Refigah Mtoto wa Kibera

Written by Daniel Saenyi Yusuf Noah, famously known as Refigah is a 30 year old musician cum manager. The Artiste grew up in Kibera or as he puts it, he is a B.B.K (Born and Bred in Kibera). He has been in the music industry for 14 years and is even organizing an anniversary Party in Nairobi on 16th July. This Kibera based rap artist has been on the Kenyan hip-hop scene since 1997 and his music is well known for social, cultural and moral restraint while still entertaining in lyrics and beats even when he decided to venture into production and artist management.  The former musician crossed the border to the production side and runs an event Management Company dubbed First Class Entertainment and also started Grandpa Record’s label which has signed artists like Wyre, Kenrazy, Nazizi , Mr. Blue and J.I. He is currently focusing on bringing up new artists like Tierra Gee and Chupee who performed during Wyre’s tour of Bungoma over the weekend at various venues. When he started out Refigah’s family was against him being in the music industry but became supportive when his carrier picked up. His music productions are based on what’s in style currently to get a wide variety of customers and exploring new styles. As to why he decided to abandon singing, Refigah claims that he wants to revolutionize the music industry and drive out brief case producers who are out to exploit the talents of young musicians then finally dump them. He is trying out new styles in music like the afro-fusion for Wyre and J.B Mania which was a worthwhile risk as the style has picked up to cater for young and the old generation as he puts it himself. “In the music industry, one can do two things; they can focus on what’s in style now or secondly take a risk and introduce a new style. Either way you still get a 50-50 chance at staying on top in both options, but its better to invent your own style and let others follow you.” According to him it’s harder being a Manager than a musician because of too much pressure from the artists who expect the best from you. “As musician, you only have to worry about yourself but being a manager you carry the whole load of over 25 musicians on your shoulders who expect you to make sure they are on television, get advertisement deals, get shows all over and make sure their albums sell,” Said Refigah. Piracy is what is killing the music industry in Kenya today. Many upcoming artistes don’t make it because their albums are pirated and sold cheaply to the customers. As he puts it, the only way to handle piracy is to come up with good strategies that will bring down the trend. Upcoming artistes should not just sign with anyone because we now have very many briefcase producers, advised Refigah. Before one signs with any manager, they should do a background check on the person and have enough information before signing any contracts. He goes on to tell upcoming artistes not to copy the styles of other musicians because it won’t be competitive in the market. They should have their own talent and be flexible. They should be able to do any type of music be it Reggae, RnB, Dancehall or Hip-hop like Wyre. Refigah will be in Bungoma on Friday 24th June on a tour with Kenrazy on his way to perform in Kitale on Saturday. He says Bungoma has a nice a crowd that listens to almost all his artists’ songs and promises to come back with many other artists on Tours.

Growth: Chwele Market offering services and products not found

Written by  Saenyi Daniel  Donkeys delivering fresh produce from the differnt areas: Mt. Elgon, Bungoma West, East, and South to the Chwele market.  As early as 4 A.M Chwele market –Kenya’s second largest market is abuzz with business activities.  Marketers are rushing in and out of the market in a bid to secure the freshest goods. Situated in Chwele town in Bungoma West district, Chwele market supplies different parts of Kenya with fresh food supplies at very affordable price. The market is situated at a central point to serve people from all sides of the country like Mt. Elgon, Bungoma West, East, and South. This is the major contributing to it being ranked the second largest in Africa. Being the second largest market in Africa, Chwele market lacks proper infrastructure to sustain the large scale business transactions conducted in the area. To counter the poor infrastructural short comings, the chwele business community has been forced to rely heavily on donkeys, carts and motorbikes as their major means of transport. The drainage system of the market is currently dilapidated and leaves much to be desired. The market that runs from the wee hours of the morning till late in the might is an eye sore since merchants have to trudge through thick mud while transacting business. However, the County Council of Chwele town is currently trying to solve the problem by increasing the tax levy that is paid by traders in the market to help supplement the renovation of the market to suit its international status as a business center. Recently, commodities sold at the market are experiencing a drop in the prices of different commodities, and many business people attribute this to the increase in their supply due to the favorable weather conditions. The prices of Irish Potatoes are now selling at Sh. 1500 per sack a decline from Sh. 3500, the price of tomatoes have dropped to Sh. 2700  from a previous Sh. 3500 per sack. A sack of Cabbages is has also dropped by Sh. 50 from SH. 500. Onions are now selling at Sh. 1500 from Sh. 3000 and Green grams have decreased from Sh. 300 to Sh. 250. The prices of beans have also dropped with Lwakhakha beans selling at Sh. 120 per 2kgs from a previous Sh. 160. Tanzania beans are also going for Sh. 120 per 2kgs, a drop from Sh. 180, Wairimu beans at Sh. 120 per 2kgs from Sh. 160. Some livestock have also reduced considerably in price with Sheep going for Sh. 4,800 from Sh.6, 000 and Goats selling at Sh. 2,500 from Sh. 2,800. Chicken prices have dropped by 50 with Cocks going for Sh. 450, while chicken are selling at Sh. 350. Despite major drops in prices, some commodities such as mangoes and oranges have steadily increased in price since they are out of season among other reasons. Fruit vendors blamed the high cost of living and scarcity of the commodity for the increase in prices. As the shilling has been losing its value against the dollar, the price of Mitumba clothing has drastically increased. A bale of clothes weighing 45 Kilograms has increased from Sh. 13000 to Sh. 15500. Buyers at the market were especially mortified by the steadily increasing price of maize per 2 kilograms that is now at Sh. 120 from Sh. 60. Speaking to West FM, a Chwele county Council officer Mr. Henry Wanyonyi, an increase in cattle price is attributed to the ban of the Pokot Herdsmen from bringing their cattle to the Market. He also added that since its harvesting season, most farmers use their farm produce and don’t need to sell cattle and this is leading to scarcity of the animal. Currently the price of Ox is Sh. 23,000, an increase from Sh. 17,600 and the Cow is going for Sh. 20,000 from a previous Sh. 18,000. A calf is selling at Sh. 7,800 from a previous Sh.6, 500 all because of the looming shortage in livestock supply.