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Sega in Ugenya District is a typical dusty village with a reputation for tidit, a potent local brew. But that is changing fast and it is now transforming itself into a hub of information technology. This is all thanks to an initiative of local boys who have watched it happen overseas and now want to see it replicated at home. “My mother told me, ‘in all you do in your life, never forget where you came from’, ” says Mr James Ofwona, a Kenyan businessman based in Warsaw, Poland, who is among the brains behind the initiative. The Sega Silicon Valley is an initiative of Simba Friends Foundation, a charitable organisation Mr Ofwona founded a year ago. It is now changing lives in Sega as it imparts IT knowledge through institutions, including primary schools. Sega Silicon Valley is an ambitious initiative that aims to transform Sega village, consisting of 10,000 inhabitants, into a “Silicon Valley”, an African ICT hub comparable to the Silicon Valley in the US. With the initiative, youths have moved beyond viewing the computer as an alien machine that their eyes accidentally come across to a machine they can use in the course of their day-to-day learning activities.  Mr Ofwona said his intention was to demystify computers and the use of IT in the village and make them part of daily activities. “My intention is to make computer knowledge and IT like an infectious disease; every youth gets to learn and once they have learned, they can then pass the knowledge to someone else,” said Mr Ofwona. He said in Europe, almost everyone, including teenagers, can go into a shop, buy computer accessories, and fix their machines.  Mr Ofwona said the African society with its closely knit family and friendship ties could easily pass on knowledge. He said the initiative seeks to support skills development and enhancement of job opportunities for young people in developing countries. “We appreciate the present digital world in which we live where one cannot ignore technological advances and how they have shaped leading economies to what they are today,” Mr Ofwona added. Under the initiative, computer laboratories have been established in seven institutions that include Kogere Primary, Sega Girls Primary and secondary school, Sega Township primary and secondary school, Sega youth polytechnic, and a community learning centre that also acts as the headquarters of the Sega Silicon Valley. Some 140 solar-powered desk top computers have been installed. Each institution has 20 computers. Mr Ofwona believes the young generation should and must be equipped with knowledge and skills for problem solving and information gathering and interpretation so as to be able to compete well globally.  - Daily Nation.

Equity Bank Chairman Mr. Peter Munga meets the Queen

Equity Chairman Mr. Peter Munga shaking hands with the Her Majesty  the Queen at the celebrations and on right  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba (left), Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma (back middle) and Rwandan President Paul Kagame (right) at the Commonwealth's headquarters in London on 8th March 2010. Rwanda was officially admitted to the Commonwealth on this day.

The chairman of Equity Bank Mr. Peter Munga and his wife Mrs. Rose Munga were among the invited guests in London on Monday 8th March, 2010 at Global celebrations marking the  Commonwealth Week.  At the ceremony the Mr. & Mrs. Munga had an opportunity to meet and shake hands with the queen.  The ceremony took place at the Commonwealth's headquarters in London. Commonwealth Week kicked off this week with leaders around the world praising the theme of ‘Science, Technology and Society’. The annual event is intended to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth.  Nigeria’s Acting President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, speaking on Commonwealth Day on 8 March 2010, said this year’s theme was “most apt” due to the role that science and technology plays in improving the lives of Commonwealth citizens: “Many of the scientific issues we face today are rooted in challenges around energy – having enough supply to meet the needs of an ever-growing world economy and mitigating effects of its consumption.” "We need to broker partnerships that combine the benefits accruing from scientific and technological advancement with the capacity to deliver positive influence in favour of those living in developing countries," Dr Jonathan said. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Gordon Brown wished Commonwealth citizens a “very happy Commonwealth Day”, adding: “This year’s theme of science, technology and society has been chosen to help address those challenges by raising awareness of the essential role science plays in all areas of society and its fundamental importance to development throughout the Commonwealth. It plays a role in everything from sanitation and health to digital communications and climate change. Crucial issues which are currently affecting the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth."

Mr. Rose Munga (centre in Orange) the wife of Mr. Peter Munga also had a chance to meet the Queen and on right A traditional Rwandan dance troupe perform in London to mark Rwanda's accession into the Commonwealth.

A message from Her Majesty The Queen

8 March 2010

Head of the Commonwealth, on Commonwealth Day 2010

Today’s societies are constantly seeking ways to improve their quality of life, and science and technology play a vital part in that search. Experimentation, research and innovation, mean that more opportunities for improving people’s lives exist today than ever before. Take long distance communication, where the obstacles of time and geography have been dramatically reduced: people can now use mobile phones to be in instant contact virtually anywhere in the world, be it with a medical centre in the Himalayan mountains in Asia, a Pacific island school, a research facility at the South Pole, or even the international space station, beyond this planet altogether.  Advances in modern telecommunications are also having a marked economic effect on people from developing nations in the Commonwealth, helping to transform small to medium-sized businesses. The internet is playing an important part in helping to nurture these fledgling markets but, as yet, it still remains an unaffordable option for too many of our Commonwealth citizens. Progress in the fields of healthcare, manufacturing, and education have, for the most part, helped improve people’s lives throughout the world. In the health sector, the Commonwealth has shown how collaborative schemes can successfully assist member states to fight pandemics and diseases. In making these advances the Commonwealth recognises that the best forms of innovation are those that unite, and help build resilient partnerships and better societies as a whole. This is particularly important for the more than half of the Commonwealth citizens who are under 25 years of age. It is vital that their potential to build on the exceptional scientific expertise that exists in member states is also fully supported through education and social development. The Commonwealth understands this, and should continue to aid and encourage our young people to participate in the exciting new opportunities that lie ahead, in the knowledge that progress is something which must be sustained and shared by all.

Elizabeth R

8 March 2010

A Kenyan Care worker helped her husband launder £6m from mortgage scam in UK

London, Thursday 11th March, 2010. A care home assistant who led a life of luxury by helping her crooked husband launder the profits of a £6 million mortgage con was facing jail. Ruth Ayinde-Azeez, 26, lived in a six-bedroom house with 12 plasma televisions and drove a Bentley and Land Rover.  She took holidays in Dubai and the south of France, kept £1.6 million in her bank accounts and blew huge sums at expensive bars and restaurants. But her life was funded by crime, Southwark crown court heard. Her husband Victor led a mortgage fraud gang which plundered nearly £6 million from high street banks in six weeks. He “bought” 22 houses around the South-East and, with his accomplices, applied for mortgages from high street lenders including Bradford and Bingley and Abbey National. The paperwork was signed off by crooked solicitors. When Ayinde-Azeez was arrested, she was about to leave the country after her husband texted her a warning that the police were on their way. He is believed to be abroad. The Kenyan national was told by Judge Martin Beddoe: “It seems to me that I'm going to have to pass on you a significant sentence, without credit for a guilty plea.”

Even with the scandals, it's a good time to be a Nairobian

Roadworks across the city will soon create a motorist’s paradise in Nairobi. Already, Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Enterprise Road, among others, have been re-carpeted and traffic flow is smoother. Other major roads and intersections, such as the Globe Cinema Roundabout and University Way, are under construction. But it is a new Thika Road and the bypasses — the Eastern and the Western — that will have the most impact on Nairobi’s jams. The bypasses will feed inter-city traffic away from the Central Business District while a rebuilt Thika Road will shorten journey times and cut the endless hours spent in jams. But the modernisation of the city’s road network comes at a terrible cost for those who were so unwise as to build their dream homes and business premises on bypass land and road reserves. Large scale demolition has started of buildings which are on the Northern bypass, the provision for which was made more than 30 years ago. Flats, churches, bungalows and part of a school bearing the Roads ministry’s white or yellow cross are to be pulled down.  In Kahawa West, the Nation on Thursday witnessed construction workers pulling down the same buildings they helped put up a few years ago.

The demolition notices have long expired, but the sight of earthmovers on the opposite ridge prompted the owners to hire workers to pull down the buildings. Kongo area in Kahawa West is now strewn with the remains of buildings and the workers hack away at what is left with pick axes, giant hammers and shovels. “We agree with some owners to sell what we can salvage to pay ourselves. Others pay us a daily rate. A lot of money has been lost here,” said a worker at one of the sites.  The degree of “luck” varies — those putting up buildings in other areas simply move the materials while their more unfortunate counterparts lose everything. There is hardly any resistance to the demolition order. The Northern bypass connects Limuru Road to Thika Road, starting at Ruiru through Kahawa West, Thome Estate, Runda, Closeburn Farm and to Ruaka shopping centre.  The road is linked to the Eastern bypass, which starts at Wellington Hospital and runs through Mwiki, joining Mombasa Road next to City Cabanas Restaurant. The Northern bypass is 39 km long while the Eastern bypass is 31 km. The total 70 km stretch is designed to ease congestion in the city centre. – Daily Nation.

A Kenyan, Ann Njogu receives an an award in Washington

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) and first lady Michelle Obama (R) present the 2010 International Women of Courage Award to Kenyan human rights activist Ann Njogu at the State Department in Washington, March 10, 2010. Ten women received the award on Wednesday, the only one within the State Department that pays tributes to women leaders worldwide on right US first lady Michelle Obama (L) is pictured on stage with the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards recipients at the State Department in Washington, March 10, 2010. With Obama are (2nd L-R) Afghanistan's Shukria Asil and Shafiqa Quraishi, Sonia Pierre of the Dominican Republic, Kenya's Ann Njogu, Korea's Lee Ae-Run, Sri Lanka's Jansila Majeed, Syria's Sister Marie Claude Naddaf and Zimbabwe's Jestina Mukoko.  Photo/REUTERS 

Anti -Riot Police officers arrest Ann Njogu during a demonstration against Former Finance minister Amos Kimunya in Nairobi in July 2008.

Man breaks into church, watches porn. A man in Iowa has been charged with burglary after he broke into a church - and used the church television to watch pornography. The 55-year-old man allegedly broke into the First Christian Church in Ames, Iowa. USA on Thursday, whereupon he set about collecting a number of items from around the building, before retiring to the basement for the night, where authorities say he set up a camp. The man then used the church's equipment to watch a selection of porn movies he had with him. Staff from a preschool group who use the church found him on Friday morning, when they noticed a number of items missing, and then heard noises coming from the basement. Police were called, and arrived to find the man attempt to flee while dragging a rubbish bin filled with electronic equipment, food, kitchen utensils and a 26-inch flatscreen TV - all of it from the church. 'He kind of made himself at home,' Commander Mike Brennan of the Ames Police Department told the Ames Tribune newspaper.

Chaos in Nairobi as 7 people are shot dead

Nairobi, Thursday 11th March, 2010. The gun battle erupted in Kawangware when the police were called in to diffuse tension in the area after the Mungiki attacked motorcycle operators demanding “fees” they charge on a daily basis. Witnesses said the taxi men were innocent and were caught in the gun-battle contrary to initial reports that they were part of the Mungiki gang. Police however insisted that the seven were Mungiki's but their taxis were still parked at the scene of the shooting on Thursday. When the police descended on the area, there was confusion and people started fleeing in separate directions.  It was then that the seven were shot and killed. "I was woken by heavy gunfire just near my house and I thought we were under attack," said Jacob Mwanza, a mechanic who lives near the scene of the shootout. "When it cooled down, I peeped through the window and saw a lot of police and residents at the scene. "It was a bloody scene, there were people lying dead and it was so scary," he said. On Thursday morning, Kawangware became a no-go zone after residents took to the streets to protest the killing of the seven taxi men. Dagoretti MP Beth Mugo was at one point forced to flee from the scene after stone throwing mobs descended on the Administration Police camp where she wanted to make an address. Several people were injured in the ensuing melee. - Photo by Karuga wa Njuguna, Nairobi.

Some of the scenes at Kawangware

International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Khan demonstrates his football skills at a Soweto soccer school, as part of a tour of African nations.

A Mexican billionaire has been declared the richest person in the world, the first time the title has been held by a non-American for 16 years. Telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim Helu saw off Microsoft boss Bill Gates and investor Warren Buffett to claim the top spot. Slim Helu controls a string of companies, including Telmex and America Movil, and has a net worth of $53.5bn (£35.7bn). In the UK the Duke of Westminster was again the wealthiest man, as he has been for much of the past decade. Property tycoons David and Simon Reuben were second in the UK, followed by high street retail boss Sir Philip Green. All three have increased their wealth despite the recession, with the Duke gaining $1bn (£668m) to amass a total net worth of $12bn (£8bn). The Reubens are worth £5bn, while Sir Philip has a fortune of £4.5bn. Gates was knocked off the top spot for only the second time since 1995 despite gaining $13bn (£8.7bn) in the past year. Forbes' 24th list of the world's richest people sees the number of billionaires rise from 793 last year to 1,011 now. In 2008 the total was 1,125. The ranking of more than 900 of the world's richest people includes 29 Britons and a total of 97 new billionaires from across the globe. Of these, 62 are from Asia, and for the first time China has the most billionaires - 64 - outside the US, where there are 403. Pakistan added its first billionaire this year, bank chairman Mian Muhammad Mansha, as did Finland with Antti Herlin from engineering company KONE Corporation. The tally of the richest Europeans was dominated by retailers with Bernard Arnault from LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) ranked number one in the continent and seventh in the world. Amancio Ortego from Zara was second in Europe and ninth in the world, while Karl Albrecht from Aldi was third and 10th.

Richest man: Carlos Slim Helu - Runners up: Microsoft boss Bill Gates, worth £35.4billion, was knocked off the top spot. Right, Warren Buffett came in third on the Forbes' list with £31.4billion

Rose Macharia's brother killed by a vehicle in Nairobi

Mrs. Rose Macharia  well known as Rose Muigai of Martyns & Rose Solicitors in London has lost her brother Mr. Martin Macharia Muigai, 30, back in Kenya on Wednesday 10th March, 2010. Family and friends are meeting for prayers and funeral arrangements at 38 Indigo Court, Ashford Road, Feltham, TW13 4SE as from 6.00 p.m. For more information please contact 02087518606, 07957495112, 07837061662 or 07957791253.

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Kenyan girl stabs boyfriend to death in Kampala Campus

A Kenyan  student of Kampala International University (KIU) is held at Kabalagala Police station for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death. Jane Nyiha, a second-year student of bachelor’s of public administration, is accused of stabbing David Musunga Ivita in the throat, causing him to bleed to death. She was yesterday picked from her room in Kansanga, a Kampala suburb, where she allegedly committed the crime at around 11:00am. The Police also recovered a knife which she is suspected of having used in the crime. Musunga, who also comes from Kenya, was a third-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He was due to sit his final exams in April and graduate in September. Almost 80% of KIU students are Kenyans. Musunga died during examination at the university clinic where he had been rushed. The two, who had been staying in the same room, were described as long-time lovers by their landlord, John Male. “They have been friendly and calm since they rented my house in 2008. Although the boy would drink, he was generally very cool,” he said. Neighbours reported that trouble started yesterday morning when Musunga returned home drunk at 4:00am. Nyiha declined to open the door for him. The landlord narrated that Musunga spent almost an hour knocking at the door but his girlfriend only peeped through the window, laughed and ordered him out of her sight.

Musunga slept at the house of a friend, David Mwenda, who is also a Kenyan. When he returned to his room at 11:00am, a brief quarrel ensued between the two, a neighbour said. “We heard the boy groaning and wondered what had happened.” When some neighbours went to check, they said they were shocked to find the boy in a pool of blood. His girlfriend reportedly dashed to a boda-boda stage to rush the victim to the university clinic where he died on arrival. By press time, the body was still in Nsambya Hospital. For several hours, Police detectives cordoned off the scene of the crime. They broke the padlock of the deceased’s room and picked blood-stained bed sheets, photographs and a knife among other exhibits. Other students who knew Nyiha said she was a born-again Christian and not quarrelsome. They described the deceased as a quiet, intelligent youth. Kansanga residents complained that many of the foreign students at the university’s main campus were rowdy and indisciplined. “They drink a lot, sparking off conflicts. I often receive complaints from landlords and residents concerning the improper behaviour of Kenyan students,” the LC1 chairperson, Francis Sseguya, said. He called for collaboration between the Police, the community and university authorities to guarantee security in the area. Muhammad Ndaula, the university vice-chancellor, regretted the incident but defended the Kenyan students. The incident is just the latest in a series of murder cases involving students over love and alcoholism. In 2007, a Kenyan student, Duncan Njogu Kamore, was expelled from Busoga University for stabbing a colleague, Paul Mogaka, after they fought over a girl. In October 2008, 17-year-old Tadeo Bukye, an S4 student of Mpanga SS in Fort Portal, was stabbed to death by a jealous girlfriend at a school party. Last year in September, Phiona Mutamba, a student of Makerere University Business School, was stabbed by her boyfriend, also a student at the same school, before he committed suicide at Workers House in the centre of Kampala. - The New Vision

World's top 10 billionaires

2. Bill Gates (£35.4billion)
Microsoft, U.S.
More than 60 per cent of fortune held outside Microsoft including Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. 

3. Warren Buffett (£31.3billion)
Investments, U.S.
Shrewdly invested £3.3billion in Goldman Sachs and £2billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. 

4. Mukesh Ambani (£19.3billion)
Petrochemicals, oil and gas. India
His Reliance Industries, India's most valuable company, bid £1.3billion for 65 per cent stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creations.

5. Lakshmi Mittal (£19.1billion)
Steel, India
London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel maker. Net profits fell 75 per cent in 2009. Mittal took 12 per cent pay cut but improved outlook pushed stock up one-third. 

6. Lawrence Ellison (£18.7billion)
Oracle, U.S.
Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years. Completed £5billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January. 

7. Bernard Arnault (£18.3billion)
Luxury goods, France
The richest European thanks to shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH - maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon - surging 57 per cent. 

8. Eike Batista (£18.2billion)
Mining, oil. Brazil
This year's biggest gainer added £13billion to his personal balance sheet. Son of Brazil's revered former mining minister got his start in gold trading and mining. 

9. Amancio Ortega (£16.6billion)
Fashion retail, Spain
Owns Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius. It has 4,500 stores in 73 countries.

10. Karl Albrecht (£15.7billion)
Supermarkets, Germany
Owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) largest stores. Estimated sales: £24.7billion.

WHAT SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON THURSAY 11TH MARCH 2010
 

LEFT: The Daily Mail reports that millions of middle-earners face a 10 per cent 'death tax' levy under Labour plans to pay for social care of the elderly. CENTRE: The proposals also make the front page of the Daily Express. RIGHT: The Times reports that judges fear Britain's prisons will be unable to cope with new sentencing rules that could result in more people being jailed.

DO YOU KNOW?: United Kingdom is the largest single Foreign Investor in Kenya. Over sixty (60) companies from the United Kingdom are now operating in Kenya with a combined investment outlay of £1.6 billion.

NEW DEATH TAX FOR ALL SHOCK

Labour party in UK wants to hammer every home owner in Britain with a spiteful 10 per cent death tax, it emerged. The levy would be charged on all estates up to the current inheritance tax threshold of £325,000. Any amount above the existing threshold is already taxed at 40 per cent. But the extra charge would add a huge £32,500 on top of the tax bill for such properties. It means people with an estate valued at £500,000 would find their relatives hit with a bill of £102,500 after their death. Health Secretary Andy Burnham raised the spectre of the additional levy at a debate on social care funding yesterday.  He said: “This is not a flat fee and would enable people to protect 90 per cent of their homes and savings.” Mr Burnham also claimed that the levy would be “progressive” since the millionaire would pay more than the ordinary pensioner. He said an earlier idea to charge a flat rate on people’s estates once they die – thought to be around £20,000 – was still being considered. But critics last night accused the Government of treating people “like fools”. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “Everyone knows that Labour wants to impose a death tax on grieving families but yet again Andy Burnham refuses to be straight with the British people about his plans. “It is incredible that the Government is set to publish a White Paper outlining their death tax policy within the next three weeks and yet the Health Secretary claims he is still weighing up various options. He is treating people like fools.”

"Humanity is the art of total dependence on God" - Sanity, Grace Njeri, Oxford.

IN THE YEAR 2010

Practice team work....

MPs reject Naivasha retreat

Nairobi, Thursday 11th March, 2010 - Members of Parliament will not be proceeding to Naivasha for a retreat to scrutinize the harmonized draft constitution after all after a motion seeking to adjourn house business from Thursday to allow for the retreat was defeated.  In a heated debate that saw the MPs go into division, 25 members present in the house voted against the proposed retreat while 23 supported it. The defeat of the motion sealed any chance left for MPs to build consensus on contentious issues prior to debate of the draft expected in parliament.  Political intrigues played out in the August House with MPs split over the adjournment motion seeking to have parliament adjourn its sittings and proceed to Naivasha for a two day retreat to scrutinize the contents of the harmonized draft constitution. In their arguments legislators opposed to the retreat said the retreat was a political attempt at mutilating the draft for selfish reasons and debate should be confined to parliament buildings and not any other forum.  They argued that it was a waste of taxpayers' money for MPs to go to Naivasha yet political parties had already taken hard stances over the matter.  However those pushing for the retreat argued it would give the members an opportunity to scrutinize the draft and make informed choices.  They argued that the retreat was not biding in law, as the law requires any amendments made to the draft be done in parliament by a two thirds majority of MPs.  They further said legislators should be sober in the debate instead of drawing daggers at an early stage that could jeopardize the constitution making process.  Earlier Wednesday, several legislators who are members of the parliamentary select committee on the constitution arrived in Naivasha at the proposed venue of the retreat. Among those present was Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo who said they were hoping the legislators could agree on contentious issues including the abortion issue, the Kadhi Courts, representation and devolution. The draft constitution is expected to be tabled in parliament where it will be debated for 30 days before being subjected to a referendum.

A MAASAI PROVERB

Tudumu esas e nkiten kake midumu enoltunani.

Pick up the weak cow, but don't pick up the weak man.

A man should be able to look after himself.

Hon. Karua is in US

Former Justice minister Martha Karua faced heavy questioning during a town hall meeting held in Dallas, Texas, on the 2007 General Election in Kenya. The MP for Gichugu, who is currently on a tour of the United States, fielded questions from attendees of the event organised by Kenyans for Change, who sought to know “who really won” in the disputed elections and what her role was in having President Kibaki declared the winner. Some participants of the Sunday forum took issue with the fact that Ms Karua was present in the hall when the seemingly insurmountable lead held by Raila Odinga over his rival President Kibaki “suddenly” evaporated. Ms Karua defended herself by emphatically reminding the questioners that the results could only be declared by the electoral commission and she only acted as an agent for President Kibaki. “Mr Samuel Kivuitu (the then chairman of the electoral commission) declared the results, not me,” said Ms Karua.  “He declared the results after receiving the remaining votes from the Mt Kenya region, and which subsequently wiped out Odinga’s lead.” Ms Karua is scheduled to speak at Harvard Law School in Massachusetts on Monday. – Daily Nation.

Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 10 - Kenya on Wednesday sentenced eight Somali men to 20 years imprisonment each, after a Mombasa court found them guilty of piracy. They were accused of attempting to hijack the MV Powerful on November 11, 2008 putting in fear the lives of the crew while armed with weapons. While handing out her judgement, Senior Principal Magistrate Lillian Mutende said the offence of piracy was serious and carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. “I have considered the mitigation of both the prosecution and the defence counsel. The offence of piracy is serious and carries a life imprisonment but because they are young and family men, I sentence each of them to 20 years imprisonment,” said Ms Mutende. However, defence counsel Jared Magolo said he would appeal against the judgment arguing that the magistrate made an error. “I will file an appeal against the judgement and I am confident that the high court will correct the errors,” said Mr Magolo. Ms Mutende's judgement thwarted the defence’s plea to have the accused sentenced to a non-custodial sentence. Mr Magolo had told the court that the two years his clients were in custody was sufficient enough and it would be better if the court granted them a non-custodial sentence. He went ahead and thrilled the packed courtroom, saying a custodial sentence would be an unnecessary burden to the taxpayers. “They have been in custody for a period of two years in very difficult circumstances in a foreign country. Having them in custody would be a burden to the taxpayers,” said Mr Magolo. He had also mitigated that the pirates were already rehabilitated and they should not be in custody anymore arguing that the major purpose of a custodial sentence had been achieved. “They are remorseful and have reformed. They have also promised to make positive changes to the society,” he added. The suspects are Aid Mohamed Ahmed, Abdinasir Mohamed Said, Amin Osman Said, Ahmed Mohamed Omar, Feysal Ahmed Farah, Yusuf Said Yusuf, Hussein Mohamud Ismail and Abdi Hamud Kassim. - CapitalFM

Nairobi, Wednesday 10th March, 2010. Property worth over 10 million shillings was Wednesday morning destroyed when a fire razed two business premises in Kiambu town. The inferno burnt to ashes the Buffalo Springs bar and restaurant situated next to the Steve Ways Plaza, a seven storey residential building which fortunately did not catch fire.  The building housed several businesses including a salon, barbershop, a tailoring shop, a spare parts shop and an agrovet shop among others. Second hand clothes dealers were also counting losses after their stores caught fire. Nothing was salvaged in the fire which broke out at 3.00 a.m. The cause of fire was not immediately established but witnesses said a jiko in one of the restaurants started the fire which spread to the bar counter where bottles of wines and spirits were stored from where it accelerated and burst into big flames by 4.00a.m. Speaking at the scene the Kiambu District Commissioner, Albert Kimathi, said that there were no casualties as the buildings only houses businesses. Fire engines from Nairobi and Kiambu arrived an hour later and battled with the fire for more than two hours. The newly acquired Kiambu Municipality fire engine also arrived at the scene albeit later than the ones from Nairobi.

A LUO PROVERB

Ia nono ka jaliedo.

You've gained or earned nothing like a person who shaves heads of a funeral

You've engaged in a futile task which is gainless.

IN THE YEAR 2010

Exercise to main good health

Esther Arunga charged in court

Former TV Presenter Esther Arunga has been charged with being a member of an illegal society. Ms Arunga was arraigned before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei where she was accused of being a member of the controversial Finger of God church. She denied the charges and was released on a 20,000 shillings cash bail. The former KTN news anchor was arrested last month alongside the church's leader and jazz musician Joseph Hellon, Quincy Timberlake and other followers in a night raid at his home in Nairobi's Runda estate. Hellon and five others were released on Sh20, 000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to the charge of being members of an unlawful society. His partner Quincy Zuma Timberlake is still in custody.  Last week Arunga declared she had married Quincy who is a musician and changed her name to Esther Adongo Timbarlake. Addressing a press conference, Arunga alleged that she  got married to Quincy who is being held at Industrial Area remand prison on Wednesday night  in a civil ceremony. "I have a certificate of marriage, I'm now Esther Adongo Timberlake" she told journalists. Quincy is facing charges of absconding court in a criminal case pending at Makadara law courts. Industrial Remand prison warder Pauline Wanja said it was not possible that the two could have got married in her prison. The former TV presenter has also sued her parents and city psychiatrist Frank Njenga for Sh300 million for abducting and doping her.

Ms Arunga was arraigned before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei where she was accused of being a member of the controversial Finger of God church.

DO YOU KNOW? APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) posts Sh23.2 billion profits as economy recovers. Foreign exchange gains, sale of Grand Regency Hotel and reduced expenses due to less intervention in the money market has propelled earnings of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). The bank’s improved fortunes come with the economy in recovery lane after a two-year slow down. CBK made a historic Sh23.2 billion profit in the period ending June 30 last year.  This compares favourably to Sh8.9 billion made in 2008. Given the good earnings, the board of directors has recommended payment of Sh7.2 billion dividend for the year ended June 30, 2009 as opposed to Sh4 billion allotted the previous year. As a banker, advisor and fiscal agent of the Government, CBK improved its performance even as the economy struggled due to effects of global financial crisis and severe drought.  "This higher performance over the previous year is due to foreign exchange translation gains, amounting to Sh13.4 billion in the year under review. This compares to a gain of only Sh54 million," said a director’s report contained in the CBK 2009 Annual report. The bank’s performance was also pushed up by a Sh3.1 billion proceed from the sale of Grand Regency Hotel, an asset that it held as security. Also contributing to this bottom line was CBK’s reduced activity in the money market due to a tight supply of money.  Expenses associated with conduct of this monetary policy exercise were lower than the previous year by Sh1.3 billion. The report indicates that lower foreign currency earnings, which fell by 32 per cent or Sh3.3 billion, tampered the positive financial performance. The foreign exchange earnings were effected by the global financial crisis that took its toll on inflows. The bank’s operating expenses, which includes such items as currency printing and property maintenance was also higher than 2008, by some Sh1.4 billion or 29 per cent. The assets of the bank also increased by Sh36.5 billion (13 per cent), mainly due to balances due from global institutions that increased by Sh23.2 billion or 10 per cent. - The Standard

A FUNDRAISING FOR THE LATE RUTH ON SATURDAY 13TH MARCH 2010

A fundraising event towards the transportation of the Miss Ruth Waruguru Kagwe who passed away in Harlow, Essex, UK last week is scheduled to take place on Saturday 13th March, 2010 in Harlow as from 5.00 p.m. A fundraising event is scheduled on Saturday 13th March, 2010 at St James’ & Luke’s Church, Perry Road, Staple Tyre, Great Pardon, Harlow, Essex, CM18 7BP - CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP

Man marries pillow
 

True love can take many forms. In this case, it has taken the form of a Korean man falling in love with, and eventually marrying, a large pillow with a picture of a woman on it. Lee Jin-gyu kisses his new bride, a pillow with a picture of anime character Fate Testarossa on it. Lee Jin-gyu fell for his 'dakimakura' - a kind of large, huggable pillow from Japan, often with a picture of a popular anime character printed on the side.  In Lee's case, his beloved pillow has an image of Fate Testarossa, from the 'magical girl' anime series Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha.  Now the 28-year-old otaku (a Japanese term that roughly translates to somewhere between 'obsessive' and 'nerd') has wed the pillow in a special ceremony, after fitting it out with a wedding dress for the service in front of a local priest. Their nuptials were eagerly chronicled by the local media. 'He is completely obsessed with this pillow and takes it everywhere,' said one friend. 'They go out to the park or the funfair where it will go on all the rides with him. Then when he goes out to eat he takes it with him and it gets its own seat and its own meal,' they added. The pillow marriage is not the first similarly-themed unusual marriage in recent times - it comes after a Japanese otaku married his virtual girlfriend Nene Anegasaki, a character who only exists in the Nintendo DS game Love Plus, last November.

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Obama health good but struggles with smoking

Washington, US President Barack Obama is in overall “excellent health” but still struggles with a smoking habit, his doctors said in a report after Obama had a routine medical exam yesterday. Mr Obama, 48, visited the National Naval Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland for a 90-minute checkup, his first since taking office just over a year ago. A team of doctors led by Dr Jeffrey Kuhlman, the chief White House physician, found Mr Obama to be “fit for duty” and said he was likely to remain so for the rest of his presidency. But the doctors recommended that he continue his “smoking cessation efforts” and also that he change his diet to bring down a cholesterol level that is borderline high. The 1.86 metres Obama, who weighs 81.5 kilogrammes, exercises every day, including jogging on a treadmill and lifting weights. He also plays basketball and golf and generally favours a diet of healthy foods. Mr Obama’s resting heart rate was 56 beats per minute and his blood pressure was 105/62 — both very healthy ranges. The report said Mr Obama uses a “nicotine replacement therapy,” which suggests he has been trying to quit smoking. Last June, when asked if he still smoked cigarettes, Mr Obama said he was “95 per cent cured” but added “there are times when I mess up.” Mr Obama last had a medical exam in July 2008. During his presidential campaign, in May of 2008, his campaign released a summary of an exam Mr Obama had in January 2007 that also showed him to be in excellent health. Mr Obama’s cholesterol levels have risen since 2007. His latest exam found that his overall cholesterol was 209, slightly above the normal level of 200. His level of LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol, was 138 and his doctor recommended that he try to reduce that to 130 through changes in his diet. In the 2007 exam, Mr Obama’s overall cholesterol level was 173 and his LDL cholesterol was 96. Mr Obama suffers from occasional pain in his left knee, a common injury in people who run. Dr Kuhlman suggested that he modify his exercise regime and include a strengthening programme for the knee.

Budget date of 24 March starts countdown for 6 May election in UK

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH, 2010

LEFT: Labour has lost a third of its vote since the last election but the Conservatives still face the prospect of a hung parliament, according to a poll quoted in the Metro. CENTRE: Facebook has come under pressure from the Government for snubbing the official paedophile 'panic button', the Daily Mail says. RIGHT: Britain will urge the Afghan government to pursue peace with the Taliban amid growing fears the war will continue indefinitely, the Guardian reports.

VILE NYAMA HUKO KENYA INAKATAKATWA

KACC retraces how Sh283m set aside for new public burial ground for Nairobi was looted by lawyers, brokers and officials.

The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is fighting perception it has been chasing small fish, but it now has Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on its to-probe-list. It is the highest KACC has got in the party hierarchy, given Mudavadi is the Prime Minister’s second in command in Orange Party alongside Agriculture Minister William Ruto. Ruto is also grappling with corruption claims. Apart from the 12 senior Local Government Ministry officials, including Permanent Secretary Sammy Kirui, and former Nairobi Town Clerk John Gakuo, also in a list of those under probe in the Sh283m inflated cemetery land purchase is Mayor Godfrey Majiwa. "Out of the Sh283,200,000 there was a clear understanding among the various players that only Sh110 million comprised the actual price, Sh120 million was set aside as benefit to public servants at the council, Treasury, and the Ministry of Local Government that was to handled by Newton Osiemo and his brother Davies Osiemo," said the report. - The Standard.

Martin Luther King "I have a dream" - VIDEO

Nut Crackers: Squirrels Go Mad For Coconuts

A pair of squirrels have taken their love of coconuts to a different level - by getting stuck into their favourite snacks. They love them so much that they dive right inside the shells to get the last tasty bit. The squirrels are regular visitors to Jane Roberts' garden in Fareham, Hampshire. They often used to steal the food put out for the birds but now they are just crazy about coconuts. Jane, 46, puts out two nuts a week and suspends them on pieces of string from the washing line. She said: "I make a large hole in the coconut so that they can get into the flesh. The first time I saw them feeding I nearly died laughing, they looked just like a pair of spacemen. "Even now I can't stop chuckling every time I see them."

Millions in UK will have to wait until 4pm for post

Millions of householders will have to wait until 4pm to receive their mail under a controversial new contract for postmen. Under the terms of a new three year Royal Mail pay deal, which has been criticised for allowing postmen to get paid more for working less, letters and parcels will be delivered one hour later - 3pm in towns and cities and 4pm in the countryside.  Currently, the latest the post should be delivered is 2pm in towns and cities, and 3pm in rural areas.

A traditional Rwandan dance troupe perform in London to mark Rwanda's accession into the Commonwealth.

OXFORD STORY

Origins
The actual origins of Oxford are shrouded in the mists of time, though that didn't stop John Rous, medieval historian, from inventing a rather dramatic genealogy for the city.

Rous, writing in his 1490 work Historium Regum Angliae, claims that a city called Caer-Memre was built on the Thames River by King Mempricius during the time that Samuel was Judge in Judea. This would put the origins of Oxford at between 1400-1500 BCE. Mempricius' city was known by a variety of names before the Saxon "Oxenfordia" took hold.

Other medieval historians upheld a popular legend that Oxford was founded by the Trojans, who were supposed to have landed in Britain in about 1100 BCE. Alternatively, a king named Arviragus was said to have founded Oxford in 70 AD. For this king, at least, there may be some historical basis.

More factual evidence of settlement at Oxford comes from archaeological finds of Neolithic arrowheads and other remains in the area. Though no evidence of a settlement exists, we know that there was a large Neolithic population here, possibly as early as 4000 BCE. Evidence of Bronze Age (2000-700BCE) barrows indicate a more permanent settlement during that period.

Roman Oxford
Certainly Oxford was not a centre of any importance by the time the Romans invaded Britain. Unlike towns such as London, Colchester, and Chester, Oxford seems to have been largely ignored by the Roman conquerors, although there is evidence of pottery kilns here which may have supplied earthenware vessels to the new rulers of the island realm.

Nairobi, Tuesday 9th March, 2010. Kibaki suspends PS, 12 officers over cemetery scandal. President Mwai Kibaki Monday directed that the officers who are responsible for fraudulent purchase of the cemetery land Plot No. LR. 14759 at Mavoko Township, comprising 120 acres by the City Council of Nairobi at an exorbitant price of Ksh.283 million, be interdicted with immediate effect. The President also directed that the monies overpaid, amounting to Ksh. 259 million, be recovered from the beneficiaries. In a statement, the Head of State said the officers and other collaborators including lawyers and agents, should be prosecuted for the serious fraud which he said was committed against the Kenyan public. He told the relevant agencies of Government to take immediate action. The interdicted officers are:

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Local Government
1.       Mr. Sammy Kirui - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government
2.       Mr. Reuben K. Rotich  - Senior Deputy Secretary
3.       Mr. Boniface Misero  - Director of Procurement
4.       Mr. Herman Chevera - Chief Financial Officer

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Finance
5.       Mr. Paul Ngugi - Director of Budget City Council
6.       Mr. John Gakuo - Nairobi River Project Coordinator & Former Town Clerk
7.       Mr. Geoffrey Katsolleh - Deputy Town Clerk
8.       Mr. Kanyi Njambura - Director of Procurement
9.       Ms Mary Ng'ethe  - Director of Legal Affairs
10.     Mr. Karisa Iha  - Deputy Director Legal Affairs
11.     Mr. Alexander Musee - Deputy Director, Procurement
12.     Dr. Daniel Nguku - Medical Officer of Health -
13.     Mr. I. N. Ngacha - Chief Internal Auditor

Mr. Henry Kilonzi who was paid KShs. 283 million by the Nairobi City Council for the land scandal is hiding somewhere in the UK. He was not the owner of the land nor connected in any way with the City Council. The land value was Kshs. 24 million and now it ended up to KShs. 283 million.

"Every Kenyan man, woman and child is entitled to a decent and just living. That is a birthright. It is not a privilege. He is entitled as far as is humanly possible to equal educational, job and health opportunities irrespective of his parentage, race or creed or his area of origin in this land. If that is so, deliberate efforts should be made to eliminate all obstacles that today stand in the way of this just goal. That is the primary task of the machinery called Government: our Government." - The late JM Kariuki, former Nyandarua MP.

Cherrie Blair is in Kenya

Former British PM’s wife Cherrie Blair and Minister for Public Health Beth Mugo in Kibera Monday 8th March, 2010 where they lead celebrations to mark the International Women’s Day. - The Standard.

Elgar £20 note no longer legal tender

Have a look in your wallet: any £20 notes with the image of Edward Elgar on them will not be legal tender after June 30 this year. This means that shops no longer have to accept the notes, and it is up to banks whether they agree to swap notes after this date. From July 1 only notes with the image of Adam Smith, the Scottish economist, will be legal tender. These notes first came into circulation in March 2007. About ten per cent of all £20 notes in circulation equating to 150 million notes, worth £3 billion are the old versions featuring the English composer. They were first introduced in June 1999 along with a view of the west face of Worcester Cathedral, replacing the previous series of notes featuring Michael Faraday, the physicist, and before that William Shakespeare. Old notes will eventually be sent to one of the official Government incinerators, where they will burned alongside damaged notes. A small amount of thermoelectric power is generated by these sites, which also burn illegal tobacco seized by HM Revenue and Customs at British ports. After June 1 if a bank or building society refuses to swap a note, consumers have the right to swap the notes at the Bank of England itself. The Bank promises that it will honour the face value of any note issued, even notes from before World War II.

22ND CENTURY SHOES

Lady Gaga famously wore his 'armadillo' shoes in her Bad Romance video and on right the mega-platforms stand at a barely walkable 12 inches tall.

New immigration fees from 6 April 2010

Home Office, 05 March 2010

Following Parliamentary approval, the new immigration fees announced on 20 January and 10 February 2010 will be introduced from Tuesday 6 April 2010 for all those applying to study, visit, work in or stay in the UK. The new fees are set out in the table that you can find below. Also on Tuesday 6 April 2010, we are revising a number of our application forms. If you are submitting an application on or after 6 April, please:
visit the relevant section of this website to check that you have the right form; and
make sure that you send us payment at the new fee level for your type of application.

THE NEW VISA FEES AS FROM 6TH APRIL 2010 - CLICK HERE FOR FULL FEES TABLE

Mr. James Mwangi Maguru well known as J. Maguru because of his buses which used to be called J. Maguru passed away on Saturday 6th March, 2010 in Thika town. He will be buried on Saturday 13th March, 2010 in his farm at Kangari, Village, Kigumo, Murang'a. He was the co-founder of Bible Fellowship Church in Kenya.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit.. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

Kacc pushes for probe on mayor and Mudavadi
 
The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission wants Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Nairobi Mayor Godfrey Majiwa investigated over the City Hall cemetery scandal. Also targeted for investigation by the graft authority is Mr Sammy Kirui, the Local Government Permanent Secretary, who was suspended on Monday. The graft agency also recommends the prosecution of 10 people. Giving details of an alleged conspiracy to embezzle millions of shillings through the scandal, Kacc, however, said its investigations were incomplete. In a report tracing the start of plans to buy the 120-acre land in Mavoko, to the payment of millions of shillings, Kacc lists senior officers, their alleged hatchet men and accounts that were allegedly used in defrauding the government of more than Sh170 million. The plot in Mavoko, valued at Sh30 million was bought by the City Council for use as a cemetery at a cost of Sh283 million.
 
City Hall officials had advised the council that the land was useless as a cemetery. Out of the purchase price of Sh283 million, Kacc said there was a clear understanding among the various players that only Sh110 million was the actual cost. The report, addressed to the office of Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, lists names of senior officials at the City Council, Local Government ministry, lawyers and businessmen, and the amounts they were allegedly paid. “KSh120 million was set aside as benefit to public servants to wit: City Council of Nairobi officials, Treasury and Ministry of Local Government,” said the report, signed by Kacc acting director J P Mutonyi, dated March 8.  In all, the report says, the money was shared between 17 people, with a firm of lawyers getting Sh59 million. The report suggested the lawyers were proxies for a top politician. However, the director of Communications at Mr Mudavadi’s office, Mr Kibisu Kabatesi, dismissed the Kacc demands, saying his boss had no association with those named in the scandal, and was the only one pushing for the truth. – Daily Nation.

Mr. Karanja wa Chrispo of Mairi Village, Kigumo, Murang'a who was working with Kenya Army was hit and killed by a vehicle outside Kahawa Barracks on Saturday 6th March, 2010. He is the son of Mathira wa Njiiri of Mairi Village.

Meet the man who renovated Nairobi toilets

When God speaks to you, don't ignore nor should you question whether it is possible or impossible. Yours is just to obey. Have a look this look at this testimony by a Kenyan businessman visiting London recently. - MORE FOR VIDEO

Like Moses in the Bible who was asked by God what "are you holding in your hands", the same happened to Mr. Tom Makale in 1996. After obtaining a degree from the University, he searched for a job in the streets of Nairobi without success. With two children and a wife to feed, Mr. Makale had come to the end of the road. As a good Christian, he went onto his knees and prayed to God that he has given up everything including his degree and whatever God would direct him to do. he would do. One night in his dream he got a message to start the work of cleaning Nairobi city council toilets. This was the worst job in the world due to the condition of the toilets themselves whereby you would find human waste even before entering the toilets. Keeping it as a secret to his family, he decided to approach the council officials to give him the job of cleaning the toilets. The officials thought that the man was crazy due to the conditions of the toilets. As Tom explains, his biggest problem was not to clean the toilets but his biggest problem was how to tell it to his wife. He was given the job and he did it for a month without telling his family but the wife noticed that their financial situation was improving.

At last Tom decided to let the cat of the sack. One evening he asked his wife: "Sweetheart, how would you feel if at all you know that your husband is a toilet cleaner?". The wife replied that she does not mind provided that he enjoys it and he brings a plate of food on the table. From that day Tom had a breakthrough. He took over all the other toilets in the city knocking some of them down and rebuilding them again. Today he has employed more than 60 employees and he is continuing expanding his business outside the city. Today Tom is a tycoon and everyone using the toilets in Nairobi has to pay KShs. 5. While speaking during the launching of Pastor Anthony Kimani Kang'ong'a's book in London on Saturday 21st November, Tom advised the young people and everyone else to make use of the small talents that God has given them to expand their dreams. "It is not a matter of how much education you have, it is a matter of pursuing your dreams." Tom explained. His contact in the UK is 07536391178 or his email tommakale@yahoo.com

Hebrews 8: 9-12

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

House prices: Rises may start to slow, surveyors say

Further rises in house prices may be held back by more properties coming on to the market, surveyors have said. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) says new instructions outpaced inquiries from new buyers in February. It was the second month in a row that this had happened. The rise in house prices during the past year has been attributed by many commentators to a shortage of stock for sale. Despite the suggestion that the balance between buyers and sellers may be changing, Rics still found more surveyors reporting rising prices than falling prices last month. "There was a resumption of interest in the housing market following the fall that took place in January, which was due partly to the extreme weather conditions during that month and the reversion back to the previous stamp duty regime," said Rics spokesman Jeremy Leaf. "The magnitude of the gains going forward is likely to continue to ease, reflecting the fact that new supply coming on to the market is starting to outstrip fresh demand."

Three Brazilians jailed for running passport factory in Bayswater

Home Office, 08 March 2010

Three Brazilian nationals were sentenced to a total of five years in jail on Thursday 4 March, for producing hundreds of counterfeit identity documents from flats in Bayswater. It follows an investigation by our officers from the London immigration crime team, a specialist unit of seconded Metropolitan Police Service officers working with UK Border Agency staff. Cybelle Mota aged 31, Renato Cardoso aged 25 and Edson Cavilha aged 40 were arrested in September 2009 following raids on two flats that Mota and Cardosa were renting in Leinster Gardens and Hereford Road, Bayswater. At the properties officers discovered stencils, stamps, templates and documents, as well as scanners and computers that were used to produce fake passports, identity cards, National Insurance cards, driving licenses and other forms of identity. They had used some of these themselves, but others were sold on to 'customers' who wanted to pose as an EU citizen to gain work or housing in the UK. All three pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to produce identity documents for fraud, and during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Cardoso was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, Mota was jailed for 16 months, and Cavilha was told he'll have to spend 12 months behind bars. They will all face deportation at the end of their sentences. Detective inspector Mike Duncan from London immigration crime team said:

'Mota, Cardoso and Cavilha ran a sophisticated criminal operation with one aim - to help themselves and others flout the UK's immigration laws. 'We hope that their sentences will send out the message that both we and the courts take these kind of offences very seriously.'

Detective superintendent Chris Foster, head of London and South East regional immigration crime team, said:

'The Metropolitan Police and UK Border Agency will continue to work in partnership to target the small minority of foreign nationals causing harm to our communities. 'Those involved in or benefiting from organised immigration crime face arrest, prosecution and a prison sentence.'

Good News Broadcasting System (GBS) is a new Christian digital TV

Good News Broadcasting System (GBS) is a new Christian digital TV station which was officially launched last night at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. The TV

station going with the slogan 'Beyond the limit' bears the objective to preach the true gospel and deliver the love of Jesus Christ. GBS was licensed 22nd Sep last year by CCK and started building their offices at Kasarani soon after. The station has been on trail in Kisumu on analog with partnership of KBC. The guests were entertained by among others Kyoung Ok Hyun playing Korean traditional music equipment known as Gayageum. International Yoputh Fellowship from Nairobi also played a few dances among them 'Wakati Umefika' a very popular song with Kenyans. Among the guests were Stanley Kamau CEO Ahadi Trust, Kiss FM presenter Jalang'o, KBC Corporation's Managing Director David Waweru, Prof Chris Wanjala, GBS Chairman from Kores Park Cheol Yong among other guests. - http://www.gbskenya.com/

Tunick plans naked photo shoot for Salford art gallery
Andû nî mendire nduma mbere ya ûtheri

Hundreds of people are being asked to shed their clothes to celebrate a Greater Manchester art gallery's 10th birthday. The Lowry, in Salford, has commissioned photographer Spencer Tunick to create a piece of work in Salford and neighbouring Manchester in May. The New York-based artist needs 1,000 volunteers to take part. The work will be shown at The Lowry from June to September as part of its exhibition, Everyday People. Tunick has photographed thousands of nude volunteers across the world, most recently at the Sydney Opera House earlier this month. In Salford and Manchester, Tunick will create his first multiple site installation. Volunteers will be taken, via heated buses, to eight locations over the weekend of 1-2 May and asked to pose naked while Tunick creates his piece of work.

All dog owners in England and Wales would have insurance

All dog owners in England and Wales would have to insure against their pet attacking someone, under Labour proposals to tackle dangerous breeds. Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or even get them neutered. Ministers say the consultation responds to concerns about the use of animals to intimidate or threaten people. But the Tories say Labour has allowed the problem to grow in recent years. Each week, more than 100 people are admitted to hospital after dog attacks. There has also been a reported rise in levels of dog fighting and illegal ownership, particularly by gangs who are using dangerous dogs as status symbols.  Coming a few weeks before a general election is expected, the government has launched a consultation on amending the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. This legislation banned four types - the pit bull terrier, the Japanese tosa, the dogo Argentino and the fila Brasileiro - from public places. The government's consultation suggests also banning them from people's homes. Ministers argue this will also protect postal workers, telecoms engineers and other people whose work takes them on to private land. Another proposal is to introduce compulsory third-party insurance for dog owners to ensure attack victims are compensated. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said he was concerned that some owners were keeping dogs with the sole purpose of intimidating other people. He told BBC News: "What most dog owners recognise is that what's going on is cruelty to animals. "Other dogs are being treated abysmally because of this fashion for 'status dogs', which has been the main issue over the last five or six years." Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "There is a lot of public concern about dog attacks, including the recent tragic deaths of young children, and about the rise in the number of so-called status dogs used to intimidate or threaten people.  "This is a serious issue of public safety. The government wants to hear what people think about the law as it stands and what more we might do to protect people from dangerous dogs."

UK trade deficit widens to worst in 17 months

The UK's goods trade deficit with the rest of the world unexpectedly widened to its biggest since August 2008 in January. And exports saw their sharpest drop in more than three years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The UK's trade gap in physical goods widened to £7.99bn ($12bn), well above the £7bn forecast by economists. The news was disappointing especially since the weak pound might have been expected to boost sales abroad. Meanwhile, December's trade figure was revised down to £7bn from its original £7.3bn. The goods trade gap with non-European Union countries was also wider than forecast. That stood at £4.8bn, from £3.4bn in December, after exports to countries outside the EU dropped by 12.5% on the month and imports rose by 1.6%. The ONS said there was no obvious reason for the deteriorating picture, although some have suggested that the particularly bad weather in January may have disrupted trade flows.

The Nairobi Women’s Hospital (NWH) has embarked on an expansion program, that will see the hospital grow from its single branch to several facilities within Eastern Africa. We currently have two branches up and running (Hurlingham and Adams), and another two that will be operational within the year (Mombasa and Rongai). The new facility at Adams has a bed capacity of 85, while the Hurlingham branch maintains it’s 60 bed capacity. By 2015 the projection is to have a bed capacity of 1000 beds in their facilities Dr Nthenya said during the speech. Our focus is to have a footprint in all the Eastern African countries within the next 5 years, and through that growth we guarantee superior customer experience to all clients who walk through our doors. The Africa Health Fund (the Fund), which was launched in June this year, has made its first investment, acquiring a stake n the Nairobi Women’s Hospital for US$2.66 million. The Africa Health Fund is managed by Aureos Capital, a leading private equity fund management company specializing in investing in small to medium-sized businesses in emerging markets. The Fund is backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank, DEG and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who have jointly invested US$57 million. The target is to raise a total of US$100 million, with a final close in 2010. The objective of the Africa Health Fund is to increase access to, increase affordability and increase quality of health-related goods and services for underserved Africans, especially those at the bottom of the income pyramid, simultaneously providing investors with good long-term financial returns. Safaricom has supported Nairobi women hospital for the last 5 years. Among the Guests were Sammy Muthui GM Aon,Eunice Mbogo MD Kenya Re,Eddah Gachukia of Riara group of schools, Sam Mwaura of Private sector development trust and all the hospital directors who included Shakir Meral,Patricia Ithau Chairlady,Wendy Mukuru,Lawrence Ndombi and Dr Sam Nthenya.

L-R Dr Klaus Hornetz GTZ, Areqas Asfaw GTZ, Angelika Pochanke Alff GTZ, Dr Carmen Huboldt DED and Nanjala Wandibba KNHCR.

Two Britons were among dozens of tourists on a luxury Kenyan safari holiday to be airlifted to safety after their camp was hit by flash flooding. Campers staying at the popular Samburu National Park in the north of the country were forced to clamber up trees or onto roofs as 4x4s were swept away. The Royal Air Force and UK army, who train in the area, joined the rescue. Hours of torrential rain caused the Ewaso Nyiro River to burst its banks, submerging luxury lodges. The floods also destroyed an important elephant research centre. Safari tour guide Steve Lekango said at least 17 tourists, including Britons, Germans and Americans, were rescued by helicopter after bridges were destroyed by the deluge. "At the moment every one of the guests in our camp is OK," he said. "It was very, very bad from 6am to 8.30am - there was a lot of destruction. "Bridges were taken down so three helicopters were called to take guests away. "Most of the guests were forced to climb trees while they waited," he added. The affected area is not far from where the British military carries out regular training exercises. The banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River are a hotspot for tourists making trips to see elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and antelope, which drink from the river. The BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki, said that just a few months ago the country was suffering from one of its worst droughts in decades. Some argued these extremes of weather were a sign this region was suffering the effects of climate change, our correspondent added.

Daughter Seed - a day as a translator

It was about 11.00 p.m. on Tuesday night 2nd March 2010 when Mr. Seed received a telephone call from the Immigration department with a request whether he can provide a "Kikuyu translator in a court the next morning. "It is too late to ask for a such a request, where do I get a translator at this time of the night?" Mr. Seed replied. "I don't know whether my daughter who is a pharmacist will agree to do the job. She is on holiday and she has just come to see us. Talk to her if she agrees then go ahead." Mr. Seed explained as he handed over the phone to her. They talked and agreed that she was to report at 9.00 am the following day. At this time of the night she could negotiate the terms; how much to be paid per hour, to reimbursed travelling expenses as well as travelling time, basically, the clock should start clicking the minute she leaves the house in the morning. She went to the court, did the job and she was paid good money because she took almost the whole day. The family arrived in UK more than 15 years ago while the five children were young, but Mr. Seed and his wife have always insisted on them speaking and communicating with the vernaculars language while in the house. They are all experts of the language. Whoever says that your mother's language is not a skill, he/she might be out of touch. Have a look at this documentary - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

It was heartbreaking to watch Kenya TV news through www.habari.tv of the flash flooding in Kenya. The worst came when the Royal Air Force and UK army, who train in the area, joined the rescue. Hours of torrential rain caused the Ewaso Nyiro River to burst its banks, submerging 6 luxury lodges. It touches your heart when you see some people who had spent their night on trees. The BBC also had small footage of the floods. - VIDEO

Kenya flood: Eyewitness

Two Britons were among dozens of tourists on a luxury Kenyan safari holiday to be airlifted to safety after their camp was hit by flash flooding. Campers staying at the popular Samburu National Park in the north of the country were forced to clamber up trees or onto roofs as 4x4s were swept away. Safari tour guide Steve Tilas Lekango, of the Samburu Intrepids camp, described what happened.

STEVE TILAS LEKANGO'S STORY

"I was sleeping when the flood came. It was 0630 and I was woken by an alarm call from my team members. I saw immediately that our camp was completely surrounded by the flood water - the offices, the tents, the 4x4 vehicles. Everything was engulfed. There was no escape route and the waters were rising fast. Everybody was trying to rescue themselves. I went into my hut and gathered my valuables - my camera and my phone - and then I ran for the nearest tree and climbed up. It wasn't long before a log came sweeping towards me and knocked my tree down. I had to swim for the next tree and climb up again. But again - a log smashed into my tree and knocked me off. I was scared. I have never seen a flood like this before. I swam for one of the buildings. I made it and I clambered up on to the roof. There were three of us up there - and we could hear the cries of others all around us. We had tourists staying from Germany, the US and Britain - they had all climbed trees. It was about 10am that the waters came down and we were able to climb down from the roof. We had some injuries - some of the tourists were taken away by helicopter for medical attention. But there were no deaths - we were very lucky. I went back into my hut and saw what was left of my bedroom. Oh my God! The whole place was a swimming pool. I have never seen a flood like this. "

A documentary of a Kenyan diplomat in Ireland

The premise of this four-part travel series is that immigrants invite an Irish friend, family member or colleague to accompany them on a visit to their homeland. The documentary sees 20-year-old Kenyan girl Nai Lemoshira take her college classmate, Kerryman John O'Dowd, home to meet her Maasai family. Nai, who is Maasai, is studying in DCU and lives with her father, an employee at the Kenyan Embassy. She is the daughter of Mr. Richard Lemoshira is Counsellor & Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenya Embassy in Dublin, Ireland seen on right.  - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

 - Nai Lemoshira return to her native Maasai village FULL STORY

South Africa president Jacob Zuma faces angry protest

Zuma concluded his state visit by holding talks with Prince Charles

South African President Jacob Zuma has been met by protesters in London chanting "shame on you" on the last day of his state visit to Britain. Earlier, the leader sparked anger over calls for international sanctions on Zimbabwe to be eased. About 50 people gathered outside the South African High Commission, waving banners saying "Zuma save Zimbabwe". In response, President Zuma walked up a red carpet at South Africa House before turning and waving to demonstrators. Earlier on Friday, he held talks with Prince Charles at Clarence House on climate change, youth opportunities and the built environment. During his three-day state visit, the leader suggested sanctions should be eased to help Zimbabwe "move forward". But campaigners accused him of appeasing Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and believe he should be doing more to ensure fresh elections are called in the country. Gordon Brown has said Zimbabwe must show progress in key areas including democratic reforms before sanctions are lifted. At the protest, one man wearing a Mugabe mask held aloft a sign saying "Zuma - have another wife on me". The 67-year-old leader is a polygamist - following a Zulu tradition - and has taken a third wife. Rose Benton, co-ordinator of a weekly demonstration outside the Zimbabwean embassy, said: "The government of national unity isn't going to work, Mugabe isn't serious about making it work - he never has been. "What we need is Zuma to do something, " she said. This has been the third state visit to Britain by a South African president since the advent of full democracy in 1994. Nelson Mandela came to the UK in 1996 and Thabo Mbeki in 2001.

Chairman, Chairman where are going...."I am going to London to see the Queen"

The chairman of Equity Bank Mr. Peter Munga arrived in London on Friday 5th March, 2010 in preparation to see the Queen in Buckingham Palace on Monday. He is among other businessmen invited by the Queen for a cup of tea. What will the Queen tell the businessmen? More on Monday.

The danger in drinking cold water after meals

There are several things that should be considered before you drink cold water immediately after meals. To call them a danger are something of an overstatement, however they can be quite uncomfortable and eve painful in some cases, and so should be avoided. The main problems tend to be that cold water can change the state of things that you have eaten, and can react with them to make them harder to digest, which can cause indigestion. When we eat things which are liquid when hot but will solidify when cooled down, such as butter or some cheeses. Drinking cold water immediately afterwords can cause them to become solid again in the stomach, and become harder to digest. Normally when we eat these things the temperature in the stomach is enough to keep them in at least a semi liquid start long enough for them to be broken down. This then means that they can soon leave the stomach and pass through the rest of the digestive system to be converted into energy.

If the foods we have eaten solidify again in the stomach then they take longer to digest and can bring about indigestion and even acid reflux in some cases. Having a lot more water than normal in the stomach also means that the stomach acids used to break down the foods that we eat are diluted, and so take much longer than normal to work. This can leave you feeling tired and sluggish after you have eaten, which can tend to slow you down for a few hours. Drinking very cold water can also cause pain to those with sensitive teeth, or who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines. Migraines in particular can sometimes be brought about by consuming something too cold for the body to comfortably process. Drinking a lot of water after a meal can also cause you to feel very bloated and can cause stomach aches. This is because some food expands when immersed in water. This then stretches the stomach and causes us pain. This is prolonged as well because a high water presence means that the stomach takes longer to break down its contents. In terms of evolution the human stomach is designed to consume food at similar temperatures to our own body temperature. This means that things that are extremely hot or cold means extra work for them to be digested, Similarly when we eat very spicy food, it is a lot harder to break down correctly and in some people can cause diarrhea. This is because most people aren't used to eating them. this is similar to the strain that the body is put under when we eat things that are very hot or cold temperature wise as well. The best thing to do is to drink with a meal rather then immediately after it. This also means we will tend to eat less food because soem of the space in the stomach is used up by the water. And drinking room temperature rather then very cold water is better for digestion as well.

Freedom corner in Uhuru park is known for all sort of things from last regime to the present one. This morning human rights activists came in numbers as well as Hon Gitobu Imanyara to plant trees in remembrance of the departed friends gunned down in Nairobi one year today. The demonstration which was very peaceful then had a procession to the spot where Oscar and his friend were shot dead along State House road. Candles were lit and prayers done at the place he got shot. Nobody has been arrested in connection to this murders in broad daylight. Now the activists are asking the government to start an inquiry into these murders as always done in other murders. Only time will tell if these demands are met

A Kenyan lady has passed away in the UK. The late Miss Ruth Waruguru Kagwe, 48, passed way on Thursday night 3rd March, 2010 in hospital in Alexander General Hospital, in Harlow, Essex, UK.  According to coroners report she passed away due to a Liver problem. Ruth was one of eight children born to the late Mr Daniel Kagwe and Mrs Esther Wairimu Kagwe.  She left behind her beloved son Clive Njoroge. Ruth will forever be remembered by her devoted brothers Muroki and the late Njoroge.  Loving sisters Lucy Wangari (Washington DC), Mumbi Kimani, Mary Wambui, Naomi Wanjiru, Muthoni Njeri, Wambui and Njoki all of Kenya. In UK, she had several cousins and relations Mr Joseph Koimburi of Woodford Green, David Muroki of Northampton, Nelly Munga of Edmonton, Mr. Johnson Thambiris of Harlow Essex, Mr Evanson Gatonye of Manchester, Mrs Lilian Kamau Matahe of East London, Mr Jessie Githire of Nottingham. Along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her. Prayer meetings are being held at 14 FIVEARCES, HARLOW, ESSEX. CM18 6UX from 6pm daily. Arrangements to repatriate her body to Kenya are ongoing.  For more information please contact the following: Joseph Koimburi (Woodford Green) 07931 490 469, Mr & Mrs Matahe (London) 07988 711 851 / 07838 558 134, Mr & Mrs Jessie Githire (Nottingham)  07988 782 818, Nelly Munga (Edmonton) 07939 372 395, David Muroki Kagwe (Northampton) 07918 033 579, Johnson Thambiris (Harlow) 07809 883 949, Alice Muturi 07947865266, Rahab Babu 07960071880 or Peter Gatonye 079853377882. Friends and well wishers who might not be able to make the meetings can send their contributions to the following account. Please remember to put your name as reference while depositing at the banking. Name: Joseph Koimburi, Bank: Barclays Bank, A/C: 50331139 and Sort code: 20 44 22.

The late Miss Ruth Waruguru Kagwe came to the UK 13 years ago

A KIKUYU PROVERB

Mûikarîre nî ûmwe no mûrarîre ti ûmwe

To stay together is not the same as to have the same type of life.

People often agree in words but not in judgement.

Kenyan Ministers banned from travel abroad

Nairobi, Kenya, 8th March, 2010. President Mwai Kibaki has banned Cabinet Ministers and their assistants from travelling abroad to enable them participate in the Constitution debate in Parliament. The President said it was vital for their presence in Parliament to ensure a new Constitution is delivered on time. “I am directed to inform you that during this time when Parliament is considering that Draft Constitution, Ministers and Assistant Ministers will not be allowed to travel outside the country so that they are available for Parliamentary Debate on Constitution,” read the circular signed by the Head of Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura. The circular is copied to the Prime Minster Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. Cabinet Ministers and assistants usually have to seek clearance to travel abroad from the Office of the President. Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said the move was aimed at reducing occasions where questions and debates have been postponed due to the absence of Ministers and Assistant Ministers when they travel out of the country on government business. Parliament has on many occasions been hit by quorum hitches which paralyse the business of the House.
 
“Most of the time when the President or the Prime Minister want to know what has been discussed in Parliament or who voted you find quite a number of Minister and Assistant Ministers didn’t vote and the excuse they use is that they have been outside the country but that will not be possible now,” he said. The Cabinet comprises about 90 Ministers and Assistant Ministers who form close to half of MPs in Parliament. The Draft Constitution was tabled in Parliament last week and MPs have 30 days of debate it once it comes up for the second reading. The 27-man team which met in Naivasha proposes a pure and powerful presidential system checked by an equally strong 290-member Parliament, a House of Senate and an extensive and elaborate network of regional government. However, some members expressed concerns with the Committee of Experts for instituting some changes such as making the Senate to be superior to the National Assembly. They argued if the Senate were made more powerful, Senators would easily intimidate MPs. According to the Constitution of Kenya Review Act, PSC cannot make major alterations to the Draft but can present it to the House with recommendations. Following their retreat in Naivasha last month during which it agreed on contentious issues that could have derailed the review process. Unlike in the run-up to the 2005 referendum, the current review process has been free from potentially divisive proposals except on abortion and the stage at which life begins, as well as recall clauses for MPs. Already, a three day retreat for MPs is planned for this week in Naivasha to seek consensus on pending issues. - CapitalFM

IN THE YEAR 2010

Stay focussed on your job

Google maps out Kenya on the web. The Kenya ICT Board has partnered with Google to push more local content to the Internet. The partnership, which offers the Kenya ICT Board support worth Sh2.4 million, will result in a sharp increase in the size of the online community in the country and see Kenya inch closer to becoming a knowledge and information economy. Through meetings dubbed ‘Tandaa Symposium’, the collaboration aims to raise awareness on how the Internet can be relevant to Kenyans and encourage development of more local digital content.  The development comes in the wake of a high profile one-week meeting in Nairobi by a global Internet corporation — the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN, a non-profit public benefit corporation, is holding its global meeting in Nairobi from March 6 to March 12. A major boost to Kenya’s growing ICT sector, the meeting is crucial, as it discusses issues regarding the stability and security of the Internet.  One of the topics slated for discussion is the future of the Internet and the innovations that would create new business opportunities in Kenya and across the globe. Local content is still sparse online despite the landing of undersea optic cables that has seen connectivity charges drop remarkably. Kenyans are still being bombarded with foreign content due to lack of compelling local content. The Tandaa Symposium, sponsored by Google, will bring together experts, entrepreneurs, business executives and civil society to explore how to produce more local content for consumption via mobile phones, digital TV and the Internet.  According to Kenya ICT Board CEO, Paul Kukubo, these bi-monthly events will showcase successful initiatives that demonstrate the potential of the Internet for economic and social change. The events will also offer capacity building for business owners, innovators and community groups and show them how to adopt digital technologies and make use of digital content.  - The Standard.

A MAASAI PROVERB

Melo empeu e nkiten naibor lukunya.

The offspring of a white headed cow does not go away.

It is difficult to break an old habit.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON MONDAY 8TH MARCH, 2010

The Express reports that prisoners are claiming £100m in benefits with 80,000 inmates getting handouts and on right Germany and France are planning to establish a European Monetary Fund according to the Financial Times.

METHALI YA KISWAHILI

Masikini na mwanawe tajiri na mali yake.

A poor man with his child a rich man with his wealth.

Eldoret Express sister passed away in Kenya

Mrs. Mary Maina (Mama Tameno) of East London has lost her sister in Kenya. According to family sources, Mrs. Juliet Wanjiru Makobo, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday 5th March 2010 after a long battle with Cancer. Juliet was the beloved daughter of the Late William Thungu and Grace Wangari and a sister to Mr. James Muigai Thungu of Eldoret Express. Friends and well wishers in UK are meeting for prayers every evening at 102 Victoria Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8PZ. For more information call 07984638304 / 0208 478 5282.

Lemon: Benefits & Uses

The most valuable ingredient of lemon, next to vitamin C, is citric acid, of which it contains 7.2 per cent. Lemon contains more potassium than apple or grapes, which is beneficial to the heart.

Mika Karanja of Busia living in London has lost his father back in Kenya. Family and friends are meeting at 37 Cotswold Gardens, Eastham, London E6 3HZ. For more information please contact 07534668406.

The Kenyan Boys Choir is in UK

The Kenyan Boys choir is in Cardiff on Saturday the 17th April. The tickets are between £15.00, £19.50, and £24.00 if you're interested we could go for a group ticket and hope we could get a group discount, or if not then at least we'll be there in a group. Tell any other East African friend you know because this is a great honor to have a group from Kenya representing East Africa this is going to be at St David's Hall. For more details about tickets tune in to Radio Cardiff 98.7fm. Read the attached link www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/English/Kenyan-Boys-Choir/ - VIDEO

Josiah Kariuki Mureithi (London) has lost his mother back in Kenya.  Friday 5th March 2010, was the day we lost our beloved mother. She went to be with the Lord during the late hours of the night at Outspan hospital, Nyeri. She was wife to the late Washington Mureithi Githaiga. Daughter of the late Josiah and Rahab Kariuki. Sister to Janet Githaiga (Kenya) and the late Emily Nyambura Echessa. Mother to the Late Jackson Githaiga Mureithi, Josiah Kariuki Mureithi (London) and the late David Munyori Mureithi. Grandmother to Wangu Mureithi (London), Njeri Mureithi (London),  Kareithi Mureithi (London), and Wangu Munyori (Kenya), Nelly Mwangi, Josephine Kinuthia, Julius Maina, Jade Maina, Justus Githaiga Maina and an excellent cucu to many others. Aunty to Charles and Emily Echessa (London), Alice and Fredrick Nyaga (London), Agnes (Foi) and Ken Mugo (London), Doris Mbugua (U.S.A), Leonard Kimathi (U.S.A), Stephen & Lucy Ngahu (London), Daniel Gichimu (U.K), David Githaiga (U.K), Lamar Githaiga (U.K), and many others. We are holding prayer meetings at Josiah Kariuki Mureithi’s home (Baba Wangu and Mama Wangu).  Address: 28 Sovereign Road, Barking, IG11 0XQ. For more information contact: Mama Wangu: 07719540079, Baba Wangu: 07762426770, Wangu: 07943099423 or Cucu wa Wangu (London): 07983316822. The memorial service will be held on Saturday 13/02/10 and details will be communicated later.  The Funeral will be held on Saturday 13/03/04 in Othaya, Kenya.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF YIAKU PEOPLE?

Gitau wa Njenga photographs one of Kenya’s indigenous tribes.....The little known Yaiku people

GITAU wa NJENGA, a Manchester  based Kenyan photo-journalist  was  last month was awarded a Masters of Arts (MA) degree in Photo-Journalism by the University of Westminster in London for his remarkable photographic project documenting the life style of Yiaku people, one of  Kenya’s indigenous tribes. Gitau,a seasoned photo-journalist who specialises in editorial and documentary photography was among several journalists and media personnel who graduated  last month  during a colourful post-graduate  ceremony  hosted by The School of Media, Art & Design - University of Westminster at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London.

Gitau’s  major photographic project and thesis focused on the lifestyle of  little known Yiaku people  who are traditionally hunter-gatherers and one of the indigenous communities in Kenya.  Yaiku people are linguistic minorities who live on the outskirts of Mukogodo Forest,a pristine forest situated in the Great Rift Valley, Laikipia North, close to the equator and facing Mt Kenya.  Yiaku people have never been officially recognised as an individual tribe and have been assimilated into their more populous neighbours- the Maasai. Despite their marginalisation, these indigenous people have endured to preserve their cultural and traditional values.  Since the colonial era, the hunter-gatherers in Kenya have been dispossessed of their ancestral land and grouped with other larger communities. The Kenya government currently recognises 42 tribes, with the hunter-gatherers being classified as ‘other’ or as part of the neighbouring larger tribes. The assimilation of indigenous communities into the more populous ones has resulted in the degradation of the minority peoples’ cultures including their language.

Yaiku man drinking raw blood from a freshly slaughtered goat at Dol Dol and on right Yaiku woman milking a goat at Dol Dol

The Yiaku are Kushitic hunter gatherers who over time have had to embrace pastoralism in order to intermarry with their neighbouring Laikipia Maasai who for many generations looked down on them for not having livestock.  Hence, over the years the Yiaku lost their language as they learnt Maa (Maasai Language) and as a result their language Yiakunte(Yiaku Language) is now listed in the UNESCO red book as a dying language as only a handful of aging elders can still speak the language albeit having to recall most of it.  Mukogodo Forest is about 30,000sq kms and is a gem nestled in the midst of the dry Laikipia plains.  It is a little secret that is inhabited by the Yiaku people who number about 10,000 and who live in harmony with nature, a large population of elephants and other wildlife in the forest.

Between February and May last year, Gitau spent  time living among the Yiaku people in  Dol Dol,Laikipia North where he photographed and documented  the tribe’s  indigenous lifestyle as part of his extensive MA research. Gitau is the first Kenyan journalist to gain unprecedented access into the Yiaku community and to photograph the tribe in their natural habitat. As Global Warming and Climate Change  top two major issues that are now looming in the world today against an economic crisis that is affecting every one on the planet, Here is a story about the Yiaku people of Mukogodo Forest who use their sustenance of their indigenous knowledge to preserve the forest they call home. 

The Yiaku people continue to pursue a hunter gathering lifestyle, in terms of bee keeping, herbal medicine gathering, fruits and wild nutritious vegetables and roots which immensely contributes to their healthy lifestyles.  In terms of livelihood options, apart from their livestock, the Yiaku also have constructed eco-lodges traditionally made out of natural mud, twigs and cow dung for walking tourists to the forests and more interesting making paper out of Elephant dung.  They are now looking at how they can process some of the wild fruit for juices for their children and for sale.  The respect for nature and living in harmony with their ecosystems has made them stand out as a people to reckon with.

Yiaku story carries many lessons on how they have managed to survive the negative elements of development and keep a much needed ecosystem for Kenya and the world in pristine condition.  This story very much co-relates to the Indian Amazonas people of the Amazon who have also held to large parts of the Amazon forest.  As we stand today in Kenya our forest cover is a paltry 2.7%, a far cry from the UN requirement of at least 10% coverage per country. The objective of undertaking this major pictorial project was tell the untold story of the Yiaku people to a global audience through narrative still pictures.

This is a story that needs to be told, and told well so that we may learn from the indigenous knowledge and practices of the Yiaku forest dwellers and carry the knowledge into other areas that are now completely ravaged or endangered.  It is a story that our children also need to hear and learn from but most of all for policy makers, donors, local authorities and the world in general so that we can hold onto this knowledge for posterity and healing.  At the end of the day, nature does not need us but we cannot live without nature and this resonates with every citizen of planet earth!  

Gitau wa Njenga’s photographic exhibition ‘YAIKU PEOPLE OF MUKOGODO FOREST ’ will be held in London in the summer and in Nairobi later in the year.

GITAU wa NJENGA, a former Standard London correspondent and Editor of JAMBO Magazine , holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Broadcasting from Salford University in Greater Manchester.

 He’s a freelance photo-journalist and regularly writes for Daily  Nation and Sunday Nation  newspapers. He’s currently researching for a book, LIVING THE LONDON DREAM, A KENYAN IMMIGRANT STORY, to be published in the summer.

Tel: +447946108837 - Email| gitauwanjenga@yahoo.co.uk

Three dead in plunge from Glasgow flats

Two men and a woman have died after plunging to the ground from a high-rise block of flats in Glasgow. Strathclyde Police said the incident happened shortly before 0845 GMT at the Red Road flats complex in the Springburn area of the city. Officers are at the scene and inquiries are ongoing to establish the identities of the men and the woman. However, police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. Many of the flats are unoccupied as the housing agency is moving residents out to new accommodation.The bodies were discovered by the concierge at the tower block. An area around the flats has been cordoned off by emergency services and there are two forensic tents in place at the scene. Glasgow Housing Association said the block at 63 Petershill Drive is currently let to the YMCA. A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the identities of the three people involved and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death, however, at this time there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances."

Asylum seekers

BBC News Scotland Correspondent Lorna Gordon said: "Several of the blocks in this area are let out to the YMCA who house asylum seekers and refugees seeking leave to remain. "These blocks are iconic in the Glasgow skyline, there is a large police presence in the area, they are canvassing people who live here to try to get more information as to the identities of the individuals." It is understood the block involved holds a mixture of asylum seekers, refugees and other residents, but has partly been cleared in preparation for a demolition programme.One resident in the block where the incident occurred said those involved had moved into the flats about two months ago, while another local resident said it was believed they fell from the 15th floor. Glasgow Springburn MSP Paul Martin said: "This is a terrible tragedy and the thoughts of myself and the community are with the families of those who died in this tragic event." Elizabeth Neilson, 42, who lives in the opposite block, said she saw two concierges and three bodies lying on the ground at about 0830 GMT. She said: "I phoned the concierge and he said he couldn't say much, but that three people had thrown themselves off the veranda." All eight tower blocks in the Red Road complex, which are up to 30 storeys high, are due to be demolished in a phased programme which will start in the spring. They were the tallest tower blocks in Europe at the time they were built in the 1960s.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

Baby boy 'left with burial note'

A newly-born baby who died after being abandoned near a mosque was found with a note asking for help to bury him, police have confirmed. Staffordshire Police, whose handling of the incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), said the baby was discovered in a carrier bag which also contained two £10 notes. The IPCC has launched an independent inquiry into the initial police response to the discovery of the baby, who was not taken to hospital until almost an hour after he was found. The baby, whose mother has not yet been traced, is thought to have lain undiscovered for at least four hours after being placed on the steps of the Islamic centre in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent. Detective Chief Inspector Phil Bladen, who is leading the search for the mother, appealed for help from the public to help trace her. "Finding the baby's mother and giving her the help and support she undoubtedly needs is our absolute priority," the officer said. "I urge anyone with any information to come forward. We have everything in place ready to help her. I am sure she is feeling very upset, distressed and frightened. I just need her to contact us." The ethnicity of the baby - who was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire around two hours after being found - has yet to be established. DCI Bladen added: "The baby boy was wrapped in a carrier bag and two items of clothing, one of which was a white T-shirt. The bundle included two £10 notes and a note which said 'Please help bury him' and an Arabic word for thank you." Earlier, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said the baby was found at about 10.40am and had been taken to hospital at about 11.30am. Staffordshire Police initially informed the media that a baby's body had been found outside the Islamic centre in Beresford Street, Shelton, although they later said the child had been declared dead in hospital. An IPCC spokeswoman said: "Staffordshire Police referred the case to the IPCC yesterday and investigators were deployed immediately. Following scene assessments, the IPCC has decided to independently investigate the actions of police in their response to the initial calls regarding the baby."

GENEVA, Sunday

Switzerland boasts laws to protect goldfish from being flushed down the toilet and to guarantee companions for lonely animals but today voted against assigning lawyers to abused creatures. Just over 70 per cent of voters chose the “no” option in a referendum on the issue and nearly 30 per cent said “yes”, according to results released after the day’s voting. Sunday’s referendum was initiated by the Swiss Animal Protection (PSA) group and would have obliged all cantons to name a lawyer for animals during judicial proceedings. Legal representation in cases involving mistreated animals has been compulsory since 1992 in the Zurich canton. But pet politics could have been taken to a new level if voters had extended the right to the other 25 mini-states. The quirky lawyers-for-animals poll is the latest example of Switzerland’s “direct democracy” in which any citizen who collects 100,000 signatures from eligible voters can force a nationwide referendum on their chosen cause. “It is not about Paris Hilton’s dog now needing a lawyer to represent its interests,” said Antoine Goetschel, Switzerland’s only lawyer mandated by his canton in Zurich to handle animal welfare cases. It is about protecting animals who are harmed by the very people who are meant to take care of them, Goetschel said ahead of the vote. The problem is that the animal has “no rights”, unlike humans who can prosecute the person who has caused harm, he said.

Germany and France are planning to establish a European Monetary Fund according to the Financial Times.

Pirates have seized a tanker off Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and are sailing it towards the Somali coast, the ship's Norwegian owners have said. The UBT Ocean was carrying oil from the United Arab Emirates to Tanzania, Svenn Pedersen, of owners Brovigtank, told Reuters. Piracy has made the seas off the Horn of Africa among the most dangerous in the world, despite naval patrols. Attacks usually increase between March and May when the seas are calmer. Mr Pedersen said the owners had received a call from the captain who said there were pirates on board the ship.  "Very quickly afterwards we lost all contact with the boat," he told AFP news agency. The UBT Ocean is registered in the Marshall Islands. Its seizure comes two days after pirates captured a Saudi tanker and its crew in the Gulf of Aden and sailed it to the Somali town of Garacad. An international naval force is patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean but has been unable to stop attacks on shipping from pirates based in Somalia. War-ravaged Somalia has had no functioning government since 1991.

Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o the Kenyan writter will be in London on Sunday 7th March, 2010. The Travel Bookshop is delighted to announce that acclaimed Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o will be in conversation about his new book "Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir". He will also be signing copies after the talk. This is Ngugi's only London event. The time is from 7pm - 8:30pm  - (Doors 6:30pm). The venue is The 20th Century Theatre, 291, Westbourne Grove, London W11 2QA.

Poor Kenyans treated by fake nurses, doctors and pharmacists

It was a sad affair watching Kenya TV news on K24 through www.habari.tv. Hundreds of fake Kenyans acting as doctors, nurses and pharmacists have been rounded in several towns in Kenya. The worst of it all is a street doctor treating and injecting a baby with the wrong dosage in Naivasha. - VIDEO

Ngugi wa Thiongo book - Dreams in a Time of War

Professor Ngugi wa Thiong'o is in UK. He arrived to launch his new book in Birmingham and London. On Saturday night 6th March, 2010 he launched his book at Central Library Theatre in Birmingham where he has has been invited by the University of Birmingham. He will be launching his book in London on Sunday 7th March, 2010. Ngugi wa Thiong'o was born in Kamiriithu, near Limuru, Kiambu District, as the fifth child of the third of his father's four wives. At that time Kenya was under British rule, which ended in 1963. Ngugi's family belonged to the Kenya's largest ethnic group, the Gikuyu. His father, Thiong'o wa Nducu, was a peasant farmer, who was forced to become a squatter after the British Imperial Act of 1915. Ngugi attended the mission-run school at Kamaandura in Limuru, Karinga school in Maanguu, and Alliance High School in Kikuyu. During these years Ngugi became a devout Christian. However, at school he also learned about the Gikuyu values and history and underwent the Gikuyu rite of passage ceremony. Later he rejected Christianity, and changed his original name in 1976 from James Ngugi, which he saw as a sign of colonialism, to Ngugi wa Thiong'o in honor of his Gikuyu heritage.  Ngugi's contact: Barbara Caldwell - 949-824-6722 (voice) - 949-824-6723 (fax) - barbara.caldwell@uci.edu - Ngugi will be in London on Sunday 7th March, 2010. The Travel Bookshop is delighted to announce that acclaimed Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o will be in conversation about his new book "Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoir". He will also be signing copies after the talk. This is Ngugi's only London event. The time is from 7pm - 8:30pm  - (Doors 6:30pm). The venue is The 20th Century Theatre, 291, Westbourne Grove, London W11 2QA.  MORE

The worst week for the British Pound  in London going the lowest this year with exchange with Kenya shillings going from KShs. 110, Kshs. 110, KShs. 112 and the highest of the week was KShs. 113.

Dreams in a Time of War by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o

In Dreams in a Time of War, Ngugi wa Thiong’o paints a mesmerising portrait of a young boy’s experiences in an African nation in flux.  Beginning in the late 1930s, this moving and entertaining memoir describes Ngugi’s day-to-day life as the fifth child of his father’s third wife in a family that included twenty-four children born to four different mothers. Against the backdrop of World War II, which affected the lives of Africans under British colonial rule in unexpected ways, Ngugi spent his childhood as the apple of his mother’s eye before attending school to slake what was then considered a bizarre thirst for learning.

As he grows up, the wider political and social changes occurring in Kenya at this time begin to impinge on the boy’s life in both inspiring and frightening ways. Through telling the story of his grandparents and parents and of his brothers’ involvement on different sides of the violent Mau Mau uprising, Ngugi wa Thiong’o takes us back to a momentous period in Kenyan history, deftly etching a bygone era, capturing the landscape, the people and their culture, and the social and political vicissitudes of life under colonialism and war.
 
This book has been selected to receive financial assistance from English PEN’s Writers in Translation programme supported by Bloomberg. English PEN exists to promote literature and its understanding, uphold writers’ freedoms around the world, campaign against the persecution and imprisonment of writers for stating their views, and promote the friendly co-operation of writers and free exchange of ideas.

The wedding that was in 1960

Chief Njiiri wa Karanja (above) who is a grandfather to Mr. Seed had 42 wives. Mrs. Beth Njeri (above) was the chief's favourite (ngatha) and she was the 30th wife. She is the grandmother to Mr. Seed. In 1960 Chief decided to do a church wedding and he wedded her at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Kinyona, Murang'a. The wedding was officiated by Bishop Gatimu of Nyeri (seated with a cap). At the centre of the photo seated behind near the tree is Kinyona Chief at that time Chief Rufus Kirigwi wa Mituki and Githae wa Njiiri who was Chief Njiiri's driver since 1928. He got his driving licence in 1927. The church is named after Chief Njiiri as well as Njiiri's High School. More coming in Chief Njiiri wa Karanja book by Mr. Seed.

A Kenya lady has passed away in Harlow, Essex, UK. More later.

A RISING CHURCH IN NOTTINGHAM

We had a weekend off from London to Nottingham last weekend. We decided to make a visit to a local church for a church service. We visited Victory Revival Christian Church on Arnold Road, in Nottingham under the leadership of Pastor Chris Chege and his wife Mrs. Joan Chege. The service was good with very good music. The preaching was done by Mrs.  Joan Chege who is a coming up preacher. In fact her preaching was deep. As the found of Deliverance Church in Kenya Joe Kayo always say that he is always above an average preacher - the lady is also above an average preacher. Her theme at the service was that through prayer: "God will scatter all your enemies." She quoted from the Bible Isaiah 54:17, Psalms 68:1 and Nahum 2:1. The preacher explained that the enemy comes to separate and confuse family and friends and we should not take time fighting each other. Instead we should concentrate praying for each other. We should have a focus in live while forgetting yesterday and thinking of tomorrow. The church is making a difference in Nottingha City with their Morning Glory Service - three days in a week they go for prayers in their church at 3.00 a.m. finishing at 7.00 a.m. On left is Pastor Chris and his wife Joan and on right a photo with some of the Church members after the service.

DEMYSTIFYING YOGA IN KENYA

The Africa Yoga Project held the first major workshop on yoga and its role in healing, enhancing unity among communities and inspiring people in life at the Sarakasi Dome in Ngara, Nairobi (Saturday March 6, 2010) starting from 10.00 am. Over 50 yoga teachers drawn from US, UK and other countries  joined local trainers in demystifying yoga from the common belief that it is a religion and instead showcase it as a critical means of enhancing people's health and creating harmony within communities. The team was led by renowned US Yoga teachers, David Life and Sharon Gannon who took the participants through Jivamkuti Yoga, which focuses on practicing yoga as a means to enlightenment. Jivamukti Yoga is taught worldwide in schools in New York, Berlin, Munich, London, Toronto, and Detroit. The Africa Yoga Project has been running teaching programs in Nairobi's informal settlements where it has trained over 60 yoga teachers - out of which 40 are teaching yoga in the slums. The project conducts upto 100 yoga classes every week, benefiting 3,000 people. Yoga is big business across all continents save for Africa and accounts for 2.3 billion dollars in the US alone where numerous yoga schools are spread across the country.

You can now kiss sexy massage parlours bye

"Honey, I’m going for a full body massage." Normally, such a statement would be met with wrath from partners and is therefore better not uttered. Nevertheless, some men still visit parlours clandestinely. However, the oils traits and smell left on them often betray them and the repercussions are far-reaching. Massage parlours have over the years earned a bad reputation following revelations that most are actually sex dens in disguise that use the veneer of massage services to operate legitimately. Though a few operate genuinely. Most massage parlour masseuses and masseurs offer ‘happy-endings’ (sex) — what they refer to as ‘extras’ — towards the end of a session, at additional fee of course, which varies from one service provider to another. From downtown Nairobi to the leafy suburbs, brothels are operating as massage parlours and their clientele include the who-is-who of the society. It is for this reason that at mere mention of visiting a massage parlour, one is viewed as morally loose. - MORE

Exposed: UK's Biggest Skunk Cannabis Gang

Details of a gang believed to be Britain's most prolific importers of skunk cannabis have been revealed for the first time.

Terrence Bowler led the £62m syndicate which brought the drugs into the UK hidden in boxes of flowers from Holland. He will be sentenced, along with 11 others, at Southwark Crown Court in London for his leading role in one of Britain's biggest drugs smuggling networks. Details of the case can be reported for the first time after the last of the 12 was convicted. The gang took advantage of the UK's temporary relaxation of cannabis laws to bring nearly £1m worth of drugs into the country each week. During a 15-month police undercover operation the villains earned huges sums of cash, much of it laundered through an East London currency exchange shop. It was then ploughed into building projects in Dubai. They generated so much cash they struggled to cope with it, leaving £60,000 in bundles of tenners to rot in a damp lock-up garage in Surrey. They may have been at it for years before they were finally caught by detectives from Scotland Yard's elite Special Intelligence Section. Det Chief Insp Steve Wallace said: "They certainly perceived that after the downgrading of cannabis to class-C, they ran the risk of lower sentences if caught, much lower than if they had been trafficking class-A drugs like cocaine and heroin." The gang targeted the huge Flora Holland flower market in Naaldwijk, near The Hague, hiding the drugs in sealed bags in the millions of boxes of blooms.

Hundreds of container lorries then unknowingly brought the drugs from the Hook of Holland ferry to the UK. The gang ran their operation like a business with a 'board of directors', with those lower down the chain of command treated like 'wholesalers', 'distributors' and 'retailers'. They kept hand-written records of transactions, earnings, payments and some bank statements. Two of the defendants were followed to Geneva where they attempted to open a bank account with £100,000 cash. The 'directors' were Terrence Bowler, 40 from Kingston-upon-Thames, Peter Moran, 37, from South London and Mark Kinnimont, 39, from Surbiton. They pleaded guilty to drug importation and money laundering. Nine other men were convicted or pleaded guilty to their roles during a series of trials at Southwark Crown Court in London. Another major suspect, Anthony Mills, is on the run and thought to be living on the Continent. Dutch police played a big role in tracking the drug shipments and are involved in other case with a British link. Det Sgt Thom Hoekstra said: "We are raiding more and more illegal skunk farms in Holland. There is a growing demand for cannabis in Britain and Ireland."

Raila tour in Western Province

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Saturday made a resounding pitch for a new constitution and asked church leaders to climb down from their hardline positions on the controversial abortion debate. Mr Odinga also asked Parliament to pass the draft constitution as presented by Committee of Experts, saying their views were superior to those of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution (PSC). -  Sunday Nation.

Naked news YouTube video bares witness to Cambridge student talent

Cambridge University undergraduates have popped up in a YouTube video that shows them reading the news naked.

The three-minute episode of The Naked News was put together by university student TV channel Cambridge University Television (CU:TV), which was set up six weeks ago. In the YouTube video, two students calling themselves John and Jane are seen taking in the city's landmarks in the buff, before they perch behind a news desk and read headlines ranging from celebrity gossip to Varsity rugby. Finishing off with the weather, Jane showcases her bare-faced wit when she tells John: "Make sure you dress up warm." The pair sign off their bulletin with the Anchorman-esque slogan: "We've been the Naked News, giving you the naked truth". Ron Burgundy would be so proud…

The Sunday Express leads with the news that a group of scientists believe they have worked out how to halt the spread of cancer by identifying a time window for successful treatment and on right the Independent has asked women in the public eye what they think needs to be done to achieve further equality for the sexes.

Two Britons were among dozens of tourists on a luxury Kenyan safari holiday to be airlifted to safety after their camp was hit by flash flooding. Campers staying at the popular Samburu National Park in the north of the country were forced to clamber up trees or onto roofs as 4x4s were swept away. The Royal Air Force and UK army, who train in the area, joined the rescue. Hours of torrential rain caused the Ewaso Nyiro River to burst its banks, submerging luxury lodges. The floods also destroyed an important elephant research centre. Safari tour guide Steve Lekango said at least 17 tourists, including Britons, Germans and Americans, were rescued by helicopter after bridges were destroyed by the deluge. "At the moment every one of the guests in our camp is OK," he said. "It was very, very bad from 6am to 8.30am - there was a lot of destruction. "Bridges were taken down so three helicopters were called to take guests away. "Most of the guests were forced to climb trees while they waited," he added. The affected area is not far from where the British military carries out regular training exercises. The banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River are a hotspot for tourists making trips to see elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and antelope, which drink from the river. The BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki, said that just a few months ago the country was suffering from one of its worst droughts in decades. Some argued these extremes of weather were a sign this region was suffering the effects of climate change, our correspondent added.

Chairman, Chairman where are you going....? "I am going to London to see the Queen"

The chairman of Equity Bank Mr. Peter Munga arrived in London on Friday 5th March, 2010 in preparation to see the Queen in Buckingham Palace on Monday. He is among other businessmen invited by the Queen for a cup of tea. What will the Queen tell the businessmen? More on Monday.

Greece Told To Sell Islands To Raise Cash

Debt-ridden Greece has been told it should sell off some of its islands to raise cash - and there have even been suggestions the country should flog the ancient Acropolis in Athens.  Some of the comments have come from allies of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, where the debate over whether European countries should rescue Greece has been raging. And they could prove embarrassing for the leader, who has met Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou to discuss the economic situation in his country. Greece has around 6,000 islands off its coast, but only 227 of them are inhabited and the vast majority of those are thought to belong to the state. The cash-strapped country has launched a fresh round of austerity measures in an attempt to rein in a ballooning budget deficit that is more than four times above EU limits. The Socialist government has increased sales, tobacco and alcohol taxes and cut public sector holiday allowances to save 4.8bn euros (£4.3bn), equal to about 2% of gross domestic product (GDP). Greek politicians have approved the austerity package to cut debt - but the news coincided with violence in Athens, as police clashed with demonstrators protesting against the sweeping budget cuts.

Daughter Seed - a day as a translator

It was about 11.00 p.m. on Tuesday night 2nd March 2010 when Mr. Seed received a telephone call from the Immigration department with a request whether he can provide a "Kikuyu translator in a court the next morning. "It is too late to ask for a such a request, where do I get a translator at this time of the night?" Mr. Seed replied. "I don't know whether my daughter who is a pharmacist will agree to do the job. She is on holiday and she has just come to see us. Talk to her if she agrees then go ahead." Mr. Seed explained as he handed over the phone to her. They talked and agreed that she was to report at 9.00 am the following day. At this time of the night she could negotiate the terms; how much to be paid per hour, to reimbursed travelling expenses as well as travelling time, basically, the clock should start clicking the minute she leaves the house in the morning. She went to the court, did the job and she was paid good money because she took almost the whole day. The family arrived in UK more than 15 years ago while the five children were young, but Mr. Seed and his wife have always insisted on them speaking and communicating with the vernaculars language while in the house. They speak Kiswahi and Kikuyu fluently. They are all experts of the language. Whoever says that your mother's language is not a skill, he/she might be out of touch. Have a look at this documentary  - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

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FLOODS IN KENYA

It was heartbreaking to watch Kenya TV news through www.habari.tv of the flash flooding in Kenya. The worst came when the Royal Air Force and UK army, who train in the area, joined the rescue. Hours of torrential rain caused the Ewaso Nyiro River to burst its banks, submerging 6 luxury lodges. It touches your heart when you see some people who had spent their night on trees. The BBC also had small footage of the floods. - VIDEO

9oz Miracle: World's Smallest Ever Baby Boy

Meet the world's smallest ever surviving baby boy - weighing just nine ounces. The tiny child - smaller than a can of coke - was born after just 25 weeks. He was so little at birth that a tape measure laid next to his body was wider than his limbs. Doctors in Germany were convinced he would not survive but refused to give up hope. Now - eight months after the birth - medics have finally released a picture of the mite, confident he is strong enough to make it through. The child weighed just 275g and is the smallest baby boy ever to survive. There have been three girls who have been lighter. The most premature baby to survive is believed to have been born after 21 weeks, a girl born in Miami in America in 2004. Experts on medical ethics advise doctors not to resuscitate babies born before 23 weeks in the womb. More than 80,000 babies are born prematurely in Britain every year and half need to be treated in intensive care. Doctors expect babies weighing less than 12oz not to survive. The baby in Germany was delivered by Caeserean section at the University of Medicine at Goettingen in June 2009. A spokesman for the university told Sky News Online that doctors were "extremely proud" of the boy and the parents were overjoyed. "This was an incredible fight for life," the spokesman said.

Kenya flood: Eyewitness

Two Britons were among dozens of tourists on a luxury Kenyan safari holiday to be airlifted to safety after their camp was hit by flash flooding. Campers staying at the popular Samburu National Park in the north of the country were forced to clamber up trees or onto roofs as 4x4s were swept away. Safari tour guide Steve Tilas Lekango, of the Samburu Intrepids camp, described what happened.

"I was sleeping when the flood came. It was 0630 and I was woken by an alarm call from my team members. I saw immediately that our camp was completely surrounded by the flood water - the offices, the tents, the 4x4 vehicles. Everything was engulfed. There was no escape route and the waters were rising fast. Everybody was trying to rescue themselves. I went into my hut and gathered my valuables - my camera and my phone - and then I ran for the nearest tree and climbed up.  It wasn't long before a log came sweeping towards me and knocked my tree down. I had to swim for the next tree and climb up again. But again - a log smashed into my tree and knocked me off. I was scared. I have never seen a flood like this before. I swam for one of the buildings. I made it and I clambered up on to the roof. There were three of us up there - and we could hear the cries of others all around us. We had tourists staying from Germany, the US and Britain - they had all climbed trees. It was about 10am that the waters came down and we were able to climb down from the roof. We had some injuries - some of the tourists were taken away by helicopter for medical attention. But there were no deaths - we were very lucky. I went back into my hut and saw what was left of my bedroom. Oh my God! The whole place was a swimming pool. I have never seen a flood like this. "

A documentary of a Kenyan diplomat in Ireland

The premise of this four-part travel series is that immigrants invite an Irish friend, family member or colleague to accompany them on a visit to their homeland. The documentary sees 20-year-old Kenyan girl Nai Lemoshira take her college classmate, Kerryman John O'Dowd, home to meet her Maasai family. Nai, who is Maasai, is studying in DCU and lives with her father, an employee at the Kenyan Embassy. She is the daughter of Mr. Richard Lemoshira is Counsellor & Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenya Embassy in Dublin, Ireland seen on right.  - CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

Nai Lemoshira return to her native Maasai village  FULL STORY

The FT leads on how the FTSE 100 in London has hit its highest level since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, as investors bet that the international operations of UK bluechips would insulate them from political and fiscal uncertainty at home.

South Africa president Jacob Zuma faces angry protest

Zuma concluded his state visit by holding talks with Prince Charles

South African President Jacob Zuma has been met by protesters in London chanting "shame on you" on the last day of his state visit to Britain. Earlier, the leader sparked anger over calls for international sanctions on Zimbabwe to be eased. About 50 people gathered outside the South African High Commission, waving banners saying "Zuma save Zimbabwe". In response, President Zuma walked up a red carpet at South Africa House before turning and waving to demonstrators. Earlier on Friday, he held talks with Prince Charles at Clarence House on climate change, youth opportunities and the built environment. During his three-day state visit, the leader suggested sanctions should be eased to help Zimbabwe "move forward". But campaigners accused him of appeasing Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and believe he should be doing more to ensure fresh elections are called in the country. Gordon Brown has said Zimbabwe must show progress in key areas including democratic reforms before sanctions are lifted. At the protest, one man wearing a Mugabe mask held aloft a sign saying "Zuma - have another wife on me". The 67-year-old leader is a polygamist - following a Zulu tradition - and has taken a third wife. Rose Benton, co-ordinator of a weekly demonstration outside the Zimbabwean embassy, said: "The government of national unity isn't going to work, Mugabe isn't serious about making it work - he never has been. "What we need is Zuma to do something, " she said. This has been the third state visit to Britain by a South African president since the advent of full democracy in 1994. Nelson Mandela came to the UK in 1996 and Thabo Mbeki in 2001.

Kenya donates food to Uganda

Nairobi, Kenya, March 6 - Kenya on Saturday extended humanitarian support to the landslide victims in Uganda. Following President Mwai Kibaki’s directive, the Kenya Government made an initial contribution of 700 bags of maize, 600 bags of rice, 400 bags of beans and 556 cartons of vegetable oil. The total consignment of 123 metric tones is worth Sh13.5 million. The President further directed that the foodstuff be channeled through the Western Provincial Commissioner who will liaise with his Ugandan counterpart and handover the consignment for distribution to the landslide victims. It is estimated that the foodstuff donation by the Kenya Government to the landslide victims in Uganda can feed over 5,000 for a period of two months. The President on Thursday sent a message of condolence to the Government and people of the Republic of Uganda following the massive landslide that occurred in Bududa District.

The danger in drinking cold water after meals

There are several things that should be considered before you drink cold water immediately after meals. To call them a danger are something of an overstatement, however they can be quite uncomfortable and eve painful in some cases, and so should be avoided. The main problems tend to be that cold water can change the state of things that you have eaten, and can react with them to make them harder to digest, which can cause indigestion. When we eat things which are liquid when hot but will solidify when cooled down, such as butter or some cheeses. Drinking cold water immediately afterwords can cause them to become solid again in the stomach, and become harder to digest. Normally when we eat these things the temperature in the stomach is enough to keep them in at least a semi liquid start long enough for them to be broken down. This then means that they can soon leave the stomach and pass through the rest of the digestive system to be converted into energy.

If the foods we have eaten solidify again in the stomach then they take longer to digest and can bring about indigestion and even acid reflux in some cases. Having a lot more water than normal in the stomach also means that the stomach acids used to break down the foods that we eat are diluted, and so take much longer than normal to work. This can leave you feeling tired and sluggish after you have eaten, which can tend to slow you down for a few hours. Drinking very cold water can also cause pain to those with sensitive teeth, or who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines. Migraines in particular can sometimes be brought about by consuming something too cold for the body to comfortably process. Drinking a lot of water after a meal can also cause you to feel very bloated and can cause stomach aches. This is because some food expands when immersed in water. This then stretches the stomach and causes us pain. This is prolonged as well because a high water presence means that the stomach takes longer to break down its contents. In terms of evolution the human stomach is designed to consume food at similar temperatures to our own body temperature. This means that things that are extremely hot or cold means extra work for them to be digested, Similarly when we eat very spicy food, it is a lot harder to break down correctly and in some people can cause diarrhea. This is because most people aren't used to eating them. this is similar to the strain that the body is put under when we eat things that are very hot or cold temperature wise as well. The best thing to do is to drink with a meal rather then immediately after it. This also means we will tend to eat less food because soem of the space in the stomach is used up by the water. And drinking room temperature rather then very cold water is better for digestion as well.

Freedom corner in Uhuru park is known for all sort of things from last regime to the present one. This morning human rights activists came in numbers as well as Hon Gitobu Imanyara to plant trees in remembrance of the departed friends gunned down in Nairobi one year today. The demonstration which was very peaceful then  had a procession to the spot where Oscar and his friend were shot dead along State House road. Candles were lit and prayers done at the place he got shot. Nobody has been arrested in connection to this murders in broad daylight. Now the activists are asking the government to start an inquiry into these murders as always done in other murders. Only time will tell if these demands are met

Nairobi, Friday 5th March, 2010. Six people have been confirmed dead following floods that have hit various parts of the country. According to the Kenya Red Cross 2 people, a man and a woman have drowned at Kaptembwa area in Rhoda Location, Nakuru.  The two were riding on a 'boda boda' bicycle when they were swept away by raging floods. the body of the man was recovered, but efforts to recover the woman's body are ongoing. One other person drowned in Mogotio while 3 children drowned in Dukana, Marsabit district. Five people have been reported missing. More than 200 livestock have been swept away by the floods while property of unknown value was lost in Samburu, Isiolo, Nakuru and other parts affected by floods. At least 120 houses have been submerged in Garfasa in Garbatula, Upper Eastern Region and over 200 people displaced. Tens of manyattas, at least 190 goats and sheep, have been swept away by the raging floods. Ten tourist lodges in Samburu and Isiolo near Archers Post were flooded, leading to a massive evacuation exercise for over 600 tourists.

Rescue efforts by Kenya Red Cross staff and volunteers, locals residents, Kenya Police, Kenya Wildlife Service, British Army who train in the area and Provincial Administration teams managed to move the affected tourists to safer grounds. A tour guide Steve Lekango said at least 17 tourists, including Britons, Germans and Americans, were rescued by helicopter after bridges were destroyed by the deluge.  "At the moment every one of the guests in our camp is OK. It was very, very bad from 6am to 8.30am - there was a lot of destruction. Bridges were taken down so three helicopters were called to take guests away.  "Most of the guests were forced to climb trees while they waited," he said.  Kenya Red Cross Society is assisting in search and rescue efforts in parts affected by floods in Upper Eastern and West Kenya regions. Two bridges namely Marsabit and Serena were washed away by the floods. However a Chinese company fixed a temporary bridge near Serena lodge, thereby enabling access to nearby lodges for recovery operations. Heavy downpour in parts of Isiolo and neighbouring districts Friday morning caused the Ewaso Ng'iro River to burst its banks leading to the flooding of Samburu Serena toursit lodge which was completely marooned. Kenya Army and private choppers were used to evacuate people from the hotel to safer grounds and the visitors were transferred to neighbouring tourist hotels while others were airlifted back to Nairobi.  Isiolo OCPD Augustine Nthumbi confirmed that the bridge linking Archer's Post and Isiolo along Isiolo - Marsabit road was also flooded with water rising over one metre from the bridge level rendering the road impassable.

Relocate

Meanwhile residents of the larger Tana River district in coast province have been urged to temporarily move to higher grounds following fears of flooding of the River Tana in coming days. Coast provincial commissioner Ernest Munyi warned that the river might burst its banks following the ongoing heavy rains. Munyi directed the district commissioner in charge of Tana North Reuben Loyotoman, Tana River DC Henry Obino and his Tana Delta counterpart Elias Kithaura to ensure that residents living in lower grounds were relocated immediately. "I am reliably informed that due to heavy rains upcountry there is a very high likelihood that Tana river may burst its banks along its causeway. Please alert wananchi who live along the river to temporarily move to higher grounds," the PC directed. In the recent past the country has been experiencing heavy rainfall occasioned by the El Nino effect. This came after several years of an acute drought that greatly affected most parts of the country leading to loss of lives and livestock especially in the dry northern parts of the country. The meteorological department has warned that the country faces increased rainfall in the coming months as the long rainy season that is usually experienced between March and May gets underway.

A Kenyan man dies in Atlanta, USA

A Kenyan has passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The late Eric Murimi Njau passed away on Tuesday 2nd March 2010. He was born in 1978. Njau's family kindly appreciates all the love & support so far from extended family, friends & well wishers during this time of great crisis. More details about where the funeral arrangements meetings will be posted shortly. For more information contact  Charles - 972-921-3597, Victor - 678-677-3610 or Jerry - 404-839-6639.

The late Eric Murimi Njau and his wife on their wedding day

Gospel Extravaganza @ IWRM Church

All are welcome to come and praise the Lord. There
will be music from various artists, Revival Choir and many more. Please
contact us now if you are an artist or group that would like to be
featured on the day. You can use the contacts on the flyer or send a
message now on facebook.

Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Come expecting healing, burdens to be lifte up, yokes to be broken and
deliverance will take place.
Get ready to praise!!!

for more information contact
Pastor Boniface 07826854898
Pastor Mike 07960690684
Pastor Gad 07984410236
Pastor Peter 07940105578
or visit our website: www.iwrm.co.uk

Directions: by train Manor Park or East Ham tube station
By Bus: 86 or 25 from Stratford or Ilford, 101, 104 or 474 from East Ham.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

London, Friday 5th March, 2010. £100K ransom deadline passes for British boy. The mother of a five-year-old British boy kidnapped by gun-wielding robbers in Pakistan broke down in tears today as she said her family had "no chance" of meeting a £100,000 ransom. Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was snatched this morning in the Punjab region after his grandmother's house was raided by robbers. His father, Raja Naqqash Saeed, said the kidnappers had put a noon deadline (9am GMT) on the ransom for his safe return. Speaking at the family's home, his mother Akila said there is "no chance" her family would be able to pay. She wept as she told Sky News: "He's just a sweet little boy." Mrs Saeed added: "We can't do anything from here - all we can do is pray that they will bring my son back." When asked what she would say to the kidnappers, she added: "What has he done? He's just a five-year-old boy. Bring him back please." Mr Saeed was "hysterical" after five gunmen held the family at gunpoint throughout the night, the family said. He said robbers armed with guns and hand grenades broke into the house in Jhelum, where he and his son were staying with the youngster's grandmother. He added: "They took my son. They were fully loaded with guns and hand grenades. All Pakistan police know about this, and the British Council." He added: "(The kidnappers) are going to ring me. I don't know what they are going to say to me - I don't have that much money." Mr Saeed said his family were beaten, slapped and kicked by the robbers during a six-hour ordeal. He told Sky News: "They took me into the separate room and they tortured me. "They said 'we will take your son and you will have to pay £100,000'." A spokesman for the British High Commission in Islamabad said they had broken into the property at 11pm local time. They eventually fled with the boy and household items, believed to be jewellery and money. The family had been due to fly back to Britain today, the commission spokesman added. Officials are in touch with the boy's family and local authorities are investigating the snatch, he added. He said: "I can confirm that he was taken after robbers broke into the property at 11 last night. The kidnappers held the family at gunpoint overnight and left with the boy as well as some household possessions. "We cannot confirm details of the ransom amount but the father has said it is £100,000. "All I can say is that we are in touch with the family and the local authorities are currently investigating."

Kidnapped boy Sahil Saeed, five

They call it "Kumshikanisha"

Nairobi, Thursday 4th March, 2010. This is a word used to describe matatu drivers. Yesterday a matatu driver on route 45 was stopped and arrested by a traffic police. As they were going to traffic headquarters' to take the minibus, the driver decided it was time resist arrest by ramming the passenger side on another bus. The poor traffic police got stuck at Riverside for several minutes but the Grogan mechanics had the heart to rescue the police. The driver and makanga of the bus disappeared. It has been noted in the matatu industry that they have a word for what that driver did. They call it "Kumshikanisha" and actually ashikanishwa kwa magari mawili. He was later taken to hospital in critical condition. - Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna - Tel: 0710148193

A man has been sentenced to up to eight years in jail for stealing a $3.99 (£2.60) bag of cheese, under California's 'three strikes' law.

Between Kangemi and Kwanjuguna on both sides of the dual carriage way are usually very dangerous. The lady of this car lost control of her car and rolled several on the same section of the road. Luckily she had a safety belt on. She escaped with her life. Photo and story by Karuga wa Njuguna - Tel: 0710148193.

Most of Kenya to have normal, long rainy season-Met

Most of Kenya will receive normal to slightly above-normal rainfall during the March-to-May rainy season after heavy downpours in the first two months of 2010, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday. Below-normal rains in east Africa's biggest economy in the past few seasons has hurt production of tea, coffee and staple food crops such as maize, apart from lowering water levels at the dams that supply much of the country's power. The resulting higher food and electricity prices kept inflation rates high last year and there were frequent power outages in the capital Nairobi and elsewhere across the country. Tea and coffee prices also surged on shortfalls in output. "The forecast for March-May 'long rains' indicates that most parts of Kenya are likely to experience normal rainfall with a slight tendency towards the above normal," the department said in a statement published in newspapers. "However, the Coastal areas and a few areas in Northeastern and Southeastern Kenya are likely to experience normal rainfall with a slight tendency towards the below normal." Horticulture is Kenya's biggest hard currency earner, followed by tea, tourism and remittances from abroad. While there was a prolonged dry spell in November -- the middle of the short rains -- the first half of January and second half of February had "substantial amounts of rainfall" and key areas should get above normal rain in March-May, the meteorological department said. "It is, therefore, expected that the level of water in the hydroelectric power generation dams will improve during the season," it added. It also said there should be above normal rains in the agricultural areas of Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Eastern and Central provinces. A large proportion of Kenyans depend on agriculture for a livelihood, making it crucial for the country to receive adequate rainfall. The government said on Thursday floods had caused one river -- Ewaso Nyiro -- in Samburu in Kenya's Eastern province to burst its banks, forcing the evacuation of tourists from lodges around the Samburu National Reserve. "The tourists and hotel staff from Shaba, Intrepids, Laisamis and Samburu Serena lodges have been taken to higher ground and they are all safe," Joseph King'ori, deputy director of Kenya National Disaster Operations Centre, told Reuters. - Reuters

Pregnant wife rescues husband from crocodile's jaws

A pregnant woman save her husband from the jaws of a crocodile after he almost became the South African reptile's lunch. Lawrence Munro was dipping his feet in a river during an evening walk with his wife Kerryn and their dogs when the croc grabbed his feet, hoping for a snack. The 33-year-old man quickly clung onto a rock and started hitting the croc with his right foot, he told the Daily Telegraph. "Kerryn then grabbed under my arm and around my neck and started pulling.  Eventually the croc let go", he said. The couple were in a game reserve north of Durban and was airlifted to a hospital in nearby Richards Bay to undergo operations to repair his tendons in his right foot. His wife, who is five months pregnant is also recovering from Friday's ordeal.

Heavy rains wreak havoc as tourist lodges flood

Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu and Isiolo districts burst its banks on Wednesday night following heavy downpour. The rainfall in Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs left at least seven lodges flooded. Several employees of the lodges swam to safety, but others were marooned in the lodges. The Kenya Red Cross Society personnel from Samburu, police and British army officers are on the ground to assess the situation. Red Cross Communications Manager Titus Mung’ou said the organisation was working with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Emergency Department and the National Disaster Operation Centre on a rescue operation. The KWS emergency department deployed eight officers from Mt Kenya National Park with one ambulance to help in the operation. Twenty-five people have been rescued and airlifted to safer grounds so far. No casualties have been reported. Elsewhere, River Nyando has started swelling following heavy rains. Floodwater spread to several areas in the district. Nyando Red Cross office embarked on a campaign to sensitise residents to prepare for possible evacuation to higher grounds in case of increased floods. In Rachuonyo, strong wind blew off roofs of five classrooms at Dol Primary School following heavy rains and storms earlier in the week. In Nakuru, one person died as a result of flash floods in Mogotio. Monitoring of floods is ongoing. - The Standard.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON FRIDAY 5TH MARCH, 2010

LEFT: The Mail leads with a story about the number bins with micro-chips installed in them. CENTRE: The Express leads with a story about MPs and a pay rise they are due to receive. RIGHT: The Metro leads with a story on how a new law could lead to a clamp down on file sharing websites.

A report by the Departmental Committee on Local Authorities Thursday indicted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Authorities Musalia Mudavadi his PS Sammy Kirui, Mayor Geoffrey Majiwa, Former Town Clerk John Gakuo over the fraudulent procurement of cemetery land that was unsuitable for its intended purpose.  The report implicates them for corruption and irregular purchase of the land valued at 20 million shillings but purchased at a whooping 283 million shillings.  The Committee wants the DPM and Minister for local government Musalia Mudavadi to step aside and take political responsibility for failing to ensure proper procurement procedure was followed in the purchase of cemetery land established to be rocky and unfit for the construction of a cemetery.  It goes ahead to name the PS Sammy Kirui as the main architect of the fraud that has seen the council loose 283million shillings in the fraudulent purchase of land valued at 20 million.  Kirui is said to have signed two cheques separately, one for 175 million shillings on 30th of June 2008, and the second on 15th January 2009 releasing another 108million shillings to Omottii advocates the council's representatives in the purchase of the land.    The report recommends he steps aside and KACC moves in speedily to investigate the fraud.  Also in the spot light is Mayor Geofrey Majiwa with the report detailing him as a signatory in the sale agreement and transfer documents wanting him to resign and take political responsibility for showing no interest in a transaction of such magnitude.  The reports also recommend former town clerk john Gakuo not to be allowed to hold any public office and KACC moves in to determine his exact role in the scandal, terming him as uncooperative and a likely mastermind of the fraud. The report also recommends former deputy Town Clerk Otido N to be investigated and charged for allowing the irregular tender as the chair of the tender committee and signatory of all land transactions.  A Dr. Nguku who okayed the suitability of the land as a said and who has since been paid a sum of 7 million shillings is also in the list of shame with the report recommending he be interdicted, arrested and charged.

A church father is in London

Rev. Samuel Gakuo of Deliverance Church, Kenya is in London. Rev. Gakuo arrived in the UK in January this year for a few days visit. He is the pastor in-charge of Riruta Deliverance Church and is also the former General Secretary of Deliverance churches of Kenya. He has been preaching for the last 30 years. He is a brother of Pastor Ben Njuguna Kuria of Life Chapel Ministries in East London. His contact in UK is 07404154639  and his email is info@deliveranceriruta.co.ke or kurb2@aol.com

Esther Arunga weds Quincy Timberlake

Nairobi, March 4, 2010 – If you thought you had heard the last of Esther Arunga, I guess you haven’t… She has just announced that she is now officially married to Quincy Timberlake (?) after conducting a civil ceremony yesterday.  She claims she has obtained a certificate and has officially changed her name to Esther Adongo Timberlake. ''I am so much in love with Quincy and that’s why have officially married him,'' she said at a press conference in Jazz Maestro Joseph Hellon’s house in Runda... Quincy however, is still in police custody. When asked about it, Esther says it is allowed for someone to conduct a marriage even with a partner who is convicted in prison or jail. Esther meanwhile adds that she’s planning to sue a renown psychiatrist who sedated her against her will and kept her incarcerated for five days yet she was not insane. She said she is seeking Sh300 million in damages and stated that she will also sue her parents for taking her there. The former TV presenter has also vowed to seek Sh30 million from respective media houses that she claims ‘defamed’ her. She has now obtained court orders restraining her parents from interfering with her life. Elsewhere, the government is expected to shed light on the controversial Finger of God Church and Arunga’s arrest next Thursday. Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara raised the issue in Parliament and demanded that the Internal Security Ministry issue a statement on the regulation of churches in the country. Gitobu further wants clarity the circumstances under which the police arrested Arunga and church founder Hellon. Pastor Hellon and others associated with the church have since been charged with belonging to an unlawful society. - CapitalFM
 

IN THE YEAR 2010

Aim for greater heights

Success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed.

Kenya has sought the help of Interpol to arrest an American evangelist operating in Southern Sudan. This is after 150 live bullets were intercepted in bibles in his luggage destined for Juba, Southern Sudan. Kenya Airports Police Unit Commandant Philip Tuimur confirmed the seizure but declined to give more details on the suspect. "We intercepted the bullets at our screening room in the luggage and they had been not been declared in the importation papers," he said without elaborating. The man identified as Reverend Dennis E Bennett operates Servant’s Heart, a faith-based organisation working in Sudan and East Africa. Bennett had dispatched a luggage containing more than 100 bibles through international courier company FedEx, when the bullets were detected at the Wilson Airport, Nairobi. Interestingly, the luggage had passed through major airports like Heathrow in London where security surveillance is believed to be high. The bullets were found wrapped in Bibles and hymnals at the screening area at the airport at the weekend as detectives planned to clear the luggage for Sudan. Police sources said the luggage was to pass through Lokichogio aboard a local airline before ending up in Juba.  The source added the bullets had not been declared. Police investigating the incident have so far taken statements from the clearing agents of the cargo who have named Bennett as the owner. The motive behind the importation of the bullets is not yet clear and the detectives said they had learnt the suspect is not licensed to carry weapons. Preliminary investigation had shown that the man imports Bibles and hymnals regularly, which are printed in various Sudanese languages. Police arrested another American found with 45 bullets stuffed in his briefcase at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while headed for Mombasa on Saturday. The suspect, who is a businessman at the Coast, has since been charged in court and pleaded guilty to the charges of being in possession of bullets illegally.  - The Standard.

Queen welcomes South African President Jacob Zuma

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have formally greeted South African President Jacob Zuma at the start of his three-day state visit to the UK. Mr Zuma received a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade and reviewed a guard of honour with Prince Philip. Mr Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, then joined a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.  Gordon Brown missed Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to take part in the welcoming ceremony.  The Queen rode in a lavishly-decorated Australian State coach with the president, while Mrs Zuma was joined by the Duke in a Scottish State coach.  Dignitaries including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall also joined the procession.  Other senior figures introduced to the presidential couple included Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Home Secretary Alan Johnson, while Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, head of the Armed Forces, led the senior military officers.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have formally greeted South African President Jacob Zuma at the start of his three-day state visit to the UK. On right President Zuma is being accompanied by the newest of his three current wives, Thobeka Madiba Zuma. - in a  carriage procession then went along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. The Queen rode in an Australian State coach with the president, while Mrs Zuma was joined by the Duke in a Scottish State coach. - VIDEO

President Jacob Zuma and the newest of his three current wives, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, entered the gates of Buckingham Palace amid all the pomp and splendour of the carriage procession that marks the formal start of state visits. Onlookers lined the Mall despite the stiff breeze. But if the traditional rituals of such visits are being observed, President Zuma's visit is also distinctive in various ways - not least because tomorrow he will be taking a penalty at Wembley Stadium. It is symbolic, of course, but will undoubtedly bring yet more attention to South Africa's hosting of this year's World Cup. In return he will be given a presentation on England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. With the Olympic park in east London on President Zuma's itinerary too, sport looks set to play a bigger part in this state visit than perhaps any other. Gordon Brown will hold talks with Mr Zuma on Thursday when the continuing political turmoil in Zimbabwe is expected to be high on the agenda, along with climate change and the global economy. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the football World Cup, which South Africa is hosting this summer and England hopes to host in 2018. BBC world affairs correspondent Peter Biles says Mr Zuma - a polygamist who has married at least five times - is renowned for his charm and informality. However, the president felt a public backlash recently after acknowledging he had fathered a child, his 20th, with the daughter of one of South Africa's leading football officials. Mr Zuma has previously faced corruption charges and has been acquitted of a rape charge.

Gordon Brown missed Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons to take part in the welcoming ceremony. On right during the ceremony, the Duke of Edinburgh and the president inspected troops on Horse Guards Parade.

After lunch in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace, Mr Zuma presented the Queen with a chess set, only to discover former South African President Nelson Mandela had beaten him to it by giving a similar one to the Duke of Edinburgh years before.  He also gave the monarch an Ardmore ceramic ornamental dish featuring cheetah and palm decorations. In return, the Queen gave him a mounted bronze stag and a book called Hunting And Stalking Deer by Lionel Edwards and Harold Frank Wallace, dating from the 1930s. The Queen made Mr Zuma an honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and in return was given the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo gold class. It is one of South Africa's highest national honours and given to foreign Heads of State and Government for friendship shown to South Africa. Later, the president visited the former home of anti-apartheid politician Oliver Tambo in Muswell Hill, north London. He also met Conservative leader David Cameron and Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, at Buckingham Palace. The Queen is hosting a state banquet for the South African guests in Buckingham Palace's ballroom on Wednesday evening.  On Thursday the presidential couple will visit the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, with Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.  Later that evening Mr Zuma will give a speech during a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor of London.  On Friday, the final day of the visit, Mr Zuma will formally say goodbye to the Queen before visiting the Prince of Wales at Clarence House.

"Marriage is not a do or die affair" - Nigerian film actor

ICC judges receive list of 20 Kenyan suspects

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has submitted more evidence to the pre-trial judges which include 20 names of PNU and ODM politicians as well as prominent businessmen suspected of fuelling the post election violence. However, Ocampo says the names will remain secret and are only to help the court decide whether to allow him to officially open investigations into the Kenyan case. "These senior leaders from both PNU and ODM parties were guided by political objectives to retain or gain power", said the Prosecutor.  According to Ocampo the prominent personalities organized, enticed and financed attacks against Kenyans on account of their perceived ethnic and political affiliation.  "They utilized their personal, government, business and tribal networks to commit the crimes. They implemented their policy with the involvement of a number of State officers and public and private institutions, such as members of the parliament, senior government officers, the police force and youth gangs". The Prosecutor further told the judges that the 20 utilized their personal, government, business and tribal networks to commit the crimes. Meanwhile the Kenya National Human Rights Commission Vice chairman Hassan Omar has commended the move by Ocampo saying it was an indication that justice will prevail soon. Ocampo had until today to provide more evidence as requested by the Pre-Trial Chamber judges last month. The names were identified by different inquiries into the post-election violence, including those carried out by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Waki Commission.

The Prosecutor requested an expedited decision by the Judges because, in his words, both the victims and those defined as suspects need justice.

VISION 2030 IN SUBUKIA

Mr Ndung’u Gatitika’s Vision 2030 is to assemble the first local four-seater helicopter and take to the skies. This resident of Subukia has built a contraption out of old umbrellas, polythene bags and other assorted junk. And while the only way his ‘invention’ would ever fly is if a gust of wind blew it out of his compound into a nearby shamba, he still gets an ‘A’ for effort.. - The Standard.

"Kenya has become a nation of 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars.” - The late JM Kariuki, 1970.

J.M Kariuki`s Murder: The Untold Story with www.habari.tv

It made my day to watch www.habari.tv news with K24 being presented by Jeff Koinange when they presented a coverage of J.M Kariuki`s Murder: The Untold Story. It puts back 35 years ago when J.M. Kariuki passed away and Kenya was at standstill. He once said in 1970: "Kenya has become a nation of 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars.”

Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (March 21, 1929–March 2, 1975) was a Kenyan socialist politician during the administration of the Jomo Kenyatta government. He held different government positions from 1963, when Kenya became an independent country, to 1975, when he was assassinated. Had he lived a full life, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (popularly known as JM) would have turned 79 last Friday. But the late Member of Parliament for Nyandarua North was brutally murdered on March 2, 1975, three weeks short of his 46th birthday, robbing Kenya of one of the most dedicated champions of the rights of the poor and a vociferous critic of inequality.  His death, though largely acknowledged as a political assassination by people close to the Kenyatta government, has never been resolved. With the euphoria surrounding the national power-sharing deal still in the air and talk of a new political order in the offing, it is an opportune time to reflect on what JM stood for, what difference he would have made to our body politic had he lived, and how to safeguard his legacy and ensure that the ideals he lived and died for are not lost to a new generation of actors on the social, political and economic stage. - MORE

Josiah Mwangi Kariuki wll known as JM

Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (March 21, 1929–March 2, 1975) was a Kenyan socialist politician during the administration of the Jomo Kenyatta government. He held different government positions from 1963, when Kenya became an independent country, to 1975, when he was assassinated. He left behind three wives and many children. - MORE

Proverbs 29

17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish:  but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Killer 26ft Wave Kills Two On Cruise Liner

Two cruise-ship passengers have been killed after a 26ft wave smashed into the ship off the coast of France. A Greek coast guard statement says another six people suffered light injuries on board the Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty. It says the accident occurred near the French Mediterranean port of Marseilles as the ship was sailing from Barcelona to Genoa in Italy with 1,350 passengers and 580 crew. The victims have been identified only as a German and an Italian man. Louis Cruise Lines spokesman Michael Maratheftis said the ship was hit by three 'abnormally high' waves up to 26ft high that broke glass windshields in the forward section. The cruise ship is safely heading back to Barcelona.

BE STRONG IN LIFE

Be Strong Enough to Accept the Challenges of Life. Dont ask Life, "Why Me?" Instead, say: "With God by my side, try me!" - Romans 8:31-39

Kenya to host African Women Conference

The African Women's Economic Summit 2010 will take place in Nairobi from 19-20 of this month. The Summit on the Theme: Investing differently in Women is being held in Kenya in partnership with the Central Bank of Kenya and the Central Bank's Governor, Professor Njuguna Ndung'u. The high-level event will bring together some 100 African and global leaders in the financial and political sectors, policy-makers, regulators, commercial banks, and prominent women entrepreneurs to formulate actionable and measurable interventions to shape the financial system to enable women to become an integral part of its architecture. The African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Donald Kaberuka, and Founder of New Faces, New Voices network, Graca Machel, will co-host the Summit. Other prominent participants include Ms Namirembe Bbumba Syda, the Minister of Finance of Uganda, Ms Linah Mohohlo, Governor of the Central Bank of Bostwana and Ms Wangari Maathai, Nobel Laureate and Founder of the Greenbelt Movement, will also attend the summit. The event is driven by the growing realization that women represent a new emerging market.  The summit will identify the social and cultural barriers to overcome for women to take a centre stage role in the development of Africa's financial system, as users of financial services and decision makers, the appropriate regulatory and policy responses to provide the enabling environment for a rapid and wide expansion of services to women across all income brackets. Others include: measures to promote innovations in finance for the profitable delivery of financial services to this market segment; and the mechanisms that will empower women to take up decision-making positions so their voices are heard in the re-shaping of Africa's financial system. The outcome of the Summit will include actionable and measurable interventions to be undertaken by financial sector stakeholders to invest differently in women based on the recommendations distilled during the Summit discussions.

World Cup 2010: South Africa is world class

Even if you’re not a fan of the beautiful game, it’s worth travelling to beautiful South Africa this summer. Graham Boynton celebrates a country of astonishing diversity.

World Cup 2010 in South Africa

South Africa is physically blessed more than any other country I know. As Alan Paton wrote in his celebrated novel, Cry The Beloved Country, this land is “lovely beyond any singing of it”.  He was describing the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal, but he might just as well have been referring to the dramatic mountain landscape that dominates the Cape, the rugged bushveld of the Kruger or the jagged coastline, dotted with sand beaches that run all the way around the coast. It is also blessed (and cursed) with the most diverse, disputatious, headstrong people on the continent — from hardcore Boers to patriotic Zulus, mixed-race poets, black beatniks, African National Congress hardliners, Shangaan Zionists, Xhosa communists. The country is presided over by a Zulu, but the Cape is ruled by a white woman. No other African country can boast such diversity. Nor can the others boast such a wealth of culture — from the literature of JM Coetzee, Alan Paton and André Brink to the music of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Taliep Pietersen and David Kramer; from Athol Fugard’s plays to Mbongeni Ngema’s musicals and sounds such as Mannenburg, Abdullah Ibrahim’s languid masterpiece that is eternally the soundtrack of the Cape. This is indeed a rich and varied country. Quite whether such abundance will be fully appreciated by the anticipated half a million visiting football fans is neither here nor there. The point is: it is there, and any traveller with a jot of curiosity who finds him or herself in South Africa around the time of the World Cup 2010 would be remiss not to take advantage of these riches. Not that the incurious football supporters will be badly let down; they will be more than satisfied with the food, drink and entertainment South Africa will have on offer. All the major cities have the same range of restaurants, pubs and bars you will find in any American or European city and, of course, South Africa has the advantage of being a major wine producer. Compared with Europe, the price of food and drink is very reasonable, even for the British who carry with them the sinking pound. The more discerning of the visitors – the gastronomes and oenophiles – will be even more delighted, given the preponderance of Michelin-starred restaurants, particularly in Johannesburg and the Cape. I was recently in the Cape and ate out for seven nights in a row, recording only one below-average meal, four outstanding ones and two that were merely very good.

That recent visit also confirmed just how ready the country will be for the football. The new stadiums are all but completed and they are magnificent facilities; the roadworks that have blighted the major cities for some years now appear to be nearing completion, and the cities’ highways are in a fine state for the tournament. Even the pressing issue of crime is, according to Danny Jordaan, the man in charge of the country’s World Cup organising committee, under control, with South Africa spending more than a billion rand (£100 million) on event security. Though first-time visitors may at first be taken aback by the yawning gap that exists between the privileged lifestyles of the black and white elites and the hardscrabble existences eked out by the vast majority in the sprawling shanties of the Cape Flats and the rudimentary townships of Gauteng, they soon become used to the fact that, in Africa, extreme poverty coexists alongside ostentatious wealth. This is a seismic socio-political matter to be dealt with by coming generations of South African politicians, long after Nelson Mandela, the great conciliator, the father of the Rainbow Nation, has gone. For the moment, though, this is Mandela’s Rainbow Nation – and this World Cup is an opportunity for the country to show off its assets. Here, Ultratravel highlights some of the extraordinary assets and experiences that await the five-star traveller. An unusual golf course, sheer indulgence in the Cape’s gastronomic capital of Franschhoek, a remote safari camp, oral history on the side of a Zululand mountain … these are a few of the options to enjoy in Africa’s most spectacular country. A final thought. As I was leaving South Africa on my most recent visit, the passport official at Cape Town airport looked up at me, paused, then pointed at the entry/exit stamps in my passport. In the old days, that would have meant a scowl, an inquisition calling into question one’s suitability as a visitor, a general feeling of unease.  This time the functionary smiled beatifically and said: “You seem to like South Africa, Graham.” “Yes I do,” I said. “Very much.” He smiled. “Good. We will see you back soon then.”

Nearly 100,000 students who failed last year’s Form Four exams are likely to see their dreams shattered because they are disqualified from joining middle level colleges.

Book review

"Imperial reckoning" - The untold story of Britain's gulag in Kenya

This new book by Caroline Elkins, published by Henry Holt and Company 2005) is an astonishing and damning expose of the brutality of late-empire British colonialism in Kenya. Documented and described in detail, the physical violence and murder committed are heavy reading. Erskine spent a decade researching for this book, handicapped by the absence of most of the documentation of their `war on the Kikuyu'. It was destroyed by the British before handing over government in 1963. 6 February 2006 - Africafiles

Deaths of Kenyan Kikuyu during the late 1950's at the hands of the British colonial government numbered 100,000 or more .(The official total given was 11,000) They were part of or sympathetic to the Mau Mau resistance movement to recover Kikuyu land taken by British settlers. In camps in the `Pipeline' and in villages contained by barbed wire, men women and children were tortured humiliated starved and killed at the hands of police and troops and their `loyalist' Kikuyu allies.

The resultant division among the Kikuyu between Mau Mau supporters and government loyalists was and remains deep. The Mau Mau, although they lost the war, so discredited the British and the settlers by their resistance that within 4 years of having to admit defeat, (circa 1959) they saw Jomo Kenyatta, a loyalist at heart, sworn in as first president of an independent Kenya.(1963). The British saw very late that they had to give over political independence to retain land and economic advantages. They handed over to those who had been loyal. They were richly rewarded with land and positions, while ex- Mau Mau got no compensation or even credit for their role. Indeed the extent of their suffering has never been officialy admitted by the Brtish or Kenyan governments, nor has any effort at reconciliation or compensation ever been attempted.

The last page of the book (which follows) is an extremely poignant comment from a Kikuyu woman, saying that forgiveness or reconciliation cannot come until the extent of the suffering is known and can be talked about openly and mourned by the children of the sufferers. This book is a major step in the direction of making it known.

p.355,6.
"How is it possible to evaluate the impact that this war had on the hundreds of thousands of men and women who were detained in the camps and villages of British colonial Kenya? There is no record of how many people died as a result of torture, hard labor, sexual abuse, malnutrition, and starvation. If the British did keep records of these deaths, they were destroyed long ago.

We can make an informed evaluation of the official statistic eleven thousand Mau Mau killed by reviewing the historical evidence we now know. Former detainees and villagers recall thousands dying; others remember being assigned to burial parties that disposed of hundreds of corpses in any given day; missionaries wrote of widespread famine. Kenya's medical officers described deaths from contagious diseases and malnutrition. There were countless letters written by detainees during the Emergency, describing tortures and deaths; and there were the independent findings by people like Arthur Young, his assistant, Duncan McPherson, and Barbara Castle - all of which revealed unspeakable brutalities and murders.

There are also the recollections of Asian advocates, men like Fit de Souza, who remember representing thousands of detainees, none of whom they ever saw again. "By the end I would say there were several hundred thousand killed," de Souza later reflected. "One hundred easily though more like two to three hundred thousand. All these people just never came back when it was over."2

Of course, we will never know exactly how many Kikuyu died during the last years of British colonial rule in Kenya. But does this matter? The impact of the detention camps and villages go well beyond statistics. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have quietly lived with the damage - physical, psychological, and economic - that was inflicted upon them.

They were not without their advocates in Kenyatta's new government - MPs like Bildad Kaggia, Paul Ngei, and J. M. Kariuki who demanded the detainees be remembered and who insisted they be given compensation or at least consideration for their contributions and losses during the Mau Mau struggle. But over time these protagonists for the Mau Mau past were either pushed aside or, in the case of J.M. Kariuki, assassinated. For Kenyatta and his successor, Daniel T. arap Moi, Mau Mau was to remain buried - it was a moment in Kenya's past that would divide more than it would unite.

To this day there has never been any form of official reconciliation in Kenya. There are no monuments for Mau Mau; children are not taught about this part of their nation's past in school; few speak about it in the privacy of their own homes; and, with the exception of the relatives of the Hola massacre victims, there has never been any kind of financial consideration given to those who lost family members in the camps and villages or property to the local loyalists. Some men and women lost the use of their limbs, others their minds, as a result of the years they spent behind the wire, though neither the former colonial government nor the new independent government did anything to help them piece their lives back together.

Insofar as there has been any successful social rebuilding, the burden has been shouldered by local Christian churches. But they too have insisted that bygones remain bygones. If you ask former Mau Mau adherents today if they get along with their loyalist neighbors, the response is generally the same as Mary Mbote's. "We are Christians, and I do not hate them,' she told me. When I probed a bit further, she expressed a sentiment shared by many other former villagers and detainees. "I hate them; I hate them for what they did to us," she said. "We all hate them and will not speak to them if we see them outside of church. We even refuse to go to their funerals, which is against the church; but they didn't go to the funerals of our husbands and children and parents when they killed them. Aye, I despise them." She then paused before continuing. "You know," she finally said to me, "this will only change when everyone knows what happened to us. Maybe then there will be some peace once our people are able to mourn in public and our children will know how hard we fought and how much we lost to make Kenya free for them."

Our best Maths teacher is a rookie

The best Mathematics teacher is 25 and only two years out of university. Mr Benjamin Kimuyu, fresh out of Kenyatta University, took over the class in Form Three and taught them for two years. That class emerged the best in the country in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams. Of the 22 students at Maasai Girls Secondary School in Ngong, Kajiado, 15 had straight As in maths. The lowest score was an amazing B-. “All subjects are equal, all it takes is a positive attitude,” the teacher told the Nation at the school on Wednesday. What is his magic potion? “I use everyday experiences and the environment to explain mathematical concepts that have been perceived as difficult by students,” he said, adding that his rule of thumb is to leave class only after the students have asked questions.

Revisiting History: Celebrating Kimathi Day

This week, Kenya marks the anniversaries of two arrests. One will be marked by a public holiday and celebrated with fanfare, while the other will be almost completely ignored. The lives of the two suspects, the circumstances surrounding their arrests, and the differing reactions we have to them today, are symbolic of the contradictions at the centre of Kenya’s path to independence and beyond. - MORE

September 11: Newly-Released Pictures

The North Tower of the World Trade Centre burns as the South Tower is nowhere to be seen, having earlier collapsed, creating a massive cloud of dust and on right almost 3,000 people were killed when terrorists crashed two planes into the two towers of the World Trade Centre. (Pic: Det. Greg Semendinger/NYC Police Aviation Unit).

Britain suffers coldest winter since 1978 with average temperature of 1.5C  The UK winter has been the coldest for more than 30 years, according to figures released by the Met Office.  The mean UK temperature was 1.5C (34.7F), the lowest since 1978/79 when it was 1.2C (34.16F), the organisation said. The mean is worked out by taking the average of the daytime maximum temperature and night time minimum over a 24 hour period. Since mid-December cold weather has often dominated much of the country, with spells of snow and very low temperatures. Overnight temperatures have fallen as low as minus 22.3C (minus 8.14F) at Altnaharra, Highland - the lowest UK minimum since 1995, the Met Office said.

MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, has said that England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all had their coldest winter season (December to the end of February) since 1978/9. The average winter temperature of 2.4C (36.3F) in England was the lowest since that year, MeteoGroup said. Using the Central England Temperature series, which covers a large area from Lancashire in the North West to Oxfordshire in the South Midlands, this winter was the third coldest in the last 50 years and 10th coldest in the past 120 years. Other figures show that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have also had their coldest winter season. Michael Dukes, MeteoGroup forecast manager, said today: "It's going to remain cold for the time of year for a couple of weeks at least." Last night was cold again, with a temperature of minus 14C (7F) at Tulloch Bridge in the Highlands, and readings below zero on the south coast. Mr Dukes said: "The jetstream has been unusually far south this winter, allowing cold air to spill over northern and western Europe, but also pumping some warm air over south eastern Europe." The jetstream consists of strong winds which drive weather systems

Jacob Zuma brings his latest wife Thobeka to Britain to meet the Queen

With three wives to choose from perhaps it was only fair that Jacob Zuma, the South African president, opted to bring his newest bride to accompany him on his official state visit to Britain. The president arrived at Heathrow with Thobeka Madiba Zuma, 38, who he married in January and with whom he has a one year-old daughter.  He will meet the Queen on Wednesay 3rd March, 2010. The 67 year-old was perhaps keen to avoid any unseemly squabbles for his attention by bringing just one spouse. Last year the new Mrs Zuma was reportedly involved in a scuffle with his other wives Nompumelelo Ntuli, 35, and Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo, 66, as they jostled to be closest to their husband during a photo shoot after the state of the nation speech in the South African parliament. The president has since set up a "spousal office" to provide them with equal "administrative support".

KCPE TOP BOY AND TOP GIRL

David Gathuku from Mang’u School new KCSE champ with 87.26857. Central Kenya’s Mang’u High School’s Master David Ndung’u Gathuku is the national champion of last year’s Form Four examinations.  The best girl in the examination was Grace Wambui Njung’e of Rift Valley’s Moi Girl’s High School, Eldoret, who scored 87.16014 and was ranked 11 nationally.  Gathuku had a mean score of 87.26857, and was followed by Maseno School’s Trevor Mokaya Omangi who had a mean score of 87.25143. The top score was a slight improvement over last year’s best mark of 87.26757 by Alliance School’s Mark Nyauma Maugo.  Njung’e was followed by Eastern Province’s Precious Blood Secondary School, Kilungu, girl, Doris Mbabu Mwendwa who was ranked 13, with a mean score of 87.15414. It was a dismal performance for girls as boys literally ran away with the top ten slots nationally. "I became more serious when I got into high school," said Gathuku who was ranked 18 nationally, in KCPE four years ago. - The Standard.

JOY COMES IN THE MORNING

Otana Ochieng' Rodgers is carried shoulder high in congratulatory gestures by Maseno school students after emerging 4th in Nyanza province with a score of 87.12929 points. The school produced second best student nationally, Omangi Trevor Mokaya, who scored 87.25143. - Daily Nation.

DRIVERS TO GET £20 FINE FOR LEAVING ENGINE RUNNING

Drivers in UK  are to be handed £20 on-the-spot fines for leaving their engines running while their car is not moving in a controversial new town hall initiative. Angry campaigners and motoring organisations yesterday branded the move a “ridiculous money-making scam”.  Critics said that the proposal was simply “another unfair tax” dressed up as a “green” procedure. North Lincolnshire Council will be the first local authority to issue the fixed penalty notices to “irresponsible drivers who are not considering the environment”.  It has created a specially-trained team which has more powers than traditional traffic wardens. They took over duties, previously carried out by the police, on Monday.

Protecting the UK border by boosting overseas cooperation

Home Office, 01 March 2010

Preventing illegal immigration in the source country is at the heart of a new international strategy launched today by the UK government. The government is committed to putting migration at the heart of international relationships by working more closely than ever with foreign governments, sharing data and intelligence with enforcement agencies abroad, and ensuring that developing countries have the skills they need to thrive. The international action plan - a joint strategy by the Home Office and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office - underlines the need to take the fight against human traffickers, forgers and foreign criminals to the source, with the UK Border Agency's work overseas more crucial than ever before. The UK Border Agency's successes include:

• 67,000 inadequately documented passengers stopped from boarding planes to the UK in 2008-09;
• suspected fraudulent visa applications referred to police abroad, leading to more than 1,280 arrests across the globe as of September 2009;
• a team based at the British Embassy in China working with local authorities to speed up re-documentation - leading to 3,280 Chinese nationals being removed last year; and
• more than 125 drug couriers arrested in Ghana and Jamaica in the past year as part of Operations Airbridge and Westbridge, which see frontline officers working with overseas authorities to stop drug couriers before they reach Britain.
•  

The government recognises that this enforcement work can only take place alongside capacity building in developing countries.Today, ministers also committed to support 'circular migration' to reduce the impact of skills loss on other countries; ensuring that migrants are able to send money back home; and enabling those who need protection to seek refuge as close to home as possible. Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said:

'The message today is clear, we want the smugglers, traffickers and forgers out there to know, wherever they are in the world, we are watching them. Paying people traffickers is a rip-off. 'Three-quarters of the world's population now need a visa to come to Britain, and UK Border Agency officers are working in 135 different countries to stop organised criminals in their tracks. 'Our enforcement work must go hand in hand with circular migration, and sharing our skills and training with developing nations.'

The action plan - entitled 'International challenges, international solutions: managing the movement of people and goods' - looks at proposals to allow skilled temporary residents in the UK to 'pause' their journey to citizenship so that they can return home and contribute their expertise. This would allow developing nations the chance to benefit from these skilled workers without interfering with the workers' path to citizenship in the UK.

Mr Woolas said:

'There is no question that migration has brought benefits to the UK economy. Many of those who come here plug hard-to-fill jobs gaps, playing a key role in running public services especially in health and education.  'But while Britain is benefiting, it is important that we do not deprive other countries of the skilled people they need most. It's in our long-term interest that they have the doctors, nurses and teachers who are so crucial to their development.  'That's why, particularly in these difficult times, we must ensure those that do come here are given the opportunity to help back home and invest their new-found skills.'

Through the points-based system and advice from the Migration Advisory Committee (a panel of independent economists), the government will continue to ensure that Britain only gets the skilled workers it needs, and no more. You can download the international action plan, and the written ministerial statement announcing its launch, from the right side of this page.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH, 2010

The Daily Express leads on a story that a council plans to give motorists on-the-spot fines if they are caught leaving their engines running and on right Greece plans an austerity budget to tackle its crippling economic problems, reports the European edition of the Wall Street Journal.

Anti-smoking advice at funeral

A life-long smoker has had his dying wish honoured when he had the words "Smoking Killed Me" placed on signs in his hearse. Albert Whittamore, known as Dick, died last month aged 85 after suffering for years from emphysema, a progressive lung condition he blamed on his habit. He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent. One of the signs was also placed at Mr Whittamore's graveside, according to his wishes. Paul Sullivan, of Sullivan & Son funeral directors, said: "Although he had reached the age of 85, he had been suffering for a while and wanted to do his bit to warn others about smoking. "He specified that that's what he wanted in his will. We gave it some thought but after a while we decided that that's what he had requested." Mr Whittamore, who ran a small printing business in a shop below his home, was forced to use a motorised wheelchair in his later years as his health faltered. A spokesman for the stop smoking charity Quit said: "We understand Dick had emphysema, which is a lung condition caused by smoking which results in people struggling for breath. "Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn't want others to suffer. "Smokers can ring Quitline, 0800 00 22 00, to get advice on how to quit and to pay tribute to Dick."

Nairobi, Kenya, March 2 - The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results for 2009 are out. David Gathuku Ndung'u of Mangu High School is the best candidate in last year's examinations with an index of 87.26. He was followed by Trevor Mokaya of Maseno School and Hillary Kipkirui of Alliance High School who came in second and third respectively. Starehe Boys Centre's Fredrick Oduol came in fourth followed by Kenneth Koome of Alliance High School with Edwin Wekesa of Weiwei Secondary school in West Pokot coming in 6th. Alliance Boys High Schools dominated results in Central Province producing nine out of 10 best students there. Boys dominated the top 10 positions with the best girl Grace Njunge Wambui of Moi Girls taking position 11. Education Minister Sam Ongeri said students' performance in the examinations improved slightly compared to 2008 with a total of 81,048 candidates scoring at least an aggregate of C+, which is the minimum grade required to qualify for university admission. Exam cheating was also down with a total of 69 schools penalised for the vice. The Kenya National Examinations Council did not rank schools but only provided a list of the top candidates. The criteria introduced two years ago is meant to discourage irrational competition which has seen some students cheat to top the charts. - CapitalFM - FULL RESULTS HERE

ZIMBABWE'S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN - SEE THE VIDEO

Four people die in morning crash

Written By: Diana Okemo, Posted: Tue, Mar 02, 2010

 

Four people were killed and 10 others wounded after a lorry landed on a matatu at Outer Ring Road in Umoja Estate. The accident occurred at around 7.30am Tuesday near the busy Mutindwa market. Confirming the incident, Buru Buru division police commander Kipkemoi Rop, said the lorry, carrying empty beer bottles landed on the matatu which was full to capacity. He said those injured had been to a nearby hospital but one passenger was in a critical condition. The driver of the truck who left the scene immediately after the accident is yet to be traced.

London, Tuesday 2nd March, 2010. Sterling fell by almost 3 cents, ending the day below $1.50 for the first time in nearly a year amid fears that Britain will be left with a weak government unable to cut spending and balance the budget. Fears that no party would gain an overall Commons majority led to warnings that the pound was “staring into the abyss” and would fall further still. Figures suggest that traders are placing huge bets on more declines. Within minutes of London trading starting on Monday, the pound’s value began to slide. At one point, it fell as low as $1.4781, the lowest level since May 1 last year. It rose slightly to finish at $1.4939 at 4pm — a fall of 2.85 cents. The slide also showed in the euro, which was worth 90.22p. Traders are unlikely to be reassured by a ComRes/Independent poll today that puts the Tory lead at five points, suggesting Labour would still have the most MPs but fall short of a majority. Audrey Childe-Freeman, of Brown Brothers Harriman, a New York bank, said: “The risk of a hung parliament is increasing. You will need a government with a strong majority to push ahead with reforms that the UK needs.” Simon Derrick, a currency strategist at Bank of New York Mellon, said: “The likelihood that we’re going to move to a rapid lessening of the deficit is being taken away.” Mark O’Sullivan, of Currencies Direct, said: “As the pound drops, the currency markets appear to have run out of patience. Sterling could be staring over the edge of the abyss.” Some investors fear that a hung parliament and a minority government would lead international credit ratings agencies to downgrade Britain’s status, making it more expensive to raise funds. A weak pound also drives up the cost of imports. One international bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, predicted the pound would fall towards $1.40 this year. A bank spokesman, Lee Hardman, said in a report that the worst outcome for the pound would be Labour clinging to power as a minority government because of the party’s high-spending agenda.

The Express leads with a story on the weakening pound and on right The story about the weakening pound is also on the front page of the FT.

"Character is a pregnancy - you cannot hide it for long" - A Nigerian film actor

When is bad news not really bad?

When is bad news not really bad? When it's eclipsed by the promise of enduring easy money for Wall Street. Case in point: On Wednesday, data showed U.S. new home sales in January slumped to the worst level in 47 years. It was the worst pace since the Commerce Department started keeping records, yet stocks rallied.

Stay out of trouble in 2010

Have a look at this one sent on Mr. Seed desk.

Hello Mr. Seed,
There is a wedding that is going to happen this coming Saturday 6th March, 2010 in central London at Westminster city hall at 11am.this wedding is for two Kenyans women (Nduta and Mueni). Among the best maids is the famous Kenyans gay couple.

Naked people hug at Sydney Opera House for Spencer Tunick photo

It's not every day that you see over 5,000 naked people hugging each other on the steps of Sydney's iconic

Opera House - and if you do, it must mean that Spencer Tunick is in town.

Tunick, who is famous for his massive nude group photos in public spaces, posed around 5,200 naked participants for more than an hour in a variety of positions on Monday morning - including getting them to embrace each other. 'It was difficult to get the straight participants to embrace the gay participants and vice versa,' Tunick said. 'So I was very happy that that last set up finally got done and everyone came together (in a) united, friendly kiss, a loving kiss in front of this great structure.' Nineteen-year-old student Art Rush said he was thrilled to participate. 'I'll never get a chance to do this again; it's not worth being inhibited,' Rush said. 'It doesn't feel sexual, it just feels tribal, a gathering of humanity.' 'I thought it could be a bit awkward, but it's funny because when you're naked and everybody else is naked, you feel like you're dressed, because everybody looks the same,' said Steven Anglier, who wore a wig so he could stand out in the photo. 'It's really a weird experience because you think there could be something sexual behind, but there's not.' As the sun rose, Tunick instructed participants to do a number of poses, from standing up, lying down, and even embracing cheek to cheek, for the work titled 'Mardi Gras:The Base'. Tunick has produced almost 100 nude installations around the world, and says his work is not about exhibitionism or eroticism but instead reveals the vulnerability of life in a rough city landscape. But that argument has not impressed authorities at home in the United States, where Tunick has been arrested seven times. His largest installation was in Mexico on May 6, 2007, where he photographed 18,000 people In Mexico city's Zocalo Square.

Easy money trumps weak economy on Wall Street

New York (Reuters) - When is bad news not really bad? When it's eclipsed by the promise of enduring easy money for Wall Street. Case in point: On Wednesday, data showed U.S. new home sales in January slumped to the worst level in 47 years. It was the worst pace since the Commerce Department started keeping records, yet stocks rallied. Just a day earlier, a 10-month low for consumer confidence sparked stocks' worst sell-off in close to three weeks, and stocks were bogged down much of Thursday by equally gloomy durable goods orders. What made the difference? Ben Bernanke. The Federal Reserve chairman on Wednesday all-but-guaranteed the spigot of easy money will stay open after fueling the market's rebound since last March's 12-year low. The Fed is keeping interest rates near zero to encourage lending to businesses and consumers in order to stimulate growth. What is also means is there is little money to be made by investors holding cash or bonds, making equities a more lucrative bet. "This is a little different from when you have a robust economy where you can buy the market and everything goes up because you believe in the economy," said Keith Springer, president of Capital Financial Advisory Services in Sacramento, California. "This is buying the individual securities you think will benefit from low interest rates and liquidity, which just happens to be the majority of stocks." Economic data shows the recovery remains fragile at best, but, paradoxically, that provides short-term encouragement for investors who don't want the Fed to leave the party early. The market has seen this kind of behavior before. In 2008 during the worst of the financial crisis, Wall Street often looked past negative data or earnings reports due to confidence in a long-standing low-interest rate policy. Stocks mounted one of their best rallies in 2008, rising 4.2 percent on March 18 of that year when the Fed cut rates by 75 basis points to 2 percent. But the Fed's statement couldn't have been more depressing on the economic outlook, noting "considerable stress" in financial markets and "deepening of the housing contraction."

MONEY FOR NOTHING
This week, Bernanke sought to alleviate concerns saying the U.S. central bank's policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee was prepared to support the economy with ultra-low rates for some time. The Fed's raising of the discount rate the week before had prompted some to wonder if it signaled the beginning of a tightening cycle. "The Fed wants to start to pull some of this stuff back. I liken it to, you want your kid to start walking, but they take those first couple of steps and you're grabbing their hand so they're not falling over," said Kurt Brunner, portfolio manager at Swarthmore Group in Philadelphia. It's an apt comparison, as the Fed has been holding the market's hand for months now. Stocks have recovered sharply from the 12-year low hit in March 2009, but are still far from the highs of late 2007. And while stocks, over the long term, will ultimately react to improvements in the economic outlook, the liquidity efforts -- particularly near-zero interest rates -- are enough to propel short-term rallies even on weak figures. Indeed, investors eager to buy stocks on a dip have prevented a serious market correction even though equities had gained nearly 70 percent at one point compared to March's low. That mood has also helped short-term action, as seen on Wednesday.

U.S. fund managers increased exposure to equities in February to reach their highest level in 14 months, a Reuters poll showed this week. Based on 11 U.S.-based fund management firms surveyed between February 11 and 24, they held an average 66.2 percent of assets in equities in February, up from 64.8 percent in January. As well, the Investment Company Institute reported domestic and foreign equity funds had estimated inflows of $1.11 billion for the week ended February 17. It was the first such inflow in February. It is unclear how much this week's poor data has affected analysts' outlook for the rest of the year. Most expect reports to be mixed until the recovery gains traction. Others note winter storms in January and February likely altered the data. Long term, uncertainty over the sustainability of the recovery nags, with investors worried about a possible double-dip recession in coming quarters. Though expectations for 2010 earnings growth have been pulled back, analysts still expect decent corporate profit to offset economic dark clouds. "The easy money helps, the policy helps," said Mike O'Rourke, chief market strategist at BTIG in Philadelphia. But beyond the liquidity and economic fears, improving earnings and positive executive comments make a strong case for stocks, especially once the economic outlook becomes clearer, said O'Rourke. The rally is justified in that sense, but obviously the Fed policy has helped us get to that point."

The Righteous and the Ungodly

Psalms 1: 1-6

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Why can't you keep bananas in the fridge?

The answer to this, and to most questions pertaining to the science of food, can be found in Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking. Bananas grow in hot climates, so they are unused to the cold. If they're kept at a cold temperature, the enzymes that enable them to ripen are inhibited. And as those enzymes become inactive, other enzymes operate more efficiently. Some cause cell damage, while others (browning enzymes) cause the skin to blacken. Bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, and melons all do best if stored at around 10°C.

Oh God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones I do, and
The eyesight to tell the difference.

SPRING WEATHER HITS BRITAIN: RAIN AND FLOODS SUBSIDE AS SUNSHINE ARRIVES

Much of Britain woke to glorious spring sunshine this morning, providing some respite from the floods and downpours that swept the country over the weekend. Crisp weather and clear blue skies were a welcome change to the deluge of rain that saw 143 flood watches in place on Saturday and Sunday.

Chief Inspector's report on the handling of asylum cases - UK Border Agency response

Home Office, 26 February 2010

The UK Border Agency has responded to 'Asylum: getting the balance right?', an inspection report by the independent Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency.UK Border Agency Chief Executive Lin Homer said: "The Chief Inspector's report recognises the quality of our decision-making and the professionalism of our staff. Our European neighbours are keen to learn from and adopt our expertise. 'The UK Border Agency is concluding asylum cases faster than ever before, with the majority concluded within six months, down from an average of 22 months in 1997. We are working to ensure there is a realistic plan for dealing with all asylum claims that have not been concluded within six months. 'We recognise that we need to continually improve our processes and performance, and therefore welcome the Chief Inspector's recommendations. We will continue to develop a faster, more secure and efficient asylum system.'  You can find the inspection report and the agency's detailed response on the Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency page of this website.

UK Border Agency launches consultation on NHS debtors

Home Office, 26 February 2010

The UK Border Agency is carrying out a public consultation on proposals to change the Immigration Rules so that we can refuse permission to enter or stay in the UK if a migrant is subject to immigration control and is in debt to the NHS above a prescribed amount. The change to the Immigration Rules would supplement our existing work to identify and remove visitors who are trying to conceal an intention to access NHS services while they are in the UK. The consultation is open until 28 May 2010, and can be found in the Current consultations section of this website. The launch of the consultation was announced today in a written ministerial statement by Borders and Miimgration Minister Phil Woolas, which you can download from the right side of this page.

The 'Wonder Twins' are set to enter secondary school at 9

A pair of nine-year-old twins are set to become the youngest pupils to be admitted to a secondary school. Paula and Peter Imafidon already broke world records when they passed A/AS-level mathematics papers at the age of seven. But on Monday - National Offer Day - the twins will join hundreds of thousands of other families across the country to find out which secondary school they are going to, despite being two years younger than most of their counterparts. Peter and Paula, from Waltham Forest, East London, attend an ordinary state primary school but have already received provisional offers from more than 12 top secondary schools. Dubbed the "Wonder Twins", they hit the headlines when they set three world records by passing A/AS-level maths papers aged seven. They became the youngest candidates ever to pass an A-level maths paper, the youngest ever school pupils to pass the A-level maths paper as previous title holders had been home schooled, and the youngest ever twins to achieve this level in mathematics anywhere in the world. A year later they took and passed the University of Cambridge's Advanced Mathematics (FAM) paper, becoming the youngest students ever to pass the rigorous examinations. The twins, who take part in the Excellence in Education programme for inner-city children, have also co-authored a book with their primary school classmates - with proceeds going to charities and their school. Their father Chris Imafidon said: "We're delighted with the progress they have made." He said the youngsters would be fine at secondary school, despite the age difference with their peers. Nine-year-old twins Paula and Peter Imafidon are set to become the youngest pupils to be admitted to a secondary school.

Sterling worries test global markets’ confidence

What makes a man attractive to women?

There are very frequent and popular questions among girls which are: is that man charming or sexy enough? Why is he attractive? What makes a man hot? Attractiveness is a unique feature, and as it’s impossible to learn how to become charming, it’s also very difficult to unveil the secrets which render a man attractive! Despite all that, the attractive man always shines differently and is easily distinguished among his peers. That charisma magnetizes us spiritually and physically as well. Depending on research and stereotypical concepts according to men, women are naturally considered charming because of the way they look, but the case is different to women when it comes to defining men in terms of attractiveness. While there is a focus on the appearance of men, there’s a lot more focus on many other things like the man’s personality, whether he pays attention to women or not and his tone with kids…etc We should know that the look is not everything to recognize the attractive man as well as it’s not the money. I can define the attractive man in few words only: he is innocent, down to earth, manly and honest.

I will cite 10 reasons depending on a questionnaire conducted with experts plus normal women, but still, this remains a point of view from a different angle:

1-The attractive man likes kids. He knows how to communicate with children and understands them and he doesn’t do that to draw any attention; he does that naturally.

2-The attractive man has a genuine and high sense of humor.

3-The attractive man’s eye twinkles without a reason! He is always in search of the core of life. His eyes are sharp with eagerness to examine every single s
ource of joy around him. These glimmering eyes can capture you, flirt with you and engulf you with tenderness.

4-The attractive man has an ever smiling face. He is not embarrassed to laugh his heart out without reservations.

5-The attractive man knows how to talk and control any conversation. His body is in harmony with his mouth and if he speaks, he will utter coherent sentences, and when the conversation heats up, it becomes fun just to listen to him.

6-The attractive man is a mysterious, enigmatic person. He is not ordinary in his clothing or the way of expressing himself. He makes you think that he always has plan B, and he is not the man of chances or accidents.

7-The attractive man is in love with the whole world: he chats with the grocer while shopping, he jokes with the cap driver, and he immerses himself in a pleasant chat with the neighbors!
8-The attractive man is captivating. He knows how to be a leader and knows what he wants. He is a man that you want to be with; to join and be sheltered by because he will show you things you’ve never seen in yourself and in the outside world.

9-The attractive man loves to interact with the four seasons of the year. He likes to wrap himself in winter and feel the wool on his skin, while in summer; he likes to wear as less as possible and enjoys sitting under the sun and taste the weather.

10-The attractive man loves food. He enjoys cooking and savoring every dish and sometimes, he surprises us with his cooking skills.

Finger of God's leader's wife charged

The wife to the leader of the controversial Finger of God Church was Monday charged with belonging to an illegal society. Wagikuyu Hellon wife of Joseph Nimrod Hellon pleaded not guilty to the charge and her case was consolidated with that of her husband. She was released on a cash bail of 20 thousand shillings. Last week Hellon and six others faced a similar offence but Wagikuyu and former KTN TV presenter Esther Arunga who is a member of the church were not charged. Nairobi chief magistrate Gilbert Mutembei will on Tuesday rule on whether another church member Quincy Timberlake will be released on a cash bail or not. The church grabbed attention late last month after questions emerged on its teachings with some labeling it a cult, allegations that Hellon has vehemently denied. Among its more prominent members was Arunga who is reportedly undergoing psychiatric evaluation. While defending his church against the accusations, Hellon announced that he would vie for the presidency come 2012 with Arunga as his running mate. Elsewhere, The industrial court Monday temporarily stopped the ministry of health from re-advertising for the position of the Managing Director of the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Justice Stewart Madzayo issued the orders after Dr Rashid Aman and Prof Philip Aduna moved to court challenging the re-advertisement claiming that they had already been selected in an interview that was held on January 19 last year. The two claimed that the ministry of health has violated the Science and Technology Act by re-advertising for the post and that the action had demeaned their career.

Parliament: PSC to table draft law

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the new constitution is optimistic that Kenyans will have a new constitution by the end of the year. The PSC members were addressing journalists in Naivasha where they had gone for a retreat to study the draft constitution handed over to it last week by the experts.   Following the move, the PSC will table the document in parliament for a 30 debate on Tuesday for its adoption before it is put to a referendum. Addressing the press in Sopa Lodge Naivasha, the committee chairman Mohamed Abdikadir said his team was just studying the document as it did not have powers to amend it at the current stage. He was however quick to point out that Parliament as an organ of review would amend the document if need be. Abdikadir said that the committee had done its part adding that it was up to parliament to do the rest. He thanked his committee members for a job well done adding that the next 30 days were crucial in the country's history. Present during the one day retreat were cabinet ministers Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Sally Kosgei, James Orengo, Moses Wetangula among others. Ministers Charity Ngilu, Najib Balala and former minister Martha Karua did not attend the meeting. Meanwhile, the US government has urged legislators support the constitution review process to ensure the Kenyans have a new constitution. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Karl Wycoff said "Parliament must expeditiously review and send to the people for their approval a new constitution that has the confidence of all Kenyans" "We urge the coalition leaders to work together to support a new draft constitution and hold a timely referendum. Addressing the press, Wycoff further urged the government to take bold and decisive steps to fight corruption and hold accountable perpetrators of post-election violence. Noting that significant progress on reforms had been made, the US envoy urged the two Principals to work together within the spirit of the National Accord by ensuring the full implementation of the reform agenda.

Cocaine addiction among children up 65% since 2005

The number of cocaine-addicted children needing treatment has more than doubled since 2005, shocking new NHS figures show.

The number of under-18s being helped off the drug has increased by 65% in the four-year-period, while treatment for 18 to 24-year-olds was up 50% in the same period. It was found three-quarters of users combined the drug with alcohol to boost the high. But mixing is believed to be more damaging to the heart and makes users more violent. The study by the National Treatment Agency discovered that after six months of treatment with cognitive behavioural therapy, four in 10 addicts were clean, but nearly a quarter had dropped out of treatment. Paul Hayes, chief executive of the NTA, said: "More people are using powder cocaine, more people are seeking help for dependency, and more are being successfully treated. "Powder cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug which induces psychological rather than physical dependence. "Most users will be treated locally in their communities with talking therapies rather than medication, and our message to users is that if they need help, they can get it and it works." In 2009 12,354 people were treated for cocaine addiction in England. Between 2005-06 and 2008-09 the number of under-18s in treatment went from 453 to 745 and the number of 18 to 24-year-olds doubled from 1,586 to 3,005. Around one in 10 adults in England and Wales now admit to having used cocaine at some point in their lifetime - a three-fold increase on 1996.

An elephant hired for a Hindu wedding in India caused more than £200,000 damage after trying to reach an in-heat female. The turned-on tusker trampled 20 limos trying to reach the female in a nearby sugar cane field in the Indian capital New Delhi.

H also then mounted and attempted to mate with a truck, and smashed through a shopping mall in the 15-hour New Delhi rampage. His adventure was finally brought to an end when wildlife experts managed to bring him down with a tranquilliser gun.

‘It is a very powerful urge,’ said one expert.

An Indian elephant: maybe just hire a covers band for your wedding

Nairobi, Monday 1st March, 2010. The strategic Party of National Unity (PNU) Naivasha retreat Saturday resolved to transform the coalition into a new movement known as the 'Progressive Democratic Movement'(PDM).  The movement will in future field their candidates under one PDM umbrella as well as establish  a supreme council and secretariat at the national level alongside a youth and women league at the grassroot.  The over 108 MPs who attended the retreat said the PNU coalition was now a political movement to strengthen existing structures in preparation for the forthcoming Referendum and the 2012 elections, where they will jointly field candidates.  In a press statement read by Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, the party members said they had agreed to work together.  The movement will also include corporate and individual members, a Supreme Council, Central Management Committee and operational sub-committees on the grassroots. It will also have a Secretariat and a Resource Centre which will be utilized by its think tanks, as well as youth and women's leagues in its governing structure. The members also resolved to effectively fight graft and also support the constitution making process to ensure that the country gets a new constitution. "The movement commits itself to fight the war on corruption at all levels and endear ourselves to work for the new constitution," said Murungi. The PNU affiliate parties called on the Parliament and the Committee of Experts to retain the changes made by the Parliament Select Committee on the Constitution. They urged the Committee of Experts (CoE) to comply with Section 33 of the Constitutional Review Act and take into account the political consensus achieved on the Draft Constitution by PSC which met in Naivasha for two weeks. PNU heavyweights Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti attended the retreat.

US tennis champion Serena Williams on court with children in Kenya’s largest slum, Kibera, during her charity tour of the country this week.

Kenya sued over Sh121m in the UK

By GITAU wa NJENGA in Manchester, North West of England

A Kenyan lawyer based in the United Kingdom on Friday became the first person to sue a Commonwealth country in a British Court. Mr Ronald Onyango, 36, on Friday 26th February, 2010 enjoined in a suit the Republic of Kenya and Kenya High Commission in London over Sh 121m (£1million) allegedly owed to him.

Mr Onyango set the legal precedence after the UK High Court ordered Republic of Kenya be named as Second Defendant in civil suit he has brought against Kenya High Commission in London on the 28 May 2009. The Mission is subsequently named as the First Defendant.

It ‘s believed to be the first time, a commonwealth country is sued in a  British court in the  country’s  150 years legal history. Mr Onyango is accusing the High Commission of breaching a contract entered with him for legal consultancy services, according to court documents made available to this writer.

During the hearing of case before Mr Justice Holman at the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division in Manchester, North West of England, on Friday, the proceedings were halted as intense legal arguments ensued over   the identity of the Defendant- The Kenyan High Commission. Mr Sebastian Clegg, counsel for Republic of Kenya  argued  the Kenyan mission was ‘just a building’ and therefore could not be sued despite having entered into legal contracts with Mr Onyango and other third parties such as The German Car Centre contract  as exhibited in court by Mr Simon Hilton, counsel appearing on behalf of Mr Onyango.

Mr Clegg submitted that Onyango’s claim be struck off because Kenya High Commission was not a legal entity and for the purposes of bringing the civil action could not be sued. Mr Clegg further submitted that that the Kenya mission which represented the Republic of Kenya in the UK enjoyed privileges under the State Immunity Act 1978. He argued that the issue of identity should have been picked out by the Claimant and said that since his instructions in January 2010 to settle an Amended Defence, he had identified this issue on first sight as an anomaly which needed to be rectified.

Responding, Mr Hilton, said the mission had entered into commercial contracts with external suppliers in numerous occasions and was responsible to honour any legally bidding contracts. Mr Hilton told the court, “Kenya High Commission is not a ‘mere building’ as  alleged by my learned counsel, it’s capable of entering into contracts, hire  and fire services and the fact that  the mission entered into contract with Mr Onyango and other external suppliers proves it has legal entity for the purposes of  bring this claim”.

Mr Hilton in response interjected adding that The Kenya High Commission now represented as Republic of Kenya had always had legal advisers from the start named as Everatt’s Solicitors in Harrow where they were represented by a Mr Shilan. N. Shah who Mr Hilton confirmed was a Solicitor at current and then.

“The Kenya High Commission had their Defence Pleadings prepared by a Barrister upon proceedings being issued against them by the Claimant which were filed at Court by the same Mr Shah, and were also represented in Court last year by a Barrister (Miss Harrison of Deans Court Chambers) through the same Mr Shah of Everatt’s Solicitors, but had on all these occasions failed to notice, or indicate any dispute if it were to be taken as a point of The Kenya High Commission’s identity”, noted Mr Hilton.

He expressed his surprise and coincidence that The Kenya High Commission had only raised the issue of their identity at the eleventh hour  following Mr Onyango’s Application for Summary Judgement on the cheque issued by the mission  but was subsequently countermanded. Earlier, Mr Clegg had sought an injunction against the Claimant after an Advice from the Defendant’s Barrister was leaked to Mr Onyango by unnamed journalist.

He further sought to prevent Mr Onyango using the Advice or relying on it as it remained a privileged document. Mr Clegg argued that interim measures to contain the spread and further dissemination of the document was needed and this  included an Order to gag Mr Onyango, his legal representatives and anybody else who may have access to the Advice Document.  Mr Clegg vigorously protested the presence of this Kenyan journalist (Gitau wa Njenga) in court and sought the court to impose for reporting restrictions on the proceedings but Mr Justice Holman rejected the submissions.

The proceedings have generated unprecedented media and public interest  in Kenya  and in the UK. Clegg also contested the jurisdiction of the claim saying that since KHC had no legal entity in the UK, the proceedings should be heard in Nairobi. In his ruling, Mr Justice Holman termed Mr Clegg submissions as ‘utter nonsense’.

The Judge noted that Kenyan High Commission has participated fully in the proceedings since the claim was initiated on 28 May,2009 and the issue of identity didn’t arise until on Friday. He dismissed KHC’s application to struck off the claim and instead ordered that the Republic of Kenya be added as the Second Defendant in the suit.

Mr Justice Holman rejected Mr Clegg’s submissions and directed that the Defendant’s Application for injunction will be heard on March 4, 2010. The Judge similarly denied the Defendant’s request for leave to appeal against his order to add Republic of Kenya as a Defendant in the proceedings and dispensed with the need for Service as was vigorously resisted by Mr Clegg that the judges should not use his powers to circumvent the Civil Procedures Rules.

 He submitted that the Republic of Kenya had not been correctly served as 6 months since the date of issue of proceedings had passed and therefore the claim should be struck out. Mr Hilton for Mr Onyango argued that the Court had powers to manage cases citing relevant Civil Procedures Rules and in keeping with the overriding objective, the Court had inherent powers to dispense with the need for service if it deemed necessary and this case was a classic example.

Earlier, at the start of the tense hearing, Mr Justice Holman decried the shambolic state of the case which he described as a disaster. He said the court was overwhelmed by  ‘mountain of paper work’  which includes witness statements from Mr Joseph Muchemi, former High Commissioner and his former deputy, Abel Kenyoru, Addison Chebukaka, current deputy  high commissioner, Leonard Boiyo, former First Secretary and  Mr. S. Shah, solicitor  retained by the  mission.

 “Kenya has limited funds, this is a very unhappy case, am worried about mounting costs, I don’t know where it will lead”, said the Judge. He said he was most unhappy with constant change of events and regretted the case had not progressed since the last hearing.  The Judge indicated that he had found himself dealing with identity of the defendant rather than with the Summary Judgement and case management as initially anticipated.

He said that he had to deal with new twists in the ever changing issues in the case, the latest being  that The Kenya High Commission which has been sued in that name since 28 May 2009 had suddenly applied in its Amended Pleadings raising the issues about its legal identity.

The Judge noted that  Kenya High Commission  had taken active part in the proceedings for over 8 months which included filing an Acknowledgement of Service, making an Application for extension of time to file its Defence, Completing an Allocation Questionnaire and entering a Court appearance on the 11 November 2009   under the name of The Kenya High Commission. “The defendant  had now made an Application to argued that Mr Onyango had sued the wrong entity and wanted the Claimant’s Application stroke  out and that the correct entity and Defendant was The Republic of Kenya as opposed to The Kenya High Commission”, noted the Judge.

He directed Mr Hilton to take fresh instructions from Mr Onyango which added The Republic of Kenya as a Second Defendant whilst retaining The Kenya High Commission as the First Defendant. Mr Onyango ‘s  legal representatives agreed to that option as opposed to substituting The Kenya High Commission with The Republic of Kenya as preferred by Mr Clegg for the Republic of Kenya.

Mr Justice Holman reserved the costs until March 4, 2010. Mr Onyango, a trainee solicitor with Berkeley Solicitors in Manchester, filed the suit through Berkeley Solicitors while Kenya High Commission engaged Everatt’s Solicitors in Harrow. Mr Onyango’s claim resulted from unpaid invoices amounting to £13,720 (Sh1.7 million).  The debt has been outstanding since November 8, 2008.

Mr Onyango, a Manchester-based lawyer, further seeks settlement of accumulated contractual interest at the rate of 15 per cent per day arising from legal consultancy services he provided to the High Commission in London between November 8, 2008 and January 4, 2009.  Mr Onyango was reportedly awarded the contract during the tenure of Mr Joseph Muchemi, the embattled former High Commissioner who was embroiled in a row over his controversial recall from London.

During Friday’s hearing, Mr Onyango was accompanied by Mr Adrian Berkeley, principal solicitor from Berkeley Solicitors. There were no representatives from Kenyan High Commission in London. At the close of business yesterday, Mr Onyango’s claim contractual interest amounted to over £800,000 (Ksh 96million) while legal costs were estimated at over £204,000 (Ksh 25million).

It is believed that the daily costs of the case is at the tune £2,000 (Sh240,000) and the final bill may run into hundreds of millions for which Kenyan taxpayers may have to pick up. The case was adjourned until March 4, 2010. This is not the first time that Kenya’s embassy has been sued and its property attached. In mid 2006, the country’s embassy in the Netherlands was reportedly sued and threatened with auction.

The then Foreign Affairs minister Raphael Tuju dismissed as fraud the alleged security contract between the Kenyan Government and a Dutch company. The contract was allegedly signed in November 2002 prior to that year’s General Election and constituted one of the several fictitious contracts that then Narc government terminated when it took over power.

SOME OF THE UK NEWSPAPERS ON MONDAY ST MARCH

Long rains set to begin in Kenya

The Kenya Meteorological Department has released the rainfall outlook for March to May usually the long rains season. According to the forecast, the highest rainfall will be recorded during the month of April. This forecast for March to May 2010 is based on the prevailing and expected Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies over the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans as well as other factors that affect the climate of Kenya. The report forecasts near normal rainfall over most parts of the country. However, rainfall over the western and central districts is likely to be slightly enhanced. A few areas in the eastern sector are likely to experience slightly depressed rainfall. The report further states that the Long-Rains are likely to exhibit poor distribution especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands. The weathermen however say formation of Tropical Cyclones over the western Indian Ocean during the March to May period may interfere with the forecasted rainfall conditions over various parts of the country.

At least 50 dead in western Europe storms

At least 50 people have been killed in storms that have lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France, officials say. Forty-five of the victims died in France, where many drowned or were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees. Winds of up to 140km/h (87mph) caused chaos as they moved from Portugal up through the Bay of Biscay. The storm system is moving north-eastwards and areas of France bordering Belgium and Germany are on alert for heavy rain and high winds. Worst affected have been the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions on the western coast of France. Huge waves and strong gusts battered many coastal towns, spreading floods inland and destroying buildings. Residents took to their roofs in the Vendee region and police helicopters were in action attempting to locate and rescue them. At least a dozen people are said to be missing in France and 59 others injured. More than a million homes in France have lost electricity, from the Brittany peninsula in the west to the highlands of the Massif Central in the centre of the country. President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed his condolences to relatives of victims, and said that he would visit the stricken area on Monday. The storm system, named Xynthia, has put five of the 95 French departments on red alert - only the second such warning since a new emergency system was introduced in 2001. AFP reported that in Germany, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree fell on their car in the Black Forest region. A female jogger in the western town of Bergheim, and a man in Belgium, were also killed by falling trees. Earlier on Sunday two Spanish men died when a tree crushed their car near Burgos. A Spanish woman was killed by a falling wall in Galicia, and a Portuguese boy was killed by a tree in Paredes. Rail services were severely affected in northern Spain and a number of trains in western France were delayed because of flooded tracks. Air France said 100 of its flights had been cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower, French radio reported. Spain's Canary Islands, particularly La Palma, Gran Canaria and Tenerife, were hit by the storm, although there was no great damage.

In pictures: Storm batters western Europe

More than 50 people were killed as storms lashed parts of Spain, Portugal and France over the weekend on right Police helicopters were in action trying to find people stranded on the roofs of their homes.

Surveys suggest economy growing, but jobs outlook mixed

Surveys suggest economy growing, but jobs outlook mixedSurveys from two industry bodies suggest there is growing optimism about the recovery of the UK economy. The employers' organisation the CBI said service sector firms saw business stabilise in the last three months. The manufacturers' lobby group the EEF also said its members were seeing improved levels of business. Revised GDP figures released last week showed the UK economy grew by 0.3% in the last three months of 2009, having contracted for six quarters. The CBI's findings were somewhat split, with an improvement in the consumer sector offset by a poorer picture from business services. In consumer services, which include hotels and travel, business was at its best level for more than two years. Both organisations, though, suggest there are still problem areas in the economy.

Is this Esther's Hell On Earth?

When Esther Arunga walked into the press conference room on Thursday to set the record straight, she was a new woman. The humble and sweet face that united Kenyans in loving her was gone and, in its place, was a blank stare. The sweet voice that wooed us all to watch the news religiously was no more. A more aggressive, almost combatant voice, had taken residence instead. She wore a look that loudly exclaimed: “Good girl gone”. For someone who viciously protected her private life, Esther Arunga was sparing no words to express her disappointment with what she described as ‘‘stupid journalism’’ and garbage reporting. Full of contempt, Arunga, dressed in all black, could not explain why she chose to live with a married man in his house while she could afford to live comfortably on her own. “I am almost 30 and I can live wherever I want,” she said spinning her neck. Some questions she did not even have to answer. “That’s a stupid question,’’ she shot back. The irony was that one of the most notable faces on television was talking trash about the media in general which she was a part of until a week ago and quit because “I wasn’t being paid enough.”  But she contradicted herself severally, telling the media that she quit because of a low salary but later saying she will sue the media but not for financial gain.  You can keep your money,” she yelled. - FULL STORY

Nairobi, Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, embarked on a charm offensive in Central Province, terming the day a new dawn for the nation. The ODM leader, alive to the controversy preceding the visit, emphasised the tour was a Government mission even as he maintained he did not need permission to discharge an official duty. But the whirlwind tour that saw him traverse three constituencies, addressing huge crowds at ten stops, was full of political undertones. He held a major rally in Kigumo constituency. The area MP Jamleck Kamau was said to be out of the country for an official tour of Australia.ODM ministers accompanying him said it was time the region reciprocated by voting for Raila in 2012 since he supported President Kibaki in 2002. The first stop was at River Chania bridge along Thika Road near Blue Port Hotel, which is a symbolic area in central Kenya politics. The spot is a figurative boundary for the Kiambu and Nyeri power politics and it rekindles the myth that power will never cross River Chania to Nyeri. On Saturday, Raila alighted from his vehicle and walked for about two kilometres as the crowd cheered him waving placards that read jamba ya bururi (the nation’s hero).

Prime Minister Raila Odinga with Bridgett Nyambura of Township Primary School in Githunguri at one of his stopovers at Kenol, Murang’a District on Saturday. Photo: Kibera Mbugua/Standar

Political Myth               

This rekindled memories of 2003 when Raila accompanied Kibaki on the first road trip to his Othaya hometown, widely believed to be a political show to banish the political myth. Then like on Saturday, crowds feted Raila, recalling his ‘Kibaki Tosha’ declaration that swept Narc to power. At the Chania Bridge stop, Raila termed the day "a big day for Kenya. It is a new dawn and I am glad for the welcome you showed me." -Speaking on the eve of the second anniversary of the National Accord, Raila denounced tribalism and stressed the need to reunite the country. PNU allied MPs snubbed the tour except Maragua MP Elias Mbau, who played the host throughout the daylong tour, and Kiharu MP Muturi Mwangi. But Mbau gave apologies for Kandara MP Maina Kamau who was said to be in a meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Raila was accompanied by 10 ministers and 15 MPs allied to ODM. Responding to earlier threats for playing host to the ODM leader, Mbau said he was interested in the PM’s development agenda for the region. And the PM entourage had lots of goodies for the region, including promises of road projects, a pledge to write off coffee debts and upgrading of health facilities. At all stopovers Raila told crowds to acknowledge President Kibaki and former opposition leading light Kenneth Matiba for their leadership for the country.

The UK economy grew by 0.3% in the final three months of last year, faster than previously estimated. The revision was due to stronger growth in services and production. The initial estimate released last month said the UK economy had grown by 0.1% in the last quarter of 2009, meaning it had emerged from recession. The economy had previously contracted for six consecutive quarters - the longest period since quarterly figures were first recorded in 1955. Output in the service sector rose by 0.5% between October and December, up from a fall of 0.3% in the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics said. Output from production industries rose by 0.4%, compared with a 1% fall between July and September.Household expenditure was up by 0.4%. The better-than-expected revision confirms the UK's economic recovery. But analysts said there was still a chance that the economy could contract again in the current quarter. "I don't think we are out of the woods," said Adam Chester at Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets. "The first quarter [of 2010] is now going to be the focus and given the weak January we have had and the bad weather, there is still a distinct possibility that we could dip back into the red in the first three months." There are concerns that the rise in VAT, which returned to 17.5% in January, and the decision earlier this month by the Bank of England to stop pumping money into the economy, could act as a drag on growth. The UK had been the last major economy to start growing again. Europe's two biggest economies - Germany and France - came out of recession last summer, and Japan and the US also emerged from recession last year. The UK recession began in the April-to-June quarter of 2008, and was the longest UK downturn on record. During 18 months of recession, public borrowing increased to an estimated £178bn, while output slumped by 6%.

A LUO PROVERB

Timni e nyingi.

Your conduct is your name.

There is more to what makes a person than a mere name.

Police Suspect Kenyan Dancer of Deliberately Spreading HIV in Finland

More men have come forward as possible victims of an exotic dancer who police suspect deliberately tried to spread HIV. Her picture and name have been publicized in an effort to find others who may have had sex with her.  Police are investigating Tampere resident Judith Omondi-Mäkelä for aggravated assault, believing she had sex with men in order to give them HIV. She has also gone by the name Rachel.  Before the police went public with her identity, they had already located seven men who had been in sexual contact with the suspect. Police inspector Antti Heijari says that at least one of them has been diagnosed positive for HIV.  Omondi-Mäkelä consented to having her picture released, in hopes that her other possible sex partners might have themselves tested for HIV.  According to investigations, Omondi-Mäkelä has probably had numerous partners, not all of whose identities remain unknown to authorities. Most of those who have been identified met the suspect in connection with Tampere night life.

KIKUYU AGE GROUP

1920 - Rika rîa Kîbandî - Identity card age group

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IKO NINI BWANA SEED ARCHIVE

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