Tanzania: Vanessa Mdee to judge East Africa's Got Talent

The rest of the judging panel includes Kenyan talk show Jeff Koinange, Rwanda's DJ Contact Makeda and Ugandan media personality Gaetano Kagwa.

The show was launched on 9 April by Tanzanian company Clouds Media International as a platform to discover and showcase talented Kenyans, Ugandans, Tanzanians and Rwandese.

It is part of the Got Talent franchise, which was created by Simon Cowell. It has been adapted for the East African market in partnership with Fremantle, Syco and South African production company Rapid Blue. Safaricom will sponsor the Kenyan leg of the show.

Addressing the judges after the announcement, Safaricom chief financial services officer Sitoyo Lopokoiyit said: "Please judge the contestants with wisdom and compassion. I have watched some versions of the show in other markets and I believe you can be honest and compassionate. It is going to be a tough but and interesting journey in the selection process. We wish you nothing but the best."

Pre-auditions were held in the participating countries between May and June and those selected will travel to Kenya where the show will be produced.

East Africa's Got Talent will feature 10 episodes and the winner will be selected through public voting and awarded a cash prize of $50 000.