INSIDE EXPO EPISODE 10

Manuel Obafemi Akanji, a Swiss professional athlete plays for English club Manchester City. 

The skilled center half will hopefully represent his Swiss side in the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup which is due in less than a month's while.

The CB was one among signings that Guardiola brought to the Etihad in the just concluded summer transfer Window.

 In a showdown versus Liverpool in which the Citizens lost 1-0 away at Anfield on the 16th of October, Manuel demonstrated value for his signature as he played calmly  for 90 minutes in an open play in which City defence played a high line.

Partnering with Ruben Dias; a Portuguese, the new Center Back deployed beautiful passes that manifested what he learnt in Borussia Dortmund and an even thirstier anguish to learn more from his fellow current teammates.

He made 119 appearances for Dortmund between 2018 - 2022. A spell which saw him score 4 goals from a defensive role. He has also previously played for Winterthur and FC Basel scoring 1 and 5 goals respectively.

In Manchester City, he has inherited Fernandinho's jersey number as he looks forward to fit in the huge boots left by the departed City legend. Manuel has made 4 appearances already for his current side with no goals yet, but he certainly looks a comparatively awesome bargain.

With City trailing Arsenal 4 points behind, it remains to be seen whether Akanji will blossom under the tutelage of successes including Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Wilson Esbrand, Yorkshireman John stones and most pivotally Pep Guardiola.

Manuel is currently 3 months shy of his 27th birthday and with his current contract, City are assured of a fierce backline cover. He will of course be rotated with the huge squad depth a factor but fans can be assured of his incessant quality display when on pitch be it in EPL or UEFA Champions League matches.

INSIDE EXPO EPISODE 9

Erling Braut Haaland is a Norwegian athlete currently signed at Manchester City.

The 6 foot 4 striker has always done what he does best and that is scoring lots of goals as per Pep Guardiola.

As the biggest match awaits the football scene; both Liverpool and Manchester City depend on their squad depth if any side fancies to bag home a win.

Liverpool are currently eleventh in the EPL table with 10 points where else Manchester City closely trail table leaders Arsenal at second place with 23 points, a margin of a single point.

Erling's statistics currently place him at 15 goals with Harry Kane and Ivan Toney following suit with 8 goals each.

Jurgen Klopp looks forward to a meeting with Guardiola as the rival teams lock horns in a mouth watering clash tomorrow.

THE LEJAH, GRINDING AS A PMJ ACADEMIA ARTIST.

He sits in a cosy brown leather armchair as Kaka Dave handles his audio processing at PMJ studios.

The Lejah; a budding talent, is a teacher by virtue of training at Kabarak University wherefrom he is due soon to graduate.

It is a bright morning and as I interview the artist, skepticism shadows both of us. We simultaneously think in unison, "how do we put down this story to showcase utmost credibility whilst marketing the artist competently?"

The Lejah admits through hardwork, persistence and a goal - driven mentality, his dreams tipitoe closer to fruition day by day.

" At PMJ, everyone is family. We have creative minds including Andrea RNB, Kaka Dave among many others. Kaka Dave; a producer cum artist normally pushes us to squeeze out the best out of our potential selves," says The Lejah.

Since Mombasa music is growing rapidly, The Lejah affirms it is imminent that underground artists cut their own niche to reduce overdependence on managers and promoters. He however does admit that unifying of artists with common perspective can't be overruled as a recipe for artists' growth and development.

"Some of the best producers in Mombasa include Technix Dality, Totti, Moztach mentioning but just a few. These are big producers charging hefty amounts for comparatively quality audio and video production. "With us hustling, we decided to make use of the simple resources we've got to practise and nurture our talents." Added The Lejah.

PMJ studios was founded way back  in 2020 and has seen many artists gain a platform  that helps their talents blossom through regular practice. Among songs The Lejah has done under the aforementioned label include: Usiondoke, Ni Kweli, Hard To Love.

PMJ stands for Pamoja and is a studio influenced immensely by Mega Family Records situated in Shanzu Ward under the guidance of Sir Larry. The Lejah looks forward to collaborating with other artists, producers as he seeks to better himself as a singer.

ANDREA RNB; DOING IT BIG AT PMJ STUDIOS.

He plays guitar and piano in a way second to none. Andrea RNB is a singer from Bamburi Ward in Kisauni constituency who currently remains  a product of PMJ studios in Nairobi.

The creative recording artist started his interest in music way back in 2015 while still in form two. And with consistent nurturing under Kaka Dave; who signs off both as producer and an artist he has evolved to being better in his music delivery.

Andrea has seen his music grow from instrument playing to acapelas. He has even recorded few songs which were an immediate hit including Lengo, Unaniweza and many other collabo - pieces.

Initially he did his music from Mega Family Records studios located in Mombasa. The skill set he stole from Mega Family Records studios aided him propell his music further and earned him a place in PMJ studios wherefrom he records his audios hitherto.

He says his best area remains doing live shows and gigs with his guitar being his number one artillery.

"Since music involves ideas, songwriting and instrument playing, I'm more comfortable performing live shows in known locations around Kenya's capital Nairobi," says Andrea.

Meanwhile, he has done a lot of songs which still remain demo tracks including collaborations with other artists signed under Kaka Dave in PMJ studios.

He hopes he can teleport in the footsteps of Kaka Dave who is currently an East African sensation to write down his own history in the music industry.

"I thank God for the amazing work we have done at PMJ studios and we all look forward to developing our talents and breaking through the tricky Kenyan music industry," added a gleeful Andrea.

10 GUNSHOTS

It rarely rains from where I come from and neither does this mean people will stop working because of forces of nature. 

Notwithstanding, I understand that most persons associate the causes of mother nature and conclude such to be punishment from the Almighty Deity. Think of it as physics; cause and effect.

It is a bright and amazing Saturday morning; and as I garb my all black attire, coupled with white airforce sneakers at the bottom. I quickly board my mustard Mazda Demio.

My son Lerma comes running towards me from his room, probably thinking he might get left behind. He is jovial and at that moment, I couldn't help but smile, I was really stoned by the fact that my closest people were immensely happy.

Lerma has just started a new routine after we transferred him  from a public school to a private one. He is in 5th grade.

On our way to Cadillac Academy, my son cannot help but stare convincingly through the window, bubbling with ecstacy at everything he sees. "Perhaps he thinks everything outside seems magic," I say to myself in disquiet but keep on driving.

Carefully we reach Lerma's destination and I push open the backdoor for him to alight. "Love you daddy," he said walking towards his new school. I simply wave and drive off to job.

For 15 years; I have been  working as human rights activist for the most vulnerable and overlooked in the society inclusive of children, youths, PWIDs and women.

I never found a reason to quit the job because public interest drove me ahead even when the job proved difficult at times.

As I approach my office station, I see smoke coming off second floor, and this planted inside me an immediate shock.

Before I could even alight, my wife Matilda calls. "Hello darling; everything okay, she speaks and I could feel she was tensed. Maybe even more than I was.

All that whirled in my mind was my wife and Lerma. So I swiftly change course and head straight home. On arrival, I find Mati lying on the floor; in an ocean of her own blood. Around ten gunshot wounds had penetrated her chest and head area.

My instincts quickly shifted to my son. Something said I should go to Cadillac Academy whereas another voice asked me to remain there in sorrow crying, bereaving my departed partner.

Sooner or later, police forces arrive less than 5 minutes from when I got home.

I was trying much to unsee what I was seeing but couldn't as my eyes were stung with tears.

I remain in the crime scene, adamant that I was soon wearing  handcuffs despite my descent strut.

After almost 9 hours of interrogation and cross examination of the case, my son Lerma comes inside through the rare door. I was relieved but knew my son would lead a miserable life, just for something I didn't even do.

"You have a right to remain silent. Anything you say shall be used against you in court of law." Said one of the five detectives. 

I kiss Lerma and was allowed to call my mom who then promised to take care of Lerma.

INSIDE EXPO - EPISODE 8

Tyrel Johannes Chicco Malacia; born August 17 1999 is of Dutch nationality. 

He has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he can reach the heights of popular wingbacks  including Kyle walker of Mancity, Kieran Trippier of Newcastle, Ivan perisic of  Tottenham Hotspurs and even  his own Team mate Luke Shaw.

With the derby just around the corner, the fullbacks in both Manchester teams could steal the day.

 Another area manifesting as vital in the almost underway  and biggest; most anticipated derby the world over is the quality of players signed in the just concluded summer transfer.

In my own entitled opinion, Manchester United have nothing to fear and I see them going all out for a win albeit them not having a plausible start to the EPL campaign which is hectic due to climate change, global warming. 

But then, I'm convinced both clubs will be cautious not to concede an early goal, and this might just be the magic bullet.

Tyrel Malacia was signed in the summer transfer window together with Anthony. 

Marcus Rashford is also a good striker, and I envisage an extremely difficult neck to neck battle between the Noisy Neighbours and the Red Devils.

Who shall steal the day? Shall Manchester be painted blue or red?

For FPL managers, I think this shall be a dilemma. But those who shall carefully pick their squads and the armband could have it all or nothing at all.

Tyrel has previously played for Feyenoord and was born in Rotterdam, Nerthelands.

INSIDE EXPO EPISODE 7

Josep Pep Guardiola Sala is a Spanish professional manager well renowned for his 'winning freak' mentality. 

The former defensive midfielder, a Catalan; was born on January  18 1971.

Currently, the Spanish is breaking myths and barriers as the head coach at Manchester City.

His style of play is open as most of EPL football fanatics know and without doubt, he is considered the greatest manager of all time.

He holds the record for most consecutive league wins not only at Manchester City but also in the La Liga Santander and German Bundesliga.

He always likes his midfield stable since he played a defensive midfield role in his spell at Barcelona. He also likes having a lot of attacking - minded players; the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kalvin Phillips, Rodri, mentioning but just a few.

Without doubt he  has shaped Rodri to becoming the most stable holding midfielder in Manchester City who of course got tutelage from his departed predecessor Fernandinho. 

We are yet to see wether the Catalan will break another barrier

this season after Manchester City produced the film dubbed Together Champions again.