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Lucozade boost final 11 League champion crowned

This is the first E-sport competition for winner James Merigi, a 21-year-old avid-gamer who is currently pursuing a degree at USIU – Africa studying Bachelor of Arts, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects.

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The crowning ceremony.PHOTO/Courtesy.

James Merigi (WTCH M3RIGI) has been crowned champion of the Lucozade Final 11 League.

He beat out 10 other skilled contestants after an intensely competitive game of Fortnight Battle Royale that was held at the Bao Box, Nairobi. Jonathan Ayieko (WTCH Vlotix) and Mao Maobe (Sergeant Mao) settling for second and third place respectively.

This finale was a culmination of a month of knockout virtual rounds that saw over 600 contestants of all ages competing across the country for a spot in the final eleven.

The tournament, the first of its calibre to be launched in Kenya by Lucozade was designed specifically to engage the youth and showcase the brand as a drink that provides mental alertness for the youthful players within Esports an ever-growing popular segment.

This is the first E-sport competition for winner James Merigi, a 21-year-old avid-gamer who is currently pursuing a degree at USIU – Africa studying Bachelor of Arts, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects.

He wants to pursue a career in visual arts and E-sport.

 Speaking at the prize-giving he enthusiastically noted “I am thrilled to have conquered the tournament. I had stiff competition from my fellow finalist, but I had tactics that enabled me to be victorious. I want to hone my skills by competing in more tournaments and create an awareness of E-Sports and the growth of it as a career path for our youth.” said the 21 years old James Merigi.

During the finale, the contestants battled each other across several intense rounds through tactical play and strategy.

A display of ingenuity and resourcefulness was witnessed.

Amongst the final eleven contenders were a selection of under18’s including 9-year-old gamer ttvitsmickey (Michael Gitau) and fan favourite 17-year-old gamer Vlotix (Jonathan Ayieko).

Wanjiru Njenga, Head of Marketing, Suntory Beverage & Food notes“We have seen great skill, dedication and passion from so many contestants throughout this league. It has been especially exciting to see under18’s competing at this level with the encouragement of their families. As a brand, Lucozade recognizes that e-sport is the future and we want to encourage and provide a safe platform for youth to develop their mental alertness in this space. This was a first for us in Africa and we plan to continue taking this further”.

Covid19 has accelerated the popularity of online gaming locally. Over the past 12 months, gaming downloads increased by 55% placing Kenya as the FIFTH country worldwide for the fastest gaming downloads behind India and Nigeria.

Interestingly 72% of Kenyans are casual gamers, with the majority being women aged 18-34. Whilst 7% are frequent gamers made up of men.

With this increase in numbers but also the diversity of the player, Lucozade believed the time was right for an inclusive gaming league championship.

The brand champions positive mental and physical energy giving contestants the essential ‘Energy To Get Through It’ when the stakes are high during any real life or  virtual battle.

The event and game were live-streamed for fans across the country on the official Lucozade YouTube channel.

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Atheists fault petition seeking to deregister society

Atheists in Kenya have protested a petition that they say seeks to create a notion that Kenya is a nation by and for believers in God only.

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President of the Atheists in Kenya Society, Harrison Mumia

Atheists in Kenya have protested a petition that they say seeks to create a notion that Kenya is a nation by and for believers in God only.

Former Juja MP, Dr Stephen Ndichu has moved to court seeking to have the Atheists in Kenya Society suspended on grounds that its continued existence is unconstitutional.

In a statement, the society’s president, Harrison Mumia says the petition is an assault on religious freedom and an insult to the diversity of the Kenyan people.

“We find the petition repugnant to a good conscience,” he stated adding that Dr Ndichu is a Christian fundamentalist who seems to harbour paranoid fantasies about the dangers of atheists existing in Kenya.

He further accused Dr Ndichu of seeing enemies where there is none and that the society was surprised, but not shocked as religion has historically inhibited progress.

He vowed that the society would do everything within its power to defend its right to remain a registered society and urged Kenyans to support fighting the petition.

On Sunday, the society said it will be writing to President William Ruto seeking an invitation to State House, just like the evangelical denominations.

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Uhuru Gardens ready for Madaraka Day fete, says PS Kibicho

The principal secretary said they would be visiting the gardens every Thursday until June 1 to ensure all loose ends are tied up properly, promising that the celebrations will be very colourful.

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Madaraka Day

This year’s national Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi County will be open to 30,000 people, up from 10,000 in 2021.

Permanent Secretary in the State Department for Interior, Dr Karanja Kibicho, said this follows the relaxation of COVID-19 containment measures.

“Children will also be allowed in on the celebrations this year, and we expect county celebrations to happen too,” the PS said while on an inspection tour of the venue.

The PS said the government decided to move the celebrations from the County rotational back to Nairobi because it will be the last event for the current administration before it exits office.

“Because of the significance of this particular Madaraka day, being the last for this regime, we decided to celebrate it at Uhuru Gardens to break the tradition of celebrating it in counties,”

He revealed that preparations were currently at 90 percent complete and expressed confidence that all will be set for the event as the country marks 59 years of self rule.

The principal secretary said they would be visiting the gardens every Thursday until June 1 to ensure all loose ends are tied up properly, promising that the celebrations will be very colourful.

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Queen Elizabeth mourns Kibaki as a great Statesman with commendable legacy

Kibaki will be buried at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County on Saturday.

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Queen Elizabeth II has mourned former President the late Mwai Kibaki eulogizing him as “a great statesman”.

“I was sorry to receive the news of the death of Mwai Kibaki. He had a lifelong record of service to the Kenyan people. It will be of deep sadness to your country to have lost a great statesman, but Kenya can take pride in the legacy of his leadership. I send you and the people of Kenya my condolences at this loss,” the message read.

The British High Commission further affirmed its close ties to Kenya and renewed its assurances to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The British High Commission avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration,” the High Commission said.

The late Kibaki passed away on 21 April 2022, aged 90.

President Uhuru, who issued a proclamation that he would be granted a state funeral with full civilian and military honours, announced his death.

Kibaki will be buried at his home in Othaya, Nyeri County on Saturday.

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