Iko Nini Bwana Seed?

WHAT UK NEWSPAPERS SAY - EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST THE POUND TODAY IS KSHS. 113.40

KAMEME RADIO IS BACK AGAIN

Nairobi, Friday 1st May, 2009. Hundreds of mourners Thursday thronged Ndiriri Primary School grounds in Ndia constituency, Kirinyaga West district for a mass funeral service for twelve victims of last week's Karatina massacre. A sorrowful mood engulfed the ground as the twelve white coated caskets with crosses inscribed with the names of the victims were lined up on wooden benches among religious leaders, dignitaries' and the mourners. The victims were all relatively young people born between 1970 and 1991 except Francis Wachira who was born in 1964. President Mwai Kibaki sent a message of condolences to families which was read by Gender, Children and Social Development minister Esther Murugi. In his message, Kibaki urged leaders to explore avenues of creating employment for the youth to discourage idleness and emphasized on the need for community policing in curbing crime. He asked the provincial administration to use all intelligence gathered to thwart such incidents in future. Murugi on her part blamed parents, religious leaders and teachers for failing to shape the youth into responsible adults adding that there was need to accord the youth a conducive environment for them to develop. "We have a duty to find a permanent solution to the problems affecting the youth in the country," she said. Speaking during the service, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa called for a comprehensive youth policy that will address the problems facing young people in the country. He said that the problems bedeviling the youth in Central Province were not unique to the area was spread across the nation. Assistant minister for local government Njeru Githae who is also the area MP led mourners in declaring a total war on drugs and illicit liquor.  Gichugu MP Martha Karua said there was need for consultation between leaders, the youth and parents to find a permanent solution to the youth problem in the region. The former Justice Minister warned against tagging names to criminals noting that every individual should be treated according to his/her actions. The 12 were among 29 people killed by suspected members of the Mungiki sect who were ostensibly on a revenge mission after their members were killed by vigilantes.

Marion Shako the Kenya gospel singer concluded her tour in the UK on Sunday 26th April, 2009 at CCBC Swahili Service in London. She took the service to a storm with her popular numbers where everyone in the church took to the stage. The whole service was for praise and worship. The congregation joined her to the platform as they could easily follow her beat. Together with the Marion was another Kenyan gospel musician Faith Kithele who also took her share leading praise and worship at the service. Marion email wyalima@yahoo.com and  for Faith Kithele is faithkithele@yahoo.com - CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

"You can forgive someone almost anything. But you cannot tolerate everything...We don't have to tolerate what people do just because we forgive them for doing it. Forgiving heals us personally. To tolerate everything only hurts us all in the long run." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

Raila’s son linked to maize scam

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s name has been sucked into the controversy over a Sh3.6 billion maize scam and a parliamentary committee has recommended that his son, associates and personal assistant be investigated over the deal. The PM was not absolved of blame either, with the report alleging that the Cabinet’s Sub-Committee on Food Security that Raila chairs altered the tender specification to allow the highest bidder instead of the lowest. The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Lands and Natural Resources further recommends the sacking of Agriculture and Special Programmes Permanent Secretaries as well as the managing director of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Gideon Misoi to pave way for investigations. The committee further recommends that the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) investigate maize import procurement process and establish the role played by the firms awarded contracts, particularly the link to importers and to establish whether they were registered in Kenya. The Cabinet Sub-committee on Food Security, which the PM chaired, was singled out for investigation as it allegedly influenced the companies that tendered for imports. Others on the committee are the ministers for Finance, Special Programmes, Water and Agriculture. The report, tabled by committee chairman and Naivasha MP John Mututho, says the sacking of the two PSs and NCPB chief should be speeded up to "allow investigation and subsequent criminal and/or civil proceedings against them as pertains the maize scam". The 77-page report, Report on Food Security Status and the Maize Shortage in the Country, and dated April 2009, further recommends that all Government agencies involved in the importation of maize — NCPB, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Public Health Inspectorate and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service — be streamlined and appropriate measures put in place on the way they handle safety and quality of maize.

Tabled after Parliament approved Sh8.5 billion to import maize as part of the Sh26 billion budget on Wednesday, the report calls on the Ministry of Special Programmes to boost the capacity of the Strategic Grain Reserve Stores (SGRS) from three million to ten million bags. And to further cushion the country from food insecurity, the committee recommends that the SGRS diversifies the grains it stores and to make cash equivalent of 5 million 90kg bags at any one time. On the release orders given by various ministries, individuals and agencies to NCPB, the report recommends further investigation to ascertain the release orders of 3.4 million bags between December, 2007 and October, 2008. According to evidence adduced, the report says the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Food Security should be investigated on its role in maize importation. "It is this same committee that made resolutions which led to very exaggerated import prices and the taxpayer must have lost Sh3.6 billion," the report says. It further calls for enhanced management of the emergency grain reserve and proposes the inclusion of PSs in the ministries of Livestock, Public Health and Co-operative Development. Currently, the membership of SGR includes PSs in the ministries of Agriculture, Special Programmes and Finance. Expressing distrust with the Government over the distribution of relief food, the committee recommends that the Kenya Red Cross manage the process. This is what donors have been insisting. "The Government should stop distribution of famine relief, through the Provincial Administration, with immediate effect and distribute the same through the Kenya Red Cross or WFP; and just ensure a supervisory role," says the report.

The committee also calls for the destruction of 6,254 metric tonnes of condemned maize lying at the port of Mombasa.  It appeals to KACC to investigate claims of fraud and loss of public funds in the importation of GMO maize as directed by Agriculture PS Romano Kiome. "The maize being held at the Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd should be destroyed by Kenya Bureau of Standards in public and in the presence of the parliamentary committee and all relevant Government agencies," the report says. The committee summoned key Government officials, including Agriculture Minister William Ruto, and recommends that Mombasa Maize Millers be investigated for "hoarding in excess of 500,000 bags at the height of famine", allegedly causing a maize shortage. The ten-member committee received evidence from Mr Ruto, Dr Naomi Shaban (Special Programmes minister) and the managing director of NCPB. Others grilled were managing directors of Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Plant Health and Inspectorate Service (Kephis), Kenya Ports Authority and the chief executive officer of Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd as well as individuals. The committee heard that maize flour prices increased suddenly because millers transferred the cost of maize to consumers. They bought a bag of maize at Sh2,300 instead of Sh1,700. It is estimated that the country would have about eight million bags of maize held by farmers, traders, millers and NCPB, the report says. The report also recommends investigation of maize millers to find out if they get high profits (104 per cent in maize and 214 per cent in wheat) at the expense of consumer prices. - The Standard.

Let us take a different direction now - make use of the article below:

Dear Mr Seed,  

Thanks for your promise to convey this Message of Good News to all Readers of www.misterseed.com website and others.  

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They don't need to worry anymore because they will be covered even if they decide to leave the UK at anytime after taking out the cover. That is their Life / Critical Insurance will hold good wherever they relocate to.

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7,000 prostitutes in Nairobi every night

An ongoing census on the number of female and male prostitutes in the country indicates there are more than 7,000 of them in Nairobi’s Central Business District every night. Through the recently launched Wacha Mpango wa Kando programme, the Ministry of Public Health is identifying prostitution hotspots and providing them with services and products to curb HIV. Through the National Aids and STDs Control Programme, universities of Nairobi and Manitoba in Canada, the ministry has opened a clinic in River Road where prostitutes are screened, treated and counselled at no cost. So far, the River Road clinic has screened about 6,000 prostitutes for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and about 30 per cent tested HIV positive. “We found HIV prevalence levels among prostitutes to be at 34 per cent, almost four times the national average of 7.1 per cent,” says Nascop head Dr Nicholas Muraguri. An interesting finding was that among the prostitutes visiting the clinic, 60 per cent either have a steady boyfriend or a husband who are not aware of their partner’s activities.  In such cases, the couple is highly unlikely to use a condom. Earlier, Public Health minister Beth Mugo said more clinics will be opened at prostitution hotspots on highways. Dr Muraguri said the clinics will operate mostly at night in the hope that the prostitutes will find this to be convenient. Male prostitution also appears to be on the rise as shown by a two-year study in Kisumu that said out of the 485 men who had sex with other men, 80 per cent were married or in a serious relationship. The study, in collaboration with Liverpool VCT, found that 75 per cent of men prostitutes did so to provide for their families. - Daily Nation.

Pitt Rivers Museum Luo Visual History

LEFT: A group of Luo men and women, probably photographed at a market in Nyanza. Luo body scarification decoration (ngo'ol) and personal body adornment (skin aprons, bead necklaces, armlets and anklets) of the period are all in evidence. Also visible here is the traditional use of cowrie shells (gaagi) on leather belts and headbands. The women seem to be on the way to a market with grain pots (agulu) and baskets (adita) on their heads. In some cases a coil (tach) made from papyrus reed or grass is used to balance the pot on the head. RIGHT: This is an elaborately dressed Luo man riding a well-trained ox (rwath). He is dressed as one who is attending a funeral, but the background context looks like a large organized display or show, with a line of schoolchildren watching some activity. The headdress is unusually large and probably constructed from a large leather or basket shape covered in plumes of ostritch feather (kondo udo). The distinctively shaped Luo shield (okumba) behind him with geometric designs is probably made from ox or even buffalo hide. The man is decorated with ochre on the legs (and probably face also). The mans ankle is adorned with a wound metal anklet and jingles (gara). This kind of gear is usually adorned by energetic middle-aged men who after a burial engage in the funeral ritual called tero buru (driving away death). -  [Gilbert Oteyo 21/04/2005]

Three new confirmed cases of swine flu have been diagnosed in the UK, bringing the total number to eight, the Department of Health has said.  Two of the cases are in London and one in Newcastle. All are said to be responding well to treatment.  Earlier, the government's chief medical adviser warned Britain will see "many, many more cases" of swine flu, although he said most people would recover.  In total, 230 possible flu cases are being investigated in the UK.

Horror as car ploughs into royal parade killing five

Five people were killed when a speeding car ploughed into a parade that included Queen Beatrix and the Dutch royal family. The accident, which happened on the national Queen's Day holiday today, injured 13 people - including some sent flying through the air - although no royals were hurt. The incident in the city of Apeldoorn appeared to be deliberate, with television footage showing the damaged car continuing to be driven at high speed after hitting the crowd, until it crashed into a stone monument.  Princess Maxima, wife of heir Willem-Alexander, looked on in horror after the black car drove through a crowd and rammed into the monument in the centre of the city, about 90km (56 miles) east of Amsterdam.  In a television statement, Queen Beatrix later said: "What started as a beautiful day has ended in terrible drama, wich has shocked us deeply."  Prosecutor Ludo Goossens said the incident appeared to be deliberate, but not an act of terrorism.

The government cancelled remaining official activities on the annual holiday, which citizens traditionally spend drinking, eating and buying used belongings along streets and canals.  Apeldoorn mayor Fred de Graaf said: "The scare and the images that the family has seen are reason to break off the official programme."  Journalist Peter von de Vorst told RTL television that the bizarre incident was like watching a horrible movie.  He said: "It was a really nice day. Then you hear a bang. Everyone looks up and you see people indeed flying through the air.  "This must be a joke or a strange prank. Then suddenly panic, and you realise that something really terrible has happened."  It was not clear how the car managed to enter the parade area, which police had sealed off hours before.  Police officers removed a 38-year-old man from the vehicle and put him into an ambulance. He was taken to hospital, where he was being treated under police supervision.  Other officers gave medical aid to spectators before they were taken to hospital.  Eight of the 13 injured were in serious condition.  Shortly after the incident, investigators and a sniffer dog examined the car for explosives, then sawed off the roof of the car for a closer inspection.

Cornwall Gets Nasty Over Devon's Pasty Prize

A row has erupted in the south west after a pie maker in Devon, UK was given the prize for Britain's best Cornish pasty. The decision prompted anger among bakers in Cornwall, who said that firms from the neighbouring county should be barred from entering the competition. An appeal to disqualify the winners, Chunk of Devon, failed. Some Cornish bakers are now threatening to boycott next year's ceremony. Chunk was given the top prize at the inaugural British Pie Awards ceremony last week. Matthew O'Callaghan, the chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, who organised the competition, admitted that to have been eligible, pasties should have been made in Cornwall. "There was supposed to be a disclaimer on the application form which stated all entrants to the Cornish Pasty competition must come from Cornwall," he said. "It wasn't done and I have to admit it was an administrative cock-up." Mr O'Callaghan said that while Chunk would keep its award because there had been an "honest mistake", next year the rules would be made much clearer.

The judges praised the Chunk pasty's taste, appearance, texture, size, pastry and local ingredients. But, traditionalists say that to be worthy of the name, a Cornish pasty must have been made on the correct side of the River Tamar. Ann Muller, of the Lizard Pasty Shop, said: "Why do they want to call their pasties Cornish? They're happy to call their cream teas Devonshire and we've got Cornish cream teas. "Let them put their pasties into a competition but call it a Devonshire pasty. Don't forget where the border is." Managing Director of Chunk, Simon Bryon-Edmond, defended his firm's right to the title, and accused Cornish rivals of complacency. "It seems the Cornish may have got a bit podgy round the waist when it comes to pasty-making and have been relaxing and rather resting on their laurels," Mr Bryon-Edmond said. "We were the underdogs in the competition but we know our pasty is a winner. "All of our ingredients are free range and locally sourced, and there are no additives whatsoever. We also use butter rather than margarine. "We like everything to be as natural as possible. The recipe is no great secret. We use the best ingredients and the best herbs and spices." Debate over the origins of the pasty has long raged between the two counties. In 2006 Todd Gray, a historian, discovered a shopping list written in Devon in 1510 which referred to ingredients to make pasties. However, Les Merton, the author of the Official Encyclopedia of the Cornish Pasty, argued that cave drawings show that pasties, wrapped in leaves rather than pastry, were eaten in Cornwall as early as 8,000BC.

BACK TO THE ROOTS

Traditional 3-legged Luo Elder Stool at the White

KIKUYU PROVERB

Gutiri gitaturagia kingi

Everything created on this earth is relevant to each other

Mzee Kangethe and his wife are in London. The couple arrived in the UK last week for the graduation of their daughter. Mzee Kangethe is one of the Kenyan celebrities having acted in a film in 1948. The title of the film was "Kangethe Thoma" which was being used to promote the education in Kenya. In the film Mzee Kangethe was acting as a young school boy ready to travel abroad to study and after studying, he was to come back to help his family. Mzee Kangethe is looking for the film in the British archives and if you know how he can be able to trace it you can contact him on 07943439132. He comes from Kwa Maiko, Kiambu, Kenya.

London, Thursday 30th April, 2009. A British school was shut today after a 12-year-old pupil tested positive for the swine flu virus. The girl was on the same flight from Mexico as Scottish honeymoon couple Iain and Dawn Askham who were confirmed as having the H1N1 strain on Monday. Anxious parents collected their children from Paignton Community College this afternoon. One said: “The girl that's ill is in Year 7. All the Year 7s were running around like maniacs shouting, Cover your mouths'.”Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: “The little girl is doing fine.” He said the anti-viral drug Tamiflu had been given to 230 pupils in her year. The 1,900-pupil school will be closed for seven days. The Health Protection Agency in Devon said the girl had been in close contact with 50 pupils and others.A woman aged 42 from Redditch and a 22-year-old man from Barnet, north London, have also been confirmed as having the disease, bringing the British total to five. Tests are being carried out on 78 people in Britain. Gordon Brown said all those affected had recently been in Mexico where the outbreak began. Mr Brown said Britain was taking “the preparations that are necessary” to try to prevent the spread of the disease. He told the Commons: “We have decided to build up stocks of anti-virals from 35 million to 50million. We are ordering a great deal more face masks.” Checks at airports are being tightened.  A 23-month-old boy was confirmed today as the first victim to die in the US. The Egyptian government is slaughtering all pigs in an effort to prevent the virus spreading.

KIKUYU PROVERB

Kieha ni ukia

Sadness ends to poverty

Getting ready for a major fundraising

The organising committee of Interdemonational World Revival Ministries, London are busy during their final touches as they await for their big fundraising event on Saturday 2nd May, 2009. The church is having the fundraising to buy their own church building in London. They have invited many guests from far and wide. The committee met on Wednesday 29th April, 2009 for the final touches as they await for the day. All the arrangements are complete and the event will take place at Royal Regency, 501 High Street North, Manor Park, London E12 6TH as from 6.00 p.m. - CLICK HERE FOR MORE

KIKUYU AGE GROUP

1968 - Rika ria Taiti

Age of Tight Dress

======================================================

THATCHED HOUSE IN LONDON REOPENING ON FRIDAY 1ST MAY 2009

Thatched House is reopening for business on Friday 1st May, 2009 as from 11.00 a.m.

A free drink for the first 50 customers.

RIPPLE ROAD, BARKING, ESSEX, IG11 9PG

TELEPHONE. 0208 5912721.

PK. 07960323586. ZAK. 07958 300 132,. BEN. 07787 925 818.

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Brutus The Grizzly Bear Is The Best Man

A wildlife sanctuary owner in America has told of his decision to chose a very unusual friend to be 'best man' at his wedding. Casey Anderson rescued grizzly bear Brutus from being put down at an overpopulated wildlike park. He was so taken by his new companion that he built a sanctuary in Montana where Brutus could "grow up being a bear". Anderson now runs the Montana Grizzly Sanctuary and takes in other rescued bears. But Brutus is the main attraction. He is used as an assistant to teach park visitors about grizzly bears and conservation. And the friendly bear has even appeared on TV and in films. One such role - in the film Pretty Ugly People - was responsible for Anderson meeting his wife Missi Pyle. Brutus became such a part of Anderson's life that he decided to have the animal as his best man at his wedding. He did not walk down the aisle with the pair but did happily pose for wedding photos, eat wedding cake and entertain the other guests. Anderson admits he feels he owes a lot to his relationship with Brutus. "I know that I have saved Brutus' life, but he saved mine too," he explains. "He gave me purpose, and the inspiration to try and make a difference in the world."

* For more information see www.channel.nationalgeographic.com

"When a chick ignores its mother's warning, the eagle grasps it for a meal." - Wisdom of Africa, Nigeria

Kenya Parliament approved the Sh26 billion mini-budget to allow the Government deliver services in the next two months even as MPs attacked luxurious allocations. MPs sanctioned withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund of Sh16,355,411,140 and Sh9,895,900,650 for recurrent and development expenditure to sustain Government operations until June’s budget. Even then, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta revealed the Government was still faced with a Sh38 billion gap in its financing plan, adding Treasury hoped to plug it through domestic borrowing. But MPs questioned the rationale of Government borrowing, including allocations they considered extravagant and unnecessary, in light of the global cash-crunch. Nambale MP Chris Okemo took issue with about Sh800 million set aside for refurbishment of buildings for embassies. Okemo, who is also the chairman of the Finance Committee, said prudent financial management dictated that the supplementary budget caters for ‘unforeseen’ expenditures. Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo wondered why crucial development projects should face cutbacks while State House received an additional Sh120 million for hospitality. Mr Kilonzo singled out Sh400 million allocated for pending bills, saying such provisions were not a priority and were subject to corruption. "There are better emergencies to cater for," Kilonzo said. - The Standard.

FREE COOKING CLASSES

East African Community Welfare Association, London will be starting the next FREE COOKERY and FOOD & HYGIENE courses on the 11th of May, 2009 at  Adult College  Barking from 18.00hrs-21:00hrs.  Only few places remaining.  If you are interested do call Mrs Ndegwa on 07506695851 or Mr Kuria (Josda) on 07508018091 to book yourself in.

Kenyan women hit men with sex ban

The wives of the Kenyan president and PM have been asked to join in

Women's activist groups in Kenya have slapped their partners with a week-long sex ban in protest over the infighting plaguing the national unity government. The Women's Development Organisation coalition said they would also pay prostitutes to join their strike. The campaigners are asking the wives of the Kenyan president and the prime minister to join in the embargo. They say they want to avoid a repeat of the violence which convulsed the country after the late-2007 elections. Relations between Kenya's coalition partners, led by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, have become increasingly acrimonious.  Now the dispute has moved to the nation's bedrooms. Patricia Nyaundi, executive director of the Federation of Women Lawyers (Fida), one of the organisations in the campaign, said they hoped the seven-day sex ban would force the squabbling rivals to make up. She said the campaign would start from her bedroom and that emissaries had been sent to the two leaders' wives, Ida Odinga and Lucy Kibaki, urging them to join in and lead from the front. "Even commercial sex workers should join in the campaign which is so vital to the country," Mrs Nyaundi told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. "Great decisions are made during pillow talk, so we are asking the two ladies at that intimate moment to ask their husbands: 'Darling can you do something for Kenya?'" But the BBC's Anne Waithera in Nairobi says the campaign is likely to meet stiff resistance from some men. Our correspondent says some would argue that Kenyan men cannot even abstain for two days. The campaign is being backed by several other lobby groups, including the Caucus for Women's Leadership and Maendeleo ya Wanawake - a nationwide network of women's groups in rural Kenya. Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga agreed to share power last year to end post-election violence, which had left some 1,500 people dead and forced 300,000 from their homes. But the deal has soured with the premier's party claiming he has been sidelined and protesting over everything from electoral reform to the lack of a toilet for Mr Odinga during one recent official visit.

After a very entertaining start to the East African Tour Solo International Associates has patnnerd with kikati Events to bring for the first time ever Kenyan superstar RedSan to south London's Jasmins Club in Tooting Broadway featuring the 'Nakudata' Ugandan duo Radio & Weasle  this Bank Holiday Saturday 2nd April, 2009.

Bye bye Mama Kamau

We regret to announce the death of Esther Wambui Mwirigi on Sunday 26th April, 2009 in Kenya. Wife of Mr. George Mwirigi Kamau of Kangari Bookshop, Kangari, Kigumo, Muranga. Daughter of John Maina of Mathaithi, Githumu. Mother to Kamau George of  Nairobi, John Maina (Nairobi), Miss Monicah Wanjiku (Kangari), Rachel Njeri (Nairobi), Lydia Waitherero (Nairobi), Mr. Daniel Mwarangu Mwirigi (Milton Keynes, UK) and Peter Kimani (Nairobi). The husband of the late Esther is a first cousin to Mr. Seed.  Family and friends are meeting in Nairobi and in Kangari, Kenya. The body is at Githumu Mortuary and the burial takes place on Saturday 2nd May, 2009 at Kangari Village. Many of Njiiri's High School former students know her because they have been shopping at her shop. For more information please contact 07951220695 or in Kenya 0722715590.

"...Forgiving is not having to understand. Understanding may come later, in fragments, an insight here and a glimpse there, after forgiving." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

London, Wednesday 29th April, 2009. Three more cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Britain, the Prime Minister has revealed, including a 12-year-old girl. The school the girl attends, Paignton Community and Sports College, in Paignton, Devon, has been shut for a week and all pupils in her year have been given antiviral drugs. Mr Brown told MPs that the other new cases were adults, from Birmingham and London. All three had recently travelled to Mexico, had mild symptoms and were responding well to treatment, he said. Mr Brown said: "I believe we are taking the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent further incidents of the disease in this country. "I can confirm that we have enhanced airport checks and that we are advising people not to travel to Mexico unless necessary. "We have decided to build up stocks of anti-viral drugs and we are ordering a great deal more face masks (for health staff) and we'll be sending out public information to all citizens of the country. "By Tuesday next week there'll be an information leaflet available for every family.

"The World Health Organisation says we are one of the best prepared countries, we intend to keep it that way and do everything in our power to make sure people are safe from this worldwide problem." Meanwhile, the first batch of test results on 23 patients in Scotland suspected of having swine flu have proved negative. Seven people who had been in close contact with Mexico honeymooners Iain and Dawn Askham have been given the all clear. The Askhams became the first British swine flu victims when they were confirmed to be suffering from the virus on Monday. The newlyweds are being treated in isolation at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Sky's Scotland correspondent James Matthews said:"That has to be good news. If the tests had been positive it would have suggested the virus was spreading rapidly."  Nine people who had been in close contact with them have had tests, along with another 14 people with travel links to Mexico or affected parts of the US who have shown mild flu symptoms. Health Secretary Alan Johnson briefed the Prime Minister on the latest developments before another meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee, Downing Street said.

Migration Advisory publishes its latest

recommended shortage occupations lists

Home Office, 29 April 2009

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) today published the first review of the shortage occupation lists for skilled workers coming to the United Kingdom from outside the European Economic Area. In the United Kingdom labour market, vacancy levels have fallen and unemployment and redundancies have risen sharply. The MAC has responded to the current economic climate by suspending quantity surveyors and managers in construction from the shortage occupation lists. The MAC has recommended a number of other key changes:
 

• only social workers for children and families are kept on the list; all other social workers should be removed;
• the skill threshold is changed for care assistants and chefs;
• the following jobs are added to the list: orchestral musicians, visual effects and computer animation technicians and contemporary dancers; and
• there are additions and removals within some job titles in the healthcare profession.

In announcing the publication of its recommendations the Chair of the Committee, Professor David Metcalf, said:

"The points-based system, including the shortage occupation list, has to operate for the benefit of United Kingdom workers, especially given the current economic climate.

"These latest recommendations take account of the impact of the worldwide recession on the United Kingdom. We have looked critically at the evidence regarding the occupations under review and made recommendations which balance the needs of the UK workforce against those of employers.

"It is important to note that some shortages of skilled labour will still exist in a recession. This can be where there is a long-term structural shortage of skilled workers, where workers provide key public services, or in areas such as culture where the United Kingdom needs to maintain global leadership."

The MAC is also starting an urgent review of all of the other occupations currently on the lists, to be completed in autumn 2009. It is estimated that the jobs and occupations on the MAC's recommended United Kingdom list employ approximately 530'000 people, or around two per cent of the workforce. This figure relates to the number of people (immigrants and non-immigrants) currently working in these occupations and job titles. The shortage occupation list has three stringent tests: the occupation in question must be sufficiently skilled, there must be a shortage of workers and it must be sensible to fill this shortage with workers from outside the European Economic Area. All recommendations made by the MAC are evidence-based and a wide variety of stakeholders are consulted. The MAC will continue to take evidence on all occupations and is open to discussion with interested parties about any aspect of its work. The Government will announce in due course whether it accepts the Committee's recommendations.

Kenya braced for swine flu threat

Nairobi, Kenya, Apr 29 - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it has enough stock of drugs that could be used in reducing the severity of the fast spreading swine fever that has so far killed more than 150 people in Mexico. WHO Disease Prevention Control Programme Officer Dr Joyce Onsongo said on Wednesday that there was an international emergency stock of three million tablets for distribution in any country that reports an outbreak. Speaking after the opening of a sensitisation meeting on International Health Regulations, Ms Onsongo said Kenya had already taken some stock just in case of any cases. “We have some anti virals, but I must say that these are really not cure drugs, they reduce the severity of the disease so they can be given to people who already got the symptoms to reduce the severity. But it does not serve as a cure; as you know viruses really have no cure,” she stated. Public Health Minister Beth Mugo emphasised the need for Kenyans to observe personal hygiene to prevent an outbreak of the swine fever, which is a human to human viral infection.

“Through our close collaboration with WHO and other partners, we have been able to initiate cross border surveillance and institute control measures,” Mrs Mugo said. Currently there is no vaccine available to protect against swine flu, which was first reported in Mexico and is spreading fast to other parts of the world. According to the International health body it would take six months to produce a prevention vaccine. On Tuesday, the Kenyan government assured that it had scaled up surveillance at all entry points to ensure the swine flu virus stayed out of the country. The Public Health Minister said that medical personnel would diligently screen passengers travelling into the country for signs of infection, adding that 26 influenza sentinel surveillance sites had been upgraded to detect any occurrence of illnesses related to the virus. The swine flu is believed to be caused by a mutated H5N1 strain virus subtype, which also causes bird flu. The new form contains DNA sequences from human and avian influenza viruses, as well as from other strains of swine influenza. The infection progresses rapidly. In those most severely affected in the Mexican outbreak, potentially fatal respiratory problems developed after less than a week of coughing, aches and fever. In Mexico, the death rate is unusually high among those who develop respiratory distress.

THE ANIMAL SMILE COMPETITION CONTINUES

Arusha-Namanga-Athi-River road construction launched

Written By: PPS   , Posted: Nairobi, Wed, Apr 29, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania Tuesday inaugurated the Arusha- Namanga-Athi River road construction work. The project costing US dollars 156 million is being funded through concessionary loans from the African development bank and the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JICA) and Governments of Kenya and Tanzania. The occasion was also witnessed by Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi. Speaking during the officiating ceremony at Lengijave, Arusha President Kibaki said the launch of the road marks an important milestone in efforts to improve the physical connectivity of East African Community (EAC) partner states. President Kibaki noted that once completed, the modernization works on the road will have a positive impact on trade, tourism, agriculture and industrial promotion. "We look forward not only to the expeditious completion of the works we are launching today but also to the rapid implementation of other regional infrastructure projects," said President Kibaki. He therefore underscored the need for the East African Community (EAC) partner states to upgrade and modernize sections of the existing roads and railways network as well as extend the network to other sections within the region. President Kibaki said," Indeed, I am encouraged to note that in tandem with the modernization of the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road, the African Development Bank is already supporting feasibility studies and detailed design for the Arusha - Moshi - Holili - Taveta - Mwatate - Voi road and the Mombasa - Lunga Lunga - Horohoro - ­Tanga roads".

Pointing out that poor road and rail infrastructure as well as delays at ports and border points have continued to constrain the movement of people and goods across national boundaries. President Kibaki said that the state of infrastructure has a direct contribution to the cost of doing business and competitiveness of firms regionally and internationally.  He added that the EAC Partner states have undertaken several joint projects to address the poor state of infrastructure in air, road and rail transport as well as port and telecommunications.  Noting that access to financial resources remains one of the greatest challenge in developing the requisite infrastructure in the region, President Kibaki said," This challenge is particularly acute at this time when development aid resources have come under severe strain on account of the current global economic crisis".  He therefore said it was imperative that the EAC Governments explore other means of raising financial resources for infrastructure development saying there is need to develop and implement a clear framework of facilitating private sector participation in infrastructure development either on its own or in partnership with governments.  The Head of state thanked development partners especially, JICA, the African Development Bank and the Chinese contractors for their various roles in undertaking this project. Other Speakers were the host President Jakaya Kikwete and the current East African Community (EAC) Summit Chairman President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, EAC Secretary General Juma Mwapachu, President of African Development Bank Group (ADB) Dr. Donald Kaberuka and Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania representing the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) H.E Hiroshi Najkagawa.

In his address President Jakaya Kikwete called for review of the EAC roadwork rehabilitation programme with a view to including Burundi and Rwanda. President Kibaki is accompanied by the Minister for East African Community Mr. Amason Kingi, Minister for Roads Franklin Bett, Assistant Minister Wilfred Machange, Permanent Secretaries, Thuita Mwangi, David Nalo, Dr. (Eng). Cyrus Njiru, Eng. Abdulrazaq Aden Ali and Dr. Edward Sambili. On Wednesday, the President will attend the 10TH Summit of the East African Heads of State in Arusha. Meanwhile, Kibaki Tuesday night held bilateral talks with  Kagame of Rwanda who paid him a courtesy call at his Presidential Villa, at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge. During the meeting, President Kagame informed President Kibaki that trade between the two countries has improved tremendous following the removal of visa requirements between the sister states. President Kagame expressed his desire to continue facilitating and encouraging free movement of goods and services, cross border investment and speedy implementation of mutual agreements. On his part, President Mwai Kibaki reiterated his Government commitments to providing a conducive environment to enable wananchi from the two countries harness the full potential of their cooperation. The President expressed satisfaction with the implementation of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries during his last year's state visit to Rwanda. Present were Minister for East African Community Amason Kingi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Thuita Mwangi and Kenya's High Commissioner to Tanzania Mutinda Mutiso among other senior Government officials from both countries.

Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru held his nerve to win the men's London Marathon in a new course record time. Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya set a course record of two hours five minutes 10 seconds in the men's London marathon after breaking away from the lead group 29 km into the 42.195-km race. Kenyan athletes continue to dominate the event.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8019227.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8019390.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8019139.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8019372.stm

A new soft drink made from cow's urine may be launched in India by a hard line Hindu group known for their opposition of Western food imports. The manufacturers say small quantities of the liquid produced by Hinduism's revered holy cows is being mixed with products such as aloe vera and gooseberry to fight diseases. An officer in charge of the manufacturing unit in Kanpur said the product will be sold nationwide and that it will beat other soft drinks. - VIDEO

Thousands of people run the London marathon to raise money for charity, but some go the extra mile by dressing up for the occasion. Snow White turned out to raise money for Asthma UK and Wonderwoman put in a heroic effort for Countess Mountbatten Hospice. Elsewhere, Stig was supporting Chase and the Starlight Children's Foundation had its own superstar on the course. SEE BELOW:

A colourful church ceremony took place in Coventry, UK on Saturday 25th April, 2009 where Pastor Jane Muiruri well known as Wamuita was ordained as a church minister. The ceremony which took place at Meredith Road Baptist Church in Coventry was officiated by Rev. Peter Wangaruro of Jubilee Family Ministries. The well attended ceremony started at about 2.00 p.m. and concluded without dressing the ordained minister because Arch Bishop Hackman of TAPAC who was suppose to officiate flew to Israel to attend an urgent meeting. The dressing ceremony will take place at a later date. Pastor Jane was escorted to the alter by her husband Pastor Muiruri. The preacher Rev. Wangaruro preached from the Book of John 11:4-11 and again from Mathew 16:23. He explained that many people have missed their blessing in life because of waiting for tomorrow and the tomorrow that never come. "Many people here have the spirit of Kumamiriria (slowness). Many have been marking time for the last ten years. Wake up with your vision. Those of you who have been wanting to go back to school to further your education - go back to school. stop working and go back to school - it's time. I have changed my mentality - I can leave the UK anytime if God directs me to do so." Rev. Wangaruro explained. He continued that many people have remained an egg that never hatches because they don't want to leave their comfort zones. "At one time in life you have to leave some friends - those friends are full of discouragements. I know some people here in Coventry have been spreading rumours that the ordination has been postponed. Learn to talk good about other people." the preacher concluded.

Left photo Pastor Jane Muiruri with her husband Pastor Muiruri with the officiating minister Rev. Wangaruro and on right Rev. Wangaruro anointing Pastor Jane to a church minister - CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Je, huu ni ungwana Bwana Mbegu?

"A large number of young Kenyan men in Kenya and in the UK have turned to eating miraa (khat) refusing to work so as to catch up with the habit. Some travel from far to fetch the plant in London with some going to the extent of losing their family because the wife cannot cope up with the habit"

ODM has no legal merit for Raila to take over top Parliament job

Listening to MPs debate who should be the Leader of Government Business in the House on Thursday was embarrassing. It was equally shocking that some MPs are incapable of comprehending the laws and Standing Orders they themselves made. It is true the 2007 elections were bungled. It is also true Kenyan politicians led by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were essentially compelled by the international community to enter into an accord. It is also true the two competing parties, PNU and ODM, sent negotiators, who arrived at an agreement reduced into the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008 and The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Act 2008. These introduced Section 15A, which provides that inter alia: There shall be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya. Section 3(1) of The National Accord and Reconciliation Act states: There shall be a Prime Minister of the Government of Kenya and two Deputy Prime Ministers, who shall be appointed by the President in accordance with this section. A proper and honest reading of the law as negotiated clearly shows the position of the President, as Head of State and Government did not change. It may be true the parties’ intended otherwise but the law remains, which is an indictment of the negotiators, particularly the ODM team.

The Constitution provides at Section 23 that: (1) The executive authority of the Government of Kenya shall vest in the President and, subject to this Constitution, may be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him; (2) Nothing in this section shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions on persons or authorities other than the President. Conversely, the Accord Act Section 4 spells out as follows: (1) The Prime Minister; (a) shall have authority to co-ordinate and supervise the execution of the functions and affairs of the Government, including those of Ministries; (b) may assign any of the co-ordination responsibilities of his office to the Deputy Prime Ministers, as well as one of them to deputise for him; (c) shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President or under any written law. The upshot of the above is that under Kenya’s hybrid system of government, the President is the Head of Government and its leader. The problem currently pre-occupying Parliament only arises because traditionally the President does not attend Parliament except on State openings. That is why he designates a minister, who is his principal assistant by virtue of Section 15 (3) of the Constitution to be the Leader of Government Business in the House. In light of the law, the argument that the PM should be the Leader of Government Business has no merit. The only instant when the PM or any other minister may be Leader of Government Business is when designated by the President in accordance with the amended Standing Orders. What is clear is that there is a subtext to the debate, which is but a red herring. The truth is ODM realises it had a bad deal. In its mind, which is unsupported by the law, there is an institution of co-presidency. - The writer is an advocate of the High Court. - Sunday Standard.

The ordination of Pastor Jane Muiruri (Wamuita) in Convetry, UK on Saturday 25th April, 2009 was well attended - after the ceremony her two sisters - Mumbi (left) and Njeri (right) could not hind their joy as they congratulated her.

Towards a Strong United Independent Church Movement in the UK
By Bishop Francis Waihenya
Introduction
 
It would be an understatement to say that the religious map of the world has changed and that the map of Christianity has also changed with it. This has resulted in the centre of gravity of the Church moving from the Northern Hemisphere to the South Hemisphere. The fact that most of the fastest growing Churches in the UK are those lead by Africans in the Diaspora is neither by chance nor by coincidence.

We, the Christian leaders from the South who are ministering to communities in the North, therefore have this not-to-be-missed opportunity to make our unity in Christ visible in our day-to-day commitment to mission.

Our people in the South present us with a challenge because they are trapped in poverty, a complicated social issue involving all areas of life - physical, personal, social, spiritual and cultural.
 
Ministering in Unity
 
Ministering in unity should not therefore be regarded as an option but as a possibility in so far as we continue proclaiming Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and presenting the gospel in its entirety. We need to be clear that the communities where we are located here in the UK and elsewhere needs Jesus Christ and we should come together in unity of mission to declare that truth.

The Independent Churches derive their unity from faithfulness to the Word of God and The Great Commission. We affirm with The Lausanne Covenant that “the visible unity of the church in the truth is the will of God and that Evangelism is also an invitation to unity, since unity strengthens our witness, just as disunity is a denial of our gospel of reconciliation".

I am therefore personally convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the issues of church unity and effective church leadership are critically important to the future survival of the Kenyan Independent Churches here in the UK.

Organizational Instability
It is common knowledge that in the last couple of years; the Kenyan Churches in the UK have passed through a period of organizational instability, internal strife, and disunity among church leadership and members.

As is often the case, some of the many reasons that have contributed to this instability may include lack of integrity and honesty, lack of Church administrative and management skills, lack of fellowship amongst leaders and lack of organized representative administrative bodies that would bring the Churches and or ministers together.
Whatever the issues, it has become evident that, as a Christian church, we need to restore unity and governance befitting a body of Christ. It is therefore essential that the leadership of the Kenyan Independent Churches in the UK work on finding a solution that would lead to healing this disunity that continues to tear the body of Christ apart by working in isolation.

Church Leadership
Quality of our Church leadership will be evidenced in acts of unity and in Christian conduct that is exemplified by honesty, kindness, and in setting others higher than ourselves. This is the message we need to share with each other as we pursue the need for the Kenyan Churches in the UK to unite and work together as a one body.

I have reason to believe that the Kenyan Church leaders in the UK are aware of the fact that the things that went wrong and robbed us of our unity which in return has taken away our ability to address issues that face us and the people we serve can only be addressed and fully resolved by ourselves.

Leadership integrity and restoration of trust in dealing with each other should be considered as critically important and as one of our top priorities as we all walk together the path of healing towards this unity of the body of Christ.

Ministering Holistically
Our continued service to the Kenyan community in the UK and the regions beyond should be seen by the effective presence of the church in her involvement in a holistic ministry that addresses spiritual, physical and social needs of her members including and not limited to humanitarian and development activities.

Even as we boldly proclaim the good news, wherever possible, in church and in public halls, on radio and television, and in the open air, because it is God's power for salvation and we are under obligation to make it known, the Church should also be actively involved in social outreach.

Confronted with Luke's emphasis that the gospel is good news for the poor, we need to ask ourselves what this means to the majority of the population who are destitute, suffering or oppressed. We have been constantly reminded that the law, the prophets, the wisdom books, the teaching and ministry of Jesus, all stress God's concern for the materially poor and our consequent duty as a Church to defend and care for them.

Proclamation of God's Kingdom
 
The proclamation of God's kingdom demands the prophetic denunciation of all that is incompatible with it. Among the evils we should deplore are:
·         Destructive violence like one that we witnessed in Kenya in 2008
·         Political corruption which affected our Church leaders in Kenya in the last general elections
·         All forms of exploitation of people and of the earth’s resources following our failure to remain faithful stewards of creation
·         The undermining of the family unit which forms the nuclear of the Church  
·         Demand for abortion, drug trafficking, and the abuse of human rights.

In our concern for the poor as Church leaders, we should both feel increasingly distressed by the burden of debt our people have been subjected to by the politicians who are left to decide for themselves the salaries, allowances and expenses they need to be paid from the taxes of the poor in total disregard of the taxpayers.

  We are the Image of God
We have a responsibility as a Church to ensure that the Good News we preach also address the structures and systems of this world so that they are aligned to operate within our Creator’s requirements.

It is this practical alignment that will progressively release the people we serve from their systemic problems of poverty, lack and oppression. We should be outraged by the inhuman conditions in which we as Church leaders and the people we serve continue to live despite bearing God's image as we do.

Our Mission is Incarnation
 
Our commitment to social action is therefore recognition that the biblical gospel has inescapable social implications. True mission should always be incarnational in that it necessitates entering humbly into other people's worlds, identifying with their social reality, their sorrow and suffering, and their struggles for justice against oppressive powers which cannot be done without personal sacrifices by Church leaders like you and me.

As Church leaders, we should repent that the narrowness of our concerns and vision has often kept us from proclaiming the lordship of Jesus Christ over all of life, private and public, local and global and determine to obey his command to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matt. 6:33).

The Great Commission
It is a pity that many of us today still interpret the Great Commission (Matt. 28.20) in the version of an exclusive mission of preaching, converting and teaching. According to John Stott, “It is not just that the commission includes the duty to teach converts everything Jesus had previously commanded (Matthew 28.20); but, social responsibility is among the things which Jesus commanded.

We should not only see the consequences of the commission but we must understand the actual commission itself to include social as well as evangelistic responsibility, unless we are to be guilty of distorting the words of Jesus” (John Stott, Christian Mission in the Modern World [Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975], 23).

While the Bible gives us a comprehensive understanding of health, Shalom connects evangelism to development and provides the key to understanding holistic mission. To be in Christ is to be in shalom. Holistic mission therefore is the outworking of what we are individually and corporately in Christ.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, I call upon Kenyan Christian leaders in the UK to seriously consider starting a Ministers and Leaders Forums in your respective regions to address the inability of our churches to speak with one voice about the issues affecting us and the people we are called to serve and to address the problems of co-operation between our independent churches.

Since God has called us to be part of a communion, part of a Kenyan community, it is not an option to reclaim the unity Christ has given us, and since the heart of the gospel is that we are better together than disunited, organization of such leaders’ forums and meetings are critically important.
 
My fellow ministers and community leaders, we are called to unite and support one another, to be a community and a communion and to go together for the long haul for the sake of the peace and reconciliation of our people.

We thank God for the leaders who have such forums like The Oxford Pastors’ Forum which I had the grace to be one of the facilitators of its formation before its launch on 21st February 2009.

For those leaders who are planning these forums in various regions in the UK take courage and let us learn from one another by accommodating each other’s suggestions and giving the Holy Spirit a chance because the unity of the church will be a work of the Spirit, or it will not be at all.

I humbly welcome constructive comments and suggestions through e-mail or telephone contacts at the bottom of this page
 
Stay blessed
 
Bishop Francis Waihenya
4 Nicholson Road
Oxford OX3 0HW
Tel.: +44 7906 979 262 (Mobile)
Tel:. +44 1865 243 460 (Hse)
 bishopwaihenya@yahoo.co.uk

GSU to hunt down sect members

The government has sent in GSU officers to Kirinyaga West and Nyeri East districts to hunt down members of the outlawed Mungiki sect. Heavily armed officers arrived in the area on Friday night and are camping at the Kerugoya and Karatina police stations. They are patrolling Kerugoya town, neighbouring villages and the Mt Kenya Forest to flush out Mungiki members suspected of having killed 29 people in Gathaithi village in Nyeri East, which neighbours Kirinyaga. The officers are also expected to try to halt the wave of revenge killings in Kirinyaga West district where a vigilante group hacked to death a widow, Jane Nyaruia, and burnt down her house, accusing her of funding Mungiki activities. - MORE

Nairobi, Saturday 25th April, 2009. Bishop Eliud Wabukhala has been elected as the new archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK).  The Archbishop-elect, formerly of Bungoma diocese was elected in a ceremony that lasted over five hours at the All Saints Cathedral.  He won on a simple majority, after they all failed to garner the mandatory two thirds of the votes.  He beat three other contestants including Joseph Wasonga of Maseno West diocese, Samson Mwaluda of Taita Taveta diocese and Stephen Kewasis of Kitale diocese.  Speaking to the press after his election, an elated Wabukhala expressed gratitude to the church for the peaceful transition. "I would like to thank the Anglican (church) and particularly the electoral college, for the peaceful election they have carried out, and for maintaining the integrity of the church," he told reporters . He says he is ready to take the baton from where his predecessor, Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi left, noting that the challenges are indeed opportunities . "We know there are challenges to do with building bridges among our community, reconciling people and healing. We shall continue with where he has left. Our aim is to ensure the gospel is preached and taught, and possibly med to make people live it in this country" He added The election was conducted by the provincial chancellor assisted by other chancellors. These are lawyers working as advocates, but who offer to work in the church. The election of an Archbishop is carried out by the electoral college , which consists of 17 members from the All saints cathedral and five members from each of the remaining 29 dioceses.  The ACK has 30 dioceses.  The All Saints Cathedral is given priority because besides electing the Archbishop, they are also electing the bishop who doubles the two posts. The ceremony was preceded by a consecration service, to pray for the nominees. The service was attended by members of the electoral college as well as interested observers.  Wabukhala takes over from Nzimbi who retires on 30th June 2009, after having served for seven years.  Nzimbi formally retires after attaining the mandatory 65 years. Wabukhala will assume office on July 1st, but will be enthroned on 5th July at the All Saints Cathedral.

The 58 year old Wabukala who has been serving as the Bungoma Bishop

The chief moderator is about to say "I do"

The chief moderator of this website is getting married. Mr. Jackson Karanja Njiiri, 29 is marrying  Miss Sharon Njeri Thiong'o. Their wedding takes place in London on 11th July, 2009 and there will be a pre-wedding on Saturday 6th June 2009 at Memorial Baptist Church Hall, 395 Barking Road, London E13 8AL. Jackson is the first born of  Mr. Seed and Pastor Jane Njiiri. The young couple live and work in Nottingham. The family flew to Kenya last month to see the parents of Sharon who are expected to attend the wedding. Several guests are coming from Kenya and USA to grace the occasion.

Major Health Fears Over Mexico's Deadly Flu

Emergency steps have been taken to contain a deadly new strain of flu that has killed over 60 people in Mexico and spread north to the United States. More than 1,000 others are reported to have been infected by the swine flu virus. At least eight people have been infected by the worrisome new virus in Texas and California, though there have been no deaths in the US. Mexican authorities have closed schools and other public buildings, suspended public events and begun a vaccination campaign in an attempt to contain the outbreak. Mexican health minister Jose Angel Cordova confirmed 20 deaths from swine flu and said authorities were probing another 40 who had died with flu symptoms. The flu combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before. "We are very, very concerned," World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman Thomas Abraham said. "We have what appears to be a novel virus and it has spread from human to human... It's all hands on deck at the moment." The head of the WHO, Margaret Chan, has cut short a visit to Washington and returned to the agency's Geneva headquarters to oversee the handling of the outbreak. The UN health agency says lab tests have confirmed 12 of the Mexican cases are identical to a swine flu virus detected in the US. It is convening an expert panel to decide whether to raise the pandemic alert level. Mexican authorities have urged people to avoid hospitals unless they had a medical emergency. They also said the public should avoid customary greetings such as shaking hands or kissing cheeks. At Mexico City's international airport, passengers were questioned to try to prevent anyone with flu symptoms from boarding aircraft and spreading the disease. Residents of the capital donned surgical masks and authorities ordered the most sweeping shutdown of public gathering places in a quarter century.

A fundraising for Elizabeth Kihoro in London

She came to the UK for a leg replacement in year 2000. Kenyans in the UK helped her to get a new leg replacement and she went back to Kenya in 2001. Elizabeth Kihoro from Nakuru lost her right leg in a road accident in Kenya in 1997 ten years after loosing her husband. She was supposed to come back for the leg service after 5 years but due to lack of finances, she was not able to come back until March this year. She has now reported to the doctor and the cost has gone too high. Initially she did not want to bother people but the cost has gone beyond her expectations. We need to help her. A fundraising has been organised for her on Sunday 10th May, 2009 at Memorial Baptist Church, 395 Barking Road, London E13 8AL as from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. We need to help the widow so that she can go back to her family in Kenya. Her contact in the UK is 07529322036. For more information please contact 07908670324 or 07951220695.

First albino buffalo spotted at Hellsgate

Written By:AFP   , Posted: Fri, Apr 25, 2009
 

Rangers in Kenya's Hellsgate National Park have spotted an albino buffalo, the first of its kind ever recorded in the country, park officials said Friday. "This is the first time that an albino buffalo has been found in our parks and it's a great day for nature and animals lovers," said Nelly Palmeris, senior warden at Hellsgate. The three-month-old calf, spotted within a large herd, has a very light brown coat, and is easily distinguished from other buffalos. Its lighter colour will make it a more noticeable target for predators, park officials said. The cultural stigma against albinos, both animal and human, among the Maasai pastoralists that live near the park could also create a threat. "The African community and especially Maasais associate albinos with bad omens," Palmeris said. "We are just coming from a bad drought and the Maasai might associate the famine with this buffalo and kill it." She added that rangers have enhanced security around the herd to ensure the Maasai do not attack the unique mammal. The calf was not spotted for months after its birth because its herd was largely confined to obscure, shaded areas to mitigate against recent drought conditions. While the rare sighting is a first for Kenya, albino buffaloes have been spotted in several other countries.

Rangers in Kenya's Hellsgate National Park have spotted an albino buffalo, the first of its kind ever recorded in Kenya. The three-month-old calf, spotted within a large herd, has a very light brown coat, and is easily distinguished from other buffalos.

"We won the election and because of loss of lives due to the post-election violence we agreed to share the loaf. This is an indication that I was not hungry for power because I could have not agreed to negotiate. We have been gentle for long and this should not be misconstrued," he said. Raila said in Tanzania, Uganda, UK and Germany, the Prime Minister was the Leader of Government Business in Parliament and wondered why Kenya wanted to adopt a different position.

Country profile: Costa Rica

For decades Costa Rica has stood out for its stability and has benefited from the most developed welfare system in the region.  It has no standing army, and its citizens enjoy one of the highest life expectancy levels in the Western hemisphere and better living standards than their war-torn neighbours.  - MORE

Nairobi, Saturday 25th April, 2009. Tension remains high in Kerugoya West district as one more person was killed by the vigilante group Friday morning on suspicion of hiding mungiki adherents.  The woman who is a headmistress at a local primary school was hacked to death and her house torched.  Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe says three suspects belonging to the gang that attacked and murdered the woman have been arrested. "It was established that sometimes in January this year the deceased's car tyre had been stolen from her homestead and she engaged the services of Mungiki members to recover the same. The hired Mungiki gang terrorized the villagers to recover the same. The hired mungiki gang terrorized the villagers in search for the stolen tyre which was eventually recovered."  Elsewhere, at Karatina police station, 23 mungiki suspects were paraded among them three leaders who planned the Monday massacre in Mathira.  Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe who visited the area condemned the vigilante group as a criminal gang saying they should not assume the role of security agents. So far police have arrested 12 members of the vigilante group. Elsewhere, police officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit are tracking down Mungiki members alleged to have been involved in the killing of at least 28 residents of Mathira on Monday night. Kirinyaga District Commissioner Osman Warfa is assuring residents of Kirinyaga and Mathira that the government is determined to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. He says security personnel have been instructed to thoroughly comb Mt. Kenya Forest where the killers are suspected to have taken refuge after the killings. Meanwhile, police in Embu last evening shot dead a suspected bandit said to have taken part in the brutal killings of four people at Kathita Village on Monday. Embu Deputy OCPD Moses Kanyi said police recovered three rounds of ammunition from the suspect.

Nairobi, Friday 24th April, 2009. The impasse over who between Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should be the Leader of Government Business in Parliament continued, even as it emerged essential services could be paralysed. At stake is Sh8.5 billion for the importation of maize to feed the starving, which is part of Sh26 billion supplementary budget held hostage by the deadlock over the creation of the House Business Committee (HBC). The committee defines the agenda of the House. House Speaker Kenneth Marende stepped in to unlock the stalemate over the constitution of HBC, saying he would personally seek audience with President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga on the matter. He announced following the reception of two correspondences from Kibaki and Raila, with the latter indicating the VP had been appointed the Leader of Government Business, while the PM wrote that the Coalition Government decided the PM serves in the position. The matter led to the deadlock and consequently, the House was adjourned at 5.30 until Tuesday next week to allow for consultations on the composition of HBC.  - MORE

Kenya marathon team arrives in London for the Sunday 26th April London marathon

Lel and Wanjiru are ready to battle again

The Kenyans Martin Lel and Sammy Wanjiru are ready to challenge for title of champion of champions at Flora London Marathon on Sunday (26 April). Lel, seeking to achieve an unprecedented fourth Flora London Marathon victory on Sunday, summed up the atmosphere with four days to go before the showdown: "What makes London unique? It's the cream, it can invite the strongest athletes from all over the world and you know that if you win you are the strongest - you become the champion of champions. It's been an unforgettable part of my life." The memory of last year's epic contest - when Lel, runner-up Wanjiru and the third man home, Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri, sank to their knees shortly after crossing the finish line- has already claimed its niche in athletics history.

On that occasion it was the lanky Lel who produced his trademark finishing kick but his fellow Kenyan Wanjiru gained revenge at the Beijing Olympics later in the year, winning the gold medal with a performance that has a strong claim to be the greatest marathon ever run in a championships. Lel, his preparations hindered by a bout of malaria, finished fifth so this is indeed a re-match in their amicable rivalry. Yet Wanjiru has a warning for any rival on Sunday: "My target is to break the world record and be the world number one. If the pace is good on Sunday, I'll try to break the world record." Given the manner in which he wore down his rivals to become the first Kenyan man to win the Olympic marathon title, Haile Gebrselassie's world record of 2:03:59 is certainly on the agenda. Pacemakers for the leading group have instructions to run at 2:04:00 tempo, while a second group of pacers will be going for 2:07:30. Comparing their form in the build-up to London doesn't favour one Kenyan marvel over the other. Wanjiru ran 61:25 for seventh place at the Lisbon Half Marathon on March 22, disappointing for a man who holds the world record for the distance of 58:33, although the 22-year-old emphasises his ability to peak at the right time: "I wasn't doing speed work at the time, I was concentrating on long distance. If the pace is 61:50 on Sunday, that would be good for me and we could break the world record."

In contrast, Lel won the Lisbon Half Marathon in 59:56 and after solid preparation in Kenya, unlike the previous year when civil unrest forced him to switch to a training base in Namibia, all seemed to be on schedule. Although he's been troubled by a slight hip injury in recent days, he relishes the pressure of aiming to go one better than the Mexican Dionicio Ceron's hat-trick of wins from 1994 to 1996: "I know the Flora London Marathon is one of the most competitive races but it's normal for me to have pressure – pressure is actually good for me. I'm ready to go with the pace, especially if my friend Wanjiru tries something, I'll be there." Such is the quality of the field in London yet again, that the 2007 World Champion Luke Kibet concedes that a fast pace would leave him concentrating on improving his personal best of 2:08:52, set when finishing third in Eindhoven four years ago. He still has harrowing memories of the unrest in Kenya last year but regained his winning touch at the Singapore Marathon last December. Now recovered from a minor tendon injury, Kibet wants to improve on 11th place in London 12 months ago: "Last year I ran badly but the weather wasn't good and that didn't suit me. Now I've prepared well and I want to run my personal best in London." Sunday's race will also be significant for Wanjiru and Lel in the 2008-2009 World Marathon Majors series. Wanjiru leads the men's rankings with 40 points while Lel is third with 26, four adrift of Deriba Merga of Ethiopia, who moved into second place thanks to his splendid victory in the Boston Marathon on Monday.

Highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) Forum

Judicial Review - Judgement of 6 April 2009
 

Home Office, 23 April 2009

This news item follows on from the news item published on 14 April 2009. The Court Order, dated 8 April 2009, in relation to the above judgment gives the UK Border Agency 42 days to implement that judgment. Work is underway to put the necessary remedies in place. This is not a simple matter and it is right and proper that we take the time available to make sure that correct policy and procedures are in place for all those affected.

We appreciate that those affected will be keen to formalise their position in relation to the judgment but ask you not to submit an application based on the outcome of the judicial review, until policy and procedures are published on this website.

There will be some people whose leave is due to expire before (or shortly after) the policy and procedures are published on the website. Those people will need to submit an in-time application. If this is the case you can submit an application for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and this will be held until policy and guidance is published. It would help if you can make sure you attach a note to your application identifying yourself as being affected by the ILR judgment handed down on 6 April 2009.

Policy and procedures for all those affected by the judgment will be published on or by 20 May 2009. - MORE

WISDOM OF MAASAI

Melanu mbaa korion.

The heifer does not bring back previous wrongs.

It is said that a Maasai warrior once fought with an elder and then later wanted to marry his daughter. Know that the old man had bad feelings towards him, the warrior brought him a heifer. The old man forgave him saying, "The heifer does not bring back previous wrongs."

RIGHT: The Guardian quotes a respected Government thinktank as saying ministers will be forced to make the most savage spending cuts since the 1970s to fill the structural deficit in the nation's finances. CENTRE: France wants Britain to sign a deal making it easier for thousands of migrants to flood into the UK, reports the Express. RIGHT: The unprecedented burden of public debt built up by Gordon Brown will not be brought under control for nearly a quarter of a century, says the Telegraph.

Eveready East Africa will send home at least 21 employees at the end of this month. The Nakuru-based battery maker blamed the move on a reduction in production due to unfair competition from low priced imported dry cell batteries, caused by the Government’s failure to block entry of substandard goods into the country.  "The Government has failed to implement its own regulations and has allowed cheap substandard goods in the market that have made it difficult for us to compete," said the Managing Director Steven Smith. "The above reasons have severely impacted the company’s overall performance a situation, which has had the effect of severely compromising the functions of the affected employees thus making the redundacy exercise necessary," said the MD in a telephone interview with The Standard.

Flora London Marathon 2009/2010

The city of London got its first marathon after former Olympic champion Chris Brasher returned from New York Marathon feeling exhilarated and wanting to make the same event happen in his home town. And London truly deserves to have its own marathon race, as this was the city where the present marathon distance was set. In the 1908 Olympics, King Edward VII wanted the marathon race to start in the courtyard of Windsor Castle and end in front of the Royal Box at White City Stadium for the queen to see. This distance was 42.195 km as opposed to the original distance of 39,90 km in the first modern Olympics in Athens. The king’s command has been reality ever since.

The first London Marathon appeared in 1981, and the race has been widely popular right from the start. In the latest version of the marathon, on Sunday April 13 2008, more than 34,000 runners out of 92,000 applicants finished the race - making it the third largest in the London Marathon history. Each year almost a million people come to watch the runners from street corners and from the city’s impressive variety of pups, making the event not just a marathon, but also a 42 km long street party. The next party will be on Sunday April 26, 2009.

The course of the Flora London Marathon is fast and flat, and basically runs along the River Thames on the south side and then the north side after crossing the river by the famous Tower Bridge. On the way from the start in Greenwich/Blackheath to Buckingham Palace, marathoners will pass a number of famous London landmarks, including Tower of London, London eye and the 140-year-old clipper ship, Cutty Sark. The fastness and scenery of the course makes the organisers describe it as ‘An Historical Jog Around London’. You’ll have to come and see for yourself, if it’s an understatement to call this event a jog.

Fundraising plays a big role in the Flora London Marathon, and organisers claim it to be the largest annual fundraising event in the world. Since the beginning in 1981, the participants have raised a total of GBP 315 million for charity. In order to attract more attention – and especially more funds – some of the charity runners dress up in fancy costumes. For example, runners have been seen dressed up as bananas, rhinos and Darth Vader. The Flora London Marathon is along with the marathons in Berlin, Boston, Chicago and New York part of the series, World Marathon Majors, in which the athletes earn points according to their finish place in the participating races. The top male and female athletes in the series will split a USD 1 million prize purse. If you wish to join the full marathon in London, UK, registration and further information can be found at the official London Marathon site here.

The hotel with altitude

After a tiring long-haul flight to a holiday destination, the last thing you would normally want to see is the inside of another aeroplane. But we think you might make an exception for this unusual new hotel suite, which has been constructed using a refurbished Boeing 727 fuselage. The 1965 aircraft, which is mounted on 15m tall (50ft) pillars, has balconies on each wing that offer views of the ocean and the jungle. Guests can even enjoy an evening on the terrace observing sloths, toucans and monkeys. Inside the meticulously refurbished airframe are two wood-panelled bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and living area and two bathrooms. The owners spared no expense, with hand-carved furniture flown in from Java, Indonesia. It costs between £200 and £250 a night to book the unusual suite on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park. A spokesman for the Hotel Costa Verde described the accommodation as 'the most exclusive hotel suite in Costa Rica'. 'We have refurbished a vintage Boeing 727, which in its prior life shuttled globetrotters on South African Airways and Avianca Airlines of Colombia,' he said. 'The airframe was salvaged piece by piece, from its San Jose airport resting place and carefully transported on five, big-rig trucks to the jungles of Manuel Antonio where they have been resurrected into a unique jumbo hotel suite.' He didn't say whether a crew serves you bubbly on your arrival, though...

New runway for London airport

The prospect of a second runway at Gatwick increased dramatically today as it emerged that all three bidders for the airport are including one in their plans. It comes amid a furious debate about the expansion of airports in the South-East. The Evening Standard can reveal that despite concerns about pollution and the environment, offers to be tabled on Monday by the rival companies each argue that a second runway is crucial. The plans — which come despite an earlier government pledge that no new runway would be built until at least 2019 — are certain to trigger huge protests by local campaign groups. Protesters claim that any new runway would double carbon emissions, damage or destroy at least three sites officially classed as “of outstanding natural beauty” and sweep away significant chunks of green belt land. The prospect of a second runway has been revived following a decision by the Competition Commission to force BAA, Gatwick's current owner, to sell the airport. At the time of the pledge not to build a second runway, BAA was happy to bow to campaigners' opposition because it wanted to concentrate its expansion plans on its other London airports at Heathrow and Stansted. All the new bidders, however, are understood to regard a second runway as vital if they are to be able to compete effectively with BAA and improve services for passengers. “Gatwick is the busiest single runway airport in the world,” said one insider.

KIKUYU AGE GROUP

1948 - Rika ria "Haraka"

Nairobi, Thursday 23rd April, 2009. 23 suspected Mungiki sect adherents were Thursday arraigned in a Nyeri court on charges of being behind the Monday night Karatina massacre.  The youth aged between 16 and 24 years however pleaded not guilty before Nyeri chief magistrate Lucy Gitari.  The youths were charged that on Monday April 20 together with others not in court they were found with offensive weapons with intent to commit felony. The 23 were among the 62 suspects arrested during a massive swoop by the police in pursuit of those behind the dreadful acts of Monday night. The youths were reportedly apprehended aboard a matatu in possession of crude weapons with intent to commit a crime along the Karatina-Nyeri highway. The prosecution led by Inspector Shadrack Kitheka asked the court not to release them on bail citing the tension that was still rife in Karatina adding that they might interfere with investigations which were not yet complete.  Gitari ordered that they be remanded in King'ong'o maximum prison and the underage be taken to juvenile centres until May 20 this year when their case will be heard.  The driver of the matatu that the men were in Alex Kamau and his conductor, Benard Kariuki were also charged in the same court with two other counts of carrying excess passengers in disregard to traffic regulations.

They pleaded guilty to the offences and were fined Ksh 10,000 each for each count or in default serve 6 months in jail for each. Meanwhile tension remains high in Karatina amid fears of further revenge attacks by the outlawed mungiki sect members. Many business premises remained closed as families continued to mourn the loss of their dear ones. Some area residents are still searching for their loved ones reported missing after the heinous attack which is said to have been retaliatory. Police have moved into the area to restore calm and  search for the sect members as well. Central PC Kiplimo Rugut says two more suspects have been arrested. Yesterday, a high power government delegation led by Prime minister Raila Odinga visited the area and vowed to deal firmly with the sect. Meanwhile a suspected member of the Mungiki sect was Thursday hacked to death by irate members of the public in Kirinyaga district. Anthony Muriuki was asleep at his girl friend's house at Kangaita Trading Centre when the villagers set upon him. Eye witnesses said the villagers surrounded the house before breaking in at around 4.00a.m. Efforts by the area administrators to contain the villagers fell of deaf ears as they beat the suspect and later burned the body. Muriuki's death brings to 15 the number of suspected Mungiki sect members killed by a vigilante group in the district since April 11 when the operation to rid the area of sect members begun.

Dramatic 51% fall in car production in UK. Car and commercial vehicle (CV) production fell sharply again last month. The number of cars made in the UK totalled 61,829 in March, a drop of 51.3% on the March 2008 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. CV production totalled 8,074 last month, 57.1% down on the March 2008 figure. The March 2009 statistics mean that car production for the first three months of this year was down 56.6% compared with the January-March 2008 period, while CV production has fallen 63%. In this week's Budget, the Government announced a "bangers for cash" car-scrappage scheme, with owners of cars that are 10 years old or more getting £2,000 towards the cost of a brand new model. SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "The (production) figures show that urgent action is necessary to kick-start demand in the motor industry and the introduction of a UK scrappage incentive scheme is an important first step.

A Masai tribesman poses for photographers in London, Britain on 11 April 2008 before joining the London marathon and on right  Masai tribesmen jump during a photocall in London, Britain on 11 April 2008. They intend to run in the London Marathon on 13 April to raise funds for a village project back in Kenya.

Will Kenyans run wild in London?

If you want proof of how the balance of power in long distance running has shifted, compare the lists of top marathon times in 1981 with those of 2008. In the year of the first London Marathon, not one Kenyan athlete was among the world's top 100 marathon runners. Now their men have a majority share in the rankings and will surely be dominant again in London on Sunday. Martin Lel is again the favourite after winning in London for the third time last year in an event record two hours five minutes and 15 seconds. Kenya's men are stronger in depth in the marathon than any other country in a single discipline in athletics, or indeed in any world sport. They filled 65 places in the world's top 100 last year and in Frankfurt last October, the first 14 were all from the East African country. It is not only city marathons where Kenya are supreme - Samuel Wanjiru became Kenya's first Olympic champion in Beijing, while Luke Kibet is the reigning world champion. No Kenyan woman has won an Olympic marathon title, but Catherine Ndereba has won two world titles and two Olympic silvers. She is the most decorated woman marathon runner in history. All three of these stars are due to be in action on Sunday and you can never discount any Kenyan who appears on a distance running start list. In 2003 when Paul Tergat produced the first sub-2:05 run, he was pushed all the way by his compatriot Sammy Korir, who finished only one second behind. We all knew Tergat's pedigree, but Korir's breakthrough - from 2:08:02 six years earlier down to 2:04:56 - was a shock. Something similar happened on 5 April in Rotterdam when Tergat's Commonwealth record was unexpectedly broken with 2:04:27 by two of his compatriots, with a third moving to sixth on the world all-time list. On the very same day in Paris, a record 11 men broke the 2:09 barrier.

Eight of them were from Kenya yet it is quite possible that none will have done enough to be selected to represent their country at the World Championships. The key to the explosion of Kenyan success appears to have been down to the input of foreign agents, coaches and administrators, along with greater organisation in Africa. And yet Europe and certainly Britain have seen their own standards diminish as Kenya's have risen. In 2003, Paula Radcliffe's world record was the fastest marathon by any Briton, male or female. More than 100 British men ran faster than 2:20 in 1983. Twenty-five years later that total has dropped to just eight with none so far in 2009. Dan Robinson has achieved credible runs in recent years but the base of the pyramid of talent is shrinking and ageing. All of our top 10 men in 2008 were either in their 30s or will be by the end of 2009. In Kenya, the opposite is true. Wanjiru had already set a world half marathon record as a junior and in Beijing became, at 21, the youngest Olympic Marathon Champion since 1932. I fear that we may well see a British Wimbledon champion or even a World Cup winning football team before we see another British male runner win the London Marathon. But there will be plenty to cheer on Sunday. First, Britain's Mara Yamauchi is still improving following her sixth place in Beijing and will certainly make her presence felt in the women's race. Second, our Paralympic heroes David Weir and Shelly Woods will be tough to beat in the wheelchair section. And thirdly, this wonderfully organised event will once again be the perfect showcase for the best in the world.

Mr Zuma is hugely popular with the ANC party faithful. South Africa's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, promoted a "Rainbow Nation"; his successor Thabo Mbeki an "African Renaissance"; so what will be the overarching vision of a Jacob Zuma presidency?

Crackdown call after Kenya deaths

Kenya's president has vowed to punish the perpetrators of an outbreak of violence that left at least 29 people dead in a central town on Monday. Mwai Kibaki described the killings in Karatina as "heinous crimes" and "a matter of great concern" to Kenya. Police say local residents decided to fight suspected members of the banned Mungiki sect who had been extorting money from them. At least 60 suspects have been detained since the fighting. Media reports say there has been a spate of killings targeting the sect. The Mungiki, mainly from President Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, are seen as Kenya's version of the mafia. On Tuesday evening, President Kibaki ordered the country's interior minister "to get to the root cause" of the killings in Karatina, north of the capital Nairobi. "Security forces should provide detailed accounts of what transpired with a view to ensuring such heinous crimes never recur," he said. Mr Kibaki also expressed his condolences to the victims' families, saying the killings were "a matter of great concern to the nation". Police and local media earlier said that groups of residents in Karatina started attacking suspected Mungiki members and slashing some of them to death, after the gang had threatened to expel everyone from the town. They said the Mungiki then fought back. Police say machetes and other weapons have been collected from the scene. The Mungiki gang has continued to operate despite being banned in 2002, extorting money from owners of minibus taxis and other public transport vehicles. In 2007, more than 100 suspected sect members were killed in a police crackdown after a series of grisly beheadings blamed on the sect. Last year it was accused of carrying out revenge attacks after ethnic Kikuyus were killed by rival gangs in post-election violence.

Angola's flag carrier TAAG, already banned from flying to Europe, said Friday it had suspended a pilot and his co-pilot for landing at the wrong airport in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. Skip related content The pilot landed the Boeing 737 at Lusaka City Airport when he should have landed at Lusaka International Airport during a regular stopover from Harare to Luanda on April 17, TAAG said in a statement. "Because this is a serious incident, Angola's Aviation Authority and TAAG have opened an investigation into the matter," it said. "TAAG regrets the grief this has caused to passengers and reiterates its promise to deliver a service with the highest security standards." The state carrier was banned from EU airspace in 2007, the same year one of its planes crashed, killing six people on board. The government fired TAAG's board last year and created a commission to investigate and improve safety. Angola expects the airline to be allowed to fly to Europe later this year.

UK economy heads deeper into recession

The UK economy has dived further into recession with a worse-than-expected 1.9% decline in the first quarter of 2009. The contraction followed a 1.6% slump in the last three months of 2008 - the first time two successive quarters have contracted more than 1% since records began in 1948.  The estimated fall in quarter-on-quarter output is the largest decrease since 1979, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The dire figures come after Chancellor Alistair Darling indicated a 1.6% slump in the quarter by saying the contraction would be similar to the previous period in his Budget speech.  He also predicted the economy would shrink by 3.5% this year - more than double his previous forecast. The figures come amid savage declines in output for many key sectors of the economy. Much of the contraction was driven by an acceleration in decline for the service sector, which fell 1.2% from a drop of 0.8% the previous quarter. Services, which account for 75% of the UK's economy, were pushed lower by a significant drop in business services, according to the ONS. Business services, including accounting and legal services, slumped 1.8%, the largest fall since records began in 1983. Total production - including manufacturing, mining and electricity, gas and water supply - declined by 5.5%, the biggest fall since 1974. Manufacturing is estimated to have slumped by 6.2% in the quarter, compared with a 4.9% contraction in the previous three months.

Sad news for a Kenyan family in Lower Paxton Township, PA, Pennsylvania, USA. The family of a 9-year-old girl hit by an alleged drunken driver in Dauphin County is praying for her recovery.  Mercy Wanjiku was riding her bike Saturday evening 18th April, 2009 in the Pennswood apartment complex in Lower Paxton Township when police said 49-year-old Brian Kiefer hit her with his pickup truck. Kiefer's blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit, police said.  Wanjiku's family has strong words for him. "If he was not drunk he would have read the sign that said slow down kids at play, you know. It was a poor judgment,” said Sammy Gichuhi, Wanjiku’s uncle. “Whatever he did was not right and if he was not drunk he would have read that clearly."  Wanjiku is being treated for 10 broken ribs, a fractured skull and a broken leg.  Kiefer's blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, police said.  Kiefer is charged with DUI and aggravated assault while driving under the influence.  He is in Dauphin County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail. For more information please contact Sammy Mwangi on 001-717 329 0684 or wawaja@aol.com - Source-wgal.com

The victim 9-year-old Mercy Wanjiku - the family needs prayers

Chancellor Alistair Darling has defended his Budget after opposition parties criticised his forecast for economic growth as a "fantasy". He predicts the economy will return to growth by the end of 2009, expanding by 1.25% next year and 3.5% in 2011. Mr Darling's forecasts have been called "preposterous" and "ludicrously optimistic" by opposition politicians. But the chancellor told the BBC he remained "confident" about "the fundamentals of the economy". He also said his prediction for next year was "within the range" of expert forecasts.

"Their pain [the injurer's pain at having injured you] and your pain create the point and counterpoint for the rhythm of reconciliation. When the beat of their pain is a response to the beat of yours, they have become truthful in their feelings...they have moved a step closer to a truthful reunion." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

A good example to the Kenyan youth

We take this opportunity to congratulate Joi Wachera Matu receiving her Doctorate in Pharmacy, from Howard University, Washington, DC. As President Kibaki would say "Jienjoy on your party on 5th May, in Washington, DC".

A Kenyan has passed away in the UK.  The late Mwalimu Nicholas Kihara a writer and a Teacher (Mathematics) passed away on Saturday 18th April, 2009 after a  long battle with cancer at Sandwell Hospital Birmingham.  He hails from Kiamwangi village, Kiambu District. He was formerly a teacher at St Joseph Secondary School Githunguri, Muhoho boys High School, Mary Hill Girls Secondary,  Kiaria High School, Ngenda Secondary, Njoro Boys High School, Gatitu Girls High School, Komothai High School and Kilimambogo Teachers College. Husband  to Salome Joyce Kihara. Son of David Mukii Gachugu and the Late Hannah Ngendo (WaMukii).  Beloved father to Sidney Kihara (Sidi), Kimberly Kihara, David Ngugi Kihara, Ngendo Kihara, Dauti Kihara and John Kihara. For burial arrangements and prayers, there will be a meeting at his sisters residence 77 Carisbrooke Road ,Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 0JA (UK) on Saturday 25 April 2009 at 12 p.m. Contributions can be sent through HSBC Bank, Ac Name:    Susan Wanjiru Chege, Acc Number:    41-52-84-75, Sort code: 40-46-13. For more information please contact Wanjiru Chege on Tel: 07956248613.

The late Mwalimu Nicholas Kihara a writer and a Teacher

KIKUYU PROVERB

Giathi kia njira-ini gitikinyaga

A roadside meeting never materialise

THE ANIMAL SMILE COMPETITION CONTINUES

Medicinal Uses of Garlic

Garlic is an important medicinal herb that is readily available everywhere, unlike some of the other herbs mentioned on these pages.  It is one of the safest herbs, and as such can be taken often.  It does, however,  have its drawbacks, as we all know.  Bear this in mind when using remedies (especially internal ones), and cut back when family and friends start avoiding you.  

Garlic does indeed have scientifically-proven medicinal properties.  It contains a substance called Allicin, which has anti-bacterial properties that are equivalent to a weak penicillin.  It appears that cooked garlic weakens the anti-bacterial effects considerably, however, so don't count on cooked garlic with meals for much in the way of a curative.  

Garlic appears to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.  The list is long when it comes to its uses as a remedy.  This list includes wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete's foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches, to name a few.  It is believed to cure worms in both people and animals - try giving the dog a clove of garlic daily (but he's not gonna like it).

For most internal problems, eating garlic raw is probably the most potent way to take it.  However, due to the obvious lingering odors associated with this, a tincture can be made by soaking 1/4 pound of peeled and separated garlic cloves in 1/2 quart of brandy.  Seal tightly and shake every day.  Strain and bottle after two weeks of this, and take in drops - 25-30 a day, if desired.  

For cough, flu, and respiratory ailments, make a cough syrup out of garlic.  Slice 1 pound of fresh garlic and pour one quart of boiling water over it.  Let sit for 12 hours, then add sugar until you reach the consistency of a syrup.  Add honey for better taste, if desired. 

For sore throat, make a garlic tea by steeping several cloves of garlic in half a cup of water overnight. Hold your nose and drink it.

Externally, garlic is a known anti-bacterial and anti-infection agent.  An interesting use for ear aches is to slice a garlic clove, heat briefly in a small amount of virgin olive oil, and let cool.  Then use a drop of two in the affected ear (strain the mixture beforehand, of course).

Make an Ointment out of garlic (use cloves instead of leaves, stems, or flowers as described in Ointments) for wounds, cuts, athlete's foot, or any other external skin irritation, fungus, or infection.  Also, try a few drops of Oil on a toothache for pain relief.  

Prime Minister Raila Odinga visits Gathaitha Village in Nyeri East District

Nairobi, Wednesday 22nd April, 2009. Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Internal Security minister George Saitoti have said the Government will declared a total war against the outlawed Mungiki sect and other illegal gangs operating in Kenya. Speaking in Karatina yesterday when he led a government delegation to the scene where alleged Mungiki raiders killed over 30 people, Mr Odinga told grief-stricken residents of Chehe sub-location not to pay illegal levies demanded by the outlawed sect. Said Raila:

******* I hear that there are people who go around demanding levies for various things; Sh200 for a wooden house and Sh500 for stone houses and even 5 percent of the dowry paid to you! I want to urge you to refuse to be abused in such a manner. ******
 

The Premier went ahead to directed that the judiciary should ensure that all criminals involved in the Monday massacre face the full force of the law. The victims were hacked to death as they battled members of the sect who had come on a revenge mission. Leaders who may have been involved in organising the sect or gangs and their illegal activities will also be investigated and prosecuted according to the law, the PM said. Mr Odinga flew to the area accompanied by of Prof Saitoti, Police Commission Maj.Gen Hussein and 18 Members of Parliament from Central Province, local leaders and security teams.
 

Also in the team was former Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua who urged the government to find a lasting solution to the Mungiki menace. The grieving villagers were still trying to come to the grips with the massacre as they assembled in small groups, discussing the incident in low tones. Some families were searching for their loved ones with hopes of finding them alive. Saitoti announced that the government would foot all hospital and burial costs for the victims and joined the Premier in telling the residents to defy demands of illegal levies by Mungiki or any other vigilante group.

The government is determined to protect all residents of this area from Mungiki sect and any other illegal grouping at all costs, Saitoti assured. He challenged youth to make use of government programmes, including the Kazi kwa Vijana initiative and desist from engaging in criminal activities. Their tour of the area came as the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHC) accused the police of negligence and lethargy in preventing the massacre. KNCHR Vice Chairman Hassan Omar Hassan noted it was obvious Mungiki would revenge the killing of their members by vigilante groups, yet the security agents did nothing to prevent the massacre.

And soon after landing in the area, Railas team visited affected villages and consoled the berieved. The few who were interviewed described the night of the killings as a scene from hell. But majority declined to comment fearing possible reprisals from the sects members. And in a rather reactive and belated move, Prof Saitoti said the government had beefed up security in the area starting yesterday to protect locals from further attacks. The minister also announced that the government had released two more vehicles to enhance police patrols in the area.

The Prime Minister and the Internal security minister addressed frightened locals at Githithi Primary School after a two-hour meeting with local leaders and security chiefs. Suspected Mungiki members struck two villages in Mathira at 2 am on Tuesday to avenge the killing of 14 of their members by vigilante groups in the area. Armed with machetes, axes, pangas, rungus among other crude weapons, they hacked their victims to death. - Kenya Times

Saint George's Day is April 23. Saint George is the patron saint of England. He's popularly identified with England and English ideals of honour, bravery and gallantry - but actually he wasn't English at all. Very little, if anything, is known about the real Saint George. Pope Gelasius said that George is one of the saints "whose names are rightly reverenced among us, but whose actions are known only to God."

Kenya leaders vow action on gangs

Karatina, Kenya, Apr 22 - Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday vowed that the government would take stern action against criminal gangs that demand illegal levies from members of the public. Speaking at a public baraza held at the Gathaithi Primary School, the PM said the court systems should take responsibility by prosecuting wrongdoers. “I am very sorry about what happened here the other day. I want to assure you that the government is going to beef up security here.” “We have also given out two vehicles to ease patrols in this area. Those who live by the panga (machete) will die by the panga,” the PM said. Mr Odinga led a high powered government delegation to Cheche Sub-location, Karatina on Wednesday following the violent murder of 29 people in fighting between residents and suspected Mungiki sect members on Monday night. The PM called on residents not to pay levies being demanded by the outlawed Mungiki sect. “I hear that there are people who go around demanding levies for various things; Sh200 for a wooden house and Sh500 for stone houses and even 5 percent of the dowry paid to you!”  “I want to urge you to refuse to be abused in such a manner,” he said. This followed a two-hour closed door meeting that he chaired and which was attended by Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali and 18 MPs from Central Province.

The mood in the town was tense with residents fearing another attack was imminent. The provincial administration had to on numerous times plead with the residents to enter the venue of baraza, amid residents’ fears that they would be marked out by sect members. Mr Saitoti assured the residents of Karatina that the government would beef up security to deter a repeat of the killings, and asked young people to steer away from crime and look for work to do. “Recently the government introduced the Kazi Kwa Kijana initiative. The youth should make good use of it to sustain themselves.”  “The government will take care of all the expenses. We will ensure that such an incident does not occur again,” promised Mr Saitoti. The Internal Security Minister said that the government would not rest until those responsible for Monday’s killings are brought to book. The PM and Internal Security Minister later made a stopover at Karatina town, where they reassured citizens of the government’s commitment to ensure their security. The sect had regrouped in Karatina to retaliate against the killing of 14 of its members by vigilantes; after villagers, fed up with the sect’s tyranny and extortion, had decided to smoke them out.  President Mwai Kibaki on Tuesday ordered the Minister Saitoti to get to the root cause of the killings in the Mathira Division of Central Province. The Head of State said the killings ‘were a matter of great concern’ and further ‘condemned the loss of lives’, directing that the culprits be brought to book as soon as possible. The government confirmed that police are holding 63 people are following the violent clash. - Source: CapitalFM.

At-a-glance: Budget 2009

Here are the key points of Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget:

• Alcohol taxes to go up 2% from midnight - putting the price of the average pint up 1p

• Tax on tobacco to go up by 2% from 6pm - equivalent to an extra 7p on a pack of 20 cigarettes

• Fuel duty to rise by 2p per litre from September, then by 1p a litre above indexation each April for the next four years

• From next month until March 2010 motorists to get £2,000 discount on new cars if they trade in cars older than 10 years

• They will have to show they been the registered keeper of the vehicle for the previous 12 months before ordering the new car

• The government will provide £1,000 with the industry expected to provide the other half

• Income tax for those earning more than £150,000 to rise to 50% from April 2010

• Tax relief on pensions to be reduced for people on more than £150,000 a year from April 2011

• Economy forecast to shrink 3.5% in 2009

• Growth expected to pick up in 2010, expanding by 1.25%.

• Economy to grow by 3.5% annually from 2011

• Public borrowing to increase to £175bn this year

• Borrowing levels to be £173bn, £140bn, £118bn and £97bn in years after

• Consumer price inflation to fall to 1% by end of year. Retail Price Index to go to -3% by September.

• Capital investment to continue at historically high levels until 2012
 

• Government support for economy to protect 500,000 jobs

• Statutory redundancy pay up from £350 to £380 a week

• Extra support for people who have been out of work for 12 months through the flexible new deal

• From January all under-25s out of work for a year to be offered a job or training place with extra money on top of benefits for those in training

• £1.7bn extra funding for Job Centre network

• £250m funding to help people get work experience in growth industries

• Funding to create 54,000 new places in sixth form education

• Scheme to guarantee mortgage-backed securities to boost lending

• Stamp duty holiday for homes up to £175,000 to be extended to end of year

• Extra £80m for shared equity mortgage scheme

• £500m to kick-start stalled housing projects - including £100m for local authorities to build energy efficient homes

• £50m to upgrade housing for the armed forces

• Tax loopholes and schemes identified which could provide £1bn of extra revenue over the next three years if closed

• An extra £9bn in efficiency savings is planned

• Public spending growth to be cut from 1.1% next year to 0.7% from 2011-2012

• Child tax credit to rise by £20 by 2010

• Child trust funds for disabled children to rise by £100 a year, £200 a year for severely disabled children

• Annual limit for tax-free ISAs to rise to more than £10,200 for over-50s this year and for everyone else next year. Of that amount £5,100 can be saved in cash

• Britain commits to cut carbon emissions by 34% by 2020

• An extra £1bn to help combat climate change by supporting low-carbon industries

• £525m for offshore wind projects over the next two years

• £435m support for energy efficiency schemes for homes, firms and public buildings

• £405m to encourage low-carbon energy and advanced green manufacturing

HELP FOR BUSINESS

• Help for loss-making companies extended - they will be able to reclaim more taxes paid in the last three years until November 2010

• Businesses' main capital allowance rate doubled to 40% to encourage firms to bring forward investment

• New £750m strategic investment fund to help emerging technologies and regionally important sectors

PENSIONERS

• Grandparents of working age who care for their grandchildren will see that work count towards their entitlement for the basic state pension

• Winter fuel allowance to be maintained at higher level - £250 for over 60s and £400 for over-80s - for another year

• The basic state pension will be increased by at least 2.5%, regardless of inflation

• From November the limit on savings pensioners can have before their Pension Credits are reduced is to be raised from £6,000 to £10,000 to help those hit by low interest rates. It will mean an average of £4 extra a week, says the chancellor. -  CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Pound hit as debt burden to soar

The pound has fallen against the dollar and the euro after Chancellor Alistair Darling forecast a massive increase in UK public debt. In his Budget speech, Mr Darling said that debt would increase to 68% of the UK's economic output next year. Analysts said the rise had triggered concerns about whether investors would be as willing to buy UK bonds. Sterling fell to $1.4440, its lowest level since early April. It also fell against the euro to 1.1127 euros. Government bond prices also fell. Sales of government debt this year are forecast to be £220bn, above all market forecasts, and analysts questioned whether investor appetite for the bonds would be strong enough.

50% tax rate for earnings over £150,000

Total government debt doubles to 79% of GDP by 2013

Growth forecast revised down to minus 3.5% this year

Public spending squeeze

2p on fuel, 1p on a pint of beer and 7p on cigarettes

£15bn public sector 'efficiency savings'

Claw back tax relief on top earners' pension

£2bn help for young unemployed

£1bn to boost housing market

£2,000 car scrappage scheme

'Deeper' recession ahead says IMF

The global economy is set to decline by 1.3% in 2009, in the first global recession since World War II, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says. In January, the IMF had predicted world output would increase by 0.5% in 2009. It now projects that the UK will see its economy shrink by 4.1% in 2009, and by a further 0.4% in 2010. But other major economies are predicted to shrink even more, with Germany declining by 5.6%, Japan by 6.2%, and Italy by 4.4% in 2009. The prospects for the advanced economies are not much brighter in 2010, with an overall forecast of zero growth. The IMF says this represents "by far the deepest post-World War II recession" with an actual decline in output in countries making up 75% of the world economy. Currently, output is falling by an "unprecedented" 7.5% annual rate in the rich countries in the last quarter of 2008, and the IMF expects the same rate of decline in the first quarter of this year. Only a recovery in developing and emerging market countries will propel the world economy back into positive growth in 2010, albeit at a relatively weak level of 1.9%. The prospects for world trade are even gloomier, with the IMF now forecasting world trade volumes to decline by 11% in 2009, and barely grow at all in 2010. After 60 years as the engine of world growth, the sharp fall in trade is now hitting many of the leading exporting nations, particularly in Asia. The IMF says that "the recession is expected to be... quite severe in the United Kingdom, which is being hit by the end of the boom in real estate and financial services". It is predicting that UK unemployment will rise to 9.2% by the end of 2010, compared to 6.7% at the moment.

And it is warning that the UK budget deficit will rise to 11% of GDP, "reflecting mainly automatic stabilisers and asset-price related revenue shortfalls rather than discretionary stimulus". The UK is also facing the cost of paying for the banking bail-outs, which the IMF estimated in an earlier report at 9.4% of GDP, or £130bn, after correcting an earlier figure of £200bn. At the heart of the crisis is the continuing overhang of losses in the financial sector, which the IMF now estimates at $4tn, four times higher than it projected just one year ago. And it warns that the current outlook is "exceptionally uncertain, with risks still weighting on the downside." It says the main risk is that "policies may be insufficient to arrest the negative feedback between deteriorating financial conditions and weakening economies in the face of limited public support for policy actions." Among the risks are that rising household and corporate debt cause further falls in asset prices and losses by financial institutions. And it says that any recovery will be slower than in the past. There will be a smaller financial sector, with financing harder to come by than in the past, especially for developing countries, which will cramp their growth. And rich countries will face the burden of reducing their budget deficits which have soared during the crisis, at a time when their ageing populations means they will have lower tax revenues. In addition, households may be reluctant to resume their previous spending habits, as saving rates have risen sharply in the US and the UK. The IMF says it is important to take urgent action to shore up the banks, and to continue with short-term fiscal stimulus plans, in order to shorten the length of the recession.

“This list (21- member House Business Committee) pretends there is only KANU, ODM Kenya and PNU, if my leaving government means I be removed from the list, why doesn’t the PNU side of the coalition then admit that they are now minority in Parliament and handover leadership to the majority?” - Hon. Martha Karua

MPs reject HBC nominees

Written By:Nelly Moraa    , Posted: Wed, Apr 22, 2009

Parliament has Wednesday failed to form the House Business Committee after MPs failed to agree on the list of nominees to serve in the crucial committee. The MP's argued the proposed names did not reflect equal representation in terms of gender balance and party representation. They sought additional time to consult further and reach a consensus before the names are tabled in parliament. Consequently it was forced to adjourn at 3.30pm to allow consultations over those to serve in the committee. The adjournment motion was moved by agriculture minister William Ruto following advise from the speaker over the implications of a rejection of the list. Speaker Marende informed parliament that if the proposed list is tabled and rejected, then parliament will be forced to adjourn until after six months when the motion can be re-introduced. The advice from the speaker followed insistence by leader of government business Kalonzo Musyoka to table a list claiming that the PNU side of the coalition had carried out intensive consultations. A remark that was criticised by lands Minister James Orengo who questioned the success of peace building when leaders were sending divisive messages. He claimed that Kalonzo's statement was a pointer to a dysfunctional government. And it was deputy speaker Farah Maalim who predicted a crisis urging the speaker to inform parliament of the consequences of a rejected list. Education minister Prof Sam Ongeri expressed his fears saying critical government service may be curtailed if parliament does not dispense with the formation of the house business committee. Ultimately the adjournment motion was put to vote where it was unanimously endorsed. Parliament now reconvenes on Thursday at 2.30pm to give the political parties enough time to carry out consultations.

But even as they supported the adjournment, some were of the opinion that the consultations be limited to an hour to allow parliament embark on pending urgent business on Thursday. Housing minister Soita Shitanda claimed that consultations are basically a jostle for positions questioning the sincerity of those who were pushing for the move.  If the list had been tabled and rejected parliament would have proceeded for a six months break. This would have jeopardized the government's operations as only this morning finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta sought to borrow shs26 billion in development and recurrent expenditure to sustain government operations.  The supplementary estimates would require parliamentary approval.  Names of those to serve in the interim poll body have also been submitted for endorsement and await parliaments approval.  If parliament had proceeded for the break, the country would be in a crisis for lack of a poll body following the disbandment of ECK last December.  The controversial list consisting of 21 names with only 4 women MPs had earlier in the day been rejected on the basis of lack of gender balance and party representation.  The new house business committee has been drawn up in line with new standing orders that came to effect this 3rd session requiring that one third of those in the committee be drawn from mp's not in government.  Of the 21 nominess 5 names had been substituted from the previous HBC committee namely Martha karua, Najib Balala, Omingo Magara, Amos Kimunya and Ali Mohammed.  They were replaced by Shakila Abdalla, Mohamud Maalim Mohammed, Francis Chachu, Thomas Mwadeghu, Robert Monda And Jakoyo Midiwo. The proposed nominees included among others. Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kiraitu Murungi, Esther Murugi, George Saitoti, Mutula Kilonzo, Moses Wetangula, Adan Keynan, George Thuo, Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto, Anyang Nyongo, Charity Ngilu, Henry Kosgey, and Sally Kosgei. The house business committee is charged with preparing and managing the programme of house business on a weekly basis.

"When you buy a pint (beer) in the UK, one pint goes to your head, one goes to your bladder... and the other goes to Downing Street (government)" - A Sun newspaper leader, London

Labour has left the economy in an "utter mess", Tory leader David Cameron has said, after the chancellor said the economy would shrink 3.5% this year. The UK was in the worst recession since 1945, he said, and Labour's claim to economic competence was "dead". But the Tories have said they will not commit to reverse Labour's proposal to raise the top rate of tax to 50%. In his speech, Alistair Darling said the economy would recover in 2010 but borrowing would total £175bn this year. Describing the Budget as a "missed opportunity", Mr Cameron said the government was "running out of money, moral authority and time". "As of today, any claim they have ever made to economic competence is dead, over, finished," he said. He said the chancellor's predictions for future growth in the economy - Mr Darling forecast the economy would expand by 1.25% in 2010 and by 3.5% in the year after - were wildly unrealistic.

Funeral director finds 400-year-old cat

Undertaking a spot of renovation work can uncover some nasty surprises but this is the mummy of all shocks. A funeral director has found a perfectly preserved 400-year-old cat behind the wall of his cottage. 'The builders were stripping one of the bathrooms upstairs and this little fellow came to light,' said Richard Parson. 'It is quite scary-looking and is a lot bigger than a normal domestic cat,' added the 42-year-old. It is thought the animal either crawled behind the wall and got stuck or its body was placed there by a past resident to ward off evil spirits. Neighbours in Ugborough, Devon, told Mr Parson the cat was found 20 years ago by previous owners – but was put back. And he is planning to do the same. 'It is a little bit of village history and adds charm to the property,' he said. Cats were often put into walls 'to keep away witches, the evil eye, bad luck and vermin,' said Dr Marion Gibson, a witchcraft expert at Exeter University. A child's boot is also supposedly hidden in the house as a good luck charm because it was once a cobbler's shop.

Tax rise as UK debt hits record

Alistair Darling has said the UK will have to borrow a record £175bn as he admitted the economy faces its worst year since the Second World War. The chancellor tore up a key New Labour election pledge by unveiling a new 50p tax rate for earnings over £150,000. He also cut future spending plans in a Budget which added 2p on fuel, 1p on a pint of beer and 7p on cigarettes. The package would steer the UK through to recovery, he said. The Tories said the economy was in an "utter mess". Leader David Cameron said not enough had been done to get spending under control and "Britain simply cannot afford another five years of Labour". Total government debt will double to 79% of GDP by 2013 - the highest level since the Second World War. The annual budget deficit will rise sharply to £175bn for the next two years. The Budget received a cool reception in the City with the pound down - and the Confederation of British Industry said it did not set out a "credible and rigorous" path to recovery. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Labour "have condemned us to years of unemployment and decades of debt". The new top rate of tax is a change of plan from the pre-Budget report last year in which Mr Darling had proposed a new tax rate of 45%. It is also being brought in a year earlier than planned "to pay for additional support for people now". Mr Darling also scrapped tax relief on top earners' pensions.

BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said Labour had ditched its manifesto pledge not to raise income tax before the next election in an effort to "wrongfoot" its opponents and cheer its core supporters, as well as raising money. In other Budget measures, fuel duty will increase by 2p per litre in September and then by 1p a litre above inflation each April for the next four years. Alcohol duties will go up by 2% - about 4p on a bottle of wine and 13p on a bottle of spirits - from midnight. Mr Darling said the various tax raising measures would raise more than £6bn by 2012. That would help pay for a real terms boost in pensioners' income - including new pension recognition for grandparents who care for their grandchildren - and help for savers with ISAs. There will also be a "car scrappage" scheme under which people trading in cars older than 10 years for new ones will get £2,000 to boost the ailing motor industry. And there will be more help to get people back into work quickly and support businesses and homeowners facing problems. Everyone under the age of 25 out of work for 12 months or more will be offered a job or a place on a training scheme. In addition, the government will create or support up to 250,000 jobs in deprived areas. Another widely trailed measure confirmed was the extension of the Stamp Duty holiday on properties sold for less than £175,000 until the end of the year as part of a £1bn package aimed at boosting house sales and building. In his speech, Mr Darling confirmed the economy would shrink by 3.5% in 2009 - far worse than his pre-Budget forecasts. Public borrowing will also soar to record levels as the Treasury wrestles with a combination of falling tax receipts, higher spending and the cost of bank bail-outs. But Mr Darling insisted other major countries were suffering a worse downturn.

He said the Budget would "build on the strength of the British economy". The government had been "guided by our core values of fairness and opportunity - and our determination to invest and grow our way out of recession". But he also made clear his recovery plans depended on a rapid economic bounce-back - with a forecast of 1.25% growth next year rising to 3.5% in 2011. And he admitted that the economy would first face of period of deepening deflation with the Retail Price Index falling to a low of minus 3% by September. The chancellor is also squeezing public spending in the future by saying it will grow by only 0.7% per year from 2011 - a lower growth rate than when Mrs Thatcher was in power. Despite this the public finances will only balance by 2018 - two years later than previously forecast. There was also grim news on the jobs front ahead of the Budget, with unemployment figures showing the number of people looking for work has reached 2.1 million - its highest level since Labour came to power in 1997. The government claimed Scotland would get an extra £104m from the Budget but the SNP said it would mean "a real terms cut in Scottish spending" of £500m that would cost 9,000 jobs. The Welsh Assembly Government says it is facing a cut of more than £400m in its funding for next year. Opposition parties have called it "a huge blow" and warned that it will have have a major impact on frontline services.

City alarmed by 50% tax rate

Top earners on £150,000 and above were today stung with a 50 per cent tax rate as the economy plunged into record debt. Alistair Darling stunned the City by borrowing eye-watering sums to make ends meet as he tore up his growth forecasts in his speech to the Commons. But he fought back with a Budget that battered the better off — anyone earning more than £100,000 will suffer — to help pay for the credit crunch caused by blundering bankers. Some critics called it the end of New Labour. The new top rate of tax was the sting in the tail of a speech dominated by dreadful economic figures, the worst seen in peacetime.  Most jaw-dropping of all was the record borrowing needed to make ends meet over the next five years — an astonishing £703billion. The Treasury will borrow £175 billion this year alone, equivalent to 12.4 per cent of GDP and making a nonsense of the forecast of just £38 billion in last year's Budget. That trounced the last record set under the Tories in 1993, of £110billion or 7.8 per cent of GDP. Another £173 billion will be borrowed next year, then £140 billion, £118 billion and £97billion. The need for such desperate deficits was exposed by data on the scale of the recession, confirmed as likely to be the longest since the Second World War.  Instead of the 2.5 per cent growth that Mr Darling predicted a year ago, the economy will shrink by some 3.5 per cent this year.  The Treasury expects an extra one million unemployed by the end of next year. That means surging jobless queues throughout the general election year. The Chancellor said he was confident the economy would bounce back.

“Britain can, and will be, a world leader and this Budget will help make sure we seize this opportunity,” he told MPs. He presented the tax rises as “fairness” and, presenting himself as a champion of the poor, found money for modest giveaways — cash for disabled children to build nest eggs for their futures using Child Trust Funds and a measure to let grandmothers providing free family childcare earn points towards a full state pension. But David Cameron called it an “utter mess” and said Labour could never again pose as the party of economic competence.  “Any claim they have ever made to economic competence is dead, over, finished,” said the Tory leader. “This is the worst boom and bust ever.” The historic Budget was preceded by the announcement of another surge in unemployment to 2.1million, higher than Labour inherited, prompting a £1 billion package of Budget measures to protect or create jobs. There were also well-trailed measures to boost construction, help the car trade, and boost green energy. 

Criticism of the Budget measures was led by the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies, which doubted that the 50 tax rate would raise much more than half a billion pounds but the Treasury insisted the figure would be nearer £1.8 billion.  And the International Monetary Fund questioned the future growth predicted by the Treasury. It forecast the economy to shrink four per cent this year, and another 0.4 per cent next year. If the IMF is correct, there is a £23 billion black hole in Mr Darling's plans. Mr Darling's tax raid on the better off was a surprise that drew distressed “oohs” from across the chamber — and was perhaps the first time that a Chancellor has had so much bad news to announce that a tax rise was deemed to make more attractive headlines.  The new 50p tax band starts on earnings over £150,000 a year and comes in next April. It replaces the 45p rate announced in the pre-Budget report and comes in a year earlier than its planned start date of 2011. A nakedly political move, it was clearly designed to wrongfoot Mr Cameron, some of whose MPs were unhappy that he backed the 45p tax and will be pressing him to oppose the rise. Labour believes it will please voters angry at seeing wealthy bankers bailed out for their catastrophic mistakes.

In another move targeting higher earners, people in the £150,000-plus earnings bracket will lose tax relief on pension contributions. Relief will taper down from the current 40 per cent level to a bottom rate of 20 per cent level for those on £180,000 or more.  Mr Darling said it was all about fairness, saying it was “an anomaly” and a loophole that the richest received so much tax relief. And completing a triple whammy attack on the wealthy, people in the £100,000-plus bracket will see their personal allowances gradually withdrawn. Many MPs felt Labour had turned its back on New Labour's nostrum that hitting high earners was bad politics because everyone aspired to be rich one day.  “These measures are necessary to build our recovery and secure our country's economic future,” said the Chancellor. The 20p and 40p tax rates do not change and duties on alcohol were held down from previously planned rises to aid struggling pubs. Drinkers pay a penny more for a pint of beer from midnight, 4p more for a bottle of wine and 13p more for spirits, rises of two per cent. Drivers will pay an extra 2p per litre on fuel from September, although Mr Darling said he would keep an eye on oil price rises before going ahead. Fuel duty will thereafter rise 1p each year in addition to inflation. Smokers pay 11p more for a packet of 20 cigarettes from 6pm. Overall, the Budget measures give the economy a £5 billion boost in the next year while the recession is at its worst. Efficiency savings totalling £35 billion will be yielded from Whitehall over the medium term as part of a map to balance the books by 2017/18, two years later than the date in the pre-Budget report plans.

“ In Stuttgart, Germany, a court judge must decide on a case of honorable intentions in a situation where a man hired his neighbor to get his wife pregnant. It seems that Demetrius Soupolos, 29, and his former beauty queen wife, Traute, wanted a child badly, but Demetrius was told by a doctor that he was sterile. So, Soupolos, after calming his wife’s protests, hired his neighbor, Frank Maus, 34, to impregnate her. Since Maus was already married and the father of two children, plus looked very much like Soupolos to boot, the plan seemed good. Soupolos paid Maus $2,500 for the job and for three evenings a week for the next six months, Maus tried desperately, a total of 72 different times, to impregnate Traute.

When his own wife objected, he explained, “I don’t like this any more than you. I’m simply doing it for the money. Try and understand.” When Traute failed to get pregnant after six months, however, Soupolos was not understanding and insisted that Maus have a medical examination, which he did. The doctor’s announcement that Maus was also sterile shocked everyone except his wife, who was forced to confess that Maus was not the real father of their two children. Now Soupolos is suing Maus for breach of contract in an effort to get his money back, but Maus refuses to give it up because he said he did not guarantee conception, but only that he would give an honest effort. ”

Redsan jets in for East African Gig in London

The popular Kenya singer Redsan arrives in London on Wednesday 22nd April, 2009 with British Airways for the coming up East African Gig in London which kicks off as from Saturday 25th April, 2009 at Stratford Rex. Another show comes up on Sunday 3rd May, 2009 at Sholo Club Ashiana, 229 Romford Road, Forest Gate, E7 as from 9.00 p.m. More upcoming shows in Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Manchester. Among others teaming up with Redsan is Weasle & Radio from Uganda's Hot Cake, Ray C from TZ, Sandra from Rwanda, Dizzy Nuts a Mobo Award nominee. The tickets will be selling at the entrance and will be going for £20 and £25 for those seated. A welcome exclusive party will be held on Thursday 23rd April, 2009 at New Guvnor former Rum. For more information you can contact 07985447864 or 07984108687.

KIKUYU PROVERB

Tha nyumu itiri kiguni

Mercy without action is not enough

"Think about what you must do right - not what went wrong." - Tanni Grey Thompson

Student's killer posed on website

A teenager who posed on a MySpace page with a knife while he faced trial for murdering a university student has been jailed for life for the killing. Joshua Williams, 15, was one of 10 people convicted at the Old Bailey over the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Yasin Abdirahman in September 2007. He was caught up in a gang revenge raid and stabbed in Southall, west London. Andre Mason, 16, and Sheldon John-Lewis, 19, have also been handed life sentences for the murder. During the trial, it was discovered that Williams, who will serve a minimum term of 14 years, was showing off his knife on a MySpace page entitled "me, myself and my shank". The court heard Williams was part of a gang of more than 20 youths from the Murder Dem Pussies (MDP) gang, some of them as young as 12, who spilled on to the streets from a bus.

A CAR WITH TWO FACES

Here's a car with its own unique personality — it is completely two-faced' Vasyl Lazarenko, 39, from Chernivtsi, western Ukraine, has been working as a craftsman for more than 20 years. He decided to build the "split personality car" as he could not reach a final decision over its style. Vasyl’s dream machine is made from the left side a modern saloon and from the right side of a convertible from the 1930s. The car’s exterior is made completely from sculpted mosaic of wood pieces and took Varsyl more than a year to meticulously carve and assemble with bolts and glue. Vasyl said: “I have always loved the freedom a convertible gives the driver in the hot summers in the Ukraine, but I have always felt a hard top saloon is more practical. “My girlfriend has always wanted to be driven around in a convertible that would turn heads, so the decision was there in front of me." The two-faced vehicle is a world’s first in wood. “There are a couple of wooden cars in the world, but they are made as copies of modern cars. "My car is unique and my own design,” said Vasyl. The car is made of oak and is fitted with all modern accessories, including leather seats and CD player. The chassis of the vehicle is a standard Opel Askon. “I have only driven the vehicle twice in the city and everyone was staring and taking pictures. It really is special,” he added. Vasyl hopes to sell the vehicle in order to fund his next project, but for now he is giving no clue to what he will car-ve next.

Massive crackdown after Mathira slaughter

Nairobi, Kenya, Apr 21 – Police have nabbed 63 suspects following the Monday night slaughter in Mathira, where fighting between residents and Mungiki adherents claimed more than 29 lives. The killings, which turned the area into a terrifying orgy of blood and crude weapons, have been strongly condemned by the government and petrified residents. On Tuesday evening, President Mwai Kibaki ordered the Minister for Internal Security to get to the root cause of the killings in the Mathira Division of Central Province. “Security forces should provide detailed accounts of what transpired with a view to ensuring such heinous crimes never recur,” said a terse statement sent to newsrooms via email. The Head of State said the killings ‘were a matter of great concern’ and further ‘condemned the loss of lives’, directing that the culprits be brought to book as soon as possible.  Earlier, the Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti told journalists that the hunt for the killers is on. “We will be going to that area tomorrow (Wednesday) to even talk to wananchi and find out what is happening,” he said.

An assertive Mr Saitoti said that those behind violent attacks in the Chehe Sub-location would face the full force of the law. “Let us concentrate on the fact that… innocent Kenyans have lost their lives and the key thing right now is to hunt down who are the murderers. And once we nail them we make sure they are subjected to the appropriate laws,” he said. The Minister told a media briefing at his Harambee House office that officers from the CID and other organs of security had been deployed to the area to try and piece up all the events that led to the 2am incident. “The law is there. We are not in anyway taking what is called extra judicial measures. We do not condone it on the part of the police neither should we condone it on any person, whether it is Mungiki or not Mungiki,” he said, allaying fears that police would retaliate with its own wave of violence. “Citizens of this country have a right to lead their lives and the government has to protect them.” According to the Karatina Medical Superintendent Doctor David Ndegwa most of the victims who were taken to the mortuary had their arms chopped off, a sure sign that they were defending themselves. “They have got cuts in the scalp, the face, neck and some of them have lost their limbs. Two of the bodies have been burnt beyond recognition, and the cuts seem to have been inflicted by a very sharp object.” He said the Karatina mortuary was now full to capacity, which stands at 30 bodies. The doctor added that some patients were treated and discharged early Tuesday.
 
Meanwhile, five victims who were injured in the attacks were recuperating Tuesday at the Karatina District Hospital. During an interview with Capital News, one of the victims recounted the sequence of events that led to him being attacked. “I just heard them say, take that one! So I was grabbed and placed between two people carrying a panga (machete) each. Nobody asked me anything. They drove to this place, which they called a slaughterhouse. The one driving the motorbike said ‘we caught one’ and then suddenly I was surrounded.” Another victim says he was caught off guard: “I saw several people converge with motorbikes, about 40 in number. I encountered a group on the way home, they pinned me down and stabbed me,” he says, pointing to his side. “I was stabbed several times.” Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe said on Tuesday morning that the slaughter began when the people of Chehe sub-location, tried to flush out the militiamen. “Initial investigations indicate the violence erupted when members of the public ganged up to resist a Mungiki move to expel all residents of Kirinyaga from Karatina,” he explained. There have been rising cases, especially in Kirinyaga, of locals taking up arms and killing Mungiki suspects on the claims of extortion. On Saturday, more than 300 villagers torched five houses in Kangaita Village at dawn, that were believed to be hideouts for the sect members. At least 15 suspected Mungiki members were killed in the past two weeks.  But Mr Kiraithe urged residents not to take the law into their own hands and instead report any suspicious characters to the police. “I would like to appeal to the public to report members of the sect committing crimes to the police instead of using criminal violence to resist them.” Tension remained high in the area on Tuesday evening. - Source: CapitalFM.

TODAY'S ANIMAL SMILE COMPETITION

"You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

Kenyan sect violence 'kills 26'

At least 24 people have died in fighting between residents of a central Kenyan town and suspected members of the outlawed Mungiki sect, police say. A police spokesman, Charles Owino, said residents of Karatina had decided to fight back because the sect had been extorting money from local people. Media reports say there has been a spate of killings targeting the sect. The Mungiki, mainly from President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, are seen as Kenya's version of the mafia. Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe urged local people not to take the law into their own hands. Reports say groups of residents started attacking suspected Mungiki members and slashing some of them to death, after the gang had threatened to expel everyone from the town. At least three more people were wounded in the violence. Mr Kiraithe said the Mungiki fought back. "We understand that the Mungiki also regrouped and engaged the locals in an all-out war in the villages," he said. "All of those killed were hacked or stoned to death. Our officers tried to restore order, otherwise the situation could have degenerated into something much worse than it is." He added that 37 people had been arrested and more were being hunted. Machetes and other weapons were being collected from the scene. The Mungiki gang has continued to operate despite being banned in 2002, extorting money from owners of minibus taxis and other public transport vehicles. In 2007 more than 100 suspected sect members were killed in a police crackdown after a series of grisly beheadings blamed on the sect. Last year it was accused of carrying out revenge attacks after ethnic Kikuyus were killed by rival gangs in post-election violence. - MORE

The International Monetary Fund tonight warned that the global financial crisis was far from over, and losses by banks and other institutions will soar to a staggering $4.1 trillion by the end of 2010. It said banks around the world will shoulder $2.8 billion of the writedowns, with insurers, pension funds and other financial institutions taking the rest of the pain. British banks have already written off $110 billion but face another $200 billion of losses before the end of next year, according to the IMF Global Financial Stability Report. This compares with $550 billion of further losses expected at US banks, on top of the $510 billion already taken, and another $750 billion in the eurozone beyond the $154 billion lost so far.

London, Tuesday 21st April, 2009. UK annual inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) went negative in March for the first time since 1960, to -0.4%, down from zero in February. RPI includes mortgage costs, which have fallen following the Bank of England's reductions in interest rates. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), fell in March to 2.9% after February's unexpected rise to 3.2%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The official CPI figure is still well above the government's target of 2%. The price of clothing was also up from a year ago, with women's outerwear a particular driver. While the CPI is important as the rate that is targeted by the Bank of England's interest rate-setters, the RPI is used by many companies as the starting point for wage bargaining. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has warned that the negative RPI figure should not be taken as an excuse to freeze wages. "Although in some workplaces unions have agreed to put pay increases on hold or take cuts in wages to save jobs, many companies are still profitable and able to afford decent pay rises," he said. "Widespread wage freezes would prompt families to cut back on their spending, which would be the last thing the UK's struggling economy needs right now." The RPI is also the figure that determines what happens to benefits and the basic state pension. The figure used for pensions will be the one that comes out in September, although there is a minimum increase of 2.5%. But it is the March RPI figure that is used to determine the interest rates paid on student loans.

The new rates will be announced between now and when they take effect in September. People who have outstanding debt from student loans taken out before 1998 may even end up with a negative interest rate. The government is currently considering whether they could be due a rebate. It has more flexibility in setting rates on loans taken out after 1998. There are signs that inflation could fall further before September. "We suspect that the weakness of retail spending and activity in general will bear down strongly on core inflation in time," said Jonathan Loynes at Capital Economics. "UK inflation is still set to drop a lot further and the threat of a broader bout of deflation has not evaporated." Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Help the Aged and Age Concern said: "Falling headline inflation masks the fact that that many older people's real rate of inflation remains far higher than the average. "With up to £5 billion of benefits going unclaimed by pensioners every year, we are strongly urging older people to ensure they are getting all the support they are entitled to."  There was a warning from the British Chambers of Commerce of the challenges posed to the chancellor by the downward trend in inflation. "Deflationary pressures could make the recession worse in the short-term, despite quantitative easing and the huge budget deficit posing inflationary pressures over the medium-term," said the organisation's chief economist David Kern. "The chancellor must address both these conflicting risks in his Budget."

Former NSSF boss charged

Written By:KBC reporters   , Posted: Tue, Apr 21, 2009
 

Former NSSF Managing Trustee Joseph Konzolo has been charged with conspiracy to defraud Barclays Bank of Kenya over 100 million shillings. Konzolo was charged alongside Dickson Jared Njoga. It is alleged that they committed the offense between 7th and 10th April this year at Barclays Bank Avon center in Industrial area.  The duo also faces another count of stealing over 49 million shillings property of Barclays Bank.  They pleaded not guilty and were released on a cash bail of 2 million shillings each.  The case will be heard on the 28 of May this year.  Meanwhile, the hearing of a criminal case against Kenya Pipeline Managing Director George Joshua Okungu has been temporarily stopped after the high court granted him a stay of 30 days.  Through his lawyer Geoffrey Ombura, Okungu argues that his fundamental rights are being violated.  Okungu was charged with failure to comply with applicable guidelines relating to disposal of public property. And former Java Managing Director John Cardon Wagner now says that the charges against him are a frame -up and malicious. Last month the court found Wagner guilty ruling that he has a case to answer. Wagner was charged with defiling a minor. He is charged alongside Judy Nyaguthii and Faith Nyawira who have been charged with exposing the girls to prostitution.

Parliament reopens Tuesday

Written By:Catherine Achieng'a/Nelly Moraa   , Posted: Tue, Apr 21, 2009

The 3rd session of the 10th parliament reopens Tuesday to new rules of procedure following revised standing orders. The new orders will see an increase in the number of departmental committees, more checks on the executive, which empower the speaker to reconvene parliament during the recess following a petition from at least a third MPs among a raft of measures that seek to enhance democracy and make the August house more accountable and transparent to the tax payer. But even as the house reopens top on its agenda is likely to be the adoption of names of members to serve on the Interim Independent Electoral Commission after a previous failed attempt. If approved by parliament Issack Hassan stands to Chair the Interim body assisted by eight other commissioners. Names of persons to serve in the boundary review, the national ethnic and relations and the truth, justice and reconciliation commissions also await parliament's endorsement. These commissions form part of the agreement in the National accord to promote peaceful coexistence among communities and tackle issues of discrimination in a legislated process that could see anyone accused of discrimination answerable in court. As the third session opens, the government side could also make another attempt at having the special tribunal bill adopted to try post poll perpetrators locally. This follows a failed attempt in the previous session where legislators expressed doubt over the judiciary as is currently constituted saying reforms in the Judiciary should be executed as a matter of urgency to restore Kenyans faith in the institution. The fast tracking of constitutional reforms under the constitution of Kenya review bill that would provide a road map for constitutional reforms has also made significant strides since the dissolution of parliament.

Currently a committee of experts chaired by Nzamba Kitonga is looking into previous drafts including the Kilifi and Bomas drafts with the view of coming up with a comprehensive draft in a year's time for a referendum to be held. Agenda item four as prescribed by the national accord to resolve the controversial land issue, largely blamed on post independence injustices will also be of interest to Kenyans to ensure land reforms are instituted. In its previous sitting parliament managed to pass several crucial bills, some of which elicited heated debate. The biosafety bill is one such bill passed by parliament that would allow the use of Genetically Modified Organisms to boost food security even as the country is ravaged by famine.  The bill though opposed by a section of civil societies was passed and accented to by the president. In controversy also was the Kenya Communications Amendment Bill, which had a clause allowing the minister for Internal Security to raid any media house it suspects to possess information that could compromise national security.  Though the president accented to the bill, it was referred back to the attorney general for amendments to the offensive clause before it is brought back to parliament. The Fiscal Appropriation Bill allowing MP's authority to decide on the budget making process was however not accented to by the president. The president returned the bill along with a memorandum for amendments to certain clauses. What now waits to be seen is if the legislature will approve of the amendments. The bill if passed as it were would have seen MP's determine and prioritize budgetary allocation to each ministry. Also of achievement in the previous session was the passage of the international crimes bill that saw the domestication of the Rome Statute allowing Kenyans security forces to investigate and try any perpetrator of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide locally. Martha Karua's entrance into parliament as a backbencher for the first time since NARC came into power will also form part of the intrigues the August House will witness not to mention hints of political alliances and realignments ahead of 2012.

Tesco achieves £3bn annual profit

Supermarket chain Tesco has reported underlying annual pre-tax profits of £3.13bn, an improvement of 10% on the previous year. Its sales topped £1bn a week for the first time with group sales coming in at £59.4bn. The profits are the highest on record for a UK retailer. Tesco boss Terry Leahy said that he was confident the retailer would "continue to make good progress even in the current global economic environment".  The underlying figure excludes factors including certain aspects of pension costs and changes in rent. If such factors are included, group pre-tax profit came in at £2.95bn. Tesco said in its statement that in the UK it had "coped well with recovering competitors and a difficult non-food market" and had managed to increase both the number of customers coming into its stores and the average amount they were spending. However, chief executive Terry Leahy conceded in an interview with BBC News that he was losing some market share to other retailers such as Morrisons. Tesco said like-for-like sales - which strip out the impact of new store openings - excluding petrol in the UK grew 3% in the year to 28 February. By comparison, Morrisons reported full year like-for-like sales growth excluding petrol of 7.9%. Tesco described its start to the current year as "solid" with like-for-like sales excluding petrol in the past six weeks growing by 3.4%. The number of plastic bags used during the year fell by 50%, while the retailer said that a quarter of its transactions went through its self-service checkouts. In the UK, Tesco bought out Royal Bank of Scotland's stake in their Tesco Personal Finance (TPF) joint venture for £950m in December last year. It now, "plans to develop TPF from a successful, popular collection of financial products to a full-service retail bank in the years ahead". Mr Leahy said Tesco Personal Finance would be an "old-fashioned bank dealing mainly with Tesco customers who we know".

The US government is requesting a federal court for permission to sedate a Kenyan who has been in the U.S. for 13 years on an expired student visa and then send him back to Nairobi. But David Kihuha says he would rather stay in the federal prison in Leavenworth than go back to Kenya and face possible violence there. Immigration agents tried twice last year to deport the 36-year-old, but he bit, spit and covered himself in his own excrement, according to government records. He also chewed up a head covering known as a "spit mask." The government noted that commercial pilots "will not accept a violent, faeces-besmeared passenger." So officials want to give him a sedative and put him on a plane, which civil rights groups say violates his human rights. - Source-fox4kc.

"The most interesting thing here in London is the English smile, white smile, I mean quarter of a smile." - Kenyan comedian, Churchill

KIKUY PROVERB

Muchemi akorire mukungi

Sometimes when you try to hide you also find someone else hiding for you

Mombasa, Kenya, April 20 - President Kibaki being entertained by dancers in Mombasa. President Mwai Kibaki  called for security co-operation of the international community to protect sea transport in the Indian Ocean that is threatened by piracy. The President expressed concern that the unprecedented rise in piracy was disrupting trade that is the basic lifeline for several African states in the region. The Head of State who spoke at the opening the Land Forces Symposium in Mombasa, said the issue of regional security need scrutiny in light of conflicts in some parts of the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region. "Trade and critical imports are seriously threatened by the rise in piracy in the area. It is therefore imperative that this meeting come up with ideas on how best we can work together in addressing the problem of piracy," the President said. The influx of refugees and easy availability of small arms, the Head of State said, had further complicated the security situation in our region.

An unruly deportee puts the U.S. in a legal bind

What do you do with a Kenyan on an expired visa who just won’t go home? In the curious case of David Kihuha, the government wants to resume a rarely used and controversial practice and sedate him, then put him on a one-way flight to Nairobi. But that has proven to be difficult, at best. Indeed, the case of the 36-year-old Kenyan, a former Olathe resident, has frustrated federal prosecutors, hobbled the government’s deportation system and led to the unusual tactic of indicting Kihuha on federal felonies for, in essence, refusing to leave. As the drama plays out in U.S. District Court in Kansas, Kihuha (pronounced Kee-hoo-ha) remains in a cell in Leavenworth, and he’s made it abundantly clear he prefers prison in America over freedom in Kenya. Fearful that returning home could be dangerous, Kihuha — who has been in the United States 13 years on an expired student visa — sought asylum because of violence in Kenya. “That is the fuel that feeds his intransigence,” his federal public defender, Melody Evans, said in court. “Whatever his circumstance here, it cannot be worse than what he faces at home,” wrote Evans, who declined to comment further on the case.

How determined is Kihuha? Since he was denied asylum, Kihuha has used every means available to avoid deportation. Twice last year, when immigration agents tried to deport him, Kihuha managed a last-minute reprieve. He bit, he spit and, according to government records, managed to “cover himself in his own excrement.” He also chewed up a head covering known as a “spit mask.” “I told them I did not want to go. I told them to take me back to jail,” Kihuha said in a phone interview from his cell. Belaboring the obvious, the government noted in court filings that commercial pilots “will not accept a violent, feces-besmeared passenger who chews off protective clothing and spits and bites.” The government’s frustration with Kihuha is evident in documents filed after his indictment last year for refusing to leave. “Dumping defendant out the door of the plane with a parachute is not practically or diplomatically prudent,” the government noted at one point. “Delivering defendant to the front gate of the nearest Kenyan Embassy is also not on the list of approved repatriation techniques,” the government said in another court filing. As for his methods, government prosecutors said, he has “crafted a relatively painless plot” to prevent his deportation “and he has done so at the mere cost of occasional dignity.” Some who know him say Kihuha is no poster child for the sympathetic immigrant. And since going to jail, he has become so obsessed with remaining here that he has reportedly become unpredictable and uncooperative, even with those who are trying to help him. While Kihuha is “no picnic” to have in prison, the government says, “he is not mentally ill, and his behavior is “generally acceptable.”

But detention for more than 20 months in four different facilities hasn’t been any picnic for Kihuha, either. He has been segregated in a federal holding facility in Leavenworth and confined to his cell for up to 24 hours a day. At one point Kihuha allegedly sabotaged his toilet, forcing him into the all-too-familiar situation of having to live with his own excrement. “It is really quite unfair,” Kihuha said, “because when you don’t know much about the law, they take advantage of you.” The government argues that it must sedate Kihuha to get him on a plane. That alternative, they maintain, is “certainly less intrusive than a straitjacket, (remember the defecation) covered by a body bag, (remember the spitting) … ” government attorneys noted in court filings. What’s more, they say, “a smiling, if uncommunicative, defendant is less frightening to the other passengers than a thrashing body bag, which may become still, due to positional asphyxia.” The sedative solution, however, has limits and numerous drawbacks. Until last year, the government used “pre-flight cocktails” on hundreds of deportees. But a lawsuit and outrage by some immigration groups severely limited the practice. Now, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, wants to resume sedation in Kihuha’s case and at least one other. Government lawyers claim ICE has the legal authority to do so on their own, but doing so without a court order would violate new policies adopted last year. So the government has asked a judge to order them to do it. Even as that request is pending, however, immigration officials are having their own internal debate over the practice. Kihuha must be medically evaluated to make sure sedating him would be safe, but the government agency charged with doing that, the Division of Immigration Health Services, or DIHS, has balked.

Critics say the practice is controversial and potentially life-threatening. While the government hasn’t said what drug it will use in Kihuha’s case, in the past it has used an anti-schizophrenia drug called Haldol, which has serious side effects. “The protections of the Constitution are unambiguous,” said Ahilan Arulanantham, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union who brought the lawsuit that last year put a stop to the drugging. He said the Kihuha case shows that the government still doesn’t understand that. The Kenyan Embassy agrees: “They (the deportees) are not supposed to be drugged. It’s a violation of human rights,” an embassy official said. ICE spokeswoman Pat Reilly said that the agency has been granted only one order for sedation recently and sought one other. “We cannot talk about where or for whom these orders were required,” she said. Even if federal officials prevail with Kihuha, their problems may not be over. If commercial airlines refuse to board a sedated, semiconscious deportee, the government may have to deport Kihuha — and perhaps other sedated Kenyans — on a chartered flight. But at this point the U.S. government has only tentative approval to send a charter to Kenya. In the end, if Kihuha is convicted, he could serve a year or more in a federal prison before he is finally sent home — sedated or otherwise. And that is what he seems to prefer. In the meantime, his resolve remains firm. As government prosecutors noted: “A case like this reminds the bored American of the gifts that geography and luck can bestow.”

Meet the new Deputy High Commissioner in London

Mr. Addison Chebukaka is the new Deputy High Commissioner in the UK. Mr. Chebukaka replaced Mr. Abel Kinyoru who was deported from the UK on 9th January, 2009. Mr. Kinyoru is still in Nairobi awaiting the court's judgement.

"None of us wants to admit that we hate someone...When we deny our hate we detour around the crisis of forgiveness. We suppress our spite, make adjustments, and make believe we are too good to be hateful. But the truth is that we do not dare to risk admitting the hate we feel because we do not dare to risk forgiving the person we hate." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

LEFT: The Daily Telegraph reports that Chancellor Alistair Darling is set to forecast that the recession will be the worst in Britain since the Second World War. CENTRE: According to the Times the Chancellor will demand £15bn worth of savings from Whitehall after warning public sector spending is out of control. RIGHT: The Daily Express claims British scientists have discovered a way to slow down all types of cancer.

"It is the cloth of an orphan that is often given to the guest." - Wisdom of Africa, Cameroon

"We want you to send this message to both President Kibaki and Hon. Raila, they have failed us. We are losing confidence with them. We expected them to do better. We no longer feel comfortable to invest back in Kenya. They must do something about it." - Mr. Gatheru Rwamba addressing the Hon. Kiema Kilonzo MP for Mutitu during the Kenya Achievers Award night in London

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China - MORE

First built in the 7th century B.C, rebuilt and maintained between the 6th century BC and the 16th century, the great wall was built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from Mongolian attacks during the rule of successive dynasties.The most famous is the wall built between 220–200 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang while little of it remains. Tthe current wall was built during the Ming Dynasty. The Great Wall stretches over approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles)from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia, but stretches to over 6,700 km (4,160 miles) in total. - MORE

MEETING WITH MARION SHAKO FROM MOMBASA KENYA

While at the Kenya Achievers Awards ceremony Kenyan Gospel Singer posed with several Kenyans - from left is Margaret Njiiri (Daughter Seed), Marion Shako, ddd, Mrs. Mbugua and on far right is Mr. Seed, Marion Shako and another Kenyan gospel singer in London Mrs. Joyce Muturi.

Nairobi, Monday 20th April, 2009. Seven suspected carjackers and a civilian were Monday morning shot dead along Lunga Lunga Road in Nairobi's industrial area when armed gangsters engaged the police in a shoot out. In the recent past carjacking incidents have been on the increase endangering the lives of innocent Kenyans. Their bodies were taken to the City mortuary. Meanwhile, four people were Sunday murdered in Kathita village of Embu district. The four, two men and a couple were all residents of the village who were said to have been working with the police to get rid the village of criminals. A man, who spoke to the press on condition of anonymity, said the armed gangsters were dressed in police uniforms making it easy to get the attention of their targets. Embu West District Commissioner, Mr. Maalim Mohamed, told the press that the ten man gang had earlier raided a business premise at Kangaru and stolen cigarettes worth Ksh 45,000. He, however, said a prompt action by the police foiled the robbery which prompted the killings of the 4 sub areas in revenge. Mohammed said police recovered an AK 47 rifle and 9 rounds of ammunition which were abandoned by the gangsters when they realized that police were hot on their trail. The DC said it was unfortunate the dead were people who had chosen to work closely with security personnel to eradicate crime in the area. The administrator said the bodies of the four have been removed to Embu provincial hospital mortuary but the head of the woman killed in the ordeal is yet to be recovered. He appealed to the residents to stay calm and added that police have gathered vital information that would lead to the arrest of the killers. The DC said the victims had recorded statements with the police which he said will be used in identification of the suspects. Mohamed said they would also get rid of officers who collude with criminals in committing crimes.

BRITAIN'S SOARING DEBT TO HIT £50,000 FOR EVERY FAMILY

Every household in the ­country will soon owe the equivalent of £50,000 in national debt, a damning report into Labour’s mishandling of Britain’s ­finances revealed last night. As families brace themselves for eye-watering tax rises in this week’s ­budget, figures from accountants Grant ­Thornton show that the UK Government will have built up debt of £1.32 trillion – £1,320,000,000 – by 2014. That is almost fives times as big as the £357 billion owed by the ­Government when Labour came to power in 1997. Grant Thornton forecast that future governments face having to devote around eight per cent of their budget simply to paying debt interest – more than is currently spent on defence and three times as much as on policing. The report came as Shadow Chancellor George Osborne warned that Alistair Darling will be forced to lay bare the “economic carnage” of the past decade when he makes his Budget statement on Wednesday. Mr Osborne said: “It will be a day of reckoning and I think you are going to see the Chancellor forecast the longest recession that Britain has had since the Second World War.” Business Secretary Peter Mandelson yesterday gave a strong indication that Labour could no longer ignore the huge debt it was building up for future ­generations and taxes would go up to avoid spending being ­radically slashed. He said: “The public are undoubtedly concerned about the figures to do with borrowing and spending and heaven knows we watch them like hawks. “People would be much more ­worried if as a result of the tough times that we are going through we were to take an axe to spending and ­investment.”

National debt is forecast to soar past 100 per cent of the total economy in the next decade, the highest level since the early Sixties when we were still ­paying off the cost of the Second World War. The Treasury is facing a vicious squeeze from slashed tax revenues due to the deep recession it failed to see coming. Yet Government spending has kept soaring to unprecedented levels. Grant Thornton’s Maurice Fitzpatrick said: “We are currently going through an unprecedented explosion in public debt, as levels go through the sound barrier.  "It took 300 years from when the UK Government first borrowed money in 1692 for the level of public debt to reach £165billion in 1992. Our analysis shows that in the 22-year period from 1992 to 2014, debt will have doubled to ­£330 ­billion, redoubled to £660 billion, and then doubled again to reach £1,320 billion by late 2014.” National debt stood at £717.3 billion at the end of February this year, up from £610.4 billion in just 12 months. Among tax rises forecast to be ­announced this week are yet another tax raid on pensions with the abolition of extra tax relief for higher earners. A rise in the top rate of income tax to 45 per cent for people earning more than £150,000 was announced last year. Mr Darling has come under pressure from Labour colleagues to reduce this new top-rate threshold to £100,000, a move that would lead to higher tax bills for 500,000 higher earners. There is also likely to be a big ­rise in so-called green taxes on fuel and ­power.

Actress Found Hanged After TV Show Ends

London, Tuesday 21st April, 2009. A talented young actress who starred in a long-running TV series has been found hanged two days after the show ended.  The body of Stephanie Parker, 22, was discovered on open ground near Pontypridd on Saturday morning, South Wales Police said. Stephanie was a regular member of the cast of the BBC Wales drama, Belonging. She had played the role of Stacey Weaver since she was 15 years old. The tragedy happened after the final episode of the award-winning series was broadcast last Thursday. The drama, set in the Welsh Valleys, was brought to an end to pave the way for a new BBC Wales flagship drama. Clare Hudson, BBC Wales Head of Programmes, English Language, said everyone at BBC Wales - especially all those who worked with her - were "extremely saddened". "Stephanie was an immensely talented actor who, as Stacey, played a central role in Belonging, as well as appearing in other BBC productions such as Casualty," she said. "She also worked with BBC Wales Radio Drama Department on productions for Radio Four. "Stephanie's talent played a major part in making Belonging the success it was and I'm sure that the programme's fans will be shocked by this untimely news." A police spokesman said the actress's death was not being treated as suspicious and a report has been passed to the coroner.

The  luckiest soldier  in the British Army

A soldier has been described as "the luckiest in the British Army" after a bullet went through his helmet, but missed his head by 2mm. Private Leon "Willy" Wilson, 32, a Territorial Army soldier from Manchester, was knocked over by the impact of the shot in Afghanistan. But he was left without a mark after the bullet ripped through his headgear. "The medic was looking queasy - I don't think anyone wanted to take my helmet off," Pte Wilson said. The father of three was back on duty within an hour of the near-miss. Defence chiefs pronounced Pte Wilson, who is on attachment with 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) "officially the luckiest man in the British Army". Pte Wilson was manning a machine gun during a fierce battle with the Taleban in Helmand Province when he was hit by the 7.62mm AK47 bullet, the Ministry of Defence said. "I took my finger off the trigger when the shot hit my helmet," Pte Wilson said. "I was knocked clean off my position and landed on my back. I had my eyes shut." Pte Wilson, who usually works as an electrician, asked a comrade if he had been shot. "He was just staring at me in amazement and swearing, and said 'Yes'," Pte Wilson said. "It shook me up but there is not much else you can do but get on with the job you are out here to do." Pte Wilson was wearing a Mark 6a helmet, which is made from several layers of Kevlar armour. Pte Wilson's commander, Captain Rob Agnew said: "Willy's a good lad - and a good soldier." Cpt Agnew said that during the operation Pte Wilson was involved in, a bomb-making factory was found and destroyed and several improvised explosive devices were uncovered. The Commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Tim Radford, said: "It may well have been luck that saved Pte Wilson but it was bravery that put him back up on the roof within the hour to continue fighting alongside the Warrior Afghan soldiers."

Stephen Hawking 'very ill' in hospital

Professor Stephen Hawking, one of the world's most famous scientists, is "very ill" in hospital, Cambridge University said today. Professor Hawking, who works at the university, was undergoing tests at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. A university spokesman said the 67-year-old physicist, who is best known for his book A Brief History of Time, was taken to Addenbrooke's by ambulance. "Professor Hawking is very ill," he added. Professor Hawking suffers from motor neurone disease and is wheelchair bound. He speaks with the help of a voice synthesiser. He developed symptoms of the disease while studying in the 1960s and is one of the world's longest surviving sufferers. He has worked at Cambridge's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics for more than 30 years and since 1979 has been the University's Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. Professor Hawking was awarded a CBE in 1982, became a Companion of Honour in 1989 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society. He lives in Cambridge and has three children and one grandchild. Professor Hawking was born in Oxford but his family moved to St Albans, Hertfordshire, when he was eight. He studied at St Albans School before reading physics at University College Oxford then moving to Cambridge to carry out research in cosmology.

MPs have awarded themselves an extra week's summer holiday — in the middle of the worst recession for a century. Politicians, who returned to work today after a two-week Easter recess, will be away from Westminster again on 22 July for a 12-week break, raising further questions over their reputation.  On top of the economic crisis, there has been a constant stream of accusations of sleaze and greed. The Prime Minister was urged to order a cut in the 82-day break which was attacked by the Tories, Liberal Democrats and Labour MPs. The backlash against the long recess, which is a week more than last year and the longest since 2001, came amid Opposition claims that the Government has run out of ideas and is keeping MPs away from Westminster to avoid trouble.

Nairobi, Monday 20th April, 2009. Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and members of the public who turned up for the burial of former legislator, Luke Rarieya Obok, scampered for safety as the tents came tumbling down when strong winds and a heavy downpour disrupted the burial ceremony in Siaya district Saturday.  Lands minister, James Orengo, his medical Services counterpart, Professor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, assistant minister, Dr. Oburu Odinga, and Orange Democratic Movement party parliamentary whip, Jakoyo Midiwo, among a host of politicians hastily sought shelter as the winds brought down the temporary shelters. The priest presiding over the requiem mass had just concluded the service and invited politicians to pay tribute to the late MP when all hell broke loose as the winds sent the tents flying across the compound. Only Alego Usonga MP, Edwin Yinda, and former minister Ndolo Ayah managed to address the mourners before the heavens opened drenching everyone at the funeral. Also not spared was a VIP toilet that had been mounted by Public Works Officers in anticipation that Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, would grace the occasion. The toilet, built behind a tent where the prime minister was to sit, was ripped open and the whole structure thrown 50 metres away by the winds.  The Prime Minister caused a stir recently when he officiated a function in Mombasa and complained that no toilet had been set up for his use. The late Obok, 79, was the first member of parliament for Alego/Usonga constituency in independent Kenya. He later held several positions in various state corporations, among them Kenya Pipeline Corporation where he served as the chairman. He also worked as a journalist with the East African Standard and the ministry of Information and Broadcasting as an Information officer.

"Deadly and irreversible environmental effects"

Rivers dry as Mau forest row simmers

"Deadly and irreversible environmental effects" were Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s words regarding the destruction of Mau Forest. An understatement perhaps? It does not even start to illustrate the actual picture on the ground downstream on the state of the rivers that have this water tower as their source. Suspected acts of arson have now made effects worse. One has to witness the scale of disaster to believe it and appreciate Raila’s words. Tourists baffled by our folly stare through teary eyes as hippopotamuses grunt and groan from too much exposure to the sun. Many of the wetlands they wallowed in at the Maasai Mara have dried up. From a distance, the animals look like smooth boulders protruding from the fast receding riverbed. "Hippos are not used to this kind of life during the day. We risk losing many of them at this rate," laments Mr Stephen Minis, the Masai Mara deputy chief park warden. Pollution is rife, thanks to constant soiling by the hippos of their water habitat with their waste and, with a reduced inflows, the result is a foul smelling, greenish water.

PNU vs ODM

Fight continues .... not yet half time

KAMA SI SIKU YAKO...

The wreckage of a matatu (public minivan) after it was sandwiched between two lorries at Kibarani in the Coastal town of Mombasa. All the ten passengers who were onboard the matatu only sustained minor injuries. - Daily Nation.

Majority of Kenyans do not have confidence in President Kibaki.  According to a poll by Steadman Group the president is highly disapproved by 48 per cent, followed by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka at 38 per cent and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga at 36 per cent. On trust, Kalonzo leads the two with 15 per cent, Raila 11 per cent and Kibaki nine per cent. Kenyans are also not satisfied with way the Government is dealing with critical issues. About 92 per cent feel the Government has mishandled food pricing. Most of those interviewed – about 89 – said the Government was not committed to fighting corruption. About 85 per cent said Government was not tackling unemployment while 71 per cent said crime was spinning out of control. The Press is the most trusted institution with 73 per cent expressing support. Trust in Parliament has plummeted to 33 per cent from last year’s 61 per cent. The police are the least trusted with six per cent while the military is at 30 per cent, House Speaker 32 per cent, private sector and NGOs at 37 per cent. - Sunday Standard.

Marion Shako (left) and Faith Kithele (right) from Kenya are in London. Both attended the Sunday Services at Cavalry Charismatic Baptist Church Swahili Service on Sunday 19th April, 2009. They will be in London until 29th April, 2009. Marion Shako from Mombasa is a well known gospel singer in Kenya and is a member of Jesus Celebration Centre of Pastor Lai.   Her  first Album takes its title “Msaada Wangu” (“My Help”) from the bible. It is through a wilderness experience that she hang onto a prophetic word spoken into my life by a Prophet of God, that God would give her a new song that will change my life. She is  popularly known for her song “Ahadi Zake” which talks of the faithfulness of God, and that which He promised; He will bring it to pass. The song stayed at the top of the gospel charts for months. Her contact in UK is 07552203212 - email wyalima@yahoo.com and the email contact for Faith Kithele is faithkithele@yahoo.com

London, Sunday 19th April, 2009. Five people have been killed after a head-on car crash on the M1 motorway, police have said. A VW Passat, apparently going the wrong way on the southbound carriageway near Luton, smashed into a Jaguar at 11.20pm on Saturday, Bedfordshire Police said. A spokesman for the force said the driver of the Passat and four people in the Jaguar - two men and two women - were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Passat was thought to be Polish, while the occupants of the Jaguar were believed to be from London. A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said: "A VW Passat appears to have been travelling northbound on the southbound carriageway between junctions 10 and 11. "The Passat was in collision with a Jaguar travelling southbound. The VW driver and the two men and two women in the Jaguar are all dead at the scene - there are no survivors." The part of the motorway where the crash happened was down to one lane for repairs, the force said. Gary Sanderson from the East of England Ambulance Service said the five crash victims were "quickly" pronounced dead by the emergency services. He said: "The cars were unrecognisable and there was nothing that could be done for the people involved. "The debris is spread over quite a lot of the carriageway." Mr Sanderson added: "We are currently working to release the victims from the vehicles, and then take them to a local mortuary." Insp Colin Bonner, from Bedfordshire Police's road policing unit, said he had no idea why the Passat had been going in the wrong direction. "There was no reason for that vehicle to have turned round at all, so we are very interested if anyone witnessed that vehicle turning around and any reason why they saw it turn round." Police are urgently seeking witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call 01234 841212.

Five people have been killed after a head-on car crash on the M1 motorway - VIDEO

The father of "Slumdog Millionaire" child actress Rubina Ali tried to sell his nine-year-old daughter for adoption in a bid to escape the Mumbai slums, a British newspaper said Sunday. News of the World alleged that Rafiq Qureshi wanted 20 million rupees (400,000 dollars, 310,000 euros) for the girl, who played the young Latika in the British hit film set in India. "Slumdog Millionaire", a rags-to-riches tale of children from the slums of Mumbai, won eight Oscars in February, including the best picture Academy Award. News of the World said its reporters posed as a wealthy family from Dubai, employing its regular "fake sheikh" sting tactic. The weekly tabloid said a Mumbai informant told them that Qureshi was touting for the highest offer, having already been approached by a Middle Eastern family.

East African Community Welfare Association will be starting the next course on Food Production on 4th May 2009 at  the  Adult College, Barking, Essex  from 18.00hrs-21:00hrs.  First come, first served.  If you are interested do call Mrs Ndegwa on 07506695851 or Mr Kuria (Josda) on 07508018091 to book yourself in.

Kenyans have no faith in coalition-survey

Written By:Kendagor Obadiah   , Posted: Sat, Apr 18, 2009

 

Majority of Kenyans want the government to address poverty and the high soaring food prices as a matter of urgency.According to the latest survey by the Steadman group, most Kenyans have little trust in members of parliament and have instead vested much more trust in the media.A paltry 19% of the respondents believe the coalition government will last its full term.This is despite assurances from both the President and the Prime Ministers that they were committed to ensuring the coalition served its full term.The low confidence among Kenyans in the coalition government is perhaps a result of the bickering witnessed within the coalition partners who cannot seem to agree on most issues.According to the research sampling opinions of 2,030 Kenyans countrywide, soaring food prices and the pathetic poverty situation in the country are the greatest concerns to a majority of Kenyans. 92% percent of Kenyans feel that the government has not done enough to address poverty and food pricesOther areas, in which the government was rated poorly is in addressing unemployment and crime with 89% and 71% of Kenyans expressing dissatisfaction on the issues respectively. The police were also faulted with 74% of Kenyans discrediting the force. Parliament lost 97% trust from Kenyans to the media, which earned itself public confidence at 73% followed by NGO's and the private sector both attracting confidence from 37% of Kenyans. The survey also showed that for the fist time, majority of Kenyans have lost interests in political parties with a startling 35% disowning political parties. Party support has seen ODM drop from 47% in December 2008 to 31% by April 2009. PNU had 11% closely followed by NARC K at 10% support while ODM K and KANU trailed with 8 and 2% respectively.

A toddler who got her foot stuck in a potty had to be rescued by a team of firefighters with specialist cutting equipment. Three-year-old Rebecca Rogers from Chirk, near Wrexham, became stuck in the handle of the potty after playing with her sister. Using cutting equipment usually required for road crash victims, the crew freed Rebecca after 15 minutes. Her father Kevin Rogers said: "It was really embarrassing." He had only brought the potty on Wednesday to start taking his daughter through the early stages of toilet training. But the following day, as he left Rebecca and her two-year-old sister Daniella with the potty as he washed some dishes, the accident happened.

http://stream2.netro.ca/kamemefm

Texas Storms: Children Killed In Car Crash

Five children have died in Houston, Texas, after their car slid into a rain-swollen ditch - as the driver allegedly answered a call on his mobile phone. The deaths came as a series of massive storms caused havoc across the state. A police spokesman said that driver was the father of four of the dead children, and he was taken for a blood test to see if he had been drinking. The dead children were girls aged one and three and boys aged four, six and seven. The driver, another adult and a 10-year-old girl survived the accident. The car was swept 100ft from where it left the road, making it inaccessible to rescue workers for hours. It was eventually found in nine feet of water two and a half hours after the driver lost control. According to police, a passenger told police that the driver's mobile phone rang and he lost control when he tried to answer it. The children's death was the second fatal incident caused by the storms, with a 76-year-old dying on Friday after his car became stuck in a flooded underpass.

This consultation sought views on our proposals for a new path to citizenship. Our proposals covered: who can qualify for citizenship; what the stages in the journey should be; how migrants should 'earn' the right to progress between stages; asking newcomers to pay a little extra to help pay for the transitional impacts of migration; and delaying access to benefits until full citizenship or permanent residence is achieved. CLICK BELOW FOR FULL INFORMATION

The path to citizenship: next steps in reforming the immigration system (370K opens in a new window)

Fears of catastrophic floods in America's Midwest

Fears of catastrophic floods in America's Midwest have eased after the Red River crested at a lower level than expected.  It was thought that up to 30,000 people could be left homeless when the river around Fargo, North Dakota, reached a record 112-year high. But thanks to icy conditions, a series of levees and sandbag dikes constructed to keep the waters at bay were not breached, as waters feeding the river froze. Now weary residents have turned their attention to ensuring their hastily built levees hold up against an onslaught of ice-laden water. President Obama has pledged support for those affected, issuing a federal disaster declaration for 34 counties and two Native American reservations. Mr Obama also declared a state of emergency for parts of Minnesota, the state which shares a Red River border with North Dakota. A meteorologist for the US National Weather Service, Mike Hudson, said the Red River began receding on Saturday morning. Residents were originally braced for a crest on Sunday and several thousand had evacuated the area. But the river can still fluctuate up to a foot - and may remain at dangerous levels for a week, meaning people will have to wait several days before they are completely safe.

United States President Barack Obama could visit Kenya as early as August this year to attend the Eighth forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

Barely two days after President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga agreed to consult on executive appointments, ODM has revived calls for the removal of the Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura. The party also wants Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua, whom Raila said last month does not speak for the Grand Coalition Government, out. At the end of a two-day Parliamentary Group-cum-National Executive Council meeting at the Naivasha Simba Lodge yesterday, ODM also urged the President to order the immediate removal of Ugandan security forces from Migingo Island. But it was the resolution that the two offices be reconstituted that is likely to touch a raw nerve, coming after Thursday’s meeting between the President and Prime Minister that calmed the storm rocking the coalition after the failed Kilaguni talks. - Sunday Standard.

Kenya lady working with the Kenya Airways in London has passed away in Kenya. The late  Sharon Munanye passed away on Good Friday 10th April, 2009 while going for a holiday in Mombasa with her family. She has been working at Kenya Airways Heathrow London as a group sales executive. Sharon left London on Thursday 9th April 09 and arrived in Kenya on the same day. Friday morning Sharon left Nairobi for Mombassa with her daughter, nephew and cousin and on their way they were involved in a tragic road accident along Mombassa highway near Kibwezi unfortunately Sharon was injured badly and the rest escaped with minor injuries on her way to the hospital Sharon was pronounced dead. She has left behind a 13 year old daughter. Friends and family will meet this Saturday on 18th April 09 from 5pm onwards at 144 Cranford drive, Hayes, Middlesex. UB3 4LF for funeral arrangements. You can send your donations to Abbey National Bank, A/c name: A Z Gikungu, A/c no: 23795130  01, Sort code: 09-01-27. The funeral will be held next Wednesday 22nd April 09 at Lang'ata cemetery, Kenya. For more information please contact  Mwananchi 07830358642 or Peter on  07817390149 or Zippie KT 07960116349.

The Sharon Munanye of Kenya Airways was working at Heathrow Airport

Kenya's coalition government has held fresh crisis talks a day after the premier said he would boycott cabinet meetings in a letter to the president. Prime Minister Raila Odinga still feels his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is being sidelined by President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU). The pair agreed to work together last year to end clashes over disputed polls which left some 1,500 people dead. The ODM says the national accord that formed the coalition is being ignored. Neither President Kibaki or Prime Minister Odinga commented after the meeting. Instead, a joint communique was released, showing that a special committee was formed to look into the concerns raised. The BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi says the wrangles within the coalition are now threatening to derail the constitutional and institutional reforms that they parties had pledged to implement. Mr Odinga wrote to Mr Kibaki on Wednesday saying that his ODM would boycott the cabinet until their power-sharing grievances were addressed. A cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday morning was postponed and the coalition are instead gathering at Harambee House, the president's office in Nairobi, to hear the former opposition party's list of concerns. Talks on the issue were supposed to have been held two weeks ago during a cabinet retreat at Kilaguni, but broke up when neither side could agree on an agenda. The ODM has in the past raised concerns that they have been left out of decisions over a new electoral commission - the original was disbanded after the disputed poll - and the appointment of ambassadors. Mr Odinga recently complained at a public rally that no red carpet or toilet were provided for him during an official visit. The prime minister has also said that the vice-president should not be getting paid more than him. The power-sharing agreement was brokered in February 2008 by international mediators after the country was convulsed by ethnic violence linked to elections three months earlier. The ODM has 21 ministers while the PNU has 20 following a resignation.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Home Secretary's future is in doubt after no charges were brought against a Tory MP who exposed Government immigration policy failings and on right The Independent leads with the news that the world's biggest refugee camp has been created as terrified Somalian civilans flee unrest in their settlements.

Police in Germany have said they have broken up a child pornography network suspected of involving around 9,000 people in more than 90 countries. Officers in the Baden-Wuerttemberg said obscene images were being sent over the internet to countries in Europe, as well as the US, Canada and New Zealand. The footage included "images of the most serious sexual abuse", they added. In raids across Germany, 500 computers and 43,000 storage devices were seized, and a number of people were arrested. Though most suspects were released while evidence is examined, one man in his 40s was arrested in Lower Saxony on suspicion of sexually abusing two children in his family, police said. Investigators said they had used special software that allowed 24-hour monitoring of computer activity. On Friday, German police are set to sign agreements with internet service providers (ISPs) to make it harder to access websites posting child pornography, according to the AFP news agency.

TEAMS begins laying fibre optic cables in Kenya

Alcatel- Lucent contractors begin to lay the TEAMS fibre optic cable on the Fujairah shore-end in the United Arab Emirates. The cable will cover 5,000 kilometers from Fujairah to Mombasa. The underwater laying of the US$130 million East Africa Marine System Cable (TEAMS), due in Mombasa in the month of June has began. Information and Communications Minister Mr. Samuel Poghisio was in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to commission the work on April 10th, 2009. “We have come here to commission the laying of the cable in the sea, a 5000 km journey from Fujairah to Mombasa. The process has begun and will probably take two months. It is likely that by the middle of June the ship should be anchoring in Mombasa, or rather delivering the cable to Mombasa,” said Poghisio.  According to Nzioka Waita, a TEAMS board member who accompanied the Minister, the work at Fujairah involved the laying of the shore-end cable, which is the beginning part of the cable at Fujairah between the beach manhole and the sea.  Part of the reason the team travelled to Fujairah was to inspect the cables and the trenching equipment before the ship started laying the cable in the sea. Poghisio, who earlier visited the cable manufacturer’s, Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks (ASN) plant in France confirmed the equipment loaded on the “E-Marine Cable Ship” as being to the specification, design and capacity agreed to by all the parties. Once the cable lands in Mombasa, it will be connected to amongst other terrestrial fibre optic cables the (NOFBI), the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, which Poghisio confirmed as being substantially ready.

In late March, TEAMS board members visited Mombasa to inspect terminal equipment- power feeding and transmission equipment, SDH and network monitoring equipment that will be used to light the entire length of the cable and to provide a point of connection for the submarine cable to the terrestrial infrastructure in the country. Poghisio said NOFBI has already connected Kenya’s major towns and border points, while connections to district headquarters was almost complete.“This is where you have seen the digging, cabling and laying of cables along our roads, from Mombasa to Malaba, Lokichogio, and Mandera through Garissa all the way to Kisumu, Namanga, and to all our border points,” he said. He said once TEAMS is connected to NOFBI and switched on Kenya will have bandwidth, high speed connectivity and bulk capacity, making the country a communication hub for the Great Lakes region. Poghisio acknowledged that piracy was an issue of concern, but added that the international community had agreed to provide security for the ship.  “These are concerns we have but are being addressed. We know it will be secure and will land in Mombasa on time,” he said.  The Alcatel Lucent Submarine Networks (ASN) Project Manager Mr. Lionel Weens said the fibre optic cable was well protected from aggressions of fishing activities and Ship anchoring. Lionel said the sub-marine cable will be amplified using repeaters at specific intervals to regenerate the signals.  TEAMS project shareholding ratio includes Safaricom, Telkom Kenya and the Government of Kenya all with 20 per cent of the shares, (KDN) Kenya Data Network with 10 per cent, Wananchi Online with 5 per cent; Jamii Telecom; 3.5 per cent and Access Kenya and Flashcom; 1.25 per cent. Others are Econet and Africa Fibre Net of Uganda. The Kenyan shareholders have pledged US$110 million (Sh8.6 billion) while the difference will be raised by United Arab Emirates Telecom Operator, Etisalat.

Kenya and Uganda to resolve Migingo 'amicably'

The governments of Kenya and Uganda have agreed to resolve the dispute over Migingo Island “amicably and diplomatically." "The Government of Uganda reassures citizens of both countries that the issue of Migingo Island sovereignty shall be resolved amicably and diplomatically, said Fred Opolot, the Uganda Government Spokesman. He said that Uganda has not deployed military at the island contrary to reports.  "Reports in the Kenyan media, to the effect that Uganda Peoples Defence Forces have been deployed on Migingo Island are incorrect. There is no Uganda military officer on the island."  It also reaffirmed its friendship with Kenya and stated that the impasse would be resolved within one or two months. He said that “careless rhetoric” by politicians had fuelled the situation and called for calm as the two governments worked on a lasting solution. Kenya Government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua said that the country was investigating reports that its fishermen were been harassed by their Ugandan counterparts. He ruled out Kenya going to war with its neighbour now or in the near future. At the same time, Kenya Internal Security Permanent Secretary Francis Kimemia has refuted claims that there is a curfew at Migingo Island. - Daily Nation

A nice guest house in Nairobi

Nice apartments has come up in Parklands in Nairobi. 24/7hrs security and electric fence. The prices are also good. The tastefully appointed guest suites and bedrooms are havens of reserved relaxation, giving guests a place to retire after a long day of sightseeing, travel or work.  Each of the exquisitely decorated rooms features a walk on balcony which offers splendid views over the treed Muthaiga forest. All bedrooms include a tastefully finished en-suite bathroom, wardrobes, bathrobes and king size or twin beds.  All the bedrooms are fully furnished and offer mini-bars, television, DVD, DSTV, telephone and internet access. All the luxuries one expects from a contemporary boutique guest house are at your disposal for your enjoyment.  Parkland, Nairobi, Limuru Road, Opp 6th Avenue Parklands, Tel: 020-2451090 Mobile:0716062121. Email: info@westparkguest.com. for more information visit www.westparkguest.com

Kenya 'will try Somali pirates'

Eleven Somali pirates captured this week by a French warship are being taken to Kenya for trial, the French defence ministry has said. The pirates will be tried under an agreement between the EU and Kenya, French officials said. They were captured by a warship from an EU force deployed to tackle a recent surge in piracy. Meanwhile, Somalia's prime minister warned in a BBC interview that pirates could only be defeated on land. They would always find ways of evading patrolling warships, he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. The French warship Nivose captured 11 pirates on Wednesday about 550 miles (900km) east of the Kenyan port of Mombasa. On Thursday, a French defence ministry spokesman told AFP news agency that it was expected to arrive in Mombasa within four days. Its speed was limited by the fact that it was towing captured pirate vessels, he said.In the past year, French forces have captured more than 71 suspected Somali pirates, and killed three others, AFP reports. Fifteen of the pirates are awaiting trial in France because they attacked French ships. Most of the others have been handed over to the authorities in Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland. In recent months Britain, the US, and the European Union have signed memorandums of understanding with Nairobi that Kenya will act as a kind of international tribunal for pirate crimes. Several Somali pirates turned over by the US and Germany are already facing legal action there.

Despite anti-piracy patrols being conducted by various countries, attacks against ships have increased in the past few days.  Pirates have vowed to avenge the deaths of those killed in recent rescue operations by US and French forces. Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke warned that international patrols could not defeat piracy. "I think the best way to actually fight the piracy is to tackle these things from the land," he said. "You cannot tackle piracy from the sea no matter how many naval ships you put into the waters. These pirates will try to move." Mr Sharmake said Somalia was formulating a rapid reaction force that would stop pirates before they got to the sea, but he acknowledged that his country was having difficulty raising funds to bolster its security structure. "So far we have not been successful in getting [sufficient] financial support," he said. "We're trying to actually be a self-reliant country, we are trying to generate as much as we can through our own ports, throughout the country and also from our property tax and in land." Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991 and Islamist insurgents control much of the south and centre of the country.

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India votes in world's largest election

Indians voted in their tens of millions Thursday as the world's largest democracy kicked off month-long, five-stage elections, with little hope of a clear winner emerging at the end of it all.  From the southern tropical state of Kerala to the Himalayan foothills of Kashmir in the north, they cast their ballots at the start of a process so complex and spread out that six million civil and security personnel are needed to keep it on track. Neither the ruling Congress party nor its main rival, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is expected to win outright when voting wraps up on May 13, setting the stage for some old-fashioned political horse-trading to build a coalition that can govern India's one billion people. The election comes at a pivotal time for India and its 714 million electorate, with a once red-hot economy feeling the strain of the global downturn and relations with neighbouring Pakistan at a new low since the deadly Mumbai attacks in November. Domestic security concerns were highlighted soon after polling opened when Maoist rebels launched attacks in several eastern states, killing at least 19 people, including 10 paramilitary troopers and five election workers.

Negative equity stops home moves

London, Friday 17th April, 2009. Falling house prices mean that two million households have either negative equity, or too little equity to finance a house move, lenders have said. Negative equity is the situation where someone's house has become worth less than their mortgage. Research by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said the problem would restrict the number of home sales. But it said two thirds of the 900,000 homes in negative equity had only a modest shortfall of less than 10%. That equated to an average of about £6,000 for first-time buyers in that situation, and £8,000 for the other home owners. "Although negative equity has resurfaced as house prices have fallen, one big difference from the early 1990s downturn is that it is less concentrated among young, first-time buyers, and more evenly spread across wider age groups and those at different points on the housing ladder," said Bob Pannell, head of research at the CML. "Negative equity will contribute to subdued property turnover, but otherwise should have few adverse effects for the majority of households affected," he added. With lenders still restricting their lending because of a shortage of mortgage funds, few are currently prepared to accept a deposit of only 10% from anyone buying a house. Recent figures from the financial information service Moneyfacts showed that there were currently only 106 mortgage deals requiring a deposit of 10% or less, while more than two thirds of the 1,485 deals available asked customers to put up a deposit of at least 25%. The impact is that even people who still have some limited equity in their homes, but less than 10%, are unlikely to be able to move.

The CML estimated that there are about 600,000 mortgage holders who have less than 5% equity in their homes, plus another 500,000 whose equity would amount to a deposit of more than 5% but still less than 10%. Thus about two million homeowners in total could not raise a 10% deposit for a new mortgage simply by selling their current homes. The CML carried out its research by looking at data supplied by its members. With house prices dropping by about 18% since the middle of 2007, the fall in prices has already outstripped the national price drop experienced during the early 1990s house price crash. But the 900,000 estimated to be in negative equity now are fewer in number than the 1.5 million estimated to have been in this position more than a decade and a half ago. Of the households currently in negative equity, about 270,000 have a shortfall of between 10% and 20%, and about 30,000 have a shortfall of 20% or more. In those most extreme cases their negative equity amounts to an average £28,000 for first-time buyers and £37,000 for other home owners. Despite this, the CML argues that it is myth that there is a strong link between negative equity and mortgage repayment problems. "Payment problems are typically associated with unexpected spending commitments, reduced income and changes in household circumstances," the CML said. "Negative equity, on the other hand, only surfaces as a problem if households need to move, or are also experiencing repayment difficulties," it added.

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EQUIP TO SERVE

A Biblical Training Course For All Serving In The Church.

This note and the attached leaflet communicate a work I have embarked on as a crucial part of the church of God in Christ Jesus and also the call of God upon my life. I do feel that time has come that I can bring this service into our churches conveniently as part of the calling of God in my life. So I thought of you and hence I write.

Having taught certificate, Diploma and degree programmes in theology in Bible schools around London for almost 10 years I have seen men and women of God with or without a definite calling being transformed in knowledge and character to become some of the great people God is using at this time.

Also being a minister of the word for over 15 years, I have noted that undeniably the church at the moment needs a very well informed leadership in terms of knowledge in the scriptures, personal maturity, discernment, understanding the vision of the church ( vis a vis the pastor), the nature of the message 'the gospel we preach', cultural diversity etc if church leaders are to walk and work together fruitfully with the pastoral leadership thus fully supporting the ministers and causing a powerful impact by setting gospel standards  in the church. This way the pastors are duplicated several times causing the growth and expansion of the church.

In response to this NOW need in the church I have designed some very informative courses which target all the above areas to equip all church leaders and ministers who need it to transform our churches and impact the society.

If this describes your need, please open the attached leaflet and read it then drop me back an email pastoratdestiny@yahoo.co.uk  or call 07903160101 to register as this is an opportunity to grab. The course starts on Tuesday 5th May 2009, 7.00 pm to 9.00pm for three months. I would like to train those that are serious about serving the lord or in knowing him personally and those that are currently in leadership in churches.  All leaders need to work together with their pastors in these studies.

This course is convenient, flexible, informative and very cheap. Churches can sponsor their leaders and ministers are welcome to supervise the level and mode of training given on one or two occassions. I really recommend ministers who have no formal training to consider taking this opportunity for doing the same course in a college setting will cost you almost £800 to £1000.( Feel free to proof this).

See the attachment and God bless you.

God bless you.

Pastor Isaac Kamweru

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Kibaki, Raila iron out differences

Written By:Collins Anampiu   , Posted: Friday, Apr 17, 2009

The committee on the management of the grand coalition held a successful meeting on Thursday, under the chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.Both leaders agreed in principal that the government should be free from acrimony and speak with one voice.   They concurred on the need to fast track the national reform agenda under the national accord.  The second attempt after the unsuccessful kilaguni talks a month ago, by the two coalition partners to deliberate on national agenda and other issues plaguing the coalition government, got a boost after a successful session by the two principals and the committee on the management of the grand coalition. After intense negotiations and deliberations in a closed door meeting, the committee led by the two principals finally discussed all items on the agenda among them the fast tracking of the national reform agenda, which both parties unanimously agreed on.  The thorny issue of executive appointments was also discussed extensively.

The coalition partners agreed agreed in principal that the government should be free from acrimony and speak with one voice.

Both parties resolved that the joint secretaries of the committee on the management of the grand coalition present a paper in the next meeting to be held next week on the mechanisms of consultations required for such appointments in regard to the existing law.  The joint secretaries were also tasked to formally constitute framework that can effectively facilitate the work of the permanent committee and monitor the implementation of the national accord.  The meeting comes as a relief to Kenyans following weeks of disillusion with the coalition government following open disagreements between the partners on pertinent issues. At the same time Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka assured the Grand Coalition partners have resolved to put aside their political differences.  Speaking at his Jogoo House office when he received Ambassador Nana Effah- Apenteng, the Chief of Staff, panel of Eminent African Personalities, the VP said Kenyan leaders had resolved to sort out their political persuasions amicably and come up with a development agenda for the sake of peace and unity.  Kalonzo said the media had blown out of proportion what he had talked about the former United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan. "I have a lot of respect for Mr. Annan and I will be the last person to say any demeaning words against a person of his calibre," he said.

Tough ODM demands as Kibaki, Raila meet

Prime Minister Raila Odingas Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has made fresh demands on President Kibaki before it agrees to meaningful dialogue to resolve the sticky issues threatening to tear apart the Grand Coalition Government. Among the fresh demands, Raila now wants Kibaki to effect a Cabinet reshuffle that should include the sacking or redeployment of Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, who he accuses of undermining the Premiers role in the coalition government.

In the recent past, the PM has complained that junior civil servants have been undermining him and has particularly accused Muthaura. Raila has also complained that whenever he makes a statement, he is contradicted by the Vice President while Saitoti is accused of declining to allow US Federal Bureau of Investigations agents to help the Kenya Police investigate the killing of two human rights activists with the Oscar Foundation, Oscar Kingara and George Oulo. The changes in the cabinet, the PM noted in his letter, should be effected through a cabinet reshuffle. Over a month ago, the two leaders hinted at a cabinet reshuffle but this has not been forthcoming.

 In an apparent hardening of positions, ODM made it clear that its ministers would not attend todays Cabinet meeting at State House Nairobi until Kibaki agrees to respect the spirit and letter of the National Accord that legalized the coalition government. The new raft of demands were contained in a letter written by Raila on behalf of ODM to President Kibaki. The letter was delivered to State House, Nairobi at around midday. A cabinet meeting will not take place in the meantime until the issues touching on the coalition are resolved, a source told Kenya Times.

 And last evening, President Kibaki hastily convened a meeting with Raila at his Harambee House office to try and iron out some of the thorny issues raised by the PM in his letter. The meeting that kicked off at around 5.30pm and lasted for about two hours, is the first one in two weeks between the two principals since they disagreement at Kilaguni lodge. A statement from the Presidential Press Service (PPS) said the two principals resolved to urgently convene a meeting of the coalitions management committee today to look into the burning issues. The two agendas tabled by each side at the collapsed Kilaguni talks would be considered.

The President also gave in to ODMs demand to have todays cabinet meeting called off. ODMs fresh demand raised concern over its participation in the one-year-old Grand Coalition Government and comes just a week after the collapse of talks in Kilaguni during an intended bonding session. The partys top hierarchy led by the Prime Minister complained officially for the first time that the party had been short-changed. Although party leaders have in the past publicly claimed they had been given a raw deal, this is the first time the PM wrote to President Kibaki an official letter on the matter.

But the new array of demands could open up another front of disagreements coming a day after President Mwai Kibaki extended an olive branch to his coalition partner to mend fences over points of departure in the coalition. A source close to the Prime Minister told Kenya Times the party has impressed upon Mr Odinga to maintain the confrontational approach since it was the only language the President and his Party of National Unity operatives understood. I suggest you stick to this approach to keep Kibaki and PNU on their toes until concrete results are achieved, said a message written to the PM by a senior party official and which was availed to Kenya Times.

ODM further wants consultations in the coalition Government to remain at the principals level in future instead of the coalition management committee tasked with charting the way forward on important Government functions. President Kibaki while on a meet the people tour last month had hinted on changes in the cabinet while criticizing ministers he said were grumbling over delivery of promises by the Grand Coalition Government. In its latest offensive, ODM further demands the honouring of the National Accord which respects portfolio balance in all ranks of government.

 The party says this should be effected immediately with ODM being given slots to nominate diplomats, Permanent Secretaries, Parastatal Chiefs and overhaul of the Provincial Administration touching District Commissioners and District Officers. ODM also wants slots of the two Deputy Prime Minister positions to be without ministerial dockets. Our source said that the party was pressing the PM to fight on, noting that it was the only tact that has proven workable over times of crisis adding that the party will not concede more to appease PNU.

 If you ease the stand-off prematurely, you will lose face in the eyes of Kenyans and that will embolden Kibaki and PNU to continue to disrespect and mistrust you, the message to the PM said. It added, Take your time as long as it takes to negotiate effectively. Mr Odinga has complained publicly that he was short-changed in the power-sharing agreement and has hit out directly at the President, describing his leadership style as offhand and primitive.

 In response, PNU coalition leaders, including Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet ministers George Saitoti and Ali Chirau Mwakwere have accused Mr Odinga of disrespecting the President. Mr Odinga has often insisted that the National Accord gave him equal powers with President Kibaki. The committees talks at Kilaguni Lodge in Tsavo National Park collapsed two weeks ago after the two sides failed to agree on the agenda. Mr Odinga accused the President of making it impossible to effectively perform his duties of PM. And at a function at the PCEAs St Andrews Church in Nairobi on Tuesday, Kibaki said there was no crisis in the coalition, and described those alluding to frosty relations between him and the PM as people expressing words of despair. - Kenya Times.

Wine drinkers 'pile on calories'

The average wine drinker consumes more than 2,000 calories a month from alcohol alone, government research suggests. That is the equivalent of 38 roast beef dinners or almost 184 bags of crisps a year, according to the Department of Health. More than four out of 10 (42%) women surveyed for the Government's Know Your Limits campaign said they had no idea a glass of white wine had the same calories as a bag of crisps - and when it came to men, four out of 10 (40%) were unaware that a pint of lager had as many calories as a sausage roll. A beer-drinker consuming five pints a week would add 44,200 calories to their intake over a year - equivalent to 221 doughnuts.

London, Friday 17th April, 2009. Motorists will be offered subsidies of up to £5,000 to encourage them to buy electric or plug-in hybrid cars under plans announced by the government. It is part of the government's £250m plan to promote low carbon transport over the next five years. But ministers do not expect eligible cars to hit the showrooms until 2011. The car industry as a whole welcomed the plan, but George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, dismissed the initiative as a "fantasy announcement." Critics said the government needed to invest more in places to recharge the vehicles and in public transport. The strategy includes plans to provide £20m for charging points and other necessary infrastructure. At present they are very limited. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said that there was huge potential to reduce emissions, with less than 0.1% of the UK's 26 million cars now electric. The available funding would only be for fully electric and plug-in petrol-electric hybrids. As such, currently commercially available hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, would not be eligible. There is a limited range of electric vehicles on the market, which range in price from about £8,000 to more than £80,000 for high-performance models. Sales have been held back by a number of factors: They commonly have a limited range of about 40 miles, take several hours to charge, and have only two seats. But the government hopes to target drivers of a new generation of all electric or plug-in petrol-electric cars, which are expected to go on sale in two years time. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "When people see the electric car - the speed, the lack of noise - they are going to fall in love with it." "We need to lead this green motoring revolution," he added.

Fighting off the Somali pirates

The recent escalation in pirate attacks has again highlighted the vulnerability of shipping off the coast of Somalia. A beefed-up international naval presence and United Nations resolutions giving foreign military vessels greater powers to chase the pirates have created little in the way of an effective deterrent. But a consensus is emerging that ship-owners themselves could be doing more to prevent piracy. So is there more in practical terms that ships' captains can do to fend off the pirates? Those who have witnessed attacks say the pirates tend to sneak up on one side of a ship. They use grappling hooks and ladders to board it at the most vulnerable point - where there is least distance between the height of the deck and the water level. Some vessels have strung barbed wire at those points, as recommended by the International Maritime Bureau in London. In some cases, say experts, this has proved effective.Slippery foam sprayed onto the deck can also present a further barrier to pirates taking over. Other possible solutions include electric security fences and blasting the pirates with water from fire hoses. While hoses can be used to knock them off balance as they try to board a ship, they are thought to be of limited use against heavily-armed intruders. Another weapon in a skipper's armoury are loudspeaker systems - or long-range acoustic devices - which provide a clear warning and can, in some instances, damage the hearing of potential unwelcome boarders.

One manufacturer describes its product as having a 'highly irritating deterrent tone for behaviour modification'. An obvious deterrent is the deployment of more lookouts to give ample warning of a possible attack, supplemented by beefed up camera surveillance. Skippers are also able to deploy sensitive radar, again, alerting them to imminent danger. Controversial, though, is any proposal to arm crews. The problem with this, says Will Geddes, managing director of International Corporate Protection group, is the risk of a protracted battle with already well-armed pirates. John Burnett, author of "Dangerous Waters: Modern Piracy and Terror on the High Seas", says that of the 40,000 ships at sea today, most are crewed by people from developing countries. "They've never held a gun in their lives, so you're asking them to arm themselves," he said. "If you have guns for protection, you have to shoot to kill... even if you have the officers shoot, you're going to be shot back at and I think the chance of injury and death to the crew members, and damage to the ship, would be prohibitive." John Burnett suggests thorough training of crew so that when they enter pirate territory, they are alert and assume that they are going to be attacked.

Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has made fresh demands on President Kibaki before it agrees to meaningful dialogue to resolve the sticky issues threatening to tear apart the Grand Coalition Government. Among the fresh demands, Raila now wants Kibaki to effect a Cabinet reshuffle that should include the sacking or redeployment of Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Internal Security minister George Saitoti and Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, who he accuses of undermining the Premier’s role in the coalition government.  In the recent past, the PM has complained that junior civil servants have been undermining him and has particularly accused Muthaura. Raila has also complained that whenever he makes a statement, he is contradicted by the Vice President while Saitoti is accused of declining to allow US Federal Bureau of Investigations agents to help the Kenya Police investigate the killing of two human rights activists with the Oscar Foundation, Oscar King’ara and George Oulo. The changes in the cabinet, the PM noted in his letter, should be effected through a cabinet reshuffle. Over a month ago, the two leaders hinted at a cabinet reshuffle but this has not been forthcoming. - Kenya Times

LEFT: Consumers are being offered up to £5,000 to purchase an electric car under new plans by the government, The Guardian reports. CENTRE: The Daily Mail reports on travel chaos for tourists stranded at either French or British ports because of wildcat strikes in France. RIGHT: The Financial Times claims annual public debt is set to rocket to almost £175bn over the next two years. It says Chancellor Darling will make the announcement in next week's Budget.

In the early 1970s, more than 400,000 marriages took place in England and Wales each year. By 2006, that figure had fallen to 236,980 - the lowest since 1895 and almost half the total recorded in 1940, when over 470,000 marriages took place. The report adds that people in the UK are increasingly likely to marry later in life.

Kenya Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday wrote to President Kibaki informing him that ministers from his Orange Democratic Movement party (ODM) will forthwith boycott the Cabinet until their power-sharing grievances are addressed, the Nation has learnt.

In figures: How the UK is changing

The UK's official statisticians have published their annual insight into how life is changing in modern Britain. Here are some of the discoveries highlighted in the latest edition of their report, and what these say about changing lifestyles, circumstances and habits in the UK.

HOME ALONE

There were 25m households in Great Britain in 2008, according to the report, and the average household had between two and three people living in it. The report highlights an increase in the number of people living alone. In 1971, 6% of households were home to just one person. By 2008 this had doubled to 12%. Couples without children now form a quarter of all households, up from 19% in 1971. Lone-parent households now account for 11% of the total, up from 4% in the 1971 survey.

FLYING THE NEST

Almost a third of men and a fifth of women aged between 20 and 34 live at home with their parents, with children aged 20 to 24 particularly likely to remain in the family home. The report suggests a "narrowing of the generational gap" between parents and children has made it easier for grown-up children to remain at home. It also concludes that an increase in the number of students in higher education may have seen young adults either stay at home, or return to their parents after university, for financial reasons.

YOUNG PEOPLE: HOUSING AND CRIME

The report finds that, according to 2006 data, almost a third of families are living in "non-decent homes" which fail to meet the statutory minimum requirements for housing. Almost one in 10 are also exposed to environments of excessive cold owing to a lack of proper heating or insulation, and a similar number live in a home suffering "serious disrepair". One in four young people aged 10 to 25 had been a victim of crime in the last 12 months when surveyed in 2006, according to figures for England and Wales. Almost one in 10 young people had been injured in an assault, while 11% had been assaulted but escaped unharmed and 12% had been a victim of personal theft.

DECLINE IN MARRIAGE

In the early 1970s, more than 400,000 marriages took place in England and Wales each year. By 2006, that figure had fallen to 236,980 - the lowest since 1895 and almost half the total recorded in 1940, when over 470,000 marriages took place. The report adds that people in the UK are increasingly likely to marry later in life. In 1996, just over one in six people getting married were aged between 35 and 39. In 2006 that figure was closer to one in four, while fewer brides and grooms were aged 20 to 24. The average age at first marriage is now 31 for men, and 29 for women.

NEW HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

Britons are becoming increasingly adventurous with their choice of holiday destination, according to the report. More than 10 times as many holiday-makers visited Latvia in 2007 as in 2003, with other eastern European nations experiencing a similar boom in British visitors. Package holidays, however, are on the wane as far as European destinations are concerned. There were 18.7m package holiday trips abroad in 2007 but, whereas 56% of trips to European were package tours in 2000, seven years later that figure had fallen to four in 39%. UK residents embarked on more than 56m international flights in 2007, up 26m on a decade earlier, but international journeys by sea had decreased by 3m. - MORE

"Are you aware that we have lost our first generation in the UK - I mean Kenyan first generation in the UK - 90 per cent of them don't have a college certificate, we need to prayer for them." - Pastor Muhoro, Milton Keynes

The memorial service of the late Catherine Wacuka Muroki who passed away in Kenya on Sunday 5th April, 2009 took place on Monday 13th April, 2009 at Calvary Charismatic Baptist Swahili Service, London. The husband of the late Wacuka  Mr. Chris Muroki Njoroge who is a member of the Swahili Service attended the service. The service was officiated by the resident Pastor Patrick Thuku and Pastor Muhoro from Milton Keynes delivered the word. During the ceremony the husband of the deceased surprised the guests when he took the courage to read a farewell poem to his wife. This is the message he passed to his wife:

Should You Go First!

Mr. Muroki (left) the husband of the late Catherine Wacuka Muroki (right)

"Should you go first and I remain for the battle to be fought; Each thing you have touched along the way will be a hollowed spot. I will hear your voice, I’ll see your smile, though blindly I may grope and the memories of your helping hand will buoy mw on with hope. I want to know each step you take so I may take the same for some day down the lonely road you will he call your name. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow I think of you, and when I did hear my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through the heavens gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne, he said “This is Eternity and all I have promised you. Today your life on earth is past and here life starts a new”

You have been so faithful, so trusting and true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do, but you have been forgiven and now at last you are free. So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me? So, when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we are far apart, for every time you think of me, am right here in your heart. Hope is a word that every hurting heart understands. Hope shines brighter than the brightest star on the darkest night. Faith is bigger than the highest mountain. And god is greater than any obstacle in your path. Anything can be accomplished by those who fully put their hearts into it.

The time to start is now, the place to start in here. When I picture Christ on the cross, he went through the valley of death; his victory was Satan’s loss. Forgive me Lord for complaining when am feeling so very low, just give me a gentle reminder; continue to strengthen me Lord and use my life each day to share your love with others and help them find their way. What you need to understand though death has taken me away is that I have not left you, darling I am still with you today. Honey I could never leave you, God of course would not want that. Physically we are apart, but our hearts are still attached.

Fare thee well Catherine; you have won the battle and finished the race:

May your soul rest in peace till we meet again AMEN"

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Get entertained by the best from Kenya

It seemed so far but the day of taking pride as Kenyans has come. If you have not bought the tickets to attend the UK- Kenya Achievers Awards, run and do so to avoid the last  minute dot com disappointment.

The UK- Kenya Achievers Award event on Saturday 18th is set to pull crowds. The popular Kenyan gospel artiste Marion Shako will be performing live. And do we need to say it, the popular- Churchill Ndambuki, renowned through his Nation’s (NTV) comedy slot in Kenya will also be there entertaining live.

Those attending will also get the chance to network meeting many important people and that includes you reading this right now. So don’t miss it. There is nothing Kenyan without you as an honorable citizen. To those who were nominated, it is your moment, seize and enjoy it.

If you weren’t nominated, remember you are an achiever in your own right. And next time it could be you. Remember, if you celebrate with others, they will celebrate with you someday as well. The time has come. It is Saturday- 18th April 2009 at Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury London. Get the tickets.

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Youths uproot railway over Migingo row

The dispute over Migingo Island threatened to balloon into a regional security issue as youths in Nairobi’s Kibera slums uprooted a railway line linking the two countries to protest at continued occupation of the island by Ugandan soldiers. Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua announced yesterday Kenya and Uganda would hold a joint Press conference today to explain "what is really happening at Migingo Island". However, the Ugandan authorities jumped the gun by declaring Migingo their territory, according to a statement posted on the Uganda government website. "The Government of Uganda has proposed that to resolve this matter, a comprehensive survey be undertaken by the two countries," said the statement from spokesman Fred Opolot. - MORE

"A man who does no hard work will never know the value of rest." - The Wisdom of Africa, Nigeria

US unveils plan to tackle piracy

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has unveiled a four-point plan to tackle piracy in the Gulf of Aden. She said an expanded international effort was needed, as well as freezing pirates' assets, and plugging gaps in the shipping industry's own defences. Improving the situation in Somalia itself was also key, she said. Pirate attacks have increased in the past few days, including on US vessels, despite anti-piracy patrols by the US and other navies. Mrs Clinton said: "We may be dealing with a 17th-Century crime, but we need to bring 21st-Century assets to bear." The US Navy shot dead three pirates a few days ago in the rescue of a US cargo ship captain who had been taken hostage from his own ship. The captain was unhurt and a fourth pirate was captured. His crew had managed to fight off the armed pirates from the Maersk Alabama, but the captain was taken away in a lifeboat. Among recent developments:

• Another US ship, the Liberty Sun, was attacked by armed pirates, but escaped them with slight damage to the vessel.
• The crew of the Maersk Alabama flew home to the US from the Kenyan city of Mombasa, but their captain's own return was delayed as he was still on the USS Bainbridge, the warship which had diverted to assist Liberty Sun.
• One pirate said the attack on the Liberty Sun was revenge for the recent deaths of pirates.
• The French navy captured 11 pirates after intercepting a command vessel about 550 miles (900km) off the coast of Kenya.
• The Greek maritime ministry announced that a Greek cargo ship and its 24 crew, held by pirates since mid-March, had been released.

The US four-point plan includes sending an envoy to the Somali donors' conference in Brussels on 23 April to work on plans to improve the situation in Somalia. Mrs Clinton said the US would work with the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) to expand the multinational response to piracy. She called for states to take responsibility for prosecuting and imprisoning captured pirates. "These pirates are criminals, they are armed gangs on the sea, and those plotting attacks must be stopped."  Mrs Clinton called for continued work on releasing captured vessels, as several ships and their crews remain in the hands of pirates. She also said the international group had to consider ways to track and freeze pirate assets. "It is time to eliminate the financial payoff of piracy," she told reporters. "We will also reiterate to all concerned the US policy of making no concessions or ransom payments to hostage takers." The state department will set up meetings with members of the Somali Transitional Federal Government and regional leaders. "We must press authorities within Somalia to take action against pirates operating from bases within their territory," Mrs Clinton said. Making clear the threat was not just an issue for governments to resolve, she said the shipping industry had a joint responsibility. "I have directed the [State] Department to work with shippers and the insurance industry to address gaps in their self-defence measures."

French warship captures pirates

Written By:BBC   , Posted: Wed, Apr 15, 2009
 

A French warship has captured 11 pirates off the coast of Mombasa, amid calls for the international community to deal with the problem of piracy. The pirates were captured by a warship from an EU piracy patrol, French officials said, hours after a failed attack on a US ship. News of the incidents came as the UN special envoy for Somalia said the attacks threatened international peace. He urged the pirates' financial backers to be identified and held accountable. The latest attack involved pirates firing rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons at a US-flagged cargo ship, the Liberty Sun, which was carrying food aid for Africa. The French Defence Ministry said the warship Nivose captured the pirates about 550 miles (900km) east of port of Mombasa. It had detected a "mother ship", or command vessel, on Tuesday, and observed it overnight before launching an assault early on Wednesday, the ministry said. An attack on a Liberian-registered vessel was also thwarted, the ministry added. The Nivose is part of the European Union's operation to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden. Despite several anti-piracy patrols, there has been an increase in attacks in the past few days, with four ships seized and others attacked. The United Nations special envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, said the attacks were threatening international peace.

 Pirates have vowed to avenge the deaths of those killed in recent rescue operations by US and French forces. One pirate was killed in the rescue attempt of Captain Richard Philips of the Maersk Alabama, who had been held captive for several days after being taken hostage from his ship. Two more Somali pirates were killed in a French operation to free five hostages from a yacht they had taken over. Marines managed to free four hostages but the yacht owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed. A post-mortem examination will be carried out on Mr Lemacon later this week to try to determine whether he was killed by the pirates or by a stray French bullet. Three other pirates captured in that operation have arrived in France for questioning. The trio were in custody at a police facility in the north-western French town of Rennes. It is understood the pirates, who are aged between 20 and 25 years, have spent the day being questioned by French investigators. At least six other pirates are already in French custody after being captured by French marines last year. In recent months Britain, the US, and the European Union have signed memorandums of understanding with Nairobi that Kenya will act as a kind of international tribunal for pirate crimes. Several Somali pirates turned over by the US and Germany are already undergoing legal action there but, so far, Paris prefers to try captured pirates in French courts.

Nairobi, Wednesday 15th April, 2009. Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya says the creation of new districts will pose a major challenge to this years' National Census. Oparanya however says the Ministry will hire enough staff to cover all the districts countrywide. Due to the increase in the number of districts, Oparanya says the census budget has gone up to 7.3 billion shillings.  He says five billion shillings will be used to cover the remuneration expenses of the 130,000 staff to be hired for the exercise.  Addressing a press conference in his office in Nairobi Wednesday, the minister also said Internally Displaced Persons living in camps will also be covered by the funds. This year's census will take place on the the night of August 24th and 25th and the Minister is calling for cooperation from all Kenyans.

"Never move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the field of the fatherless." - Wisdom of Africa, Ghana

PCEA Moderator of the 19th General Assembly

Rt. Rev. David Riitho Gathanju was installed moderator of the PCEA 19th General Assembly on April 14 2009. He strongly believes that the words of Hosea 4:6 are as relevant to the church in the 21st century as during the days of Hosea in the 8th century BC. - MORE
 

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IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN UK FOR A WHILE AND YOU HAVE NOW A PENDING APPLICATION OR YOUR APPLICATION IS PENDING AT THE HOME OFFICE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND CHARITIES OR CHURCHES AS THIS CONFIRMS THAT YOU  HAVE INTEGRATED WELL IN THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO MAKE UK YOUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE. 

THE INFORMATION CAN BE SUBMITTED  AS EVIDENCE WITH YOUR APPLICATION OR AS SUPPORTING EVIDENCE WITH YOUR PENDING APPLICATION TO THE HOME OFFICE FOR CONSIDERATION. A KENYA LADY WHO CAME TO THE UK SEVERAL YEARS AGO DID JUST THAT AND SHE WAS GRANTED INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN LAST WEEK. SURPRISING ENOUGH - HAKUWA AMEJIRIPUA.

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The Kenyan student community in India is mourning the death of Geoffrey Mokaya who was a student at Manipal University India. Geoffrey was admitted in hospitals with a pancreas failure but went to a coma on April 7th and passed away on April 11th2009. He was the son of the late Mr. &Mrs. Mokaya of Kisii Kenya, Brother to Doris Mokaya of Thogoto Teachers College .The late Mokaya was raised by his aunt Ms. Gladys kwamboka of Gilbert Arizona since he was six years of age after the death of both parents . The burden of transporting the body from India falls on Gladys as the guardian and she is requesting all friend to help her in raising the money to ship the body to Kenya for Burial. Friends are meeting daily at Gladys’ home at 2145 S Quartz Ct Gilbert, Arizona 85295 and the main fund raising will be on Friday April 17th 2009 at the same venue starting at 4.00pm to 6.00pm . Funds can be deposited into the account number - Routing 540860108 A/C 457009732977 . For any question or information, please contact: Pastor Joseph Macharia at 602-299-4210 or email pastorjnmacharia@yahoo.com  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it John Michira 763-742-3177, Gladys Kwamboka 602-446-8254 or Gerald Gathungu 602-413 - Source: Diasporamessenger

The late Geoffrey Mokaya

Nairobi, Kenya, April 15 – Kenya and the United States have entered into partnership to halt illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials through the global maritime system. Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Ambassador Michael Ranneberger are the signatories to the Megaports Initiative. US ambassador Michael Ranneberger said on Wednesday that the plan would help the country in the fight against terrorism. “What we are going to do is help the Kenyan government with technical assistance and put in place mechanisms particularly to monitor the flow in and out of the port things like weapons of mass destruction,” he stated. The American envoy said the initiative would enable effective screening to be carried out in all major ports in the country. The program is a partnership between the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration and Kenya's Finance Ministry and will apply to Mombasa’s Kilindini port.

HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

London, Wednesday 15th April, 2009. Today  is expected to be the hottest day of the year, with swathes of the country basking in temperatures ­soaring above 71F (21C). Most of the country will see the mercury climb to at least 62F (17C). But some places will miss out. The North-east will be covered in cloud and only managed a chilly 46F (8C). The highest temperature recorded so far this year was 69F(20C) at ­Weybourne, Norfolk, on Good Friday. But today parts of the South and the Midlands could bask in temperatures up to 72F (22C). Met Office forecaster Helen ­Chivers said: “Areas around Heathrow and the Thames Valley will get up to 69F. “Birmingham should see a healthy 68F (20C) and anywhere South could top out at almost 72F (22C). “It’s fair to say it’s likely to be the hottest day so far, but not everywhere will enjoy quite so high temperatures. “The rest of the country will hover between 59F (15C) and 62F (17C)and there will still be lots of cloud and showers and it won’t be so sunny. Scotland is set to see higher ­temperatures than other northern parts, and less cloud.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 14 - A suspected robber was shot dead by police on Nairobi’s Mfangano Street moments after he and three others allegedly stole Sh1 million from a trader in the city. In the Monday morning incident, the gang is said to have snatched the money from the trader near Electricity House, as the businessman headed to bank the money after the long Easter weekend. However, drama began when members of the public confronted the gang after they had grabbed the cash. Witnesses told Capital News that the thugs began hurling wads of cash at those confronting them and even shot two of them on the leg to try and distract the mob. “He was using a Citi Hoppa bus to shield himself from the police. Initially he threw notes at members of public to distract them,” Judy Muthoni, a worker at one of the mobile phone stalls told Capital News. It’s understood that almost the entire loot was strewn on the street before police on patrol caught up with the ringleader and gunned him down. “The plainclothes policeman cornered the robber superbly. He rolled on the ground like those people in the movies and shot him,” a guard at a nearby building said. "Members of the public finally helped corner him as he tried to escape after being shot,” the guard added. The suspect’s three accomplices managed to escape in the confusion, minus the heist.

He had to bite the snake to survive. Mr Ben Nyaumbe was alone on the farm where he has been manager for 10 years, the workers having retired for the day.  And he is unlikely to forget last Sunday. It was the day a python dragged him up a tree at Sabaki Farm in Malindi District in Kenya's Coast province.  “I was preparing ugali at 7pm, close to the stable. I stood to pick a packet of flour when the water started boiling.  “As I stood up, I stepped on a spongy thing on the ground and suddenly, my leg was entangled with the body of a huge python. The struggle was mammoth. “The python, apparently hunting for goats, attempted to bind both my legs. But I struggled hard,” he said. The reptile then jumped onto his left arm and coiled itself round it, between the elbow and the shoulder. “It waggled its ragged and scary tail on my mouth. I had to bite it as I struggled, one hand incapacitated,” he said showing a torn part of his lips resulting from the bruising effect of the snake and his mouth. He tried to hold onto a tree, but after about one hour, he got too tired and let go off the tree trunk. “The snake then got it easy and quickly dragged me on. Systematically, it pulled me up a tree and surprisingly enough, it rested when it reached there,” he said while pointing to broken branches on the tree where he said they “rested.” “This gave me the opportunity to remove my phone from my pocket. I had not been able to do so all the time I struggled”. It was 8.30pm. Mr Nyaumbe called his boss, a local lawyer, Mr Tukero ole Kina, who rushed in a matter of minutes with two police officers.

A large python

“The snake was hissing so much they all got so scared. In fact one officer remained in the car, scared out of his skin,” he said. Mr Kina and one officer went to his help. It was difficult for the officer to shoot the snake “because he could have shot me as we were entangled”, he said. Through their efforts, Mr Nyaumbe managed to tear part of his shirt and covered the python’s head to enable him tie a rope round its neck. Mr Kina and the police officer pulled the snake down but could not make it as it coiled itself round a branch, meanwhile releasing its victim as it became exhausted. “Finally we both came down, landing with a thud. The other officer came running and helped his colleague put the python in three sacks, hurled it onto a pick up and drove it to Falconry of Kenya, a birds and snake sanctuary in Malindi, 20 kilometres away. But the snake was nowhere to be seen the following day. And Mr Nyaumbe still cannot tell how this happened.  “How does a snake escape from a closed room? Did they see the hole they claim the snake made on the sacks? How did it remove the rope from around its neck and my shirt which I had wrapped round its head?” Mr Nyaumbe asks. No answers are forthcoming, however. Malindi police chief Peter Kattam, who spent two days with two pick-up trucks full of police officers hunting the run-away snake with no success, said: “I’m shocked. I don’t know what happened”. There are several private snake firms in Malindi which buy pythons and other snake species at fortunes. “What happened to the python which attacked me?” That is the question Nyaumbe is asking. - The Standard.

The Times pictures Chelsea's Didier Drogba celebrating after scoring against Liverpool in the Champions League and claims hundreds of colleges approved to accept non-EU students were not inspected and on right The Daily Telegraph reports more criticism of Gordon Brown over the smear scandal and announces parents who allow their children to skip school will be fined £50.

Highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) Forum

Judicial Review - Judgement of 6 April 2009

Home Office, 14 April 2009

Prior to 3 April 2006 the continuous leave requirement for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP) was that migrants should show that they had spent four years' continuous residence in the United Kingdom. The four year qualifying period was increased to five years' qualifying residence on 3 April 2006.

The HSMP Forum Ltd brought a Judicial Review against the Home Secretary on the basis that those who entered onto the HSMP before the qualifying period for ILR was increased from four to five years, should be eligible for ILR after four years on the scheme. The judge found in favour of the HSMP Forum on this point. A copy of the judgment can be found on the BAILII website, on the right side of this page.

We are currently looking into implementing the court's decision. We will publish our remedies as soon as they are finalised and migrants who believe they may be affected by the judgment should check this website regularly. - MORE

Chelsea survived a huge scare to reach the Champions League semi-finals after an amazing 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The result saw Guus Hiddink's men through 7-5 on aggregate, but they came back from two goals down on the night and then had to survive a late Liverpool flurry to set up a last-four tie against Barcelona. However classy the Liga leaders, they cannot possibly provide entertainment to match this First-half goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, with a penalty, drew Liverpool level on aggregate following Chelsea's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.

Doctors confirm contender for world's tallest man

A contender for world's tallest man underwent foot surgery at a Chinese hospital where doctors confirmed he is 10 centimetres (four inches) taller than the current title-holder, state press said Tuesday. Zhao Liang, 27, was measured at 2.46 metres when he had an operation at a hospital in Tianjin city to relieve an injury suffered nearly a decade ago, Xinhua news agency reported. It was when he sustained the initial injury that doctors first found out Zhao was taller than fellow countryman Bao Xishun, who is listed by the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest man, the report said. But Zhao has not been independently measured by Guinness judges, so he is not officially considered to be the world's tallest man, the report said. Zhao's basketball career was cut short when he injured his foot 10 years ago and he remained unemployed until 2006, when he got a job with an art troupe and learned to perform magic and play the saxophone and flute, the report said. Doctors said Zhao should be able to walk normally after a two-month recovery period from surgery. He does not suffer any health complications related to his height, it added. Zhao's parents, who are both of normal height, do not know how their son has grown so tall, the report said. Bao Xishun, 57, was first recognised by the Guinness Book in 2005 as the world's tallest man, measuring in at 2.36 metres

Bogus foreign students free to flout new laws

London, Wednesday 15th April, 2009. Thousands of bogus students remain free to enter Britain despite new laws aimed at tightening controls on immigration. The Times has learnt that hundreds of colleges recently approved by the Home Office to accept non-EU students have not been inspected by its officers.  Weaknesses in the student visa system have emerged following the arrest of 12 terror suspects last week. Ten of the men entered this country from Pakistan on student visas.  It has also emerged that the vast majority of non-EU students will not be interviewed by the Home Office but admitted on the basis of written applications and evidence of sponsorship, educational qualifications and bank statements.  Chris Grayling, the Shadow Home Secretary, said: “The more we learn about the way the Government has managed our student visa system, the more question marks there are.”  John Tincey, the chairman of the Immigration Service Union, said that the failure to include interviews could be exploited by terrorists. 

Under the system, universities, colleges and schools must register with the Home Office to accept students from outside the EU. They must agree to alert the Home Office if a student fails to register, stops attending classes or if a course is shortened and keep copies of the students’ passports as well as up-to-date contact addresses.  The new regime came in two weeks ago and is intended to end a scam in which thousands of foreigners enrolled at bogus colleges to work here. So far, 2,100 establishments have been registered and 400 rejected. There are 14,000 establishments on an earlier database that need to register.  Today The Times highlights the abuses under the old regime, described by the Immigration Minister as the Achilles’ heel of the system. At one college in Manchester that claims to have more than 100 students — most of them from North West Frontier Province in Pakistan — only two turned up for classes yesterday.  An international college in London with links to Pakistani businessmen was raided by the police and the UK Border Agency in December. It was alleged that individuals attached to the college earned £5 million processing up to 2,500 fraudulent visa applications. - Times, London

Surgeons have found a 5cm tree growing inside a man's lungs. They made the discovery while Artyom Sidorkin, 28, from Russia, was undergoing surgery, the Komsomolskaya Pravda reported. He had been complaining of extreme pain in his chest and had been coughing up blood and his doctors suspected cancer. "I blinked three times and thought I was seeing things," surgeon Vladimir Kamashev told the paper. Medical staff believe Sidorkin had somehow inhaled a seed, which later sprouted inside his lung. The spruce, which was touching the man's capillaries and causing severe pain, was removed. "It was very painful. But to be honest I did not feel any foreign object inside me," Mr Sidorkin said.

5 cm. fir tree removed from patient’s lung

KIKUYU PROVERB

Wakahii ndwathagwo ni muruu

Uncircumcised boy's home cannot be administered by an circumcised man

Nairobi, Tuesday 14th April, 2009. Nine people have been killed and 37 others seriously injured after a bus they were travelling in rolled down a cliff off Kathiani Machakos road. The incident took place at about 9pm on Saturday night, when the bus that was parked rolled down the cliff after the handbrake failed. “Seven people died on the spot and two others died while on their way to hospital,” officials said.  The bus was said to be packed with people who were returning from a marriage ceremony. Those injured have been admitted to the Machakos District Hospital. Festive seasons in Kenya are almost always associated with road accidents. In January, nearly 300 people were killed in separate road accidents during the Christmas and New Year festivities. Statistics at the Traffic headquarters in Nairobi indicated that 274 people were killed in accidents across the country as motorists sped off to various destinations to celebrate the season. They included 248 people killed in December and 26 who lost their lives between January 1 and January 6.
 

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WOMEN SCHOLARSHIPS - Kings College London , Peace and Security for African Women

Kings College London , Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women

The Conflict, Security and Development Group (CSDG) at King's College London and the African Leadership Centre are pleased to announce a call for applications for the Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women 2009/2010. These scholarships are intellectual and financial awards for personal, professional and academic achievements, as well as the recognition of future potential

http://www.iansa.org/jobs/documents/KCL_Peace_and_Security_Fellowships_for_African_women_2009-10.pdf

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Gibson's £640m divorce battle

Mel Gibson could be set to lose a staggering £320m of his personal fortune after his wife filed for divorce just weeks after he was snapped frolicking on a beach with another woman. Robyn Gibson lodged the legal papers in Los Angeles, citing 'irreconcilable differences'. The couple, who have been married for 18 years, have pleaded for privacy during the forthcoming court battle. Throughout our marriage and separation, we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so,' they said in a statement. A Russian beauty called Oksana is being named as the woman behind the breakdown, according to sources. Gibson, 53, who is reportedly worth £640m, denies that he has had an affair with Oksana or that she is anything more than a colleague. But the pair have been snapped coming out of his trailer on the set of his latest movie, The Edge of Darkness, where they reportedly became close. And she is believed to be the woman in the recent photos of Gibson frolicking in the surf in Costa Rica. The couple have seven children but only one, Tom - who turns ten this week - has been listed as a minor. Robyn is seeking joint custody of Tom and wants spousal support for legal fees. The couple did not have a prenuptial agreement, according to sources. Robyn is being represented by top lawyer Laura Wasser, whose previous clients include Britney Spears, Kiefer Sutherland and Angelina Jolie.

Nairoibi, Tuesday 14th April, 2009. Somali pirates have opened fire on a third cargo ship off the Horn of Africa, Nato officials have said. The attack comes after the pirates hijacked two more cargo ships on Tuesday in strikes that showed their determination to target the area's strategic waterways. NATO staff officer Stephan Gresmak said in the latest ambush, 10 pirates on board three skiffs fired automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at the Safmarine Asia. It was not known whether anyone aboard the 21,887-tonne, Liberian cargo vessel was injured in the attack.

Mortgage lending in UK 'rises slightly'

The number of mortgages handed out by lenders rose slightly in February but activity in the market remains weak, according to a lenders' group. Loans for house purchases in February in the UK rose to 24,300, up by 4% compared with January, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said. But the group warned that activity in the market remained at a "very low level historically". And first-time buyers had to find a record typical deposit of 25%. "We are not convinced that underlying trends have shifted sufficiently to change our forecasts for mortgage market activity in 2009, but there are some positive signs for later in the year," said CML director general Michael Coogan. "Some large banks are making more funding available through enhanced lending commitments, which is helpful but will not satisfy consumer borrowing demand on its own."

The number of home loans completed for all house buyers rose slightly month-on-month, but the total value of these homes remained unchanged at £3.1bn. While the figures, which echoed earlier data on mortgage approvals, suggested some lift for the housing market, it remains in stark contrast with recent years. The number of mortgages completed was running at about one-third of the average February total of 76,000 loans for house purchase between 2002 and 2007. The CML also reported a 20% decline in the number of remortgaging deals, down from 44,000 in January to 35,000 in February. Lenders' standard variable rate (SVR) deals are tending to be more attractive than new fixed-rate deals for owners, with interest rates having plunged in recent months. Falling house prices also mean householders have less equity, excluding these people from the best deals, which require a large deposit. But with the Bank rate unlikely or unable to fall further, new home loan demand is shifting back to fixed-rate deals, rather than mortgages which track the Bank rate. In February, 56% of new loans were at a fixed rate, up from 49% in January, while 31% were tracker products, down from 38% in January.

The situation remained tough for first-time buyers. They typically had to find a deposit of 25% - a record amount - and so only 9,400 home loans were completed. "Such amounts remain out of reach for all but the most affluent buyers, for example people returning to home ownership after a period of renting, divorcees, or those who get financial assistance from their family," said Mr Coogan. This total of completed loans to first-time buyers was up 7% compared with January, but 46% lower than the same month a year earlier. These figures are not seasonally adjusted. A pick-up in mortgages would be expected after a lull at the start of the year. The completion figures tend to lag behind other mortgage data. Previously, the CML reported that gross mortgage lending in February was at its lowest level for any month since February 2001. The CML said its members' ability to lend was drying up, because too many savers were choosing to put their money in National Savings policies. National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has raised much more than its original forecast as savers searched for a completely safe home for their money.

Money stuffed in a woman's bra saved her life after she was shot aboard a bus in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, local media reported. The incident took place Saturday in Bahia's capital, Salvador, where 58-year-old Ivonete Pereira was shot in the chest by one of two attackers who tried to rob the bus. She was traveling to her summer home in the nearby town of Lauro de Freitas and because of frequent bus attacks in the region, she hid 150 reals (69 dollars) in 20- and 10-real notes coiled inside the left side of her bra. When the bus passed through the Boca do Rio neighborhood, the robbers suddenly announced their intention. A shootout ensued with a police officer on the scene and a stray bullet hit Pereira. Her bra was stuffed with just enough cash to absorb most of the impact, although she still had to be taken to hospital to have the bullet removed. A retired sergeant was gunned down during the shooting with the assailants, who managed to escape.

KIKUYU PROVERB

Nyama ya mburi ndiunagwo na iru

You cannot break the a goat's borne meat with you knee

Man grows an ear on his arm

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

Have you heard the one about the philosopher who grew an extra ear? No, it's not a joke: this amazing picture shows how Australian philosopher and performance artist Stelarc did just that - on his arm. It took the 61-year-old - who was born Stelios Arcadiou in Cyprus - 10 years to find a surgeon willing to perform the controversial operation. The ear was grown in a lab from cells and implanted to his left forearm in 2006. He said once the ear has developed he hopes to get a microphone implanted as well. "It is more of a relief at present than an ear, but it is still recognisable as an ear," he said. "The last operation was in September 2006, and it's only now that I'm about ready for the next step." When the surgery is complete and the body has done its bit to produce the necessary tissue, Stelarc hopes to have a recognisable ear on his arm. "Then I hope to have have a tiny microphone implanted to it that will connect with a bluetooth transmitter; that way you can listen to what my ear is hearing." An audience at Newcastle's Centre For Life was introduced to Stelarc's latest project, a 'walking head' robot which will on show there for a month. The six-legged robot with its head on a screen is one of the highlights of the Dott 07 design festival. It is programmed to respond to someone entering the room, so every visitor will be treated to a little robot dance. But while it is sure to prove popular, you can bet it won't cause as much of a stir as its creator's extra ear.

An investigation into the Sh26 billion-a-year government pension system has exposed incompetence and corruption, which is condemning thousands of retired civil servants to poverty. Loopholes, which may have been used by conmen to pay ghost retirees millions of shillings, have also been unearthed by the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission. Some Sh400 million of pension money is in suspense accounts, some of it because incompetent staff sent cheques to wrong address, the investigation by the commission found. A department, which this year will manage Sh26 billion for 180,000 pensioners, has only three qualified accountants, according to a report of the investigation.

It is hard not to cough, sneeze in Korogocho slums Nairobi

It is hard not to cough, sneeze and have tears trickle down your cheeks when you visit the southern part of Nairobi’s Korogocho slum. Reason? The surge in burning of waste at the Dandora dumpsite – Nairobi’s largest – which for the past two weeks has had the area engulfed in a thick cloud of toxic fumes. An estimated 1,500 pupils in three primary schools in the area have been most affected, with most of them reporting respiratory illnesses have been in and out of Kenyatta National Hospital three times. The doctors advise that I have to move if I want to get well, otherwise there’s nothing much they can do,” said Ms Saida Jumba, a parent at Baptist Academy, which borders the dumpsite. This comes just weeks after the effectiveness of cough syrups was questioned and the government ordered that the syrups not be administered to children under the age of 12. The children in Korogocho now have to cope with the hard life that comes with living in a slum as well as the health complications arising from their dwellings next to the dumpsite. Three schools, one run by the Catholic Church and the others by the Baptist Church, have borne the brunt of the ill effects of the dumpsite for years.

Music producer Phil Spector has been convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson. The 40-year-old woman died of a gunshot fired into her mouth while seated in the foyer of Spector's hill-top mansion in 2003.  The jury in the retrial at Los Angeles Superior Court was unanimous in its verdict of second degree murder, as required by Californian law.

The woman who sleeps with her anteater

Lots of people like to buy clothes for their pets. Some even like to share a bed with them. But how many sleep with and dress up their pet anteater? Well, Angela Goodwin for one. The animal lover has built up a wardrobe of outfits for her long-snouted friend Pua and often cuddles up with her at bedtime - provided her pet hasn't kipped down in the washing machine first started putting little sweaters on Pua and she didn't seem to mind - anteaters adapt very well,' said the writer.'She talked her way into sleeping in bed with me in a couple of weeks and now she likes to lie in the washing machine.'Ms Goodwin has kept Tamandua anteater Pua since rescuing her from Guyana in South America three years ago. She owned another one, Stewie, before but did years of research before taking on Pua and her complex dietary needs - which include beef and spinach but not ants. She insists anteaters are loving and intelligent but admits life with one isn't a bed of roses. 'Their pee smells skunk-like and they release a terrible odour when scared. They also tend to dribble pee,' said Ms Goodwin, of Oakridge, Oregon.

Pictures that are as easy as falling off... well, anything

When it comes to art, sometimes you have to go to extreme lengths to get your message across. Kerry Skarbakka is certainly no stranger to taking the plunge - he regularly throws himself off buildings, ladders and other high things. The 38-year-old's scariest stunt yet - and one of his best-selling works - is teetering on the edge of a 213m (700ft) railway bridge.'The bridge was rough and very scary - it is very old and would sway in the wind,' he said Kept saying things that would be perfect for those famous last words people say before they die.' While the experienced rock climber often uses cleverly disguised harnesses and ropes for his work, at other times he said he just has to go for it. 'I learned to find the distances I could fall without snapping my body in half,' he added. His girlfriend is the one behind the camera, there to capture the moment he takes the plunge. 'It's quite unnerving at times. I am afraid but I love the activity,' said Skarbakka, from Pennsylvania. 'I like the rush. I have been called a thrill-seeker, looking for the next high.'

The Daily Mirror claims Mel Gibson's wife could take the biggest ever celebrity divorce settlement and a mother tells the Daily Express why she told police her son was involved with hard drugs.

Nairobi, Monday 13th April, 2009. The onset of rains in most parts of the country has come as a relief, the Kenya Red Cross Society has said. It has provided hope of pasture to livestock farmers in the next few weeks and water shortage in most urban centres would ease. The rains have, however, hindered transportation of relief supplies in most parts of North Eastern Province. The latest updates released by the society indicate Turkana District as the most needy as far as food and water distribution is concerned. Currently, 47.6 per cent of Turkana residents rely on food aid from the Government and donors. "The magnitude of poverty in the district has been worsened by harsh climatic conditions, prevalence of animal and crop diseases, poor livestock marketing systems, unreliable rainfall, insecurity and cattle rustling," said Kenya Red Cross  Communications Manager Titus Mung’ou. Mr Mung’ou said increased rains have hampered transport in the district, as the road to Wajir North was impassable.Relief operations have also been affected in Ijara, Masalani, Bodhai, Sangailu, Sangole, Handaro, Hulugho, Kotille, Busohama and Adanwedhi. "The rains have affected transport, including our relief trucks, which cannot access some areas," he said.North Eastern region has received over 1,934 tonnes of relief food, Eastern region 1,256 tonnes, North West 468 tonnes, South Rift region 75 tonnes, Coast region 162 tonnes and Nairobi 4.6 tonnes. Through the ‘Mercy Train’ initiative, 80 tonnes of food comprising 72.2 tonnes of maize flour and 7.8 tonnes of cooking oil has been distributed to nine food distribution points. The second leg of the ‘Mercy Train’ is scheduled for April 17 to 19, and will pass through the Nairobi-Kisumu railway route and distribute food to upper Eastern region, North Eastern and Turkana. - The Standard.

Bandari Villas Phase I, South C, Nairobi

Bandari Villas Phase I in South C is now ready for occupation. Eight people from UK bought the houses in phase I, ten people in phase three which is almost ready and six in phase two is halfway done. The houses belongs to Kenya Ports Authority, Pension Scheme and was built by Pinnacle Projects, Nairobi. The Pinnacle Projects team came to the UK in 2006 to promote the project before it was built (off plan). The four-bedroom semi-detached maisonettes  with a servant quarter were going for KShs. 6.5 million in 2006 and now the price has gone up to KShs. 10.6 and corner houses going for KShs. 13 million. Kenya Ports Authority is now developing another 300 flats at their 10 acre land in Belle Vue, Nairobi. Again Pinnacle Projects has been given the contract and the ground breaking is coming up in May 2009. The four-bedroom flats are going for Kshs.7.6 for phase one but the price for phase two and three is due to be determined at a later date due the high cost of construction. The Pinnacle team is coming to the UK for promotion in June this year. If you would like to more information on this coming up project you can contact dkuria@pinnacleprojectsltd.com or Mr. David Kuria on 0733638428.

Bishop Ann Njeri of West London has lost his father back in Kenya. You can

send your condolences through 07931703408. Bishop Njeri above.

What to do next?

The Kenya government has given married couples working in key parastatals the devil of a choice — agree who between them is going to quit their job within six months. Religious books say that none should separate man and wife, but the government is convinced that married couples contribute immensely to corruption in parastatals. It has, therefore, forbidden man and wife from working in the same parastatal and given couples six months to make up their minds who is going to throw away their careers. The order affects six parastatals which fall under the Ministry of Finance and which are said to be populated with couples, both married and partners, working mostly in different departments. MORE

"It is very sad to note that your political marriage bonds have continued to grow weaker and weaker as fewer and fewer of your political allies choose to get more from the marriage than they are willing to contribute." - Bishop Waihenya letter to President Mwai Kibaki

Anti-government protesters commandeered buses and burnt debris and in the early hours of Monday, troops moved to disperse the crowd blocking one of the most important junctions, Ding Daeng.

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Break or strengthen the Coalition Partners Marriage bonds

By Bishop Francis Waihenya

This is an open letter to His Excellency the President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki and the Honorable Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Odinga.

Kenyans were so grateful to God for making it possible for both of you and your parties to join hands in a political marriage reconciliation to save the Kenyan family from disintegration after the violence following the 2007 elections.

I would like to encourage both of you not to forget that your political marriage is in the interest of 38 million Kenyans which include the rich and the poor alike; and that both of you, are accountable both to God and to Kenyans for maintenance of the political marriage bond with one another for the sake of national peace.

It is very sad to note that your political marriage bonds have continued to grow weaker and weaker as fewer and fewer of your political allies choose to get more from the marriage than they are willing to contribute.

This is because many politicians have strayed so far from the democratic original design. As a result, more and more of your offspring families are being torn apart by your current separation which is threatening to translate into a bitter divorce. It is becoming an epidemic and the pain is devastating for both adults and children from your political marriage.  

As the two principals upon whom the peace of the nation is pegged, you must remember that God is the sole proprietor of your political marriage. It is His creation for the sake of the millions that you represent and should be allowed to work by His design.

When the Kenyan population witnessed your political marriage officiated by Koffi Annan, we expected both of you and your allies to reflect the pleasures and delights that come with such marriage by creating room for a paradise of love and intimacy, but to our dismay, you have allowed selfishness into the matrimonial home with an agenda to ruin it.

A political marriage like yours is essentially a political institution which must have a firm foundation; it naturally means that when you remove or taper with the foundation of that marriage then the marriage will lose its meaning, its moral base and its ability to last through the storms of life.

It is therefore critically important for both of you for the sake of our nation to trust and exercise integrity and unquestionable character over and above the law that established your political marriage so that we can continue to trust and maintain confidence in your leadership.

It is evident that the intention of the partners was not to create a prison but a paradise for Kenyans; it wasn't to rebuild a matrimonial home full of pain, it was to restore the home in its fullness of pleasure and prosperity.

It is critically important to note that every act of surrender and obedience taken by both of you as political marriage partners will lead Kenya deeper into the pleasures and delights of life of such a marriage. You can only truly have a great political marriage as you continue to be each other's best friend for the sake of the officiating minister Koffi Annan and the cloud of witnesses in Kenya and beyond.

Your political marriage will not succeed because you are better or brighter than all the other Kenyans, you will succeed because of treating each other with honesty, truth and faithfulness in keeping the vows you made before us Kenyans and the world at large.

Your relationships with us as Kenyans who entrusted you with leadership shall continue to create the stability, safety and integrity of your marriage as partnership becomes the key to success in your political marriage and living in the paradise God intended for the nation of Kenya.

We pray that God will guide both of you into ways that will lead to a shared control of your political marriage where none of you dominates the marriage but instead receives influence from one another; this will dramatically raise the expectations and satisfaction of the Kenyan population.

It is therefore reasonable to remind you the obvious that you should avoid making important decisions without consulting each other; consultation is a core value of your relationship. Acting as a team and not apart from each other not only creates safety, but it also creates unity and friendship.

Both of you shall be able to make great decisions together because each one of you has a part of the gift that the other doesn't have. Although one of you may be strong in your opinions, when you learn to be honest with one another and willing to compromise, the result is political intimacy and very good decision making.

I appeal to you for the sake of Kenyans to surrender both your lives and the political marriage to God and make His Word the authority in your lives and the standard by which you make decisions and you will become and work as a team.

Please bear in mind that you are carrying Kenya in a breakable pot that needs diligent care and do not also forget that history will either treat you and your allies with kindness or judge you harshly. If you sacrifice today for a better Kenyan nation tomorrow, be assured that a unity is still a possibility and when we are all there, we will realize it was worth whatever price we all have to pay today.

We however expect both of you as role models to pay the price in self discipline and moral restraint which has a lot to do with keeping your personal characters in shape and controlling your passions, desires and egos

We, the Church leaders shall continue to stand in the gap for Kenya and trust our Lord God to guide and lead both of you to guard what you have achieved this far which is evidence that what is in the horizons is also achievable.

Finally, I appeal to my fellow Kenyans at home and in the Diaspora to reflect on the great prayer of our National Anthem in order to give glory to God. It is reasonable to believe that when Kenya gives God the glory for who He is and for what He does, the nation receives peace in return.

I pray that both of you will continue to experience the joy of the secrets of giving God the glory all the days of your lives.

  Stay blessed   Bishop & Nancy Waihenya

4 Nicholson Road Oxford OX3 0HW

Tel.: +44 7906 979 262 (Bishop)
Tel.: +44 7947 232 676 (Nancy)
  Tel:. +44 1865 243 460 (Hse)

bishopwaihenya@yahoo.co.uk

"We attach our feelings to the moment when we were hurt, endowing it with immortality. And we let it assault us every time it comes to mind. It travels with us, sleeps with us, hovers over us while we make love, and broods over us while we die. Our hate does not even have the decency to die when those we hate die--for it is a parasite sucking OUR blood, not theirs. There is only one remedy for it. [forgiveness] - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

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Millions of lives could be saved with the development of a fast new cancer test using blood from a simple pin-prick, says the Daily Express and on right David Cameron is 'absolutely furious' that the PM has failed to personally apologise for the sex smear emails row, according to The Daily Mail.

Nairobi, Sunday 12th April, 2009. The coalition government will remain intact despite the current political discrepancy. Prime minister Raila Odinga has assured Kenyans that ODM will not back out of the Coalition Government.  Raila who was at a burial ceremony in Bondo called for a truce among the coalition partners; emphasizing ODM was in the coalition government till 2012 and is willing to discuss the current political impasse.  "We and our PNU (Party of National Unity) partners will soon be heading for another retreat to iron out issues after we failed to agree in Kilaguni," he said.  Odinga urged Orange Democratic Party supporters to remain calm, saying the current challenges would be solved amicably.  "Quitting the government is not part of our strategy to push for reforms but we will stay there and ensure change," he said.  The same sentiment have been echoed by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who urged the coalition partners to tone down political temperatures and focus their efforts on reforms and driving the country's development agenda forward. He said leaders should focus on issues of poverty, famine, unemployment resettlement of IDPs and reforms. The VP made the call for peace in Machakos District. In Nakuru, retired President Daniel Moi also called on leaders from the political divide to adopt a unified approach to national development.  "In this connection I urge leaders to consider the wider ramifications of their utterances since carelessness was bound to inflame the gullible ordinary citizens. The consequence of such an eventuality should be painful to contemplate," said Moi in a statement.

Raila called for a truce among the coalition partners

The former president said he was concerned with unnecessary wrangling between certain coalition partners.  "Coming so soon after the post election violence and the subsequent National Accord, the people of Kenya should be alarmed by the current state of affairs because their wounds, both physical and psychological are not completely healed," he said. "During this time of serious economic recession the ordinary Kenyan expects their leaders to use the kind of language and deeds that restore hope, inspire and promote racial harmony as well as national cohesion," the former president added.  In addition, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli now says the coalition government must hold to its full term at all cost stating that any attempts to call for an election will throw the country's to instituting reforms into jeopardy.  Atwoli said the country was still hurting and any attempts to hold snap elections will tear the country further apart.  He said the contradicting language by the two principles and their allies had jacked the countries progress. Atwoli called on Kenyans to reject leaders who are power hungry and are positioning themselves for the 2012 election, stating that the country was bigger than individuals and that Kenya was not a preserve of a few. He cautioned Kenyans against failing prey aimless mass actions.  Similarly, defence Assistant minister Joseph Nkaissery now claims underhand dealings are hurting the coalition government.  Nkaissery said short-changing is evident in the government where leaders are going behind colleagues to make decisions that need in-depth consultations.  Speaking at Ildamat church in Kajiado Central the ODM legislator said Kenya should invest in the youth and the government should stop the culture of hiring grey haired individuals well above 70 years.

The inventor of the wheel is unknown but it was invented in 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia- Later George Washington Gale Ferris invented the wheel, and it cost him his life - MORE

Kikuyu Age Group

1965 - Rika ria "Gathirikari" - Yellow maize from America

A Kenyan - Mr. Javan  has been a member of CCBC Swahili Service London for several years. Recently he decided that enough is enough and he left for Kenya to join his wife and children in Mombasa. He left London on Monday 6th April, 2009. After arriving in Nairobi on Tuesday morning he took a bus to Mombasa. After boarding the bus in Nairobi he was befriended by a passenger and they travelled together to Mombasa. When they arrived in Voi, the passenger friend alighted to buy a drink. He came back with two drinks and he gave one to Javan. Javan fell unconscious after taking the drink and by the time he arrived Mombasa he was taken to the hospital and later he discovered that all this luggage including his documents had been stolen by the friend. You can contact Javad on javan.mwangi@yahoo.co.uk

US Ship Captain Rescued From Pirates

A US ship captain has been rescued after being held for five days in a lifeboat by Somali pirates. Captain Richard Phillips was held captive hundreds of miles off the Horn of Africa after pirates raided his aid ship, the Maersk Alabama. Three of the pirates holding him were killed in the US Navy rescue operation. The fourth was injured in the brief firefight and is in US custody. Mr Phillips was not hurt in the rescue, and was taken to the USS Bainbridge, one of three US Navy warships that had been involved in the tense stand-off. He was then flown to the nearby USS Boxer for a medial examination, and is now "resting comfortably", a US Navy spokesman said. President Obama praised the US military for rescuing the captain unharmed, and said America would continue its efforts to battle piracy in the area. He added: "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans." Last night, the Maersk Alabama docked in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa with tales of the 53-year-old captain's bravery. When the 19 crew heard news that Captain Phillips had been rescued unharmed, they whistled and pumped their fists in the air. They then placed an American flag over the rail at the top of the 17,000-tonne Maersk Alabama before firing a bright red flare into the sky.

Nairobi, Sunday 12th April, 2009. Security has been tightened in and around the Port of Mombasa as Danish-owned MV Maersk Alabama whose captain Richard Phillips is still being held captive by Somali pirates that unsuccessfully attempted to take the cargo ship hostage docked at the facility.  International and local journalists who thronged the Kilindini harbour were refused access to the ship and take pictures of the ship and conduct interviews with the crew for the second day running since the ship called at the port on Saturday evening. Andrew Mwangura of the Mombasa based East African Seafarer's Assistance Programme said American officials refused access to the crew and the ship for security concerns. Reports indicate that the pirates holding the seized American ship captain were planning a mediation mission with American rescue teams far out in the lawless Somalia pirate infested waters in a bid to end the hostage safely. A source at the Port Said the 20 man crew aboard the ship where pirates tried to hijack on Wednesday were in good shape and high spirit. The 17,000 tonne Mv Maersk Alabama carrying relief food to Kenya which docked at the port last evening almost fell in the hands of the daring pirates who prowl the lawless stretch of the Indian Ocean. US naval warships are monitoring the powerless boat drifting with Philips in the international waters off Somalia.

Pope Benedict XVI led Easter celebrations with Mass at the Vatican where he gave his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing and Christians in Elbingerode, Germany, lit their traditional Easter eve bonfire on Saturday night.

Nairobi, Sunday 12th April, 2009. The captain of a US cargo ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released and is safe, the US Navy says. Three pirates are reported to have been killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held in a lifeboat for several days. Capt Phillips was "resting comfortably" aboard a US warship after a medical check-up, a spokesman for the Navy's 5th Fleet said. He was seized when pirates attacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday. On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free. An unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency that Capt Phillips was freed in what appeared to be a swift firefight. Reports say he jumped overboard for a second time, and the pirates were shot and killed before they could take action to get him back. US forces apparently took advantage of the fact one of the pirates was negotiating on a US Navy vessel when the incident happened. The surviving pirate is now in US military custody. Capt Phillips was initially taken on board the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him, before being flown to the USS Boxer for a medical examination, navy spokesman Lt Nathan Christensen told AP.  Somali elders had been trying to resolve the standoff but most recent reports had suggested the talks had stalled, apparently because US officials were insisting that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.

UK moves towards car scrap scheme

The government is likely to introduce an incentive scheme for car owners to scrap old vehicles in exchange for new ones, the BBC has learned. The move would probably involve a payment of £2,000 to trade in cars that are a certain number of years old. The controversial plans are designed to boost demand for new cars and help struggling carmakers who are suffering during the recession. A similar scheme in Germany has seen demand for new cars rise dramatically. France and Italy have also introduced so-called car scrappage schemes to boost their beleaguered car industries. Details of the UK scheme are likely to be announced in the Chancellor's budget on 22 April, according to BBC correspondent Joe Lynam. "A scrappage scheme will provide the incentive needed and the evidence is clear that schemes already implemented across Europe do work to increase demand," said Paul Everitt at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Eubank homeless after earning £35 million in boxing

Fallen millionaire boxer Chris Eubank's money troubles have left him HOMELESS and ALONE. The once swaggering ex-world middleweight champ has been forced to swap his lavish ways for a sad, lonely life in a hotel room. The 42-year-old dandy-who earned more than £35million from the ring-has lived at the hotel in Brighton for FOUR MONTHS because he has nowhere else to stay. Staff say he is a "loner" who sips lime and sodas in the hotel bar, then surfs the internet in his room at night. Lisping Eubank was a hero to millions of British boxing fans in the 90s. But he was delivered a knockout blow by the Inland Revenue in 2005, when he was declared bankrupt owing £1.3million in unpaid taxes. Once so rich he used Evian water to wash his hands at petrol stations, Eubank now treats himself to sweets from Tesco's across the street from his £149-a-night MyHotel pad in the Sussex town. "We don't think of him as a guest any more, he lives here," said one worker. "He'll talk to fans and sign autographs. But we never see him taking a woman up to his room. "Sometimes he'll get a massage in the hotel spa. Other than that, he keeps to himself." Eubank was attracted by the hotel's New Age theme. It has a feng shui design to "refresh your soul" and rooms have a decor of crystals and lotus flowers. He was forced to move there after selling his £4m Brighton mansion and another £850,000 former home in nearby Hove to pay off his debts. Last year ex-wife Karron, 43, told how Chris had begun globe-trotting to exotic spots. But now he has been deserted by his circle of hangers-on and is having to watch every penny. A friend told us: "The good times are over and the day of reckoning has finally arrived. "Chris just drinks Evian now, rather than washing in it."

Number of migrants caught trying to sneak

into Britain on lorries DOUBLES in a year

Migrants trying to reach Britain by stowing away on lorries in Calais have doubled in number in the past year, French authorities revealed yesterday. More than 2,000 a month are now trying to smuggle themselves over the Channel, their figures showed. French ministers are said to be considering bringing in the army to beef up port security in response to the growing pressure. The number of illegal immigrants trying their luck has risen to 6,031 in the first three months of this year. This compares with 2,919 caught by port security services trying to gain access to trucks queuing for ferries between January and March last year. The disclosure of the rapidly climbing numbers brought warnings that the developing crisis is reminiscent of 'the worst days of Sangatte'. A Red Cross refugee centre at the village just outside Calais was shut down in 2002 amid a row over its role as a magnet for would-be illegal immigrants. Britain was eventually forced to accept many of its residents as asylum seekers in return for a French decision to shut the Sangatte site.  Labour ministers have been involved in controversy in recent weeks after a botched announcement by Immigration Minister Phil Woolas that talks were underway between Britain and France to establish another migrant hostel near Calais.  But French immigration minister Eric Besson insisted he had no knowledge of any talks and described a new migrant camp as 'out of the question'. Numbers now trying to break into lorries around Calais bear comparison with figures published at the height of the controversy over the Sangatte camp. In the 14 months before the hostel closed a single ferry line, P&O, said it had found 6,800 stowaways in the backs of lorries.  This meant that around 500 a month had succeeded in penetrating security. The Red Cross hostel itself, designed to house 900 migrants, was regularly home to 2,000 in its final months. The latest figures were made public by Calais port security chief Herve Couret, who told regional paper Nord Littoral that three out of four migrants arrested were caught trying to break into or board lorries.  A further 1,501 were caught on video surveillance trying to jump fences, he said.  Mr Couret said: 'It's very serious. But this is not the most worrying thing.

Destination Britain: Migrants clamber aboard a lorry in Calais heading for Britain and an asylum seeker attempts to board a truck to get across the Channel: Numbers caught sneaking in on ferries have doubled in a year

'I am really angry about the rise of another phenomenon  -  1,304 unauthorised people were caught in 231 refrigerated lorries. These people are getting sick in the lorries.'  Migrants are also risking their lives trying to cross the Channel in the back of tanker HGVs transporting petro-chemicals.  Mr Couret said: 'This is quite new  -  people smugglers don't have any feeling.'  The pressure on the port of Calais is being matched at the Channel tunnel terminal outside the town, which has reported a 50 per cent rise in migrants over the past year. Most are also trying to get onto lorries waiting for freight trains. Despite 11 miles of barbed wire security fences, officials at Eurotunnel said they are now catching around 5,000 migrants every year. Eurotunnel chief Jacques Gounon said he is preparing to ask the French army to guard the 700 hectare site. And the French immigration minister is reported to be considering bringing in the military to guard both port and tunnel. Mr Gounon said: 'We are ready to welcome them on the site and to provide shelter for them.  We are not frontier guards and we need to reinforce surveillance measures on the edge of the site.'  Yesterday Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said the figures were 'alarming'.  He said: 'It shows that potential illegal immigrants believe that Britain's borders are not secure and that their attempts to enter the country will be successful.  'It's going back towards the worst days of Sangatte.'  Promising that the Tories would establish a specialist border police force, Mr Green added: 'Until we develop this kind of expertise there will always be a problem at our borders.'

Venezuela's giant rodent for Easter

While in many countries the Easter dish may be lamb, in Venezuela a traditional delicacy around this time of the year is the capybara, the world's biggest rodent. The capybara is a distant cousin to the common guinea pig but bigger and river-based like a beaver. Many Venezuelans regard the semi-aquatic creature as more fish than meat - a useful description during Lent when it is eaten as a replacement for red meat in this largely Roman Catholic country. High demand in the run-up to Easter, combined with widespread poaching and illegal hunting, means the "chiguire", as it is called in Venezuela, is now under threat in some parts of the country. "It's not on the endangered species list yet," says Deborah Bigio of Fudena, an environmental NGO.

American president Barack Obama's half brother was REFUSED a visa to enter the UK after being accused of an attempted sex attack on a young girl in Berkshire. The News of the World can reveal that Kenya-based Samson Obama tried to get into Britain on his way to Washington for his family's big day, the historic inauguration in January. But eagle-eyed immigration officials at East Midlands Airport, using the latest biometric tests, discovered he was linked to an incident here last November. The hi-tech database revealed that Samson - who manages a mobile phone shop just outside Nairobi - was the same man arrested by British police after he approached a group of young girls, including a 13 year-old, and allegedly tried to sexually assault one of them. He then followed them into a cafe where he became aggressive and was asked to leave by the owner. That's when police were called and Samson was arrested. He supplied officers with his mother's address in Bracknell but gave them a false ID, claiming to be Henry Aloo, believed to be a genuine asylum seeker. Mum Kezia, 67, has lived in Bracknell for six years. She married the US president's father Barack Obama Snr in Kenya when she was a teenager. Following Samson's arrest he was fingerprinted but not charged, then left the country. However, all his details were stored on the Home Office's new database of prints and biometric details.

And that's what finally pinpointed Samson's link to the world's most powerful leader - as he tried to slip back into Britain to visit relatives en route to the swearing-in ceremony. The White House was informed and a Home Office source told the News of the World: "This was obviously an extremely sensitive issue when it was flashed up by the database. "But the system is designed to flag up people who have come to the attention of the police in the UK and are then trying to return." It is thought that Samson - one of the President's 11 half brothers and sisters by his father who had four partners - managed to travel on to Washington by boarding a connecting flight to the US from East Midlands. He was able to do so despite not having a UK visa because he remained in transit and never left the airport. A stewardess from nearby Nottingham told her local newspaper how she met him on his flight to America. Dawn Stewart, of Sherwood, described how Samson told her his nickname was Abo and said he was on his way to the US capital for the presidential swearing-in. She recalled: "I asked him how he feels being the brother of the next president and he said, 'I can't tell you the depth of excitement we feel.'

"I asked what Barack was like as a teenager and he said he was always charismatic and calm." The flight attendant said Samson claimed he had never travelled before and proudly showed her a headed letter from his half-brother requesting his three-week visa to the USA. Last night a Home Office spokesman confirmed Samson Obama was refused a visa after immigration officers noticed one of the documents he supplied with his visa application was false. That led to further inquiries. A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "We consider all visa applications based on their merits. We will oppose the entry of individuals to the UK where we believe their presence is not conducive to the public good. "The UK's border controls are among the toughest in the world. All visa applicants are fingerprinted and checked against watchlists. Using this hi-tech system we have detected more than 5,600 attempts to use false identities since December 2007. "Our officers in 135 countries are working with law enforcement agencies and airlines to clamp down on forged passports and visas." PRESIDENT Obama's daughters Sasha and Malia are to get the pet puppy Dad promised. The Portuguese Water Dog, called Charlie, is expected Tuesday.

FAMILY MAN: President Obama with brother in younger days

Obama half brother refused UK visa

US President Barack Obama's half brother was refused a visa to enter the UK because he had been accused of a serious crime on a previous visit, it has emerged.  Samson Obama was on his way to Washington for the President's inauguration in January but was stopped by immigration officials at East Midlands Airport. Biometric tests discovered the Kenyan mobile phone shop manager was linked to a serious incident in the UK last November, the News of the World reported. The newspaper said Samson was arrested by police in Berkshire after an alleged sex attack on a British girl but he was never charged. A Home Office spokesman confirmed Samson Obama was refused a visa after immigration officers noticed one of the documents he supplied with his visa application was false which led them to make further inquiries. A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "We consider all visa applications based on their merits. "We will oppose the entry of individuals to the UK where we believe their presence is not conducive to the public good. The UK's border controls are among the toughest in the world. All visa applicants are fingerprinted and checked against watch lists. "Using this hi-tech system we have detected more than 5,600 attempts to use false identities since December 2007. Our officers in 135 countries around the world are working with law enforcement agencies and airlines to clamp down on forged passports and visas, creating an offshore ring of steel to protect the UK." Samson is one of President Obama's half brothers and sisters by his father. Samson's mother Kezia, 67, has reportedly lived in Bracknell for six years. The News of the World said that Samson took a connecting flight to Washington after being refused entry at East Midlands.

New Somali bid to free US captain

Somali elders have launched a fresh attempt to resolve the standoff between the US navy and pirates holding an American captain hostage in a lifeboat. Somali sources say a group of elders have taken to sea to arrange safe passage for the hostage takers. The pirates have warned the US navy, which has warships and a helicopter in sight of the boat, against trying to rescue Capt Richard Phillips by force. The FBI are questioning crew from Capt Phillips' ship, now docked in Kenya. The container ship, which arrived in the port of Mombasa on Saturday evening, is being treated as a crime scene. Crew members have hailed Capt Phillips' bravery, saying he offered himself as a hostage in order to save them when the Maersk Alabama was attacked on Wednesday. The captain is now being held on a lifeboat said to be drifting about 30-45km (20 and 30 miles) off the Somali coast. Reports from Maersk Line Ltd., the company which owns the ship, said the US Navy had "sight contact" with Capt Phillips earlier in the day. Several warships and a helicopter are following the lifeboat's progress. Pirate sources were quoted by Reuters news agency as saying the helicopter was dropping supplies on the boat. In a separate development, four French citizens including a three-year-old boy whose yacht was seized by pirates have returned to Paris after being freed by French troops on Friday. The yacht's owner, Florent Lemacon, was killed during the operation along with two pirates.

A US military official said that on Saturday the four pirates guarding him fired shots at a small navy vessel which had approached, possibly to conduct reconnaissance. No-one was hurt and the navy vessel turned away without returning fire, an unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency. In the latest attempt to end the stand-off, elders said to be related to the pirates set sail from the northern Somali town of Eyl. US military officials confirmed fresh negotiations were under way. The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Mombasa says the main stumbling block is the pirates' demand to be allowed to return to land before returning the hostage. Earlier talks failed when US officials insisted on the pirates' arrest, the New York Times newspaper says, quoting unnamed Somali officials. Abdi Garad, a Somali pirate commander, told AFP news agency on Saturday that there was concern the Americans were "planning rescue tricks like the French commandos did". French commandos stormed a yacht on Friday to free hostages, but one captive was killed during the operation. Also on Saturday, pirates hijacked a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden. The Buccaneer has 16 crew members on board, 10 of them Italians. The crew, which also includes five Romanians and a Croat, are said to have been unharmed. Another vessel, sailing under the Turkish flag, escaped when its crew used water hoses to repel the pirates who had fired a rocket-propelled grenade into the captain's cabin. A piracy expert said the hijackings did not appear to be related to the attack on the Alabama Maersk. "This is just the Somali pirate machine in full flow," Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, founder of Dryad Maritime Intelligence Ltd, told AP.

MAJOR PIRATE INCIDENTS

Ukrainian ship MV Faina seized on 25 September 2008, held until 5 February 2009

Saudi tanker Sirius Star held for two months from November 2008; a $3m ransom was negotiated

At least 15 pirate attacks reported to International Maritime Bureau during March 2009

The 32,500-tonne Malaspina Castle, UK-owned but operated by Italians, seized on 6 April 2009.

University sacks Kenyan impostor

Management of St John’s University in Dodoma has sacked Kenyan Paul Maweu, who the university had engaged as a senior lecturer after he had tendered forged academic credentials. The University’s Vice- Chancellor, Professor Manoris Meshack told the 'Daily News' by phone from Dodoma that Mr Maweu’s employment was terminated with immediate effect since last week.  Mr Maweu (33) was sacked after he was discovered to have presented for employment fake credentials including certificates of secondary education, both BA and MA degree as well as PhD papers.  According to the Curriculum Vitae he presented at the University, Mr Maweu painted himself as a BA graduate from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya where he said he graduated in 2001, Masters degree in 2004 from Lincolin University, Atlanta in the United States and a PhD from the same University in 2006.  “He is not here any more … we handed his matter to the state security organs who are now handling his case,” Prof Meshack said. Apart from forging papers, Prof Meshack said the Kenyan ‘lecturer’ was also found with a Tanzanian passport that demonstrates he also cheated about his citizenship.

The Immigration Department was reported to have initiated investigations on how he obtained the passport. Maweu entered the country in 2007 and joined Mwenge University College of Education (MUCE) in Moshi before storming the ranks of St John’s University last year, where somebody who happened to know him tipped off the authorities – and the Kenyan was immediately grounded pending verification of his credentials.  In another development, the Tanzania Commission on Universities (TUC) has cracked the whip at the growing number of foreign academicians reportedly securing top jobs in Tanzanian institutions of higher learning using dubious credentials to secure top posts in the Higher Learning Institutions.  TCU Executive Secretary Professor Mayunga Nkunya, told the 'Daily News' that his Commission had since given all foreigners teaching at the institutions up to mid March this year to submit all their credentials for verification. Professor Mayunga Nkunya added that the crackdown was a special move aiming at keeping the good image of home Universities and that of the country.  “We must do something before it is too late … we have to safeguard the country’s image and that of our institutions,” Prof Nkunya said. Meanwhile, Prof Nkunya has said he was prepared to advise the government and the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on how to introduce vetting mechanisms of academic credentials of candidates who will vie for political posts in future general elections.  The move comes amid widespread reports of some cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament holding fake academic credentials. “We intend to advise the electoral body on the exercise so as to get rid of this shame … Uganda is already doing this,” he said. Citing the enormity of the problem, Prof Nkunya said that some MPs holding fake PhDs had since approached some of the universities hunting for part-time teaching jobs. - Source-The Daily News

Downturn 'hits regional airports'

Some regional airports could struggle to survive the recession because of falling passenger numbers, the Airport Operators Association (AOA) has warned. Its figures suggest overall traffic in March 2009 was down 15%, with passenger numbers reduced by 70% at Blackpool Airport and 50% at Durham Tees Valley. The AOA blamed budget carriers for squeezing costs, but airlines say extra charges have forced travellers away. The government said it was committed to helping business during the downturn. Airports have insisted that a shortfall in income has forced them to introduce extra charges for services such as fast-track security or car drop-offs for passengers. Luton, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool all charge a £3 fee to fast-track passengers through security, while Bristol airport charges £5. Blackpool and Norwich charge a mandatory airport development fee per passenger. Smaller airports had seen fewer passengers than expected through the winter, said Neil Pakey of the AOA. "There's no doubt about it, most budgets haven't been met.

"What it has done is its made airports more inventive than they have been before bringing in new types of projects, the fast lane initiative through security or priority lane is just one of those, these are designed not to be mandatory in most cases but to give the passengers additional choice," Mr Pakey said. The Air Transport Users Council believes passengers will be targeted with more charges, but a spokesman said the organisation would take it up with the airports concerned. Budget airlines have complained that the charges are driving more passengers away and they may stop operating out of airports that charge excessively. Easyjet spokesman Andrew McConnell said the additional fees were "unfair". "Warsaw is an example. They've put the charges up - we've withdrawn our services from the summer. "This really is a warning to UK airports that these charges are unfair." The AOA said the government needed to step in to help small airports. However, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport denied that an increased security burden was responsible. "Regional airports are important because of the travel opportunities they offer local people, their contribution to the economy and as local employers," the spokesperson said. "There has been no major tightening of security measures at UK airports since the alert of August 2006. In fact, since 2006 we have made several changes which have decreased the burden of security measures on airport operators." The Treasury said it was right that the industry "pays its fair share through taxation".

Somali pirates holding US Captain Richard Phillips hostage have warned that the use of force to rescue him could result in "disaster". The pirates said they hoped to transfer him to a bigger vessel, as US and other naval ships made their way to the area. Capt Phillips is being held by a gang of four pirates on a lifeboat hundreds of kilometres off the Somali coast. He tried to escape on Friday by jumping overboard and swimming to a nearby US ship, but was recaptured. One Frenchman and two pirates were killed in a rescue operation on Friday by French troops on a separate vessel captured off Somalia. Four others, including a child, were freed from the yacht, Tanit, which pirates seized last week.

10 things we didn't know last week

1. Breaking wind is a bookable offence in football.
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2. Black soldiers fighting for the Free French Forces were removed from the unit which led the liberation of Paris to ensure a "whites only" victory.
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3. Many of the mosques in Islam's holiest city, Mecca, point the wrong way.
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4. Britain pays an annual sum to Ireland to cover healthcare costs of Irish workers who have returned home.
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5. Jellied hoof meat from horses is a delicacy in Siberia.
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6. Potholes are aggravated by cold weather.
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7. Car ownership in India is about nine per thousand people.
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8. Mexico City was once a floating city.
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9. Six percent of England's streets are littered with rubber bands.
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10. More than 97% of all e-mail traffic is spam.
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Nyerere and Idi Amin's son met for the first time

The sons of Uganda's former dictator Idi Amin and Tanzania's ex-President Julius Nyerere have met for the first time, three decades after the two countries fought a war. The BBC's Swahili Service brought the two together to reflect on the five-month conflict, which left half a million people dead and culminated with Tanzania troops ousting Amin from Kampala on 10 April 1979. The two families - President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and President Idi Amin - ought to have met because they were the two protagonists. So, after carefully considering BBC's request, I agreed to travel more than 1,000km to Tanzania to meet Madaraka Nyerere in Butiama [his home town in northern Tanzania]. Both of us were young when the war broke out. Madaraka was 16 and I was only 12. Madaraka Nyerere comes from a family of somebody who's revered as a father of the nation and a great symbol of African socialism. Idi Amin represents African proactive nationalism and sought to instil a sense confidence within the common people. But today I find my immediate family in an undefined state that feels like we are deliberately being ostracised at a political level. There are those who condemned my father as a tyrant who killed or ordered the killing of those he perceived to be opposed to his rule. Yet there are those who knew Idi Amin Dada as a man who loved his country, family and culture as an African. My father is somebody who came from a poor background and always reminded us of his poor origins. He had a stint in the 1940s as a share cropper in the Mehta sugar plantations in Lugazi, Buganda District, but rose through the military to become a leader of a country. Some dismissed him as a stooge of the colonialists. Suddenly this "stooge" became very independent, populist and very nationalistic. He propagated African pride for Africans and went ahead to implement the common man's charter, which was prepared by his predecessor.

A Kenyan who had been living in the UK has passed away in Kenya. Miss Nancy Wanja Munyua who was well known as "Wa Jedida" passed away in Kenya on Wednesday 8th April, 2009. The late Wanja helped hundreds of Kenyans to relocated to the UK. She also moved and lived in Eastham, London for several years before going back to Kenya. She was a daughter of the late Stephen Munyua Githundi and Jedida Wanjiku of Kindiga, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kenya. Sister to the late Peter Ng'ang'a, the late David Githundi and James Mbugua (Boss) formerly of Eastham London. Mother to Susan Wanjiku of Grays. Cousin to Samuel Kariuki (Daktari) of Harlow, Essex, John Munyua of Edware, Nungari (Wa Major) of Tilbury, Bilha Wanjiku (mama Brenda) of Northampton among others. Grandmother to Stara Wanja and Amy Msafiri. Mother-in-law to Ben Msafiri of Grays. Family and friends are meeting for funeral arrangements and prayers at her daughter's house, 105 Conway's Gardens, Grays, Essex, RM17 6HF as from 7.00 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Those wishing to help can do through Halifax bank,  Account no. 00911526, Sort code 110337 and account name: Susan Gatere. For more information please contact Susan 07504981331, Muyaa on 07940520225.

The late Miss Nancy Wanja Munyua (Wa Jedida)

High food prices and political woes dampen Easter festivities

Nicholas Omondi (Jesus) lies on the ground as he carries the cross during the way of the cross procession in Nairobi on April 10 2009 to commemorate Good Friday. Kenyans began the Easter weekend on Friday amid gloom due to political wrangles in the coalition government and high food prices. Christians in Nairobi thronged churches to mark Good Friday and listen to messages of hope and encouragement. At the Holy Family Basillica, John Cardinal Njue called on the Grand Coalition government to be responsible. He told Kenyans not to agree to be divided along tribal lines by politicians. The cardinal asked wananchi to pray for the country’s leaders so that they can put the needs of Kenyans ahead of their own.  In Eldoret, Catholics gathered at the Eldoret Sacred Heart Cathedral called on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to work together. Bishop Cornelius Korir said the country was faced with a myriad problems and that the two leaders should desist from engaging in a war of words in public and instead focus on finding a lasting solution to the country’s problems. “Leaders should find better ways to solve their political differences without necessarily using the podium to seek sympathy from the public,” said the bishop. In Mombasa, Anglican Bishop Julius Kalu called on the provincial administration to recognise elected leaders. While delivering a Good Friday sermon at the Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, he urged Kenyans to reconcile and forget their differences for the sake of nation building. “The good news this Friday is that leaders and all people should reconcile, not on tribal lines, but as a nation,” said Bishop Kalu. - Daily Nation.

Nairobi, Friday 10th April, 2009. Somali pirates holding an American ship captain hostage have reportedly made a £1.6m ransom offer - as another hostage in the same region is killed. American Captain Richard Phillips tried to escape by jumping into the sea in sight of a US warship, but he was quickly recaptured, officals have said. Capt Phillips is not thought to have been hurt in the incident, even though shots from an automatic weapon were fired in the drama. Meanwhile, the French military has managed to free a child and three others from a yacht taken hostage in the notorious Gulf of Aden last week. But a fifth hostage has been killed in the operation. Two of the pirates were also killed and three have been captured, the French government has said. The US drafted in FBI negotiators to help free Capt Phillips, who has been held since a foiled bid to hijack his cargo ship, the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama, several hundred miles off Somalia. Capt Phillips apparently volunteered to get in the lifeboat with the pirates to act as a hostage and secure the safety of the Alabama's other 20 American crew members, who managed to regain control of their ship.

The freighter, which is carrying food aid for Uganda and Somalia, is now on its way to Kenya, its original destination. The US has sent ships, including the destroyer USS Bainbridge, to line up against the pirates. The Bainbridge, accompanied by a P-3 Orion surveillance plane, has prevented the outlaws from moving their hostage to a larger ship. The Navy also called in the FBI to "assist with negotiations" with the pirates. "We are not afraid of the Americans," one of the pirates told reporters by satellite phone. "We will defend ourselves if attacked." However, experts say a more likely outcome is a negotiated solution, possibly involving safe passage in exchange for their captive. The ship's lifeboat has run out of fuel and other pirates are too nervous to help them due to the presence of the US Navy. "Other pirates want to come and help their friends, but that would be like sentencing themselves to death," said Andrew Mwangura, co-ordinator of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, which monitors the region's seas. "They will release the captain, I think, maybe today or tomorrow, but in exchange for something. Maybe some payment or compensation, and definitely free passage back home." Capt Phillips is one of about 270 hostages currently being held by Somali pirates. In the past week alone the bandits have seized a German vessel, a French yacht, a British-owned cargo ship, a Taiwanese fishing vessel and a Yemeni tugboat. Analysts and military officers say pirate attacks are likely to grow given the lucrative ransom money paid by shipping companies and the lawless nature of Somalia. The Maersk Alabama is believed to be the first American merchant ship to be hijacked since the North African Barbary Wars in the early 19th Century.

RIGHT: An al Qaeda cell planned an 'Easter spectacular' of co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks before being foiled by police, The Daily Telegraph claims. CENTRE: At least 10 of the men held had student visas stamped by the Home Office but only one was studying at a reputable institution, the Daily Mail claims.  RIGHT: The Daily Express declares Mr Quick's six figure pension a 'scandal' and announces house prices are set to rise.

Nairobi, Friday 10th April, 2009. Christians in Kenya joined other faithful across the world to commemorate Good Friday, or the way of the cross. Christians observe Good Friday in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Golgotha, followed by his resurrection on the third day.  Churches were full to capacity as Christians from all walks of life marked commemorated the suffering of Jesus before his crucifixion.  In Nairobi, the day was marked with the reenactment of Christ's crucifixition with a message of forgiveness and compassion. In Mombasa, faithful  from the Catholic Holy Ghost cathedral led by father Pascal Mwambi braved the scotching sun to mark the "way of the Cross" around the town through Fort Jesus,Mama Ngina and back to the church. This event is marked with a volunteer carrying the cross depicting the sufferings Jesus went through before His crucifixion at 3.00 pm. The volunteer is whipped and mocked by the faithful in similar episodes depicting the mood and sufferings Christ went through.  The Good Friday ceremony is usually held on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and often coincides with the Jewish observance of the Passover. Based on the Biblical details of the Sanhedrin Trial of Jesus, he was arrested and separately interrogated by the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate and the Ruler of Galilee, King Herod. The two leaders found no fault in him despite being accused of subverting the nation, opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar, and making himself a King. However, the chief priests presented a new charge before Pilate and demanded that Jesus be sentenced to death for claiming to be God's son. This led to his crucifixion probably on a Friday, but on the third day, now known as Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. Meanwhile, Mombasa and Nairobi remained relatively quite and slow with most business premises  closed for long weekend.

"None of us wants to admit that we hate someone...When we deny our hate we detour around the crisis of forgiveness. We suppress our spite, make adjustments, and make believe we are too good to be hateful. But the truth is that we do not dare to risk admitting the hate we feel because we do not dare to risk forgiving the person we hate." - Lewis B. Smedes - Forgive & Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

On the streets of the South African port city of Durban, one face is ubiquitous - and it belongs to Jacob Zuma. Lamp-posts, walls and trees are covered in posters for the African National Congress (ANC), which bear his image. Perhaps this is unsurprising since this province, KwaZulu-Natal, is where the man most likely to become South Africa's next president hails from. He is from Nkandla, in the north of the region. Away from the metropolitan hustle and bustle of Durban, allegiances seem to differ slightly in the rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal. These are areas where the Zulu kingdom's historical dominance has the potential to be influential.

Indian woman aims for chilli record

An Indian woman is hoping to enter the record books as the world's "hottest" woman after munching 51 fiery chillies in two minutes, organisers of the feat said Friday.  Anandita Dutta Tamuly, 26, chewed her way through the chillies before an audience late Thursday in India's northeast. She consumed the chillies in the company of British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who was producing a television show on food and anchoring the event in Jorhat, 300 kilometers (180 miles) east of Assam's main city of Guwahati. "In two minutes, Anandita gobbled 51 red-hot chillies without batting an eyelid or shedding a tear, and also smeared seeds of 25 chillies into her eyes in one minute," Atul Lahkar, a chef who organised the show, told AFP. The chillies are known locally as bhut jolokia and are a staple of local diet in Assam. They are recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chili pepper. Guinness World Records had "asked us to provide them with a recording of the feat supervised by someone responsible. We asked Ramsay to be the adjudicator," said Diganta Saikia, another coordinator. Tamuly said she became hooked on hot peppers when she was five years old. "I had a sore tongue and my mother applied a chilli paste to cure the infection. After that I developed a penchant for chillies," Tamuly said.

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? APRIL 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - MARCH 2009

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - PART ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? FEBRUARY 2009 - THREE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - JANUARY 2009 - ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - JANUARY 2009  - TWO

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - DECEMBER, 2008 ONE

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - DECEMBER TWO, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - NOVEMBER ONE, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - OCTOBER, 2008

IKO NINI BWANA SEED? - SEPTEMBER 2008