How to start your side hustle for extra income Published Date: 2025-04-22 11:00:24 Author: Anjellah Owino Source: The Standard
Author: Anjellah Owino
How to start your side hustle for extra income Published Date: 2025-04-22 10:48:00 Author: Anjellah Owino Source: The Standard
Mohamed Komeja [Courtesy] The opening scene of ‘Picha’, a play in Kiswahili, quietens the murmurs from the audience, gripping their attention. The stage lights are turned on, and we see Mwana Kwetu (Suzanne Karani) asleep on a sofa as she is writhing in terror. She lets out a loud scream. Her mother, Kanini (Lucy Wache), runs towards her to find out what transpired. Trembling, Mwana Kwetu narrates the nightmare to her mother she has just had of her father, Mkwaju Mrefu (Michael Ndunda), inflicting violence upon her. This opening scene is a flashback and a foreshadowing of the abuse being…
Nairobi theatre scene trembled with haunting echoes of blind faith, manipulation, and death reflections of real-life horrors that shocked the nation. Two deeply provocative musical plays, ‘In the Name of the Father’ by Kenda Creatives and ‘Against the Tide’ by Son of Man Theatre Productions, confronted audiences with the dark side of religion. At the heart of both performances was a brutal, unflinching look at cultism, mass manipulation, and exploitation in the name of God, dramatisations inspired by the chilling Shakahola massacre that shook Kenya in 2023. Staged at Woodcreek School, ‘In the Name of the Father’ opened with a…
Art has been around for as long as people have existed, maybe even longer. In ancient times, like during the Roman and Greek empires, leaders appreciated classical art. Art has also played a role in science and maths, as shown in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. In Africa, traditional forms of art like pottery, basket weaving, carving, storytelling, music, and beadwork were made entirely by hand. This kind of original, handmade creativity is being celebrated today, on World Art Day, which also happens to be Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday. The global theme this year is “A Garden of Expression:…
Playwright Adipo Sidang engages audience after Parliament of Owls reading At the Goethe-Institut auditorium in Nairobi on March 21, a stage was been set in a simple manner. On several occasions, actors take seats placed in the middle of the auditorium, and the audience envelops them. For this evening, the actors sit in a collection of seats at the front, facing the audience. The actors each open a book with a microphone in hand, and they begin reading, embodying the characters in the play in their fullness. This is a play reading of ‘Parliament of Owls’, a published play by…
As the world raises the curtains on World Theatre Day, performers, artists, and theatre lovers unite to celebrate the power of storytelling. Held annually on March 27, this global occasion marks the culmination of World Theatre Week, a tribute to the performing arts’ creativity, resilience, and transformative impact. In Kenya, Mombasa is alive with electrifying performances. The Little Theatre Club (LTC) has been at the heart of the celebrations, hosting captivating plays and storytelling sessions. Baraza Media Lab has brought together poetry lovers, while Alliance Française Mombasa has filled the air with soul-stirring jazz. Meanwhile, Jukwaa Arts Production has held…
“Rikia Ume” a play by Andu A Mumbi Production [Courtesy] The Kenyan theatre scene is seeing a reawakening led by a love for plays in local languages. Leading the charge are Kikuyu and Luo plays with funny names like Rikia Ume (Finish and Go) by Andu A Mumbi Production. The plays are driven by humour and thrilling suspense to tell real-life experiences. They are also laced with sexual innuendos and playfulness to the amusement of their audiences. Rikia Ume playwright and director, Njomo wa Nyathira, says he brainstorms for comical titles that are relatable and catchy to the audience. “When writing the…
Rachel Akinyi, better known as Spontaneous the Poet, believes poetry is more than just an art form, it is a confirmation of human expression. “It is a time to play with words and to see the beauty that comes with word-weaving,” she says, reflecting on what World Poetry Day means to her. Marked annually under the theme Poetry for Peace and Unity, this day brings together poets and enthusiasts who celebrate through performances, readings, and showcasing poetic brilliance. For Rachel, it is also a reminder of the power of poetry in shaping society and supporting one another. Beyond her individual…
In the dimly lit corridors of the Ethnographic Museum of Warsaw, Poland, a hauntingly beautiful series of portraits titled Forever is Not Ours silently speaks to the impermanence of life. The artist behind these ethereal works is none other than Kenyan portrait photographer and filmmaker, Sherie Margaret Ngigi. Her work is part of Afrotope, an ongoing exhibition curated by Any Muhoro, Malaika Nabila, and Witek Orski, which brings together the creative brilliance of 18 photographers from across the African continent. The exhibition runs until September 14 and is a powerful celebration of African identity and storytelling through visual art. Sherie’s…
When Ngartia made his long-awaited return to the stage with DaiVerse, no one anticipated the electric energy that would follow. The stage production, which combined poetry, spoken word, storytelling, music, and theatre, was already set to be one of 2024’s most exciting shows. However, fate had other plans. On the eve of the technical rehearsal, Ngartia found himself behind bars after being arrested during the Gen Z protests that rocked Nairobi in June. By the time he was released, the spirit of rebellion was already brewing in the streets — and it seamlessly flowed into the theatre. The charged audience,…
Kenyan film screen actor and director Mugambi Nthiga. (Courtesy) Mugambi Nthiga has another victory to his name. The stage and screen actor, writer, and director recently bagged an award for Best Director at the Kenya Theatre Awards for a play, ‘Tom Mboya.’. Mugambi has also co-written feature films, ‘Kati Kati’ and ‘Supa Modo,’ and directed ‘Lusala.’. He directed ‘The Manic Monologues,’ a play intended to erase stigma around mental illness. Last year, he directed comedian Crazy Kennar’s theatre show, ‘Happy Country,’ which attracted over 3,000 audience attendees. He is also a performer for an improvised comedy show, ‘Because You Said…
A happy couple. (Courtesy/iStock) In the song ‘Do You’, Ne-Yo expresses how he couldn’t bear it when his former lover walked away. In this classic ballad, he poetically articulates the deep pain of lost love, wearing his heart on his sleeve. In a heartfelt letter, he confesses that even though she has moved on, he yearns for one final conversation to learn whether she ever thinks of him. The sorrow and regret of a love that slipped away is a common, yet often under-discussed, part of our human experience. Many of us fondly recall the good times we once shared,…