The US Embassy's Cultural Attache Ellen Bienstock ( second right) with Mstari Wa Nne's Njeri Wangari (left),Maik Kwambo ( second left) and Dennis Inkwa( extreme right) at the festivities to mark the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th US President. The function took place at the US Embassy in Nairobi on 20th January 2009.Hi friends,
Thank you for your continued support. Mstari Wa Nne is growing from strength to strength courtesy of you.
Leon Kiptum
Friday 27th February saw the group perform two pieces at the 17th Economic Symposium organized by the Institute of Certified Public Accoutants in Kenya (ICPAK) at the Nairobi Hilton.
Mstari shared the stage with among others, the Hon. Paul Muite,former MP for Kabete and Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Permanent Secretary, Information and Communication.
The two pieces presented on the day "Vision 2030" and "Dont talk to me" by Mike Kwambo and Dennis Inkwa drew critical acclaim from the audience and prompted Dr. Ndemo to issue a 20 minute response on the merits of Vision 2030 and why the government is not to blame for all the ills affecting Kenya.
Mstari's female poet Njeri Wangare represented the group at the WAPI event held at the British High Commissioner's residence on Saturday 28th Feb, photos of this event can be found on
her blog- Tuesday 3rd March saw Grand Master Masese perform his piece "tujivunie kuwa wakenya" at the "unity through diversity" winners concert held at the Alliance Française de Nairobi. Masese was the overall winner of the competition organized by the United States Embassy to celebrate Kenya's diversity.
Grand Master Masese
Masese wowed the crowd, teaming up with neo soul crooner Anto to deliver a wicked tune that had the crowd yearning for more.
Mstari Wa Nne were scheduled to perform their pieces at the March Kwani? Open Mic on the same date but the "tight programme" kept them from doing so.
Mstari is represented in Kwani?05 part 1, the latest publication from the Kwani Trust through Mike Kwambo's poem "they stole my pocket radio". He will be among other featured poets reading their pieces at the Kwani? Sunday Super Saloon at Kengele's Lavington on Sunday 8th March 2009 from 7.00pm
