

Prof. Okumu who was also lectured in Maseno University was in the Advisory Board of the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IJHSS).

Prof. Okumu had taught music for more than 35 years and was recently awarded the Elder of Burning Spear (EBS) by President Mwai Kibaki for his service in the field of music.

RIP

R.I.P Prof Frederick N. Onyango EBS, MBS

Prof Frederick N. Onyango EBS, MBS

Born in 1943 in Migori County, he’s remembered for his time as the Vice Chancellor of Maseno University.

From 1963-67, he attended the University of Uppsala in Sweden for his Bachelor of Science (Fil.Kand) and later aM.Sc (Physics) at the same institution.

R.I.P David Namu EBS

Born in Embu County, he graduated from the University of East Africa, Dar es Salaam with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and History. He served in the Office of the president as an auditor and a Permanent Secretary in the ministries of Livestock Development, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Tourism and Wildlife, and Commerce and Industry. He was also appointed as Chairman of the State Corporations Advisory Committee in 2003. He was also in the Board of Trustees of Inoreero University.

Namu was the first Principal Administrative Secretary in Kenya.

He died two weeks ago.

Prof. Julius Samson Meme

He was born on 12 September 1945 in Meru County. He went to Meru School before joining the highly reputed Alliance High School to finish his two years of high school. Afterwards he acquired his MB ChB M.Med (Paed) from the University of Nairobi and F.A.A.P, the American Academy of Paediatrics.

R.I.P Mary Onyango

The vice chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) passed away at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu, Saturday. 

She was the breast cancer ambassador, having battled with the cancer for 13 years she has been hope to many Kenyans. She founded the Kenyan Breast Health Programme, which has created awareness on breast cancer in the country.

 

“You are not finished when you lose, you are finished when you quit.”

This was her brilliant mantra that will remain among us.

Mary Onyango, the strong-willed heroine who ensured cancer patients kept smiling through the pain.

James Njenga Karume is Dead

The former cabinet minister died at the Karen hospital where he was undergoing treatment for prostrate cancer. He served as a member of parliament for Kiambaa constituency and was regarded as one of the most influential politicians in Kenya. Karume was a determined business man this being clearly shown in his inspirational auto-biography titled 'Beyond Expectations: From Charcoal to Gold'.
83 years well lived. Rest in Peace.

R.I.P John Muchuki

Today Kenya pays tribute to one of its legendary sons. Michuki the member of parliament for Kangema constituency and the minister for environment died yesterday after succumbing to a heart attack at the Aga Khan Hospital. He will always be remembered for bringing sanity to the public transport and in particular ending the Matatu Menace.
Muchuki was the first African District Commissioner in Kenya.  
Rest in Peace.