“Knock, Knock, Knock,” someone is knocking on the door.

“Hodi.” It’s Mama Janet – elder sister to Baba Boi.

“Karibuni sana Mama Janet.” Welcomed Mama Boi.

“Asante sana Mama Boi,” Said Mama Janet. “Tunashukuru.” 

“Akina Boi na Sydo walikuwa wamefurahia sana kujua cousins zao wanakuja  kuwatembelea  hii weekend.” Said Mama Boi.

“Ata mimi nimefurahi sana kuwaona.”  Sighed Mama Janet as she sat down. “Mara ya mwisho kuonana ilikuwa before COVID-19 alafu tukakuwa na lockdown.” She said, “Na Keni amekuwa mkubwa, ameshafika 3 years?” She asked.

“Ako karibu kufika,” explained Mama Boi. “Keni ako na miaka mbili na miezi sita.” “Janet na Kevin pia wamekuwa wakubwa, mpaka sasa Janet ako na simu yake. Sasa amebakisha kupata tu kazi.” Teased Mama Boi.

“Ata kazi yake ni kupiga mapicha na kupost kwa social media kila siku.” Ridiculed her mum.

They all joined in the laughter

“Hio ni nzuri sana. Wacha nipanguze meza alafu niwaletee Chai.” Said Mama Boi as she was heading to the Kitchen area.

“Wacha nikuje nikusaidie Mama Boi.” Said Mama Janet as she followed her.

The children were by themselves in the living room. They were happy to see each other and had a small chat.

“Waaaah, Boi kwani mlinunua TV kubwa?” asked Kevin. He was so amused to see the enormous screen size mounted on the wall.

“Eeeeh, Dad alitununulia TV kubwa ndio tukuwe tunaona Akili Kids! TV vizuri.” Replied Boi.

“Aaaaaai, kwani hamkuwa mnawatch Akili Kids! TV kwa ile TV ingine?” inquired Kevin. “Si ilikuwa tu sawa?” 

“Sisi tulikuwa tunataka kuwatch Akili Kids! TV kwa screen kubwa kama vile watu huwa wanawatch kwa Cinemas.” Said Boi “Lakini, time ya Easter, Dad alipata offer poa sana ya .….” 

“Ni mimi niliconvince Dad anunue hii TV”. Interrupted Sydo.

“Apana si wewe!” shouted Boi.

“Ni mimi” replied Sydo.

“Sasa mtashinda mkibishana ni nani aliconvince baba yenu kununua TV?” jumped in Janet. “Ebu nipatie remote ya TV Sydo niweke reality show ile napenda.” She commanded.

“Lakini sisi tunataka kuwatch Akili Kids! TV.” Cried out Boi and Kevin.

“Basi wacha niweke tu kidogo, nipige picha ndio nitaonyesha friends wangu nilikuwa naiwatch.” 

The younger ones agreed but unwillingly.

She changed the channel and watched for a few minutes, probably less than 5 minutes. She took out her smartphone and took photos of the show on the TV.

Immediately, Janet posted the photos and a video clip of her watching her favourite reality show on Instagram. 

She captioned, ‘Tuned into my favourite reality show’ #realitytv#enjoyment#tuenderoad#fedhaestate#bigscreen

The children enjoyed continued watching the television and Kevin, Stevo together with Boi and his siblings watched the repeat of Flash Squad at 3:00PM. The show ended after 10 minutes.

“Waaaah! Waseeh! nimefanya mistake kubwa sana.” Said Janet feeling remorseful.

“Umefanya nini?” asked Boi.

“Nimepost photos na video nimerecord tu saizi online, na nimeweka details mingi sana kama jina ya estate yenu na barabara pia.” She said. “Alafu kuna mtu amecomment ati ‘tunakujia hiyo tv’ kwa comments.”

“Mtu anakujia TV yetu?“ asked Boi. “Kwani hujaskia vile wamesema kwa Flash Squad kuhusu kupost vitu online.”

“Si tumewatch tu saizi, kwani ningejua aje kile wangesema before show ianze?” rebutted Janet.

“Hufai kupost online kuhusu mahali uko, ju watu wabaya wanaweza kupata. Alafu ile time umepost haufai kukuwa hapo saizo.” Said Boi.

“Boi! Boi! alafu pia walisema kama kuna information private, mtu asipost online.” Added Sydo.

“Eeeh! pia hiyo.” Affirmed Boi.

Mama Boi and Mama Janet come back to the living room.  

“Ni nani huyo amefanya mistake kubwa sana?” Asked Mama Janet.

“Ni Janet Mum.” Snitched Kevin.

“Amefanya nini?” She asked Kevin.

“Amepost picha na videos online na aliweka details mingi sana.” He said. “Alafu after tumewatch Flash Squad akaona mtu hafai kufanya hivo.” 

“Janet! kwani hujui kuna vitu mtu hafai kupost online.” Said Mama Janet. “Hufai kupost location yako, mahali unaishi, namba yako ya simu, ID number, bank account details zako na hata saa zingine mambo ya kazi.” She warned her.

“Pole sana mum, sitarudia. Hii ndio mara ya mwisho.” She assured the mum.

“Na wewe ndio master wa kupost na hujui vitu mtu hafai kupost.” Teased the mum.

“Umeshadelete hizo picha na videos?” Asked Mama Janet.

“Bado.” Replied Janet.

“Nadelete to saizi, one minute tu.” Said Janet.

“Aya, nishadelete.  Poleni waseeh! Najua ningewaweka kwa situation mbaya. Nimelearn mistake yangu. Sitarudia tena.” She said.

The post Keeping up with Boi (Sharing personal information)  appeared first on Akili TV.

Sydo and Boi come back running to the living room. Hurriedly they grab the remote. Boi does so before Sydo. 
“Mbona mnakimbia hivo ndani ya nyumba?” Asked Mama boi while seeming a little bit displeased.
“Mnajua mnaweza kuumia vibaya, na sina pesa ya kupeleka mtu hospitali. Ni nini mnakimbilia hivo?”
“Ni remote!” Poor Sydo cried out as he had lost to his brother Boi.“Nataka kuwatch Akili Kids!” said Boi. 
“Basi si mnaweza kuwatch bila kukimbia hivo kwa sitting room.”
“Kama mnataka kuwatch Akili Kids!, kuna a new show niliona wanaleta inaitwa FLASH SQUAD”.
“Wooooow!” Keni, the younger sister was amazed, “Ni poa Mum?” she asked.
“Ata mimi sijui, inakaa kuwa poa juu ile trailer wamekuwa wakileta ni poa sana.”
Keni and her siblings were all elated about the news their mum was giving them.
“Inakuja saa ngapi?” asked Boi. “Inaanza by 7:30 PM on Fridays kwa Akili Fam!.
Mkiwacha mimi na Baba yenu tuwatch news leo usiku, tutawaekea after news.”
“But mum, news inabooooo!” said Boi in a gloomy face. 
“Basi tuweke 15 minutes after news imeanza.” said Boi
“Wacha tuweke after 20 minutes!” Sydo jumping in to negotiate.
“Lakini ata Flash Squad haitakuwa imeanza” Mama Boi trying to convince them. “Ni sawa Mum! Bora utatuwekea after news, sindio?”
“Yes kamama” she assured the little one.

Time passed and evening approached. The children were all excited to begin watching Flash Squad.
“Mum, news imeisha, tuwekee Akili Kids! pleeease,” pleaded the young one, Keni.
She switched the channel and Flash Squad had barely started.
They were sitting pretty and you could see the excitement in their faces.
The show is showingMIMI(A character in the show) is at her locker.
Her smartphone pings and she looks at the screen. We don’t see what is on it, but Mimi is clearly distressed.
The kids remained glued to the television, and they watched till the end without anyone interrupting their attention on the show.
“Waaaah, na iko Bie” said Boi and all his siblings nodded in agreement. 

The show ended after 10 minutes.
“So mum! unakumbuka, ile time watu walihack Facebook account yako alafu wakaanza kuitisha friends wako pesa…” Sydo in amusement said.
“Basi ata sisi tukipata simu, tutakuwa careful sana na mambo ya social media”
“Eeeeh! ni vizuri mkae rada”, said Mama Boi laughing with the kids.
“Basi hii Flash Squad ni noma, itakuwa inawapatia information poa poa especially kuhusu vile mtakuwa mnajichunga na mambo ya internet na social media.” Said Mama Boi.

The post Keeping up with Boi (Flash Squad) appeared first on Akili TV.

“Mummmm! Keni anakata kunipea remote!” Boi cried “Keni, ebu peana remote. Sisi tunataka kuwatch Peep and The Big Wide World.” Mama Boi commanded. This is a normal Sunday at Boi’s Home. One of the kids is always crying for the remote and Mama Boi intervenes.

“Peep and The Big Wide World ikiisha, si tufanye general cleaning. Kila mtu, atakua na a small task kufanya ndio tumalize kazi haraka, sindio?” Mama Boi requested.

“Okay, mum! Usijali tutasaidiana, ” Boi and the rest of the family agreed. True to their word, as soon as they were done watching Peep, they all started cleaning the house when they heard a voice on Akili Kids!

“This December

Let’s put the FAM in FAMILY!

Introducing…Akili Fam!

Come Tucheze

Tucheke

And have fun together tukiwatch

New Family Shows

New seasons of your favorites programme

Naaa…..

Saturday Night Movies!

Leta siz, mum, bro, dad, grand pa, grand ma na pia bring

your dog

Akili Fam!

Every Friday and Saturday 

Starting 3rd December

6PM – 10Pm

We are Family!”

“Dad! Mum! Mumeskia? Akili Kids! wanaleta new shows and movies this December!” Boi exclaimed! “Eweeeeee! Sasa hatutakuwa tunalala mapema on Fridays na Sato! Hehehehe” Sydo added with a cheeky smile.

“That’s nice! Inaonekana hii Krisi itabamba sana vyenye wameintroduce Akili Fam! Hatutaboeka and will have an awesome time together tukiwatch Akili Fam! on Akili Kids!” Baba Boi mentioned.

“Ah! Na pia wamesema wataleta episodes mpya of our favourite shows!!!!” Keni commented.

“I hope wataleta episodes mpya za Wild Kratts…” Mama Boi mentioned.

“Mimi nagojea tuone hii show mpya ya All Round Champion!!!!!” Boi cheerfully remarked.

“I bet it will be fun…” Baba Boi added.

Boi and his family continued with their chores as they planned for Friday night and they were all looking forward to watching all the new seasons, shows, and movies on Akili Fam!

Are you excited about Akili Fam!? Let us know which shows and movies are you looking forward to watching with your family in the comment section below.

The post Fridays and Saturdays Are For….🥁🥁 – Keeping Up With Boi appeared first on Akili TV.

Well, here are some facts I bet you didn’t know!

She was an academic!

Wangari Maathai was a Senior Lecturer in Anatomy at The University of Nairobi. Yes! She was the first woman to chair the Department of Veterinary Anatomy at the university. 

That’s not all. She used her position to champion for equal benefits for the women working at the University!

A Force to reckon with in the Political Arena. 

Most of us know Wangari Maathai’s political works as a Member of Parliament and an Assistant Minister but her political career began long before all this. She was at the fore front in the struggle for democracy and Multi-party system in Kenya. She played a key role in unifying Kenyans and challenging tribal based politics.

She was a mother!

Evidently, motherhood and being a career woman are not mutually exclusive! Wangari Maathai thrived in the different paths she ventured be it academia, politics, advocacy and did so while being a mom!

She was a great writer!

Some of her most renowned works include her Memoir; Unbowed, The Challenge for Africa and the Green Belt Movement. Add them to your reading list!

Like most, if not all of us she had tough times!

 Wangari was a force to reckon with! And her being a woman, fearless in the pursuit of political, social and economic advancement of Kenya did not make life any easier for her. 

She faced political opposition as well as personal problems leading to a divorce. In addition, she encountered financial challenges, lacked employment and was even evicted from her staff housing. But clearly, she conquered all this!

This March, as we celebrate Women’s Month, let us take time to nurture the young girls in our lives to fully explore their potential. Read them books and expose them to kids’ content that will bring out the best in them. Akili Kids! TV is my go-to destination for that!

 My nieces get to see young girls just like them doing great things on shows like Dora the Explorer, Word Girl, Sci Girls, Ubongo Kids and My Better World! 

What are some of the icons you grew looking up to? 

The post 5 Things You Didn’t know About Wangari Maathai! appeared first on Akili TV.

We felt like we had a terrific channel strategy, but little did we know the world was about to be slapped in the face with COVID-19. We realized we needed to launch the channel and suddenly we didn’t have any time at all. When we met to discuss what we needed to do to get on the air, we had to pivot, and had to postpone some of the things that we had originally planned for launch. Our hope was to get the best minimum viable product we could on the air as quickly as possible and we renewed our focus and got to work.

There were some harrowing moments over the next two months, to get on the air fast with the ‘Rona breathing down our necks. Like how our broadcast server was being sent from Bulgaria so we needed to get it boxed, have the playout software installed on it, then shipped to Kenya, three weeks before we planned to be on air. Then we had to have an engineer from Playbox, our broadcast software company, in and out on one of the last flights to leave Kenya before international borders were closed, literally making it back to Bulgaria the day before the shutdown.

The first time our team really had an opportunity to use the broadcast software was just one week before we launched. We could not get the new shows uploaded fast enough as our internet speeds were too slow, so our partners at Liquid Telecom immediately provisioned us with significantly faster speeds to ingest content onto the server just days before we went on air. Our rockstar editorial team turned around shows and promos in record time. Our senior management team wrestled with file conversions and formats to ensure we had the best possible visual quality in the smallest file formats on our shows. We started our first full schedule test broadcast on 31 March 2020, and we received our PANG channel number that same morning at 11am. Somehow, we went to broadcasting 24/7 on 1 April 2020, with less than 24 hours of on-air testing, because the children and families needed it. All thanks to one of the most technically advanced broadcasting platforms and even more so, an incredibly talented team of superhumans making it a reality.

Our team and many, many other contributors made Akili Kids! possible, and now we are humbled to have literally millions of Kenyan children and parents watching us every day. Now that most of the kinks have been worked out, we’re restructuring the channel into more of the format we originally envisioned. This “Makeover” is as important to us as we think it is to you, our viewers. We’ve been able to do some pretty remarkable things so far (5 Million children and 4 Million parents watching every week!) and I’m really proud to tell you about what these changes will bring:

1. All the programs you know and love today will still be with us. Some may be found at new times, but nothing is leaving.
2. We’re doubling the number of shows we’re going to be broadcasting on a given day. We will have 12-hour blocks of programs, from 6am to 6pm, Monday through Sunday
3. On weekdays between 9 am and 1 pm, we’re dedicating our programming to early childhood content. More importantly, we’re being more organized about the time children spend with Akili Kids! by creating Learning Blocks – hour-long programming blocks dedicated to academic, creative and social emotional subjects. Our first Learning Blocks are for Reading, Science and Math, and they will clearly support each of these topics with content that you may already know and love, with new interstitials and supporting content that will make this time fun and valuable to viewers.
4. One of our first requests was to have more content for older kids. It was always in the plan and we’re making good on the promise. On Saturday, Sundays and weekday afternoons during “after school” time, we’re bringing a new Block for older kids – focused on 7-years and up. This new Block is about adventure and imagination, and we’re calling it Teketeke Haiya!.
5. We’re going to bring at least one new show to the channel every month, and we’re looking forward to having some great stuff in December 2020 (and beyond!).
6. Yes, we’re staying free-to-air and will be working with some landmark strategic partners to ensure your kids can watch Akili Kids! anywhere in Kenya for free or for just a few shillings a day.

The Makeover is truly closer to what we imagined Akili Kids! would look like in our original plans. It’s going to be bigger, better, more fun, with even more learning opportunities. We’re incredibly excited about it and we hope your kids (and you) love it. We’re going to try to surprise and delight you all when you least expect it and keep your (our) children feeling like they have something special that’s just for them. Because they do.

Jesse Soleil Co-Founder and President
Akili Network Ltd TV Schedule

The post The Akili Kids! Makeover appeared first on Akili TV.

As we were beginning to plan our content strategy for launch, one thing we were painfully aware of was that we had not put any original, local content into the schedule. So, we thought about different strategies to create maximally impactful yet minimal cost content. We had this idea for “Learning Blocks”; an hour of dedicated programming each for Science, Math and Literacy. We thought about “wrapping” these blocks with related learning moments, to introduce and close out the hour. My long-time friend and colleague Kaburo Kobia stepped in to produce and co-create. Just like that, “Wraps” were born.

We’d recently met with the team at WhatsGood Studios here in Nairobi about a different potential project, and thought they’d make a great production partner for the Wraps. I wrote some test scripts. WhatsGood kicked off the casting process and we found some great talent. The first person on our casting list was a young woman with a lot of personality and a huge smile. She got a thumbs up from everyone to audition in person for the host role. I randomly searched Facebook profiles of our potential hosts and discovered our 15-year old looking candidate was actually the former Miss Universe Kenya!

Wabaiya Kariuki, Host of Boom Na Wabi! We wrote 55 more scripts adding “general knowledge” to the scope, so we could introduce some social-emotional concepts, breathing, dancing, and art to the wraps. Wabaiya became Wabi and was a quick study – she quickly was able to not only grasp the concepts, but also deliver on the scripts and changes without even writing them down. WhatsGood built a virtual set, and we used their small in-house studio to deliver on what became a huge idea. We had a lot of fun shooting these short episodes – and every time we had completed filming an episode, we’d yell “BOOM!” and high five each other… another episode in the can! We started to feel the flow and while it took longer to shoot some episodes than others, and some of the scripts we wrote for the first “season” didn’t make it, we did manage to pull off 44 episodes in 4 days of shooting. Some of the big challenging moments:

1. Green screen Realizing the green screen affected yellow and some other colors as well. We had to make a lot of adjustments for the virtual set idea. 2. Color mixing science experiments Food coloring options in Kenya are not quite the same as in some other countries. Yellow looks more orange, and red looks less like red and more like rosé, which makes water-based color mixing really hard. 3. Finding a tiny jiko was harder than we expected!4. Getting amended scripts into the teleprompter The original scripts had direction written in, and so we had to practice and then remove the direction from the teleprompter scripts to get timing right. 5. Getting set up for overhead shots Whats Good Studio used a GoPro for overhead shots and it took a little bit of time to get this right since a GoPro is actually an adventure camera.

Mixing colors for an episode of ‘Boom Na Wabi’ 6. Music When it came to music selection, we knew we wanted to emulate one of my favorite kids shows, Yo Gabba Gabba. We wanted something fun and contemporary that kids and their parents would enjoy. 7. Naming the Show When it came time to name the show, we all felt like “Boom!” was a huge part of what we’d just created. And it occurred to us that Boom! Kids might just learn something from each episode. BOOM! na Wabi was named.

At the end of the day, it was a huge, successful team effort!

Huge shout outs to our entire team and looking forward to Season Two!

Jesse Soleil,Co-Founder Akili Network Ltd,
Creator and Director of ‘Boom Na Wabi‘ TV Schedule

The post Why Boom! Na Wabi appeared first on Akili TV.